About

Let me tell you a story about my life. You might recognise yourself in parts of it!

As a young girl I loved birds and other wildlife

As a little girl, I had a great interest in birds. At the time I lived in the Netherlands and I owned a little bird guide with photos and descriptions of all the Dutch birds. I knew them all by heart even though I had never seen most of them in real life. I was so excited when I spotted one! I also enjoyed encounters with other wildlife, such as squirrels, foxes and deer. I specifically remember a time when I sat squatted on the ground in the forest, with a beautiful acorn in the palm of my stretched out hand, trying to entice a wild squirrel to come and get it. I waited patiently so long and so still that it actually came!

As a teenager, nature was no longer deemed ‘cool’

When I became a teenager, nature was no longer deemed ‘cool’ by my peers, unless it was spectacular and exotic and probably the backdrop of an amazing activity. It is very common that teenagers experience a dip in their connection with nature, and I was no exception.

You’ve probably experienced it too!

As a young adult I got caught up in the demands of the modern, western lifestyle

I forgot mostly about nature and, like so many of us, got caught up in the demands of the ‘modern, urban, western lifestyle’. What happened is that I was living my adult life under chronic stress. And I didn’t even realise it! After all, I had a job, a partner, a roof over my head, food on the table, I had friends, hobbies, I exercised. I had nothing to complain about …

At least, that’s what I told myself. I collapsed to a viral infection in my mid twenties, I spent 4 months moving between my bed and the couch. But even that didn’t wake me up. I never fully recovered and developed severe chronic pain and chronic fatigue but I put on my best smile and kept going…

Do you know that smile? Do you do that too?

Good things happened and bad things happened …

Life went on and my partner and I had a beautiful baby. Five years later, in 2009, we moved to Australia. These were wonderful things. But I still hadn’t learned to acknowledge or deal with my chronic stress and it was affecting me more and more. My physical and mental health were suffering. It seemed that nobody could help me. I felt so lost…

Do you sometimes worry that chronic stress is taking a toll on your health? Do you feel lost in life?

I re-discovered my interest in nature

Something really good happened though. It sowed the seed for my turning point. I began to explore this new country with my young child who was – where have I seen that before? – very interested in the animals and plants around her. Going places with her where everything was just as new to me as it was to her, re-ignited my own interest in nature. I was already a keen photographer and I always brought my camera on these trips so I could keep the memories of all the amazing discoveries and share them with others as well.

At rock bottom, I discovered the healing power of nature

Fast forward to 2017. Unfortunately, life took another turn and I hit rock bottom. On top of everything that I already had going on, an accident left me with TBI and PTSD and I also discovered that I suffered from complex trauma. This is when I really discovered the healing power of nature. As I slowly climbed my way out of the depths, I developed a whole new level of nature connection! And consequently, I developed a connection with myself, I gained more confidence, I learned about my purpose and I began to feel better and better!

Would you like to discover the healing power of nature connection?

My work as a Nature & Wildlife Photographer, Blogger and YouTuber/Filmmaker has helped me to deepen my connection with nature and learn an incredible lot about it. I have studied many books, courses and workshops in the areas of nature and wildlife, environmental science, nature connection, indigenous wisdom, personal growth/personal development and coaching and I have come to the conclusion that cultivating a deeper connection with nature can truly transform your life! And the beautiful thing is: it is so easy and fun to do!!

With Nature Connection as the foundation, I started expanding my work and my mission

I’ve always had a fascination for how the human brain works and why people act the way they do. And so, as I transformed myself, I learned more and more about this. I decided to expand my work as a transformational coach by studying the powerful modalities of Women-centered Coaching and Clinical EFT. I especially took an interest in studying the relationship between trauma and physical symptoms as well as the subconscious behavioural patterns that keep us stuck.

I was encouraged by the research and the results that all these approaches can facilitate and I decided to blend the three together for a holistic approach with even more powerful effects!

Credentials:

I am a Clinical EFT (Tapping) Certified Practitioner and I hold a certificate in the Foundations of Women-Centered Coaching. I engage in ongoing professional development in these modalities. I am registered through EFT Universe and I abide by their Ethics Code.

Apart from my life’s experience and lots of self study around topics such as Nature Connection, personal development, nervous system regulation and trauma, I also bring to the table a background that includes a Diploma in Social Work, a Bachelors Degree of Psychology (with Honours), and decades of work experience in creating content and educational materials as well teaching and facilitating in numerous settings.

Every approach I use is carefully chosen, rooted in solid science as well as having deep personal experience of it’s effectiveness. I love learning and growing and I am always learning new things that could help you even more.

Photo: courtesy of Olivia Janssen

Fun fact: aside from my love for nature and bush walking, I love the performing arts and you can find me singing and dancing in my spare time.