The Heroine’s Journey of Willemijn Vogelsang

What is the best thing that I love about my work?

The most beautiful thing about my work is that it allows me to live in alignment with what feels deeply true to me. At the heart of everything I do: tantra massage, hypnotherapy, workshops, retreats there is one central intention: guiding people back to the experience of unconditional love within themselves. Not love as a romantic ideal. Not love as a spiritual abstraction. But love as a grounded, embodied state. A deep inner safety. A remembering. I do not give people something they lack. I simply help remove the layers that have covered what was already there. And when someone reconnects to that inner source, you can see it happen. Their breath changes. Their shoulders soften. Their eyes become clearer. From that place, life reorganizes itself. Decisions are no longer made from pressure or fear, but from alignment. Boundaries are not defended, they are known. Watching someone return to their own centre is the greatest privilege of my work.

What is my idea of happiness?

For me, happiness and gratitude are inseparable. The moments when I feel truly grateful are the moments I feel deeply happy. Gratitude brings me into the present moment. It softens me. It opens my heart. When I become aware of what is already here; the beauty, the love, the small details of life, happiness arises naturally. Happiness, for me, is not something I chase. It is something I recognize.

What is my greatest fear?

My greatest fear is not failure. It is fear itself, the moments when fear disconnects me from trust. Fear can make me hesitate just before I step into something that I know is right for me. It can create stories of doubt. It can make me overthink instead of feel. Yet I have learned that fear often stands exactly at the doorway of growth. Every major expansion in my life required me to move through fear; becoming captain of a mega yacht at 26, starting my own company, creating my first solo workshop. Magic does not happen when fear disappears. It happens when I choose trust anyway.

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

The trait I have struggled with most is procrastination, which often stems from fear. I can have the most beautiful ideas, yet sometimes I leave them untouched. In the past, I would push myself forward through discipline alone, which brought me far but also cost me a lot of energy. Now, when I notice resistance, I pause. I explore what feels daunting about taking action. Often, I discover an old belief beneath it, such as not being good enough or fearing rejection. When I recognize that belief, it loses its power. I can smile and think, “Oh, is that all?” And then I move forward, gently but firmly.

Which living persons in my profession do I most admire?

There was a time when I placed others on pedestals. I admired certain teachers so deeply that I treated their words as absolute truth. Over time, I realized that this admiration sometimes made me smaller. Now, I see us as equals. We all walk unique paths. I still allow myself to be inspired, but only when something resonates deeply within me, when it feels like recognition rather than comparison. Letting go of idolizing others has helped me stand more firmly in my own truth.

What is my greatest extravagance?

My greatest extravagance is allowing myself to create a life that feels rich in experience. I love traveling, both alone and with my children. Travel expands my perspective and reminds me of the vastness of the world. I also invest in retreats and personal development. I do not see these as luxuries, but as nourishment for the soul. Beyond that, I cherish simple pleasures: going to the sauna, dancing, dining out, enjoying a beautiful film, or creating a warm and cozy home filled with good tea, good food, and comfort. For me, enjoyment is not indulgence. It is a celebration of being alive.

On what occasion would I lie?

I might bend the truth if I am afraid of hurting someone’s feelings. However, as I have become more conscious of this tendency, I have learned to speak my truth with compassion. I believe honesty can be both clear and loving. The more I trust that truth creates connection rather than harm, the easier it becomes to express myself authentically.

What is the thing that I dislike the most in my work?

Running my own company means doing everything, not only the parts I love. Administration, marketing, sales, and planning are not my natural passions. The practical structure behind the scenes can sometimes feel heavy. Yet I recognize that these tasks create the foundation that allows me to do the work I truly love: guiding people through tantra, hypnotherapy, and embodied transformation. I see them as necessary pillars supporting my creative freedom.

When and where was I the happiest in my work?

I am happiest when I am fully present. My work requires full presence, and in that presence, I witness small miracles every day. A specific highlight was my workshop The Mindfuck in Eindhoven. It was the first workshop I fully created and facilitated on my own. It combined hypnosis and tantra, a powerful integration. Hypnosis transforms the mindset, while tantra embodies that transformation. You do not only think differently; you feel differently. That workshop felt like pure alignment. Everything fell into place. It showed me what is possible when I follow what feels completely right.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

From the perspective of the mind, I could name things: a more toned body, more practical skills, more courage. But when I truly tune in, the answer is nothing. Everything I sometimes judge is part of my evolution. The lessons I am still learning are shaping me in ways I cannot fully see yet. I trust life more and more. And in that trust, I find peace with who I am, exactly as I am.

What is my greatest achievement in work?

At 26, I became captain of a mega yacht sailing around the world. At that time, that achievement represented ambition, strength, and determination. It proved to me that when I fully commit, I can manifest extraordinary things. Today, my greatest achievement feels different. It is the business I have built, rooted in embodiment, authenticity, and deep transformation. It sustains me financially, yes. But more importantly, it continuously shapes me as a human being. It asks me to grow. To stay honest. To remain embodied. That feels like true success.

Where would I most like to live?

New Zealand once captured my heart with its landscapes and openness. But I have come to understand that home is not a geographical location. It is a felt experience. I now live in a small village in Limburg, by the river Maas. It is quiet, slow, grounded. There are no traffic lights. Life moves gently. My friends and family are close. My house feels warm. That is enough.

What is my most treasured possession?

Travel taught me that the fewer possessions I carry, the freer I feel. After traveling for six months with minimal belongings, I realized how little I truly need to feel fulfilled. Today, I treasure objects with stories: souvenirs from travels, an altar I created for my deceased aunt, small meaningful items that carry memory and sound. Freedom is more precious than ownership.

What is my most marked characteristic?

Freedom. I encourage people to be exactly who they are. I create spaces where others feel safe to reveal their truth. People often tell me they feel at ease with me quickly. Safety and authenticity are qualities I naturally embody.

What is my most inspirational location in my city?

The village garden inspires me most. There, fruit trees grow freely. People can pick apples, pears, plums, and cherries without hierarchy or permission. It represents trust, community, and shared abundance. A simple system built on mutual care. It reminds me that collaboration can be effortless when rooted in respect.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink in my city?

There is a beautiful riverside restaurant that I love. The view over the Maas, the warm atmosphere, the friendliness of the people, it combines pleasure and simplicity. It reflects what I value: beauty without excess. Presence without rush.

What books influenced my life and how?

Some books did not teach me something new, they helped me remember. Goddess in High Heels by Michelle Shanti introduced me to tantra. Even when my mind did not understand everything, my body did. It awakened something ancient within me. Rise by Marieke van Meijeren gave me recognition. It validated my sensitivity and intuitive gifts. The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield opened my awareness to synchronicity and unseen connections. These books were felt experiences. They shaped my inner landscape.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen to on my last day?

I love many different kinds of music (Latin, jazz, electro swing, pop, folk) and dancing has always been an important way for me to connect to life. For me, music needs to be felt, not only heard. I often use music to deepen my emotional experience: when I feel sad, I intentionally listen to sad music to fully sink into the feeling and discover what lies beneath it. By allowing myself to feel emotions deeply, I can eventually release them again, which is something I also value in my work with others. Music has been a powerful tool for embodiment, presence, and emotional honesty throughout my life. However, I imagine that on the last day of my life, music would become less important. What would matter most to me then is being with the people I love and truly feeling their presence. A soft, calm background melody would be enough to support that moment. Silence, connection, and love would be the real music of that day.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

Alice from Alice in Wonderland resonates deeply with me. Her curiosity. Her courage. Her willingness to enter the unknown and discover who she is. She reminds me that growth means becoming someone new, and that imagination is a powerful force. , “It’s no use going back to yesterday, because I was a different person then,” and “Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast,” Her journey mirrors my own path of curiosity, inner exploration, and self-discovery, both in life and in my work.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

I see many people around me as heroes or heroines, often in small but powerful moments. Whenever someone does something that makes me think, wow, how brave, kind, or courageous, it deeply inspires me. These everyday acts of authenticity and courage continually remind me of what is possible. However, my greatest heroine in this life is my great-aunt, who passed away but whose presence I still feel. She continues to guide me through life in a quiet, intuitive way. She lived her life entirely on her own terms, which I find profoundly inspiring. As a strong, independent woman, she never married and never had children, yet she travelled the world and collected the most beautiful stories. Her curiosity for life and new experiences was endless. Above all, she was deeply present, offering love and attention in a way that was always tangible and heartfelt.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?

There are many films that I deeply love, but for me it is essential that a movie has a tangible emotional depth. I am drawn to stories that truly carry you along and offer meaningful life lessons. One film that stands out for me is Little Buddha. It tells a beautiful and gentle story that invites reflection and inner stillness. The film presents profound Buddhist teachings in a way that is accessible to a Western audience. These life lessons are woven into the narrative with great care and simplicity. Beyond the philosophy, the visuals are stunning and poetic. The imagery alone makes the film a deeply sensory experience. Little Buddha is a movie that touches both the heart and the mind.

What role play stories in my life and work?

Stories transform experience into wisdom. In my workshops and sessions, stories allow people to see their lives from new angles. When someone shifts their internal narrative, their reality shifts with it. We are not trapped inside one story. We can rewrite chapters.

What do the words “You are the storyteller of your own life” mean to me?

To me, these words mean taking full ownership of my own life. I believe I create my own reality, and that this is a conscious choice rather than something that simply happens to me. This perspective is deeply connected to mindset. Life events may be similar, but how we experience them depends on the meaning we give them. Each person tells a different inner story about what happens to them. That inner narrative shapes how we feel, act, and move forward. This belief is also a core element of what I share in my workshops. I invite people to reflect on the stories they are telling themselves. It is your life, your story, and you get to decide how you want to shape it.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My greatest partner in crime is Leonie Wouters. Together we organize tantra workshops and four-hands massage experiences, creating spaces where people can safely explore themselves and their desires. Our collaboration is truly special because we are such opposites, yet that contrast allows us to complement and support each other perfectly. Where one of us brings a certain energy, the other balances and strengthens it. This dynamic creates a powerful and grounded foundation for our work. Together, we hold a safe and playful field in which participants can discover, experiment, and reconnect with themselves. Within that safety, people dare to be vulnerable and show parts of themselves that are often hidden. What touches me most is witnessing how this experience empowers them. Once they have felt that freedom and authenticity in our workshops, they can begin to embody and integrate it into their everyday lives.

Which people or companies would I like to work with?

I feel aligned with retreat centers and conscious organizations that value embodiment, emotional intelligence, and authentic leadership. Spaces where people can slow down, feel, and reconnect. Collaborations rooted in equality and shared values.

What project am I looking forward to work on?

For many years, I have primarily worked with men, guiding them in reconnecting to their bodies, emotions, and sexuality. Recently, I have felt a clear inner shift calling me to also support women in reclaiming their sexuality and feminine energy. I believe feminine energy is not limited to intimacy, but is a powerful life force that can be embodied in work, social life, and at home. When a woman learns to move from her core instead of adapting to expectations, life becomes more natural and aligned. She no longer has to leave her essence in order to succeed. In addition, I feel a strong desire to create retreats where I can work more intensively with people. In these immersive spaces, transformation can happen more. Stepping away from daily life creates room for profound shifts that truly change how someone lives and experiences themselves.

Where can you see me or my work?

You can find me in my private practice in Wessem, where I offer tantra massage, hypnotherapy sessions, and my one-on-one journey In Love with Life. In addition, I facilitate tantra workshops in Nijmegen, Arnhem, and Eindhoven together with my partners. During these workshops, we create a safe and playful field where people can explore who they truly are. Within this supportive environment, participants are invited to experiment, express themselves, and feel their boundaries and desires. What makes these experiences so powerful is how tangible the shifts become in the
body. When people dare to show up authentically in our workshops, they often discover it is less frightening than they imagined. From there, they gain the courage to bring that same authenticity into their everyday lives.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? To me, “Passion Never Retires” means that aliveness is not connected to age, but to the ability to feel. No matter how old you are, as long as you can feel true passion in your life, you are truly alive. Passion is the spark that keeps the heart open and the body engaged. It is the inner fire that moves you to create, to love, to explore, and to keep growing. When passion is present, life does not become smaller with time it deepens.
I believe passion is not something that fades naturally; it only quiets when we disconnect from ourselves. When we stay connected to our core, our desires, and our curiosity, that spark continues to burn. In that sense, passion never retires it simply evolves with us. It may change shape, but it never disappears as long as we allow ourselves to feel fully alive.

Which creative professionals should Peter invite to tell their story?
Leonie Wouters (leoniewouters432@hotmail.com)
Chantal Schenk (info@welcomehome.earth)
Channa (info@welcomehome.earth)
Manon Toma (0614563455 of mail@manontoma.nl)
Jet Toxopeus (0624278059 of jet@heelmassage.nl)
Kirsten van Ierland (info@kirstenvanierland.nl)
Nico Bruggeman (nico_bruggeman@hotmail.com)

How can you contact me?
You can contact me via email at willemijn@verliefdophetleven.eu.
You can also find more information about my work on my websites:
http://www.verliefdophetleven.eu
http://www.tantramassagelimburg.nl
For upcoming workshops and events, please visit:
https://hipsy.nl/verliefd-op-het-leven
You can also connect with me on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/willemijn-vogelsang-b329207a/
I welcome you to reach out if you feel called to connect or would like to learn more
about my offerings.

Leave a comment