About

Simple. Open. Daring.

I’m Maaike – psychologist by training, Buddhist by heart —  living and working between Belgium, Nepal and India.  In a fast and uncertain world, I help people and organisations slow down, listen inward, and move forward with more presence, warmth and courage.

My intention

Creating space for more Joy & Ease

I’m here to support you in finding a sense of ground within yourself — so you can meet life with more honesty and kindness.  

Working with me is down-to-earth and practical:  

  • Finding ways to slow down and regulate yourself 
  • Learning to understand your emotions and habits 
  • Creating more ease in how you move through your days  
  • Encouraging mindful leadership & resilience at work 

My work draws from modern psychology and Buddhist wisdom, in a way that can be lived, not just understood. 

I believe confidence and humility can grow together. And this changes how we show up – in life, in work, and with others.  There is a quieter way to move through life. More present. Less driven by inner noise and reactivity.  

Everyone walks their own path.  I’m simply here to support that process, where it feels right. 

 

Start your journey
Let's talk →

Values

Curiosity. Kindness. Courage.

These three values live at the center of every program, every conversation, every practice.

My background

My journey in a nutshell

2004
2004

The calling

At 17, I felt drawn to study psychology  because I wanted to understand what moves people: emotions, behavior, and Quiet longing for freedom and love.
2010
2010

From study to real life

I stepped into the world of work eager to support people where it matters most: in daily life, leadership, and relationships.
I fell in love with moments where something landed  — when someone dared something new, felt a shift, and thought: “Oh… I can do this.” When eyes began to glimmer, and openness replaced armor.
2014
2014

Opening to meditation & mindfulness

Meditation entered slowly. I was skeptical at first (my inner science-nerd had opinions 😄).
And still — I couldn’t deny what it gave me: more ease, more honesty, more space. It became a daily choice to meet life from the inside out, with mind and heart.
2016
2016

NudgeME begins

NudgeME took shape as my own journey deepened — and as people trusted me with theirs. I said yes to projects that stretched me: leaders under pressure, teams in tension, learning journeys that needed to work in real organisations.
I learned by doing — sometimes through mistakes, feedback, and trying again with more care. What stayed constant: my commitment to show up fully, grounded in science, carried by warmth, and guided by a belief in the goodness of people.
2019
2019

Listening to the body (Studio Swell)

Working with leaders and teams, I saw how much changes through awareness and communication — and how quickly it collapses when the nervous system is overwhelmed. The body became the missing piece.

Studio Swell – www.studioswell.be was born from a shared dream with a dear friend — exploring how to help people take care of their well-being by understanding stress, recovery, and nervous-system signals.

2022
2022

Himalayas: a broader view

Time in the Himalayas in Nepal shifted something essential. Nature, silence, and meeting remarkable Tibetan teachers opened a doorway I didn’t know I was looking for — a deeper trust in what becomes possible when we slow down and let life meet us.
Now
Now

Bridging West & East

Today my work takes shape in different ways — in person and online, with individuals, teams and leaders.  
Down-to-earth, rooted in experience, and a little playful.  
 
There are Experiences, where space allows something deeper to unfold. And through Give for Growth, it reaches further - supporting projects in Nepal and India that bring warmth and education into local communities. 
2004
2004

The calling

At 17, I felt drawn to study psychology  because I wanted to understand what moves people: emotions, behavior, and Quiet longing for freedom and love.
2010
2010

From study to real life

I stepped into the world of work eager to support people where it matters most: in daily life, leadership, and relationships.
I fell in love with moments where something landed  — when someone dared something new, felt a shift, and thought: “Oh… I can do this.” When eyes began to glimmer, and openness replaced armor.
2014
2014

Opening to meditation & mindfulness

Meditation entered slowly. I was skeptical at first (my inner science-nerd had opinions 😄).
And still — I couldn’t deny what it gave me: more ease, more honesty, more space. It became a daily choice to meet life from the inside out, with mind and heart.
2016
2016

NudgeME begins

NudgeME took shape as my own journey deepened — and as people trusted me with theirs. I said yes to projects that stretched me: leaders under pressure, teams in tension, learning journeys that needed to work in real organisations.
I learned by doing — sometimes through mistakes, feedback, and trying again with more care. What stayed constant: my commitment to show up fully, grounded in science, carried by warmth, and guided by a belief in the goodness of people.
2019
2019

Listening to the body (Studio Swell)

Working with leaders and teams, I saw how much changes through awareness and communication — and how quickly it collapses when the nervous system is overwhelmed. The body became the missing piece.

Studio Swell – www.studioswell.be was born from a shared dream with a dear friend — exploring how to help people take care of their well-being by understanding stress, recovery, and nervous-system signals.

2022
2022

Himalayas: a broader view

Time in the Himalayas in Nepal shifted something essential. Nature, silence, and meeting remarkable Tibetan teachers opened a doorway I didn’t know I was looking for — a deeper trust in what becomes possible when we slow down and let life meet us.
Now
Now

Bridging West & East

Today my work takes shape in different ways — in person and online, with individuals, teams and leaders.  
Down-to-earth, rooted in experience, and a little playful.  
 
There are Experiences, where space allows something deeper to unfold. And through Give for Growth, it reaches further - supporting projects in Nepal and India that bring warmth and education into local communities. 

Glimpses of my path

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What people say

Unfiltered voices.

You continue to inspire me with the way you follow your own path, connecting more and more deeply with yourself and the world.

Sofie

Every conversation with you warms my heart, time and time again.

Katie

What makes her truly unique is this rare harmony of heart, mind, and inspiration. If I had to describe her in one word, it would be pure. In a world that often feels forced and uniform, that might just be the most exceptional thing a person can be.

Jonathan

I met her at my first job ever, and her guidance supported me at the start of my career. She left a lasting impression on both my professional and personal growth.

Justine

Walk your path only

Feeling something?

Happy to explore together what’s needed right now — for you, your team, or your organisation.

Let's talk
Book a free call

Frequently Asked Questions?

I’m a trained psychologist, with more than 15 years of experience in coaching and personal development.
 
Over time, I’ve deepened my work through different trainings — including a two-year intensive meditation and mindfulness teacher training.
My work draws from modern psychology and Buddhist wisdom, combined with years of practice and working with people across different contexts.
 
If you're interested, you can find more details here: → [LinkedIn profile]
At the same time, what I share is not only based on training, but also on walking the path myself.
People who are curious about themselves and how they move through life.
 
Some feel stuck or notice patterns repeating.
Others sense there is more depth available — in how they live, relate, or lead.
 
I also work with leaders and teams who want to bring more awareness and honesty into their work.
 
There isn’t one type of person.
What connects them is a willingness to look a bit deeper, and to explore what is actually there.
A genuine interest in people — and in how we make sense of life.
 
I’m inspired by those small moments where something shifts.
Where someone sees more clearly, softens, or finds a different way to respond.
It’s not always big or visible from the outside,
but those moments can change how someone lives, works, or relates to others.
 
Witnessing that process, even in a small way, is what keeps me engaged in this work.
Through a combination of ongoing learning and direct experience.
 
I continue to deepen my understanding through reading, training, and staying close to developments in psychology and contemplative practices.
 
At the same time, the real learning comes through working with myself and other people —
seeing how things unfold in practice, and what actually helps.
 
It’s a continuous process of learning, unlearning, and refining —
guided by both knowledge and experience.
A space where you can show up as you are.
 
I listen carefully — sometimes in conversation,
sometimes in silence.
 
There is time to sit with what is there:
your questions, your struggles, your longings.
 
I feel honoured to be part of that process —
and to explore together how you can move through life
with a bit more ease, clarity, and joy.
 
We don’t turn away from the difficult parts.
There is space for what feels heavy, confusing, or unresolved.
At the same time, this work is not only about looking deeper —
it is also about discovering what opens, what moves,
and what brings a natural sense of lightness.
 
I won’t tell you what to do or give you ready-made answers.
You walk your own path.
 
But I walk alongside you for a while —
as you learn, explore, and find your own way forward.

Have Other questions?

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