Marijke’s journey is a testament to what happens when passion aligns with purpose. What if those who live the lifestyle are the ones who define it? After seven years of building her own Marketing Agency and guiding sustainable brands with strategic storytelling, Marijke decided to bring her expertise to a new industry that has transformed her life: the world of surfing. What began as a traumatic first encounter with surfing became the turning point that reshaped her life.
She’s no stranger to Marketing and Brand Strategy, with years of experience helping purpose-driven companies grow. What’s new is where she’s applying her vision and why. With the launch of The Ocean Content Collective (OCC), Marijke aims to elevate surf-related brands through story-driven marketing and create real opportunities for creatives who share the love for the ocean. Her work is about connection: between strategy and soul, brands and audiences, and people living the surf lifestyle and the businesses that need their authentic perspectives. And this is how everything unfolded:
Marijke grew up in the Netherlands, surrounded by the countryside and lakes. As a little girl, she got in touch with sailing and windsurfing, forming a profound bond with the wind and sea - finding solace in the outdoors. When she graduated high school, she kind of felt lost, making a quick and poised decision to study General Management. What seemed like a prompt move led her to finding her inner blaze. It drew her in from the start: Marketing.
Fascinated by the power of the human mind and how emotions shape decisions, behavior can be guided, and stories allow us to gain insights and understanding to feel connected. This curiosity turned into an inner fire. She chose to focus on consumer psychology and behavior, linking it to sustainability. Then, over time, she discovered the impact of storytelling and made it one of her greatest assets. By humanizing brands, building trust, and networking people authentically, she envisioned herself being part of a big change in helping sustainable businesses thrive. And that's exactly what she's been doing ever since!
Today, Marijke has completely transformed her life, building a lifestyle that allows her to thrive in the magic of freedom. We asked her about the beginning of this journey; she voiced how her fascination for marketing started: “I discovered really early, that when you tell people stories and bring them on, people are considered changed, and have walked the path with you. So I discovered the power of storytelling, the biggest thing I love about marketing.”
Marijke had found her calling in supporting sustainable brands, giving them “a stage to grow and elevate.” She knew the career she wanted, but the idea of a 9-5 grind didn't sit right with her. After her studies, she felt the urge to break free from traditional structures and set off to travel. While being abroad, she came across a lifestyle that intrigued her - people working from their laptops, shaping their own schedules, living wherever they pleased. The idea of boundlessness, of working from anywhere on her own terms, lit something inside her. A spark that ignited a fire, leading her to where she is now. “My whole life I have been driven by freedom that I want to flow in every moment. That I can see what I need and choose when I do it.”
She chose freedom - over and over again. So as soon as she graduated, she went all in, starting her own online Marketing Agency while exploring the world. In the seven years that followed, she collaborated with sustainable brands, helping them expand, share their message, and form ties with purpose-driven audiences. Her work was grounded in intention, her lifestyle navigated by curiosity and always guided by the feeling of being free.
No matter where she was living or traveling, the ocean was never far. And neither were the waves. In time, surfing entered her life. Watching others answer the ocean’s call: playing, dancing with the sea, radiating ease just enchanted her. She craved to be one of them. Listening to adventurous stories from surfers who transformed their lives for surfing blew her mind. Mesmerized by their journeys, she resonated with one common thread: a strong desire for freedom. This passion continues fueling her with inspiration.
When Marijke speaks about surfing, it’s close to her heart. But it wasn’t love at first sight. She opens up about how her relationship with surfing evolved: After years of longing and capturing the waves behind the lens as a surf photographer, she felt the time had come to ride them herself. So she gave it a go. Marijke was going to become a surfer. Her introduction, however, came with a harsh lesson. After a serious accident during her first lesson, she woke up in hospital with no memory of what happened. She had hit her head on a rock - an event that could have ended her surfing dream. Instead, it marked a turning point. Even though she was terrified, she knew she had to overcome her trauma. Wrestling with fear, she refused to let anxiety win.
“I decided I had two options now in life – to give in to my fear and allow trauma to be trauma and never try again – or to put my mind to it and prove myself that if I do this, I can do anything.” Marijke booked a trip to Portugal and gave it another try. This wasn’t just about surfing, it was a personal challenge, a transformation. It took time, inner work, and bravery. A year of anxiety followed, but she didn’t give up. Eventually, surfing became her space for self-discovery and connection.
“When I jump in the ocean now, I can say I feel very happy and I have no fear – I have overcome it,” she says, with a bright smile. Her journey reaffirmed that we can achieve what we desire if we have faith in the process. She encourages us to trust ourselves, listen to intuition, and believe in our dreams. “Don’t let your mind fool you. You can do anything you want, as long as you put your mind to it,” she says.
Through the insight she gained through surfing, she sees it flowing into her daily life and work. Like a mirror - what is confronted in life, reflects in the water. A balance forms, where one ripples through the other. When asked what the sport means to her now, she made it clear it’s more than a sport: “For me it's like a way of rewinding, unwinding, and connecting with your body fully and living in the moment.”
She speaks of connection to nature and self: “In the ocean you only have yourself and the present. I think if we have these moments in our daily lives, we can connect to our true selves much easier, giving us more joy in our lives.” She highlights that, “being able to really connect with yourself and the moments” is fundamental. The flow in surfing mirrors everything found in nature: “You can't force anything and that's also what's beautiful about surfing. You have to work with what is given. Now my life is way more in flow with how I feel and what I need.”
She knew she yearned for a home near the coastline and that’s what she found in Portugal. A place to connect with herself, honor her needs, and recharge in nature. “Where I live by the ocean, in nature, I am super conscious about what is happening around me and what I need. I think building your life around the outdoor life makes you connect with what you need in life.”
Dedicated to the tides and swells, her days are shaped by the ocean, offering the freedom to live life on her own terms. Surfing has become more than a sport; it shapes how she moves through life and business. It taught her to listen to her intuition, embrace discomfort, and move in harmony with her body and mind. “Surfing and business are more alike than people think they both require you to face fear, show up consistently, and trust your gut.”
This rhythm led to genuine relationships with welcoming communities and like-minded souls, making everything feel natural. As she aligned with her surroundings, something quietly began to bloom within her. Navigating her own path revealed how effortlessly she could get things done. Some days were structured, others spontaneous but every day was hers to shape. Working from home allowed her to focus on what mattered. This autonomy came with responsibility, not just to clients, but to herself.
“As a creative, you feel responsible for your own life, it gives you this fire inside you, and I think it’s important for people to feel this fire inside of them to take authority and responsibility for their own lives. It’s an empowering feeling, being responsible for your own life and your income.” She sets her own deadlines, shows up for herself, and with each cycle of doing, her confidence grows. Pursuing her dreams elevates her and helps her stay true to herself. “I am responsible for the quality I deliver to my own clients is all on me. I can’t hide behind my boss, or anything like that. It's just my responsibility and I just have to show up every time. It is very empowering.”
After years of collaborating with creatives, Marijke developed a unique vision. We asked her to share some insights. She mentions the obstacles of being an entrepreneur and how, through reflection and exchange with other creatives, she made one key discovery: “Being ourselves is what makes the big difference - it's our biggest strength.” For a while, she thought she had to fit into a mold and present a polished version of herself. But the more she showed up authentically, the more aligned clients she attracted.
“Stay true to yourself. Choose who you want to be, even if it’s scary. Because once you do, the right people will find you.” This meant leaning into her intuition and letting her gut guide the way. Over time, this trust became a core part of her approach and is reflected in how she works and connects. By embracing her own space, she encourages others to do the same. Marijke noticed that by showing up as herself, she inspired clients to do the same, creating clearer, more genuine relationships. Expectations tend to clarify when we focus, something Marijke’s struggled with.
Prioritizing helps build a creative identity and ensures your work reflects your values. She motivates clients to ask the hard questions and get clear on what they stand for, as the more specific the message, the more powerful and sustainable it becomes. Finding your voice also attracts the right people. Marijke credits her success to one mantra: “Your network is your net worth.” This emphasizes the importance of investing in people and mutual growth. Over time, Marijke has built a dynamic and supportive network, both online and offline. Networking in the real world deepens relationships and opens doors to new opportunities.
Marijke stays true to herself, having worked with countless creatives and companies, all striving to shape their unique identity. In industries like the surf world, she noticed a common challenge: many brands struggle to find their unique position, tell an authentic story, and connect with an audience that resonates with who they truly are. That’s when a vision began to form.
After seven years of helping businesses build strong, story-driven identities, Marijke felt called to focus on the surf-related industry. She continues her work, helping surf-related brands grow, tell their stories, and connect with their audience. With a blend of creative expertise and passion, she founded The Ocean Content Collective (OCC). With the OCC, she supports surf brands by crafting distinctive brand and marketing strategies. Once the direction is clear, she brings in creatives deeply rooted in surf culture to bring the vision to life, creating something genuine that resonates with the right audience.
It’s a space for collaboration, where authenticity is key. These creatives, shaped by time in the water and the culture, don’t just create surface-level marketing, they form lasting ties with the audience. Marijke founded the OCC inspired by her love for surfing and the connections she’s made. She saw that when creatives work on something they care about, brands benefit from real, purpose-driven stories. As she puts it: “When people are doing what they love, they’re more confident. They take up space. They create better work. It’s about building a life that fits you, not one you have to squeeze yourself into.”
The OCC uplifts brands and offers creatives the opportunity to work on what matters. It links surf-related brands with creatives who surf, ensuring that each story, design, and strategy reflects the brand’s values and community. It’s more than just marketing. It’s meaningful work, born from connection and authenticity. Everyone wins: surfers work in the industry they love, and brands gain collaborators who truly understand their audience. This creates more impactful, heartfelt projects because only surfers know what it’s like to live this life. That’s the authenticity the OCC brings.
Marijke is pouring her energy into The Ocean Content Collective (OCC), on a mission to bridge the gap between brands and their audiences through creatives. This is the imprint she wants to leave on the world. Her long-term vision has crystallized into a clear purpose: “Uplift unique brands with the right strategy and their unique stories and empower creatives to work for these surf brands that they want to work for, empowering their creativity. That's my long-term goal to realize - to empower brands and creatives!”
Reflecting on her journey, she shares: “If everyone just did what they loved, I believe the world would be a much happier place.” At its core, she’s building what she once felt was missing: “I wanna help brands flourish and give creatives the opportunity to work for brands they love.”
The OCC is a space for connection, collaboration, and authenticity - where creatives and brands can grow together. In the end, it’s all about doing work that feels good, with people who get it.
Marijke’s journey is a testament to what happens when passion aligns with purpose. What if those who live the lifestyle are the ones who define it? After seven years of building her own Marketing Agency and guiding sustainable brands with strategic storytelling, Marijke decided to bring her expertise to a new industry that has transformed her life: the world of surfing. What began as a traumatic first encounter with surfing became the turning point that reshaped her life.
