I’d like to welcome Machiel Hoek to the blog for #WriterWednesday!

Things you never want to run out of:

Love, gratefulness, positivity, empathy, kindness, humor, clean air, clean water and good food

Things you wish you’d never bought:

A brand new big sailing yacht, rewarding myself for the hard work and based upon the anticipated financial income that would come my way, which it didn’t, due to a profound choice I made (to follow my heart and write my book). I liked the yacht a lot, but had to sell it after 2 years for almost half the price I paid…

A few of your favorite things:

I just love to celebrate life every day through my five senses. And, especially through eating, drinking and listening. So I really love my Italian espresso machine and my audio gear, not for what they are, but for what they bring me: utmost pleasure!

Things you need to throw out:

All papers and things spread-out on the desk, floor and everywhere around my study, which thus is the exact opposite of a Zen-room…

Things you need for your writing sessions:

Time, rest and an open, empty mind. Not-thinking, not-wanting, not-trying.

Things that hamper your writing:

To-do-lists, obligations, thoughts, frustrations….

Favorite music or song:

The 2nd piano concerto of Rachmaninov

Music that drives you crazy:

Dutch schlagers.

Favorite smell:

The smell of freshly-mown grass on a Spring morning… what could beat that?

Something that makes you hold your nose:

Cheap, synthetic perfumes that never seem to fade…

People you’d like to invite to dinner:

Cleopatra. Ronald Reagan. A “witch” from medieval times. My deceased father. My wife. Miika, my little boy at how he is in 20 years from now (I’m so curious!). And, finally, Lisa, the daughter that I will never know in my life.

People you’d cancel dinner on:

Any dictator, any big ego, any energy-drain.

Best thing you’ve ever done:

Listening to my inner voice and heart by changing my life 180 degrees, which brought me a new life, the rebirth of my true self, a sparkling relationship, and fatherhood…

Biggest mistake:

I would like to say: “not listening to my inner voice and heart all those times before”, but then I wouldn’t have my current life. I believe in divine timing.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done:

Choosing for myself, giving up my company, my financial security and telling my wife after 24 years of relationship that I wanted to go my own way, without her.

Something you chickened out from doing:

Having a large spider walk on my arm. Some of my readers told me my book has finally helped them from their fear of spiders, but I’m not there yet…

The coolest person you’ve ever met:

Actually, that has got to be Stedman Graham, Oprah’s partner. He’s so cool as he totally, 100%, is walking his talk. He is genuine, true and stays true to his message and mission on identity leadership. I admire him for that.

The celebrity who didn’t look like he/she did in pictures/video:

Sir Richard Branson. I went to an expensive seminar, just to see him talk. He was the last speaker on the agenda, and all speakers before him just filled the room, made a huge impression. When Richard stepped on stage, he didn’t. I felt underwhelmed. He was doing his talk, improvising, being nice and funny. And only then I got it: he didn’t have to make an impression. He was just a true human being, no ego, not at all (indeed, like Stedman Graham). That insight changed my day, and changed my perception of this wonderful fellow.

The nicest thing a reader said to you:

“Thank you for writing your book; I now understand my childhood, I now understand my parents, I now finally understand my life!”

The craziest thing a reader said to you:

“Your book saved my marriage”

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books:

Once in San Francisco, getting into a local coffee shop, a homeless, somewhat handicapped man drew my attention. I went into the shop, got a cappuccino for him and me, approached him and asked him how I could help him. He gracefully accepted the cappuccino and started talking about how he got here. Long story short: he was hit by lightning twice! He showed my newspaper articles backing up his story. In my book, he appears as homeless Rick, a former teacher who got hit by lightning twice as well.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not:

Lisa’s father has made a huge mistake in his life, causing severe damage. As it appears as an ominous undertone throughout the story, some people think this is about me. Luckily, it isn’t.

About Machiel:

As a young boy, Machiel Hoek didn't understand the world at all. Why was there so much suffering, why was he bullied at school for being himself? At the age of 7, he decided he wanted to discover the secret of life.

But then the so-called real world stepped in, meaning school and study. After university, he worked as CPA, entrepreneur and international CEO for over 20 years. At some point, a large sum of money was waiting for him if he would stay on for just two more years. "Ah, then I can finally go on the quest to discover this secret of life", he thought. But at that moment, his heart kicked in and told him: "No, you have to do it NOW, or you will never do it".

By listening to his heart, the bag of money would disappear. But what is worth more? So Machiel complied with his heart, changed his entire life, and went on the quest to discover the secret of life. He found his, and through his bestselling book "The Girl Who Changed The World" he now helps others to find theirs.

Let’s Be Social:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/machiel.hoek

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/machielhoek/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/machielhoek/

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/machielhoek

Website: http://www.machielhoek.com/