THE BAREFOOT
DUTCHMAN
CAIRNS TO SYDNEY BAREFOOT
A NEW WORLD RECORD
"I want to be the change that I want to see in this world, and show it only takes determination and two bare feet to make a difference"
In 2021 I have set a new Guinness world record. I walked from Cairns to Sydney barefoot. 3019 km along the East Coast of Australia to raise funds and awareness for men's mental health. It took me 5.5 months/163 days. Approximately 5 million barefoot steps to help break the stigma. A massive walk and talk through every City, town or village along the way to speak to as many people as possible to create change around our mental health. Showing that our body and mind are stronger than we make ourselves believe.
MEET THE BAREFOOT DUTCHMAN
Born on the 2nd of December 1986 (35) in a small town called Goes in the Netherlands.
I served in the Dutch army for ten years, including three missions to Afghanistan and have spent five years working in construction, both of which are seen as very 'masculine' environments. Throughout my time in these industries, I have seen and experienced men's mental health issues firsthand.
We still live with an outdated belief that showing emotions and vulnerability is a weakness which leads to men not feeling comfortable to speak up when needed. This results in high numbers of depression and in the worst-case suicide.
The opposite is true, showing vulnerability is courageous. Speaking up and sharing your story can save lives. That of your own, and others around you.
I felt the driving urge to change the perspective and make a change, which led to me starting my own mission in 2019, going on extreme barefoot walks to make a difference. My missions push my boundaries to the limit and force me to step outside of my comfort zone whilst using the momentum created by the walks to raise awareness and funds for causes, I believe in. I want to share the tools I have learned on my way to better our mental resilience.
I passionately believe that sharing your story creates a safe space for others to do the same. It is with this burning passion that I have created this platform to reduce the high number of depression and suicide and bring them back to 0.
Will you help me to achieve this?
ANTON NOOTENBOOM
MOUNT EVEREST
BAREFOOT TO MOUNT
EVEREST BASE CAMP
On my first mission in 2019, I became the first person ever to walk to Mount Everest base camp barefoot. Successfully raising funds and awareness for the remote communities and wildlife of the Himalayas. On this epic journey, the barefoot Dutchman was born.
"I HOPE TO CREATE A SPARK INSIDE YOU FOR THE CHANGE THAT YOU DESIRE"
Going through this journey called life I have found my purpose, which is sharing my stories and that of the more then thousands of people I have met on my way. By doing so I hope to create a spark inside of you for the change that you desire. Not only do I hope to create this spark, but I want to fan your flames so you can see your full potential and live by it.
It will be a story full of adventure, silliness but most importantly: life tools. Tools to create a bridge between strength, resilience and vulnerability that we need to navigate through our lives and deal with the inevitable challenges that will be put on our path.
SPEAKING EVENTS
The event will include:
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Lessons learned from three tours to Afghanistan.
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Stories about walking to Mount Everest base camp barefoot.
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Stories about the Guinness World Record walk in Australia.
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Mental health tools and awareness.
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Laughter.
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High-quality videos.
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Interaction.
Are you interested to hear more and to see what this means for you?
Book me here as a keynote speaker and find out.
MY STORY TO MOTIVATE, ACTIVATE AND INSPIRE
I firmly believe that our personal stories have the biggest power to motivate, activate and inspire. Stories that we can resonate with and level with. Your own personal story has the power to save someone's life. I am no guru, I am no expert or professional. I will not tell you anything new or tell you how to improve your life via the 4 or 7 pillars program. But I have lived life to the fullest. With ups and downs, heartbreaks and healings, pain and love, mistakes and lessons. In this book you will read about my own personal life story. Stories about my childhood, my time in the army and my three missions to Afghanistan. My struggles with my mental health and how I overcame them, my barefoot mission to base camp Mount Everest and my world record barefoot walk. 3019km from Cairns to Sydney in Australia. I share the stories of myself and that of the many people I have met on my way. The fun moments and the bad. With this book, I hope to create much-needed change around our mental health.
I want to break the stigma and show that it is completely fine to not always have the answers and that it's okay to ask for help. That we all go through our struggles and that we all have the strength that we need to overcome the hurdles in our life. I want to show that our body and mind are far stronger than what we make ourselves believe.
If only one sentence or even one word in this book triggers you to feel better about yourself, gives you that needed strength or inspires you to live that long-lasting dream, then this book has fulfilled its mission.
THE BOOK
“Conscious breathing is the best antidote to stress, anxiety and depression” -amit ray
BREATHWORK
In my opinion, one of the most important tools to better our mental is breathwork.
My introduction to breathwork came as a surprise on a retreat in the snowy mountains of Australia and blew my mind. It has ever since been in my practice and continues to leave people in awe of how much power we hold inside of us by simply more consciously using something that we do on average 25.000 times a day since we are born, our breath.
What is breathwork?
At the core, breathwork is a stress-reduction technique that brings physical relaxation and peace of mind. Via different breathing techniques there will be the following Possible effects:
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Reduces stress and anxiety
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Increases energy and boosts immunity
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Lowers blood pressure and improves circulation
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Helps manage pain
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Improves mood and self-esteem
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Releases (positive) toxins
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Improves sleep
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Helps manage depression
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Helps heal from trauma and manage PTSD
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Improves digestion
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Improves focus
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Increases creativity.
I have learned my practice with the master of breath Johannes Egberts from Breathless Expeditions in Australia.
It is now my mission to share this powerful tool with you as part of your event or as an organised workshop.
Are you interested to see and experience it for yourself? Contact me here.
@thebarefoot_dutchman