There is a decentralized revolution occurring in health care, and now the concept of voluntary health sharing has emerged as a new avenue that freedom-minded expats can use to protect themselves and their families in the event of unexpected injury or illness. 

That’s what today’s guest, Andy Schoonover, joins me to discuss. Andy is the CEO and founder of CrowdHealth. The company uses a voluntary crowdfunding model to pay its users’ medical bills and can even help them when they are overseas.

TODAY’S CONVERSATION WITH ANDY SCHOONOVER

• Listen in to hear how Andy’s personal experience with the U.S. healthcare system led him to create CrowdFund as a solution to the outrageous prices and lack of transparency.
• You will be shocked to learn about the medical procedure for Andy’s daughter that a U.S. insurance company deemed “unnecessary.” 
• Discover why the doctor-patient relationship in the U.S. has been replaced by the doctor-insurance company relationship, leaving the patient by the wayside.
• Learn just why healthcare is so much more expensive in the U.S. than just about anywhere else on Earth.
• Why are Americans so obese in comparison to the rest of the world? Andy digs into the root causes of such poor health trends in the U.S., even while having some of the best doctors in the world.
• Uncover why Western medicine often misses the mark by focusing solely on treating symptoms while often neglecting the underlying health issues that cause them.
• Hear Andy and me explain why a strong community—like the one we have built here at Expat Money—is essential to a functioning healthcare system.
• Discover how the CrowdHealth model of voluntary health sharing was inspired by how similar communities, such as those in Kenya as well as the Amish.
• What type of people typically join the Crowd Health community? You won’t be surprised to hear a lot of similar qualities 
• Lastly, find out how Crowd Health can help expats when they experience unexpected medical issues while overseas.

WHERE TO FIND ANDY SCHOONOVER 

Learn more: https://www.joincrowdhealth.com – use promo code EXPAT for a discount

Follow Andy Schoonover on X

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Sign up now, and you’ll also receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”

RELATED EPISODES

306: Nayib Bukele’s El Salvador: An Oasis of Decentralization – Dr. Jack Kruse

283: Panama Healthcare: A Personal Case Study Report

153: Creating A Support Network For The Worlds’ Poorest – Gret Glyer

CONCLUSION

It was great speaking to someone like Andy, who truly understands, from firsthand experience, the problems with the health insurance model and how decentralization and voluntary action provide the solution. Having a backup plan for catastrophic health issues that might crop up is a crucial part of any Plan-B, so I hope this conversation inspires others to seek solutions like the one presented today.

The post 309: Revolutionizing Expat Healthcare Through Voluntary Health Sharing – Andy Schoonover appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

It has not been a great couple of weeks here for myself and my family, but I want to share this story with you because I think there is an excellent opportunity to impart some lessons, not only about the excellent healthcare system here in Panama but also about living overseas overall. 

You’ll hear it in my voice that I’m still not entirely back to 100%, but I wanted to get this one out while everything was fresh on my mind. I hope you find value in my experience and can use it to better prepare for your own expat future. 

EXPAT HEALTH INSURANCE

If one thing should be clear from my story today, it is that it is absolutely essential to plan for the worst-case scenario when you are living abroad or travelling. Reach out to our friends at Insured Nomads so that you can travel with peace of mind when it comes to your health coverage. 

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

You would have already read the basics of today’s story if you’d been receiving the EMS Pulse newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times! Sign up now, and you’ll also receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”

RELATED EPISODES

265: Tips, Tricks & Strategies For Moving Abroad With Your Family

178: 94 Things I Do To Set Myself Up For Success – Mikkel Thorup

164: Medical Tourism In Colombia

CONCLUSION

I hope you got a lot of value out of my experience with health care in Panama this past week. Even as I write this, I am still not back to 100%, but I really wanted to share this with you to drive home how important it is to have access to affordable health care, no matter where you are in the world. 

Aside from that, my experience really demonstrates the value of a support network. I am so grateful to have been surrounded by family, hired help, and friends in the community who I could count on while I was out of commission. 

We can never prepare for every possible scenario, but we can take actionable steps to put ourselves and our families in the best possible position to cope with the unexpected when it inevitably strikes.

The post 283: Panama Healthcare: Personal Case Study Report appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

Across several episodes, I have been trying to organize my thoughts regarding what I’ve been able to do over the last couple of decades to set myself up for success. 

I have spent a lot of time trying to figure these things out, and a number of major struggles were holding me back along the way. Tune in to hear me break down how I overcame three major obstacles to pave the way for success in my personal and professional lives.

RELATED EPISODES

178: Ninety-Four Things I Do To Set Myself Up For Success

224: How I Plan Out My Life And Guarantee Success – Part 1

225: How I Plan Out My Life And Guarantee Success – Part 2

CONCLUSION

There you have it, the 3 massive things I had to overcome in my life before I really was able to become successful.

As you can tell from this episode, nothing has come easy for me in life, but I don’t talk about how I’ve overcome these struggles in order to brag. Rather, I hope that you’ll be able to learn from my experiences and perhaps skip a few of the mistakes I made along the way in identifying exactly what was holding me back. If you get value out of this episode, please feel free to share it with a friend.

See you next Wednesday! 

The post 262: Three Things I Had To Overcome To Find Success appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

Today’s episode celebrates 250 episodes of the Expat Money Show!

I can’t believe some of the incredible people I’ve gotten to speak to doing this podcast, many of whom I admired years before this show, were even an idea in my mind.  It occurred to me that many of you hadn’t yet begun your expat journey when I started this podcast back in 2017, and there’s a decent chance you haven’t heard some of the biggest and best interviews that I’ve conducted over the years. 

So this week, we’ll be checking out a sampling of top names I’ve interviewed since starting the Expat Money Show – people like Doug Casey, Grant Cardone, Jim Rogers, and the great Congressman Ron Paul. Enjoy!

RELATED EPISODES

221: What The World Can Expect In 2023 – Ron Paul

075: Grant Cardone – Developing a Millionaires Mindset

036: Jim Rogers – North Korea, China, Mandarin And The Current State Of Education

CONCLUSION

While this episode may have been a look back into the past, believe it or not, we are just getting started here at Expat Money. This podcast has laid the groundwork for the efforts we are currently undertaking, helping thousands of freedom-loving individuals seek higher ground. The future is bright for those who take action to improve their lives by becoming an expat, and this show will remain the flagship for those who share our ideals. I’m greatly looking forward to the next 250 episodes and beyond, and I’m thrilled to have you all along for the journey. 

See you all next Wednesday on the podcast!

The post 250: Celebrating Success: Key Takeaways from Expat Money’s Finest Discussions appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

Today’s guest is Ernie Baca, a retired law enforcement professional with a distinguished career spanning 30 years. During his tenure with the United States Marshals Service, he was part of high-profile cases such as the Trials of John Gotti, the World Trade Center Bombers, and Timothy McVey.

Upon retiring at the age of 52, he moved to Mexico and fell in love with San Miguel de Allende, where he initially settled before moving to Monterrey. He now serves the Expat community by sharing his experiences of moving, living, and travelling to Mexico through his well-known YouTube Channel, “Retired Life in Mexico NO BULL.”

TODAY’S CONVERSATION WITH ERNIE BACA

• Listen to Ernie detail his backstory in various U.S. federal law enforcement agencies, leading him to find and fall in love with Latin America.
• Ernie details why he ended up moving to Mexico “by accident” upon retiring at the age of 52.
• Hear Ernie describe the U.S. doctor’s visit that awakened him to the idea that, perhaps, U.S. health care isn’t the greatest in the world after all.
• Your jaw will drop as you hear the nightmare of red tape and bureaucratic boondoggles Ernie had to manage to try to deal with U.S. health insurance companies.
• Learn how Ernie’s healthcare woes led to his wife suggesting the crazy idea of trying a doctor in Mexico.
• Ernie describes his absolute amazement at the rapid and excellent service he received in Mexico, getting the MRI he spent months trying to get in the U.S. the next day in Mexico at a fraction of the cost.
• You will be floored to learn about the incredibly high level of treatment Ernie received all along the process of diagnosing and treating his cancer in Mexico.
• Hear the inspiring perspective that beating cancer gave to Ernie and how it has propelled his new lease on life as he continues to enjoy the retired life in Mexico, cancer-free.

RELATED EPISODES

237: What’s It Like Relocating to Mexico When the World Doesn’t Make Sense – Jonathan Lockwood

164 – Medical Tourism In Colombia

136: Medicare For Expats – Danielle Roberts

HOW TO FIND ERNIE BACA’S WORK

“Retired Life in Mexico NO BULL” on YouTube

CONCLUSION

It was absolutely incredible to hear Ernie’s story. I legitimately got shivers up my spine during certain parts of his harrowing journey dealing with cancer. But Ernie’s story is an excellent example of what I am always driving home to my listeners – there are almost always superior, more affordable options overseas, even when it comes to saving your own life. I enjoyed my conversation with Ernie so much that I’ve already invited him back to discuss safety and security in Latin America, so be sure to subscribe to the podcast and the Expat Money YouTube channel so you don’t miss it!

The post 246: Beating Cancer in Mexico – Ernie Baca appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

Jonathan Lockwood is a pro voice over talent originally from Detroit and currently living in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. He now spends his spare time venturing deep into the Mexican countryside and finding amazing artisanal mezcal. 

I enjoyed getting to know Jonathan and you are going to learn a ton from this conversation.

TODAY’S CONVERSATION WITH JONATHAN:

• Listen in to hear Jon share the story of how he grew up in an apocalyptic religious cult and how he “woke up” from the brainwashing, which helped him to see that things are not always as they seem.
• Jon describes how foreseeing the forthcoming fiscal nightmare in the United States led him to explore other options outside of his home country.
• Hear Jon describe the striking similarities with how politics created divisiveness in families over the last several years to his own experience rejecting the beliefs his family had raised him to hold. 
• We dig into our shared belief that it’s important not to condemn others for being behind where you are at any given moment in life. 
• Then we discuss how Jon wound up choosing San Miguel de Allende, Mexico as his home, where he now lives with his wife and their daughter. 
• Learn what Jon views as the surprising advantage of living in a country with an extremely inefficient government. 
• Jon relays a hilarious experience he had when he first attempted to speak Spanish upon arriving in Mexico – he had me stitches!
• We discuss the concept of “stacking freedom” as opposed to trying to find a “Shangri-La”, and how not to become paralyzed by the fear of making the wrong decision.
• Jon goes into detail describing the “melting pot” city of San Miguel de Allende, and how the locals have responded to the always-growing expat community there. You’ll be wanting to book your trip to San Miguel after hearing this!
• Then we discuss how Jonathan developed a passion for artisanal Mezcal that he sources from “the Disneyland of Mezcal” in Oaxaca, Mexico. I learned so much about Mezcal that I never knew before!

RELATED EPISODES

234: I Wrote a New Book on Moving to Mexico

213: From The Bay Area To Mexico an Expat Story – Ken

170: Searching For Freedom In Mexico – Marc Clair

PURCHASE THE EXPATS GUIDE ON MOVING TO MEXICO

Inspired by Jonathan’s story to look further into Mexico? Get your own copy of the Expats Guide on Moving to Mexico and after you read the book, do us a HUGE favour and leave us a great review on Amazon! This is a huge help in getting the book in front of more people.

HOW TO REACH JONATHAN

Jonathan’s voiceover website: https://jonathanlockwood.com

The Mezcal Maniac Substack: https://mezcalmaniac.substack.com/

CONCLUSION

I had an absolute blast getting to know Jonathan and his story. His journey is such an excellent example of the kind of opportunities that can open for you when you begin to look at the world in a different way and decide to take the leap into the expat lifestyle. See you all next Wednesday on the podcast!

The post 237: A Different World: Jonathan Lockwood’s Mexican Relocation Amidst Global Madness appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

Today, I am going to do a “freedom read”, a concept inspired by my friend Kevin Koskella on his Freedom Lovin’ Podcast, where he would read sections of prominent freedom books, which I thought was such a cool idea. So today I am going to be reading the first few chapters from my recently published book, the Expats Guide on Moving to Mexico.

We haven’t even done an official launch of this book yet, so we need to help people realize it’s out there. In today’s reading, you’ll learn much of the basics of why so many expats have been moving to the beautiful country of Mexico.

The Expats Guide on Moving to Mexico

• The Expats Guide on Moving to Mexico is a comprehensive A to Z guide through everything you need to know about Mexico and the processes behind moving there or setting up a Plan B residency in the country.
• Getting a residency in Mexico is not that complicated or expensive. So don’t fear; in my new book, I go into detail about what the process is like and how you can do it yourself.
• I explain my first task as the author of this book – to discuss mindset. Are you ready for a change, and how will you accomplish it?
• My goal is to present the full reality of Mexico to the fullest extent of my ability – the good, the bad, and the ugly.
• I address some of the biggest fears many have of becoming an expat. Are any of these holding you back?
• I outline some of the reasons Mexico can provide an excellent quality of life, including some advantages you might not expect.
• I discuss who this book is NOT for. Yes, it won’t be for everyone.
• I lay out the major differences between living in Mexico vs. living in places like the USA, Canada and Europe.

RELATED EPISODES

213: From The Bay Area To Mexico an Expat Story – Ken

170: Searching For Freedom In Mexico – Marc Clair

093: Why Are People Leaving The USA – Travis Luther

PURCHASE THE EXPATS GUIDE TO MOVING TO MEXICO

Get your own copy of the Expats Guide on Moving to Mexico and after you read the book, do us a HUGE favour and leave us a great review on Amazon! This is a huge help in getting the book in front of more people.

CONCLUSION

I hope you enjoyed today’s episode, and I really do hope you enjoy the brand-new book.

After reading this book, you will have a thorough understanding of the types of visas to be able to move to Mexico, the specific requirements to get residencies, the safest cities to live in as an expat, the cost of living, and so much more!

Even in just the chapters covered here, you’ll leave with a solid idea of everything you need to take into account to determine if Mexico is the right country for you.

As I said in the episode, our plan is to release several of these, but for that to happen, I need lots of support from the community. We want to make this a number-one bestseller, and we need lots of reviews out there. So pick up the book and let me know what you think. Hopefully, you’ll get lots of value. Send me a note or put a review on Amazon. I’m going to read everything. Thanks!

The post 234: Your Mexican Dream: Insights from My Latest Book on Moving appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

Efrat Sagi-Ofir, along with her partners, started Air Doctor to ensure medicine was accessible to anyone at any time, and while the journey has not been easy, today Air Doctor is available in over 70 countries, has a network of over 20K doctors, and is a partner to some of the world’s biggest insurance companies.

EFRAT AND I DISCUSSED A TON OF REALLY GREAT IDEAS; HERE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVOURITES:

• How to start a company that’s super successful with just 2 people and a passion for helping others.
• What the number one concern for parents is when travelling with their children and how to combat this terrifying emotional thought?
• What to do if you get sick in a country where you don’t speak the language.
• How to navigate the medical system in a country far from home with just your laptop and wifi.
• How to save money and time when you’re travelling the world that will give you peace of mind.
• The most important aspect to ensure your safety when you leave the comfort of your home country to see the world.
• What is business like working with 20,000 doctors in 70 countries, all speaking different languages?
• And much much more…

PODCAST EPISODES YOU WILL ENJOY

164: Medical Tourism in Colombia – The Expat Money Show – With Mikkel Thorup

128: TRAVELLING TO EVERY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD – SALVATORE LAVALLO

125: Overcoming Fear Through Travel – Mike Corey – The Expat Money Show – With Mikkel Thorup

HOW TO REACH EFRAT SAGI-OFIR

www.air-dr.com

Linkedin/efrat-sagi-ofir

CONCLUSION:

I had such an interesting conversation with Efrat. Along with her business partners, she has tackled a problem for travellers who leave the comfort of their own country, where they speak the language and understand their own medical procedures.

There’s nothing more frightening than having an emergency with you or your family members and not knowing what to do. Efrat has figured out how to combat this.

Once I finished this episode with Efrat, I signed up for her services. It’s free, and I’ll feel more relaxed when I leave home!

The post 175: Telemedicine For International Families – Efrat Sagi-Ofir appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

Today’s guest on the Expat Money Show is Siim Land. He is an author, public speaker, influencer, content creator, and a high-performance coach. By education, he is an anthropologist but he’s also an entrepreneur and a writer.

WHAT WE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL IN THIS INTERVIEW:

• What is biohacking and why are we hearing about it everywhere?
• How to quickly get over jetlag.
• Did you know that a lack of this one thing accelerates ageing! You are probably not getting enough of it. 
• The one single feature that can cause havoc at night time and that you should never ever do.
• The absolute most important hormone associated with sleep and is your body producing it properly?
• The hottest topic of the day – learn how to fast and for how long. Should you try it? Is it really that good for you? 
• The top 5 critical foods that are good for the body and the brain. 
• Are we talking science or just another fad?
• Let’s talk supplements… all the hype over these topics, what’s the real deal when it comes to your immune system?
• Truly some of the most important vitamins and minerals your body needs to live a long a productive life. Are you getting enough? 
• How body-mind empowerment is about improving your physical and mental performance.
• Enhancing human life. Your life. Your family’s life. 

RELATED PODCAST EPISODES

• 135: Living A Perpetual Traveller Lifestyle – Sergio Von Facchin
• 133: How to Find Cheap Flights To See The World On A Budget – Jen Ruiz
• 125: Overcoming Fear Through Travel – Mike Corey

HOW TO FIND SIIM LAND’S WORK

• www.siimland.com

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If you’d been receiving the EMS Pulse newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times, you would have already read the basics of today’s story! Sign up now, and you’ll also receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”

CONCLUSION

I’ve been working with Siim for a few months now, and he has helped create a plan for me and my family to enhance our lives so that we stay healthy and live a long and wonderful life. Siim has clients from all around the world. He starts by doing blood work and DNA, etc and puts together a plan just for you to solve a situation you are having. I highly recommend working with Siim. 

The post 146: Enhancing Immune Support for Busy Travellers through Biohacking – Siim Land appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.

Today’s guest on the Expat Money Show is Jennings Wright the Founder & Executive Director of 10Eighteen.org, a nonprofit organization that works with teen moms in the Namuwongo slums in Uganda with a halfway house and a vocational school; a WASH campaign in remote Rwakobo village inside Lake Mburo National Park; and food for children in 3 schools.

WHAT WE DISCUSSED IN THIS INTERVIEW:

• How modifying your perspective on something so important will radically change your life.
• What you feel when you step inside a country like Uganda, how it changes your life and gets in your heart
• You can’t even imagine what the slums in Uganda are like, the smell, the waste, the garbage yet Jennings has been 13 times to help make a difference for all that live there.
• Listen to the story of a grandmother who is raising 6 grandchildren from 2 of her children who have died of AIDS…unfathomable.
• Who really benefits from the normal average non-profit? Jennings describes in detail how different their organization is and how the people she helps learn new skills to take out to the world and make a difference.
• What happens when you work with a nation that is mostly illiterate? Or that 65% of the population is under 18? What is in store for Ugandans going forward?
• Here’s how you can really truly make a difference in the lives of others that don’t have access to clean water, clothes or food every day; imagine only eating every other day? 
• Learn how vitally important schools being open in a country like Uganda so that children can have food to eat every day. 
• The shocking stories of teen pregnancies in the slums of Kampala and how food is traded for sex. 

PODCAST EPISODES YOU WILL ENJOY

• 131: Travelling To Brazil During The Pandemic – Mikkel Thorup
• 127: Lockdowns Around The World And Where It’s Safe To Go – Jeffrey Tucker
• 115: The Solution To Educating Your Children Abroad – Michael Strong

HOW TO FIND JENNINGS WRIGHT’S

• www.10Eighteen.org
• Facebook

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

If you’d been receiving the EMS Pulse newsletter and the weekly Expat Sunday Times, you would have already read the basics of today’s story! Sign up now, and you’ll also receive my FREE special report, “Plan B Residencies and Instant Citizenships.”

CONCLUSION

This was probably the most difficult episode for me to record. We had to stop several times so that I could get myself composed. Jennings’s stories are heartbreaking but true. I know my listeners, and I can only imagine that every one of you who takes the time to listen will be compelled to want to help. I know I am and that is why I have decided to make 10Eighteen the official charity of Expat Money and I will be supporting their initiative going forward. 

The post 145: Creating a Nonprofit in Uganda’s Slums – Jennings Wright appeared first on The Expat Money Show - With Mikkel Thorup.