I was born in 1977 in the beautiful region of Twente as the middle child of three. I grew up in a warm and nurturing family where values such as honesty, authenticity, openness, and care for others were highly cherished. Hard work and a good sense of humor were equally important in our household.
I am grateful to look back on a happy childhood that provided me with a solid and loving foundation for life. At the same time, like everyone, I also carry less pleasant experiences that have shaped who I am today. In various situations, I felt that I wasn’t good enough and needed to prove myself to others, which drained a lot of my energy.
Over the years, I have come to view those experiences from a different perspective, and they have significantly contributed to my passion for coaching. I am deeply motivated to truly see people for all they have to offer as individuals and to help them unlock their full potential
In my free time, I enjoy cooking, photography, running, traveling, and exploring new spots in the city with my husband and three children. I also value spending quality time with family and friends.

In 2001, I successfully completed my studies in Work and Organizational Psychology at VU University. The years that followed were a journey of discovery as I explored which direction I wanted to take in my career. I broadened my perspective by traveling, worked in recruitment, and trained as an assessment psychologist, where I learned to observe people’s behavior and map out their strengths and areas for development. In 2006, I decided to pursue a professional coaching qualification at the Alba Academy because I wanted to play an active role in people’s development. Since then, a coaching approach has been central to my work. Over the past 12 years, I have gained experience in career guidance, coaching, and assessments (including at AVOP, Funktiemediair, and Derks & Derks) as a registered NIP psychologist in the business services sector, working with individuals. In October 2011, I made the decision to start my own business. It was an exciting yet challenging and stimulating step that provided me with more autonomy and a better work-life balance. I also chose to dedicate time to further professional development as a coach by completing various training courses and participating in regular peer groups. By connecting with Sandra, Wendy, and Rebecca and starting LemonGrass Coaching together, I now enjoy the collaboration I had been missing as an independent professional. We learn and grow together. My ambition is to eventually offer training in ACT and mindfulness, as I am passionate about helping people lead more conscious, lighter, and often more enjoyable lives.