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2 Weeks ago I was the fattest and un-fittest person in the gym. But usually I´m ´the fit guy´. It reminded me of a business and personal finance truth: Picture this:‘Bambu gym’, Uluwatu, Bali.Surfers Paradise8 Pack = the normSuper shredded, ripped and strong. Women doing muscle ups and rope climbs without using their feet.Like gravity…

In the early 2000s, in Special Ops, I learned: Shouting “Reloading!” saves lives. But now I realize it also helps you survive and thrive in business (and life). It´s not weakness, but tactical communication.Your team adjusts. Covers for you. This is what I see too often: 𝗜𝗻 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀:We stay silent.Drain our magazines dry.Fight alone until…

I love AI, but today we did a ‘good-old-fashioned’ photoshoot for our Cacao brand, here in Bali. 4 Reasons using AI was absolutely NOT an option for me: 1. Authenticity isn’t negotiable for meOur customers don’t just buy our ceremonial cacao.They buy into our story.Our journey.I won´t let AI fake that. 2. Family memories are…

Retirement: Expectations VS Reality (Spoiler Alert)I used to think retirement looked like:• Sitting on a tropical beach• Spending time with your wife and kids• Time for travel and adventures But talking to many disillusioned retirees through the years,I have come to the conclusion that it actually looks like: • Being bored out of your mind…

It’s crazy how well I protect these valuables, but ignored the most important ones:– Lock my house– Car in the garage– A vault for important papers– A quadruple login for my bank account Safe, safe, safe. Because they are important. Valuable. You do the same, right? Meanwhile, however…. Our most valuable assets: ➡️ Time… –…

This week, my 18 year old daughter drives me crazy.But I guess I had it coming. She said: – “You didn´t even work out yesterday, dad….”– “There is no law that says that you can only work out 1x per day, dad…”– “If we leave tomorrow at 0500…do we work out before that, dad…?” “Dad,…

I used to think I would live forever.But then I did something kind of confrontational yesterday. 😆 A survey to check my life expectancy. And there it was: my expected “expiration date”. Staring back at me from the screen. 89 Minus 51 is 38 years. 38 Summers. ☀️ No guarantees, by the way. My somewhat-older…

In 2005, we left our home in The Netherlands. Burned all our ships. And we left for Spain, leaving behind: • My Special Forces career• My wife’s successful gift shops• Our cozy home– Our entire safety net None of it came with us. And we arrived in Spain, with just: • €1000 monthly income• Zero…

I am 51, midlife, business owner, family man.2 Vital Things I optimise for:In your 20s: Health ✅ , Time ✅ , Money ❌In your 40s: Health ⬇️ , Time ❌ , Money ✅In your 60s: Health ❌ , Time ✅ , Money ✅ You see what´s broken here? So, what is the solution? 40s and…