A fresh start with Charged: a journey toward health, balance, and meaning
Interview with one of our co-founders, Niek Karsmakers.
What if a healthy lifestyle isn't a destination, but something you build every day, step by step?
Since taking a step back from Aimforthemoon, I devoted myself entirely to searching for something new. I was ready for a new purpose, my next big adventure. But despite all the interesting books, podcasts, ideas, and conversations I had with coaches and mentors, the direction remained unclear (see, among others, S01E4, S01E05, and S01E07). I just couldn't figure it out by thinking about it alone. So I decided to take a different approach and went back to my body. I focused on a healthier lifestyle, started simply feeling instead of forcing, and, without immediately realizing it, I found exactly the direction I was looking for.
Perhaps it also has something to do with my age. I recently turned forty—still young to some, immensely mature to others. For me, it was a bit of both. I realized that my body had always taken care of me until now, but that it was time to take on that responsibility myself. This time, not as a project with an end goal, but as a lifelong commitment to myself.
Conversations revealed that I was not the only one seeking a healthy balance between body and mind. I was already in the process of setting up a new personal health company, Charged. My own experiences and insights turned this into more than just an idea for me. Helping people live healthier and more energetic lives, both physically and mentally, became a long-term mission.
Stop and really listen
The realization that Charged is my new direction was also made possible because I finally had the space to pause and reflect. In that quiet moment, something became very clear: my quest for success had actually pushed me further away from my own balance. For years, I followed intensive training schedules and diets, pursuing extreme sporting goals. There's nothing wrong with that in itself—I love a challenge—but all that time, I overlooked something important: I was only listening to external advisors and not to my own body.
Why healthy habits aren't as easy as they seem
We all know the rules for healthy living: daily exercise, healthy eating, sufficient relaxation, and enough sleep. This is nothing new. Yet I see that many people feel overwhelmed by an overload of obligations and get stuck. In fact, more than half of the Dutch population is objectively unhealthy, resulting in lifestyle diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, and heart failure. The problem is often not knowledge—we really do know what we need to do—but how to translate this knowledge into a workable daily routine that you can maintain. That is one of the biggest challenges: how do you maintain a healthy lifestyle when work, family, and social obligations also demand your attention?
The new adventure: Charged as your travel companion
Charged isn't just another health program, but a lifestyle partner that makes health accessible and sustainable. Our "Measure, Know, Do" principle brings health back to basics: we start with objective health measurements using the latest technology and combine this with your personal story and challenges. By combining objective data with your own insights, we build a plan that not only works in theory, but really fits your life and circumstances.
Sustainable health: climbing a mountain one step at a time
We see behavioral change as akin to mountain climbing: it is not about the leap to the summit, but about the small, consistent steps you take every day. Our experience shows that with the right guidance, people can build healthy habits step by step. We have already guided many individuals who are now proudly seeing their progress and noticing that their energy and resilience have grown.
My four personal pillars of sustainable health
Health is actually the prerequisite for making the valuable things in life possible. What those things are differs from person to person. And health also has a unique meaning for everyone; everyone has their own blueprint for optimal personal health. For me, these are the four pillars that I use:
Exercise: For years, exercise was a way for me to perform. I trained intensively, convinced that "more is always better." Now I know that this doesn't work. Charged taught me that exercise isn't about the hardest workout or the biggest challenge, but about ways of moving that support my body. I still love challenges, but now I only do them for fun, not because I think I "have to" for my health.
In my current routine, I aim to walk 10,000 steps every day (or cycle the equivalent) and do strength training three times a week. I also leave the car at home more often and take my bike instead. This approach helps me stay fit without putting unnecessary strain on my body, and it fits seamlessly into my daily life.
Nutrition: For me, nutrition was always a matter of "what gives the best results," by which I meant fat and weight loss. I wanted a body I was happy with and measured that by my weight. Extreme diets, supplements, superfoods—I tried them all. Recent research showed that I had been living with celiac disease (severe gluten intolerance) since childhood without realizing it. Now I understand that nutrition is not about restrictions, but about eating nutritious foods that give me energy and suit my body. Thanks to Charged, I make realistic choices that support me, without constantly counting calories.
In my current routine, I consciously choose food without restrictions (except for gluten, which is already quite a challenge), with as many unprocessed, basic ingredients as possible. I make sure that every meal has a good balance of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, with a special focus on sufficient protein. My extreme sugar cravings have disappeared. I also drink much less alcohol and much more water than before, which helps me feel more energetic and clear-headed.
Mental health and rest: Rest is not a luxury, but an essential part of health. I always thought of this in terms of physical rest, but now I know that it also involves emotional, mental, social, sensory, and creative rest. Charged has helped me realize this, and it helps me to build moments of rest and recovery into my busy schedule. Recently, I have learned how important it is to press the pause button regularly.
In my current routine, I try to spend less time on my phone and laptop. The 10,000 steps per day almost always result in an evening walk, which helps me end the day peacefully. I also seek out nature more often to relax—it brings me balance and really helps me unwind and recharge. In addition, I periodically visit a retreat that focuses on breathing techniques and plant ceremonies, which helps me experience a deeper level of peace.
Meaning and intrinsic motivation: What helped me most was rediscovering why I want to be healthy. Not just for appearances, because it's in a book, or because someone says I should, but purely for myself and my loved ones. I now feel a strong connection to what is truly important to me. Every step towards health feels like a conscious choice I make for my own well-being, not something that is imposed on me. And I can then pass on that energy to the people around me, which adds extra value to those choices for me.
There is nothing more satisfying than realizing that building Charged is perfectly aligned with this personal vision. Of course, I am not doing this alone, but together with inspiring partners: Marleen, Jesse, Mark, and Evert. Charged not only feels like my purpose; it is an extension of my own journey and the values that I hold dear in my life. It makes every step in this adventure, both personal and professional, a little more meaningful and reinforces my belief that I am on the right path.
Charged: not yet another health program
Charged is not just any program; it is your lifestyle partner that supports you and travels with you. No standard programs, but a personalized approach that fits your life, body, and goals perfectly. We believe that healthy habits should not be an extra burden, but rather a valuable enrichment.
Our healthy habits coaches are there to guide, motivate, and support you. They use the latest health technology and insights into behavioral change to help you not only achieve your goals, but also maintain them, even when things get tough. You take the steps; we help you keep going and stay on track. This is the Charged effect: healthy habits as a fixed, supportive part of your life. Are you looking for a quick fix? Then you've come to the wrong place. We believe in sustainable, step-by-step change.
Charged for businesses: healthy teams for a strong organization
Lately, I have spoken to many entrepreneurs who are struggling with burnout and absenteeism within their teams. Working from home for long periods of time reduces connectedness, while the pressure to perform remains high. With Charged, we want to help companies tackle these challenges. Healthy employees are not only less likely to get sick, they are also happier, more engaged, and more productive. Our experience in the B2C market has proven that sustainable behavioral change is possible when people receive the right guidance. We apply this experience to companies so that teams can remain not only physically but also mentally healthy.
Charged: more than business, a new purpose
Charged is my "next big thing"; my new purpose. It helps me to be meaningful, both to myself and to others. Charged shows that health is not about perfection, but about gradual progress and learning to feel what your body and mind really need.
I invite you to become part of this journey. What does health mean to you? What works for you, and what are your challenges, for yourself or within your team? Let's share our stories and insights and inspire each other. Charged is here to embark on that journey together, so that health is no longer a struggle, but a source of energy, pride, and connection. I would love to discuss this with you.
Are you ready to take the first step—for yourself or for your team? Discover what Charged can do for your life at charged.health, and let's build a healthier future together.
