At the end of your life, what will truly matter?

I believe that what we remember at the end of our lives are the people who witnessed our journey—and whose lives we, in turn, witnessed. This is why I place such a strong focus on relationships in my work. The people around us are our most important quality-of-life factor and the backbone of our resilience.

We humans can withstand immense hardship as long as we do not have to endure it alone.
Especially in times like these—where our climate, our safety, and our governments make us feel increasingly out of control—having a strong community around us is what can keep us grounded.

The growing trend in the wellbeing movement towards hyper-individualism is something I view critically. I don’t see it as truly serving us or our wellbeing. That’s why, in my practice, I focus not only on strengthening people’s sense of self but also on their relationships with others. Because my motto in life is connected in freedom. I believe we need both: autonomy and independence as well as deep, meaningful connection. The dance between these two polarities, to me, is the dance of life.

In both this vision and my work, Esther Perel is my biggest role model. I still remember how, at the beginning of my coaching and counselling training, we had to visualise the person who inspires us the most. For me, of course, it was her.
The beautiful nuance with which she captures the complexity of human relationships inspires me. Her intercultural awareness and focus on community—far beyond just our primary romantic relationships—have profoundly shaped the way I live and see the world.

How happy are you with your relationships?

Who are the most important witnesses of your life?