ABOUT CHRISTOPH
Here’s a little bit more about me:
I’m Belgian-born and have lived in the UK for 23 years.
> 15 years of Learning & Development experience. Published author. Certified coach. Animal lover. Child sexual abuse survivor. Represented by A-Speakers and InspirationalSpeakers.
I self-identify as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). My sensitivity is also my greatest strength.
I spend the best part of the year planning the Manchester Mindfulness Festival (5th edition on 18 Oct 2025). An annual event that serves the community through a comprehensive programme of research-based mindfulness talks, inspiring ripples across the region and beyond.
When people ask me what fuels me, I always reply, “Life.” I believe it’s an incredible experience to be here on this planet and the journey teaches us so much. The good, the bad, and the ugly. We can -if we choose to- grow from it all. I have a huge passion for life and the opportunities it brings us to evolve into happier, more fulfilled, self-actualising people. This excitement fuels my work.
I am particularly interested in the intersection between Neuroscience, Mindfulness, and Spirituality.
And when I’m not working, I enjoy spending time in nature, getting lost in my eclectic taste in music, and coming up with awesome names for cats and dogs.
Im Abendrot, sung by Jessey Norman, is my all-time favourite piece of music.
With hindsight, I am grateful for my tram panic attack. I know firsthand that “We teach best what we most need to learn.” So, I keep learning so I can keep sharing.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
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Master’s degree (Distinction) in Teaching Mindfulness, awarded by Bangor University.
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Certificate of Competence in Teaching MBSR – this represents the highest level of Mindfulness teacher training in the UK (MBI:TAC grade: Advanced). (MBI:TAC = Mindfulness-Based Interventions Teaching Assessment Criteria.)
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MBCT-L certified teacher (Oxford Mindfulness).
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BAMBA Registered Teacher. The British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches is the lead organisation overseeing the quality of mindfulness-based training in the UK. BAMBA is the only register that lists Mindfulness teachers on the basis of meeting the Good Practice Guidelines. It provides assurance for those wishing to attend a Mindfulness course that BAMBA-listed teachers have received in-depth, rigorous mindfulness-based teacher training, ongoing monthly supervision and CPD to safely and effectively teach the most commonly used Mindfulness programmes.
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Supervisor training with The Mindfulness Network/Bangor University.
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MBI:TAC Training Level 1.
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MBI:TAC Training Level 2.
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Coaching certification by Coach Training Alliance (ICF accredited).
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I attend regular CPD events organised by Oxford Mindfulness and The Mindfulness Network.
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Valid, up-to-date DBS check.
Despite my strong commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, I inevitably have systemic blindspots. Un-learning / re-learning is essential to me and is ongoing.
GIVING BACK
It was a huge joy to contribute to a recent study published in Nature Human Behaviour, conducted by Dr Sparacio and colleagues by providing several mindfulness meditation recordings that were used across 37 sites worldwide with 2,239 participants. Paper: "A large, multi-site test of self-administered mindfulness, effects on stress regulation among English speakers."
I am delighted to be on the Mindfulness Network Community Friends Committee and support this wonderful charity: https://home.mindfulness-network.org/meet-the-team/mindfulness-network-community-friends/
I frequently offer pro-bono workshops to charities, startups, networking groups, and other organisations as part of their fundraising projects. For example for the ReachOutUK project leaders as part of their leadership development programme (ReachOutUK is a mentoring charity working with young people in disadvantaged communities) and supporting Egencia in their fundraising efforts for Unicef's World Children's Day. I also donate to OneTreePlanted.org and provide free resources, including my meditations on Insight Timer and my social media channels. I offer free spaces and concessions on all of my workshops and training courses and I fundraise (e.g., Manchester Half-Marathon for The Mindfulness Network).
