The day you stop racing is the day you win the race

August 8th, 2016, the day I stopped racing, everything changed.
I went from being an overworked and stressed-out rat-racer to a happy, calm and confident person, an outcome I never thought possible back then as I felt completely stuck. I realize now that I followed a path that is available to everyone but invisible to many. It’s a path we cannot see or don’t want to see when we’re fully absorbed by the busyness of everyday life.

August 8th, 2016 was the day I set off on a long inward journey while travelling around the world, from Belgium to Malaysia and Indonesia, to Australia and New Zealand, and Thailand. A journey in which I went from tense, stressed and feeling lost to relaxed, empowered and fully present.

Learn how to do the same in this article 👍

Happiness, High Performance, Personal growth, THRIVE, Self-confidenceJan AquariusJuly 4, 2025Thrive, Happiness, High PerformanceComment

How to Radically Improve the Quality of Your Communication

Have you ever walked away from a conversation only to realize something was misunderstood, misinterpreted, or simply not heard at all? Communication is at the heart of everything we do, yet it's surprisingly easy to get wrong.

In this article, I’ll share some powerful insights and practical tools to help you improve the quality of your communication—whether you’re speaking, listening, dealing with emotions, or navigating tricky conversations. You'll learn:

How cognitive biases affect the way we communicate
A simple model for high-quality communication
A tool to stay calm and clear-headed during emotional moments
How to become more mentally flexible and open-minded
A framework to express your needs more effectively
How to become a better listener—and why it matters

Break Free from Inaction & Become the Person You Want to Be

Why is changing ourselves hard? We can summarize a lot of it in one sentence: we know what we need to do but we don't do what we know.

We know that we shouldn’t eat that 5th cookie, get ourselves off the sofa and go to the gym, put that phone down and work productively, watch an episode less and do some reading or meditation, or take a step back and be honest about how we’re really feeling. But often, we don’t do it—or at least not consistently.

So what’s stopping us?

In this series, we’ll explore the key obstacles that hold us back and the tools to overcome them, using the Model for Progress & Transformation

The missing link to achieve and experience what you want

Why do we often feel like life is moving too fast and we’re not truly enjoying it? Why do we so often fail to achieve what we want? And why do we struggle to make desired changes a reality?

It’s something most people wrestle with. Fortunately, there’s both an explanation ánd a solution.

In this article, we want to offer you a model to tackle these challenges so you can more easily experience greater success, fulfillment, and happiness. A model that helps you to achieve more with less.

Breaking Free from Self-Sabotage & Perfectionism: How to Make Growth a Joyful Journey

When you’re in the training and coaching space, you start to see patterns that foster change and growth, and patterns that sabotage them.

One of the biggest obstacles I see? The pursuit of perfection.

For those with perfectionist tendencies (check 😅), this can be especially challenging. But even if you don’t consider yourself a perfectionist, chances are that when you get inspired to improve something in your life, you might fall into the trap of expecting quick results or perfect progress. And when reality doesn’t match those expectations, frustration kicks in.

So… how do we embrace growth in a way that makes it a joyful journey?

Mind Matters Most: The Science of Meaning, Mindset, and Lasting Fulfillment

In the previous article (The Clarity & Purpose Blueprint), we talked about how every fulfilling life starts with a simple yet powerful question: What do I truly want, and why does it matter?

Both Clarity & Purpose form the foundation for taking ownership of your life and experiencing more of what truly fulfills you. It’s not about perfection or checking off boxes—it’s about aligning your energy and actions with what feels meaningful to you.

In this article, we’ll dive deeper into how purpose is linked to fulfillment and why your mindset is the most powerful tool you have in shaping a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Groei, Happiness, High Performance, THRIVE, Personal growthJan AquariusFebruary 20, 2025Clarity, Purpose, High Performance, Happiness, Goals, Fulfilment, Mindset, Self-awarenessComment

The Clarity and Purpose Blueprint - Becoming your authentic self

Every fulfilling life starts with a simple yet powerful question: What do I truly want, and why does it matter?

If life doesn’t feel as vibrant as it could—whether that’s because of constant fatigue, stress, a sense that something is missing, frustration, or lack of joy—this is an invitation to take a step forward. It’s never too late to create a life that feels more intentional, meaningful, and aligned with who you are and who you want to be.

Groei, Happiness, High Performance, THRIVEJan AquariusJanuary 18, 2025Clarity, Purpose, High Performance, Happiness, Geluk, GoalsComment

Primed for Success: 30 Days Testing Tony Robbins' Morning Routine

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to adopt the habits of some of the world’s most successful individuals?

Last years, I’ve been exploring and fine-tuning my own habits for energy, health, joy and success. After exploring the teachings and habits of Marcus Aurelius (check out the results here), I turned to modern-day powerhouse Tony Robbins for inspiration.

For 30 days, I decided to test the morning routines of this renowned author, entrepreneur, self-help guru, and philanthropist. Known for his unparalleled energy and drive, Tony Robbins has inspired millions worldwide through his seminars like Unleash The Power Within and his Netflix documentary I Am Not Your Guru.

Beyond the Finish Line: Celebrating the Journey Of Growth

I did it—my second marathon is in the books! While it feels incredible to check off another goal, this time, it’s not just about the finish line. Instead of focusing on the achievement, I’m celebrating something far more meaningful: the journey itself.

Of course, I’m proud of the achievement—it’s rewarding and even a bit emotional. Achieving goals and celebrating success are essential for behavior change and building self-confidence but it’s not where true fulfilment can be found. Running this marathon was more than a test of endurance; it was a path to becoming a new, stronger version of myself. Along the way, I discovered that fulfilment comes from who we become in the process and how we learn to enjoy the journey. The beauty lies in balancing the desire to grow into a better version of ourselves with appreciating who we are right now.

The Power of Going All-In: What Happens When We Fully Commit?

What happens when we make an all-in decision and fully commit to something?

When we tune into what we really want and make a bold move, something incredible seems to happen. It’s like telling the universe, “I’m ready—let’s go!” And suddenly, opportunities start falling into place.

Do you take the time to tune into what you truly want? Here are a few tools to help you connect with your inner guide:

Follow Your Excitement: A Powerful Path to Fulfilment

Do you remember the last time you felt truly excited? That electric buzz in your veins, the spark in your eyes, and the sense of possibility in the air?

Excitement is often underestimated, but it’s one of the most powerful forces we can harness in our lives. It’s not just a fleeting emotion—it’s an essential driver of progress, growth, and deep fulfillment. It’s pointing you towards something that could truly make you happy.

But here’s the catch:

Navigating the storm: How Gen Z's Adaptive Intelligence is shaping success amidst mental health challenges and workplace evolution

While I'm naturally an optimist, I must acknowledge that we're navigating some truly challenging times. A few statistics I encountered last week left a significant impact on me, prompting me to write this short piece—not just to recognize these difficulties but also to share a message of hope.

Goal Getting - de noodzaak van een goed systeem voor het bereiken van je doelen

In dit artikel zullen we het hebben over doelen, en meer specifiek over hoe je een bulletproof systeem kan opzetten om je doelen effectief te behalen. Zonder een goed systeem ben je lukraak aan het schieten en hoop je op resultaat. Met een goed systeem neem je de luk uit raak en zorg je dat je raak begint te schieten.

Groei, High Performance, Happiness, Personal growth, Self-confidence, THRIVEJan AquariusAugust 17, 2023Goals, Doelen, Goal Getting, High PerformanceComment

Goal Setting - de kracht van doelen

In dit artikel gaan we het hebben over de kracht van doelen. Een aantal dingen die aan bod zullen komen:

Wat zijn de voordelen van actief aan de slag te gaan met doelen?
Met wat moet je rekening houden als je Goal Setting op de juiste manier wilt doen?
En waarom is het zo moeilijk om consistent actie te nemen richting onze doelen?

Clarity and Purpose - de eerste stappen naar een leven ten volle geleefd

Als we nadenken over hoe we ons leven op de best mogelijke manier vorm kunnen geven en hoe we een leven kunnen leven waar wij ten volle van kunnen genieten, dan zijn er een aantal struikelblokken die ons kunnen verhinderen om dat leven uit te bouwen.

En de eerste struikelblok die je kan tegenkomen is een gebrek aan wat wij "Clarity & Purpose" noemen.

Zonder helderheid in wat voor jou belangrijk is, vaar je blind. En daar is niks mis mee op zich maar in de context van ons leven ten volle leven en echt aan het stuur ervan staan, is blind varen niet de meest impactvolle manier om dat vorm te geven. Leer in dit artikel hoe je niet meer blind hoeft te varen.

Groei, Happiness, High Performance, THRIVEJan AquariusAugust 17, 2023Clarity, Purpose, High Performance, Happiness, Geluk, GoalsComment

Vipassana 4.0. - The benefits of a 10-day journey of discovery within (part 2)

Read all about what Vipassana is and why I recommend doing it in the first part of this series. To explore more of the benefits, continue reading here.

Happiness, High Performance, Mindfulness, Meditatie, Personal growthJan AquariusJuly 23, 2023Vipassana, Meditation, Mindfulness, HappinessComment

Vipassana 4.0. - A journey of discovery within (part 1)

How does one feel going off the grid for 10 days, completely disconnecting with the outside world, meditating most of the time? And why would you consider doing something like this? What benefits can you expect?

I’ve just finished my 4th Vipassana meditation course and like to take you with me on this journey of discovery within.

De ontbrekende link voor meer succes, voldoening en geluk

Hoe komt het dat we vaak voelen dat het leven te rap gaat en dat we er niet voldoende van genieten? Hoe komt het dat we vaak niet bereiken wat we willen? En hoe komt het dat we vaak niet slagen in het doorvoeren van gewenste veranderingen?

Het is iets waar de meerderheid mee worstelt. En er is gelukkig een verklaring én een oplossing.

In dit artikel reiken we je graag een model aan om korte metten te maken met die uitdagingen zodat je makkelijker meer succes, meer voldoening en meer geluk kan ervaren. Met ander woorden, een model dat je toelaat om veel vaker te klinken op het leven. #cheers

The Science of Adaptability: How to Thrive in a Changing World

In the next 10 years, we're likely to see as much change as we had in the last 100. We might know and feel that the world is changing fast, but the speed at which change is accelerating is making it difficult for most of us to keep up. It might give us stress and it might make us feel frustrated, left behind, or fearful. It might also make us feel curious, excited or hopeful, depending on how we look at change and uncertainty.

This article aims to shift the narrative. We’ll look at what we can do to feel better in this complex reality.

AdaptabilityJan AquariusJanuary 31, 2023AQ, Adaptability, Mindset, Growth Mindset, Groei mindsetComment

When molehills become mountains: how to use your imagination in favor of your happiness and success

When molehills become mountains… Keep the molehills for what they are. Learn in this short article how you can use your imagination against or in favor of yourself?