Huisartsenpraktijk de Wippenbelt

What is your role and what gives you energy in your work?

I work as a lifestyle coach and get energy from seeing people feel increasingly better about themselves through small, achievable steps. Whilst people often expect a lot of themselves, I try to work with them to make those steps smaller. This makes lifestyle change feel less like a chore and brings more benefits than it costs. It’s rewarding to help people set realistic goals, enabling them to experience more success and gain greater confidence in the process and in themselves.

What is your favourite quote, motto or tip to help people get through life more easily?

‘If you carry on doing this for five years, will you still enjoy life?’

How can you tell from your work that it really suits you?

From the feedback I receive from participants and clients. And because it gives me a lot of energy myself. It comes naturally, and there’s room for depth, but also for humour.

What do you do outside work that people might not expect of you?

I scour all the charity shops for unique, vintage items of clothing. This started as a hobby, but has now also become part of my job.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

In my view, lifestyle change depends largely on self-image and mindset. By changing your way of thinking, being kinder to yourself and maintaining or developing self-confidence, you often achieve more than by talking yourself down. You really can do it, and it doesn’t have to be perfect straight away. You’re allowed to make mistakes and have setbacks, as long as you keep picking yourself up and keep looking for ways to make things easier and more enjoyable.