I am 58 years young and retired from the corporate rat race 14 years ago. Everyone said I was crazy to retire so early. I said you are crazy for working at a job you hate till you are 70.
I was born in Frayser, Tennessee and am now an American ex-pat living in Kyiv, Ukraine.
I left 500k in salary on the table over the past decade and have no regrets. Money replenishes, itself, Time does not.
I am a Certified Personal Trainer/ Fitness Nutritionist/ Specialist in Exercise Therapy and also Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL-Scotland) abroad. I travel the planet looking for discovery, adventure, and knowledge. I bought a condo last summer in Kyiv, Ukraine to be with the most amazing woman I have ever met in my life. I spend my time equally there and on the road.
I am an avid golfer, competition chef, love reading, music-loving, open water certified rescue scuba diver, and will do anything for an adrenaline rush.
I live by a strict Hierarchy of Values. I do not waiver from their adherence.
1) Health- I love helping people reach their health goals. Your body is a
temple.
2) Wealth- Everyone has some type of wealth.
3) Faith- No explanation needed. Play hard, pray hard, all day, every day.
4) Purpose- I get joy/happiness from helping others. My happiness is not
determined by how happy I am, but how happy those are around me.
The cornerstone of achieving success is helping others(who appreciate it).
5) Absolute Freedom- This could be number 1 easily. The state in which
absolutely nothing can restrain me from doing ANYTHING, ANYTIME,
ANYWHERE my heart desires, neither myself nor any external forces,
6) Belonging- A sense of Community/ Social Relationships (WA filled a void)
7) Knowledge- The daily pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, adventure, and
discovery, by traveling, reading, soaking in all of life's experiences and the
wonderful things God has put on this planet.
8) Footloose- Life as most people live it leaves me empty and unsatisfied. I
need a richer, more intense and challenging lifestyle.
9) Respect- All any man needs is respect. All any woman wants is to be
loved.
10) Happiness- "Happiness is only real when shared"..Christopher
McCandless
I challenge everyone to WRITE DOWN your Hierarchy of Values.
For most of you, FAMILY would top this list. I have none. My mom was born in 1921, Dad in 1905. I have no siblings and only a few first cousins living. Not enough to keep me in the USA. I found the love of my life in Ukraine and the country is amazing. The cost of living there is 75% cheaper than in the USA.
They say you can never go home. They also say home is where the heart is. My heart is in Ukraine, so I AM GOING HOME.
Unlimited possibilities exist for me. I worked my ass off to get where I am
today and now I have Absolute Freedom. It will never be taken away from
me.
I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY AT WA, AND FULLY INTEND TO TEACH WA TO UKRAINIANS. The average salary there is $145/mth. I can really make a difference in the lives of so many there.
MAKE A LIVING, MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Mark
I was born in Frayser, Tennessee and am now an American ex-pat living in Kyiv, Ukraine.
I left 500k in salary on the table over the past decade and have no regrets. Money replenishes, itself, Time does not.
I am a Certified Personal Trainer/ Fitness Nutritionist/ Specialist in Exercise Therapy and also Teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL-Scotland) abroad. I travel the planet looking for discovery, adventure, and knowledge. I bought a condo last summer in Kyiv, Ukraine to be with the most amazing woman I have ever met in my life. I spend my time equally there and on the road.
I am an avid golfer, competition chef, love reading, music-loving, open water certified rescue scuba diver, and will do anything for an adrenaline rush.
I live by a strict Hierarchy of Values. I do not waiver from their adherence.
1) Health- I love helping people reach their health goals. Your body is a
temple.
2) Wealth- Everyone has some type of wealth.
3) Faith- No explanation needed. Play hard, pray hard, all day, every day.
4) Purpose- I get joy/happiness from helping others. My happiness is not
determined by how happy I am, but how happy those are around me.
The cornerstone of achieving success is helping others(who appreciate it).
5) Absolute Freedom- This could be number 1 easily. The state in which
absolutely nothing can restrain me from doing ANYTHING, ANYTIME,
ANYWHERE my heart desires, neither myself nor any external forces,
6) Belonging- A sense of Community/ Social Relationships (WA filled a void)
7) Knowledge- The daily pursuit of knowledge, wisdom, adventure, and
discovery, by traveling, reading, soaking in all of life's experiences and the
wonderful things God has put on this planet.
8) Footloose- Life as most people live it leaves me empty and unsatisfied. I
need a richer, more intense and challenging lifestyle.
9) Respect- All any man needs is respect. All any woman wants is to be
loved.
10) Happiness- "Happiness is only real when shared"..Christopher
McCandless
I challenge everyone to WRITE DOWN your Hierarchy of Values.
For most of you, FAMILY would top this list. I have none. My mom was born in 1921, Dad in 1905. I have no siblings and only a few first cousins living. Not enough to keep me in the USA. I found the love of my life in Ukraine and the country is amazing. The cost of living there is 75% cheaper than in the USA.
They say you can never go home. They also say home is where the heart is. My heart is in Ukraine, so I AM GOING HOME.
Unlimited possibilities exist for me. I worked my ass off to get where I am
today and now I have Absolute Freedom. It will never be taken away from
me.
I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY AT WA, AND FULLY INTEND TO TEACH WA TO UKRAINIANS. The average salary there is $145/mth. I can really make a difference in the lives of so many there.
MAKE A LIVING, MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Mark
ExpatMark's Goals 3

1

Money I would be happy earning
$5000
2

Money I would be ecstatic earning
$10000
3

Time I'm willing to invest to achieve my goals
As much time as it takes. Got 24 hours every day.
Goal created on


Comment on ExpatMark's Main Goals
Recent messages
Kyle
Premium Plus
You absolutely can and you will achieve these goals (and likely beyond) Mark! Dedicate yourself to your goals and take action on what you learn here. Action leads to success and I have never seen anyone fail that doesn't quit.
I look forward to working with you and do let me know if you need a hand along the way. :)
I look forward to working with you and do let me know if you need a hand along the way. :)
ExpatMark
Premium
$10,000 may seem low, but I am moving to Lviv, Ukraine and with the cost of living there, 10K is about $25k in buying power. Can invest 40-60 hours per week easily. I am retired but am Certified Personal Trainer, so this is slow time of year for me. thanks for the encouragement.
Top
Other Goals View All 0 Active Goals
ExpatMark's Accomplishments







Years
Leave ExpatMark a Message
Recent messages
statius
Premium Plus
Thanks so much. All the Best in pursuit and accomplishment of all your intentions and goals. I also enjoy golf and will be retiring next year. I have enjoyed my work in the mental health area but it is time to move on and explore. I have traveled a bit but never made it to Lithuania where my grandparents were born. Most of my relatives have passed as well as I was born as an only child late in my parents' life. They were in their forties. So I look forward to some new adventures as well.
jbills34
Premium
Well Mthompson3; i am truly honored and taken away by your acommplishments and desires and could not feel more honored to be followed by you. My lineage has roots in the Ukraine and while you are what I desire to be; I look forward to learning from you and have you inspire me as I am damaged goods at thistime.
Vaclav1
Premium
Hi Mark.
Only now I did read your full story. You must be very nice person!
I especially liked your words that you are getting joy and happiness from helping others.
Interesting is that I also have discovered beautiful girl with very gentle soul in Kiev. Yet we must together decide where to live - in Kiev or New York.
It looks we have similar destiny!
Only now I did read your full story. You must be very nice person!
I especially liked your words that you are getting joy and happiness from helping others.
Interesting is that I also have discovered beautiful girl with very gentle soul in Kiev. Yet we must together decide where to live - in Kiev or New York.
It looks we have similar destiny!
qrwizard
Premium
Mark, what can I say? Are you my younger brother? I could not believe what I was reading when I came to your profile... So many things in common! My most amazing love story was with an Ukrainian woman, my business partner from February on is also Ukrainian woman, my recently deceased partner's girlfriend...
Ok, we'll have time to talk if you want to.
Now, formally, thanks for the follow. Reciprocating.
Please, let's keep in touch!
Richard
Ok, we'll have time to talk if you want to.
Now, formally, thanks for the follow. Reciprocating.
Please, let's keep in touch!
Richard
ExpatMark
Premium
JohnPAlex
Premium Plus
Hi Mark, thanks for the follow, I will be keeping an eye on you as well. You are probably ahead of me since I took a year off and feel I am starting from scratch. The statistics also show if you do not have a focus after retirement, you don't tend to last long.
ExpatMark
Premium
Retired for the 9-5 11 years ago and have done more since than I did before. lol Absolute Freedom rocks.
Much success to you in 2019 too.
Mark
Much success to you in 2019 too.
Mark
Top
ExpatMark's Network
ExpatMark's Posts
60 posts
15 comments
27 likes
56 comments
86 likes
67 comments
83 likes
62 comments
83 likes
58 comments
50 likes
49 comments
66 likes
94 comments
121 likes
65 comments
96 likes
36 comments
57 likes
72 comments
102 likes