Who’s that girl?

Time or Money?

In 1992, immediately after obtaining my bachelor in business administration at Nyenrode University, I asked myself an important question: what is more important; time or money?

If I continued my studies and pursued a career like my fellow students, I would be trading my time for money but losing my freedom.
I wanted to collect experiences, not possessions, so I decided to buy a backpack and travel the world as a freelancer. I never worked for a boss. I got my ass kicked 100 times and got to know myself extremely well.

Trust yourself. Focus only on the things you can influence. Work with what you have.

Charities, bad guys and a Knight

Travel made me curious and eager to understand the world around me. I did a Master’s degree in Anthropology and Latin American studies at the University of Florida. That made me realize that everything is relative; even our worldview depends on where we were born, and through which ‘lenses’ we see.

I wanted to ‘contribute something’ to the world. During the introduction of the Euro, I raised €16 million in foreign coins for 140 charities through my Coins for Care initiative. Because many non-profit organizations did not want to reveal how they spent the money, I founded the first Dutch Donor Organization. I fought for more transparency in the charity sector for 7 years, without pay. Ultimately, the Dutch Queen appointed me Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau.

Survivor; lessons from a desert island

In 2005, I was so fed up with cronyism in the charity world that I signed up for the ‘Dutch Survivor reality show, ‘Expeditie Robinson’. A month on a desert island in Malaysia taught me about survival and group dynamics… Hidden in a cave for two weeks and made leader against my will, the other participants immediately rebelled against me. A compilation video in the finale shows what happened.

People who are ‘different’ are often seen as a threat, even on a desert island.

‘Fired’ from the Netherlands

As one of the first digital nomads, I explored more than 100 countries. I shared my stories and insights through lectures, workshops and writing retreats all over the world. However, my wanderlust also had unforeseen consequences. Ten years after my knighthood, my passport renewal was refused because I ‘travelled too much.’ This ironic twist resulted in parliamentary questions, de-registration from the Netherlands and a new identity: I officially ceased to exist.

The paradox of my dismissal by the Netherlands became complete when the Dutch government (and other countries) later hired me to advise on ‘the problem’ of the mobile generation.

Sometimes what seems like a setback can turn into your biggest opportunity.

From obstacles to opportunities

My new status forced me to sell my house in the Netherlands. Unexpectedly, it also opened new doors; in the world of real estate. I invested in rental apartments in Amsterdam and fell in love with Puglia, South Italy, where I not only bought real estate but also became an olive farmer thanks to the production of unique olive oil on my own Tiny Trullo land.

Location independence became my trademark. Now, I help others live in freedom and work remotely.

Use the bricks others throw at you to build a solid foundation

The power of storytelling

I integrated all these experiences into more than 1000 keynote presentations, two TEDx lectures and more than 30 books. I have been interviewed more than 750 times in the international media.

As a book writing coach, I now help others to express their personal or business story and send it out into the world.

There’s a story in everything, you just need to learn to see it

Energy management

My life may seem like one big adventure and success, but behind the scenes, it was often a struggle. Every step, decision, victory, and setback has shaped me.

After two car accidents, two whiplashes, and two physical burnouts, I was forced to slow down. I struggled to find a balance between doing and being.

Tip: don’t put ‘being’ on your to-do list…

Years of exploring energy management taught me that I wanted a more balanced life. So, I’ve decided to ‘retire’ at the age of 55. Instead of constantly working and doing, trying to create small islands of being, I now want to live with being as the foundation and only small islands of doing. An even freer life, without a schedule!

Let’s connect

Follow me on social media where I regularly share my adventures; inspiration to discover YOUR unique path and make YOUR dreams come true.

P.S. I always answer personally!