About me

Hello friend!

With over 15 years of expat experience in seven different countries, I am a well-seasoned expat woman who understands the challenges and beauty of living abroad. 


I was once a struggling expat who felt isolated, lonely and misunderstood in my new life.


After years of experience, multiple expatriations and lots of trial and error, I have turned into a confident, fulfilled and integrated expat woman - no matter where on the globe I land.


As a certified NLP and Ikigai coach, I am passionate about sharing my learnings and giving you the tips, tools and strategies that will help you live the expat life you deserve.

I am a wife, daughter, sister, mother of two children, experienced expat, accompanying spouse, lifelong learner and intrepid traveler. My life experiences have given me multiple perspectives from which I coach my expat clients.


As an expat woman, I know the feelings of isolation that come with living abroad. I have felt the heaviness of recreating my life from scratch, developing my new routines, and struggling with the local language.


I have yearned for a social network and community of like-minded people to share my time with and to provide support through the challenges.


I know very well the ups and downs that come with living this different kind of life.

"Have the courage to look deeply within yourself and get comfortable there. Be curious and begin to uncover and understand the things that make you vibrate. And when you find them, enjoy them, live them, be them. Ride the glorious wave of ikigai.”

Karly

I'D LOVE TO MEET YOU. GET IN TOUCH.

a little more about me...

For years I was going through the motions, bouncing from one thing to the next, always finding happiness in my work and activities but fleeting satisfaction.

As a long-term ex-pat, accompanying spouse, and mother of two children, I have had the privilege of traveling the world, learning new languages, and having some beautiful adventures.

But it has also meant applying for new jobs every time we moved, finding myself alone A LOT, juggling work and kids in a new country and language, and needing to find the energy to recreate my social networks repeatedly.

We moved internationally six times in 11 years, and somewhere along the way, I had lost my sense of self. I had lost my why.

The things that had grounded me in my previous life seemed like distant memories. My family and friendship circles - where I found my sense of belonging and purpose - were no longer a part of my daily life. I found it hard to engage in my hobbies due to a variety of reasons, though none valid enough to mention.

And I wasn’t carving out the time to practice self-love and self-care; a story many of us moms can relate to, ex-pats or not.

I wasn’t taking the time to do the inner work, to stop and reflect on how I was changing, to deeply consider what I wanted, and to understand who I was.


Identifying this lack of ikigai in my life was the first step to finding it.

In my personal development journey, I have my pursuit of mindfulness to help keep me grounded. My practice of yoga to bring together my body, mind, and spirit with increased awareness. And the framework and tools of ikigai to help me show up as a confident and happy expat, no matter where I land. 

I started Vibrant  because I know what it feels like to have a strong sense of ikigai in my life, and what it feels like not to. Having ikigai helps keep me honest with myself, authentic and motivated in my work and activities, and profoundly aware of where I find joy and a sense of purpose in my life.

I believe understanding, knowing, and pursuing your ikigai changes everything.

I embrace this beautiful Japanese philosophy with every breath, and I feel compelled to share it with expat women in the world, like you, so that you too can show up confidently and joyfully in your new home and life.

This is what I can help you with.

- Karly

*Karly Christ is the Founder and Director of Vibrant Ikigai

Karly is a certified Ikigai Coach & Master NLP Life Coach. She is a trained practitioner in mindfulness and is pursuing a yoga teacher training certification as part of her own personal development. She also holds a BA in International Relations & a Master in International Development.

PS: If you made it this far, send me an email at [email protected] or a DM on Instagram (@vibrantikigai_expatcoaching) and let me know what resonates with you most. I'd love to connect with you personally!

I am one of only a few certified ikigai coaches who are trained in the unique and powerful ikigai coaching framework and methodology approved by Japan’s leading ikigai authority, Clinical Psychologist Professor Akihiro Hasegawa, and developed by Nick Kemp of Ikigai Tribe.


At Vibrant Ikigai, I use the ikigai philosophy to help expat women in need of support during their expat journey, and believe the philosophy of ikigai is a game-changer for the struggling expat.


My clients are often: newly arrived ex-pats, accompanying spouses, entrepreneurs, diplomats, digital nomads, moms... 


I also work with international companies and associations looking to provide support to their expat communities and employees. If you are interested in learning more about how I can help support the expatriates in your organization, please send me an email.

I'd LOVE TO MEET YOU. GET IN TOUCH.

In line with my core values, I am a member of 1% for the Planet and give annually to environmental organizations.

Additionally, I support girl’s education, equity and empowerment. Some of the organizations I donate to each year include but are not limited to: UNICEF Equity for Girls, Malala Fund, and Girl Up.