Ella & Geert
Who are we and what motivated us to change our lives?
Hi, I am Ella, a Nijmegen native from the Netherlands with two older sisters and a grown daughter. From a young age, my love for travel was ignited by family trips to theme parks, picnics in the woods, and winter sports adventures. However, our annual summer vacations to Southern Europe hold a special place in my heart, despite the bittersweet feeling of returning home.
I enjoyed a fulfilling childhood and school experience, surrounded by family and friends in Nijmegen. My professional journey led me to work as a contract manager at an international software company, where I met Geert in 2012. After two years of commuting from Nijmegen to Amsterdam.
I made the move in 2014 and sought new opportunities and found a great new job close to Amsterdam. In my final working years, I focused on the automotive sector and sustainability, collaborating on the recycling and reuse of raw materials of Lithium-ion batteries at Auto Recycling Netherlands, contributing to the circular economy.
Geert and I share a passion for travel, while I also indulge in running and photography. Although I’m not typically one to share personal stories, I invite you to get to know me better through the website or Instagram. If you have any queries, feel free to reach out via the contact form.
Hi, I am Geert – sports enthusiast, adventurer, and traveler at heart. Born and raised in Amsterdam, the city has been my home for most of my life. I am also a “proud ‘father figure’ to Jacqueline, who, while not my biological daughter, is someone I’ve largely raised and consider my own.
From an early age, I have always been passionate about sports – playing, coaching, and watching. Tennis has been a lifelong love; I started playing as a kid and even spent years as a tennis trainer and coach. In recent years, golf has become my new addiction – there’s something incredibly satisfying about hitting the perfect shot. I have always been active, whether it’s running, fitness, or just enjoying the beauty of movement. Even after getting a titanium hip in 2013, staying fit and enjoying sports remain a big part of who I am.
When it comes to watching sports, my heart beats fastest for Ajax, the pride of Amsterdam. And really, if there’s a ball involved, you can count me in! The adventurous side of me has always been there. I spent time living and working in Boston, USA, and I have always been drawn to the broader world beyond my doorstep. That sense of curiosity and exploration brought us here – into this incredible booming journey.
But enough about me for now! Follow us here on The Booming Journey or on our other channels, and you’ll get to know all about me, Ella, and our life as we explore the world.
And together we are Ella & Geert
It all began in the spring of 2012 when we met at work…
A few years later, when Ella’s daughter left for college, it felt like the right time for Ella to move to Amsterdam. We started our life together in Geert’s apartment in the city. While it was a wonderful first step, but we dreamed of having a little more space, a garden, and a quieter lifestyle just outside Amsterdam.
In 2015, we turned that wish into reality. We sold our apartment in Amsterdam, along with our house in Florida, and moved to a beautiful new home in Abcoude. For nearly four years, we lived there with great joy.
But as they say, life is an adventure—and in September 2020, our greatest adventure began. If you’ve read our story so far, you now know why we no longer call Abcoude home. We travel the world and often say: “The world is our garden”.
And that’s exactly how it feels. Every day, we have the freedom to make our own choices, to explore new places, and to live life on our own terms. That freedom is our greatest wealth.
We have let go of material possessions because, for us, true fulfillment lies in the experiences we share and the freedom we feel.
“The Journey is our Home”