'Working on stress and resilience has changed my life.'

For over 25 years, I held leadership and management positions in large (mostly corporate) organizations. These were fantastic roles in which I collaborated with amazing people and learned a lot.

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But I also found it quite challenging at times. I felt responsible and wanted to do a good job. When things got stressful, I worked even harder. The more I worked, the harder it became to put things into perspective, and the more stress I experienced. I felt rushed, constantly felt like I had to do everything, became short-tempered, reacted more emotionally and irritably, and felt tension and restlessness in my body. Because my mind was so busy, I had less space for what others needed. This negatively affected me, my surroundings, ánd my performance.

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In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was (successfully) treated for cancer. That was a turning point for me: I decided I wanted to do things differently from now on. I wanted to learn how to better manage stress so I could thrive even under pressure. I quit my job and took a time-out. I delved into what stress is and how it affects your brain and body. I discovered that stress primarily manifests in your body and that it can be measured using biofeedback. I experimented with various biofeedback tools and stress management methods. The objective data provided me with insights about what caused my stress and what changes in my life reduced stress and improved resilience.

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Today, a few years later, I feel like a different person. I no longer feel rushed; my body is relaxed, and I have the peace of mind and space to see things clearly and feel better. As a result, I can prioritize better, set boundaries, and make decisions that keep me balanced.

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Of course, I still experience stress – stress isn’t always negative; it allows us to perform. And starting a business can be quite stressful😉. But now I recognize stress earlier and have the tools to calm my mind and body, making the impact much less severe. I also handle situations that would have caused me stress in the past much better because I’m now more resilient.

Overall, I feel happier, more effective, more positive, more energetic, and more balanced. The physical complaints I used to have, such as neck and shoulder pain, have disappeared.

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If I had known everything I know today 10 or 20 years ago, I would have been a better leader. That’s why I’ve chosen to help others manage their stress better and increase their resilience so that they no longer suffer from the negative impact of tension and stress. I believe everyone deserves to be a healthier, better version of themselves with less stress!

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What else you should know about me:

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I love making things clear, measurable, and manageable, especially when it comes to change. Stress is often intangible, and people aren’t always aware of the (extent of) their stress. By working with biofeedback, I make stress tangible, visually clear, and measurable. This creates initial awareness but, more importantly, shows what is and isn’t effective so we can monitor and manage progress.

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I understand the challenges of large (corporate) organizations and leadership roles. This allows me to better grasp your challenges, especially regarding stress.

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My view on stress in organizations:

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Admitting as a leader that you face challenges with stress or that there is tension within your team is not a weakness or a sign of failure, but rather a strength. In today’s rapidly changing world, full of stimuli, stress is a reality, but not everyone has learned to deal with it effectively. Acknowledging this challenge and making it a topic of discussion is the first step towards improvement and demonstrates courage and responsible leadership. By addressing stress, you create a healthier work environment and strengthen both the resilience and performance of yourself and your team.

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Moreover, it’s a misconception that working harder automatically leads to better performance, and a busy schedule is not a status symbol or proof of importance. Working too hard and too much actually makes us less effective, ultimately leading to poorer performance and physical and mental issues.

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If you knew me, you’d know that I:

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• Love traveling! Together with my partner, I explore Europe in our camper van.

• Laugh too loudly but have a lot of fun in life 😊.

• Can’t go without chocolate. My day isn’t complete without a piece after dinner.

• Take walks in the dunes as often as possible – which are luckily in our backyard.

• Love singing, preferably very loudly. It gives me a sense of freedom and makes me happy. I used to dream of being a singer, but now I’m a bit more realistic 😉.