About Marnix

 

For my 60th birthday, I decided to give myself a sabbatical: a year of walking through Europe.
The idea of walking 10,000 kilometres appealed to me — mostly without a plan, with only two strict conditions: I didn’t want it to be too cold, and I didn’t want it to be too hot.

Why did I want to do this? Just because. There wasn’t a clear reason. It was a deep, authentic urge that came from within — a call I simply couldn’t ignore, even though it took me years to actually follow through on the idea. It took quite a bit of courage to step into the unknown and take that very first step. Above all, I was curious about what such a journey would do to me mentally. That inner journey was what interested me most. The physical challenge didn’t worry me much. Over the past ten years, I’ve done a lot of walking — before that, not a single step — and by now I’ve gained plenty of long-distance hiking experience.

And so it happened: on May 1st, 2024, I closed the door behind me and hit the road. In the end, it turned into a nine-month journey, covering over 5,500 kilometres. Yes, I returned early — I didn’t complete the full year. Not because I didn’t enjoy it — quite the opposite. It was truly an extraordinary experience. But after three-quarters of a year, it became crystal clear to me: this is the life I want to live from now on. A nomadic life on foot, as a writer in barefoot shoes*, with all my belongings in my faithful hiking cart, Wheelie — and off I go.

 

ON THE ROAD, I AM HOME.

Marnix (2024)

 

Past

A brief overview: I graduated from HEAO (Higher Economic and Administrative Education) with a major in Commercial Economics and International Marketing. I then lived and worked in Spain for almost ten years, employed by two international companies. After returning to the Netherlands and exploring different roles in the financial sector, I started my own coaching and training business.

Present

Personal life: I live alone and have a son (born in 2001) and a daughter (born in 2003).

Job: I work 32 hours a week in a management support role at a large organization that provides care for refugees. I’m lucky enough to go out every other week for four days with my tent, to escape from the bureaucracy, the meetings, and the Excel sheets — and to prepare myself for the future.

Passions: Long-distance hiking and writing. These are the two passions I want to combine in the life I envision.

Future

I’ve given myself a year to get everything in order so I can hit the road for good. For that, I still need to figure out how to sustain myself financially while on the move, to make this dream come true. Unfortunately, I don’t have millions in the bank — but luckily, I don’t need them. I don’t need much to be happy: my little tent, good food, a beautiful trail, and occasionally a bit of comfort — a shower, a washing machine, a short break — that’s more than enough.

*Barefoot shoes: I firmly believe that conventional footwear does more harm than good in the long run. That’s why I always, and consciously, wear barefoot shoes — for the health of my feet, and my whole body. These pictures are from Vivobarefoot.