No Job, No French, No Investor: How a Collapsed Plan Led to Freedom on the French Riviera - Bogdana (Dana) Verbytska

Dana relocated from London to the French Riviera with the promise of a position at a high-end fitness club that was still in development, where she would continue her successful career in wellness. Shortly after arriving, the investor pulled out. Suddenly, she was unemployed in France with no French language skills, no guaranteed income, and a family depending on her. In this episode, we explore what it really takes to build a sustainable yoga business after relocation. From navigating French bureaucracy and tax systems to finding an international clientele and creating retreats that actually sell, Dana shares how her background as a professional athlete shaped her resilience. She explains how she identified a niche for English-speaking clients on the Côte d’Azur, and why community is essential when building a career abroad. We also talk honestly about financial pressure, competition in the wellness industry, finding freedom, and redefining success beyond the glamour of the French Riviera. A candid conversation about women, relocation, career reinvention, and making a living in the South of France when the original plan falls apart. This is the full-length episode. If you would like to listen to a condensed 28-minute version, it is available on Living the Dream – Radio Edition. Living the Dream: French Riviera Podcast Women and their professional journey while relocating to the South of France. https://livingthedreampodcast.com