Dr. Gertrud gives you the best from
scientific and holistic health expertise
What I did…
Growing up in a small town in tiny Belgium, I’ve always pursued the philosophy of “Healthy Mind in Healthy Body”. After my Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, I continued my studies with a 4-year PhD tract in the interdisciplinary fields of molecular genetics, nanotechnology and biochemistry at Ghent University.
The move to Berlin – because of a collaboration with Berlin’s Max Planck Institute – made an internal switch happening. Once I got my PhD Degree in 2012, I decided to focus on whichever projects bring me joy and are aligned with my morals and passions. I traveled, a lot and often. I dove deep in alternative medicine (Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Herbal Medicine), all kinds of yoga & movement studies and everything related to healthy living.
…what I learned along the way…
My passion – or rather obsession – with yoga started at an 11-day silent meditation retreat in Thailand where 1,5 hour Yoga was part of the daily program. My flexibility improved beyond my comprehension (I always believed my previous stiffness was programmed in my genes). Since then, I religiously practice yoga – and in the meantime also more fluid movement practices such as Budokon – on a daily basis.
I learned how to be soft but not weak, to be strong but not hard. I learned that living a healthy life goes far far far beyond eating well and moving your body. Obviously, your mental & emotional state need nurturing, and, rest & sleep deserve equal attention. Finally, after many, oh so many, tough lessons from multiple relationships (including my current decade long open relationship with whom I have a joyous baby boy Harper), I can honestly say that I’ve learned to communicate well and that honest relating is key to healthy & happy living.
…to do what I do now
The science nerd in me is still very much alive and I choose to combine the best knowledge and practices from all these different approaches. I’ve been fortunate to share my knowledge & practices with several hundreds of people who are still benefiting from it today.
I combine my Western & Eastern health knowledge to offer Health & Movement retreats & workshops, private & group Health Coaching, I am a co-founder of an activewear label BoerlinBoerds and I recently launched an online health coaching platform THE ZONE.
What’s in it for you?
You no longer have to search the confusing maze of how to live healthily and how to experience life fully. You get health information & tools you can trust offered as a buffet of health. Together, we get clear on confusing topics and create effective and fun practices that are uplifting your health & wellbeing. You get to connect, with yourself, your body, (your) nature, your desires for life, but also with others. All of that happens in a light-hearted yet determined way.
Three practical ways for you to do this:
Degrees & certificates to back it all up
- High School – majors Maths & Science (Barnum, Roeselare) – 2003
- Master in Pharmacy, with distinction (Ghent University) – 2008
- Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Ghent University and Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany) – 2012
→ PhD dissertation: “Lipo- and polyplex-mediated mRNA delivery and its application in reprogramming of fibroblasts towards pluripotency” - 2 Vipassana’s (11-day Silent Meditation & Yoga) – 2013 & 2014
- RYA 200 hours Teacher Certificate (Vinyasa Power & Flow and Yin Yoga) – 2016
- RYA 500 hours Teacher Certificate – 2016
- Budokon Yoga Instructor (Primary Series) – 2017
- Budokon Movement & Mobility Instructor – 2017
- Aerial Yoga (Sky Flow) Instructor – 2018
- Macriobiotics Level 1 – 2019
- Budokon Yoga Instructor (Secondary Series) – 2019
- Birth of my son Harper – July 24th, 2022
Add to that my endless trialling & erroring and never-ending determination to get to the truth of things.
