Team
Stephen
Founder and principal teacher
While hiking along the GR10 on a mountain peak in the French Pyrenees, I received a text message that said there was one spot left for a Transformational Breath incentive. Instinctively, I felt compelled to follow this signal as it pointed me toward a new direction in my life. The depth and healing power of this remarkable breathing technique moved me profoundly, leading me to dedicate my work to it.
At that time, I was already a DofNa therapist, a method designed to release heavy memories and emotions from the physical and emotional body, which aligns seamlessly with connected breathing. Further exploration brought me to Soulvoice, where I learned to deepen my breath through voice and sound.
Over the years, I have completed the intensive ten-week Presence Process by Michael Brown multiple times, engaging in breath meditation twice daily and cultivating my presence. I still reference his core saying in my breathing training, which is about learning to feel better rather than just feeling good.
As a ceremonial leader for the Sacred Journey, I guided hundreds of people over approximately five years, using connected breathing as a tool to help them open themselves to deeper experiences. Often, the initial encounter with this breathwork proved to be mind-blowing for participants. Through these breath circles, I learned about the magic of group dynamics.
I have been conducting individual breath sessions in my practice for many years and started my breath coaching training in 2015. By 2018, I added an international breathwork training and developed three-day deepening workshops for trained breath coaches.
From my own experience, I can confidently say that consciously connected breathing is one of the most powerful tools to initiate transformative processes, and I wish everyone ample breathing space and joy in life.
Juli Pohan
Teacher
Since my birth in 1975, I have travelled many paths, exploring physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental realms, all of which hold equal value.
Each day brings new learning and experiences, and I am constantly in awe of the world around me. Life fascinates me, as does the human capacity for development; I find this truly magical.
After years in the corporate world, I reconnected with my first love in 2012—massage. This led me to explore various forms of touch and so much more, as I discovered different approaches to the body, emotions, consciousness, and intimacy, unveiling a whole new world.
My work has transformed significantly, taking me along paths I never knew existed, such as breath sessions, emotional bodywork, de-armouring, and addressing trauma held in the body. The interplay of the physical, emotional, and cognitive, accompanied by a touch of magic, continues to fascinate and inspire me.
To describe myself in a few words, I am a born optimist with a passion for life—curious, adventurous, a bit quirky, full of energy, gentle-hearted, courageous, open, and compassionate. My work is a way of life that deeply connects with who I am.
Ruben Oude Rikmanspoel
Teacher
Around five years ago, I was captivated by breathing techniques after watching a documentary about Wim Hof. I was truly surprised that this practice wasn’t more widely embraced, so I immediately enrolled in an instructor training programme. Through my training with Wim Hof, I gained invaluable insights not only about breathing but also about fear, behaviour, and the profound impact our early life experiences have on our future. Since then, I have been conducting workshops and training sessions for individuals and corporate groups, and I organise an annual trip to Poland where we immerse ourselves in cold exposure, mindset, and breathwork with an international group of participants.
After completing my training, I sought deeper exploration into breathing and, through various connections, discovered Stephen’s Adem en Stem program. This experience transformed my perspective on breathing and life, prompting me to operate more from my feelings and intuition. I believe many can benefit from this shift, as we often function predominantly in our heads. While we have become adept at this, integrating our hearts and intuition can lead to greater fulfilment and wholeness in life.
Breathwork is one of the safest, quickest, and most beautiful ways to turn inward, allowing us to confront emotions, fears, and beliefs. This journey has significantly contributed to my ability to live freely and joyfully, and I am grateful to offer breath sessions to help others experience the same.
Over the past year, I have been part of the team for this training programme, where I explain the physiological aspects of breathing and share additional breathing techniques and exercises that can be beneficial in everyday life.
Alice Rientjes
Teacher
As a young girl, I discovered the power of my voice, which brought me a sense of security and comfort whenever I sang. I found a way to express myself, and it brought me joy. Intuitively, I developed a vital survival strategy to cope with my home environment. During my teenage years, I realised I could sing well, which made me feel seen and valued. It was only natural for me to pursue a career as a singer and attend the conservatory, where I studied jazz and pop, eventually completing a course in cabaret. I toured with various theatre productions across the Netherlands while also teaching at music theatre schools and conservatories. It was during this time that I discovered my fascination for working with the person behind the voice rather than just focusing on vocal technique. This shift made performances more powerful and voices more authentic, leading me to study Voice Expression and Personal Development. The healing voice and primordial sound connected me to my true self and life’s purpose.
While on stage, I struggled with unresolved traumas, hesitating to fully embrace my space and achieve success, grappling with everything stored in my subconscious. Following my mother’s passing, I encountered breathwork, which felt like coming home, allowing me to reach the core without analysis or discussion, simply being present where it still hurt. I was profoundly moved that one could heal through their own breath. I subsequently trained with Stephen and explored family constellation work, bodywork, meditation, and silence retreats with various spiritual teachers, along with guided work involving plant medicines.
Consequently, my survival strategies became less prominent, and I no longer felt the urge to sing on stage. I now run a successful practice in breath, voice, and systemic work in Belgium, where I moved for love, and my life flows in all aspects.
Since 2022, I have had the privilege of introducing you to the power of your voice as a voice expression instructor, exploring the endless possibilities of healing through sound while also delving into the physiology of the voice. All the pieces are falling into place, allowing me to share my accumulated knowledge and experience with you, which feels like coming home once again.
Marko Leeman
Teamcaptain
Breathwork has profoundly transformed my life and growth on a deep level. Throughout my journey, I encountered various techniques to free myself from trapped emotions and traumas. Connected breathwork was the method that genuinely liberated me from long-held pains. During one of my breath sessions, I experienced a revelation that changed everything: I realised deep within that I want to share this powerful technique with everyone.
It is clear to me that as humans, we all need to learn how to navigate our emotions. If we fail to do so, we may appear successful on the outside, but we drift further away from our true selves. The opportunity to heal ourselves through our breath was a revelation for me, and I wish the same for others. It is actually quite simple: we can go weeks without food, days without water, but only a few minutes without breath. How wonderful it is to focus on this most essential element that sustains our lives?
With my background in music, sound work, and movement, I create a safe space where everything is welcome. I guide individuals towards a deeper connection with themselves through breath, sound, and movement. It is my mission to inspire and support others on their journey to freedom, self-compassion, and inner strength.
Lise Wiener
Team captain
From a young age, I was introduced to the world of consciousness work through my parents, who were actively involved in the Gurdjieff movement. The meditation practices and playful activities of my childhood left a profound impression on me and laid the foundation for my later work as a therapist. However, I sensed that something was missing: a deeper, more body-oriented approach.
When I experienced my first breath circle, I immediately knew I had found what I was looking for; breathwork touched something within me that I had not found before. It connected me with deeper layers of myself, provided clarity, and helped me recognise what truly matters. I discovered how breath could release tension and old patterns, create space for new insights, and continually bring me back to my own essence.
I fully immersed myself in this practice, training in breathwork with Stephen, and experienced the immense power and transformative nature of this method. The first session I led felt magical as I witnessed individuals growing, breaking patterns, and discovering greater freedom. Since then, breathwork has become not only my passion but also my own path of growth and healing. Each session serves as a reminder to be present, to open myself to what is, and to trust in the wisdom of the breath.
As a group coordinator for Adem en Stem, I facilitate the group process and create a warm, safe environment where both participants and trainees feel welcomed and seen. I maintain the structure and support the instructors, Stephen and Juli, allowing everyone to focus entirely on training new breath coaches. Additionally, I serve as the link between participants, instructors, and the chef, ensuring that everything from practical arrangements to the energetic dynamics within the group runs smoothly.
It is a deeply rewarding and honourable experience to guide individuals on such a profound level, and supporting new breath coaches feels like the cherry on top of the lava cake.
Hilde Nienhaus
Communication and organisation
For nearly three years, I have been supporting my husband Stephen Monné in his mission to bring liberation through breath by handling all the logistical aspects, including planning, communication, and administration. During the meeting days of the Breath Coach network, I had the pleasure of meeting many people in person with whom I had previously exchanged emails. I heard how wonderful it was to put a face to a name, which inspired me to add myself to the team page as well. So here I am!