Project Fearless: Meet our coaches!
Our coaching team is dynamic, driven and downright fearless! Their energy and dedication to the Project Fearless mission is what keeps our courses running smoothly, welcoming girls and non-binary youth from across Amsterdam into the empowering spaces that all our programs work to create.
Get to know a few of them here!
Emily Bisgaard — Football Coach
How and why did you first get involved with Project Fearless?
I found it on Instagram through a friend. I got involved because this is exactly what I needed when I was younger.
What's your favourite thing about being part of Project Fearless?
To help empower the next generation.
What’s your favourite Project Fearless moment or milestone so far?
Just all the amazing humans being legendary and seeing them grow throughout the course!
What do you do when you're not wearing your Project Fearless hat?
I work in product creation for Nike footwear.
Mareka Stake — ARTivism Coach
How and why did you first get involved with Project Fearless?
I wanted an outlet for my creativity that was getting frustrated at work in my day job. And then about 2 weeks after starting with Project Fearless, I lost that day job, being made redundant. So Project Fearless was a literal lifesaver!
What's your favourite thing about being part of Project Fearless?
Training up season after season of mini activists who want to create for a better world! (Especially when they come back for another spin round the sun with us on further ARTivism courses!)
What’s your favourite Project Fearless moment or milestone so far?
Seeing a lot of girls find revelation through hands-on science, and self expression through art. They really get stuck in which makes me proud. And I was also pumped to launch Fearless Schools For Climate.
What do you do when you're not wearing your Project Fearless hat?
I have my own nom de plume - Lovers & Fighters - I’m a freelance creative and copywriter.
Sam de Vrieze — Skateboarding Coach
How and why did you first get involved with Project Fearless?
I had skate lessons at the 18+/30+ lessons on Friday mornings at Skateboard School Amsterdam. I met Mérida there and she asked me if I wanted to work with her on Project Fearless as a skateboard coach!
What's your favourite thing about being part of Project Fearless?
My favourite thing about being a part of Project Fearless is meeting all these fearless young girls who don’t give up and who are just the best!
What’s your favourite Project Fearless moment or milestone so far?
My favourite moment is for sure the skateboarding summer camp! Best week ever!
What do you do when you're not wearing your Project Fearless hat?
I’m a skateboard coach at Skateboard School Amsterdam and I work as a waitress and behind the bar at Skatecafe.
Toni Kaiser — Bouldering Coach
How and why did you first get involved with Project Fearless?
Ella (another of our awesome Bouldering Coaches) really wanted to introduce a bouldering class to Project Fearless and asked me to join her for that. The answer was of course - YES!
What's your favourite thing about being part of Project Fearless?
Seeing the kids grow more confident. We’re trying to give them a space where they can truly be themselves. That helps them push themselves ever so slightly out of their comfort zone, step by step, and become more self-confident and happy about who they are. Absolutely great to see that happening 😊
What’s your favourite Project Fearless moment or milestone so far?
The kids just started becoming a team and helping and supporting each other. So proud of them!
What do you do when you're not wearing your Project Fearless hat?
I’m a lecturer in Psychobiology at the UvA and a Postdoctoral Researcher in Neuroscience at the Amsterdam University Medical Center.
Pip Williamson — Skateboarding Coach & General Volunteer
How and why did you first get involved with Project Fearless?
I met Mérida at a networking thing, she was telling me about her vision for Project Fearless and was listing off all these sports and creative activities that I love! I knew at that point I had to be involved somehow.
What's your favourite thing about being part of Project Fearless?
Hanging out with the raddest new generation and hearing their thoughts on life, the world, ice cream flavours and pets.
What’s your favourite Project Fearless moment or milestone so far?
Having cupcakes at the end of my first Skate Summer Camp. It had been such a physically demanding week and I was turning 25 on the Friday so I was looking back on my life a bit. The camp had been a full week of skating and creating with 13 incredibly cool 9-14-year-olds and it was so fun! On the last day, Mérida made cupcakes and the group made me a birthday card. It was so sweet - I still have it!
What do you do when you're not wearing your Project Fearless hat?
I'm a freelance 2D animator 😊
Want to join our crazy coaching crew?
At Project Fearless, we believe that the best way to empower and inspire our girls is to bring role models into our programs who are defining success for themselves. That way, we can show them what is possible for their own futures.
We are currently looking for enthusiastic coaches across multiple disciplines in the following areas: Centrum, Nieuw-West & Zuidoost. Our coaches identify with the female experience and are passionate about creating safe and empowering spaces. Find out more here!
Written by Project Fearless copywriter, Abi Malins.