Well-Traveled, Well-Respected. Leadership on the Road with Kristine Young

What does it actually look like to build a career without borders — and still thrive? In this episode, Kiana sits down with Kristine Young, an OG digital nomad and global marketing executive who has lived and worked across 8+ countries, from Russia to Hong Kong to South America, long before remote work was even a buzzword. Kristine gets real about ditching pre-med at Berkeley, ignoring the naysayers (including her own parents), and chasing a life that felt fully hers. She breaks down how she built a powerhouse career at brands like Adidas and Levi's while moving across continents, how to get credit for your work when you're not in the room, and why your network is only as strong as the real friendships behind it. Whether you're dreaming of working abroad, going remote, or just trying to stop living someone else's life plan — this one's for you.Key Takeaways:✈️ How Kristine went from pre-med at Berkeley to working across 8+ countries with zero blueprint🌍 Why choosing a globally-relevant career (like marketing) makes the nomadic lifestyle a strength, not a liability🧠 The mindset shift that made her walk away from med school — and why she has zero regrets🏢 How to stay high-performing and respected at work even when you're remote or halfway around the world📣 The real way to get credit for your work (hint: it's not just working hard in silence)🤝 Why your colleagues become your best career currency — and how friendships, not just contacts, land you your next role🌐 The non-negotiable traits you need to thrive in international business: flexibility, adaptability, and clear communication📅 Small but powerful ways to show cultural respect that make you the easiest person in the room to work with🗺️ What it was really like working for Adidas across 14 Asia-Pacific markets — Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing Olympics and all💡 Why you don't have to choose between your career and the life you actually want to liveTimestamps:0:00 Intro & guest introduction3:39 How Kristine got started — medicine to travel4:43 First international trip to Peru5:17 Working & living in Russia6:51 Quitting medicine & moving to South America13:24 Building your personal brand & reputation15:08 Self-promotion & getting credit at work21:00 Networking — knowing people is key22:02 The Adidas story — coffee to job offer in Hong Kong26:16 Building a network early in your career30:01 Maintaining your network over time32:37 Key traits for international business44:08 Adulting as a nomad — healthcare, taxes, laundry53:36 Favorite country — Hong Kong & APAC marketing at Adidas57:23 Wrap-up & call to action