#109 Silence, Solitude and Self-Leadership - lessons from Africa w/ Dr Boy Van Droffelaar
11/15/24 • 36 min
What do you do when after having a successful corporate career for many decades you turn 60 and retire? You go to Africa, of course. And you start bringing other executives with you to help them to reconnect with nature and become better leaders.
Well, at least that’s what Dr. Boy Van Droffelaar did. My guest today is a former corporate executive turned wilderness and leadership guide who, at 60, began leading leadership retreats in the African wilderness. He has done it for 10 years and led his last group when he was 70. With over 2,500 participants joining his transformative journeys, Dr. Van Droffelaar shares his insights on nature’s impact, self-discovery, and the power of silence and presence. Join us as we dive into his journey from boardrooms to riverbanks and what he's learned about leadership, life, and love along the way!
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) What drives a man to reinvent himself at 60?
(03:30) Nature’s “billion-star hotel” – more than just a view
(06:30) Alone in the wilderness: a moment of pure stillness
(08:30) The “talking stick” lesson every leader needs to learn
(12:00) Walking among giants: an unforgettable lesson of respect
(16:30) Can nature reveal who we really are?
(19:30) Age is just a number when you find purpose
(23:00) Why true leadership begins with listening
(29:00) Love and care: the hidden strength in leadership
(32:00) A journey home: discovering what truly matters
Our Guest: Dr. Boy Van Droffelaar
Dr. Boy Van Droffelaar currently works at the Department of Cultural Geography, Wageningen University & Research. He does research in Quantitative Social Research and Qualitative Social Research. Their current project is 'The role of wilderness experiences in leaders' development toward authentic leadership'.
Connect him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boyvandroffelaar/
Your Host: YANA FRY
Yana is the founder of the Timeless Teachings Podcast. She is a global speaker, impact coach, wellness retreats facilitator, spiritual teacher, co-author of three books, award-winning poetess, and truth illuminator who inspires, empowers, educates globally.
Yana has been interviewing thought leaders and change makers since 2015 . You can find more of her thought-provoking interviews on YanaTV, an online talk show that amplifies the voices of impactful, influential and conscious people of Asia.
CONNECT with YANA ►
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/yanafry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanafry
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yanafry
—-
Timeless Teachings by Yana Fry has been ranked as a top 3 podcast in Singapore. We talk about human advancement, self-mastery and achieving your full potential.
What do you do when after having a successful corporate career for many decades you turn 60 and retire? You go to Africa, of course. And you start bringing other executives with you to help them to reconnect with nature and become better leaders.
Well, at least that’s what Dr. Boy Van Droffelaar did. My guest today is a former corporate executive turned wilderness and leadership guide who, at 60, began leading leadership retreats in the African wilderness. He has done it for 10 years and led his last group when he was 70. With over 2,500 participants joining his transformative journeys, Dr. Van Droffelaar shares his insights on nature’s impact, self-discovery, and the power of silence and presence. Join us as we dive into his journey from boardrooms to riverbanks and what he's learned about leadership, life, and love along the way!
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) What drives a man to reinvent himself at 60?
(03:30) Nature’s “billion-star hotel” – more than just a view
(06:30) Alone in the wilderness: a moment of pure stillness
(08:30) The “talking stick” lesson every leader needs to learn
(12:00) Walking among giants: an unforgettable lesson of respect
(16:30) Can nature reveal who we really are?
(19:30) Age is just a number when you find purpose
(23:00) Why true leadership begins with listening
(29:00) Love and care: the hidden strength in leadership
(32:00) A journey home: discovering what truly matters
Our Guest: Dr. Boy Van Droffelaar
Dr. Boy Van Droffelaar currently works at the Department of Cultural Geography, Wageningen University & Research. He does research in Quantitative Social Research and Qualitative Social Research. Their current project is 'The role of wilderness experiences in leaders' development toward authentic leadership'.
Connect him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/boyvandroffelaar/
Your Host: YANA FRY
Yana is the founder of the Timeless Teachings Podcast. She is a global speaker, impact coach, wellness retreats facilitator, spiritual teacher, co-author of three books, award-winning poetess, and truth illuminator who inspires, empowers, educates globally.
Yana has been interviewing thought leaders and change makers since 2015 . You can find more of her thought-provoking interviews on YanaTV, an online talk show that amplifies the voices of impactful, influential and conscious people of Asia.
CONNECT with YANA ►
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/yanafry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanafry
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yanafry
—-
Timeless Teachings by Yana Fry has been ranked as a top 3 podcast in Singapore. We talk about human advancement, self-mastery and achieving your full potential.
Previous Episode
#108 Woman’s Life - period, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, menopause w/ Divya
Women go through so many life changing situations - period, pregnancy, birth, postpartum, menopause....
In this episode, I sit down with Divya, a feminine wellness coach from Singapore who’s on a mission to help women find harmony with their menstrual cycles and hormonal health. She opens up about her personal journey with hormonal struggles, from teenage years to motherhood, and how it shaped her path toward wellness. Together, we dive into the importance of slowing down, reconnecting with our natural rhythms, and embracing kindness to ourselves. This conversation is packed with practical tips every woman can apply to live more balanced and joyful lives!
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) How Divya’s Journey with Hormonal Health Began
(01:30) The Surprising Solution That Worked... Until It Didn’t
(03:30) A Life-Changing Diagnosis After Years of Mystery
(05:00) Real Talk: The Pressure to “Bounce Back” Post-Pregnancy
(08:30) Does Modern Society Fail New Mothers?
(10:00) The Hidden Challenge of Postpartum Anger
(13:00) Rediscovering Purpose Through Personal Healing
(16:30) The Secret Benefits of Following Your Body’s Natural Rhythms
(23:00) How Simple Foods Can Transform Your Health
(36:30) Embracing Kindness: The Advice Every Woman Needs to Hear
Divya Malar Chandragesan
Divya Malar Chandragesan is a personal growth and wellness coach dedicated to empowering individuals to unlock their full potential. With four years in tech and startups, she founded Soulsisters Network Malaysia, a nonprofit supporting women's growth journeys through workshops, wellness events, and mentorship. Her passion for coaching was ignited through her work as a facilitator and mentor, leading her to pursue an ICF accreditation. Divya specializes in guiding motivated individuals through life's transitions, helping them find clarity and purpose as they strive to show up as their best selves.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/divya-malar-chandragesan-b9104812a/
YANA FRY
Yana is the founder of the Timeless Teachings Podcast. She is a global speaker, impact coach, wellness retreats facilitator, spiritual teacher, co-author of three books, award-winning poetess, and truth illuminator who inspires, empowers, educates globally.
Yana has been interviewing thought leaders and change makers since 2015 . You can find more of her thought-provoking interviews on YanaTV, an online talk show that amplifies the voices of impactful, influential and conscious people of Asia.
CONNECT with YANA ►
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/yanafry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanafry
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yanafry
—-
Timeless Teachings by Yana Fry has been ranked as a top 3 podcast in Singapore. We talk about human advancement, self-mastery and achieving your full potential.
Next Episode
#110 How to have an empowered birth experience w/ Ho Kin Ing
What’s the secret to an empowered birth experience?
In this episode, I sit down with Ho Kin Ing, a mom of three from Singapore with three incredible and unique birth stories. We met through the Mindful Mama’s Walks, and today she opens up about her journey, the lessons she’s learned, and the wisdom she shares with other moms through her work at Kindle Space.
From navigating anxiety as a first-time mom to embracing primal instincts during a home birth, her story is a powerful reminder of the strength and intuition we all have within. Tune in for heartfelt stories, practical insights, and a celebration of motherhood!
IN THIS EPISODE
(00:00) How different can three birth stories be?
(01:00) The anxious mom’s first journey begins—what was the biggest surprise?
(03:00) Challenging the myth: Is there only one way to give birth?
(06:00) The mental battle: What changed after a simple 15-minute decision?
(09:00) The power of surrender—how instinct overrides expectations.
(13:00) Beatrice's dramatic entrance: What happens when birth plans collide with reality?
(17:00) Roaring through labour—why embracing primal instincts might just work.
(22:00) Cherish’s arrival: What happens when a birth defies all expectations?
(27:00) A home birth story—raw, real, and unforgettable.
(29:00) What’s your true north? Finding stability through motherhood’s transitions.
Ho Kin Ing
Ms Ho Kin Ing is a passionate advocate for women’s well-being throughout their life stages, with a particular focus on the transformative journey of pregnancy and motherhood. KinIng’s background is a tapestry woven from experience in both the corporate world and the world of wellness. Having honed her leadership skills in Fortune 500 companies and top fashion retailers, she understands the unique demands placed on women in today’s fast-paced environment. However, a deep desire to connect with women on a more profound level led her to pursue a new path – childbirth educator.
YANA FRY
Yana is the founder of the Timeless Teachings Podcast. She is a global speaker, impact coach, wellness retreats facilitator, spiritual teacher, co-author of three books, award-winning poetess, and truth illuminator who inspires, empowers, educates globally.
Yana has been interviewing thought leaders and change makers since 2015 . You can find more of her thought-provoking interviews on YanaTV, an online talk show that amplifies the voices of impactful, influential and conscious people of Asia.
CONNECT with YANA ►
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/yanafry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yanafry
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yanafry
—-
Timeless Teachings by Yana Fry has been ranked as a top 3 podcast in Singapore. We talk about human advancement, self-mastery and achieving your full potential.
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