Behind the Smile

The title The Power of the Smile came to me while hiking along the Ligurian coast in Imperia, Italy, in the spring of 2024. I was several hours into a long walk — through sun, rain, and wind — and at  major crossroads in my life.

In recent years, I had made a major life change. I had trained as an expert coach, studied near the Dalai Lama’s temple in India, and taken part in some of the world’s most renowned personal development events in the U.S.

I had left my career as Head of Communications in the Danish government and was exploring life as an independent.

I was burned out

Years of toxic work environments had drained me. And the constant pressure to market and sell me as a self-employed professional? It wore me down. I was tired of always having to convince clients, collaborators — and myself — that I was  worth something.

Then came the fire. A devastating blaze destroyed all my belongings. I was left with nothing. So I left. For Italy. For an extended yoga and writing retreat. To find myself again — and finally write the book that had been waiting to be written.

Born from Real Life

In the middle of it all, I completed a coaching program for 110 staff members across two large care homes. And something surprising happened: 88% reported a possible significant improvement in their work life — after using just a few simple tools. 

This became the foundation of my book — a reflection of everything I had seen and learned as a senior coach. My book is deeply personal, rooted in real life, built on solid professional ground, and backed by tangible, real-world results.