Aranka van der Pol

Coach & Entrepreneur

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by what helps people grow, lead, and live more meaningful lives. As a coach, author, journalist and social entrepreneur, I have always been drawn to building bridges between people, ideas and worlds that don't naturally meet. Whether through books, communities, events or businesses, my work has always centred around one theme: helping people reconnect with themselves, others and what truly matters. That curiosity has shaped an unconventional path. I started my first business at 22, worked as a journalist for more than fifteen years, co-created seven books, and founded purpose-driven initiatives such as Hocus Pocus, Lots of Lesvos and Junglebirds. In 2019, my family and I moved to the wild southwest of Portugal, where we lived off-grid in a self-built yurt in the middle of the forest. A year later, a devastating wildfire destroyed everything we had built. The experience taught me more about resilience, change and what truly matters than any training ever could. Today, I guide leaders, entrepreneurs, creatives and changemakers through transformational coaching journeys, retreats and experiences in nature and online around the world.

Specialties

Entrepreneurship

I started a company when I was 22 years old, organizing events in the dark. In the years that followed, I (co-)created 7 books.

I worked for more than 15 years as a journalist (culinary, lifestyle, travel, parliamentary). In three months, I drove an electric Tuk Tuk from Amsterdam to Portugal to raise awareness for sustainable travel.

I was co-owner of a communications agency and founded Lots of Lesvos, a culinary brand to support the local population and refugees on Lesvos.


Out of Flow

At one point, I was working 60 hours a week. I only saw my husband behind the computer. I had no time to exercise, go out with friends, or read a book, which is my favorite activity in the world! 

I felt tired, lonely, stuck, and no longer in flow. I realized that I was trying so hard 'to make it work' that I lost touch with my own passions, purpose, and nature. 

Not following my own path wasn't working for me. I couldn't achieve the big impact I wanted to make. Something had to change.


Connecting with my Purpose

Together with my husband, our 5-year-old son, and our 10-year-old dog, I moved to Portugal in 2019 to live off-grid for a while in a yurt in nature. In the wild forest, I reconnected with what is truly important to me.

And with my knowledge of NLP and Neuro-Semantics, I started helping other people reconnect with their true nature and translate that into achievements. 

For six months, we lived in our beautiful self-built modern yurt and had the most amazing time. Stargazing at night, hearing the owl's call, waking up to hundreds of little birds. 


Transformation and Healing

In the summer of 2020, a large forest fire destroyed our little paradise. Everything burned to the ground. Fortunately, we had time to get ourselves to safety. 

We returned to the Netherlands for two months. I learned a lot about transformation and healing through the experience.

Since September 2020, we are back in the beautiful wild nature of Southwest Portugal, living in this lovely house surrounded by green jungle. A perfect place to spread your wings and fly! Like Junglebirds do.


Coaching

I work daily with clients worldwide, through online and live coaching, and I lead Transformation Quests. 

I am a certified professional NLP Coach from Robbie Steinhouse of NLP School in London and a member of the International Coach Federation. I am also a certified NLP Master from Robert Dilts of the NLP University in Santa Cruz. Over the past 20 years, I have attended various Neuro Semantics trainings with Michael Hall and Wassili Zafiris and completed the RETaC foundation training. Additionally, I enjoy delving into neuroscience and shamanic healing practices.

I am committed to helping you on your inner journey to become a wiser person and leader.


Contact

Contact me by phone, email, or via a live video call.

Email: aranka@junglebirds.org

Mobile: +31 (0)6 124 77 877

How I coach

Over the years, I explored countless models, frameworks, coaching methods and personal development approaches. What fascinated me was not the differences, but the patterns beneath them. The Wisdom Compass grew out of that search. It combines insights from psychology, neuroscience, leadership development, coaching, systems thinking and wisdom traditions into a practical framework that helps people navigate the often overwhelming jungle of personal growth with greater clarity and confidence. Rather than offering another method to follow, my work helps people find their way back.

My coaching method

I work with individuals, leaders, and teams who want to grow in a more meaningful and integrated way.

Who my sessions are for

At the heart of my work is the Wisdom Compass, a science-based framework that helps people understand where they are, what drives them, and where their greatest opportunities for growth lie. I combine this framework with evidence-based coaching, neuroscience, nature-based practices and experiential learning. My approach is both practical and profound: helping people gain new insights while creating meaningful and lasting change.