Sabine Leitner – de Potter
My Life in a Nutshell
Childhood
I was born in the south of the Netherlands near the woods, into a family with 3 brothers. Being the youngest in the family helped me develop my listening and observing skills and taught me that these qualities highly facilitate learning – something I loved and I would never stop doing. I loved the woods and our summer holidays in the Austrian mountains were guided by my brothers, I developed my passion for nature and exploring new territory.
Young Adulthood
As a young adult, I ventured out to the USA where I discovered a feeling of independence and freedom that became very dear to me. I also discovered that there was so much more to life besides the obvious, superficial and external appearance. I began to explore my inner territory as well. I have never ceased to do so, time after time amazed by fascinating insights and put to the test by never-ending challenges. Not always easy, but oh so rewarding. When it came to choosing a profession, I was guided by a desire to contribute something meaningful and valuable to others. This is the reason I chose Health Care, more specifically: Preventive Health Services. Studying the ins and outs of Heath Lifestyle at the University of Maastricht (NL), my interest soon transcended physical health and widened to include emotional and mental health.
Family Life
In the meantime, I and my Austrian husband had started raising a family, and our two wonderful sons were born. Being a mother clearly shifted my priorities: being in love with my boys I only wanted the best for them and this was certainly part of our decision to move to Switzerland. So, I quit my job and our family relocated to this country, where awesome nature and clean waters are still abundant, and the quality of life is unrivaled. Besides, being a Dutch/Austrian couple, in this landlocked island, we found neutral terrain.
Professional Life
‘Fed and formed’ by several jobs in a range of different organizations (profit as well as not-for-profit: in chronological order: clinic, pharmaceutical company, university, recruitment agency, heart foundation) my understanding of organizations, especially the ‘human factor’, increased rapidly, and so did my fascination and motivation to help people develop in their own authentic way that not only leads to their own happiness and fulfillment but at the same time optimizes their value to the world and their contribution to the wellbeing of others. I know from experience that these two often go hand in hand.
Becoming an Entrepreneur
After having explored our new surroundings and making sure the boys were settled in, the time had come to pick up my professional life – as an entrepreneur this time. I followed my passion and chose to do an education in Organizational Development and Coaching. This turned out to be quite a ride, with challenges of all kind: struggles with the language, representing a minority in a group of Swiss students, and combining learning with family-management during approximately 4 years. Topping off this education with 120-page theses in German, for which I received a high grade and BSO-qualification, turned out to be a thing I’m most proud of. I was ready to start my own Business.
Rainbow Mind
Since 2011 I have been coaching clients struggling with the challenges of life; people in transformations of all kinds, work-issues, sleeping problems, anxiety, depression, chronical diseases, cancer, stress-symptoms up to burn-out…and then my husband got a burn-out. This was not only a major challenge for him, but also for us as a family. We had to find a way out, the sooner the better! And this led us to Mindfulness. The only way out turned out to be the way through we practiced, read, and practiced some more – doing the work together. And we were rewarded for it. As a Health Scientist and Life Coach it didn’t take long for me to be convinced of the enormous potential Mindfulness has to not only help individuals lead healthier and happier lives, but also to bring benefits to the world at large. In the end, experiencing what mindfulness can do inspired me to integrate it not only in my life but in my profession as a coach and consultant as well. Another certification followed (to become a registered Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction trainer and member of the Schweizer MBSR Verband). And here I am Mindfulness Trainer at Rainbow Mind. Teaching others to Live Lighter – the Mindful Way.
Childhood
I was born in the south of the Netherlands near the woods, into a family with 3 brothers. Being the youngest in the family helped me develop my listening and observing skills and taught me that these qualities highly facilitate learning – something I loved and I would never stop doing. I loved the woods and our summer holidays in the Austrian mountains were guided by my brothers, I developed my passion for nature and exploring new territory.
Young Adulthood
As a young adult, I ventured out to the USA where I discovered a feeling of independence and freedom that became very dear to me. I also discovered that there was so much more to life besides the obvious, superficial and external appearance. I began to explore my inner territory as well. I have never ceased to do so, time after time amazed by fascinating insights and put to the test by never-ending challenges. Not always easy, but oh so rewarding. When it came to choosing a profession, I was guided by a desire to contribute something meaningful and valuable to others. This is the reason I chose Health Care, more specifically: Preventive Health Services. Studying the ins and outs of Heath Lifestyle at the University of Maastricht (NL), my interest soon transcended physical health and widened to include emotional and mental health.
Family Life
In the meantime, I and my Austrian husband had started raising a family, and our two wonderful sons were born. Being a mother clearly shifted my priorities: being in love with my boys I only wanted the best for them and this was certainly part of our decision to move to Switzerland. So, I quit my job and our family relocated to this country, where awesome nature and clean waters are still abundant, and the quality of life is unrivaled. Besides, being a Dutch/Austrian couple, in this landlocked island, we found neutral terrain.
Professional Life
‘Fed and formed’ by several jobs in a range of different organizations (profit as well as not-for-profit: in chronological order: clinic, pharmaceutical company, university, recruitment agency, heart foundation) my understanding of organizations, especially the ‘human factor’, increased rapidly, and so did my fascination and motivation to help people develop in their own authentic way that not only leads to their own happiness and fulfillment but at the same time optimizes their value to the world and their contribution to the wellbeing of others. I know from experience that these two often go hand in hand.
Becoming an Entrepreneur
After having explored our new surroundings and making sure the boys were settled in, the time had come to pick up my professional life – as an entrepreneur this time. I followed my passion and chose to do an education in Organizational Development and Coaching. This turned out to be quite a ride, with challenges of all kind: struggles with the language, representing a minority in a group of Swiss students, and combining learning with family-management during approximately 4 years. Topping off this education with 120-page theses in German, for which I received a high grade and BSO-qualification, turned out to be a thing I’m most proud of. I was ready to start my own Business.
Rainbow Mind
Since 2011 I have been coaching clients struggling with the challenges of life; people in transformations of all kinds, work-issues, sleeping problems, anxiety, depression, chronical diseases, cancer, stress-symptoms up to burn-out…and then my husband got a burn-out. This was not only a major challenge for him, but also for us as a family. We had to find a way out, the sooner the better! And this led us to Mindfulness. The only way out turned out to be the way through we practiced, read, and practiced some more – doing the work together. And we were rewarded for it. As a Health Scientist and Life Coach it didn’t take long for me to be convinced of the enormous potential Mindfulness has to not only help individuals lead healthier and happier lives, but also to bring benefits to the world at large. In the end, experiencing what mindfulness can do inspired me to integrate it not only in my life but in my profession as a coach and consultant as well. Another certification followed (to become a registered Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction trainer and member of the Schweizer MBSR Verband). And here I am Mindfulness Trainer at Rainbow Mind. Teaching others to Live Lighter – the Mindful Way.