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Olaf Boswijk

@olafboswijk

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I create spaces where people can thrive and be themselves. Coach, Cultural Entrepreneur and DJ.
@valleyofthepossible | De School | Trouw

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I offer free discovery calls because I believe every client should get the opportunity to know what it’s like to work with me before they commit.

And it’s always your choice to decide if it’s not a fit. All good.
BUT I am so tired of the tyre kickers. People that contact me, saying they want coaching. Have always wanted to work with me. I schedule them in and we go for a walk or spend an hour on Zoom, diving deep into what’s going on in their life and why they are stuck. We often quite quickly get to the heart of the issue and discuss how I would approach our work together. They get enthusiastic and say they want to do it. ‘I will get back to you tomorrow to confirm ….’, or some version of that. And then.... silence. I follow up after a week. More silence.

I get it. Coaching is a big step. It’s work. It takes honesty, openness, vulnerability. And it’s an investment. It will ask for your energy, your time, and your willingness to create something so powerful in your life that it will have a life-long impact on you and everyone in your life.
But being ready is a choice. Confidence doesn’t come from waiting a few more days, on the contrary, it comes from action. The longer you wait, the more you doubt, in any decision. Besides, that second guessing yourself or overthinking every decision is probably one of the reasons you came for coaching. It’s called self-sabotage.

So please don’t waste my time. I’m all in, always. Ask yourself if you are too before reaching out.

Love
x
Olaf by @olafboswijk

Hey, I’m Olaf. Coach, cultural entrepreneur, and DJ. If you’re new here, welcome!

I’m father of 6-year old Kami. Born 48 years ago on the canals of Amsterdam, currently living in the cute city centre of Haarlem. I can be a bit of a dreamer, my mind drifting to my happy place, the mountains. Probably the Italian Alps or the Southern Andes to be precise.

For the past two decades, building spaces where people can truly thrive and be themselves has been at the heart of everything I do. That journey started in Amsterdam: first as music director at club 11, then as co-founder of Trouw and De School. Two clubs that became a sanctuaries for artists, ravers and anyone who felt most alive at the edges of culture. If you were part of that world, you know what those places meant. They meant everything to me too.

Then came a camper van, an open road, and a long adventure across North and South America, including a podcast beamed out from the road, Radio Balthasar. I eventually landed in Chile, where I co-founded Valley of the Possible: an artist residency nestled in a remote Andean valley, built around a question that still drives me today: what does it mean to live, create, and relate to the world differently?

In 2020, I turned that question inward. What started as walks and conversations during the pandemic and a way to stay connected when everything felt so far apart, slowly grew into a professional coaching practice. It draws on many things that I love: emotional intelligence, personal development, breathwork, meditation, mindfulness, and two decades of learning from some of the most remarkable creative people I’ve ever met.

Now I work with artists and creatives who are ready to transform. Not just grow in their craft, but in who they are and how they move through the world. Helping people find their confidence, trace their own path, and become the best version of themselves is what drives me and makes my heart full.

If any of this resonates, I’m really glad you’re here.

Love
X
Olaf by @olafboswijk

Let’s face it. Many events at ADE feel like soulless cash cows, especially the bigger ones. Lots of extraction and no love. Three shifts in one day: hi, we’ll take your money, and bye. Now leave as quickly as you can so we can take more money from the next group lining up outside.

In that light, I’d like to highlight three personal highlights from ADE that each offered something different.

On Friday I moderated a panel called How Ownership Shapes Culture, Community and Impact, curated by ADE Green. Austin Robey told us about Subvert, a cooperative music marketplace and alternative to Bandcamp, owned by its users: the artists. Stephanie Dodd shared her role as both managing director and co-owner at Shambala Festival, the first employee-owned festival in the UK. And Nina de Korte explained how steward-ownership, an equally profitable but more value-driven version of a limited company (best example: Patagonia), can offer cultural organisations a very interesting pathway to secure their legacy. Who will start the first steward-owned club or festival?

On Saturday afternoon I went to ZERØBPM, to me one of the most extraordinary ADE experiences in years. It starts with the small but important things: a friendly person taking your coat (can we please get rid of lockers everywhere?), a welcoming tea ceremony, a place to take off your shoes, and finally the essence: one and a half hours of deep listening and meditation. The space, architecture, soundsystem, scenography, facilitation: everything in service of your experience. A place to connect with yourself on a deeper level. I left feeling grateful and literally moved to tears, not in the least due to Richard Akingbehin’s music.

Also on Saturday I had a wonderful time at Elias Mazian’s Private Hearts party. Small, intimate and a simple, no-frills set-up in what is usually a restaurant. Built with love for a beautiful, outgoing and warm community, and soundtracked by Elias himself, upcoming star Eileen and Tornado Wallace & Fantastic Man. I left with my heart full.

Which ADE events do you feel stood out and prioritized culture, people and connection over profit?

Love
X
Olaf by @olafboswijk

Everytime we do Breaking Sameness we are touched by the openness and honesty shared in the room. The participants realness creates an environment within which they can speak from their hearts about what it means to be creative.

In Amsterdam, at @amsterdamdanceevent Lab on Track, we facilitated a session for upcoming artists and producers about how to face your fears as an artist. And how when approached with awareness, acceptance and curiosity, fear can be an incredibly powerful tool for creativity.

Breaking Sameness is a monthly check-in for artists and creatives, exploring the inner work of making things that matter, together.

Stay tuned for more soon. by @olafboswijk

It’s been a little quiet here recently, so just a little heads up that I’m eager to share more with you over the coming days and weeks. Some bits about my own process, about coaching, my offering and things that I find fascinating at the moment or that I’m confronting in my own life. No big announcements, just me sharing a bit more than I have done recently.

If there’s anything you’d like to know, or have questions about, I’m here.

Love
X
Olaf by @olafboswijk

Making something that matters means bringing more of yourself and your ideas into the world. And with that often comes fear. Fear of failure. Fear of judgement. Fear of not being good enough. Even the fear of succeeding and what might come next. Left unexplored, these fears can quietly shape what you make, what you share, and what you never begin.

Face Your Fears as an Artist is the theme of the next edition of Breaking Sameness, which will take place as a part of the @amsterdamdanceevent Lab on Track program.

In this interactive workshop, you’re invited to explore the fears that show up in your creative practice. Through personal reflection, shared conversation, and simple exercises, you’ll get curious about what your fears might be trying to tell you and explore how you can relate to them differently, so you have more choice in what you bring to life. You’ll leave with practical tools to help you work with your fears, as well as a connection to a fellow artist so you can continue supporting each other beyond the session.

The session is led by @nicksabine.coach (co-founder Resident Advisor) and Olaf Boswijk (Trouw, De School), who both work as coaches in the creative industry. Together, they run Breaking Sameness, an ongoing workshop series where artists and creatives can openly share and reflect on the internal resistance, doubt, and personal work that often accompany the creative process.

Note: This event is only for people who have personally registered and been accepted to the full ADE Lab on Track program, which features amongst others John Talabot, Jyoty, Olga Zegers, Moodymann, Peven Everett, Djrum, Kevin Saunderson, and lots of other great mentors, guests and speakers.

📅: Thursday 22nd October
📍: @radioradio.radio , Amsterdam
🕠: 1.30 - 2.30 pm

Artwork by @oscarlnowak by @olafboswijk

What would it cost to give up the old version of you? The version of you caught in patterns, stories and habits that have long outlived their purpose. The beliefs that sabotage your happiness. The stuckness that keeps you from doing the things you know you want to do. The things your heart so desire.

It would cost you your old life, as they say. At least the image of yourself that you’ve held on to for so long. it would definitely cost you your comfort zone and probably also some friendships and the external approval that came with those relationships.

More importantly, what would you gain?
Just pause, and give it some real thought.

From my personal experience, giving up the old version of me daunted me for a long time. Inside I knew I had to do something but why change when everyone was cheering me on and from the outside thought I was doing great and being ‘successfull’?

When I left club and nightlife to travel and pursue other dreams, like starting an artist residency in the Andes, not everyone understood. And not everyone supported that decision. And in the years that followed I lost friendships, important ones. And that hurt a lot.

What I gained: self-worth, clarity, purpose, motivation, alignment. When I stopped making decisions based on what was expected of me, and living my life on my own terms, a massive weight lifted from my shoulders. And the people that loved me for who I am stayed.
And even better: the friendships I’ve built after that period are the most meaningful, intimate, real and fun friendships I’ve ever had.

If you recognize something of yourself in this, or you’re on the cusp of a major life transition and you could use support navigating it, Future Self is for you. It’s the most extensive, personal and in-depth coaching course that I have ever designed into which I have poured everything I have learnt in life, 20+ years of experience in music, arts and business and over 6+ years as a coach for creatives. It starts next week and I have just 2 spots left. Send me a DM for more info or book a free discovery call if you’d like to explore what it feels like to work with me.

Love
X
Olaf by @olafboswijk

Golden hour to lights down 🌅. Thank you, Haarlem, for showing up from the first drink on the terrace to the last song of the night. Tomorrow, we dig :) See you all around! by @olafboswijk

Nieuw menu check en nu op naar het volgende evenement. Wij doen dit jaar voor het eerst mee aan Haarlem Vinyl Festival en hebben er ontzettend veel zin in!

Vrijdag trappen wij af met Breaking Sameness. Breaking Sameness is een interactieve workshop en bijeenkomst voor kunstenaars en creatieven om in aanwezigheid van gelijkgestemden te delen en te reflecteren op het creatieve proces en de interne weerstand, twijfel en persoonlijk werk die vaak samengaat met creativiteit. Een moment om te vertragen,open te delen, naar elkaar te luisteren en je iets minder alleen te voelen in de zoektocht naar creatieve eerlijkheid.

Deze interactieve workshop omvat prompts, zelfontwikkelingsoefeningen en het uitspreken van intenties om je creatieve proces te ondersteunen en accountability te creëren.

Voor deze eerste Haarlem-editie bij Café Trouw tijdens het Haarlem Vinyl Festival, sluit lokale kunstenaar Jan Kuhlemeier zich aan bij Olaf Boswijk om te praten over zijn creatieve proces. Het gesprek verkent het werken vanuit intrinsieke motivatie: wat drijft en ondersteunt jouw werk? Werk jij vanuit externe validatie of intrinsieke motivatie?

En vanaf 21:15 - 23:00 begint de live-set van Rogier van Near Mint Haarlem.

Sluit je aan bij de Near Mint Haarlem-crew en hun vrienden terwijl ze naar hun favoriete ontmoetingsplek gaan voor goede vibes, geweldig gezelschap en een welverdiend drankje na een dag in de winkel.

Ze zullen enkele van hun favoriete platen draaien terwijl Café Trouw zorgt voor de perfecte sfeer voor een ontspannen avondje uit.

Let's go!

#vinyls #nearminthaarlem #cafetrouw #vinylsession #bossanova #vinylbar #haarlemcity #recordshop #snacks #haarlemvinylfestival by @olafboswijk

Breaking Sameness is back! After a little summer break, we’ll touch down in my hometown at Café Trouw for the Haarlem Vinyl Festival.

Breaking Sameness is a gathering for artists and creatives to share, reflect and speak openly on the creative process and internal resistance, doubt, and personal work that often accompanies creativity in the presence of like-minded individuals. A moment to slow down, openly share, listen to each other and feel a little less alone in the pursuit of creative honesty.

On Friday Oct 2nd we’ll be diving into why we do things we do. What is the intrinsic motivation behind our creative projects and how do we find it? Through interactive exercises and prompts, participants will be challenged to seek their own answers to these questions. Sharing intentions collectively supports accountability.

For this Haarlem edition I’ll be speaking to artist Jan Kuhlemeier about his approach to this topic and other aspects of his creative process. We might even play some records too.

Near Mint is taking care of the music afterwards, so come early for the workshop and stay late for the drinks and music. Tickets € 7,50 - link in bio.

PS for the record: No, I am not involved with Café Trouw but it was named after the club and it’s a wonderful little spot around the corner of my house so I could not think of a more fitting place 😘.

Artwork by @oscarlnowak by @olafboswijk

Coaching clients often come to me with a desire for more stability. It could be financial stability, or just a feeling of stability in general. It doesn’t matter whether it’s about work, life, work-life balance, or just something that will give them a sense of security, that’s usually the underlying, deeper desire.

A couple of things I’d like to point out around these topics: firstly, I think there’s nothing wrong with wanting more stability in your life, or wanting more financial stability, or a better work-life balance. These are human needs and topics I can help you with. But it also points to something underlying that I think is perhaps more important: we live in an inherently unstable world. Life gets crazy. And one of the most inportant things I try to encourage and provide tools for with my clients is to offer tools and strategies they can use when things get crazy, when life isn’t stable, or when things are uncomfortable. That is a life skill that will carry you through all the difficult periods in life.

It’s also important to realize that balance is not something static. We go in and out of balance, as the adjusting of scales. It’s not a fixed state you reach once and then you’re done. Because sometimes you go out of balance and then you need to come back into it.

So although a sense of safety can come from external conditions, real, lasting internal safety can only come from within, and be given to you by yourself.

And that’s something I help artists and creatives with, specifically in my most personal and in-depth 12-session course FUTURE SELF. Next course starts early October and I have 5 spots.

If you want to know what that looks like, or curious to know more, shoot me a message.

Big love,
x
Olaf by @olafboswijk

Summer of ‘26 ❤️ by @olafboswijk