Get ready to meet the inspiring Ellen Jansen, an inspiring woman from Maastricht, the Netherlands. Ellen is a passionate entrepreneur and founder of Cheappower4U, a company specializing in energy transition solutions for residential construction. She has developed an innovative technique to make sustainable renovations accessible to lower-income households and holds a patent for her invention.
In addition to her business endeavors, Ellen is a certified coach and speaker, guiding individuals, teams, and organizations through transformative change. She is also an ambassador for Workplace Pride, a global foundation that promotes workplace inclusivity.
In 2023, Ellen published her deeply personal and motivational book, Eindelijk Ellen: De Odyssee van een transgender vrouw (Finally Ellen: The Odyssey of a Transgender Woman), where she shares her courageous journey of living authentically. Ellen’s life and work reflect her belief in the power of transformation, resilience, and self-acceptance. She is a proud advocate for living life true to one's identity while inspiring others to do the same.
Monika: Hello Ellen! Thank you so much for accepting my invitation.
Monika: I’m really excited to talk with you today. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself?
Ellen: Of course! I am 38 years old, residing in Maastricht as you already mentioned, which in my opinion is the most beautiful city in the Netherlands. I am an entrepreneur at heart and derive a great deal of passion from it. I have successfully developed a product that contributes to the energy transition in the Netherlands. Additionally, as you indicated, I coach individuals and organizations, and finally, I am an ambassador for Workplace Pride, a global foundation that advocates for inclusivity in the workplace.
Monika: You are a very successful businesswoman. How did you discover your niche in the market?
Ellen: I noticed a challenge in making sustainable renovations affordable for existing buildings in the Netherlands, particularly those with central heating systems. These buildings are often inhabited by people with a slightly lower income. In total, this represents about 600,000 households, making it a substantial market. Unlike new construction projects, there are limited options available for these residents to make their homes more sustainable. However, once I set a goal for myself, I am determined to achieve it. As a result, I developed a technique that allows these residents to generate their own electricity supply. Subsequently, I obtained a patent for this innovation.
|
| "My coaching revolves around training individuals with knowledge and persuasive techniques to become stronger than these thoughts." |
Monika: In addition to your entrepreneurial work, you are also a transformation consultant. In your experience, what is the most challenging part of any transformation?
Ellen: As an individual, I have undergone a significant transformation. Likewise, I have had to reshape my energy company multiple times. All these changes have an impact on oneself and the surrounding environment. What I have noticed is that these effects often exhibit the same characteristics. They are simply the same processes occurring in our brains. Whether in a personal or business setting, changes are inherently scary and uncomfortable. It is primarily the fear of the unknown that prevents many individuals and organizations from embracing change.
Monika: Are there any universal truths or principles that apply to transitions, whether personal or professional? When I went through mine, it felt incredibly chaotic, I knew where I wanted to go, but emotions kept derailing my attempts to handle it methodically, like a business project.
Ellen: First and foremost, let me emphasize that emotions are valid and necessary. Fear, happiness, love, sadness - these emotions alternate as we venture into the unknown. You can observe this pattern in all transition processes. The danger lies in our reptilian brain (the oldest part of our brain) taking control and "protecting" us from making wrong choices or facing unfamiliar situations. Essentially, this part of our brain is designed for fight-or-flight responses, allowing us to swiftly escape in the face of real danger. However, in the case of perceived danger, it keeps many individuals within their comfort zones, rooted in their upbringing and familiar surroundings. It keeps them away from those daunting emotions and thoughts associated with the unknown that awaits them. Overcoming this is the greatest challenge.
My coaching revolves around training individuals with knowledge and persuasive techniques to become stronger than these thoughts. Essentially, you train the cognitive brain through information, which diminishes the instinctive reactions and lessens the fear associated with emotions. Ultimately, your brain is like a programmable chip that you can control. However, it requires dedication and self-investment to achieve this.
Monika: When you published Eindelijk Ellen, was it a spontaneous decision to share your story, or were there other inspirations or reasons behind it?
Ellen: Well, my biggest mistake ever was thinking that my transition couldn't be compatible with success. Driven as I am, I always had a bucket list of things I wanted to achieve. I genuinely believed that combining my transition with success was unattainable. That was until I fell into depression and realized where true happiness lies: living according to your true identity. Everything else is secondary.
Ultimately, I spent over 25 years fighting against myself, trying to be stronger than my identity, out of fear of the consequences it would have on my success. It nearly cost me my life, and I wouldn't wish that upon anyone else. That experience was one of the main motivations behind writing my book. By the way, currently the book is only available in Dutch. However, I expect to have the English version ready starting from this fall (2023).
|
| Available via elleninmaastricht.nl. |
Monika: Many of us pay a high price to live authentically, losing family, friends, careers, or social standing. Did you face any heavy losses during your transition? What was the hardest part of coming out for you?
Ellen: Let me begin by stating that every choice we make in life comes with consequences, both positive and negative. There are pleasant outcomes and less favorable ones. Ultimately, this is an inherent part of life. However, if we remain within our comfort zones and avoid making choices, we will never truly become the ultimate version of ourselves, the hero of our own story. Yes, I experienced the immense pain of losing my fiancé, and I went through a challenging time with my mother. Fortunately, my father supported me from day one. Over time, my mother came to realize that this is who I have always been and that my true happiness lies within this journey. Every parent wishes genuine happiness for their child.
Monika: Through all the hardships, having your father's support from day one, and eventually your mother's acceptance, must have been a source of real strength for you.
Ellen: Unfortunately, I know that many people do not have the same level of support and may indeed lose individuals in their lives. Thankfully, besides my fiancé, I haven't experienced such losses. I can only say that it is crucial to take people along on your coming out journey, helping them understand the profound reasons that have led you to where you are. After all, an entire film has already played out in your mind, and as the director of that film, it is essential to ensure that your loved ones understand what is happening within you and why you make certain choices. In doing so, you will attract those who follow you in your film. Those who don't are simply not meant for you and should be released on your path of personal growth.
Monika: How did you choose the name Ellen?
Ellen: That was the name my parents had chosen for me in case I had been physically born as a girl.
Monika: Was your family surprised when you came out to them?
Ellen: Well, when I shared my story with my parents, they started to view many things from my childhood in a different light. Many puzzle pieces fell into place for them. However, they hadn't thought of it themselves; I believe they were simply too close to me to see it. And I am also partly to blame for this because I never told them anything and always secretly dressed up as a girl. I kept that hidden skillfully.
Monika: As transgender women, we often feel trapped by the "passing" or "non-passing" expectations placed on us. Even with surgeries or treatments, society tends to judge us. How do you think we can best cope with this pressure?
Ellen: I certainly relate to these feelings, but I have worked incredibly hard on myself in this regard. A combination of hormone treatment, intense physical exercise, healthy nutrition, and mental training has literally transformed my body and mind. I sense a new aura, partly due to the hormones. But also, through taking good care of my body, I've noticed that my cells have been able to rearrange themselves into the woman I've always been on the inside.
Ultimately, from a physical perspective, we are simply a collection of cells driven by hormones, in my opinion. You just need to lend a helping hand to those hormones by pampering your body with a healthy lifestyle. A waistline emerged, I grew beautiful long hair, developed curves, and acquired that feminine energy (which men find quite attractive). It takes hard work, but it leads to a certain radiance and self-assuredness. People can feel it when they see me, and it has a magnetizing effect. Whether 100% passable or not, you largely create that perception yourself. In my opinion, a significant portion of how others perceive you is within your control.
Monika: Are you happy with the effects of your hormone treatment?
Ellen: Yes, that's definitely the case, as mentioned in the previous response.
|
| "I know several transgender women who have successful jobs and careers." |
Monika: Do you remember the first time you saw a transgender woman on TV or met someone transgender in real life? Was there a moment that opened your eyes and helped you understand yourself better?
Ellen: Yes, that was Kelly van der Veer who participated in Big Brother, she was one of the first transgender women on Dutch television. I was still a teenager at that time. It was then that I suddenly realized that my dress-up activities might not just be a hobby.
Monika: Did you have any transgender sisters or friends supporting you during your transition?
Ellen: During my early days of transition, I had the privilege of having a close trans woman friend. Our friendship was significant as we navigated our personal journeys together. Although our paths eventually diverged for reasons unrelated to her gender identity, the experience allowed me to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the challenges faced by trans individuals.
Since then, I have had the pleasure of getting to know several trans women on a personal level. However, I no longer make a distinction between my cisgender and transgender friends. To me, they are all my friends, regardless of their gender identity. I value them for their character, shared interests, and the meaningful connections we have established, rather than focusing on the way they were assigned at birth. Inclusivity and acceptance are fundamental values that I hold, and they shape the way I approach my friendships and interactions with others
Monika: How do you view the current situation of transgender women in the Netherlands?
Ellen: I think we can consider ourselves fortunate in the Netherlands for the opportunities provided by our healthcare system, as well as the legal possibility to change one's gender. I know several transgender women who have successful jobs and careers, so I believe that ultimately anything is possible. You just have to believe in yourself, pursue your dreams, and work hard. I believe that this applies to everyone, regardless of being transgender. In my personal experience, being transgender doesn't hinder success, especially not in the country where I live.
END OF PART 1
All photos: courtesy of Ellen Jansen.
© 2023 - Monika Kowalska
No comments:
Post a Comment