I wanted to learn more, in my thesis, my studies and later my PhD. I was ambitious, curious and eager to grow, but instead of moving forward it felt like I was failing and never performing at the level I knew I could. Tough circumstances and an overwhelming system made it harder, but the real struggle was in my own head: I thought I had to do it all alone, got stuck in overthinking, procrastination and self-doubt, and slowly drained all my energy. In the process, the enthusiastic Ankie disappeared into someone who took everything far too seriously.
I quit my PhD, which felt like failing, but became the turning point of my life. I studied performance, mindset, the brain and body in depth, and discovered that true change comes from rewiring unconscious beliefs together with training confidence, unlocking potential and using focus in a new way. With that knowledge I transformed myself and my results, using my skills, loving my work, enjoying more energy and achieving bigger successes than I ever imagined, and now I help students finish strong with clarity, confidence and joy.
A thesis or PhD is not just an academic project, it is a mental game. Real progress doesn’t come from working harder, but from working strategically, breaking the patterns that drain your energy and detaching from what holds you back. My mission is to help students and PhD candidates grow mentally and in their work, so they can perform at the level they are capable of, enjoy the process, and finish ready to step into a future full of possibilities they once only dreamed of.
Mostly to remind myself not everything has to be so serious, and to challenge myself with interesting poses.
Discipline I sometimes wish I had during my PhD or studies.
Where I learned that focus is not about pushing harder, but about training the mind in the right way.
I finished three studies, and I’ll never be done learning.
I’ve lived in the Netherlands, South Africa, the US and Spain, and traveled widely, learning from every culture I meet.
Racing regattas with friends and heading out on sailing trips.
