I had no answer to the question people ask me most until I had this sudden insight

July 11, 2018 Gerdi Verwoert

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Conquer Your Fear, Live Your Own Life, Stress

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Since moving to Austria from the Netherlands people have asked me what my reason for doing so was.

I’ve always given one of two answers.

Because the Netherlands don’t have any mountains
Because when I first came to these mountains I came home

Both of these are true.

As the name implies, the Netherlands don’t have any mountains. And what people there do call a mountain is not even considered a decent hill here in Austria.

And that first time when I truly hiked the mountains here I did feel as though I came home.

When asked what about the mountains made it ‘home’ though, I couldn’t explain it. All I knew was that it somehow felt as though I belong here.

Recently – in a flash of insight – I finally knew why I feel so at home in the mountains.

I finally realised what happened that first time when I truly hiked those Austrian Alps.

On those first hikes I reconnected with a part of myself that I had ignored for far too long.

To be able to deal with life being all work and no play,

With constantly feeling rushed and stressed out, …
With my brain always feels tired, …
With feeling trapped – caged – with no escape, …
With being pushed and shoved in every direction, …
With ever increasing pressure and stress, …
With always being hounded by my phone, email and internet connection, …
With feeling as though life was passing me by, …

I protected a part of myself and I didn’t even know I did it.

I put a shield around the softer parts of me and sent that other, tougher part of me into the world to do battle. To make sure I survived all that was causing me stress.

I didn’t know that what happened on those first mountain hikes was that I allowed my shield to come down. That I relaxed and allowed myself to be whole.

Because when you spent enough time in nature, among mountains especially – even if it is only for a short while –that’s what happens.

You reconnect with yourself, with your whole self.

As always….

Go dare greatly

Gerdi Verwoert CPC

Daring Guide & Coach

I guide people who are visionaries, change-makers, rulebreakers and those who feel stuck in the frustrating DO-ing of everyday life and work, into quiet, expansive mountains to help them refocus on what life for them is all about.

As we walk through mountains they reclaim their Identity, regain Clarity and take back their Power so they can re-connect with and live in line with who they truly are; with their essence.

The mountains are a magical place; uniquely suited to help us slow down, be present and get a different perspective on life.

A former project manager & consultant with 20+ years of experience, I am trained as a life coach and mountain hiking guide. I have a special gift for taking people on trails – in mountains and in life – they would never think of walking by themselves. I have a talent for both challenging and helping them reach heights they didn’t think themselves capable of.