#55: Standing strong in the light!

This time I sat down with Susan Vrolijk, whose story carries both the softness of island life and the weight of a childhood marked by silence, survival and a long road toward healing. Born in Curaçao to Aruban parents, Susan grew up between cultures languages and expectations, with a childhood shaped by warmth and family rituals and also by one of the deepest wounds: sexual abuse at a very young age. 

What followed was years of independence, imagination as escape and the instinct to protect her mother by staying strong. Only much later did she find the words for what had happened and the courage to begin her healing.

Susan speaks with clarity, honesty and an unwavering sense of faith. Therapy, family constellations and her spiritual walk brought her to a place where she can now speak about forgiveness without bitterness and about pain as a place of formation, not definition. Today she is focused on connection, happiness at work and helping others find the freedom to stand in their own light.

Deep dive talking points:

👉🏾 Growing up in Curaçao: color, culture, language and early responsibility;

👉🏾 Survival and imagination: creating inner worlds to cope with trauma;

👉🏾 The long path of healing: therapy, family constellations and rebuilding safety;

👉🏾 Faith as anchor: finding identity and stability through spirituality;

👉🏾 Becoming who she was designed to be: from fear to freedom;

Nuggets of empowerment:

🙌🏾 Healing is not linear, but every layer brings you closer to your true self;

🙌🏾 Pain can shape you without owning you;

🙌🏾 Standing in your light is an act of courage, not comfort;

Susan’s empowering quote:

🙌🏾 “I’m becoming the woman I was designed to be”

Books mentioned

📚 Tale of Three Kings: lessons on leadership and humility;

📚 Tears by Dr. Michael Williamson: the forming power of pain;

Susan’s story invites a quiet question: where have you been dimming your own light and what becomes possible when you let it shine?

Connect with Susan:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-vrolijk/  

Learn more about our sponsor:

https://reinforcer.ai/home/ helps leaders turn everyday feedback into measurable behavior change, right where work actually happens.