moving mountains

“You can only lead someone else

if you can lead yourself.”

A breakthrough can only take place outside of your comfort zone

SATURDAY 18 TO THURSDAY 23 MAY | FRANCE | 5 NIGHTS | €3.195
SUNDAY 29 SEPTEMBER TO FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER | FRANCE | 5 NIGHTS | €3.195

Embark on a Multidimensional Leadership Expedition

When we venture beyond the familiar amidst untouched nature, genuine connections can come to life. This is an opportunity to connect on a deeper level with yourself, others and the natural world.

The practice of walking in silence can ignite introspection, opening pathways for new possibilities to arise and facilitate the release of outdated patterns or behaviour.

By engaging with fellow leaders on this trip, you can exchange your insights and learn from diverse experiences.

Embrace the essence of servant leadership—serving with utmost dedication. Uncover your unique contribution to life, whether as an individual, a manager, or an inspiring leader.

“Re-connection with nature will be the next big human trend”
(Huffington Post)

Three inspiring and experienced facilitators

Kristian de la Riva

Kristian de la Riva

Kristian leverages his knowledge and skills as a safari guide in South Africa and Europe to offer people a deeper understanding of nature.

Katrien2

Katrien Braeckmans

Katrien travels the world as a guide to inspire people into action. Leadership is her core theme for a sustainable system.

Yolanda Eijgenstein

Yolanda Eijgenstein

Yolanda is an innovator in the fields of leadership, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning. For over 20 years, she has been facilitating group dynamic processes.

Moving Mountains is a transformative and immersive leadership journey for leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

Together, we venture into the mountains on a journey of personal transformation and leadership, allowing space for contemplation, reflection, silence, and new insights. Sleeping under the night sky, experiencing the silence, sharing stories around the campfire, and seeing nature through a different lens—all elements that contribute to feeling connected to something greater than ourselves. Here, things can unfold that might not take place anywhere else. It’s a few days of pure simplicity, with watches off, phones away, and a temporary escape from the constraints of time.

Truly taking the time to reflect… It’s one of the most valuable things for leaders today.

This is truly a life-changing experience!

We commence and conclude at Terra Nova, a remarkable location nestled in the of South France at the foothills of the Pyrenees. We then embark on a three-day, three-night journey into the mountains. Depending on weather conditions and the time of year, we either stay at a fixed basecamp, where we will embark on beautiful day treks and move from place to place, with our luggage either transported by locals or carried on the backs of donkeys

“The worldwide explosion of information creates a countertrend of reflection, silence and back to basics. The new luxe is not a 5-star hotel anymore. It is sitting with your bare ass on the ground and sleeping in the open air. No mobiles, no watches, no hurry, no obligations. Time to reflect… the most important value of leaders.”

To maximize the impact of the trail, we agree upon several guiding principles: the 8 S’s:

Safety: One of the beauties of such a leadership trail is that it takes you out of your comfort zone in a unique yet safe manner. It’s crucial for each participant to set their own boundaries for safety.

Silence: We frequently walk in silence, and during “the night watch”, silence is observed. Minimal communication is required when handing over watch duties. Carry the silence with you to bed.

Solitude: Through silence and various “sit spot” moments, being alone becomes part of your experience.

Simplicity: We leave behind reminders of the ordinary world. Watches, mobile phones, and laptops are left behind at Terra Nova. We quickly leave behind roads, bridges, or other man-made structures. We take care of ourselves entirely, carrying only what we need in terms of clothing, food, etc. There’s no set schedule to adhere to.

Servant: We experience servant leadership by caring for each other and for nature.

Sharing: In addition to spontaneously sharing our experiences, we have a daily sharing circle where we openly share and embrace vulnerability. What we share is entirely voluntary, with no obligation to speak, all in service of the group. Anything shared remains within the group.

Secrecy: Everything shared within the group stays within the group.

Sensing: We tune into what is happening and what we want to do, which direction we want to take. It’s primarily about self-discovery rather than judging others. We also practice Sensing & Nature, with Kristian sharing his experience and knowledge in deep ecology & tracking workshops.

Kristian de la Riva

About Kristian
Our English speaking tour guide & expert in deep ecology

The role of any guide is to ignite people’s passions, interests, and connections to any given subject. This is particularly important to the role of a nature guide in our current climate given the pandemic levels of nature disconnection most of us experience today. I use all my knowledge and skills acquired as a safari guide in South Africa and Europe to facilitate a deeper understanding of the natural world for any participant upon my varied tours.

I grew up in a city and underestimated my reliance upon natural systems, of which I knew little about. This realization in adult life now propels me to understand our objective and subjective interconnectedness to the natural systems that underpin every ecosystem on earth.

Based in Amsterdam I run nature courses both locally and abroad. The duality of discovering living systems on your doorstep that you had bypassed every day, as well as facilitating true wilderness adventures in some of Europe’s wildest places, is one that has rich value. Each has its place along the spectrum of natural experiences that as human beings we desperately need to be nourished upon.

About Katrien

Katrien is an explorer by heart and soul.

In various capacities, she travels across the globe as a trainer, guide, and facilitator, aiming to connect with people and energize groups and organizations. She operates from the belief that leadership, transformation, communication, and personal growth are fundamental pillars of a thriving, adaptable, and sustainable ecosystem.

Katrien travels in the inner world to all corners of our human existence, a world in itself. With her stimulating combination of knowledge, experience, and intuition, she manages to touch people with her very clear and quick analyses of groups and individuals.

With charm and wit, she adeptly navigates intricate layers of complexity, revealing new perspectives and fostering awareness. Bold yet approachable, Katrien embodies a harmonious blend of mental, emotional, and social agility at a profound level. She radiates vitality, inspiration, expertise, and warmth, ever eager for fresh escapades – whether delving into the depths, conquering mountains, or traversing through forests. The world eagerly awaits her exploration.

Some of the quotes Katrien loves:
“One’s destination is never a place, but rather a new way of seeing things.” – Henri Miller
“Turn your wounds into wisdom.” – Oprah Winfrey
“I am learning to trust the journey even when I do not understand it.” – Unknown
“If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.” – Thomas A. Edison

Yolanda Eijgenstein

About Yolanda

Yolanda is a versatile businesswoman with a big heart and a refreshing perspective on the world.

She is an innovator in the field of leadership, entrepreneurship, and lifelong learning. For over 20 years, she has been facilitating group dynamic processes within companies that demand change – whether they are facing challenges or seeking opportunities for genuine transformation.

Yolanda challenges people to develop themselves by offering sincere attention, providing critically constructive feedback, and truly seeing and hearing others. She believes that all individuals play a critical role within any system.

Working with groups, she operates on the principle of generative dialogue, where mutual respect for each person’s perspective leads to the co-creation of new insights.

Moreover, she enjoys pushing herself and others to raise the bar, delve deeper, or try alternative approaches. Her signature motto is “Learning every day,” which perfectly encapsulates her approach.

With over 35 years of entrepreneurial and leadership experience, she is encourages the following themes throughout life: authenticity, curiousity, shifting perspectives, persistence, focus, self-reflection, connection, and enjoying the journey.

These are some of the quotes that Yolanda loves:

“Dat wat je niet uitspreekt, blijft er tussen zitten.” – Frans Hiddema [“That which you do not express remains in between you and the other”]

“Gezien, gehoord en begrepen worden, is helend.” – Maria Montessori [“Being seen, heard, and understood is healing.”

“Alle poorten naar verandering, zijn aan de binnenkant gesloten.” – Mary Ferguson [“All gates to change are closed from within.”]

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.” – Dalai Lama

Invest in yourself

The price for this transformational journey is €3.125 euro excl. tax.

What is included?

  • A profound life-changing experience 2 nights at Terra Nova and 3 nights in the mountains
  • Guidance from 2 experienced facilitators and a certified guide
  • Support from local contacts assisting with luggage transport, firewood, and provisions
  • Learning from and with each other during sharing circles
  • Experiencing the unique magic of Terra Nova
  • Guided morning meditations
  • Enriching and connecting conversations with your fellow travelers
  • Delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including coffee, tea, and water on the first and last day at Terra Nova
  • Alcoholic beverages on the last evening
  • Sheets and two towels for use at Terra Nova Online kick-off session and online integration session
  • Use of single and double tents during the nights in the mountains
  • Use of a water-resistant cover for your sleeping bag for those who want to sleep outdoors
  • Firewood, water, and provisions during the days in the mountains

Transport naar en van Terra Nova

Terra Nova can be reached in various ways: by car, train, or plane. We advise our participants to carpool with each other, either from Toulouse Airport or from the Netherlands/Belgium. Participants will able to discuss this with each other in advance, in the whatsapp group. It’s convenient to have 3 to 5 participants per (rental) car.

Please note: It’s not possible to arrive at Terra Nova before 5:00 PM on the start day. The entrance gate of Terra Nova will be closed until then, as our team is preparing for your arrival with great care and attention. If you plan to travel in this direction earlier, we kindly ask you to book accommodation nearby. If you’re traveling by car and arrive earlier than expected, you can enjoy your time in the beautiful town of Mirepoix.

What do you need to arrange yourself?

Travel insurance

Kitlist
Several weeks before the trip, you will receive a kitlist with the necessary items you need to bring yourself. This list will also be discussed during the online kick-off session.

Below is an overview of what we usually ask participants to bring:

Essentials:

  • 2/3 Season sleeping bag
  • Sleeping pad
  • Camping pillow
  • Main backpack 45/55 liters to carry all your clothes and camping gear during the trip
  • Daypack 30/35 liters for day hikes (for food, water bottle, sweater, etc.)
  • Headlamp (with new batteries)
  • Sturdy waterproof hiking boots = essential part of the equipment. Make sure they are broken in and especially tested during descending slopes. It’s good to treat them in advance if they are not brand new, to increase waterproofness
  • 2/3 pairs of good hiking socks
  • Water bottle Cap, hat for sun protection
  • Beanie for during sharing circles, campfires, and night walks
  • A pair of lightweight gloves
  • Buff, preferably with UV protection
  • Sunscreen Sunglasses (category 2-4 polarized recommended)
  • Personal toiletries (toothbrush and paste, wet wipes, etc.)
  • Personal medication

Clothing:

  • 1 x thin thermal top with long sleeves
  • 1 x thin long thermal pants
  • 1 x sweater
  • 1 x fleece
  • 1 x hiking pants (but it can be handy to bring 2 in case one gets wet)
  • 2 x t-shirt
  • 1 x raincoat
  • 1 x shorts
  • A spare set of clean clothes for the final evening at Terra Nova and the return journey. These can be left at Terra Nova for when we return there on the last day.

Optional:

Binoculars
Camera
Notebook and pen
Reading book

What does this journey produce?

  • In the quietest and most breathtaking places in nature, participants are confronted and connected with themselves, nature, and each other.
  • Questions and doubts are transformed into answers and deeper inquiries.
  • Intentions are turned into concrete actions.
  • Sharing with oneself and sharing with others leads to a broader and new perspective.
  • Reflections lead to understanding who you are and where you come from.
  • Insight arises from perspective!

Do you have any questions? Send an email to info@terranova.center or check our frequently asked questions (in Dutch).