Maaike Schipperheijn – Spain and South Africa
Maaike Schipperheijn is an energetic CFO and passionate businesswoman who charts her own course. After her trails in Spain and South Africa, she felt a renewed energy and is ready for the next challenge. She believes that anyone, with determination and drive, can reach their full potential. At home, in her “cozy chaos” with her two children, her partner, and his two children, she thrives on witnessing the growth of others, much like the personal growth she experiences through her work. This inner drive for growth and rediscovery inspired her to embark on the trails, where she found the stillness of nature to be a gateway to deeper self-reflection.
Maaike’s motivation for the trail stemmed from a need for peace and reflection. Her first trail originated from her involvement with YPO, where an annual retreat is organized. One of the participants suggested going “deep, to the core.” Maaike felt the need to take a moment for herself, to organize her thoughts, and to discover what silence and walking could mean for her.
After the first trail in Spain, where she symbolically crossed a threshold between two worlds and returned to “the here and now,” Maaike felt her journey was not yet complete, inspiring her to embark on a second trail. In the meantime, she had completed a coaching program and resigned from her job, gradually finding her inner peace. This second trail provided the confirmation she sought: it’s okay as it is.
In the wilderness of South Africa, Maaike felt part of something much greater. As soon as she stepped into nature, her worries about how everything would unfold disappeared. Space was created for reflection, deep calm, and the opportunity to truly connect with herself. In the vastness of the landscape, she felt a bond with the animals and nature around her.
“The roles you usually have as a leader, where others often follow your lead, were completely reversed here,” Maaike explains. “You become much more humble, aware, and rely on your senses and intuition.” The silence and simplicity of the African landscape helped her let go of her daily life and immerse herself in the natural rhythms around her. It brought an awareness and humility that are harder to experience in a regular setting.
During the trail, Maaike experienced a profound connection with nature and the group. In the silent, expansive environment of South Africa, usual hierarchies and roles felt unimportant. “You’re on equal footing with the animals,” she describes, “and you’re a guest in their world.” This new perspective made her aware of the power of nature and brought her closer to her own core.
The trail taught Maaike to look more with her heart rather than her eyes. She discovered a sense of humility and learned that sometimes it’s enough to accept things as they are. It brought her more into the here and now and gave her the insight that she sometimes needs to slow down and let go of expectations, both her own and those of others.
After the trail, Maaike returned with a renewed sense of peace and balance. In her daily life, she now consciously seeks out silence, for instance, by regularly taking long walks alone, without distractions. These moments bring her back to the feeling of inner calm she experienced in South Africa. In the long term, she notices that she feels more confident about her path and the choices she makes. She knows that nature will always provide a space to rediscover that inner balance.
