About Me

You know how it goes – websites often present a perfectly polished version of reality. But let's be honest, life is richer and more complex than that. Every individual brings a unique story, a personal history that deeply influences their journey. In coaching, understanding that history – who you are and where you're coming from – is paramount. Truly effective coaching blends knowledge with genuine attention and hard-earned experience, qualities that often mature over time. 

Hello, my name is Ivo, yes, just 3 letters and pronounced "eevo" (or anything close will do). I moved from the Netherlands to Australia in 2009, and now happy to call myself a Golden Beach local. 

I'm mid 40's now but already from a young age, I've found joy in sharing my skills and helping others grow. While I love a good challenge, nothing excites me more than seeing someone else achieve their goals; I simply love seeing people succeed. 

My path hasn't been without its hurdles. Growing up, persistent negative experiences gradually led me to disconnect emotionally, eroding my confidence and leaving me in a state of constant stress. At 18, I left home with a singular focus: to find my way back to happiness. The next 25 years were a demanding and often costly "personal career" of self-discovery and healing. Alongside formal education in traffic management, training, and coaching, I actively engaged in various therapies and personal development programs. It was a successful journey, but far from easy, a relentless cycle of ups and downs that shaped who I am today. My professional career often took a backseat, which inevitably delayed my coaching aspirations. 

Early in my career, I facilitated sessions for diverse groups, from teachers to engineers, and the positive feedback fuelled my passion. Yet, that passion was often intertwined with self-doubt and stress, leading me to step away and embark on a diverse exploration of over 45 jobs across five countries. From cleaning and taxi driving to project management, private driving for an F1 champion, designing award-winning sunglasses, outdoor instruction, abseiling, and even owning & operating a pizza truck business – it was a hard cycle to break. I'd take a job, feel inadequate, pour energy into excelling, and then leave when it didn't align with my passion or when a stressful promotion beckoned. This unconventional path gifted me a wealth of experiences and skills, and I've lived in some incredible places, from the European Alps to Sydney Harbour and the Tunisian desert. But the constant job search, rejection, navigating different personalities, financial instability, always starting at the bottom, living out of a suitcase, and the pressure to learn quickly took its toll. 

Thankfully, all that hard work has come full circle. My emotions have returned, and over the past decade, my confidence has steadily grown. I once believed happiness was a collection of joyful moments – a laugh with friends, holding a baby, good food, a great movie. But I now understand that our internal state is the key. In a state of stress, even happy moments feel fleeting, while a peaceful mind allows us to savour the good and see challenges as opportunities. 

This personal transformation is invaluable to my coaching. With a calm and focused mind, I can fully dedicate my attention to you and your journey. My coaching focuses on the very areas I've navigated: inspiration, confidence, and making meaningful changes. 

So, that's the story behind the coach. Beyond this, I'm a fan of social gatherings, love all sports and the outdoors, my daily coffee ritual, cozy nights with Netflix, and the satisfaction of baking a perfect sourdough. One half of the week I coach and the other half I deliver training for a Registered Training Organisation. Witnessing growth is deeply fulfilling, and I'm excited to dedicate myself to helping you thrive.