It’s that point of 12 months! After we assume again on the 12 months that’s handed, and replicate on the accomplishments and “failures”, the highs and lows.
I’ve been doing these roundup posts since 2012…and I’ve been tremendous in line with them – I’ve solely missed 2 years!
We love doing these reflective posts for ourselves to recollect what’s truly occurred all year long, and for you – to offer you a behind the scenes into our private {and professional} lives.
We hope these posts both encourage you, provide you with a lightbulb second, or simply provide the alternative to get to know us slightly higher!
In my e-mail that I despatched out on the finish of 2024, our phrases and emotions heading into 2025 have been: recalibration, stability & freedom…I feel we did a fairly good job of incorporating these values into this 12 months.
2025 – The Yr of The Snake
Primarily based on the Chinese language Zodiac, 2025 was the 12 months of the Snake…which was all about consciousness, delicate shifts, and shedding outdated “pores and skin”. It wasn’t about enormous, dramatic adjustments, it was extra about quiet recalibration.
Wanting again, that theme couldn’t be extra correct for us based mostly on what we skilled this 12 months!
This 12 months wasn’t about pushing more durable, or forcing issues…it was all about pausing, observing, and getting sincere with what’s working (and what’s not) with our well being, enterprise, and day-to-day lives. After which barely recalibrating the route and adjusting the dial.
As with yearly, there was quite a bit to be pleased about in our private {and professional} lives. We had numerous “ups”…however, there have been some lows all year long as nicely.
Let’s get into it. Right here’s a take a look at what 2025 needed to supply…
PS, should you’d wish to examine our years from the start, you’ll be able to! Take a look at 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012.
In January, I made a decision to rent a Purposeful Well being Coach who offers with thyroid, hormone and intestine well being. I’d been feeling exhausted, confused, and “foggy” for fairly some time.
It was time to deal with the basis trigger, as a substitute of simply powering by means of and overlooking the signs.
Time for a Cleanse
My well being coach instructed I am going on a detox and weight loss program for six weeks (I ended up doing it for 55 days), which meant no gluten, dairy, sugar, seed oil, espresso or alcohol. Nick joined me and reduce out most of these issues as nicely, together with caffeine and alcohol!
It would sound like a difficult weight loss program (and eating out was), however in actuality, I discovered it fairly straightforward. If you consider it, it’s simply consuming actual meals – proteins, greens, nuts and fruits.
Throughout this time, I additionally took numerous dietary supplements and pure capsules to assist out my intestine and liver. After that detox, I used to be the bottom weight I can keep in mind being in my grownup life. Extra importantly, I felt good as nicely.
Additional Testing
After that preliminary cleanse, I made a decision to take it a step additional and did a blood take a look at for my thyroid, and a HTMA take a look at (hair tissue mineral evaluation) with my well being coach.
Should you’ve by no means accomplished one, I extremely suggest it. The quantity of issues she was in a position to inform me about my physique simply based mostly on my hair was thoughts blowing.
I realized which minerals I used to be severely missing, and which toxins have been in my physique – and the way these imbalances have been affecting my well being, and every day life.
Mainly, my coach was like “I don’t know the way you’re even functioning proper now”… the take a look at confirmed my adrenals have been in a state of excessive burnout, I used to be extremely low on important minerals, and based mostly on my blood take a look at, and different issues I’d been experiencing, I’ve Hashimotos.
The remainder of the 12 months was about making well being a precedence – emotional, psychological and bodily. I had a bespoke mineral powder created only for me based mostly on what my physique was missing, and I’m joyful to say that I’ve been feeling actually good since then.
After we considered “stability and recalibration” because the aim for this 12 months, I didn’t assume it could be to do with balancing out my minerals!
We Shook Up Enterprise
that feeling when issues are good, however one thing simply doesn’t really feel proper?! Like, one thing’s off? The primary few months of 2025 felt that manner. We have been each a bit not sure which route to take our new teaching enterprise.
In 2024, we ran two profitable cohorts with 18 wonderful folks, however to be utterly sincere, we each felt fairly burnt out heading into 2025 … even my hair take a look at confirmed that! 😅
The enterprise was new, so in fact there was a lot to do.
We had spent months filming and making a course, conceptualizing and designing a brand new program, after which delivering stay calls, texting, and web site builds.
We felt like we have been working actually exhausting on our purchasers companies, and didn’t have time for our personal. We would have liked to rebalance and recalibrate!
Not surprisingly, in the beginning of this 12 months, we each kind of felt reluctant to run one other cohort.
We needed time to work on increase our enterprise, updating our program so it might be as present as doable, and having time to create content material for our social media, this web site, and e-mail subscribers.
So, we determined to shake issues up!
A New Atmosphere
We made the choice to take off to Crete, Greece for a few weeks and it was one of the best choice we made. Generally, you simply want a change of setting to realize readability or to get the spark again, and the Greek island offered that.
We did numerous climbing, explored outdated cities, swam within the sea, ate wonderful meals…and mentioned how one can transfer ahead with our enterprise.
We have been in a position to recalibrate barely (relatively than making a large, dramatic pivot), and discover a resolution that gave us the stability we needed/wanted…
…we’d run this system “evergreen”, and over an extended time period. This meant that new purchasers might be part of all year long, relatively than for a cohort which felt overwhelming generally.
It additionally gave them extra time to benefit from the course materials and undergo it at their very own tempo.
New Course & Occasions
Since we made that slight change with the best way we ran our teaching program, this gave us time to do extra and be extra artistic.
We launched a model new course to assist folks discover the enterprise concept of their passions, abilities, and life experiences…AND, we ran 3 stay occasions for our followers – free of charge.
Individuals beloved the stay occasions and fairly a number of joined our program after getting on a stay name with us and seeing how a lot ardour we’ve for distant companies.
All of this felt actually good and was far more aligned.
I’m joyful to say that we had 27 new members be part of our Creator Kickstarter teaching program this 12 months, and 61 joined our Area of interest Readability Course, and we’re tremendous grateful for that!
We Bought ENGAGED!!
Should you’ve only recently began following us, you in all probability assumed that we have been already engaged, or married. 😂
On our 18-year anniversary (sure, 18!), Nick popped the query at an property within the Beaujolais wine area in France, surrounded by vineyards. It was probably the most romantic, special occasion you’ll be able to even think about.
Being the genius he’s, Nick advised me he was planning one thing secret for our 18-year anniversary…
…so I wouldn’t be suspicious or anticipating something however a particular anniversary day. I had completely no concept what was deliberate for the day.
It began with a prepare journey from Lyon to Annecy – a village in France which is alleged to be the inspiration for Magnificence and The Beast. Simply visiting the picturesque village, full with an outdated city, crystal-clear lake, and surrounding mountains would’ve been an incredible day!
However, it was the day that stored on giving 🎉
We hopped in an Uber and made our strategy to a hanger and air strip…the place our personal helicopter was ready!
Champagne was popped and we loved the very scenic, 35 minute flight from Annecy to the Beaujolais wine area simply north of Lyon. We flew over mountains, villages, farmland, rivers…and vineyards.
Then, we began our descent and the helicopter actually landed in a winery. Significantly, you’ll be able to’t even make this up!
As we walked into the property, a desk for two was set beneath an enormous tree, and we have been surrounded by (you guessed it), vineyards.
Nick popped the query earlier than our beautiful charcuterie board and wine arrived – I feel if he waited any longer, he in all probability would’ve burst! 😂
In fact, my reply was (and all the time will likely be), sure.
It was probably the most unimaginable day. Someway, Nick was in a position to hold this all a secret for weeks and weeks whereas he orchestrated the entire thing. The hassle, thoughtfulness, and love behind this proposal made it much more unforgettable.
Because the cherry on high, we headed to the South of France to share our information and journey round with a bunch of shut pals.
A Good friend Was in a Tragic Accident
Life’s a loopy factor. Whereas we have been getting engaged in France (experiencing the happiest time collectively), a detailed buddy of ours was combating for his life in a hospital in Mexico.
After being hit by a automotive whereas crossing the highway, our buddy Nathan suffered from a traumatic mind damage (amongst different issues). I gained’t get into it, however the hospitals in Mexico and his insurance coverage firm failed him.
Navigating the emotional duality of our engagement pleasure, alongside the overwhelming grief of what he was going by means of – and the prognosis – was extremely difficult.
It hasn’t been a straightforward highway for Nathan, however unbelievably… in the present day, simply 7 months because the accident, Nathan is strolling and speaking and residing his life…what a miracle!
All of the medical doctors mentioned he shouldn’t have survived.
We spent American Thanksgiving in Mexico with him this 12 months, an occasion that he organized for 28 folks. There was undoubtedly quite a bit to be pleased about.
Nathan just about summed up each his sense of humour and what we have been all pondering at Thanksgiving when he added his be aware to the gratitude board:
In fact, with it being such a traumatic damage, he nonetheless has a methods to go, however Nathan’s progress is unimaginable and we’re all so pleased with him.
This expertise actually put into perspective simply how fragile life is, the significance of being there for pals, and the significance of residing life to the fullest.
High quality Time With Household & Associates
We’ve been touring and residing overseas now since 2008, so we don’t see our households as typically as we’d like, however after we do, we make it depend! With the ability to take break day after we need – or convey our work with us – is one thing we don’t take without any consideration.
2024 felt busy and rushed, whereas this 12 months, we allowed ourselves to decelerate and spend intentional, high quality time with family members.
Mother Does Europe
This 12 months, my mother came over us in Europe – her first time on the continent! We met her in Rome and spent a number of days strolling and consuming our manner across the metropolis.
Then, we flew to Bulgaria to point out her round our dwelling, earlier than driving throughout the border to spend a few days in Greece collectively.
We had a memorable go to, and she or he added three new international locations to her listing. Seeing her eyes huge and in awe of the unimaginable ruins and buildings in Rome is one thing I’ll always remember.
Dwelling to Canada
Throughout the summer time, we headed dwelling to Canada to go to with extra family and friends. Summer season in Canada (when there aren’t any forest fires…) is truthfully one of the crucial gorgeous locations on earth!
We spent 5 weeks at dwelling and loved numerous lake time, boating, fishing, climbing, visiting farmer’s markets, consuming wonderful meals, and naturally, visiting with everybody.
We all the time discover it tremendous exhausting to work whereas we’re visiting, however we discovered a stability and nonetheless made time to help our purchasers, and create content material for our enterprise.
Connecting with family members and making time for folks we care about is a high precedence for us, and having the freedom to take action on the drop of a hat is what this life-style actually means to us.
We Invested a LOT
For the final couple of years, we’ve put an emphasis on investing in teaching and consulting for our well being, funds, and our enterprise…and this 12 months was no exception!
We employed coaches for well being, investing within the inventory market, for gross sales and mindset, and for short-form video creation… and social media consultants.
We’re agency believers in investing time and cash into ourselves, and in those that are going to assist us attain our targets sooner than we might if we went at it alone.
Well being
As I discussed in the beginning of this put up, I employed a Purposeful Well being Coach who focuses on thyroid & Hashimotos. This ended up being an eye-opening expertise for me.
Should you’ve been feeling slightly “off”, it’s undoubtedly price consulting with a health care provider and discussing a plan for a cleanse, working blood assessments and even an HTMA take a look at.
For me, I beloved that she was all about discovering out “why” the signs are there within the first place, and taking a look at me as an entire individual…relatively than simply treating signs.
Finance (Spoiler: We Employed Our Shopper!)
This was a very cool, full-circle expertise. Jimmy joined our Creator Kickstarter program in 2024 the place we taught him how one can take his information of non-public finance and investing, and changing into a self-made millionaire, and switch it into an internet enterprise of his personal.
He now has greater than 100,000 followers on Instagram, round 10,000 subscribers to his e-mail listing, he’s created an investing course for newcomers, and runs a neighborhood the place he affords month-to-month calls, and tons of recommendation contained in the neighborhood.
Clearly, as soon as he launched his program, we needed to be part of!
Not solely have we realized a ton about inventory market investing normally, however Jimmy shared his Wealth Ladder system with us, and continues to share his inventory picks (and the explanations behind them).
We like Jimmy’s strategies as a result of he’s low threat, and he picks foundational shares with established firms based mostly on his actual analysis and information.
We tremendous pleased with how far he’s come along with his enterprise, however not solely that, since hiring him as our finance coach and becoming a member of his neighborhood, our investments have accomplished very nicely.
We could have began investing later in life, however it’s undoubtedly higher late than by no means. 🙌
Social Media
Regardless that we’ve been sharing on social media since 2012, the panorama is all the time altering.
So as to keep on high of what’s working and what’s not, how one can create one of the best content material doable, and how one can proceed to develop whereas being genuine on-line, Nick joined a high-ticket teaching program with top-of-the-line video creators within the business.
Throughout the program, he had course materials to undergo, and stay group calls two occasions per week.
He’s been working tremendous exhausting on creating content material that’s academic, supplies worth, and brings folks into our ecosystem.
Nick’s even grown his personal TikTok account from zero to nearly 5,000 followers and reels with nearly 100,000 views! All in only a few months whereas nonetheless working our different companies – wonderful.
Gross sales, Technique & Mindset
Being an entrepreneur requires neighborhood – and really, being in any enterprise does!
However, working for your self and carrying all of the hats (gross sales, advertising, networking, content material creation, consumer work, teaching calls, and all of the tech!), comes with challenges.
Having mentors in numerous areas has been a large assist for us once more this 12 months – we had 3 completely different coaches all through 2025.
Whether or not it’s gross sales and technique, mindset and visibility, or simply for accountability and having somebody to bounce concepts off of, having a neighborhood and enterprise coaches is one thing we’ll all the time spend money on.
Retreats & Occasions
We had two unimaginable experiences this 12 months at in-person occasions and retreats.
A significant “excessive” from 2025 was seeing Tony Robbins stay in Germany with 13,000 different folks! Tony is absolutely the GOAT in relation to the self-help, mindset, enterprise, and total life transformation.
It was emotional, intense, and uncooked. We actually walked throughout sizzling coals to show to ourselves that we are able to do exhausting issues.
We hugged, high-fived, danced, and gave again massages to finish strangers! We had so many “aha” moments and breakthroughs on the occasion.
Plus, there have been numerous visitor audio system, together with Dean Graziosi and Trent Shelton (whose guide Nick had already learn with out realizing he’d be there!).
The vitality within the area was not like something I’ve skilled.
We additionally went to a lovely small mastermind retreat with our mentors in Greece! Being alongside the ten different entrepreneurs who have been rising their companies, dropping outdated beliefs and tales, and working at a excessive frequency was such a privilege.
In fact, the enterprise and masterminding facet was nice, however so too was the sundown crusing, the climbing, the in-house chef, the DJ get together, and the gorgeous villa all of us stayed in.
Becoming a member of occasions just about is one factor…however being stay… that vitality is unmatched!
Giving Again
That is one thing that I don’t really feel like we did sufficient of this 12 months. Volunteering our time and donating cash to causes is one thing we centered closely on in earlier years, and we’ll be doing extra of in 2026.
Serving to out and having an affect on the world is what it’s actually all about. Having mentioned that, we did handle to do a number of impactful issues this 12 months.
Rubbish cleanups have been a typical activity for us – regionally in our neighbourhood and surrounding mountains, and we all the time convey our personal luggage and decide up trash when Nick goes fly-fishing on the rivers. Sadly, rubbish is a matter in rural Bulgaria (and plenty of locations on the earth).
This month, a consumer of ours went on her annual journey to the Dominican Republic the place she brings toys and medical provides to the kids of a village there. We beloved this initiative and we have been joyful to contribute for her to share with the children.
Lastly, after discovering out that our buddy Nathan’s insurance coverage wouldn’t cowl all of his hospital payments, we brainstormed with some pals to see how we might assist out.
In fact, there was a GoFundMe deliberate, however he wanted extra.
We determined to place collectively our personal fundraiser. Having by no means ran any kind of fundraiser earlier than, it was a bit difficult logistically, however it got here collectively! Each little bit counts and we’re so grateful to those that donated to the trigger. 🙏
Our Travels
Regardless that we’re now based mostly in Bulgaria, journey and freedom are nonetheless our core values!
We all the time discover ourselves getting “itchy” and able to go on the following journey. We’ve been to over 80 international locations collectively, and today, Europe has been the place we’ve largely been exploring.
In our youthful years, we have been actually into getting offtrack and having loopy adventures in lesser-visited elements of the world like Central Asia, Africa and the Center East.
These days, we’re in our “Europe Period” 😂. Flights from our dwelling are so shut and simple, we are able to hop within the automotive and drive to close by international locations, and there are such a lot of locations on this continent that we nonetheless haven’t visited.
This 12 months, we visited 9 international locations (Greece, Italy, France, Monaco, Canada, Germany, Eire, Mexico & Spain), and plenty of new locations round Bulgaria.
Monaco and Eire have been new international locations for us, as have been all of the locations in France, and the cities of Madrid, Milan and Cologne. So, we had a number of repeat international locations, however numerous new cities!
Our final minute journey to Eire by campervan was a particular spotlight of the 12 months. You possibly can learn extra about that journey right here.
The pub tradition with its unimaginable music and trad periods, the pleasant welcoming folks, the gorgeous landscapes, and the hearty meals and completely poured Guinness, made for an unimaginable journey. It was exhausting to go away!
Objectives and Ideas For 2026
We’re already feeling a really robust urge for extra freedom and extra motion. I’m deciphering this as bodily motion (travels and train!)…but additionally emotional and religious. It actually looks like one thing massive goes to occur this 12 months!
There are 4 most important issues that we wish to deal with and achieve in 2026:
Offering Worth
That is what our enterprise is all about and what it’s all the time been about. As I discussed earlier on this article, for a short while, we felt like we have been too overwhelmed, or busy to offer something “further” to our viewers.
Now that we’ve organized our teaching program to be extra manageable (and we’ve additionally employed an assistant and consumer care supervisor to assist out!), we’re going to focus extra closely on free occasions, and worthwhile emails and social media content material.
We have already got a bonus name on the calendar for our Creator Kickstarter purchasers and Distant Goats neighborhood! We’re tremendous enthusiastic about bringing our neighborhood even nearer. They’re truthfully one of the best group ever.
Specializing in Wellness
By this, I don’t simply imply our bodily well being, but additionally psychological, emotional and religious.
Just lately, we’ve each gotten into meditation, introspection, and manifestation, and that is one thing that we’re going to deal with much more within the new 12 months.
We’re agency believers in the truth that what we deal with, occurs. How we’re feeling and appearing will likely be mirrored again to us. So, if we’re feeling down, or having self doubt, that’ll be mirrored again to us from the outer world.
With meditation, it calms the thoughts, and permits for reflection and readability. We’re wanting ahead to experiencing extra of this in 2026.
The Yr of YES
When concepts come to us, or somebody mentions one thing that sounds attention-grabbing…we’re going to say “sure”. No overthinking, no indecision, no buzzing and hawing…simply going for it!
Each time we’ve accomplished that previously, issues have labored out for us and alternatives we by no means even thought-about have come up.
We already mentioned “sure” to a journey partnership for this 12 months, “sure” to travels to international locations which can be tremendous removed from the place we’re in Bulgaria, “sure” to new progress in enterprise, and “sure” to prioritizing this one life that we’ve.
2026 is the 12 months of momentum and saying YES!
Our Wedding ceremony
Quite than placing it off, or staying engaged for a very long time (I imply, we’ve already been collectively 18 years!), we’ve determined to get married THIS YEAR (2026)!
It’s thrilling, and a bit nerve wracking to consider planning it…however I’m positive would be the absolute spotlight of not solely 2026, however our whole lives.
We’re wanting ahead to sharing that a part of our lives with you in addition to we step into this new chapter.
Thank YOU!
We’re so grateful that you simply’re right here and are following our journey. Whether or not you’ve been right here from the beginning in 2012, otherwise you’ve simply joined the “tribe 🐐”, thanks to your help – it means the world to us!
Should you’re right here for the digital nomad data, to observe our private journey, or to learn to flip what you already know into an internet enterprise, you’re in the correct place.
Our motto has all the time been: flip journey into a life-style … and that mission isn’t altering anytime quickly!
Should you haven’t already, don’t overlook to subscribe to our e-mail listing, and observe us on Instagram. And, should you’re taken with becoming a member of the Creator Kickstarter to earn an earnings, have an effect, and discover function in your work, ship us an e-mail and we’ll see should you’re a very good match.
As all the time, wishing you the very best, most adventure-filled, thrilling, and enjoyable 12 months forward full of affection, laughter, progress and naturally… journey.
Dariece & Nick