That is not a figure of speech. It is exactly what I was. A month and a half in total darkness at my mum's, unable to get up. At 47.

Before that: boss of 3 companies in Belgium and 2 in Morocco. 25 years of giving everything - to my clients, to my teams, to my projects. A box of cigarillos a day. A flask of coffee in the morning. Working until 1 or 2 in the morning. A bottle of wine and a cigar to try to sleep.

“I was squeezing myself into a mould that wasn't mine.”

The red light that changed everything

I discovered my first burnout in a way I will never forget.

An ordinary morning. A red light. Unable to get into first gear. The light turns green. Then red. Then green again. Three times. A woman gets out of her car behind me: “Sir, is something wrong?”

“For an IT specialist - it was a brain bug.”

I was 38. My father had just died. And at the start of January, I had lost 81% of my turnover. The elastic had snapped.

A psychiatrist had warned me: “Either you listen to me, or you do it your own way. But if you do it your own way, we will meet again.”

I did it my own way. He was right. I did it again - deeper, more brutally - nine years later.

The elastic stretching, stretching, stretching...

Burnout is not an event. It is a process.

We’re stretching the elastic. For a long time. Too long. When the need to adapt becomes increasingly important in relation to your intrinsic values - the elastic stretches, stretches, stretches. And at a certain point, the body acts as a safety mechanism, and the elastic snaps.

It is like a circuit breaker that trips to keep you safe - to spare you much worse damage. We do the splits between our personal values and the mask we wear. We drift apart, and apart, and apart - until breaking point.

And the progression through burnout is not linear. There are stages where you recover - and relapse. And when you sink again, you sink deeper than the time before.

The room in the dark

At the age of 47, my second bout of burnout knocked me for six for good.

A month and a half in my room, in total darkness, at my mum's. Alone with my thoughts. You are shut in behind a 70 cm wall. You see no solution.

“I was a wreck. I was dead.”

And yet. It was there, in that moment of total collapse, that something began to change. Not all at once. Not by magic.

A pair of trainers - the cheapest thing there is

Rebuilding does not begin with a big decision. It begins with a small step.

Literally.

I put on a pair of trainers - the cheapest thing there is. And I started walking. 5 km. Then 10. Then 32 km a day for 4 days.

The Marche Mesa - 104 km in all. On my own. To find myself again.

“It was my very own Camino de Santiago.”

It wasn’t a sporting achievement. It was proof that I could listen to myself. Set my own limits. And not exceed them. After years of ignoring all the signals my body was sending me, it was revolutionary.

“Like the Phoenix, we are reborn.”

The transformation - step by step

From that rebuilding, here is what concretely emerged:

• 42 kg lost - from 132 kg to 90 kg
• Gave up smoking - a box of cigarillos a day for years
• Gave up alcohol
• Triathlon and running as new disciplines, and taking part in a marathon
• Disability sports liaison officer for the Belgian Triathlon League
• Two and a half years working in youth support during the COVID pandemic
• A professional NLP coach certification

None of these elements is an end in itself. They are living proof of a method. My own. Developed through hardship, tested on myself.

“I worked to earn a living. And I spent what I had earned to get my health back. That notion is worth thinking about.”

What I’ve learnt about transformation

Burnout does not only happen to employees. It also affects the self-employed, SME owners and atypical profiles who give everything - without ever listening to themselves.

“We are only responsible for what we accept.”

The real question is not “how do I avoid burnout?” but “am I living in line with my values?”. Because that is where everything is decided. Between who we deeply are and what we do every day.

And when that gap becomes too wide - the elastic snaps.

Today, I support SME owners and leaders who, like me, have lost themselves in day-to-day operations. Those who have forgotten why they started. Those who keep going - but no longer really know why.

Because you cannot transform a company without transforming its leaders.

I talk about it on the podcast “50 ans, nouvel élan” (“50 years, new momentum”)

I was lucky enough to be invited by Dr Sandra Wantiez, a sports doctor, onto her podcast “50 ans, nouvel élan”.

I tell it all there, unfiltered - the signals I ignored, the two burnouts, the room in the dark, the Marche Mesa, the physical transformation, the coaching, and the new momentum that has stayed with me since.

This is not a polished success story. It is a real story, with its scars and its light.

And you?

If you recognise yourself in some of these signals - the tiredness that will not go away, the pressure that will not let up, the feeling that you no longer know why you do what you do - know that it is not inevitable.

Change is possible. At any age. From any starting point.

“Burnout is not an end. It is a beginning.”

That is exactly why Un Autre Moi exists: to support you, at your own pace, in your own transformation.

📩 Would you like to know more? Get in touch, my details are below.

Take care of yourself.
Régis.

There are voices that are not content to inhabit the world as it is. They perceive the dissonances between systems and realities, the underlying tensions that most people do not see, the possible bridges that others cannot even imagine.

When society prizes linearity, conformity and speed, these voices think in networks, in spirals, through modulations and ruptures. This is not a methodological failing: it is an alternative logic, fertile and often misread.

Burning lucidity.

They spot systemic inconsistencies, everyday absurdities, the things left unsaid that most people prefer to avoid.

This lucidity sometimes hurts: it burns because it demands feeling where it is easier to forget.

And yet that burn opens windows: those who see the cracks often imagine how to turn them into passages.

Living puzzles and the need for a mission.

These lives are like jigsaw puzzles whose pieces are added, moved and transformed. An intuition places a piece; a wound redraws its outline; an encounter rearranges the whole; what seemed out of place takes on meaning as the configuration evolves.

Without anchoring or a shared cause, this intensity can burn out or become isolated. Putting full potential at the service of a common mission nourishes resilience; in isolation, the gift wears out.

Offering frameworks flexible enough to welcome surprise and connected enough to give meaning becomes a collective requirement.

Sensitive expertise, measurable impact.

Among these voices are profiles that combine technical know-how with relational finesse.

Some people design modular, scriptable workflows, turn rigid systems into living environments, and demand solutions that are both robust and elegant. Others carry an emotional intensity that sharpens their reading of situations and the accuracy of their responses.

The “mismatcher” thinks the other way round: where others validate with “that's very good”, they will say “that's not bad” while already looking for the next improvement. This critical yet constructive stance identifies productive incompatibilities between role, culture and mission, and turns dissonance into a path to innovation.

These qualities are not flaws to be tolerated. They constitute a strategic asset: rigour, curiosity, high standards, the ability to bridge different worlds and to bring clarity amidst chaos.

To those around them, to recruiters and to organisations.

Meeting these profiles can be unsettling and extraordinarily fruitful.

Useful attitudes: clarity rather than innuendo, flexibility rather than rigidity, active listening rather than hasty diagnoses.

For recruiters and HR managers, recognising the value of productive mismatches means rethinking roles, evaluation methods and work environments: modular roles, clear objectives, reworked contribution metrics, spaces where intensity finds a cause.

It is not only a matter of accommodating; it is a matter of drawing out a unique contribution.

For those who recognise themselves.

If this portrait resonates, perhaps “Un Autre Moi” (“Another Me”) is seeking to emerge: not to conform, but to unfold; not to be corrected, but to come into resonance.

In spaces flexible enough and legible enough, pieces will fit together differently, ideas will take shape, new roads will be traced.

When the world is in turmoil, listening to these voices is neither a concession nor a luxury: it is a smart strategy for weathering whatever lies ahead.

And you, what do you think?

“Having spent sleepless nights dreaming
of what fairy tales let you imagine”
Florent Pagny, Et un jour une femme

A little over 55 years old, a quick look back…

I’d imagined a very different family and romantic life…

Admittedly, I’ve had some very good times… and others that were decidedly less so…

I have no regrets. I’m particularly proud of my children. However, I’m missing the essential thing: that bond.

I believed, and still believe deeply, in the values of being a couple, family, communication, sharing, support, exchange and closeness…

I ask forgiveness of anyone I may have hurt…

I’ve stumbled and fallen many times… I’ve learnt and will continue to learn… A journey of resilience and self-reflection… What a long way I’ve come already… Time passes… Life is short…

My hypersensitivity and my atypical nature have sometimes thrown people off. Today, I see them as a treasure: a unique way of feeling, understanding and loving. A difference that is often misunderstood, but which can be a precious gift for those who know how to recognise it.

On this journey, there are so many things I’d still like to achieve, experience and, above all… share, with the person who will love me for who I am, beyond appearances. So much to offer…

So I still like to believe in it…

One day, a Woman…

A gentle conclusion: This text is a trace, an offering, a hope. If you recognise yourself in these words, perhaps our paths will cross somewhere. And that is already a great deal. 🌿💖🙏

“Whose gaze brushes past you and disarms you”
Florent Pagny, Et un jour une femme

Once upon a time, in the golden savannah,
There was a zebra not quite like the others.
His stripes, more numerous, deeper,
Told a story that no one really saw.

Each mark was a trace,
of a wind too strong, of a vivid hope,
of a battle fought, of a dream lost,
but also of laughter, of a peaceful morning.

The other animals looked at him in amazement.
“Why so many stripes?” asked the gazelle.
The zebra smiled gently:
“Because I have lived.”

He had understood that his markings were not flaws,
but signs of strength, proof of his passage.
And that, just as trees bear their growth rings,
he bore his stripes with courage.

One day, a lion approached,
but in the dance of the stripes, he lost his way.
The zebra walked away, free,
protected by what had once wounded him.

Ever since that day, it is said that zebras
have more stripes than other animals,
not because they are weak,
but because they are beautiful for having survived.

So goes the zebra,
Adorned with his zebra markings like a stage costume,
And marked with his stripes like an ancient parchment.
He moves forward, not in spite of his marks, but because of them.

For every line, every curve, every scar
Is proof of having hoped, struggled, dreamt,
And above all, of having lived.

What do you think?

What hurts us transforms us. What transforms us reveals who we are.

In this shop, you’ll of course find the various coaching, personal development and mental preparation services offered by Un Autre Moi Coaching.

Resilience is an integral part of my life journey, as discussed in my previous article: “Burnout: the birth of another self?” - Un Autre Moi

Resilience is also the cornerstone of the Un Autre Moi, Leg’s Go by Luc Huberty project.

For those who may not yet be familiar with it, the Leg’s Go project focuses primarily on supporting people who have undergone an amputation or have congenital agenesis of one or more lower limbs, but not exclusively, to enable them to rebuild their lives through running, cycling, swimming and triathlon.

Leg’s Go provides full or partial funding for prosthetics, equipment and/or personalised support tailored to the needs of people who have undergone an amputation (or have another disability) and wish to take up or continue a sporting activity.

Leg’s Go also focuses its efforts on educating the general public, with the aim of demystifying disability, raising awareness and promoting the inclusion of people who have undergone an amputation (or have another disability), and thereby changing perceptions of people who have been through life’s hard knocks and who are differently abled.

I consider myself to be someone who has been through life’s hard knocks. Sport saved me. It is thanks to sport that I am alive, and alive with desire. I therefore believe it is important to be able to offer this opportunity to others, and that is why I actively support Leg’s Go.

You’ll also find a range of sportswear, cycling gear, running gear and triathlon kit in the Leg’s Go - Un Autre Moi colours at La Boutique Un Autre Coaching, with all proceeds going to Leg’s Go.

Place an order and kit yourself out with high-quality technical sportswear, whilst supporting Leg’s Go’s projects.

Please feel free to share this information widely with anyone who might be interested.

Thank you for your interest and for your widespread participation in this initiative.

So, I’ve decided to introduce myself, to share with you who I am, what I love, what drives me, and the experiences that have shaped who I am today - in the hope of inspiring you to do the same, to introduce yourselves beyond just a profile title or a business card.

You’re all familiar with that classic exchange at a family gathering, a party or a “walking dinner”, which usually begins with:

• “And what do you do?”
• “I’m atypical.”

Faced with this reply, unable to tick the “I’m interested / I’m not interested” box straight away, the person I’m talking to moves on to someone else, changes tables, and occasionally persists, as if our “job title” defines who we are or our supposed worth:

• “Right, but what exactly do you do?”
• “Do you have more than two minutes?”
• “OK, let’s do it in CV format 😉”

You’re active in the business sector or the voluntary sector, in personal development, IT or (disability) sport;

Are you looking for an atypical talent but can’t seem to find one: someone with very specific knowledge, or capable of acquiring it and adapting, yet who is also a generalist with a broad understanding?

Passionate and driven by people, IT, new technologies, personal and business development, entrepreneurship, the voluntary sector, an amateur sportsman, triathlete and marathon runner, trained in IT, a professional facilitator and coach, and naturally curious, I am constantly on the lookout for new challenges.

With 25 years’ experience as a self-employed partner and IT manager in R&D across various sectors and companies, both in Belgium and abroad;

Having taken a long, hard look at myself, overcome burnout and radically changed my behaviour to regain a healthy, balanced lifestyle, as well as the physical fitness, stamina and waistline of my youth;

Having trained and gained certification in various areas of coaching: individual, corporate, mental, sporting and para-sport;

I am interested in both “freelance” assignments and part-time permanent roles;

Motivated and keen to share my skills, explore solutions, continue learning and get involved, whilst maintaining a work-life balance that has been compromised in the past;

Experienced in human relations, interpersonal and cross-team dynamics, active listening and understanding, and focused on needs and solutions, from both a managerial and operational perspective;

A firm believer in the sayings “Dreams are meant to be realised” and “Nothing is impossible, everything is possible”, provided one believes in oneself and takes action with a clear, precise, compelling and achievable goal;

I particularly enjoy inspiring, contributing and making my skills available to projects (IT-related or otherwise) that serve society and/or citizens, businesses, charities, entrepreneurs, and amateur or experienced (disabled) sportspeople, and individuals who love to push their limits, seek solutions, surround themselves with positive people and, above all, share a number of values with me: freedom, independence, a sense of belonging, inclusion, sharing, respect…

Are you still with me? Well done!

Perhaps this brief description resonates with you, catches your attention, gives you a glimpse of the possibilities, and makes you want to have a chat, so…

“And who are you?” What do you enjoy? What experiences have shaped the person you are today?

Feel free to reply in the comments or by private message, if you prefer.

As it happens, it’s also a bit like the start of the new term for me - today I’m officially starting a voluntary mentoring role with DUO for a JOB.

The idea behind DUO for a JOB is simple: to put young job seekers from an immigrant background in touch, for a minimum of two hours a week over six months, with experienced people aged over 50, so that the latter can support them in their search for work, training or career guidance.

All my life (and still today), I have met and spent time with people who, through their life journeys, their successes and failures, their ups and downs, their experiences and skills, and their life stories, have taught me a great deal and inspired me. In their own way, they have all contributed, directly or indirectly, to the person I am today. I am so grateful!

So today, I am particularly delighted to be able to give something back to the universe, to offer this opportunity to people who haven’t yet had the chance, to continue challenging myself and to learn from the people I meet.

I wish you all a wonderful start to the new term, filled with projects that reflect your values.
Would you like to find out more about this venture, get involved, or simply develop projects that are meaningful to you? Let’s have a chat!

#job #coaching #mentoring #gratitude #volunteering #solidarity #thankfulforlife

A look back at an event full of colour, thrills and emotions.

It’s been such a long time since my last official competition - the Olympic-distance triathlon in Gérardmer in September 2019.

Exactly 685 days without being able to take part in a triathlon in a real competitive setting,

97 weeks of training almost daily, with goals that were repeatedly cancelled or postponed, taking part in virtual events, and seeking motivation from sources other than friendly competition with your peers.

22 months facing up to yourself, your motivation, your mental strength and the very reason you do sport…

And then comes the day when, at last, you’ll be able to wear a race number again!

As is my habit, I like to familiarise myself with the routes of the races I’m entered in. So I decided to combine business with pleasure and explore eastern Belgium by spending a few days camping there with my son Tanguy.

6.30 am: This Saturday, lying in my tent, I’m wide awake. It’s been a short night; I haven’t slept much, a mixture of excitement, impatience and doubts - it’s been so long, and on top of that, thunderstorms are forecast. Given last week’s flooding, the event could (once again) be cancelled.

The official start of the triathlon is scheduled for 1.30 pm, with race number collection from 11.30 am.

7.00 am: I can’t sit still any longer; it’s all hands on deck. I sound the bugle and, hop, hop, breakfast, and within two hours, camp is packed up. Everything’s packed up, the car’s loaded, and we’re leaving Lake Robertville for Butgenbach in the forecast rain, which gets heavier and heavier the closer we get.

9.45 am: We arrive at the shores of Lake Butgenbach, almost at the same time as the first members of the organising club. The site doesn’t really look like a competition venue yet. Accompanied by my dearest, sheltered under our umbrella, we take a look around the venue, whilst Tanguy prefers to watch the first events of the Olympics from the car. The swimming course consists of two 375-metre triangular laps interspersed with an Australian-style exit; the cycle park and the start of the running course - which I hadn’t had the chance to reconnoitre earlier in the week - didn’t look at all as I’d imagined. The start of the run takes place partly through woodland, on a dirt track, along the lake for nearly a kilometre of gentle climb before joining the Ravel section we’d checked out two days earlier.

10.15 am: The rain is getting heavier and heavier, so we take shelter in a pizzeria for a coffee before being joined by my friends Pierre-Yves and Gilles, who are also taking part in the race, accompanied by Antoine as a fan, spectator and photographer - whom I’d like to thank for the photos 😉.

11.00 am: Second recce of the facilities with my tri-buddies and collection of my race number: 116! There it is - inside the envelope, the long-awaited prize, the timing chip, the stickers… Tick-tock, tick-tock…

12.30 pm: The rain is coming down in buckets! In my tri-suit, soaked from head to toe, even before I’ve set foot in the water, I head to the parc fermé. Bike check by the officials from the Francophone Triathlon League (LF3): everything’s fine. I get ready, slip on my wetsuit and savour the moment. It feels so good to be able to chat with the other athletes and relive those indescribable pre-race sensations…

1.15 pm: The announcer instructs us to head to the beach, whilst observing the current conditions and rules - no warming up in the water - explains the practical details, and announces a 30-minute delay due to an oil slick on the course requiring the fire brigade’s intervention.

1.30 pm: I take the opportunity to chat and get to know a few athletes - what a superb atmosphere, a mix of concentration, a thirst for competition and results for some, kindness, good-natured banter towards first-time participants, and encouragement for everyone.

1.55 pm: I’m now retreating into my own little world; I’m visualising the course, going over my training sessions in my mind, and thinking fondly of those I love - Olivia & Tanguy, Mum - and sending a huge thought to Maxime, IronMax. I feel good; I’m going to give it my all.

2.00 pm: It’s still raining; the starting gun goes off - we’re off! Everyone’s running to dive into the water… Wow, wow, wow… A mix of forgotten memories and apprehension. Training alone in the Meuse, and then finding myself amongst more than 170 athletes all trying to reach the first buoy 125 metres out as quickly as possible - it’s not quite the same thing. It’s getting crowded, people are jostling, the lack of competition is ramping up the stress and my heart rate; I’m finding it very hard to get my three-beat stroke rhythm, and I’m only breathing on one side - something I never do. I’m veering off the ideal course to avoid being jostled so much. I regain a bit of clarity and my breath… First buoy, second buoy; the athletes are less bunched together and are spreading out a bit more. I’m focused, my eyes fixed on the Australian-style exit… Three metres from the lake’s edge, I run to start the second lap; a quick glance ahead, a quick glance behind - the elite athletes have already passed the second buoy of the second lap and have already caught up with the stragglers… I dive back in and start the second lap; I focus on each buoy as a target to reach; I’m feeling better; passing the final buoy… I visualise my transition and the movements I need to make… Last 125 metres: I extend my arms, I’m breathing better; finally, that gliding sensation returns… Last few metres in the water; my feet touch the bottom; I run… Swim: OK!

2.18 pm: On the orange mat at the water exit, I undo the zip on my wetsuit and start taking off the sleeves. Green mat - I’m in the bike park. Hop, hop, one leg and then the other; wetsuit off; I take the energy bars and gels out of my shoes and slip them into the back pocket of my tri-suit. I rehydrate, helmet on, shoes on, race number holder in place - ready for the bike leg…

2.20 pm: I cross the white line and get on my bike; a short, “quite a leg-breaker” transition to join the double loop of the cycle course. The road is slippery from the rain, so I’m taking it carefully. As I ride past the car at the side of the road, Tanguy cheers me on. I’m feeling good. We’d recce’d the cycle route together. It’s demanding - a succession of steep climbs requiring strong bursts of power and fast descents demanding even greater concentration, given the weather conditions - but I like it: 18 km and 400 m of elevation gain. My legs feel strong. However, I decide to play it safe on the first lap, as I hadn’t realised where the oil spill was - which had delayed the start. The route is closed to traffic, and on some sections, one lane is reserved for both the outbound and return journeys. I move up a few places and am overtaken only very rarely. The first lap ends with a lovely climb of nearly a kilometre; in the distance I can see the spectators, their cheers growing louder as I approach. Their response is immediate; as the rain has eased off, there’s applause, shouts and cries of “Go, go, go” - what a joy to experience this again! Off I go for the second lap; reassured by my relatively cautious first lap and the fact that the rain has stopped, I’m now giving it my all, with one sprint after another…. I finish the second lap and begin the transition - just as gruelling as at the start - to reach the bike park. I shift to a lower gear to get the blood flowing back into my legs; the white line is just a few metres away, and I jump off the bike. OK!

3.08 pm: I put down my bike and helmet, change my shoes, take a few sips of isotonic drink, a biscuit, a gel… Off I go for the run…

3.11 pm: I exit the cycle park; the elite athletes crossed the finish line a few minutes ago when I set off down the dirt track, which, over the first few tens of metres, has been turned into a muddy trail by the rain and the athletes ahead of me. I’m slipping - I’m wearing track-style trainers… I can feel my legs struggling to get going, and if I push too hard, I risk falling or getting cramp. A few racing machines, the TrailMan sort (Fabrice)😉, overtake me; I pay them no mind. Well below my training pace, I know I’ll be more at ease on the Ravel. My thoughts go out to my Leg’s Go training partners, who have each in turn become real friends during the interval sessions led by our much-loved coach Pascale. (Pierre, Raph, Florent, Vanessa, Sophie, Martin, Séb, Mahia the bee, and all the others …). Being back on the tarmac gives me a new lease of life. There’s still a 4 km out-and-back stretch to go. On my first pass near the finish line, I hear a familiar voice shouting “Come on, Dad!”; my daughter Olivia has come to surprise me and it makes me want to do well ten times more. As I run under the railway bridge, a “Come on, darling” further strengthens my resolve and motivation … I’m happy, I’m in my stride, I feel great, I’m running at my ideal pace - between 5’50’’ and 6’20’’ - I’m enjoying myself, making the most of it, living in the moment and savouring every second. Both on the way out and on the way back, everyone is smiling, despite the effort! Cheers, congratulations, a high-five with Pierre-Yves and the other runners I pass. I run under the bridge again; the finish line is 400 metres away… 400 metres - just one lap of those hundreds of laps round the track, completed over these 685 days, 97 weeks, 22 months….

3.44 pm: I pick up the pace a little more, pass under the arch - an explosion of emotions! What a joy it is to be living in the real world and to share moments like these with my children, Tanguy and Olivia, my friends and even strangers! So much gratitude!

The day will end, as it does after every race, with a good, well-deserved meal!

See you very soon to share more emotions 😉.

Well done and thank you to the organisers for such a brilliant event.

My heartfelt thoughts go out to everyone - whether direct or indirect victims - of the events that have turned our lives upside down over the last two years and the last two weeks.

As part of my work for these public institutions, although the process was sometimes restrictive and slowed down development, whenever we needed a citizen’s personal data for an application, we had to request, justify and obtain authorisation regarding the duration and use of that data from the political authorities - elected by the citizens to represent them and their interests.

Over the years, various independent service providers, regardless of their size, expertise or quality, have been sidelined in favour of a pseudo non-profit organisation created by the state to circumvent tendering procedures, eliminate free competition and avoid VAT obligations.

Today, almost all of the state’s IT services are in the hands of this non-profit organisation, which had a colossal turnover of €341,169,876 in 2019! Not bad for a non-profit organisation.

This organisation manages, STORES (for an indefinite period) and CROSS-REFERENCES all of YOUR data, using a unique identifier: your national registration number. This data is then analysed and used according to what one wants them to say, without any meaningful oversight whatsoever, since at the head of the supervisory body we indirectly find the very same individuals who, with complete bias, fully assume the roles of judge, interested party and police officer!

Analogy:

As a parent, if your child asked you to lend them a large sum of money - let’s say €10,000…

• Would you lend it to them without knowing what it was for?
• Would you accept not knowing when this sum might be repaid to you?
• Would you accept not having any say in what is done with that money?
• Would you accept that this sum might be used to further values that are contrary to your own?
• Would you accept that this sum might be re-lent by your child, without your consent, to other people to be used against your own interests?

This is a slight extrapolation, I admit, deliberately exaggerated, but not as much as you might think:

• Do you think it is possible to cross-reference citizens’ medical data with their tax or banking details, and to award bonuses or impose fines based on this information?
• Do you think it is possible to block access to some of your assets based on certain criteria, such as limiting the maximum amount that can be withdrawn from a cash machine based on medical data?

Today, and for some time now, all of this has already been TECHNICALLY possible, and it takes only a few seconds to execute the queries required for this type of use and obtain the results.

In the future, if we do not take action, all of this will not only be technically possible but also entirely LEGAL, as it will be enshrined in law.

Centralisation - and the centralisation of our data - certainly has its advantages, but taken to extremes it can prove disastrous. We must not overlook the disadvantages, nor downplay the potential for abuse.

Analogy:

• Would you leave your only gold bar lying unguarded on the pavement?
  Your personal data and your privacy are your gold bar.
• As a responsible parent, would you put all your eggs in one basket?

Nowadays, wealth no longer comes from working, farming, running a business, owning property or raw materials, …

Today, true wealth lies in information and data. By owning the data, you can own everything else!

By disclosing our personal data, we become the product!

Let’s remind our elected representatives of all this, and ensure we limit the abuses that can so easily and quickly occur.

Let us take action to prevent the creation of a breach that could cause the dam to burst and completely overwhelm us, with no possibility of turning back.

I hope that, through this article, I have been able to explain this extremely complex situation and the issues at stake as clearly as possible.

If so, please share this article and take action https://notrebondroit.be/action-traitement-donnees

Since the end of the so-called winter truce and the resumption of school and work, I have been approached and consulted on a daily basis by a growing number of people who are feeling unwell, despite never having experienced any particular difficulties before.

In the space of two weeks - something that had never happened before - I have had to advise more than ten people to seek help from a mental health professional (psychologist, doctor, psychiatrist). They were showing severe and worrying signs of depression and/or psychological exhaustion, which were beyond my area of expertise and required appropriate medical follow-up and care.

These people are suffering enormously, as collateral victims of the health measures put in place: the loss of social contact, working from home, hybrid schooling, isolation, and the pervasive nature of a virtual and formal “always-connected” world.

No age group or social category has been spared: children, teenagers, students, adults, office workers, manual workers, business owners, the self-employed, managers, the elderly…

So what can be done?

• Separate and distinguish as much as possible between your academic/professional life (environment and timetables) and your private life.
• Reclaim a space (indoors or outdoors) that offers peace, comfort and wellbeing - a place where you feel safe.
• Distance yourself from sources of anxiety, and at the end of your day, consciously reflect on all the positive events of the day, however small they may be. There are far more of them than you realise!
• Surround yourself with positive people who, rather than focusing on failure, see the opportunity for experience as a springboard and a driving force for action.
• But above all, whatever they may be, listen to, accept, analyse and express your emotions! What do they mean? What message are they sending you?

What isn’t expressed becomes ingrained.

An emotion is a feeling experienced at a specific moment, like a warning light on your car’s dashboard. It is very often a warning sign of an imbalance or a problem.

If, after an emotion has passed, the feeling it has generated persists, it represents a value or a need that has not been respected or satisfied.

If left unexpressed, these emotions can lead - both on an individual and societal level - to complications, severe depression, abuses that erode freedom, or even tragic situations…

In these unusual times, it is therefore all the more vital to pay attention to our sensory alerts, our feelings, emotions and sentiments, and to express them in whatever way we can - whether through speech or indirectly, through writing, music, drawing, painting, sculpture, dance, film…

Art has come under such pressure of late, and one might well ask why?

Art, whatever its form - and sport is part of that - is an essential prerequisite for our personal and societal resilience.

According to Boris Cyrulnik, a neuropsychiatrist who has popularised the concept: “Resilience is an individual’s ability to resume personal development after experiencing trauma”.

In my view, this definition can also apply to a society facing the current health crisis.

Be the artists of your own lives - for yourselves, of course, and for others!

However you choose, express yourselves; do not remain alone or isolated; rebuild connections; share your experiences; be an empathetic listener for others; stay open-minded; learn from yourselves and from others!

A partner, a colleague, a friend, a sibling, a parent, a doctor, a helpline, someone you trust, a blog, a song, a poem, an article, a video…

Don’t wait until you’re completely overwhelmed or at your wits’ end before speaking out…

Look after yourselves and others; be artists; express yourselves!

I therefore decided to analyse why I had reacted in this way.

We are all guided by our own value systems. Consequently, values are not necessarily the same from one person to another.

From a personal perspective, I place great importance on empathy, mutual aid and supporting others, fairness and justice - criteria very often found in many highly sensitive people.

As such, emotions, whatever they may be, are all positive. They are, in fact, a warning signal, an expression of a lack of respect for, or a breach of, one or more of our core values.

The way in which we express our emotions, however, can be more or less positive or negative.

Indeed, if the behaviours that stem from our emotions do not serve our interests and run counter to our values, it is these behaviours that should be viewed as negative, not our emotions.

Let’s return to the analysis of my personal experience.

On analysing the situation, two of the decisions taken yesterday frustrated me in particular, namely:

• Closing small, so-called “non-essential” shops and the requirement to work from home.
• Limiting funerals to 15 people,

Explanations:

First case.

The facts.

The profession of coach, as was the case in the past with psychologists, is not yet officially recognised. Consequently, coaching activities are not recognised as essential. However, those who have already experienced coaching with trained and certified professionals are all in agreement. Coaching has very positive benefits for many people experiencing emotional distress. This emotional distress can be particularly acute in situations of (health) crisis, stress, financial difficulties or other challenges in various areas of personal, family, social and professional life.

Although I can coach remotely - as I have been doing for many months with clients I have already met - I prefer to prioritise face-to-face communication during an initial consultation. This meeting allows me, more easily than remotely, to be fully attentive and receptive to everything the person communicates to me, whether through their words, their posture, their body language or their energy.

This initial face-to-face meeting also enables me to reassure the person seeking coaching and to dispel a false and limiting belief that is very often held by these clients: “Someone who seeks coaching is a weak person”.

No, no, no - quite the opposite: “Someone who seeks coaching is a strong person.”

Indeed, they have very often overcome their fears and apprehensions to make an appointment and discuss their situation. They have made the greatest effort to change what they no longer want, to take action and move towards their goal.

There’s no need to add extra stress for these people, who may not be very familiar with online communication tools.

Analysis.

The decision to close small, so-called “non-essential” shops therefore goes against my values:

• Mutual aid and the support I can offer to those in need,
• Of empathy and a sense of injustice towards all shopkeepers deprived of their source of income and who may not be lucky enough to benefit from the “bridging right” or have any savings.

The failure to respect these values has made me angry

Second case.

The facts.

When you are a parent, you love to share in your children’s sorrows and joys, offering them your support. Separated from their mum, my children live with her. A few days ago, their maternal grandfather died in intensive care from Covid-19 without them being able to see him to say goodbye. As the number of people allowed at funerals is now limited, I will unfortunately not be able to be there by their side to show them my love.

Analysis.

The decision to limit funerals to 15 people therefore goes against my values of empathy, fairness and support, and has only served to heighten my anger.

What can we learn, from a general perspective, from this personal experience?

An external event that we cannot control
and that does not respect one of our values
can provoke an emotion in us,
often expressed through behaviours
that may work against our own interests and values

What can we do when faced with such a situation?

We can only act on what we can control. So I decided to focus on the one thing I could control: myself.

I decided to change my surroundings, to leave behind the anxiety-inducing atmosphere constantly perpetuated by the media. I put on my trainers to go for a run outdoors, in the fresh air, to boost my immunity whilst making the most of this wonderful, sunny autumn day.

I then decided to channel this anger - which, on the face of it, was negative - into positive energy to increase my running pace….

The result was rather interesting, as, quite apart from achieving a very good personal best in this impromptu half-marathon, I used the moment to reflect on the issue I’d been facing and what I could take away from the experience…

These reflections proved beneficial, and I’d like to share with you those relating to my coaching work.

• As the National Security Council allows outdoor activities with a maximum of four people, whilst observing the usual precautions, I decided - as had been suggested to me, though I hadn’t really considered it - to conduct my first coaching sessions with a client whilst out walking in the countryside,
• I decided to raise awareness of my solidarity-based coaching services, which enable people experiencing emotional and financial hardship to benefit from support at a reduced rate and, in the context of suffering linked to the health crisis, to receive a free session.
• I decided to share this personal experience with as many people as possible, and so here is an article which I hope will offer you some possible solutions should an external factor disrupt your inner state.

Do these decisions now allow me to act in line with my values? Yes!

Has my state of mind changed, and am I now more at peace? Yes!

In conclusion,

In this experience, linked to the current health situation, I couldn’t control the lockdown, the curfew or the decisions that were made.

I was angry about an external event that I had no control over and which did not align with my values.

I took action on myself: on my environment, my behaviour and my internal representations.

These changes led to a shift in my state of mind, and I immediately felt much better and more at peace.

If I can change my inner state and turn a frustrating situation into a positive one, as I’ve just shared with you, why shouldn’t you be able to do the same?

Would you like some support with this process? Please get in touch with me.

Please continue to look after yourselves and your loved ones.

See you very soon,

What will be the consequences of this health crisis? Today, I am filled with uncertainty but convinced that we are at a turning point, that everything could swing one way or the other, that we need to (re)awaken our consciences and ask ourselves the question:

What sort of future do we want for our children and grandchildren?

I do not agree with the politics of fear and the excessive measures being implemented by our government, which I regard as an infringement of our individual freedoms. I do not agree with the one-sided mainstream media, which is in the pay of those in power and various lobby groups, and which downplays or discredits views that differ from their own. I do not agree with blindly following instructions imposed by experts without any critical debate. I do not agree with the development of a vaccine in record time by bypassing all the tests and precautions that have been in place until now. I do not agree with compulsory mass vaccination and the creation of a health passport linked to it, which restricts our movements.

I respect everyone’s freedom of thought; I am not a sheep. It is my duty as a citizen to ask myself these questions and to share them. I do not claim to hold the truth; I am not a doctor, nor am I a virologist, infectious disease specialist or immunologist. I am a former IT specialist by training and am very familiar with the ways in which collected data can be misused. I am a man of sensitivity and, I hope, common sense; I see many people suffering as a result of the situation, socially, psychologically and economically. I am independent in my thinking and in my professional activities, which have been badly hit, though this is nothing compared with other, far more dramatic situations. I am suffering as a result of this abnormal situation, but I remain positive and confident in humanity, in common sense and in freedom of expression, certain that together we can achieve more and that WE, as citizens, can collectively bring about change.

I believe in immunity, I believe in a healthy lifestyle, I believe in a balanced diet, I believe in regular exercise… which is why I am still alive today, despite having consumed alcohol, tobacco and junk food for over 25 years - thereby lining the coffers of a state that now claims to act “for our own good”.

I believe in our ability to question ourselves, to adapt, to transform ourselves; I believe in resilience and that anything is possible… I believe in a fairer world for everyone.

I know my words may ruffle a few feathers, but that in no way changes the friendship I have for you; we may not agree on everything, but today, more than ever, I believe it is important and our duty to challenge ourselves, to question ourselves and to speak out on behalf of all those who dare not or cannot do so.

I wish you all a lovely day; let’s look after ourselves, both in terms of our health and our freedoms, for our own sake, for our children’s sake and for the sake of future generations.

The coronavirus (Covid-19) compared to burnout.

Let’s take a look, side by side, at the life cycle of burnout and the cycle of positive change that is now open to us, as citizens of the world.

The cause: too intense for too long.

Burnout syndrome is the consequence of “too much intensity for too long”. Those suffering from burnout collapse because, for too long - day after day, month after month, year after year - they have been drawing on their reserves and expending more energy than they have left, in complete disregard of their intrinsic values. One day, the body protests against their stubborn insistence on always doing more, always faster, always more intensely. Under too much pressure, the dam bursts all at once. They have no choice! They are forced to stop or risk dying - a self-defence mechanism of our body - resulting in utter exhaustion: burnout!

For many years now, our planet, the Earth, has been under strain due to our abusive behaviour. For decades, we have been using its resources far too intensively: water, forests, animals, people, oil, rare metals… All these resources - for what purpose? To satisfy a system that we believe has been imposed upon us, based on over-consumption, industrial over-productivity, excessive mobility, meaningless communication, planned obsolescence and maximum profit. In November 2019, in Wuhan, China, as if suffering from burnout, the dam gave way.

The warning signs.

Before suffering a burnout, the body sends messages and signals to draw attention to the fact that a malfunction is taking hold. (Irritability, fatigue, agitation, pain, insomnia, …). All those suffering from exhaustion ignore the symptoms that their ailing bodies send them.

The Earth is suffering, and yet, for many years now, it has been sending us messages to draw our attention to the fact that something is going wrong. All over the world, across all five continents, we have experienced unprecedented disasters in recent years: storms, droughts, fires and floods.

Denial.

When someone suffering from burnout reaches the point of exhaustion, they refuse to accept it. And when, after seeing a doctor, the fateful word “burnout” is uttered, they do not believe it. “Not me - I’m not like them; I’m stronger than that. The doctor’s got it wrong; I’m just tired. I’ll take a few days’ rest and I’ll be fine; I’ll bounce back,” he tells himself.

The Earth is running on empty, but humanity refuses to accept it. Just as the “burnout” sufferer’s few days’ rest are not enough, the few courageous initiatives (citizens’ marches, climate rallies, the Kyoto Protocol, COP, etc.) are not enough to allow humanity to “recover”.

Moreover, just as the person who is told they are suffering from exhaustion believes it cannot be true and that it only happens to other people, the vast majority of us as citizens, myself included, paid very little attention to the events unfolding in China or Italy, before they began to affect our own lives.

Anger.

The (only) way to overcome burnout is for the person affected to stop completely and take as long as necessary to recharge their batteries. Once the diagnosis has been made and the doctor has issued a mandatory sick note, the person suffering from burnout then realises the reality of their condition. A person suffering from burnout is very often angry; they rebel and feel a deep sense of injustice. They tend to blame a number of external factors, depending on whether the burnout is work-related or family-related (colleagues, boss, society, family, children, parents, partner), but certainly not themselves at first.

Like the stop ordered by the psychiatrist in a case of burnout, our governments took decisions a few days ago to stem the coronavirus pandemic: lockdown, resulting in the almost complete cessation of our usual activities. We have begun to realise the gravity of the pandemic we are facing; we were (and perhaps still are) angry. We have criticised and blamed China, Europe, governments, politicians, foreigners, migrants…

Negotiation.

Even if the person suffering from burnout is aware of their condition, they try to negotiate with their doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist or even themselves to find an alternative to a complete shutdown. Unfortunately, there isn’t one. Many people therefore alternate periods of sick leave with brief returns to work. By doing so, they put their health at increasing risk, making it harder and taking longer to recover from burnout.

Similarly, when governments introduced lockdown measures to limit the spread of the virus, many of us tried to find different interpretations of the safety guidelines issued, so as not to have to comply with them. By doing so, we took enormous risks to our health, making it all the more difficult and time-consuming to overcome the pandemic.

Fear.

When people suffering from exhaustion are forced to stop, many of them feel lost. They don’t know what to do. They are afraid. These hyperactive individuals, who were constantly on the go, are left alone with their own thoughts. They find themselves in an uncomfortable situation. They are out of their usual routine. Instead of recharging their batteries to combat this fear of the future - of no longer being “capable of” - many of them then seek to maintain control. They replicate at home the hyperactivity they displayed in their professional lives, such as through household chores or other tasks, even though there is no real urgency or necessity for these tasks.

When the first measures were introduced, many members of the public also felt uneasy about the situation. Faced with this uncontrollable fear, some sought to maintain control in their own way, for example by rushing into shops and clearing the shelves, even though the situation did not warrant it.

Resignation.

A person experiencing burnout very quickly realises that, whatever they do, they cannot achieve the result they want. So they let go.

Citizens, having gone through the previous stages, also let go and realise that it is better to comply with safety guidelines.

Acceptance.

The person suffering from exhaustion is aware of their condition and, finally and most importantly, accepts it. There is still a long way to go, but this is the start of the recovery process; they think of themselves, look after themselves and recharge their batteries. Little by little, they realise they are getting better. They receive positive feedback from those around her - a smile, a compliment.

Humanity, I hope, is now aware of its condition and accepts it. We have not yet brought the pandemic under control, and there is still a long way to go. In China, the measures taken are proving effective in the fight against the spread of the virus. Let’s look after ourselves and our families. Solidarity is taking hold, and community initiatives are springing up all over the place. Collaboration is beginning to take precedence over competition. We are also receiving the first positive and encouraging signs from our common mother, the Earth. Satellite images from NASA and the ESA show us that the measures taken are also helping to reduce air pollution worldwide, both in China and in Europe. In Venice, the water in the canals is becoming crystal-clear once more and aquatic life is returning. This is also the case in Italy’s third-largest port, in Cagliari, through which more than 30 million tonnes of goods pass each year. In Paris, residents are surprised to hear birdsong once again.

The alternative.

In cases of exhaustion, when those suffering receive the first positive and encouraging signs, a choice between two alternatives presents itself:

The passive alternative.

The person suffering from burnout is content with the encouraging signs and reverts to their old habits, learning nothing from the experience. They choose comfort and the path that initially seems the easiest and quickest, but which, in the short or medium term, will lead them back into burnout. This burnout will be far more severe than the previous one and will take all the more time to recover from - if it is not fatal.

The proactive alternative.

The person suffering from exhaustion is attentive to the positive messages sent their way and regards what has happened to them - despite the trials and difficulties - as an opportunity. An opportunity to live, an opportunity to realign themselves, an opportunity to become aware of their values, which are all too often ignored and undermined by their actions. The path is certainly longer and less easy. It requires curiosity, rethinking, imagining, reinventing things in a different way, reorganising oneself, perhaps changing one’s lifestyle, showing solidarity and resilience - but at the end of the path lies happiness.

What choice will humanity (each and every one of us) make in the face of the experience we are currently going through?

Will we be able to choose the right path, so that such a catastrophe never happens again, or will we be like the dinosaurs, unable to adapt?

We all have the choice to be active or passive.

In the past, when facing burnout, I tried both approaches, one proving more successful than the other. Today, faced with the coronavirus and the future of humanity, I have no hesitation - my choice is already made. What about you?

Let’s look after ourselves, let’s look after our families, let’s look after our friends and loved ones, let’s look after our planet!

Let’s believe in humanity, let’s believe in resilience, let’s believe that anything is possible! Let’s believe in a better world and a restored balance.

Images taken from YouTube, Twitter and by Alexandra_Koch on Pixabay

What is coaching? What is a coach?

Coaching can be defined as the art of helping a person or an organisation to gain a better understanding of themselves so that they can find their own solutions.

The profession of coaching is not currently regulated; consequently, the term “coach” is, unfortunately, very often misused and appropriated by many untrained individuals who practise coaching. In contrast, a professional coach has completed a certified training programme and continues to undergo training and supervision at a certified school.

A professional coach is someone who listens without judgement. They do not advise, train or influence. They are neither a mentor nor a therapist, and do not offer any miracle solutions. They ask questions, they stimulate, they challenge. Through various tools and exercises, they guide their client to ask themselves the right questions, to become aware of their own resources - which are very often overlooked - and to acquire new skills. They help their client to transform their obstacles, limiting beliefs and behaviours into strengths. The coach supports the coachee in developing their full potential so that they can achieve their goal(s) in a way that is ecological, that is, without harm to themselves or their loved ones, whilst remaining true to their values.

A coach is not a healthcare professional;
a coach is a personal development professional.

Consequently, they cannot make any diagnosis whatsoever and must therefore refer the client to a qualified doctor or clinical psychologist if the client exhibits alarming symptoms (depression, burnout, trauma, mental health issues, addiction, etc.). Coaching therefore has no therapeutic aim but is nevertheless highly effective in supporting such a process. It proves to be an excellent complement to help a person cope better with treatment or bring about a behavioural change that is beneficial to their health.

There are two main types of coaching: life coaching and business coaching.

Life coaching focuses on an individual’s personal development in their private, relational and professional lives, enabling them to realise their full potential and equip themselves to make the most of it.

Business coaching, on the other hand, is linked to the world of work. It focuses much more on supporting employees, teams and managers in both small and large organisations to achieve their objectives, whilst ensuring the well-being and work-life balance of all those involved.

What is NLP, or Neuro-Linguistic Programming?

NLP is a methodology that enables us to analyse our learned behaviours (our “internal software”) and, where necessary, to reprogramme them. It enables us to understand our behaviours, mechanisms and emotions in situations of failure or success, so that we can, if necessary, readjust the various “programmes” that do not bring us satisfaction.

Programming.

Whether we like it or not, we are all “programmed” by our environment, our living conditions, our family, our upbringing, our loved ones, our culture, our experiences, and our beliefs - whether formed by ourselves or passed down from generation to generation…. Once established, these habits are like programmes. What has been “programmed” can, if we so wish, be “deprogrammed” in order to be “reprogrammed”.

Neuro.

The brain, our central computer, filters and processes every piece of information it receives through its millions of neurons. This information then becomes thought processes (conscious or unconscious) - patterns that enable the individual to make choices and/or cope with difficulties.

Linguistics.

Our thoughts can be conveyed through both verbal and non-verbal language. Our thoughts shape our language and, conversely, our language shapes our thoughts. This is why, if I say the following sentence to you: “Don’t think of a white horse, think of a black horse”, your brain will automatically visualise a white horse first!

What are the origins and development of NLP?

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) was developed in the 1970s in the United States, originally by John Grinder and Richard Bandler. It was subsequently developed by numerous other contributors, including Robert Dilts.

NLP has since proven its worth and is used by a great many coaches, the most famous of whom - and the undisputed master - is Anthony Robbins. He has coached numerous public figures and world leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton, Anthony Hopkins, Oprah Winfrey, Serena Williams, André Agassi and many others….

What is burnout?

According to Wikipedia, “Burnout combines profound fatigue, a loss of interest in work or family life, and a sense of failure and incompetence. Burnout is considered to be the result of chronic work- or family-related stress (for example, linked to an excessive workload): the individual, unable to cope with the adaptive demands of their work or family environment, sees their energy, motivation and self-esteem decline. ”, and as I explained, drawing on my own experiences, on RTBF’s programme La vie du bon côté.

Although burnout is very often associated with an excessive workload or a toxic environment, fortunately not everyone who faces such circumstances actually suffers from burnout. So how does this come about?

Burnout is the interplay between a person’s identity and their environment.

Every situation is unique, and one person’s burnout is not the same as another’s. It is, however, always a matter of a personality interacting with a particular context. To illustrate my point, I’m going to use my own story. What caused me to relapse when I was fully aware of the mechanisms of burnout, yet blindly ignored its various stages - resulting, for the second time, in me hitting rock bottom?

As explained earlier, we are conditioned and shaped by our history, our life experiences, our upbringing, our culture, our experiences and our beliefs… All of this defines our unique identity and personality.

During my childhood, I didn’t feel particularly loved by my dad, the village schoolteacher, for whom I was supposed to be a role model in the eyes of the other pupils. Once I entered the world of work, having constantly heard in my youth, “You can do better!”, I became increasingly perfectionist and developed the belief: “If you hope to gain your father’s recognition and love, you must always say yes; you must work, work hard and do better, again and again”… This belief was further reinforced by the beliefs my father himself had inherited from my grandfather regarding the value of work and the unconditional help one ought to give to others. These various beliefs and values would come to define part of my identity and my personality.

So, like a seed sown and nurtured in fertile soil, when I found myself in an environment where I lacked recognition and was asked for help, my automatic response kicked in, and I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t say no to anything I was asked to do; I worked and worked and worked until the inevitable collapse, as explained in more detail in the previously published article, Burnout: an entrepreneur’s story.

NLP coaching to prevent burnout and avoid a relapse.

Looking back at this situation, I’d understood the general mechanisms of burnout, but I hadn’t understood my own personal mechanisms, which were very closely linked to my beliefs and life experiences. Consequently, when my personality was stimulated by a favourable context and environment, I was unable to avoid exhaustion.

During my professional coaching certification course, the tools of neuro-linguistic programming enabled me to identify and understand the unconscious mechanisms responsible for my burnout. I was then able to modify and reprogram them so that such a situation would never happen again.

NLP coaching therefore enables the coachee to regain control of their “autopilot”. By applying and using mindfulness tools, they give themselves the opportunity to have greater freedom and choice. They can thus avoid paths that might cause them problems in the future (prevention), or that would have caused them problems in the past (preventing a relapse).

This prevention of burnout and this prevention of relapse can be practised in both life coaching and business coaching.

Burnout is not the only area in which NLP coaching can be beneficial.

NLP coaching is particularly well-suited to issues relating to communication, learning and supporting change through the use of Robert Dilts’ 7 logical levels:

• the environment, where?
• behaviour, what?
• capabilities, how?
• beliefs and values, why?
• identity, who am I?
• mission, what for?
• connection(s) with others, for whom?

All change begins with taking action.

You’re tired of feeling exhausted and at odds with your values. You’re overwhelmed, irritable and can no longer cope with everything; you want to avoid burnout, or don’t want to slip back into it. Take action and get in touch with me now for a coaching session.

Whether you’d like to find out more about coaching, set and achieve goals that have long seemed out of reach, or are simply interested in personal development or tackling burnout - whether in your personal life or at work - I invite you to:

• to visit the coaching page, where you’ll find plenty of answers to the questions you might be asking yourself...
• Let’s discuss it - get in touch with me now.

The story of a dream.

In late August 2018, I was really intrigued, impressed and interested by a post and some photos shared by Maryline and Tof following their participation in the La Gileppe Trophy Orbea triathlon. At that time, I was slowly recovering from my burnout; I’d lost just over 35 kg, I was doing a lot of walking, I’d just taken part in the MESA Walk, and I was also joining in the Adeps walks, during which I sometimes found myself jogging.

Maryline & Tof answered all my questions with great enthusiasm and invited me to come and see them and cheer them on in early September when they take part in the Gérardmer Triathlon....

It’s all set! When I arrived, the place was going wild - the atmosphere was electric. I’ve come back from this weekend completely hoarse from cheering on friends and strangers.... And at that very moment, it all clicked. Everything changed! I dream of experiencing this amazing adventure from the other side of the fence, as an athlete!

I know nothing about it; I’ve never really gone for a proper run or even joined a jog, I swim very little, and I’ve only got a hybrid bike… Never mind, I want to experience this madness and all these emotions from the inside… Apparently, when registration for this triathlon opens, all the available places are snapped up within minutes. A few weeks later, at 7 am, I’m sitting at my computer… And I can’t be the only one - the registration process freezes, and after a few unsuccessful attempts, at 7.22 am, I’m signed up for the Olympic distance, a somewhat presumptuous choice for someone who hasn’t really taken part in any sporting competition since his teenage years and who hasn’t really done any physical activity for far too many years. From that day on, I’m no longer just dreaming my life away; I’m living my dream as a triathlete.

I’m doing my research, getting ready, and taking an interest in fitness and nutrition for endurance sports. I’m starting to train on my own by going for runs. At the age of 18, I had surgery on the cruciate ligaments in my knee and, before investing in triathlon kit - in this case, a racing bike - I want to know if I can run without pain. I go to the swimming pool once a week. And even though the early days were tough, the weather was often not very favourable, and I sometimes lacked motivation, week after week I’ve been enjoying it more and more, to the point where I can’t go two days without some form of physical activity; I’ve become hooked on the sense of well-being provided by endorphins. What a change - I used to be hooked on aperitifs, junk food, huge meals and big cigars…! I finally feel alive.

On 22 December 2018, I took part in my first proper running race - a 10 km event, the Corrida De Gerpinnes - followed on 13 January by my first trail run, the Trail de la Vallée de la Thyria, and I then joined the Triathlon Club Andenne, a really friendly club that promotes access to triathlon for everyone, including able-bodied athletes and those with disabilities. There, I met some wonderful, passionate people who were always happy to offer good advice and who have now become true friends.

From January onwards, I train 5 to 8 hours a week, come rain, frost, wind or sunshine, and even in the desert: mental preparation, running, swimming and cycling.

On 27 May, I took part in my first triathlon, the Triathlon des lacs de l’Eau d’Heure. A major milestone, a bit mad. That’s it - I’m a triathlete. From that moment on, I’m living my dream even more fully; I’ve taken on the mantle of a triathlete, and I won’t lose sight of my goal: the Gérardmer Triathlon. I know there isn’t much time left, and that I still have a lot of work to do, but with the right advice and support, I can do it. I’ve turned to Joachim Libois / PPE.

Together, we set some interim goals. Joachim is brilliant and flexible with me; his training plans are top-notch, and I’m doing my best to stick to them. My training is building up gradually and I’m doing my best to follow his instructions. I then take part in various sprint-format events: the Wanze 555 Triathlon, the Sharks Triathlon, the Haute Meuse International Triathlon and the Namur Triathlon. I’m feeling better and better; the kilometres on the bike, in the water and on the run are adding up… The big day is just around the corner.

Saturday 7 September 2019, the big day is here: the Gérardmer Triathlon. We meet up with friends; the emotion is overwhelming, tears are flowing as we cheer on our tri-buddies… Tomorrow it’ll be my turn. It’s been a year since I decided to live out my dream, a year since I started training. Will I make it?

Sunday 8 September 2019, 1.25 pm:
There are nearly 1,000 of us athletes, ready to dive into the waters of Lake Gérardmer... It’s madness; I’m in my own little world, I’m completely focused, I’m savouring every moment, I’m living my dream, I’m living my dream....

1.30 pm, the starting gun goes off - we’re off for a 1,500-metre swim. The first few metres are intense! It’s pure madness; I dodge the collisions and decide to move a little away from the path to the first buoy and its pack of hungry sharks. It’s a wise choice - the swim’s a bit longer, but noticeably calmer, and I can settle into my three-beat stroke rhythm in an almost clear lane.

2.04 pm: I emerge from the water to the applause of a frenzied crowd and make my way over the mat towards the bike park. It’s not very warm - 10° at most - and I have to complete three laps of roughly 14 km with 300 m of elevation gain. I take my time. I dry myself off and savour every moment. I slip on a bodywarmer and zip up my tri-suit.

2.09 pm: I cross the exit line from the park and get on my bike. There’s shouting from all sides - the music, the announcer, the crowd, hundreds of people. A few metres to the right, behind the barrier, Tof & Maryline :) A friendly high-five… I’m off…

2 pm…: Foot of La Rayée - madness, pure madness… I’m here… I’m living it… my tri-buddies from the Triathlon Club Andenne… The music, the presenter. On the hill, spray-painted on the road: “Come on TCA, come on GTC, come on Regis!” The slope is getting steeper and steeper… I’m spurred on by the cheers from the crowd. After the bend, the presenter I’ve been hearing shouting for the last few minutes is standing there, right in front of me, wearing his huge cowboy hat: “Come on, come on, come on! Hop, hop, hop!” The crowd is getting denser and denser; the road at this point must be at least 5 metres wide, and yet the lane for bikes is only 1.50 metres wide, at most… Here I am, I’m dreaming it, I’m living it, as if I were Julian Alaphilippe… The kilometres fly by and soon I reach the summit and the first refreshment station: energy drinks. I make the most of the descent along the forest road to rehydrate and refuel.... Descending towards Gérardmer, pushing for speed and cutting the left-hand bends… just like on the telly. It’s pure bliss. Off I go for the second climb up La Rayée when a police motorcyclist, with flashing lights and sirens blaring, overtakes me, followed by a TGV - the race leader - who’s starting his final lap ;) A different world, but I’m feeling the same emotions as him.

..h..: The cycling section is over. I’m heading back to the park. It’s all right - not all the bikes are back yet! I’m so happy - I’ve just completed three laps of “La Rayée”… I put my bike down, swap my cleats for trainers… and off I go for a 10 km run, consisting of two 5 km out-and-back stretches along the lake. Running is still a struggle for me. But there’s no time to think about it - first footbridge, second footbridge, and finally the reason I wanted to do the Gérardmer Triathlon: walking on the lake… An indescribable feeling of happiness… Once again, the music, the presenters, the applause, the crowd going wild - I set off on my first lap amidst a barrage of encouragement.

Just as I’m lost in my thoughts, a friendly pat on the back: “Well done, Régis, brilliant.” Pierre-Yves, full of kindness, overtakes me, and a few moments later, on his way back, hands me a glass of water he’d picked up at the refreshment station.

End of the first lap; my friends are there. I can’t hear a thing; I’m reliving the race, I’m looking back on my life over the past three years… What a long way I’ve come; I’m savouring every moment, living in the present, living my dream, making the most of it, lengthening my stride. The final kilometre: the presenter is shouting into his microphone and I hear, “Hurry up, Régis, we’re waiting for you!”

I’m overcome with emotion; tears of joy stream down my face of their own accord… I’m happy - for myself, for my children Olivia and Tanguy, for my mum Odile, for my friends, and for everyone who’s supported me through the tough times.

For the second and final time, I’m walking on water; I cross the last footbridge; I’m literally flying towards “my victory”. The presenter announces my arrival; I high-five the spectators’ outstretched hands; I cross the finish line and shout out my joy!

No, I’m not dreaming; I’m a triathlete, I’m Un Autre Moi, I’m a finisher of the Gérardmer Triathlon in 4h03'25"!

I’m alive and I’ve decided to live out my dreams!

So, just as I do, believe in yourselves, believe in your abilities, believe in resilience, believe that anything is possible, believe in your dreams and live them!

Would you like to discuss all this? Do you also want to live out your dreams but don’t know where to start?

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me; I’d be delighted to help you find “your solutions” and develop your full potential - your “Autre Moi” (other self)!

For nearly 45 minutes, we discussed the issue of burnout amongst the self-employed and entrepreneurs and, drawing on our own experiences, outlined some suggestions and advice on how to avoid falling into burnout or suffering a relapse.... This is a topic I’d already covered in a previous article: Self-employed people are not immune to burnout

If you’ve enjoyed this content and would like to be kept informed as soon as new videos are published, please do subscribe to the YouTube channel, Un Autre Moi, using the link below.

Thank you for your support, comments and shares - they motivate me to produce high-quality content.

Please feel free to send me your comments or questions via the “Un Autre Moi” Facebook page; I’ll be delighted to read them and reply.

During one of these trips, I meet B. We get to know each other, chatting and talking endlessly about our many projects, our adventures and misadventures, our numerous passions, our desires, our frustrations, our joys, our hyper-emotional nature, our sense of being different, outside the norm, our sadness, our sorrows, our anger at injustice, our “alien” side, our uncompromising nature, …. . One person’s explanations spark the other’s curiosity, and the other’s anecdotes do the same in return: it’s a real game of tennis, not a match, but genuine pleasure, a sharing of ideas, a source of inspiration. For the first time, I have in front of me someone who understands me, with whom I can develop ideas, share feelings and emotions; someone who, despite a different way of life, is similar to me. I confide in her that I am deeply unsettled at meeting my feminine side in the way we think and experience things.

In reply, B. recommends some books to me, which I hasten to buy and devour in a matter of days….

• Trop intelligent pour être heureux ? L'adulte surdoué (“Too intelligent to be happy? The gifted adult”), by Jeanne Siaud-Facchin
• L'adulte surdoué - Apprendre à faire simple quand on est compliqué (“The gifted adult: learning to keep things simple when you’re complicated”), by Monique de Kermadec
• Moi, surdoué révolté : Journal intime d'un extra-terrestre né sur Terre (“Me, the rebellious gifted one: diary of an alien born on Earth”), by Abel Abelson

Reading these books, having always felt different, I get the impression that they’re describing my own life. Could I, too, be that “animal” described by Jeanne Siaud-Facchin to refer to intellectually precocious, gifted, or high-potential individuals? I cannot accept being pigeonholed by these heavy-handed definitions, and yet, in an instant, this hypothesis answers the many unanswered questions I have been asking myself since my earliest childhood! It’s obvious: I am a “Zebra”.

B. knew this even before our first meeting; it took me 43 years to discover it and several more months to accept it. B. turned my life on its head, and even though we’ve sadly lost touch since then - which I regret - I thank her from the bottom of my heart for having been the catalyst for the birth of another me, the real me.

But what does this have to do with burnout, you might ask? I am convinced, based on my own experience and the accounts of others in a similar situation - even though there are no official statistics or studies on the matter - that “Zebra” people are more prone to suffering from burnout than the rest of the population.

I could go into more detail on this hypothesis, on the characteristics of Zebras, and those of people prone to burnout, but the subject has already been covered in great detail in Sandra Boré’s excellent article, Zèbres VS burn-out : l’hécatombe (“Zebras vs burnout: the carnage”), which I urge you to read. I shall therefore conclude this article by thanking N. for allowing me to share with you a moving account originally published on a discussion group related to burnout, which in itself illustrates just how prone Zebras are to potentially suffering from burnout.

Please feel free to share your comments or questions via the “Un Autre Moi” Facebook page; I’ll be delighted to read them and reply.

Burnout particularly affects people who are highly motivated, committed, responsible and, all too often, perfectionists. These characteristics are almost universal amongst the self-employed and SME owners, making them a group particularly vulnerable to burnout, as they very often work more than 8 hours a day, in the evenings and at weekends, with very little time for leisure or recharging, their lives all too often revolving around their businesses.

The National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI) estimates that 28,000 people are unable to work due to burnout. However, it is very difficult to know how many of these 28,000 people are self-employed; they are thought to be in the minority, whilst a study by the Independent Health Insurance Funds (Mutualités Libres) reveals that nearly one in five self-employed people are suffering from advanced exhaustion.

Even if they are aware of their burnout, self-employed people very rarely stop working to look after themselves. And for good reason: they cannot afford to neglect their business at the risk of losing part of their client base, which would result in a drop in turnover or even bankruptcy. Very few self-employed people - one in four - take out guaranteed income insurance.

Just as with employees, it is all the more important for a self-employed person suffering from burnout to seek support - not only to recover from burnout but also to ensure the long-term viability of their business whilst honouring their commitments and responsibilities towards their staff, clients and suppliers.

As a self-employed IT specialist, I have suffered from burnout twice in the space of ten years; as I also explain in this Facebook Live session, I maintain that burnout is a genuine societal problem, it is high time we took action and really tackled this issue head-on, starting with prevention, for the well-being of everyone, whether employees or the self-employed.

Believe in yourself, believe in change, believe that anything is possible, believe in resilience!

Whether you’re self-employed or an employee, solutions do exist; please feel free to share your comments or questions on the page: Un Autre Moi

Walking has gradually allowed me to recharge my batteries and rebuild myself. I walk on my own two or three times a week (around 10-15 km) and at the weekend, I enjoy taking part with my partner (around 10 km), my children (around 5 km) or more enthusiastic friends (around 15-20 km) on Adeps walks, federal walks and even, sometimes, food-themed walks where the social and epicurean aspect is more important than the physical activity. In fact, it was during the gourmet walk from Saint-Monon to Nassogne that I first learnt about MESA, just three days before the event was due to take place.

The European Walk of Remembrance and Friendship.

This walk has been organised in the Province of Luxembourg by the Belgian Ministry of Defence since 1966. It is a large-scale, international, sporting and convivial event that brings together more than 10,000 walkers of all ages - both civilians and military personnel - from all corners of the world, who walk together along the most beautiful trails of the Ardennes, over one or more stages of 8, 16, 24 or 32 km …

Despite its scale, I’d never heard of the MESA, but when it was explained to me what it was - and encouraged by my partner, whom I’d like to thank here for allowing me to live out our dreams - I was very keen to take part. Yet it seemed out of reach, impossible.

So I decided to take part in this wonderful adventure - a way for me to take stock after 14 months of recovery, to find out where I stand physically - given that I never walk more than 20 km in a single session - and mentally, to find out if I’m capable of doing things again, of respecting myself, of listening to my heart and my body!

Never mind if I don’t make it to the end - as Pierre de Coubertin said, isn’t the important thing simply to take part?

Stage 1: Arlon

I arrive in Arlon, feeling motivated; the atmosphere is incredible. I decide to sign up for the 32 km. I’ve never walked 32 km before; my longest walks have been no more than 20 km. The stages are looped, and part of the loop is shared by the different distances (8, 16, 24, 32 km). I feel good; I’m in good shape; I cover the first 16 km without any trouble. On the section shared by the 24 and 32 km routes, there are far fewer walkers; groups of soldiers in combat fatigues pass me by, cheering me on. I complete the 32 km in 6 hours and 4 minutes: Pure joy! Tired, but pure joy! I’ve just walked 32 km for the very first time! I head home, have a rest, share my feelings with my partner; I feel great, and I tell her I intend to take part in the second stage.

Stage 2: Martelange

Buoyed by my success on the first stage, and feeling mentally and physically fit, I decide to sign up for the 32-kilometre loop. My body hasn’t recovered from the energy expenditure of the first stage; it was sending me signals. I’m in good spirits, but my feet are aching; it’s true that I’ve got a few blisters and a slight niggle in my knee. I listen to my body, scale back my ambitions, and at the 32 km junction I take the 24 km loop, which I complete in 5 hours 32 minutes. I am happy; I am tired, of course, but I have never felt so good mentally. That evening, I don’t wait to be asked twice - I sleep like a baby and dream that I can complete all four days…

Stage 3: Bastogne

The third stage is the toughest. I opt for the 24km loop. The physical exhaustion from the previous two stages is really taking its toll. There are few people on the loop, and I walk many kilometres on my own. My feet are hurting, and I listen to my body; I have to slow down and ease off the pace so as not to tire myself out any further. I start to doubt myself… That’s when I think back on the journey I’ve made over the past 14 months, since my dramatic fall. My inner voice speaks to me: “Régis, look at what you’re doing; look at how far you’ve come. The few kilometres separating you from Bastogne are nothing compared to what you’ve been through. If you’ve managed to bounce back and climb back up everything you’ve climbed, you can see the MESA through to the end.” I complete the 24 km stage in 5 hours and 11 minutes. What an atmosphere at the Mardasson Memorial - what a joy! I know the hardest part is behind me… Both in this stage walk and on the path to my recovery.

Final stage: Saint-Hubert

I’m really fired up. I arrive late in Saint-Hubert and must be one of the last to register at the start. “What distance are you signing up for, sir?” A moment’s thought… Covering over 100 km in 4 days - wouldn’t that be nice? Without hesitation, I reply, “24!” I’m feeling good. I’m tired, but it’s a healthy kind of tiredness. Having set off late, I come across very few people, so I take the opportunity to reflect on the journey. Positive emotions overwhelm me time and again and literally carry me through to the end of these four days of adventure and self-reflection. I’m at peace with myself; I’ve respected myself; I’ve done it. Fourteen months after hitting rock bottom, I’ve just walked 104 km in four days - I’m resilient!

Burnout is not a shameful illness.

Burnout is a syndrome that affects strong, motivated people who are fully committed, body and soul; people who, unfortunately, very often give more than they can actually give, who fail to heed their limits, their bodies and their hearts, and who literally lose sight of themselves in the pursuit of what they believe in. By taking part in this walk, I want to send a message of hope to those suffering from burnout and tell them that burnout can be overcome; that by listening to our hearts and our bodies, we can achieve, whilst respecting ourselves, things that might otherwise seem impossible.

Believe in yourselves, believe in love, believe that anything is possible, believe in resilience!

If you’ve enjoyed this content and would like to be kept informed as soon as new videos are published, please do subscribe to the YouTube channel, Un Autre Moi, using the link below.

Thank you for your support, comments and shares - they motivate me to produce high-quality content.

Rest.

For over a month, my days consisted of nothing but sleeping, sleeping and sleeping in complete darkness, and taking the antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs prescribed by my psychiatrist (Xanax and Escitalopram, marketed in Belgium under the name Sipralexa). These caused me some rather unpleasant side effects, severe headaches, excessive sweating - to the point where I had to change my bed sheets every day - and, finally, further dampening my already low spirits, sexual dysfunction, erectile difficulties and problems reaching orgasm. So, after discussing it with my psychologist and psychiatrist, I decided to stop taking my psychotropic drugs and anti-anxiety medication and, on the advice of my pharmacist, to replace them with a dietary supplement, Grintax, and Bach Rescue Remedy. I am not a doctor, so I do not know whether these medicines or natural treatments are effective, or whether they simply had a placebo effect. One thing is certain: I remain convinced that, whatever medication you choose, it is essential - in order to see improvements - to refocus on yourself, to question your own behaviour, to seek support and to have a genuine desire to get better.

Recharge mode.

Little by little, my batteries recharged; I was still taking the odd nap during the day, but the urge to get moving had returned. I felt the need to find myself again. One morning, I left the darkness of my bedroom for the light of day; I put on a pair of old trainers - walking was calling to me, even though I’d never really done it or enjoyed it before.

Step by step, I rediscovered nature and the simple pleasures:  marvelling at the beauty of the landscapes, rediscovering the pleasure of silence broken only by birdsong and the sound of the wind, breathing in deeply the scent of the woodland, stopping to embrace a tree and draw in its energy.

The more I walked, the more I enjoyed it, and the more I felt myself coming back to life - to the point where I was walking almost every day, increasing the distances I covered week by week, rediscovering and spending more and more time with an old friend whom I had forgotten for far too long, “MYSELF”.

The desire to feel desire.

Week after week, I increasingly rediscovered the desire to want to do things; I felt better both mentally and physically. Walking became addictive for me, giving me a sense of well-being and positive tiredness. I started to lose weight. I could breathe properly again, whereas before I’d been out of breath at the slightest exertion. After a few months, imagine my surprise when my GP told me that my high blood pressure was improving.

In conclusion.

“Walking is the best medicine for mankind”, Hippocrates.

From my own personal experience, I can therefore confirm - just as the scientific literature does - that, when practised regularly,

• walking has an antidepressant effect: it lifts the spirits, reduces anxiety and depression by triggering the release of a number of hormones, notably endorphins, which provide a sense of well-being, as well as dopamine, the “pleasure hormone”, which reduces feelings of tiredness.
• Walking helps with weight loss when combined with a balanced diet.
• Walking tones the muscles without putting strain on the joints, which is particularly beneficial for people who are overweight.
• Walking strengthens our immune system and stimulates our blood circulation, which increases our oxygen supply - a benefit to our natural defences
• Walking reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Walking lowers blood pressure,
• walking helps us sleep better. It improves the various stages and cycles of sleep - and, I must emphasise, this is mainly the case if it is practised regularly, as it regulates the body’s internal clock and the production of serotonin, a hormone that plays an important role in sleep quality

This list is by no means exhaustive; we could add the benefits for osteoporosis and for improving physical fitness. It has no side effects and can be done very easily with just a pair of trainers.

The WHO (World Health Organisation) recommends doing at least the following each week: 150 minutes of moderate-intensity endurance activity or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity endurance activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity. This recommendation is often simplified to walking 10,000 steps a day. Personally, having never walked before, I started by walking 1,000, then 2,000, then 3,000 steps a day, bit by bit.

So what are you waiting for? Believe in yourself, believe in love, believe in resilience, believe in the benefits of walking, put on your trainers and set off on the path to “Un Autre Moi”.

Please feel free to share your comments or questions via the “Un Autre Moi” Facebook page; I’ll be delighted to read them and reply.

My first burnout. In 2009, the machine seizes up. Within six months, my dad dies, I lose a contract that accounts for nearly 80 per cent of my turnover, and I work day and night, seven days a week, to make up for this loss and keep my staff on. I lose control; I am no longer myself. The mother of my two children, aged 3 and 6, leaves me after 15 years together. I am on my way to the office, stopped at a traffic light. It keeps switching from green to red. I can’t get into first gear; my body no longer responds, and I refuse to accept it. I am in burnout.

Life goes on. After six months off, I go back to work. But have I learnt my lesson? I’m trying to get back on my feet; I’m realising certain things, but I’m not tackling the underlying problems. Year after year, I pay less and less attention to the all-too-familiar warning signs that the dizzying fall is imminent. My days consist solely of work, with my only comfort being stuffing my face. I listen to nothing and no one, not even my own body - so heavy to bear - which is screaming in pain.

Here we go again: a second burnout. March 2017. History repeats itself. Within 48 hours, I lose the assignment I’d been working on for over a year. Once again not myself, I leave, of my own accord, the person I have loved so deeply for over three years. I’m lost, I’m sinking, I’m plummeting, I’ve hit rock bottom. I’m in burnout.

What if I listened to my body and my heart? I’m suffering. I’m suffering terribly, both physically and mentally, and I’m causing pain to the people who love me and who are so dear to me. I ask myself questions. I come to realise this, and I accept my condition.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Albert Einstein. We have two lives, and the second begins when we realise we only have one. Confucius.

These quotes resonate with me, as if they were self-evident truths, as invitations to take action, to change things. I weigh 132 kg. Just tying my shoelaces leaves me breathless and I need several minutes to catch my breath. The elastic band of my life is on the verge of snapping. I decide to listen to my body and my heart - for my own sake first and foremost, but also for the sake of all the people I love and who love me: my children, my mum, my partner.

Another me. March 2018. Today, I’m below the fateful 100 kg mark. In one year, I’ve lost a quarter of my weight: 33 kg, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to my transformation. I’m watching what I eat. I exercise. I lead a more balanced life and have exciting plans with my partner, whom I’ve reconnected with. I feel good. I’m happy. Aware of how far I’ve come and where I’ve been, a second life opens up before me. I remain vigilant. I want to share this experience with you.

I believe in myself, I believe in love, I believe in resilience. On to new adventures...

On that day, Sylvie Honoré was interviewing Julie Delize, a former HR director who had suffered from burnout, turned her life around and now works as a career (re)orientation coach.

I was listening to the radio in my car; the subject struck a particular chord with me and, for some reason - even though I’m usually so discreet about my own burnout - I pulled over, picked up my phone and wanted to share my experience as a self-employed person, because:

No! Burnout doesn’t just happen to employees!

No! Burnout is not a shameful illness

You can find the testimonies of the other speakers here.

Speaking out publicly was a real turning point for me, a sort of “coming out”. I received lots of messages of support, from people I didn’t know, but also from loved ones who weren’t aware of my health situation. This encouragement did me a world of good. I’d been on my own for months on end, struggling with this occupational burnout syndrome.

It suddenly became crystal clear to me then: I must no longer be afraid to speak out, to share my experience and my story. Speaking out has a therapeutic effect.

Sharing to raise awareness of this syndrome - this notorious burnout that is so often belittled by society, the media and advertisers.

Sharing to continue my own transformation, sharing to help those who are suffering, sharing to bring hope and to show that it is possible to recover! Because:

Yes! My second burnout was the birth of “Un Autre Moi”!

If you’ve enjoyed this content and would like to be kept informed as soon as new videos are published, please do subscribe to the YouTube channel, Un Autre Moi, using the link below.

Thank you for your support, comments and shares - they motivate me to produce high-quality content.