EPISODE · Feb 16, 2026 · 28 MIN
No Job, No French, No Investor: When a Collapsed Plan Led to Freedom on the French Riviera - 28 min Radio Cut - Bogdana (Dana) Verbytska
from Living the Dream - Radio Edition Podcast · host Cecile Liconnet
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 condensed 28-minute episode. If you would like to listen to the full-length version, it is available on Living the Dream: French Riviera main Podcast channel Living the Dream: French Riviera Podcast Women and their professional journey while relocating to the South of France. https://livingthedreampodcast.com
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She moved from London to the French Riviera to take up a position at an elegant fitness club that was still in development and the investor pulled out. With no job, no French, and a family to support, Dana had to decide: return to the UK or build something of her own. In this episode of Living the Dream: Women, Work & Relocation on the French Riviera, we talk about starting a wellness business from scratch, navigating French administration as a self-employed expat, finding an international niche, and creating yoga retreats that sell. This conversation is about women relocating, reinventing their careers after 40, and building a stable income in the South of France.
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No Job, No French, No Investor: When a Collapsed Plan Led to Freedom on the French Riviera - 28 min Radio Cut - Bogdana (Dana) Verbytska
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