Short Intro
Entrepreneur, Model & Speaker
Hi, I'm Yv. So nice to meet you!
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I believe we can create work that we love. That is adding value and brings fulfillment. I was always determined to find that sweet spot. Maybe because I've been raised with the idea that what you feel drawn towards, is worth exploring and working for. Maybe because I've always felt that our real job in life is finding out why you are here, and get to the business of doing that.
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Before starting The Good Life, I've done multiple other things. If you're curious about my background and the reason why I founded TGL, you can find my story below.
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If you’re curious about my background and how I came to do what I do
When it came down to making career choices, my values and the vision of the kind of woman I wanted to be have been my guiding principles. Independence and being of service while having a good time have always been my main driving forces in the work arena. For me, a happy career is not just about an outer package. It's about how I feel every day. Am I contributing something with my work in a field that interests me? Working with people I can learn from and in an environment that inspires me?
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This mindset, in combination with my enthusiasm and curiosity for a multitude of different things, is why I've spent the start of my career in a variety of sectors including law, tech and fashion.
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After a failed attempt at being a happy lawyer, I decided to take a leap of faith and start my first business. My environment wasn't exactly cheering me on when - at age 27 - I decided to quit my job and used all my savings to pursue a dream in new territory: tech. But no risks, no champagne. Plus, it was not them that had to spend their time digging through dusty paperwork every day.
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No job is 100% fun all the time. But I believe that - with dedication, an open mind and willingness to roll up your sleeves - there is the ability to create the work you love. That is adding value to the world and fulfilling for you.
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It did not happen overnight though, finding my thing. It took several career paths, some 'failures' and setbacks. A lot of sweat, tears & savings and a considerable amount of self-reflection to find out the thing that makes me want to jump out of bed every morning, excited to get to work.
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Before the epic moment of finding my purpose, I worked on a startup. Together with a team, we successfully raised capital and build the first version of our dream. While we had some successes, the results weren't exactly stellar so we pulled the plug after three years. I went back into modeling, something I have been doing for the past years - working for both international and national brands - while enabling myself to prepare for my next (ad)venture: The Good Life.
I realize that I'm blessed with many great things. At the same time my life hasn't been just sunshine and rainbows. I've had my share of difficulties, like everyone else.
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Taking care of several sick family members and losing two loved ones within 6 months, was challenging and a defining moment. The go-getter in me understood that not all in life is fair and within our control. The only thing we can really do is decide how we react to the things that cross our paths.
These losses made me rethink my priorities in life and impacted the way I choose to spend my time. Personally and professionally.
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I think this applies to all of our losses and pain - there is a duality. Two things can be true at once. Something can be very painful, but there can be beauty at the same time. Your biggest pain can increase your ability to feel. Your loss can deepen your appreciation for what is still there. There is a silver lining in our adversity, if we are willing to see it.
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It is actually here - during my most dark hours - that I gained the most growth and clarity about what I value in life and how I want to show up in the world.
In 2017 I decided to detox from startup life in Amsterdam, and bought a one way ticket to Bali to work from there for a while. At that moment I bumped into a qi gong teacher.
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Qi Gong is a 4000-year old Chinese practice and martial arts training to cultivate your life force. Life force, life energy, qi - basically it comes down to your lust for life. You can use it for gaining more energy, physical strength, confidence and mental toughness.
For 6 months I practiced qi gong every day and immersed myself in both ancient wisdom and the modern science of wellbeing. It is the best investment I have made in my health and wellbeing so far.
Realizing that our wellbeing - how we feel daily - is the foundation and sets the tone of everything else in our lives. Our health, the quality of our relationships, our success in our work.
During this time, I learned so many valuable things. Things that I believe will improve the quality of life of everyone.
That's why I decided to collect all the good stuff in one place and started The Good Life - an initiative to help you take better care of yourself and your loved ones in the key areas that define our wellbeing. This way, everyone who wants to live and enjoy life to the fullest can benefit from it.
3 THINGS I BELIEVE IN
1. Kindness. ​Being kind towards yourself and others. We are all kind, loving beings, the distance we feel towards being that person is the spiritual path we have to travel.
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2. Invest in yourself. You are your most valuable asset. Be honest with yourself and do what feels right to you. Prioritizing your wellbeing and feeling good, will make you a better partner, parent, boss, employee and friend.
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3. Live smart. Organize things well so that you can relax and enjoy your life. Don't figure out everything yourself. Be smart and learn from people who master what you desire.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE SONGS
6 THINGS THAT SHAPED ME
1. Having worked in different industries
Law, tech, fashion: very different high-performance environments that inspired me, taught me different skills and shaped my thinking.
2. Having lived in multiple countries
Having lived, studied and worked in Amsterdam, San Francisco, Sydney and Bali exposed me to different cultures and expanded my world.
3. Taking care of sick family members
My biggest pain has also been fuel for growth. The silver lining about loss is regaining a deep appreciation for what you have and rethinking your priorities.
4. Reading 6 weeks fulltime every year
From an early age, I've been spending the summers in Zeeland with my family. We had a strict no-tv policy, so me and my sisters were encouraged to be outside, play games and read. The local library was my best friend and this eager beaver had the time of her life, reading all kinds of educational stuff.
5. Training with a
Qi Gong master
Training with a qi gong master for six months on a daily basis really changed my life. It's the best investment I've ever made and I can recommend it to anyone who wants more energy and build a strong foundation: mentally, physically and energetically.
6. My relationships, the people I love
I love my work and I'm grateful to have created a happy career for myself. But the people I love are the foundation of my life and will always be my priority.
Ready to start your personal journey towards wellbeing?
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit and reading this far. I hope this is the beginning of a fruitful relationship, that inspires you to become more of the real you and will help you enjoy your life even more. Do you want to learn to take better care of yourself and your loved ones? Come on over to The Good Life, by following us on Instagram.
Looking forward to connect!
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High five, Yv.