less ego, more impact
We blend business & spirituality in a down-to-earth way to revolutionise how impact leaders live & lead.
Founded in 2020, we facilitate safe spaces to be vulnerable, and brutally honest. We dare people to dream and free themselves from what is holding them back. With humour, because that brings relief, and relief creates the inner space for change.
We integrate Organizational Sciences, Psychology, Behavioural Sciences Physiology, Neuroscience, Buddhism, Taoism, Ayurveda, Stoicism, and Indigenous wisdom into programs & retreats that have empowered 1000s of people to BE ON. PURPOSE
Resulting in leaders and teams building companies they loved to work in.
That's a ripple effect we continue to spread.
"Our Western, scientific approach seems to have its limitations.
In our modern, complex world, we can no longer rely solely on making sense of it;
we must also learn to sense it."
- ADAM KAHANE.
CARLIJN NELISSEN.
FOUNDER & FACILITATOR/COACH
“I know what it feels like to get in your own way, constantly proving and pleasing others. I love guiding others on that journey to shift from ego-driven pressure to authentic power and move freely through life”
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Founder of ON PURPOSE STUDIO (2020)
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Ma in Organisational Psychology + Culture, Organisation & Management
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Worked with 500+ teams, leaders & founders across different industries.
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Blends business, nature, and spirituality in a practical way to make impact.
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After almost a decade of experience in leadership and organisational development she founded the ON PURPOSE STUDIO. With the intention to guide teams, leaders, and founders to unlock performance, strengthen collaboration, and create meaningful impact. Carlijn combines deep academic expertise with lived leadership experience. She knows first-hand that true growth doesn’t come from control or ego, but from cultivating trust, authenticity, and connection. Earlier in her career, she found herself constantly pushing to meet expectations and prove herself, only to feel drained and disconnected. Learning to slow down, trust her instincts, and lead from authenticity rather than pressure has become both her personal journey and the core of her work with others. When not facilitating, she spends part of the year living off-grid on a small homestead — a practice that inspires her commitment to regeneration, human leadership, and building organisations where people can bring their full selves to work.
MATT NELISSEN.
ORG ARCHITECT + FACILITATOR + BREATHWORK COACH
"After 40 years of guiding cultural transformations,
I’ve learned it’s not about changing minds,
it’s about changing hearts."
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40+ years of guiding large-scale cultural transformations in large corporates.
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Fascinated by what makes companies thrive vs. sink into apathy or toxicity
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Certified Breathwork Coach — 15 years of practice, 5 years of guiding others
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Lifelong sportsman (rowing, cycling, martial arts); won European rowing competitions for 40+ years with a self-organised, leaderless team.
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Matt is an engineer by degree and a lifelong learner at heart, with 40+ years of experience guiding large organisations through cultural transformation. He has seen first-hand that lasting change doesn’t come from shifting minds but from touching hearts. Fascinated by what makes companies thrive with energy and innovation versus fall into apathy or toxicity, Matt believes the key lies in creating space for passion — both within teams and within individuals. His own journey, shaped by 15 years of breathwork practice and a lifelong commitment to sports like rowing, has taught him the power of authenticity, resilience, and collective achievement. As a facilitator and Certified Breathwork Coach, he helps founders, leaders, and teams uncover their deeper aspirations and build the conditions — psychological safety, trust, and clarity of purpose — to grow as leaders, collaborate as teams, and succeed as organisations.
CIRCLE OF ADVISORS.
These 4 inspiring leaders are mentoring the On Purpose Studio Team. Formally quarterly, informally by challenging us with questions and invitations for reflection, and supporting us with their knowledge, expertise and network.
