I want to change the meaning of Resillience.
Like the Phoenix.
True resillience has wings of fire and tears that heal.
pic by Jill Cooiman
Keynote Speaker
Are you looking for a speaker who can truly engage and inspire your audience, whether they are trauma survivors, professionals in trauma care, or individuals seeking personal growth? As an expert in trauma, resilience, and personal power, I offer talks that resonate on multiple levels. My keynote follows the journey of the mythe of the Phoenix. My presentations provide valuable insights into resilience, emotional intelligence, and the journey of healing. But I also tailor my message for broader audiences, making the lessons of personal power accessible and relevant to everyone.
If your event focuses on leadership, personal development, or empowerment, I can help your audience unlock their inner strength and recognize how challenges, whether big or small, can be transformed into sources of personal power. My talks are designed to inspire and equip people to take charge of their lives, reconnect with their true selves, and face challenges with renewed resilience.
Every presentation I give is customized to the specific needs of your audience. Whether it’s a group of trauma survivors, professionals in trauma care, or a wider audience looking to develop their personal power, I ensure that each attendee feels seen, heard, and inspired. I understand that vulnerability is a powerful catalyst for growth, and I create a safe space where participants can connect deeply with the message. By sharing both personal stories and research, I help people recognize the strength they already possess.
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, I show how we can all use life’s challenges—whether trauma-related or not—to grow stronger and more resilient. Let’s collaborate to create an event that not only inspires but empowers your audience to reach new heights, leaving a lasting impact on their journey of personal and professional growth.
My Mission
I am a motivational speaker specializing in trauma, resilience, and personal power. Drawing from your own experiences with sexual abuse, depression, and personal struggles, my mission is to help others reclaim their inner strength and resilience. Through my speaking, I aim to challenge the misconception that trauma makes people weak, and instead show that overcoming such experiences reveals great strength. My goal is to inspire audiences to seek connection with themselves and others, harness their personal power, and grow stronger, no matter their challenges, much like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Pic by Jill Cooiman
What I offer.
The Phoenix as a Symbol of Resilience
I use the phoenix as a powerful metaphor for transformation: rising from the ashes, facing pain, and finding strength through vulnerability. This imagery helps audiences see their own potential to turn adversity into personal power, making the journey of resilience tangible and inspiring.
A Holistic Approach to Resilience
For me, resilience isn’t just about "powering through" or simply surviving difficult times. True resilience is deeply connected to vulnerability, healing, and reconnecting with who you are at your core. I believe we need to move beyond the traditional ideas of resilience, which often focus only on enduring hardship, and instead, embrace the emotional journey of healing as a powerful part of the process.
Turning Trauma into Personal Power
A common misconception is that trauma makes people weak. I see it differently. I believe trauma survivors possess extraordinary strength. My message challenges that outdated narrative, showing how trauma can be a source of empowerment rather than something that holds you back. It’s about flipping the script—seeing adversity as the fire that forges our inner power.
A Blend of Personal Experience and Research
What makes my approach unique is the combination of my personal story with insights gathered from interviewing other trauma survivors. This mix of deeply personal experience and research-based knowledge allows me to connect with people on multiple levels—making the message both relatable and grounded in real-world evidence.
Practical Empowerment, Not Just Inspiration
My focus isn’t just on inspiring others—I’m about offering real, practical ways to grow and empower yourself. I provide strategies that help you embrace both your strength and vulnerability, and guide you on how to transform even the toughest challenges into sources of personal power.
Creating Connection and Belonging
I believe healing goes beyond survival—it’s about building a sense of connection and belonging. Trauma often comes with feelings of shame and isolation, and my goal is to help people move past that. I focus on fostering a sense of community where survivors feel seen, heard, and understood, because resilience thrives when we feel connected, not alone.
Disclaimer
I am not a medical or scientific professional. I speak from lived experience—as a community leader—giving voice to the unheard and bringing trauma into the light. If you need professional help, please consult a qualified specialist.
Keynotes
The Phoenix Method:
The Power of Resilience and Vulnerability
We often associate resilience with pushing through, not giving up, and staying strong. But what if true resilience lies in feeling the pain, letting go of what no longer works, and having the courage to start again? In this inspiring keynote, I will show you how resilience doesn’t mean you have to be unbreakable, but rather that you can learn to rise from difficult situations – just like the mythical phoenix.
With honest and relatable stories, I will demonstrate how setbacks can lead to growth and transformation. I will break the myth that vulnerability is a sign of weakness and explain why it’s actually an essential strength. My Phoenix Method offers a clear and applicable model that helps the audience understand the different stages of personal growth and recovery.
The Five Stages of the Phoenix Method:
The Ashes – The moment when everything seems lost, and you’re stuck in pain. How do you deal with this phase without losing yourself?
The Spark – The moment when the possibility for change arises. How do you recognize this opportunity and trust in it?
The Fire – The stage where you break old patterns and let go. How do you deal with the resistance and fear that comes with this?
Spreading the Wings – The rediscovery of your strength and direction. How do you take the first steps into a new reality?
The Healing Tears – The importance of emotion and processing. Why healing isn’t about ‘forgetting,’ but about integrating and growing.
This talk isn’t about abstract theory, but a clear, practical, and inspiring perspective on how resilience truly works. The audience will leave the session with a renewed view on setbacks and the motivation to strengthen their own resilience.
Who is this talk for?
This keynote is ideal for companies, educational institutions, and organizations that want to explore mental resilience, leadership, and personal growth. It’s relevant for anyone facing change, challenges, and personal development – both professionally and personally.
What will the audience take away?
✅ A renewed perspective on resilience and vulnerability
✅ Recognizable and inspiring insights on growth after setbacks
✅ Practical tools to strengthen resilience in everyday life
Unveiling Trauma
The Profound Impact of Trauma: Science, Experience, and Recovery
Trauma is not just an emotional experience; it also leaves traces in the body and the brain. It influences how we think, feel, and react – sometimes in ways we don’t immediately understand. In this profound and impactful talk, Iris Blue combines scientific insights with her own experience as an expert by experience in the fields of depression, sexual abuse, and caregiving.
With a nuanced and practical perspective, she explains how trauma affects us on a neurological, physiological, and emotional level, and why this is essential knowledge for professionals in healthcare, education, and other sectors where people with trauma are supported. She offers not only knowledge but also practical tools for trauma-sensitive care and guidance.
Topics covered:
The Role of Resilience – Why traditional ideas of being 'strong' fall short and how true resilience emerges.
Trauma and the Nervous System – How fight/flight/freeze responses affect the body and how this knowledge helps in providing effective support.
The Experience of Trauma – How trauma impacts identity, behavior, and emotional processing, and why understanding this is crucial for helpers.
Isolation and Connection – The importance of (self) connection in the healing process and how you, as a professional, can facilitate this.
Iris Blue translates complex theories into concrete, practical insights. She guides her audience through a realistic and empathetic view of trauma and recovery, highlighting not only the scientific side but also the emotional and human experience.
Who is this talk for?
This lecture is suitable for healthcare professionals, therapists, coaches, teachers, and anyone working with individuals who have experienced trauma. Whether you work directly with clients or develop policies, the insights from this talk will help you understand trauma better and provide more effective support.
What will the audience take away?
✅ A deep understanding of the impact of trauma on the body and mind
✅ Practical insights into working in a trauma-sensitive way
✅ Awareness of the power of connection in recovery processes
With this talk, Iris Blue offers not only knowledge but also a new way of looking at trauma, recovery, and resilience. It’s an inspiring and enriching experience for professionals who truly want to make an impact.
As a speaker about trauma I didn't want to just speak from, my own experiences, but I wanted to speak for people that have faced trauma, but don have the stage I have.
Community Storyteller
As a speaker on trauma, I didn't want to speak solely from my own experiences, but rather, I wanted to speak for those who have faced trauma but don't have the platform I have. So, I started talking to many trauma survivors to hear their stories. Through these conversations, I began to notice recurring themes that many of them shared, regardless of their backgrounds. This sparked a deeper curiosity in me to explore these trauma experiences further.
So here’s my question:
What are the commonalities within the experiences of people who have endured trauma?
Initial Exploration
The research will be qualitative, gathering data by identifying common themes through interviews. These interviews will take place either in person or via video calls, and the study will be conducted internationally, collecting diverse perspectives from trauma survivors around the world. To see if there was a foundation for this research, I interviewed 10 people as part of an initial investigation. Here are some of the findings from these conversations.
Multiple Traumas
Almost everyone I spoke with had experienced multiple traumas. For example, early childhood trauma that continues to affect them in adulthood.
Outside of Society
All the people I interviewed explained that, in one way or another, they felt alone, misunderstood, or socially isolated.
Let Down by Healthcare
Almost everyone mentioned a lack of response or insufficient care when they reached out to healthcare services. This ranged from misdiagnoses to problems being ignored or no response to the warning signs they had raised.
Proud of How Far They've Come
Each person shared that they were proud of where they are today. Some expressed this with more confidence than others, but the sense of pride was universal.
Disclaimer
It’s important to clarify that this is not a scientific study. These are not empirical findings, but rather a collection of themes and insights gathered from personal stories shared with me. The goal is to understand the experiences of trauma survivors, not to present definitive research.
Testimonials
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Lyron Martina – Director Minster International Netherlands
Iris has been hired by me for the last few years as a motivational speaker at my elections. The way she speaks is very gentle and that everyone can persuade everyone through her way and tone of speech.
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Marit Maij – Chair UNWomen
Iris participated in a panel on gender based violence and supporters for survivors. She is an engaging and inspiring speaker. Something I remember most form Iris her speech is that she spoke form the hearth.
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Joyce Otten- Welfare fontys University
I got to know Iris as a driven and friendly person who likes to support others in special circumstances. She would like to use her knowledge and experience to discuss difficult topics. In that role, Iris provided a workshop for students and that was very much appreciated.
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![Laura Vermeulen - Zo Trots als een Vrouw]()
New List Item
As a table guest, Iris shared her experiences in an intimate setting with around ten women. Her story was powerful and authentic, sparking meaningful conversation. After the event, we received many positive responses about the inspiring table talks and the themes shared. We’d love to welcome Iris back next year. Thank you for your valuable contribution!ion goes here
Speaking Reel
Workshops
Workshop: Mental well-being and company culture
This interactive workshop, led by a mother-daughter team—a coach with personal experience and a psychiatric nurse with over 40 years of expertise—is tailored for schools, healthcare organizations, and government or other entities. Participants engage in discussions to evaluate their company culture's support for employees' mental well-being and openness about mental health issues. Through active participation, attendees explore strategies to optimize the existing culture, fostering a safer environment for individuals to share their challenges and seek support.
Workshop: Mental well-being and company culture
This interactive workshop, led by a mother-daughter team—a coach with personal experience and a psychiatric nurse with over 40 years of expertise—is tailored for schools, healthcare organizations, and government or other entities. Participants engage in discussions to evaluate their company culture's support for employees' mental well-being and openness about mental health issues. Through active participation, attendees explore strategies to optimize the existing culture, fostering a safer environment for individuals to share their challenges and seek support.
