Testimonials of Participants

For half a lifetime, I searched for freedom. Climbing the career ladder provided financial freedom, a divorce and growing up with a young child provided the idea that I didn't need anyone. It gnawed at times, but those sparse moments of insight that there had to be more also disappeared in no time due to a strong spirit. I sometimes heard myself telling stories that I believed myself, and still there was that voice . . 

Unexpected situations could completely disrupt the relative calm on an instant basis, always a watchful state, the feeling of having to be alert. In addition, a latent sense of loneliness and the strong conviction of ultimately being alone created an ever-increasing wedge between the picture on the outside and my inner experience. Separation veiled under a layer of invulnerability, being strong and independent.

At just the right time, the Effortless Coach Education Program came my way. And as sometimes you know things without being able to explain why, I knew that this curriculum was the key to a new life. In that moment I decided to stop the familiar analyzing and weighing and surrender to the journey of discovery. 

From the very first day, I knew it was worth every investment tenfold and I can recommend it to anyone who dares to not only transform their own experience, but who wants to help others achieve the same without any qualms. My own reservation was in the unknown, disguised under the thought of whether it would not be too floaty. If you also have this thought, then I hope you will let curiosity win out, because it is not at all floaty and is based on new, but sound scientific insights. 

An intense journey full of discoveries, trust, investigation and letting go of limiting beliefs and unconsciously guiding emotions followed. And the all-changing insight for me that your suffering is ultimately created by yourself. And the best part is, to sustainably change no one around you and no circumstance needs to change, only that over which you actually have control; yourself. The second half of my life will truly be in freedom, because I know and feel now, that the only true freedom is the freedom contained within yourself. 

Catherine, December 2022

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Karin Berenschot
ECEP Mar-Jun 2022 Online

"'Inspiration is effortless motivation' has become my motto"

In September 2021 I started the Energetic Transformation Therapist training. What I was still missing in that was the depth, maybe sometimes even the science, and searching further I ended up with the Effortless Coach Education Program. A bull's eye. 

I discovered during the training that I find real growth and development the most beautiful thing in life. From my role as a trainer, coach and teacher in business and education, for twenty-five years I always try to let everyone flourish. And that has been difficult at times. I encountered blockages in both myself and the other person, but now, in the Effortless Coaching program, I dared from my ''own self'' to not only look beyond the safe spectrum, but could also interpret it.

Thanks to Effortless Coaching, so to speak, I can now also explain the returns and interpret the blockages better. I was also able to jettison old beliefs myself. Beliefs that originated from perception and that played a limiting role in my functioning. Through the heart coherence I found a certain peace and the five growth principles gave and give me a kind of primal trust.

Via the applied quantum physical principles, via Wallace Wattles, Candace Pert, Bruce Lipton, Byron Katie and many others whose research and knowledge are woven into the Effortless Coaching approach, via Gerard's knowledge and expertise I now dare to take the step to link my company 'Inspirée' to business. To now also work with employees and organizations on those limiting beliefs that can get in the way of commercial, communication and management skills and change processes. Here lie challenges for positive behavioral changes in education and business for me.

So from more self-confidence I now dare to really shape my own company Inspirée. Training and coaching which, in addition to personal development, can also be linked to business goals and personal objectives. Which in turn can provide optimization in business operations; for sustainable employability, for work happiness, for talent development, for an effortless life or conversation, for happiness in the heart! Living instead of surviving.

I recommend Effortless Coaching to everyone.

Thank you!

Karin Berenschot

Karinberenschot@inspiree.nl

www.inspiree.nl

06- 17078959

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Sija de Jong

EDEC Jan-Mar 2022

"It's really nice to be able to use my intuition like this.
It's really effortless for me"

Through Google, I came across Effortless Coaching's website.  I was fascinated by the different perspectives Effortless Coaching works with. I didn't know anyone who had done this training, but it immediately felt like coming home.  After an introductory meeting with teacher Katharina, I actually couldn't wait to get started. 

Because it was still in the middle of Corona time, we could not meet live. This was disappointing at first but after day 1 I didn't find it a problem anymore. You could also feel the attention to each other very well online.  We were in our batch with a group of 12 trainees. In no time, even so online, we created a huge bond with each other. 

Every week I looked forward to our day together. After 7 weeks, we met once at someone's home. It was as if we had known each other for years. We did manage to do the three days of training live at a beautiful location in Neede. 

Effortless Coaching has brought me a lot 

First, the power of conscious breathing. Since day 1 I have been following the bodymind breathing exercise, both in the morning and in the evening. It calms my body and provides a fine resolution of both positive and negative experiences. 

Secondly, the understanding that our body is our subconscious mind. All of our experiences and emotions are stored in our body. Feeling in your body allows you to relive experiences again. Unconscious fears and sadness can also be brought to the surface and reprogrammed through this. Since 95% of our lives take place in our subconscious, it is very interesting to engage in this exploration. 

And third, the connection and timelessness I experience when I coach a client. Just by being there.  It is very nice to be able to use my intuition in this way. It is really effortless for me. 

Together with other coaches from our batch, we now form the Neede Group. We based the name on the place where we attended the three days. Those were such beautiful days. And we would like to inspire others from our togetherness. 

We provide workshops and training on effortless working and living at organizations. Our vision is to create a world where everyone lives effortlessly.

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Vera IJlst

ECEP Sep-Dec 2021 Online

"My approach was mainly personal development and getting the go to start for myself."

Last year, the Effortless Coach Education Program came my way while looking for another job or a fresh start. I felt out of place and wanted so badly to "get more out of it.  After talking with Gerard, I knew immediately that this was exactly what I was looking for. 

My angle was mainly personal development and to make the start to start for myself. I had signed up for the online training because it appealed to me and would be logistically very convenient. 

The whole course has meant new life for me, literally and figuratively. During the training I was pregnant with my first child and in addition it has changed and certainly strengthened my whole outlook on life.

Gerard has taken us on an adventure with his knowledge, wisdom and practical assignments. He guided us and showed us what living effortlessly is really about. 

In retrospect, the online training was perfect. I already had great faith in it but now I have seen and experienced that soon the screens fall away and are no longer noise. The most beautiful connections and processes take place there, with yourself and also with others. Online appears not to be a hindrance at all, but an enrichment of this present time. It is wonderful to experience that we still get connected in this way.

I am incredibly grateful for forming connections with colleagues from the Effortless Coach Education Program. It is wonderful to still meet and be there for each other. 

Effortless Coaching has brought me so much and awakened so much energy in me! I want to share this with anyone who is open to it and guide people who are looking for "more" on their own adventure. 

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Els Droogers

ECEP Jan-Mar 2021

"An unforgettable experience!" 

The decision to apply for the training was quickly made. Within minutes, everything fell into place.

After all, I was already doing coaching in my work in funeral care, and I especially wanted to learn more and find "like-minded people. At least, that's what I thought I was coming for.

Words like 'the new humanity', insights from the new science and all the books I had already read made me so curious that I couldn't wait for us to begin.

From day one, I allowed myself to be fully immersed in the course and soaked up information like a sponge. And I wasn't the only one. What enthusiasm and connection with each other I experienced.

"Our Bubble" we called it. A tight-knit group of people with the intention of being there for each other. The Effortless Coach Education Program offers a variety of intervention methods so that by the end of the training you are well equipped.

It was not just learning how to apply these methods, but more importantly going through them as a client, that I learned the most from. What beautiful, sometimes sad stories and experiences we shared with each other and what beautiful tools we got to help each other in this. The coaches Helma and Katharina lovingly guided us through the forest of emotions we sometimes found ourselves in. We worked so hard and made such great strides.

It was an unforgettable experience! I miss the bubble of our group, but something beautiful has come in return. By now my own practice (in addition to my work in funeral care) is a reality although that was not even the intent, but I can't help but propagate it.

I wish all new participants the same wonderful experience. Follow your heart and go for it! And above all, enjoy it!

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Jennifer Seldenrijk

ECEP Apr-Jun 2017

A journey on the TGV

The Effortless Coach Education Program was like a journey on the TGV for me. One moment you're still on the platform in Utrecht and in no time you're in Paris 😊 Beforehand, I thought that train would stop once in a while to stretch my legs but no no . . it keeps running.

Especially in the beginning it felt overwhelming and I immediately noticed the impact on my life. So it didn't stop with the training day itself, but the days after it is there too. Anyway the material that was discussed and that I fanatically wanted to share with people at work and talk about it but also the exercises, personal conversations with fellow course participants impressed me. Finally, the "TGV" called Effortless Coaching takes you another step further in your own process.

You get to places you may not have known before, or knew about but preferred not to go there anymore. Suddenly all the lights come back on and you look at them. About halfway through the training I briefly thought 'oh no...I can't do this, I don't want this, I have to stop' but through the support of all the lovely people I persevered anyway and I'm immensely happy with that.

I have traveled quite a bit in a short time and after the last day of training I just had the feeling of 'yes, I can do this, I am going to do this - this is what I am good at'. With confidence, I look forward to my future as an Effortless Coach. Great to feel part of this community!

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Inge Ettema

ECEP Jan-Mar 2017

Incredibly positively amazed

Since 2006 I have been reliving and releasing my past step by step. I also developed my spiritual gifts and have been giving people healing, readings and courses since 2007. For years it was already my great wish to do something in business with holistic work. I did not yet know how or what, but I did know that something was still missing to start this. 

I started looking for training on the Internet and came across Effortless Coaching. My intuition told me right away that this was the right training because it just gave a sense of recognition and felt really good. January 2022 I started and it just felt right.

I really wanted to do the training on location, because I thought that suited me better, but of necessity, because of Corona, we had to do much of the training online. And that turned out to work really well anyway. There was such a connection and trust in the group from the beginning and we all effortlessly went into depth and through a huge transformation. We were in the flow of growth together and everything began to flow again!!! This is what I wanted to continue to experience.

We learned to coach effortlessly from connection and trust with the client. We learned and experienced for ourselves that all the answers are within ourselves. With the methods and techniques we learned you can tackle all possible obstacles and unfinished emotions.

During the training all the pennies dropped. Everything I had learned in 16 years fell into place, got context and I got the inspiration how I wanted to put it all down. Experiencing the effortlessness in the training group made us want to stay in touch with each other and start a form of cooperation in business.

We started the Neede Group and in 2 months we shaped the tools to deliver training to teams. The effortlessness remains and gives tremendous growth and inspiration. It comes naturally. And that effortlessness that we continue to experience in the group I am beginning to experience more and more from within myself. My dreamed life is becoming visible step by step.

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Marleen Jedema

ECEP Sep-Dec 2021

"For me, it was a celebration of development, deepening and discovery."

On a job site, an advertisement from Effortless Coaching caught my eye. Effortless coaching . . that I had sometimes felt over the years in conversations with colleagues and with clients in my former naturopathic practice.

 I wanted to achieve more effortlessness in coaching in my newly established coaching practice "Heart-Wise," but how does that effortless synergy, or flow of heart and intuition, wisdom and experience, knowledge and insight that invites and nourishes the client to further discover and develop himself?

 I was still missing some knowledge to intentionally create that, looking for more (scientific) foundation and some more intervention methods. The name Effortless Coaching caught my attention in a special way and I just had to have a look...

Opening the website opened up a world of recognition and inspiration for me. A coaching method that is built on the most effective coaching model and is composed of knowledge from quantum physics, the latest developments in neuroscience and biology, knowledge from spiritual primordial and universal laws and insights; I saw well-known names like Wallace Wattles, Candace Pert, Bruce Lipton, Lynne MCTaggart, Chopra, among others, whose research and knowledge are woven into the Effortless coaching approach.

 All inspiring researchers and areas of knowledge that I had been following for a long time . . .  forged together into 1 method? Curious and feeling excited, I sent an email right away. The next day I had an interview with Gerard Meerstadt and 5 days later I could start the training ... there was exactly one spot left 😊 .

By undergoing the intervention methods yourself in this beautifully compact, intensive training and applying them with fellow students, there is a profound development of consciousness about what from the subconscious can still pull unwanted strings in your life, despite all the clearing and awareness work that many have already done if you are accepted into this training. Moreover, you will learn how to neutralize those unwanted influences permanently (!) . . .  Extremely valuable for yourself and for anyone who can help you with it!

The very skilled teachers guided us in 3 months with a high quality of awareness, care and fun through the inspiring material and the process of "making it your own and applying it effortlessly". 

For me it was a feast of development, deepening and discovery ... and very nice to study together for 3 months in a like-minded group and to share love and (old) sorrows. Heartwarming to witness how quickly a trusted, safe atmosphere was created and lasting intervision groups were formed . . and to land in a supportive Effortless Coaches community after the training. 

The training gave me exáct what I needed to give my life coaching work more structure, depth and intervention opportunities. And it brought me firmly to my deeply felt heart-intention to make people aware again of their authentic, pure life force and heart-Self.

I now understand how that effortless synergy, or flow of heart & intuition, wisdom & experience, knowledge & insight is created and can be consciously used in a coaching session...what a fantastic and complete approach! 

Marleen Jedema
www.heart-wise.nl
Praktijk voor hartewijs leven
Effortless Coach / Harteleven gids

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Joyce Kip

ECEP Apr-Jun 2019

This is where I want to be!

This is where I want to be!  . . . I felt when I read the training program of Effortless Coaching. Without thinking, I called the phone number . . . quite extraordinary, because I never really react so impulsively. The content had an enormous appeal, it touched something real in me. I felt I had to be here. 

The 3 months were particularly instructive, intense, beautiful and mega interesting. I found here what I was missing elsewhere: a holistic approach based on the client's strengths and centered on the client's life. The premise that he/she has all the answers within him/herself and may be responsible for his/her own journey touches me. 

I do not have to tell what the right path is, as a coach I may guide this journey of discovery and move along with the rhythm of the client, this is how I want to help people. 

I want to 'guide the learning' of clients from an equal relationship. On the way to the transformation that gets a solid foundation in my opinion. 

Curiosity and intuition play an important role and you will use this during the training. As a valuable addition to the coach-conversations you practice and experience 4 special interventions yourself!

The best thing for me is that this training is guided by the principle 'Practice what you preach'. As a student you follow the same path and you are guided just as you are taught to do with your future clients. 

As a student and from my background as a teacher, this really makes me happy: you experience how a course can run and how much impact it can have, you take these experiences with you in your coaching. 

It is also a great way to examine (with each other) how you want to implement this in your own coaching, it supports you in seeing your intentions in front of you.

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Iris Bloemen

ECEP Jan-Mar 2018

My journey through the world of Effortless Coaching

Well, exam assignment finished and handed in and now waiting for the closing letter from Gerard..... I think back again to the wonderful journey through the world of Effortless Coaching that this training offered me.

I started this journey in January 2018 fully convinced that this training was a perfect fit for me and the point in my development. After several years of experience as a gz-psychologist within psychiatry and special education, I was really convinced that I wanted to set up my own practice to do more of what makes me so happy; coaching. Specifically 'coaching' and not 'treating', because I wanted to get away from working with diagnoses, complaints, treatment protocols, etc. I want to work with someone's own development question, someone's desire to grow towards something..... Working from strength.

The training soon proved to be indeed the right path for me. The world view taken as a starting point, underpinned by quantum physics and based on the idea that everything is connected and has the intention of more life for everyone, inspired me enormously. A wonderful foundation was then laid for coaching through the model of co-active coaching. Just enough framework for me to get started properly.

Then the means to actually work with the development question of your client. How fantastic it was to be able to experience everything myself in the role of client, but also to be able to see and guide many beautiful processes with my fellow course members. This process quickly creates a close-knit group that feels like a sort of second family. What an energy when we are together!

Now, at the end of this beautiful journey, I am grateful for it all. I am totally ready to start passing on the gift that was given to me during this training to the clients who come on my coaching path. With full conviction I will start working to help people find their way to 'full bloom' in my own practice; Bloom coaching.

And should things not go so effortlessly for a while? Then I know the way to my "Effortless Coaching family"!

Iris Bloemen
Bloom Coaching en Training
Brengt mensen tot bloei
www.bloom-coaching.nu

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Yvette Stemerding

ECEP Apr-Jun 2019

"It has brought me everything I had hoped for."

My Effortless adventure began in early 2019 with a very interesting conversation with Gerard. I had seen the training coming by and very intuitively responded that I was interested and would like a discovery session with Gerard. 

I had my own coaching practice for a number of years at that time and coached people who were over-stimulated or suffering from burn out. More and more I saw that "old pain" was hindering recovery and that talking alone was not enough. 

So my goal for the training was to enrich myself and build more tools and experience in resolving old pain/emotions and traumas. The click with Gerard and his vision was there right away and in April I entered the training. 

It also appealed to me that it is a short and intensive course. And intensive it was! And instructive and enriching and deepening! It brought me everything I had hoped for! The enormous knowledge Gerard has of the new biology and science; very inspiring! 

The experience and coaching skills of Jacqueline, Helma and Katharina are great and I learned a lot from them! Everything is there for optimal learning and development, both about your own nature as well as your skills and passion as a coach. 

Of course you get out of it what you put in yourself! And I did "put myself in" completely. That means I really took my time with the exercises, the homework, the literature and also literally went through the intervention techniques openly. 

I thought I already knew myself very well and yet I learned more about myself again. The group of fellow coaches was great fun and we soon called our day of class " Magic Wednesday." The collective learning (with and from each other) appeals to me in this training, the warm bond we built with each other makes us still in touch. 

At first I found the group of 24 people quite large, but you work in small groups and always with different people, which makes it interesting in terms of coaching. What I found most special was that every morning we start with the question; "How are you doing? How are you feeling now?". How you can listen from awareness and also that you really grab your own moment to tell your story.

I can recommend this training to everyone; whether you are inexperienced and want to become a coach or have 20 years of experience. Besides coaching myself, I also mediate coaches and I see a lot of different coaches coming through. The quality of a coach cannot be measured by training or study. 

I have met coaches during this training who had never coached anyone before and who had the ability to go straight to the heart of their client. Being a coach is a vocation, either you are or you are not, and this training provides you with everything you need to shape your vocation.

And how do I feel now? 

Cleansed, clear, free, sparkling and even easier to connect with others.

Yvette Stemerding
GetYourselfTogether

getyourselftogether.nl

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Willeke Colenbrander 

ECEP Apr-Jun 2016

A new way of life

After "accidentally" coming across the Effortless Coach Education Program, I don't believe in coincidences, I was immediately convinced that this was the right training for me. I was actually subconsciously waiting for this and it had come my way for a reason. 

On day 1 of the training I had healthy tension and my alertness was on for all signals from people, the environment and so on. This is a combination of my accumulated personality and my defense career, which has brought me much, but in terms of feelings had dulled somewhat. This was almost immediately broken down by the genuine attention and energy that prevailed in the group combined with the teachers. I was allowed to grow in a different way than I was used to and familiar with. 

As the class days progressed I began to shine more and more, this is how I felt and this was also seen by fellow students. The material was very interesting and was made directly applicable by working with the fellow students. The moments when we put theory into practice were very instructive and pure. 

The openness of everyone and speaking without judgment is the best thing that has stayed with me from the Effortless Coach Education Program. Working in 3-person teams, where you act as coach, client and observer, was also very special. In these moments, it was as if there was a bubble around us. Time did not exist. There was sincere attention, surprising interventions and outcomes and all in the here and now.

The Effortless Coach Education Program is extremely suitable for coaches with regard to expanding knowledge and insights, but especially for becoming more yourself. This is also what the Effortless Coach does in my opinion. Solving all kinds of obstacles, so you can get back to your essence and your life becomes more effortless. 

For (self)direction, awareness and self-awareness

Willem Stevens

IK STA coaching & meer

iksta.nl

willem@iksta.nl

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Sander Daniëls

EDEC Jan-Mar 2021

"So this is what I had been looking for for years, great."

I saw the training pass by and was literally sucked into the text. While reading, tears ran down my cheeks with recognition. This is what I want to do.

On the way there for the first day I told myself I would be vulnerable right away because I felt I could go through with it. After my open introduction, I immediately received compliments from various quarters and I literally felt at home. How nice it feels to be with a group of like-minded people where you can really be yourself, completely new to me. My theme of "caterpillar to butterfly" was born.

Already during the 2nd day it became clear to me that coaching is my calling. Even though it was officially the first time I coached someone, it felt like I had been doing it for years. It literally made me shine and my energy level skyrocketed. So this is what I had been looking for for years, amazing.

For me everything came together in the training, many books I had read over the last few years fell together like pieces of a puzzle.

We got to know the different holistic intervention tools from 2 sides. As a coach and as a client. How valuable this is. You can go as deep as you have been, was confirmed with this. What growth we all experienced and what a close group it was. You share so much with each other that you build such a connection you can't imagine. 

I miss the training days and the group, but also know that it is gradually time for this butterfly to spread its wings.

I would say, if your intuition catches on to this training don't hesitate to take the plunge. 

Sander Daniels

Coaching & Training

06-53200026

sander.daniels@hotmail.com

www.sanderdaniels.nl

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Floor Temme

ECEP Sep-Dec 2020

"A world immediately opened up for me from Day 1."

When we start the training I have just finished a Mind Body Spirit week, during which my gut and brain were "reset" by a particular diet. I have never felt so full of anticipation, relaxed and happy and this is a wonderful starting point to start. 

A world immediately opened up for me from Day 1. And I mean that almost literally. A world beyond the ordinary world, made of "liquid gold." This world I already knew, but had never given it a name. And never really realized that we are all part of this. That everything exists - in a sense - in this. 

Words fail me to really describe it and the training has given me a kind of language for it and tools to connect with it. 

During the weeks that follow, we step as a group - in varying compositions - again and again into that golden world, where time and place do not exist. And the beautiful thing is that the deep pain and emotions that are felt can and may be there and also dissolve. 

By experiencing this and by coaching others in this, I have learned so much about myself and about coaching others. It was not always comfortable, sometimes very exciting or even scary. But each time from attention and love for the here and now, each other, and ourselves. For what is. 

I feel it is my mission to bring people who feel separated from themselves and their environment into contact with that "golden world", that essence. To make them feel again who they ARE and what they have to do on earth. I challenge them to take action and really start living their lives. This way they create for themselves the life they want to live, how beautiful is that ️? 

And that in turn makes me very happy . . That is why I started my coaching practice at home, Lumina Coaching, where I can experience this deep contact with people and guide them to a lighter and softer life. 

Floor Temme

Lumina Coaching

For a lighter and softer life

luminacoaching.nl

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Marinette Kuijpers

ECEP Sep-Dec 2018

"Every week I looked forward to it!"

Finally, it was September 12, 2018, the first day of the Effortless Coach Education Program.

I attended the training with great pleasure and enthusiasm. Every week I looked forward to our teaching day in the always sunny Soest. 

I found both theory and practice enormously inspiring every time. And it was such a pleasant and safe environment for me that I increasingly felt the need to create such a safe environment outside the walls of the training as well. 

How beautiful it would be if the hostile outside world, because that's how it felt to me, in which most people walk around with a mask and in a defensive state, would change into a world in which everyone is in a state of growth and therefore truly connected with themselves and with others. 

For me, unattached intention (1 of the principles of growth) was an eye-opener. It gives me much strength and the relaxation every time to let go of control more and not always want (and need) to know the outcome in advance. Because this was a form of creating safety and security for myself, which took a lot of effort and also caused misery when things went differently. What a freedom!

As the course progressed and the exercises gradually became more profound, I became more and more enthusiastic about the new human sciences, the basis of which is, that all information and memories are stored not only in your brain but also in your body. And that it is possible to recall this information and transform it permanently. This has brought me closer to myself, allowing me to better feel what is important to me, instead of putting the other person first and acting accordingly.

The real connection and resonance that I always felt during the course days, both during the exercises, but certainly also during the breaks and the delicious lunches :), I would love for others to experience as well. Through my unique contribution I want to be there for others in their process of transforming from a state of defense to a state of growth, so that they too can achieve personal growth and fulfillment.

The training has given me a complete toolset for this. The workbook, the homework and the information online fit together perfectly. The concept of bodymind coherence in relation to co-active coaching skills captures for me exactly the essence of what coaching is all about.

And I now know for sure that coaching is much more than a profession, it is a vocation!

Word of thanks

I would like to thank everyone for 12 very safe weeks in which I met 28 wonderful people and in which we learned a lot together, laughed and cried together and (re)experienced many intense moments. I want to thank all fellow coaches. 

And I want to thank the coaches Helma, Katharina and Jacqueline for their valuable lessons, presence and encouragement. I want to thank Lian for her presence and administrative support. And finally I want to thank Gerard for his tremendously inspiring way of teaching and for the humor he brings. I often had a wonderful laugh at this.

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Thecla Brakel

ECEP Apr-Jun 2017

From Being Lived To Living Effortlessly