In an interview with De AJB – Amsterdam Legal Business Day Foundation, mental strength speaker Michael Kortekaas shares his insights on resilience, dealing with pressure, and the importance of mental toughness. He talks about his career in the police force, Defense, and as a speaker, and how these experiences motivated him to delve into mental strength.
Dealing with Pressure: “First Breathe… Then the Rest”
Michael emphasizes the importance of breathing techniques and self-aware communication as tools to manage stress. Whether it’s extreme situations, such as decision-making in a police officer’s work, or study pressure for students: mental resilience plays a crucial role. His motto? “First breathe… then the rest.”
Mental Strength as a Sustainable Source of Performance
As a mental strength speaker, Michael warns against the excessive performance society where “getting the most out of yourself” seems to be the norm. In his book Discover Your Mental Strength, he offers a realistic and sustainable alternative to popular mindset theories. His message to students and professionals: work hard, but don’t forget to rest and choose for yourself.
Read the Full Interview
Curious to learn more? Read the full interview here.
You can find more about Michael Kortekaas as a mental strength speaker here. For more information about, and to order his book, you can go here.
About AJB
The Amsterdam Legal Business Day is THE event for law students who want to explore the legal job market. Whether you’re at the beginning of your studies or in the final phase, this day offers you a unique opportunity to get acquainted with a wide range of employers from the legal sector. This year, the event takes place on Friday, March 14, 2025, in the iconic Johan Cruijff ArenA.
Find out more about the AJB and the event here
Michael Kortekaas is the speaker at this year’s event.
