Hi ! I'm Julie and this is my story
An entrepreneur, author, consultant, island pin-up and an unshakable optimist. I am an advocate of the
Slow movement
Let’s rethink your speed of life together, and guide you into becoming the best version of yourself.
I was born in Belgium, but I never felt inspired to live there as an adult. I traveled around the world, horizontally and vertically, for seven years teaching scuba diving.
During my travels I fell in love with the blue planet and its swaying predators, peeking under every coral reef for a moment with them, to make my week extraordinary.
“I fell in love with Gili Air, a tiny , remote island.”
On Gili there was no traffic, the only way to get around was by horse cart, bicycle or on foot.
The diving was amazing, the night life buzzing, and living in Gili turned out to be a healing journey for me.
The island was on the rise, and for me, it was a right place at the right time kind of thing—I found investors and overnight became an unexpected entrepreneur.
I never (and will never) fit into a conventional box. I turned my passion into profit, while creating a meaningful life for myself.
I built my own business, Slow Villas & Spa, a boutique property with ten private pool villas, a wellness center, tailor-made travel arrangements and events, and a foundation to give back to the island some of the magic it had given us.
“Have you ever dreamed of living on a tropical island?”
Slow Villas & Spa is the definition of barefoot luxury. The ideal place to slow down and recharge your batteries. The Slow movement is a whole way of life. I feel like society today is focused mainly on instant gratification, pressing us like lemons, and leaving us with this deep feeling of emptiness.
I often feel like we are a sad generation posting happy pictures. My mission is to change that. Gili Air is the closest you can get to paradise on earth, if you ask me.
On the 5th of august 2018, Lombok and the Gilis got hit by a devastating 7.0 earthquake. It shook my entire world upside-down, physically, but mainly mentally. I got hit with major PTSD as a result.
As I had pushed myself to the very limit already before the earthquake, that traumatic experience pushed me over the edge of a very steep cliff, and no matter what I tried, I just couldn’t find the bottom to kick myself back up.
My mind had shut off completely. The only thing I managed to do was give back. I kept raising funds for the 200,000 displaced people of Lombok. I jumped on a boat, directly into the disaster zones to play hula hoop with the kids in the camps.
“When I let go of who I am, I become what I might be.”
Lao Tzu
What I hadn’t planned is that every time I swung that hoop, playing with these kids that had lost everything, they smiled at me, and with every smile I felt seen by someone that knew exactly what I was feeling.
My heart felt warm. The most extraordinary thing happened, my trauma started speaking to me, and with every smile, it healed a little.
I’ve always followed my intuition, whether it comes to travelling the world, starting my own business, knowing when to get out and give back, or to getting back on that horse and kicking life in the butt … I have always created with one thought in mind, ‘la mélodie du bonheur”, being happy and making the people I love happy.
I believe that we create our own happiness!
My mission is to be an advocate for the Slow movement through promoting sustainability, fighting burnout and awakening a more easeful lifestyle in lives all over the world.
Wake up and make a change!
My life looked great on paper, but I still felt like absolute crap in real life. I kept falling in and out of burnout and depression for years. My personal health and happiness had to be balanced with my professional success. I learned how to say no, and it brought me happiness, health and abundance
“I’m actually as proud of the things we haven’t done as the things we have done.”
I started embracing who I was and my unique view on things; I nurtured my body, and I created a formula to remain balanced through the movement of my life. I enjoyed the success I had worked so hard for, without having to sacrifice my soul for it. I learned to listen to the whispers of my soul.
“Somewhere inside all of us is the power to change the world.”
Ronald Dahl
Psychographics are people from all backgrounds who want to live unconventional, remarkable lives.
They are “pro-change” and interested in pursuing a big dream while also making the world a better place for others.
They support purpose-driven career options. Professionals can be unsatisfied with their current line of self, relationship or business and looking for fields of change with
#slowsecrets
“One life. Just one. Why are you not running like you are on fire towards your wildest dreams.”
I found purpose in my work when helping individuals and businesses unlock their potential and guide them into becoming the best version of themself. Which is the best position to be in to naturally accomplish your goals.
I love having a deep impact on others, inspiring them to just do it! It positively has impacted my life. Your extraordinary life starts with following what your heart desires. That special gift, that only you have inside, the world needs that.
