We coach online. Many of our clients start that way.
But we consistently see better results when we meet face-to-face.
That's why we meet clients in Utrecht, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag, Nijmegen, Arnhem, Den Bosch — all over the Netherlands, really.
Here's why it matters.
What Changes When We Meet in Person
In 25+ years of coaching and leading teams, I've learned this: some conversations need to happen in the same room.
Online coaching works. We do it often. But when we meet face-to-face, something shifts.
You notice things you can't see on a screen:
Body language that reveals what words don't say
Energy shifts when someone has a breakthrough
The pause before an honest answer
What happens when there's nowhere to hide behind a laptop
We create a private environment where you can talk about everything. No notifications. No distractions. No kids walking into the room or colleagues passing by your home office.
Just you, your coach, and the conversation that matters.
And clients tell us: they go deeper. They leave with more clarity. The results are simply better.
Where We Meet: Offices Across the Netherlands
We have access to private coaching spaces throughout the country. Not co-working spaces where people overhear your conversation. Professional offices designed for confidential discussions.
What you can expect:
Nicely decorated, comfortable spaces
Discreet and private
Well-located near central stations or with parking options
Professional but not corporate
We work with high-potential and high-performance professionals. People with demanding careers, busy lives, important decisions to make.
That's why we operate on an executive model: flexible on timing and location.
Need a session outside working hours? Early morning or evening? We make it work.
Prefer to meet in your city rather than travel to Utrecht? We come to you.
Coaching in Major Dutch Cities
Utrecht: Our Home Base
Utrecht is where we're based, right next to Utrecht Central Station. Easy to reach from anywhere in the Netherlands.
Most of our face-to-face sessions happen here. It's central, accessible, and we have excellent coaching spaces available.
If you're anywhere in the Randstad or beyond, Utrecht is often the most convenient option.
Amsterdam: Tech, Finance, and International Talent
Amsterdam has the highest concentration of international professionals in the Netherlands. Tech companies, finance firms, consulting agencies, creative industries.
We coach regularly in Amsterdam because that's where many of our clients work.
Whether you're in Amsterdam-Zuid near the financial district, Amsterdam-Oost, or closer to Schiphol — we'll find a location that works for you.
Rotterdam: Harbor City, Pragmatic Culture
Rotterdam feels different from Amsterdam. More direct, more pragmatic, more international in a different way.
We work with professionals in logistics, maritime, energy, and tech. Often people who value efficiency and don't want to waste time traveling to Utrecht or Amsterdam.
We meet in Rotterdam regularly, usually near Rotterdam Central Station or in areas like Kralingen or the city center.
Den Haag: Government, International Organizations, Diplomacy
Den Haag attracts a specific type of international professional: diplomats, policy makers, legal experts, people working for international organizations or government.
Coaching conversations here often involve navigating Dutch bureaucracy, understanding political culture, or balancing international and local expectations.
We coach in Den Haag regularly, with spaces available near Den Haag Central Station and in the international zone.
Nijmegen, Arnhem, Den Bosch: Beyond the Randstad
Not everyone works in the Randstad. We coach professionals across the Netherlands, including cities like Nijmegen, Arnhem, and Den Bosch.
These regions have their own business cultures, universities, research centers, and international companies. We meet clients where it makes sense for them.
If you're outside the major cities and want face-to-face coaching, we make it work. We can introduce you to our coaching partners who are based in Maastricht and Groningen!
Walk & Talk Coaching
Sometimes the best conversations don't happen sitting across from each other.
They happen while walking.
Walk & talk coaching is one of our favorite formats. We walk through cities, along canals, through forests — wherever works for you.
There's something about walking side-by-side that changes the conversation. People think differently. They open up more naturally. Insights come easier.
Together we choose a good location to meet and walk. It's a very effective and inspiring way to have important conversations.
Some of our biggest breakthroughs have happened during walks.
Why Face-to-Face Matters (Even in a Digital World)
Yes, we can coach online. And for some people, online works great.
But here's what we've noticed over hundreds of sessions:
Online is good for:
Quick check-ins
Follow-up conversations
When you live far from any major city
Tactical problem-solving
Face-to-face is better for:
Deep personal work
Career transitions and big decisions
First sessions (building trust is faster in person)
When you're stuck and need a breakthrough
Sensitive topics (office politics, conflict, self-doubt)
When you're sitting across from someone, you can't multitask. You can't half-listen while checking your phone. You're fully present.
And that presence creates space for the kind of thinking that changes things.
The Executive Model: Coaching That Fits Your Life
We work with professionals who have demanding schedules.
You're not looking for a coach who's only available Tuesday afternoons between 2-4pm. You need someone who adapts to your reality.
That's why we offer:
Flexible timing: Early morning, evening, weekends if needed
Flexible location: We come to your city
Proactive follow-up: We don't wait for you to chase us
Discretion: What we discuss stays between us
Quality spaces: Professional environments that match your standards
If you're a high-potential professional with a busy life, you deserve a coach who works at your level.
Online When It Makes Sense
Look, we're not anti-online. We coach online regularly.
Online makes sense when:
You're outside the Netherlands
You want quick, tactical sessions between face-to-face meetings
Travel time would be disproportionate to the session length
You have a strong existing relationship with your coach
But if you have the option to meet face-to-face, especially for your first few sessions, we recommend it.
The depth is different. The results are better.
How It Works
Step 1: Book a free intro call
We start with a 15-30 minute call (online) to understand your situation and see if there's a fit.
Step 2: Choose your format
Face-to-face in one of our locations, walk & talk, or online. We'll discuss what makes most sense for you.
Step 3: Schedule your first session
We find a time and location that works. Usually 90 minutes for a full coaching session.
Step 4: Show up, do the work
Coaching isn't passive. You bring the questions, the challenges, the goals. We bring structure, insights, and accountability.
Step 5: See results
Most clients see clarity within 1-2 sessions. Real change happens over 3-6 sessions.
Who We Work With
We coach international and Dutch professionals who are:
High-potential: You're capable but feel like you're not reaching your full impact
High-performance: You deliver results but want more from your career or life
Stuck despite competence: You're good at what you do, but something's not clicking
In transition: New role, new country, new phase of life
Seeking clarity: What's next? What do I actually want? Am I in the right place?
We specialize in professionals working in the Netherlands who want to succeed at work and thrive in life.
Ready to Meet?
If you're curious whether coaching could help you, let's talk.
Book a free 30 minutes intro video call with Simon.
👉 https://calendly.com/simon-freshthoughts/free-intro-with-simon
We'll discuss your situation, explore whether face-to-face or online makes sense for you, and find a location that works and a coach who will help you best.
No pressure. Just a conversation.
About Simon Jansen
I'm the founder of The Happy Expats and Fresh Thoughts. I spent 25+ years in Dutch banking, leading international teams at Managing Director level. Now I coach professionals who want to optimize their careers and lives in the Netherlands.
I work across the Netherlands: Utrecht, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag, and beyond. Face-to-face when possible, online when it makes sense.
