EP 42 - The Missing Piece Between Success and Happiness (with Denzel Smit)

EP 42 - The Missing Piece Between Success and Happiness (with Denzel Smit)

In this episode, Denzel shares his inspiring journey from a successful attorney to a life coach, explaining what it takes to leave a comfortable career and pursue a more meaningful life. We discuss the fears, challenges, and rewards of making a major life transition. The conversation explores common reasons people stay stuck in unfulfilling situations, including fear of the unknown, attachment to comfort, and a lack of support from others. Denzel shares why uncertainty is a necessary part of growth and offers practical advice on building confidence, trusting the process, and taking calculated risks. Denzel’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to pursue a more fulfilling path. By embracing change and redefining success on your own terms, you can create a life that feels meaningful and authentic.

EP 41 - What Your Rates Say About You (with Li Mulder)

This episode is about pricing, self-worth, boundaries, and the quiet ways creatives slowly depreciate their own value without realizing it. We talk about why it’s so easy in the beginning to say yes to everything: the misaligned clients, the unnecessary discounts, the constant bending to keep people happy, and how every time you undercharge or overextend yourself, you’re teaching people how to value your work. We dive into the skill of reading your clients: understanding what they actually want, picking up cues, communicating clearly, and learning how to deliver work people connect with without losing yourself in the process. We also talk about the power of saying no: * No as a form of self-respect. * No as brand positioning. * No as a long-term investment in the kind of career and reputation you want to build. This episode is about creating rules for your business that protect your creativity, your energy, and your relationship to the work, so you can enjoy what you do instead of quietly resenting it. Because the strongest brands aren’t built by saying yes to everyone. They’re built by people who know their value and aren’t afraid to stand behind it. @beautifulmorningbyli

EP 40 - From China to Amsterdam to Mexico City: Our Biggest Leap Yet (with Jim Hartsema)

Yesterday marked seven years with my now fiancé, the person I met in a Chinese class on the other side of the world. Just the two of us, sitting there in China, not knowing that moment would quietly shape everything that came after. In this episode, we look back on those seven years, how a Guatemalan and a Dutch crossed paths in China, built a life together in Amsterdam, and grew through experiences that were as challenging as they were beautiful. We talk about what it really means to love someone from a completely different background: the friction, the expansion, and the kind of growth that only happens when you step outside of what’s familiar. This conversation is about more than our story. It’s about the idea that who you choose to build a life with influences everything: where you go, who you become, and how you navigate the world, emotionally, culturally, and personally. We reflect on the lessons these years have given us, individually and as a couple, and how those lessons have prepared us for what’s next: leaving behind 11 years in the Netherlands to start a new chapter in Mexico City. For me, a return to my roots. For him, a completely new world. Taking leaps has been a constant in our relationship. From China to Amsterdam, and now to Mexico City. Every step into the unknown has pushed us to grow, to adapt, and to choose each other again and again. This episode is a reflection on love, change, and the courage it takes to keep moving forward, together.

EP 39 - Leaving the Comfort of Amsterdam Behind to Travel the World in a Van and Start a Business (With Boy Dekker)

In this episode, we dive into the story of how Boy Dekker and his girlfriend embarked on a dream to leave the comfort of Amsterdam behind to live and travel the world in a van. What began as a plan to buy a van, renovate it, and live on the road for six months quickly evolved into something much bigger. We talk about what it really takes to build a van from scratch: not just the physical work, but the mental shift required to leave behind stability, routine, and everything familiar. We explore the highs and lows of life on the road: the freedom, the challenges, and the unexpected lessons that come with traveling through non-touristic places. Along the way, we unpack how stepping outside the typical travel bubble reshaped perspectives on culture, people, and the stereotypes often shaped by media. Some of the most meaningful experiences came from the places least expected. Finally, we dive into the entrepreneurial side of the journey: how Boy built a digital marketing business while constantly on the move, balancing uncertainty with ambition, and creating a new kind of freedom. This episode is about taking the leap, questioning assumptions, and discovering what’s possible when you step far outside your comfort zone. @growtowdigitalmarketing @boydekker

EP 38 - How to Turn Freelance Work into an Agency (with Maitane Zarate)

In this episode, Ximena sits down with Maitane to unpack what it really takes to go from freelancing to building a full-scale agency. From early client wins to co-founding Noom, Maitane shares the honest realities behind scaling beyond solo work. They dive into the origin of Noom, the response to the chaos of modern social media marketing, and why chasing trends often leads brands away from what truly matters. The conversation also explores the freelance journey: how to land your first clients, build confidence through experience, and navigate the isolation that often comes with working alone. Maitane opens up about the moment she realized freelancing had its limits, and why collaboration became the next step. You’ll also hear insights on finding the right co-founder, building trust in a partnership, and transitioning from doing everything yourself to creating something bigger than you. If you’re a freelancer thinking about scaling, this episode is packed with real talk and a practical perspective on taking that leap. Key topics: * Turning freelance work into an agency * Building a brand beyond trends * Overcoming freelancer isolation * Finding and working with a co-founder * Scaling from solo work to a team @noomcreative @maitaneezarate