HOW CAN I HELP YOU?
BO, IN A NUTSHELL
If I have to describe myself in a nutshell, this is what I'd be:
"I'm a guide at heart—always learning, always growing, and always sharing what I’ve discovered to help others in their personal and professional growth."
Being a coach and mentor is in my DNA. Over the past 30+ years, I’ve created and led transformational programs for individuals, parents, and professionals—from pre- and postnatal support to solopreneur coaching, from infant massage to deep healing work. Whether one-on-one or in groups, online or in person, I bring a trauma-informed, heart-centered approach to every space I hold.
I’m a certified life coach (Coach Training Alliance, The Centre for Healing), a PQ mental fitness coach, and a lived-experience expert specializing in generational trauma and abuse.
Born and raised in the Netherlands, I now split my time between the Canadian Rockies and the San Francisco Bay Area.
My mission
I’m here to walk with you—for as long as needed—on your journey (back) to yourself.
Through trauma informed coaching, mindset work and honest self-expression, you'll learn to let go of the un-truths you've carried around for too long. You are so much more than what was done to you.
Your truth.
Your voice.
Your place in this world—you can embrace it.
And be proud of it.
Love yourself enough.
Care about yourself enough.
Give yourself space to be 100% your beautiful self.
You are enough.
You belong.
Exactly as you are.
THE SHIP PRINCIPLES
Anchored in Core Values ⚓️
When my husband and I began restoring our 1940s boat, I was struck by how much the process mirrored my own healing journey.
The careful, patient repair, recognizing my physical limits. Every time I stepped out of my comfort zone, I built self-trust. And every bit of progress—on the boat and in myself—became something to feel proud of. The more I worked on her, the more I grew to love her. Every hour, every bit of care I gave her made me feel more connected.
That’s when the metaphor became more than a reflection—it became the foundation for my coaching practice.
Like restoring a classic ship, healing from emotional, sexual, or relational abuse is a layered process. It asks for compassion, courage, and gentle care. It’s about acknowledging what’s strong, healing what needs tending, and embracing the beauty that’s always been there.
Our boat, the Eslo, is 85 years old and full of character. She’s weathered storms—and it shows. But the wear doesn’t make her any less worthy. It makes her authentic. It makes her remarkable.
And the same is true for you.
Every session and program I offer—including The Inner Circle—is anchored in my SHIP Principles: the core values that support you in navigating home to yourself in safety, with self-respect, and compassion for your life story.
THE SHIP PRINCIPLES:
S – Safety First
Before anything else, we anchor in safety. Healing can’t happen without it. Safety is where your nervous system exhales and your healing can begin.
H – Honor Your Boundaries
Learn to set and honor healthy boundaries—this is an act of self-respect and a declaration of your self-worth.
I – Identify Your Triggers
Identify and understand the triggers that sabotage your healing. With compassion you learn to gently bring yourself back to center.
P – Practice Self-Love
Loving yourself unconditionally takes time and practice—and you’re worth every bit of it.
BREAKING MY SILENCE
1 in 3 women globally have experienced physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime.*
Many carry this trauma silently. This book gives voice to the healing that’s possible.
"Even in my darkest and lowest days, I could always fall back on my verbal expression. Putting my deepest emotions into words helps me make external sense of my internal turmoil. After my marriage to my first husband—a sociopath, master manipulator, and emotional abuser—I remember saying out loud, “I should write a book.” But I never went beyond that one sentence. Until now."
After decades of healing and deep inner work, it is time to break the silence and write the book that’s been living inside me for decades — a difficult but ultimately hopeful account of my journey through sexual and emotional abuse, and generational trauma.
Want a first look? I’d love to share the Prologue and a couple of paragraphs with you.
Click below to read more.
* (Source: WHO, 2021)