It's early 2024, and you've recently moved into your new house. While moving can be quite stressful, it is also an exciting new beginning. Now that you're settled in, what do you enjoy most?

Honestly, I didn’t expect it to be this stressful, but it was worth it. I used to live in the center of Amsterdam for a long time, but I consciously made the decision to move up north to have more tranquility. Now, I actually have two little gardens on each side of my small house! The first thing I do in the morning is open the curtains and look at the tall birch to see if there are any birds visiting. Even though it’s still winter time, I enjoy looking at the plants and trees. I used to have a difficult relationship with winter, but it was my dream to experience the cycles of the seasons more vividly. This under-appreciated time of the year is growing on me and has become important for introspection, making me even more grateful for the flowers when spring starts to bloom.

Are there any additional conscious things you do to cultivate more joy?

I’m trying to pay more attention to the “smaller” things in my daily routines. How I prepare my coffee in the morning. How I walk to the grocery store. Listening to the birds in my new neighborhood. In general my pace of life has drastically changed over the last year(s). I used to travel and rush a lot more. At the time it was right, because that’s how I wanted to live, but I was also a lot more restless. Now that I have finally decided to grow my roots in Amsterdam and be more still, I am a lot more grateful for the simple things. 

I also do yoga and dance quite often. I read and I write.

What kind of dance?

I am a huge fan of Jason Winter and his Free Movement classes. I started in 2021, and it was mind-blowing and eye-opening for me. These classes begin in a group setting, encouraging participants to get out of their heads and into their bodies. There's no choreography; it's all about moving and feeling. In the second part of the sessions, everyone sits on the side, and participants take turns dancing solo to 1 or 2 songs. It's scary each time, being so vulnerable with nowhere to hide, but that's exactly what I love about it. How often do we see people free from their ego? I feel my most authentic self when I dance in those classes.

Sounds good! It's beautiful when someone discovers new unique practices that contribute to their personal well-being. Well-being is, of course, different for everyone. What does it mean to you?

For me, well-being means eating balanced, dancing a lot, practicing yoga when I can, minimising stress where possible, embracing creativity, dedicating time to reading, enjoying moments with my boyfriend, family & friends, as well as appreciating solitude. Additionally, spending lots of time in nature has become increasingly prominent and important in my life.

I am the proud owner of BODY, a photo book you self-published. Can you tell a bit more about it?

Yes, I wanted to make a photo book that is an ode to the female body. Over a couple of years I interviewed and photographed 46 women in their most vulnerable and powerful way of being, nude. I wanted to create a book that showed a different kind of beauty than we usually see in the fashion, commercial and even film industry. It was equally important how the process of taking these images was for each of the women. For some it really changed how they love themselves and their bodies in a more positive way. And what started as this personal project, unexpectedly became a sought-after book after I published it in 2020, having been sold worldwide and exhibited at the Fotografiska museums in Stockholm, Berlin, and New York. Unfortunately the book is currently sold out, but who knows what will come next!

Speaking of 2020, that was also the year we first met in person in Mallorca. During your artist-in-residence at our retreat, you photographed your stay and some of the guests – who wanted to be part of the project. How was that experience?

It was a very intimate and beautiful, including personal learnings. I learned how challenging it was for me to receive, as I entered the week with a very strict 'working' mindset. However, the environment was so warm and welcoming, and I didn't expect you would encourage me to experience - and enjoy - the retreat, treating me as one of the guests. When photographing women, I always try to approach them in the most humble and gentle way possible, making them feel comfortable first. Spending those days so closely with a group of women made me fully aware of being a participant as well as an observer. As the days went by, I could ease into it all, and so did the guests, yielding amazing results not only in the imagery but also internally personally, bringing about a profound change. Looking back at the first retreat, my life honestly changed soon after. So, I'm grateful for the experience and can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking fresh new guidance in their lives.

So glad to hear that! One of those changes was that after photographing, you now wanted to make a film. Let's talk about “Guerreras”, your debut-film about Mexican women. How did that come about?

After graduating from The Royal Art Academy in The Hague in 2013, I decided to travel spontaneously to Mexico City. The moment I arrived, I had this strange feeling of home, as if I had been here before. When I reached Oaxaca, I completely fell in love. In 2018, years later, I went back for an artist residency (Poco a Poco) of three weeks in Oaxaca City. The original plan was to write a film, but I ended up engaging in various activities such as dancing, cooking, attending natural dyeing workshops, and meeting incredible women. Shortly after returning, it suddenly hit me: I still felt the need to create a film about these women. Why? Because in the Western culture around me, people were increasingly talking about "The future is female" and female empowerment, and I was wondering, what does it truly mean to be a strong woman? I felt that these Mexican women held the answers to my question.

You've dedicated at least 4 years to working on the short film. Could you share more about the process?

The idea started around 2019, shortly after I began interviewing the women over the phone. Originally, I had planned to film everything in 2020, but then Covid hit. Initially, I felt a bit disappointed, but when I finally went a year later, I realized that this timing was exactly how it should have been.

During the filming process, a storm erupted in Oaxaca, proving to be the perfect symbol for the essence of the narrative. At the same time, it became a turning point in my own life. It wasn't until the editing phase that I realised I wasn't just making a film; I was transforming myself. I developed myself through various experiences in dance, meditation, ancestral trauma, and voice liberation.

The latter proved to be the most difficult and profound aspect; finding my own voice. For the final part of the film, I decided to return to Mexico, not only to work on sound design but also to undergo a deeper personal process through instrumental therapy and using my own voice. After weaving this sound experiment into the film, the story felt complete.

Guerreras is the journey of my soul, poured into 12 minutes.

I had the pleasure of viewing one of the premieres a little while ago in Berlin, and I was so incredibly moved by it, both in a sensitive and powerful way. The visuals, the narrative, the women, the land, the sound – all so impactful. It is not a typical documentary; rather, more of an experience. Is there a deliberate purpose behind that?

Yes, I feel like the film is almost like a mantra. It can be experienced at different levels: rational, emotional and spiritual. My purpose is to take the viewer into a submersive journey, touching on several intertwined issues. To acknowledge our troubled past and to empower women, giving back their voice. To ultimately transition into a world balanced with nature, each other and ourselves. It’s not only about my personal journey, or even about my protagonists. It’s a film from generations of women, for all women and future generations.

As a fellow entrepreneur, I understand that having an idea is one thing, but turning it into reality is another – especially when you're totally independent without a safety net. So, congratulations are in order! But I also know that while external validation can feel nice, what matters most is how content we are with what we've created. The film is ready; are you proud?

I have to admit that feeling 'proud' is something I find very difficult. I just came back from Oaxaca to finally show the film to the women involved, which was a very special moment. I did feel some pride, but more so for the people that were part of the film. Yet what I strongly felt the day after when I went to the mountains by myself was this deep sense of 'enoughness.' After all those years of hard work and investing so much of my love, time, and money, I felt like it was enough. The film is enough, I did enough, I am enough, we are all enough.

Now that you feel like you've done enough, what would you say to yourself at the beginning of the project?

It's going to be challenging at times, but you're exactly on the right path. I've got you. And please, try to enjoy everything a little bit more; you deserve it, just like anyone else.

And looking forward, what's up next within your creative horizon?

During the making of Guerreras, I felt a strong desire to do more fiction filmmaking. I started an 8-week screenwriting course, where I created a synopsis for a feature film. Following advice from those around me, I submitted it to a script contest organised by a production company seeking film ideas related to our current climate crisis. The phone call several months later, announcing that I had won the contest, was the best news I received last year! It shattered my self-doubt and affirmed that I was on the right path.

Together with co-writer Lenina Ungari, we started doing a lot of research on female storytelling throughout history and our complex relationship with the natural world. Now, we've almost completed the first draft of the script. I'm certain it's going to be a challenging yet fulfilling journey. While I don't yet know the specifics of how or when, we are dedicated to bringing this film to life, so stay tuned!

A word of encouragement for women out there at the beginning of a new project, struggling with their creativity and perhaps even their well-being?

Stop overthinking and analyzing. Take a break from social media to avoid comparing yourself or absorbing endless content from others. Give yourself some space and time. It seems like we've forgotten how 'nothingness' is essential for creation. Take a solo trip, join a retreat, or do an artist residency—if you can. These experiences can help reset your mind and return to the essence of why you want to create. Then, start step by step, embracing joy and simplicity.

There's one quote from Guerreras by Alicia that I've put on my wall just to remind myself: Everything takes time, just like the seasons.

It's early 2024, and you've recently moved into your new house. While moving can be quite stressful, it is also an exciting new beginning. Now that you're settled in, what do you enjoy most?

Honestly, I didn’t expect it to be this stressful, but it was worth it. I used to live in the center of Amsterdam for a long time, but I consciously made the decision to move up north to have more tranquility. Now, I actually have two little gardens on each side of my small house! The first thing I do in the morning is open the curtains and look at the tall birch to see if there are any birds visiting. Even though it’s still winter time, I enjoy looking at the plants and trees. I used to have a difficult relationship with winter, but it was my dream to experience the cycles of the seasons more vividly. This under-appreciated time of the year is growing on me and has become important for introspection, making me even more grateful for the flowers when spring starts to bloom.

Are there any additional conscious things you do to cultivate more joy?

I’m trying to pay more attention to the “smaller” things in my daily routines. How I prepare my coffee in the morning. How I walk to the grocery store. Listening to the birds in my new neighborhood. In general my pace of life has drastically changed over the last year(s). I used to travel and rush a lot more. At the time it was right, because that’s how I wanted to live, but I was also a lot more restless. Now that I have finally decided to grow my roots in Amsterdam and be more still, I am a lot more grateful for the simple things. 

I also do yoga and dance quite often. I read and I write.

What kind of dance?

I am a huge fan of Jason Winter and his Free Movement classes. I started in 2021, and it was mind-blowing and eye-opening for me. These classes begin in a group setting, encouraging participants to get out of their heads and into their bodies. There's no choreography; it's all about moving and feeling. In the second part of the sessions, everyone sits on the side, and participants take turns dancing solo to 1 or 2 songs. It's scary each time, being so vulnerable with nowhere to hide, but that's exactly what I love about it. How often do we see people free from their ego? I feel my most authentic self when I dance in those classes.

Sounds good! It's beautiful when someone discovers new unique practices that contribute to their personal well-being. Well-being is, of course, different for everyone. What does it mean to you?

For me, well-being means eating balanced, dancing a lot, practicing yoga when I can, minimising stress where possible, embracing creativity, dedicating time to reading, enjoying moments with my boyfriend, family & friends, as well as appreciating solitude. Additionally, spending lots of time in nature has become increasingly prominent and important in my life.

I am the proud owner of BODY, a photo book you self-published. Can you tell a bit more about it?

Yes, I wanted to make a photo book that is an ode to the female body. Over a couple of years I interviewed and photographed 46 women in their most vulnerable and powerful way of being, nude. I wanted to create a book that showed a different kind of beauty than we usually see in the fashion, commercial and even film industry. It was equally important how the process of taking these images was for each of the women. For some it really changed how they love themselves and their bodies in a more positive way. And what started as this personal project, unexpectedly became a sought-after book after I published it in 2020, having been sold worldwide and exhibited at the Fotografiska museums in Stockholm, Berlin, and New York. Unfortunately the book is currently sold out, but who knows what will come next!

Speaking of 2020, that was also the year we first met in person in Mallorca. During your artist-in-residence at our retreat, you photographed your stay and some of the guests – who wanted to be part of the project. How was that experience?

It was a very intimate and beautiful, including personal learnings. I learned how challenging it was for me to receive, as I entered the week with a very strict 'working' mindset. However, the environment was so warm and welcoming, and I didn't expect you would encourage me to experience - and enjoy - the retreat, treating me as one of the guests. When photographing women, I always try to approach them in the most humble and gentle way possible, making them feel comfortable first. Spending those days so closely with a group of women made me fully aware of being a participant as well as an observer. As the days went by, I could ease into it all, and so did the guests, yielding amazing results not only in the imagery but also internally personally, bringing about a profound change. Looking back at the first retreat, my life honestly changed soon after. So, I'm grateful for the experience and can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone seeking fresh new guidance in their lives.

So glad to hear that! One of those changes was that after photographing, you now wanted to make a film. Let's talk about “Guerreras”, your debut-film about Mexican women. How did that come about?

After graduating from The Royal Art Academy in The Hague in 2013, I decided to travel spontaneously to Mexico City. The moment I arrived, I had this strange feeling of home, as if I had been here before. When I reached Oaxaca, I completely fell in love. In 2018, years later, I went back for an artist residency (Poco a Poco) of three weeks in Oaxaca City. The original plan was to write a film, but I ended up engaging in various activities such as dancing, cooking, attending natural dyeing workshops, and meeting incredible women. Shortly after returning, it suddenly hit me: I still felt the need to create a film about these women. Why? Because in the Western culture around me, people were increasingly talking about "The future is female" and female empowerment, and I was wondering, what does it truly mean to be a strong woman? I felt that these Mexican women held the answers to my question.

You've dedicated at least 4 years to working on the short film. Could you share more about the process?

The idea started around 2019, shortly after I began interviewing the women over the phone. Originally, I had planned to film everything in 2020, but then Covid hit. Initially, I felt a bit disappointed, but when I finally went a year later, I realized that this timing was exactly how it should have been.

During the filming process, a storm erupted in Oaxaca, proving to be the perfect symbol for the essence of the narrative. At the same time, it became a turning point in my own life. It wasn't until the editing phase that I realised I wasn't just making a film; I was transforming myself. I developed myself through various experiences in dance, meditation, ancestral trauma, and voice liberation.

The latter proved to be the most difficult and profound aspect; finding my own voice. For the final part of the film, I decided to return to Mexico, not only to work on sound design but also to undergo a deeper personal process through instrumental therapy and using my own voice. After weaving this sound experiment into the film, the story felt complete.

Guerreras is the journey of my soul, poured into 12 minutes.

I had the pleasure of viewing one of the premieres a little while ago in Berlin, and I was so incredibly moved by it, both in a sensitive and powerful way. The visuals, the narrative, the women, the land, the sound – all so impactful. It is not a typical documentary; rather, more of an experience. Is there a deliberate purpose behind that?

Yes, I feel like the film is almost like a mantra. It can be experienced at different levels: rational, emotional and spiritual. My purpose is to take the viewer into a submersive journey, touching on several intertwined issues. To acknowledge our troubled past and to empower women, giving back their voice. To ultimately transition into a world balanced with nature, each other and ourselves. It’s not only about my personal journey, or even about my protagonists. It’s a film from generations of women, for all women and future generations.

As a fellow entrepreneur, I understand that having an idea is one thing, but turning it into reality is another – especially when you're totally independent without a safety net. So, congratulations are in order! But I also know that while external validation can feel nice, what matters most is how content we are with what we've created. The film is ready; are you proud?

I have to admit that feeling 'proud' is something I find very difficult. I just came back from Oaxaca to finally show the film to the women involved, which was a very special moment. I did feel some pride, but more so for the people that were part of the film. Yet what I strongly felt the day after when I went to the mountains by myself was this deep sense of 'enoughness.' After all those years of hard work and investing so much of my love, time, and money, I felt like it was enough. The film is enough, I did enough, I am enough, we are all enough.

Now that you feel like you've done enough, what would you say to yourself at the beginning of the project?

It's going to be challenging at times, but you're exactly on the right path. I've got you. And please, try to enjoy everything a little bit more; you deserve it, just like anyone else.

And looking forward, what's up next within your creative horizon?

During the making of Guerreras, I felt a strong desire to do more fiction filmmaking. I started an 8-week screenwriting course, where I created a synopsis for a feature film. Following advice from those around me, I submitted it to a script contest organised by a production company seeking film ideas related to our current climate crisis. The phone call several months later, announcing that I had won the contest, was the best news I received last year! It shattered my self-doubt and affirmed that I was on the right path.

Together with co-writer Lenina Ungari, we started doing a lot of research on female storytelling throughout history and our complex relationship with the natural world. Now, we've almost completed the first draft of the script. I'm certain it's going to be a challenging yet fulfilling journey. While I don't yet know the specifics of how or when, we are dedicated to bringing this film to life, so stay tuned!

A word of encouragement for women out there at the beginning of a new project, struggling with their creativity and perhaps even their well-being?

Stop overthinking and analyzing. Take a break from social media to avoid comparing yourself or absorbing endless content from others. Give yourself some space and time. It seems like we've forgotten how 'nothingness' is essential for creation. Take a solo trip, join a retreat, or do an artist residency—if you can. These experiences can help reset your mind and return to the essence of why you want to create. Then, start step by step, embracing joy and simplicity.

There's one quote from Guerreras by Alicia that I've put on my wall just to remind myself: Everything takes time, just like the seasons.