Who is
the CloudCatcher?

Mathematics and art were my favorite subjects at school and my advanced courses in the last three years at a German grammar school. Most people thought that was strange – they don’t go together, do they? For me, it made perfect sense: structure and creativity. Afterward, I completed a two-year education as a Schifffahrtskauffrau at a German shipping company while also studying business economics for three years. Apparently, they were very satisfied, because I was immediately offered a permanent contract with this shipping company. Soon, I was asked to set up a new department, which was a real challenge, as I didn’t have much experience yet. But it was successful.

In total, I worked in shipping for more than 25 years, including around 13 years as a charterer and 12 years as a project manager for offshore vessels. Shipping is never boring: every day brings new challenges and surprises. The only thing that is certain in shipping is that everything is uncertain. You always have to be flexible. Here too, structure and creativity are key. You can only satisfy your customers with creative solutions that meet their requirements and, of course, save costs.

The offshore department was a big step. My responsibilities included the entire package: from sales and developing concepts, negotiating and concluding contracts, to planning, (technical) realization, and administration. Structure and creativity to their fullest – with lots of fun and passion. Within my family, I am also connected to a trading company, which gives me insight into a completely different nature of business.

Unfortunately, over the years, I unintentionally went a step too far. No challenge was too big and no project too difficult. My work took up more and more of my time, causing my ‘inner car’ to speed up continuously. I didn’t need brakes, nor did I need help. I didn’t see the steep slope coming, and only halfway down the valley I did realize that the world was flying by, I was going faster and faster, and my brakes weren’t working anymore. This is, of course, meant figuratively, but that’s exactly how it felt. Even though my batteries were completely empty, I kept going. Fortunately, I ended up with a wonderful coach. During our first talk, she put into words what I had been ignoring until then: I couldn’t do it anymore.

But when you’re in such overdrive, you can’t just stop. In consultation with my employer, I gradually reduced my workload until I was on full sick leave. But I couldn’t sit still. Tidying up, cleaning, exercising—I just had to keep busy all the time. Very slowly, I managed to sit on the couch for ten minutes with a cup of coffee.

In total, I was on sick leave for about a year. With the help of my coach, I got to know myself much better during that time, especially my unconscious patterns, the automatisms that determine your behavior. That’s when I also got in touch with Voice Dialogue, a wonderful method for coaching, but also a way of life that helps me to always find my balance again and to make conscious choices instead of going through life on autopilot.

My broad interest in almost everything motivates me to constantly try and learn new things. During my own coaching journey, I already read every book I could find on coaching and therapy. Choosing to pursue the coaching training came about quite naturally from that. During the program, I discovered how much joy I find in supporting others.

But quitting a job at a company where I had worked passionately for 16 years… phew, that was a difficult decision. Change is always difficult. It took me months before I dared to take this step. And now you’re here reading my website… how amazing is that?! : -)