Georgia Carter
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An inspiring mental health expert, renowned TEDx speaker, accomplished author, and forward-thinking CEO, Petra Velzeboer is a true beacon of hope. Her journey, marked by bravery and resilience, showcases her remarkable transformation from growing up in a notorious cult to striving to find her rightful place in the world. Driven by an unwavering commitment to personal growth and improving mental health and well-being, Petra’s passion lies in creating psychologically safe spaces and empowering others to thrive.
Motivated by her own experiences in toxic work environments, Petra Velzeboer has dedicated herself to revolutionising the future of work and campaigns for positive change in organisations worldwide. With her captivating personality, infectious enthusiasm, and unyielding dedication, Petra is an invaluable advocate for this cause.
As the visionary founder and CEO of PVL, Petra has built an extraordinary career guided by her core values of freedom and authenticity. “Freedom is an important value, as well as authenticity or radical honesty”, she said. “When you’re raised in a cult where those things are not present, it becomes extremely important to protect those values – it also enables me to be successful in life and business.”
Petra’s personal journey fuels her tireless efforts to empower others to create their own life stories against all odds. Drawing from her extensive educational background and mentorship, she is well-versed in courage, resilience, hope, and growth. And for those seeking inspiration and guidance on their path to success, Petra is always eager to share her invaluable wisdom. When asked what advice she would give younger people, her answer is as succinct as it is profound: “Stay curious.”
Through her work with her mental health consultancy PVL, Petra helps organisations to consider their staff well-being strategies and develop training and development plans for leaders and employees. When entering the industry, Petra was spurred on by the shortcomings she encountered in her previous employment roles, influencing her to forge her own path.
Discussing her decision to start PVL, Petra said, “I kept working for other purpose-led organisations that focused on well-being or mental health and got frustrated that we were telling other people what to do, but I would look around, and we weren’t doing those things ourselves – sometimes even being very toxic.”
The opportunity to make a genuine change in the workplace, helping empower others to improve their mental health, is unquestionably what drives Petra in her professional goals. When asked what she most enjoys about her industry, Petra highlighted “the passionate people who are honest about their stories and truly want things to change.”
Having triumphed over the challenges of life in a religious cult, Petra intimately understands the detrimental impact of toxicity on mental health. She is unwavering in her dedication to supporting others to break free from adversity and embrace authentic lives. Indeed, when asked what impact she would like to have on her industry, Petra answered, “I’d like everyone everywhere to feel comfortable at work, able to be themselves, work flexible hours, and feel like they are safe and can thrive in their respective fields.”
In addition to her impressive professional achievements, Petra takes immense pride in the publication of her book, ‘Begin with You’ published by Kogan Page, a practical insight into thriving in adversity and challenging toxicity, groupthink and culty behaviours in a world that is desperate for change.
Publishing her book was a lifelong aspiration realised. Discussing this achievement, Petra said, “Writing a book has been a dream I had in childhood. I always wanted to be a writer, so getting the opportunity to have my book published has been a moment of great pride.”
With a diverse background in youth work, mental health therapy, events management, and executive coaching, she brings a wealth of experience to her clients. Petra is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), ensuring the highest quality services for those seeking her guidance.
With her resolute drive and extensive industry expertise, Petra remains steadfast in creating lasting change and revolutionising how diversity is perceived in the workplace. Through her unwavering commitment to cultivating flexible work hours, comfortable working environments, and a culture that prioritises employee well-being, Petra is shaping the future of work for the betterment of all.
In this exciting collaboration, Petra will share her considerable expertise in the fields of Mental Health, Well-Being, and Leadership, skills she has mastered through her own experiences, studying and practising. Petra is also eager to appreciate how important others have been in her development, recognising the valuable input of “mentors and others who have created a good life against the odds before me”.
Through her work with Growy, Petra hopes to help make a real difference in the lives of her students. “I’m passionate about people living a life that is authentic to them. When this happens, mental health and well-being improve. This matters to me because I’ve seen what the opposite looks like. I’ve learned through my own rock-bottom moments of addiction and despair that it is possible to build a good life from scratch no matter what is in your past, and I want to teach others to do the same.”
When asked what she hoped students would take from her lessons, Petra offered a thought-provoking and empowering answer: “To take responsibility for their well-being and know that it isn’t about bubble baths; it’s about tough conversations and taking radical responsibility for yourself and the culture around you.”
To learn more about Petra and her journey, visit her Linkedin page.
