My personal story
I’m born and raised in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, father of two kids (a boy 9 and girl 7) and enjoying life to the fullest, including its struggles. Struggles? Oh yes, by all means I’m no guru, all knowing, perfectly balanced success story. In fact, all I really know is that I know nothing. And that’s great because when nothing is certain, everything is possible. As for my struggles, challenges and ‘failures’; they are part of my growth. They make life interesting and colorful. And finally they make me an excellent life coach. I find happiness and balance in daily life, not because I feel certain or know it all; but because I’ve learned to deal well with uncertainty and not knowing it all.
Random facts…
I successfully ran 7 marathons and countless half marathons. I see running as a mind game, a meditation and an awesome metaphor for life. I also enjoy the gym and yoga. I’ve done a 10-day Vipassana retreat in South Africa and two 3-day retreats in Belgium: it’s a meditation technique and the noble silence is rigorous, the ultimate mindfulness training. I’m a pianist, but I don’t read notes, I improvise. You can listen to one of my songs (Cabrio) on the Supperclub 10 CD. I never graduated from college. I studied Social Sciences and later Production at The Dutch Film Academy: in both cases traded the class room for the real world. Millions of people saw TV shows I’ve created. And finally, I’m an Angel in Jeans: you can’t see them, but really I have wings and I’m here to help and guide.
Background info
At the age of 17, in response to being heartbroken, I developed a deep interest in personal and spiritual growth. I read authors like Anthony Robbins, Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra and learned about NLP, modern psychology, ancient Vedic wisdom and Ayurveda. Later I began studying the works Eckhart Tolle, Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching and Non-Dualism. I’ve always been a romantic: feeling connected to the universe, but for a long time I was in conflict. Desiring spiritual freedom, but seeking it by striving for the ‘ego’ kind of success: working hard, making money, always knowing something wasn’t right.
As a single I had my share of sex, drugs and… house music. I’ve experimented with expanding the mind and I still do sometimes – although now only in a more ritual context. To numb my growing discomfort with my place in life, (mainly my career) I started drinking more and more. And looking back on it, I can now say I’ve dealt with a severe alcohol problem between the age of 28 and 38. My biggest problem: it never was a problem. On the outside everything seemed fine… My career, social life or even health never seemed to be bothered much. But I always knew something was wrong: I was hiding myself, denying my true potential, destroying myself and keeping myself from the things I desired most. Unable to fundamentally change, it was in this time that paradoxically – I got my degree as a Life Coach. But it took me another 6 years to finally break free.
My transformation
August 2013. I was with my ex-wife and kids, enjoying our camper trip in the South of France. It was the last week as we headed to the famous Tour de France, Mt. Ventoux mountain. I was 15 when I first climbed that mountain on a bike and I did it again 4 times, in later years. But I was now 38, smoking a pack of Marlboro Lights a day and drinking… huge amounts of alcohol. Still I wanted to race to the top – I didn’t care I came unprepared. Hungover and with a sore throat from the night before, I started cycling at noon. The sun was burning – but I knew at the top it would be cold. After an amazing start I ultimately found myself fighting my way up.
I almost quit my attempt 4 times – nearly falling off my bike. I felt like dying, but as if angels were pushing my feet on the pedals I kept on going towards my family waiting at the top. I finally made it – without stopping once. Although I was exhausted, I was so incredibly happy – no euphoric really – to see them there. At 1921 meters, a clear blue sky – I realized my body allowed me to do this. Whether it be in sound, sight, smell, touch or taste: I realized that it is my body through which my spirit can express itself and experience life. And then I asked myself what I could do in return? The answer was to truly honor it. To nourish it and love it. And so I decided to do so. As I was driving back home at night a day later, I decided to quit smoking and drinking. Not much later I decided to quit drinking coffee and limit my sugar intake to an absolute minimum. Why? Because it helps you keep your balance, it limits your dependency of substances and so it contributes to a continuously purifying and profoundly positive transformation. It lets me use my mind, body and soul as an instrument. An instrument in tune with life, through which I can play along with the songs of the universe in a free and effortless way.
August 1, 2013. I will never forget it. Magic opened it’s doors and I’m still in awe everyday.