In this episode of Gringa in Mexico, Courtney Trevino talks with Heather Gray, a podcast host and functional diagnostic nutrition practitioner who left Colorado following a divorce and the loss of her beloved cat. A Facebook post led to an offer of somewhere to stay in Puerto Vallarta for three months. Within a week, Heather had cleared out most of her three-bedroom home and boarded a flight to a city she had never visited.

Heather shares how she met her partner, Lauro, through a dating app, what happened when she lost one of her remote jobs shortly after moving, and why earning dollars doesn’t necessarily mean living comfortably. She’s candid about the belongings she wishes she had kept, the strain of living paycheck to paycheck, and the everyday experiences that have challenged her expectations.

From a memorable first date over tacos to some humbling encounters with the local buses, Heather’s story captures the pleasures and difficulties of starting over while much is still uncertain.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Making a sudden move after personal loss—and reflecting on what you leave behind. • Dating in Mexico, finding Lauro, and how a relationship can change your experience of a country. • Supporting yourself through remote work and adjusting to an unexpected loss of income. • Navigating public transportation, language barriers, and different expectations around time and daily life. • Why financial preparation matters—and what Heather wishes she had organized before moving.

For anyone considering a move to Mexico, Heather’s experience offers an honest look at building a life you value while still figuring out how to sustain it.

Connect with Heather: Website: www.renegadehealthboss.com

Connect with Gringa in Mexico: Website: www.gringainmexico.com Facebook: Gringa.In.Mexico Instagram: @Gringa.In.Mexico TikTok: @therealgringainmexico YouTube: @TheRealGringainMexico

For information about upcoming workshops or small group and individual coaching on living—and making a living—in Mexico, email therealgringainmexico@gmail.com.

Follow the show for more honest conversations about building a life in Mexico, and share this episode with someone considering the move.

In this episode of Gringa in Mexico, Courtney Treviño talks with Amanda Mancio, a freelance hairstylist who moved from Austin, Texas, to Puerto Vallarta in 2023. Amanda shares how a health challenge prompted a major life change, why her plans to work in wedding hair fell through, and what it took to rebuild her livelihood.

From offering free services to demonstrate her skills to traveling across the bay for appointments, Amanda found ways to build trust and attract clients. She also shares the difficult moments—including being down to just 200 pesos—and why, despite the challenges, Mexico still feels like home.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Starting over professionally and adapting when your original plan fails. • Building clientele through Facebook groups, referrals, and house calls. • The financial pressures of launching a business while settling into a new country. • How transportation, supplies, and language affect your working day. • The role of community—and why Amanda continues to choose Mexico.

For anyone considering earning a living locally in Mexico, Amanda’s experience offers an honest look at the preparation, persistence, and relationships involved.

Connect with Amanda: Facebook and Instagram: @amandamanciohair

Website: www.manciohair.com

Connect with Gringa in Mexico: Website: www.gringainmexico.com Facebook: Gringa.In.Mexico Instagram: @Gringa.In.Mexico TikTok: @therealgringainmexico YouTube: @TheRealGringainMexico

For information about upcoming workshops or small group and individual coaching on living—and making a living—in Mexico, email therealgringainmexico@gmail.com.

Follow the show for more honest conversations about building a life in Mexico, and share this episode with someone considering the move.

In the first episode of Gringa in Mexico, host Courtney Treviño sits down with longtime friend Ashley Werter, a mother, photographer, teacher, artist, and small-business owner who moved from Seattle to Puerto Vallarta in October 2018.

Seeking more time with her son and a different way of living, Ashley built a creative working life that includes photography, design, publishing, and teaching. Her projects include Nomad Family Photo Group, Chula Shirt Co., and Velvet Vallarta Magazine.

Together, Courtney and Ashley explore the move that brought her here, the realities of seasonal income and self-employment, and the relationships and experiences that have helped make Mexico home.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Moving from Seattle to Puerto Vallarta • Building a photography business and navigating seasonal income • Combining creative projects with teaching • Balancing motherhood, work, and personal fulfillment • Adapting to a different pace and different expectations • Learning Spanish and building community • Ashley’s experiences of safety, belonging, and freedom

CONNECT WITH ASHLEY

Nomad Family Photo Group — website

Nomad Family Photo Group — Instagram

Velvet Vallarta Magazine — Facebook

CONNECT WITH GRINGA IN MEXICO

Website

Facebook: @Gringa.In.Mexico

Instagram: @Gringa.In.Mexico

TikTok: @therealgringainmexico

Email: therealgringainmexico@gmail.com

Interested in upcoming workshops or small-group or individual coaching on living and making a living in Mexico? Email Courtney for more information.

Enjoyed the conversation? Follow Gringa in Mexico wherever you listen and share this episode with someone who’s dreaming of—or already building—a life in Mexico.