39 Ideas For Life Julius de Jong

For my last post, number 39 of 39, ending this project with the foot off the brake pedal, I have researched how we can release our inner brakes, let go of shame, and utilize the power of Wu Wei, the ancient Taoist concept of non-doing. Wu Wei translates to inexertion, inaction, or effortless action.

For this, I’ve visited the yacht which carries the name Wu Wei, and its owner, Michiel Soeters. It was through the yacht that I found Michiel, and his work on leadership coaching, shame, and releasing our inner brakes. Michiel translated ‘The Shame Factor’ of Stephan Poulter into Dutch, as well as two other books of Poulter. Building on decades of experience, Michiel now focuses on helping people and teams with leadership and development. His focus is on the relationship between leaders and themselves, before going into the relationship between the leader and their team.

We talked for almost four hours, of which the interview lasted an hour and twenty minutes. It was a truly great talk, which I suspect, could be of great value for you, as it certainly was for me. After the majority of online video calls for the many interviews conducted, I am grateful to be able to close this project with Michiel Soeters in person on his yacht. Therefore, please excuse the creaking of the mast, and other sounds from the yacht on which we recorded this interview. I’m sure it won’t take away from the value and insights shared. Enjoy, and thank you for being with me on this journey.

To be continued, in another shape and form.

PS: Stay tune, as all the work of last year will be published in a book.

Website of Geen Man Overboord, company of Michiel Soeters: http://geenmanoverboord.nl

Project website: https://www.39ideasforlife.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/39ideasforlife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/39ideasforlife
Video of the interview: https://youtu.be/EpHdZzjDsz4

To learn more about Adlerian theory and practice, which comes from the work of Austrian psychotherapist and medical doctor Alfred Adler, I have talked to Professor James Robert Bitter.

Professor Bitter is a Nationally Certified Counselor, a Diplomate in Adlerian Psychology, and an Adlerian Counselor with Individuals, Couples, and Families. Professor Bitter is also the author of the books ‘Contributions to Adlerian Psychology’, and ‘Adlerian Group Counseling and Therapy: Step-by-Step’ and has published a number of other books on couples and family counseling.

James Robert Bitter is emeritus professor at the Department of Counseling and Human Services of the East Tennessee State University and obviously holds a special interest in Adlerian counseling and therapy.

This talk was very educational and practical. For anyone wanting to be a better friend-, lover or a better person in general, this talk is for you. It is full of nuggets and insights, and I am sure you’ll enjoy it. I know I did!

Website of Professor James Robert Bitter: https://www.jamesrobertbitter.com
International Committee of Adlerian Summer Schools event in the Netherlands, July 24-August 6, 2022: https://www.icassi.net/icassi-2022/

Project website: https://www.39ideasforlife.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/39ideasforlife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/39ideasforlife/
Video of the interview: https://youtu.be/i3f2OcNN3uw

There couldn’t have been a more fitting time for this talk. While recovering from covid, and less than a month away from my full distance Ironman race in Hamburg on June 5th, I was in dear need of some renewed energy and resilience. Therefore, to learn about resilience and energy management, I have talked to Isabelle Bester.

Isabelle is an international speaker and executive coach who is expert specialized in energy management and resilience. She coached high achievers including business leaders and Ironman athletes to develop resilience and manage their energy most optimal.

This was a very interesting talk, for many reasons. To be honest, I wasn’t in the best headspace, but my talk with Isabelle completely shifted my energy. I realized the enormous hold emotions can have on us, and how to appreciate them for what they are. During our talk, Isabelle helped me connect with and talk to my own emotions and helped achieve a big shift. Definitely a worthwhile listen when in need of some renewed energy; I loved it!


Website of Bester Consulting: https://besterconsulting.com

Project website: https://www.39ideasforlife.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/39ideasforlife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/39ideasforlife/
Video of the interview: https://youtu.be/nxJ4KtoH_30

To learn more about kindness, and how we can make someone’s day, I have talked to Howard Prager, an executive coach specialized in leadership development, strategic thinking, and mentoring. Howard is also Founder and President of the Advance Learning Group. Throughout his professional career Howard learnt about the importance of kindness.

As he realized time and time again, it is often the small gestures that make a big difference. Through helping a young lady on a commuter train on the way to work, Howard became inspired to writing the book ‘Make Someone’s Day: Becoming a Memorable Leader in Work and Life.’ During our talk, Howard clearly illustrated he walks the talk when it comes to kindness. In case you’re looking for some inspiration for introducing more kindness into your life, you’ll enjoy this talk!


Website of Howard Prager: https://howardhprager.com

Project website: https://www.39ideasforlife.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/39ideasforlife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/39ideasforlife/
Video of the interview: https://youtu.be/b5CKAJGlf-k

Life is continuously changing. We are continuously changing. This makes being and staying ourselves challenging from time to time. To learn about dealing with life’s continuous transitions and the essential ingredient of creativity for this process, I have talked to Michael Alcée, a clinical psychologist from New York.

Michael has specialized himself in helping people navigating the continuous changes within their lives and themselves, while tapping into a wide range of resources for this process. Creativity, improvisation, and play are essential for this process. Michael is also the author of the book ‘Therapeutic Improvisation: How to Stop Winging It and Own It as a Therapist’, which will launch on May 17 of this year.

It was an absolute pleasure talking to Michael; he taps from a rich tapestry of sources and disciplines and has a keen understanding about how we function, and how we’re such dynamic beings. In case you want to make better sense of your sometimes confusing and multifaceted self, you’ll definitely appreciate this talk. Enjoy!


Website of Michael Alcée: https://michaelalcee.com

Project website: https://www.39ideasforlife.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/39ideasforlife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/39ideasforlife/
Video of the interview: https://youtu.be/y3wao_Yl5NY

From personal experience, I know the power of spending time in nature. It results in an inevitable recharge and reset. Nature, without question, has healing powers if you ask me. To learn more about this process, I have talked to someone who knows a lot about this process. Her name is Sara Schulting Kranz, and I have picked her brain about healing in nature and some why we should do much more of this.

After having dealt with her share of trauma, Sara learnt through her own experience how nature has helped her heal, cultivate compassion, and practice forgiveness. This inspired her to write a book about it, titled ‘Walk Through This: Harness the Healing Power of Nature and Travel the Road to Forgiveness’. She also started a company offering nature retreats in amazing vast locations such as the Grand Canyon and Alaska.

It was both fun and inspiring to talk to Sara, and I’m sure this will be true for you listening to this too! Enjoy!


Personal website of Sara Schulting Kranz: https://www.saraschultingkranz.com

Project website: https://www.39ideasforlife.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/39ideasforlife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/39ideasforlife/
Video of the interview: https://youtu.be/8vlsjyC1QoI