In 2018, I made a decision that changed my life:
I left my hometown of Toronto, sold off my belongings, and moved to Nosara, Costa Rica.
It wasn’t just a location change—it was a full identity reset.
I was walking away from 25 years in the nightlife and entertainment industry, from a life that no longer aligned with who I was becoming.
And for the past five years, Nosara became home.
Until it wasn’t.
When You Need a New Environment to Become a New You
The truth is, sometimes we have to leave everything familiar behind to figure out who we are without it.
Toronto had become a city of old habits and old triggers.
It was filled with versions of me I was ready to let go of.
I needed somewhere quiet.
Somewhere still.
Somewhere that would give me space to breathe, reflect, and rebuild.
Nosara gave me that.
It gave me the jungle. The ocean. The sunsets. The solitude.
And it gave me time to go inward—away from distractions, noise, and ego-driven performance.
The Beauty and the Shadow of the Jungle Life
Living in Nosara, I was surrounded by two kinds of people:
- Those on a deep spiritual path—coaches, shamans, facilitators.
- And those who had made their money, moved to surf, eat clean, and raise their kids in peace.
It was a conscious, heart-centered community.
Exactly what I needed when I arrived.
But there was also another layer:
A subtle energy of escape.
People hiding from responsibility, avoiding the grind, drifting in the illusion of freedom that minimalism sometimes masks.
I was somewhere in the middle—running from who I used to be, and reaching for who I was becoming.
Letting Go of “Zark the Club Guy”
I didn’t fully realize it at the time, but moving to Nosara helped me shed an identity I no longer resonated with.
I was no longer “Zark from King Street.”
No longer the nightlife entrepreneur.
No longer the guy chasing external validation through performance, hustle, or the next big high.
I was just a man with his dog, walking the beach at sunset.
Meditating.
Reflecting.
Rebuilding.
And that was enough—for a while.
The Feminine Flow… and the Missing Masculine Fire
Over time, though, something shifted.
Nosara is lush, slow, flowy, and deeply feminine in energy.
It’s Mother Nature at her fullest expression—jungle, ocean, birds, and breeze.
But for someone like me, there came a moment when I craved the opposite polarity.
I needed structure. Direction. Momentum.
I missed the grind.
I missed dressing up.
I missed focus, fire, and the thrill of getting sht done.*
And I realized something important:
Your environment has energy—and that energy shapes you.
When I was in Nosara, I flowed.
But when I dropped into cities like Toronto or Miami—I activated.
The Search for the Next Chapter
So I left Nosara.
Not because I didn’t love it.
But because it no longer matched the version of me I was becoming.
I tested Miami again. I’ve lived there off and on since 1997.
It’s evolved a lot post-COVID. A new wellness scene, high-frequency community…
But it was also chaotic, expensive, and overstimulating.
A one-bedroom for $6,000/month? No thanks.
Next was Collingwood—just north of Toronto.
I spent five quiet, snowy months there in monk mode.
Training. Writing. Reflecting. Grounded in one place. Nourished by nature.
Then the wanderlust returned.
Medellín: The Unexpected Maybe-Home
After bouncing through Austin, San Diego, and LA, I landed in Medellín, Colombia.
And it felt… right.
✅ Lush jungle and mountain views
✅ Big city energy without the overwhelm
✅ Affordable cost of living
✅ Great weather, delicious food, and soulful community
It checked boxes I didn’t even know I had.
After three weeks in Medellín, I left and explored a few more places—but kept thinking about it.
So I came back.
And now, as I write this, I’m sitting here in Medellín, wondering:
Could this be home?
On What “Home” Really Means
For years, Nosara was my dream.
I imagined buying land, building a home, raising a family there.
And maybe that vision will return.
But the town has changed. Prices are crazy. Energy’s different. It’s no longer that sleepy beach town I fell in love with.
And maybe I’ve changed too.
That’s okay.
Because sometimes you outgrow the dream before it fully manifests.
If You’re Thinking of Leaving Too…
I know a lot of people are thinking about leaving their home country.
Canada. The U.S.
Looking for more freedom, lower cost of living, better quality of life.
And I want you to know:
You don’t have to sell everything like I did.
Just try it for a few months.
Get curious.
Test new energy.
See who you become in a different environment.
Even if that place isn’t “it,” you’ll gain clarity.
And maybe even a part of yourself.
So, Where’s Home Now?
Honestly? I’m still figuring it out.
But here’s what I know I’m looking for:
- High-vibe community
- Nature
- Affordability
- Great food
- Warm weather
- Peace… and possibility
Right now, Medellín is rising to the top.
Nosara might still call me back.
But for now—I’m staying open.
And if you’re on a similar path—questioning what’s next, wondering where you belong—I hope my journey gives you permission to explore your own.
If you’re considering a lifestyle shift or want to explore living abroad, drop a comment or DM me.
I’m happy to share everything I’ve learned—from where to go, to what to avoid, to how to begin.
Thanks for reading.
And wherever you are on your journey—
Keep going.
The world is wide.
And home might be waiting somewhere you haven’t looked yet.
