He Didn’t Just Escape Corporate—He Left the Country W/Ed Patterson — Brett Trainor Unplugged

Episode Summary

After nearly 30 years in corporate communications, Ed Patterson didn’t just leave corporate—he left the country. He and his partner planned their move to Portugal, secured residency, and designed a new life where work no longer sits at the center. We cover what it really takes to prepare (financial, legal, lifestyle), what he’d do sooner, how he reframed success to “quality of my day,” and practical advice for anyone considering a similar shift—whether you move abroad or simply want more control at home.

Chapter markers

• 00:00 Intro: Why Ed left corporate and the U.S.

• 00:45 Ed’s background: PR/Comms, crisis, agency + in-house

• 03:00 The Portugal plan: residency, D7 visa, timelines, consultants

• 05:35 How they prepared: roles, finances, finish lines, advisor sign-off

• 10:50 Healthcare and costs: private insurance, day-to-day expenses

• 14:40 Redefining happiness: “quality of my day,” health, sleep, energy

• 20:13 Advice to 30- and 40-somethings: plan for when you want to—and when you have to

• 26:14 Do an inventory: skills, network, gaps, use corporate to upskill

• 30:11 Action over waiting: fractional, contracts, bridge income

• 33:06 The “adventure years” mindset and inviting questions

• 35:23 Close

Key takeaways

Plan with intent: set a finish line, pressure-test with a financial advisor, and define roles at home.
Consider geo-arbitrage: lower costs can pull your finish line forward by years.
Optimize your day: sleep, movement, and mental space beat title-chasing.
Treat corporate like your one client: extract skills, network, and education while you’re there.
Build optionality: fractional work and short contracts can bridge income during transitions.
Do the inventory: skills, network, marketable experiences, and gaps to close before you jump.
Prepare for both scenarios: when you choose to leave—and if corporate chooses for you.
Health matters: design a life you can actually enjoy.

Guest

Ed Patterson:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edpatterson1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twoguysinportugal

Callout quotes

“We hit our finish line sooner because our costs dropped by a third to a half.”
“I sleep better, eat better, and feel more creative. That was impossible when work ran my day.”
“Plan for your choice—and for the day you may not have one.”