This is us
True happiness isn’t something you find.
It is something you grow.
We all want to live a good life. But how do you do that when your hormones are hijacking your body, your mind is going a hundred miles an hour and your to-do list won’t stop growing? That is the question Hanneke started askign and writing about.
Her Dutch book Help het loslaten begint struck a cord with thousands of Dutch readers. Honest, funny and refreshingly real. It was more than a diary about menopause. It was a companion through the wild and wonderful landscape of midlife.
And now, we are bringing that journey to a wider audience. In English.
This space is where we (Hanneke & Cindy) blend personal stories with thoughtful reflections and sprinkle in a healthy dose of wellness, laughter and ‘me-too’ moments. It’s about navigating midlife with open eyes, a sense of humour and a little more kindness – to ourselves and each other.
We are so glad you’re here.
Meet Hanneke van Gompel
Author • Coach • Inspirator
After 15 years in the corporate world, Hanneke van Gompel made a bold switch: she swapped structure and spreadsheets for soul work. Since 2001, she’s worked as a coach, author and founder of De Inspiratiebron (The Inspiration Source), helping others navigate life’s big transitions with courage, clarity and a whole lot of heart.
Through her books, calendars and daily inspirations, Hanneke has encouraged thousands of women to reconnect with themselves – to move from head to heart, from perfectionism to presence and from control to trust.
Her writing is personal, funny and deeply honest. Whether she’s talking about menopause, motherhood, or midlife reinvention, she brings a gentle kind of wisdom that feels like sitting down with an old friend.
The Dutch version of Hot Flushes Diary (originally titled Help! het loslaten begint) quickly became a beloved bestseller in the Netherlands. But to Hanneke, this book isn’t just about her story. It’s about connecting women everywhere through shared experience, laughter and a sense of “finally, someone gets it.”
Meet Cindy Beeren
Wellness explorer: From food science to smarter ageing
Trained as a food scientist and two decades in the global food industry, Cindy brings a unique perspective to the conversation around midlife, health and ageing. Born and raised in the Netherlands, she has lived in France, the UK and now Spain, where she shares a home (and a mini animal farm!) with her husband and two daughters.
Cindy’s passion for health and wellbeing deepened after relocating to Spain, where the Mediterranean lifestyle offered a slower pace and a fresh perspective. Her mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis sparked a deeper interest in ageing well – and in how food, lifestyle, and mindset shape our long-term wellbeing.
When she read the Dutch version of Hot Flushes Diary, it struck a personal chord. She knew instantly it needed to be shared with English-speaking women too. As translator and collaborator, Cindy worked closely with Hanneke to preserve the humour, heart and honesty of the original – making sure every page felt just as relatable in English as it did in Dutch.
Today, her work sits at the intersection where science meets soul bridging research with real life and bringing curiosity, warmth and insight to the messy, magical journey of midlife.
We'd love to hear from you
Reach out with any questions, feedback, or just to connect – we’re all ears.