- HeartShips
- Posts
- When You Get Knocked Down
Everybody acts tough when they’re up! Those were the words of Luka Dončić after a devastating loss. Luka, a young kid from Slovenia, is playing in the NBA — the premier basketball league in the world. He’s not only exceptionally talented, but he also has his very own style. While everyone else moves fast and aggressive, Luka slows down, owning the court with his high basketball IQ and almost magical ball-handling skills.
That alone would be a good anchor for a story, but what he said after losing that day really struck me: It’s easy to feel good about yourself when you’re winning. The real test comes when you get knocked down. That’s when you see how far you’ve truly come.
Recently, I faced such a test. I had planned a sailing trip with a group of guys — some I knew, some I didn’t. In my mind, they were all successful business people. It was supposed to be a fun, alcohol-fueled week on a boat. But as a highly sensitive person, "fun" isn’t always simple. My nervous system often picks up on signals before my mind can rationalize them. One thing I’ve learned: Nothing triggers old trauma more than feeling trapped — no escape, no safe space.
Still, my rational mind fought back: "It will be okay, just push through." "You need to take this trip, it will be good for you." "The discomfort will disappear once you’re there."
But deep down, another voice whispered: No.
Months earlier, I had already overruled this voice by taking on a client project that stressed me to the limit. I ignored the signs. By the time the sailing trip arrived, my true self was crying out for peace and quiet in nature — not a week of small talk, drinking, and pressure.
After only one day in Greece, meeting the group, I was faced with a hard decision: Push through the discomfort or honor my deeper needs and fly home.
When I chose to leave, my nervous system immediately calmed down. One part of me still thought, "Escaping can't be the way to heal." But another part whispered back, "It’s okay. You are giving yourself now what nobody could give you when you were little. This is exactly what you need to do."
Back home, I took two weeks off. No work. No obligations. Just nature, reading, reflecting, integrating. The more I listened to that quiet, deep voice, the more I realized: it was the right choice.
Pushing through would have only reinforced the old narrative — that I can't trust myself, that discomfort must be endured. But slowing down taught me the opposite.
I even noticed how much the words I chose mattered. When I told myself, "I accept this feeling," nothing changed. But when I whispered, "I welcome this feeling with love," my body responded. My fingers and feet tingled — tiny signs from my nervous system that I was finally listening.
These subtle bodily sensations are like whispers, guiding you home.
Looking back, I realize the old life was never really for me. Tech consulting was fun and intellectually stimulating, but it didn’t make my heart jump. My heart is full when I write, when I speak, when I work with other people’s hearts and help them find their way back to themselves.
I don't know how many more times I have to stumble and get back up to fully embody this new reality, but writing this newsletter feels like a good start.
Listening to that deeper voice isn’t always easy. Maybe you wonder what all of this even means, and that’s okay. We’re all unique beings with unique experiences. But if you feel that deep sensitivity within you, I can only recommend this:
Slow down. Like Luka.
It helps to build the inner wisdom that the toughest moments are not punishments — they are invitations to build something stronger inside. They are the silent architects of your brightest moments.
Before You Go...
If you're enjoying this newsletter, I would greatly appreciate your support. Please consider sharing it with a friend or colleague who may benefit from some motivation and inspiration. Thank you!
My mission
My mission is to empower people to discover their true selves by freeing them from the mental and social constraints that hold them back, and to assist them in becoming their best selves.
FREE Stuff
💸 Break Free from the Working-Class Mindset & Unlock Your Cashflows
What if the biggest thing keeping you from financial freedom isn’t your job, the economy, or how hard you work—but the beliefs you inherited? Implementing the Money Mindset is your guide to breaking free from the working-class mindset of scarcity, struggle, and survival, and stepping into effortless wealth and opportunity. No fluff, no gimmicks—just deep transformation.
😰 I’ve Been There—Now Let Me Show You the Way Out.
I battled years of severe anxiety, panic attacks, and emotional exhaustion. I tried everything—therapy, meditation, journaling—but nothing truly worked until I rewired my mindset and took action.
That’s why I wrote The Anxiety Playbook—a no-BS, practical guide to help you break free from overthinking, fear cycles, and self-sabotage. Packed with science-backed techniques and real-life strategies, this book will show you how to turn anxiety into your greatest teacher.
Dive Deeper with a Coaching
On my journey through the dark night of the soul I had many great teachers and mentors on my side. I spent thousands of Euros (and still do) on coachings and every cent was worth it. I don't think I would have been able to turn my life around so quickly without the help of these amazing people. The value you are receiving from working on removing emotional blocks, limiting beliefs and toxic thinking, can't be measured in money.
Most people only need 6 sessions in 3 months to generate dramatic outcomes in their lives. It's not like I teach them new things or have a bullet proof process. Quite the opposite is true. I believe that structure and process can help, but in most cases you're limiting life and all of its wonderful ways to create miracles for you. I am working on an intuitive level and combine all of my experience and knowledge from freeing myself.
What my clients are saying about working with me
Clara, Startup Founder: "Through his own very real ordeal and great listening skills I felt understood and that he was able to level with me in a way that felt authentic and unlike other help I’d previously sought in this area. I was inspired to pursue my own happiness (not overnight) and today can say, nearly two years on, living in a different country with a life full of love and running my own company - doing something I love - I’m really glad we met."
Felix, Startup Founder: "Jan is an extraordinary human being and an outstanding coach. Through our coaching, he helps me tremendously with personal growth and always has practical guidance at his hand."
Zahid, Startup Founder: "Jan is an incredible listener. Through several conversations with him, I have gotten a huge amount of clarity about where I’m looking to go with my business, and how I can overcome personal and professional challenges."
💡 High performance demands deep nourishment.
For years, I pushed through stress, anxiety, brain fog, and low energy — thinking I could outwork it all. But behind the scenes, my gut was inflamed, my brain running on fumes, and my body depleted. It wasn’t until I got serious about root causes — fixing my digestion, calming my nervous system, and supporting myself with the right supplements — that things shifted. Magnesium, omega-3s, a high-quality B-complex, and targeted gut support became non-negotiables. If you’re a high performer, don’t wait until burnout hits. Test yourself. Fuel yourself. And give your system what it actually needs to thrive.
👉 Check out my personal list of foundational supplements — science-backed essentials I recommend to everyone who wants to perform and feel their best.