{"id":14,"date":"2026-03-28T12:38:38","date_gmt":"2026-03-28T11:38:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bodyopenmind.be\/about\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T06:53:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T05:53:27","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/bodyopenmind.be\/en\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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About<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A brief summary<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Hi! I\u2019m Sam, a proud father in my 30s and the founder of body open mind. I\u2019ve always been curious, creative and active<\/strong> \u2014 from playing soccer, songwriting, and performing in a small band to exploring painting, Flamenco guitar, and piano. My love for learning<\/strong> has led me to two Master degrees in engineering, and later into the world of meditation, holistic coaching, and mind-body practices.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Why I became a Life Coach<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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A continuous Journey from Restlessness to Inner Peace<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Even though I didn\u2019t have a troubled childhood, I know what it feels like to be lost, restless, stuck and unable to engage in life<\/strong>. For much of my 20s and early 30s, I chased happiness outside of myself \u2014 through relationships, work, or even moving countries \u2014 only to feel unfulfilled and \u2018not good enough\u2019.<\/p>

In 2019, I began working with a psychologist<\/b>, exploring where these feelings came from. Alongside this, I dived into podcasts, books, and practices like journalling<\/b>, yoga, mindfulness, and meditation<\/b>. Step by step, I started shifting perspectives, finding balance, and showing more compassion in my relationships<\/b>.<\/p>

The real breakthrough came during a 10-day Vipassana retreat<\/strong>, meditating nine hours a day. For the first time, I experienced deep inner peace \u2014 not just happiness, but stillness, presence, and freedom. This experience gave me a profound understanding of the mind-body connection<\/b> and inspired me to train as a holistic life coach and mind-body practitioner<\/strong>.<\/p>

My journey isn\u2019t about becoming \u201cperfect\u201d<\/b> \u2014 I still get stressed, upset, or nervous. But I\u2019ve learned how to free myself when I feel stuck<\/b>, and how to return to awareness and compassion<\/b>. That\u2019s the gift I now share with others: guiding people toward a life that feels freer, more fulfilling, and more aligned<\/b>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Mission Statement & Founder<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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We help people break free from mental and emotional patterns that keep them stuck.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Mission Statement<\/h3>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\tAt Body Open Mind, we help people break free from mental and emotional patterns that keep them stuck. Our mission is to guide you towards the change you want \u2014 and need \u2014 so you can live a life that feels fulfilling, confident, and aligned.\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Founder<\/h3>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\tI\u2019m Sam Van den Nest, a certified life coach and mind-body practitioner. After years of exploring meditation, psychology, and personal growth, I now dedicate my work to helping others reconnect with themselves and create lasting transformation.\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u201cMy experience with Sam was enjoyable and really enlightening, with long-lasting results. I worked through my fear barriers with such success and gained real confidence. Sam\u2019s kind approach, guidance, and commitment made me feel heard, understood, and proud of what I achieved.\u201d<\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Davina B.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Code of Ethics<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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  • The coaching sessions are a safe space<\/strong> for the client and the coach based on the confidentiality<\/strong> principle and mutual respect. Without mutual respect<\/strong> coaching cannot be effective.<\/li>
  • The<\/strong> client and the client\u2019s interests are central<\/strong> in the coaching sessions. The role of the coach is not to give advice or diagnose the client. The role of the coach is to be a partner and guide the client towards empowerment that comes from within by using powerful questioning techniques and giving insight and tools.<\/li>
  • The coaching session is a space of non-judgement<\/strong> where an open mind<\/strong> is kept at all times and where any idea or thought can be brought to the table and discussed.<\/li>
  • Honesty<\/strong> is central in the coaching sessions. Effective coaching sessions and making progress is only possible if there is honesty between coach and client and a genuine expression of the needs and issues a client experiences during a session.<\/li>
  • Commitment<\/strong> is essential for a client to make progress. Change and progress is a daily commitment that finds place outside the coaching sessions by installing new patterns and habits. It is therefore essential for a client to be aware that daily effort and persistence<\/strong> is needed in order to attain a long-lasting integrated change.<\/li>
  • A coaching session is an inclusive session<\/strong> based on universal<\/strong> science-backed research<\/strong> and daily effort regardless of an ethnic or religious background.<\/li>
  • There cannot be a sexual relationship between the coach and the client.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    Disclaimer<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    As a holistic life coach and Mind-Body Practitioner we are not<\/strong> responsible for :<\/p>

    • No diagnose or treat illness or trauma<\/strong> \u2013 The client understands that a coach is not a licensed physician. A coach does not do any diagnoses or treatments for illness and\/or trauma and is therefore not responsible for any interpretations done on this regard in the sessions. The coach operates within a non-clinical, non-medical scope and the client understands that he needs to contact a medical doctor if he is searching for treatment or diagnoses.<\/li>
    • No advice<\/strong> \u2013 The coach asks mind-opening questions, gives tools and helps you figure out what you need for your change to occur. We do not give advice on how to handle your personal journey. Examples, suggestions or indications given during sessions have the purpose to help find the answer for the client. We expect the client to take full authority and control over their decisions in order to make the right change for them happen. Interpretations made by the client are not the responsibility of the coach.<\/li>
    • Way to change<\/strong> \u2013 The client has to make daily effort and has to be persistent in order for change to occur. As a coach we are there to help find the answers and the right action plan but a coach is not responsible for the outcome.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      About A brief summary Hi! I\u2019m Sam, a proud father in my 30s and the founder of body open mind. I\u2019ve always been curious, creative and active \u2014 from playing soccer, songwriting, and performing in a small band to exploring painting, Flamenco guitar, and piano. My love for learning has led me to two Master […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"disabled","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"enabled","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bodyopenmind.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bodyopenmind.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bodyopenmind.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bodyopenmind.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bodyopenmind.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14"}],"version-history":[{"count":90,"href":"https:\/\/bodyopenmind.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3421,"href":"https:\/\/bodyopenmind.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14\/revisions\/3421"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bodyopenmind.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}