Meet us, who we are & how we got here!

A bit about who we are and how we got here.

Mark:
I was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1961
I was educated in: Synge Street CBS (Primary and Secondary) & University of Limerick
I hold American, UK, & Irish Certifications. From: NCEF, IDEA, IETA, IPPTA, ACE, IMAA, ACSM, WEST, Berman, AF.
I am a Qualified: Martial arts Instructor, Specialist Weapons & CQB Instructor, Survival, Winter Survival & Mountain Craft Instructor, First Aid Instructor, Health & Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, Medical Exercise Specialist, and University Lecturer.
Over my long and varied working life I have held positions with; the Irish exercise teachers association- executive and advisory boards, the Irish martial arts association, the national certificate in exercise and fitness instruction-steering committee, the Irish professional personal trainers association - founder member.

I have worked in many countries and in many positions including: Army Instructor, Personal Protection Advisor, Martial Arts Instructor, Security Consultant, Personal Trainer, Continuing Education Provider, Survival Instructor, Medical Exercise Specialist, University Lecturer, Syllabus Writer, Course & Seminar Developer, Teacher Trainer, Motivational Speaker, Management Trainer, Sales Trainer, House Renovator, Kit House & Log Home Constructor, and Homesteader.
I have traveled to: UK, France, Holland, Belgium, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Croatia, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Egypt, Israel, Syria, Libya, Morocco, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Dubai, Bahrain, Japan, and USA.

I have many Hobbies that I now thankfully, have the time to enjoy, including: Reading, Skiing, learning new skills, bread and soup making, playing with homestead and permaculture problems, and inventing.

I am currently living in: Andalucia, Spain.with my wife: Lorraine (Lori)
I have been in a number of high stress well paid positions and had 2 very successful businesses. But I came to realise in my early forties that I was not enjoying my life. It had become too work oriented and although lucrative, it was not giving me the quality of life that I yearned for. My youth was spent in constant outdoor activity and physical work, I felt that that was where I had been happiest, and that being stuck indoors at a desk or podium, was not how I wanted my life to be.
Lori was also in a high pressure situation and not happy with her job or the amount of time we were spending apart. So we decided to do something about it. The result of that decision is the life we now lead. And we love it!

Lorraine
I was born in Manchester, England in 1972
I went to Haveley Hey Primary School, South Manchester High School, South Wythenshawe College, and Bolton University.
I qualified as a Beauty Therapist, Hairdresser, Make up Artist, Electrolysist, and Fitmess Instructor in 1992.
After leaving college I went to work on cruise ships. During my time on the cruises, I worked as a Beauty Therapist, Hairdresser, Head Therapist, and finally Salon Manager. I got to visit many countries including: Bermuda, USA, Canada. Caribbean Islands, Puerto Rico, Scotland. Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, North Africa, Maldives, India, Burma, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, China, Dubai, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Russia, Holland, and Norway.
After 2 years on cruise ships and at the age of 23, I obtained a teacher's certificate, and later at the age of 25 an honors degree in vocational and non-vocational education.
With a desire to learn French I went to work in Toulouse, Southern France for 2 years.
I came to Spain 8 years ago. I worked in a salon for a while, as both a Beauty Therapist and Hairdresser. Although I loved the work and the clients, a combination of working long hours, feeling over qualified and unchallenged by the job, and being away from Mark for so much of the time, made me feel unhappy. I decided to take stock of the important things in my life, and found that quality of life, was what I really wanted.
Becoming self employed was the fastest way to achieve this. Working for myself seemed daunting, as I'd always worked for others, but I knew I could do this myself.
When Mark and I moved to Monda, I started a Bridal Hair and Make-up buisness. Within this arena I was able to rediscover my love for my work, and to offer and apply, all my skills,expertise, and experience.
The work is seasonal and although I am very busy in the summer, we have lots of time together the rest of the year.
I've downshifted and I love it!