I am a British Ex Pat and have been living in New Zealand since 2012. I am now a dual citizen of NZ and UK.
I started this blog in 2012 on the run up to emigrating. It was a way to document the processes and keep all my friends and family around the world updated.
I chose New Zealand as a result of coming here in 2012 with team GB to race in the triathlon world championships. I was blown away with how beautifully quiet it was tucked away down under. I was sold.
When I originally came over I was a despondent teacher looking for a new country to revive me. It didn’t quite work out like that and I resigned as a teacher permanently at the end of 2013. This was when my business Ryding2Health (now called The Body Mechanic Ltd) was born. I have been self employed ever since.
This blog has seen me through an around the world emigration, a career change and a number of other major life changes including a formal autism diagnosis at the age of 42, a total knee replacement in 2018 and a left leg below the knee amputation in 2020. I have blogged regularly documenting my everyday life and experiences in this beautiful country since 2012 and continue to do so.
As always, I am honest and keep it real, with a hint of hoping to help and inspire along the way.
Carpe Diem
You only have one life, and you must live it to the full. I have rebuilt my life in a country where pace is slower, life can be lived, and the outdoors could be enjoyed.
It didn’t quite work out as I originally expected, but it’s been an awesome and interesting journey, and still is.
Melanie Magowan 