Esther de Brouwer is a psychologist and entrepreneur with a big passion for lifestyle. She is a mother of three boys and lives in Amsterdam. She grew up in the south of Holland as a daughter of entrepreneurs. In her free time, she loves to do yoga and be around friends and family.
Tell us about your life before the venture/ leading up to your venture?
During my study of Psychology, I knew that for a change in lifestyle a new approach was necessary in the areas of body, food and mind. After completing my next study, cognitive behavioural therapy, I worked in the business field. My heart, however, was in sustainable lifestyle change. I wanted to be able to offer this to women in a safe and comfortable environment in which they could work on their health step by step and where her other passions, sport and healthy nutrition could also play an important role. Through my studies and experiences I realised that change starts with a healthy mindset and a holistic approach. Slowly a dream formed to start a holistic gym based on the perceptions of women. The dream became reality with the opening of the studios in 2008 in Amsterdam and Utrecht.
Tell us something about your organization. What is it about and how is it helpful for people?
We are a women’s gym with coaching where you can work on your health and a healthy mindset in a targeted way. We offer yoga, Pilates, HIIT, TRX and food & lifestyle coaching. Unique to bbb are the workouts in heat. Effective 30 minute pilates, HIIT, yoga and power workouts in the hot cabin. Working out in the heat is good for the circulation, is nice for the muscles and has a cleansing effect. Every woman is different and has her own needs. That is why we have different programs that suit every goal and every phase: Slim, shape, recover, mama (to be), menopause.
What has been the response of the consumers towards your venture?
In the last 15 years we grew from 2 till 9 locations. Our consumers like us for our holistic approach, gentle coaching and safe environment. They rate us with 5 starts on google.
How has your life changed because of your venture?
It gave me a playground to share all my insights about health and lifestyle with our audience. To inspire them to live a full and happy life. By creating your own business culture you are kind of creating your own mini world with our own values. I’m so grateful that i can live in such a safe and friendly atmosphere.
Give a motivational message for the audience/women who are reading this.
Living a healthy, happy, conscious and energetic life takes more than a regular visit to the gym. Body, food and mind are inextricably linked, which is why our approach is holistic and personal. Regular exercise and healthy eating creates a clearer mind and more happy feelings. Conversely, a positive attitude to life automatically leads to a more active life, a healthier diet, and more exercise. In other words: everything is connected.
