Overview

An Invitation to Embrace the Unknown From muddy football fields in Belgium to a dot-com start-up in New York, from the heights of the Tibetan Plateau to the stillness of a meditation hall in Kyoto, Johan Depraetere's journey has been shaped not by caution but by moments of daring. He imagined these choices as reaching into a bag of gummy bears and pulling out the rare green ones: dramatic, bold, life-changing. Others were like picking a yellow gummy bear: quieter, softer. Yet each choice, whatever its colour, opened doors to possibility and growth. Through twelve vivid, personal and honest stories, Johan shows how both subtle whispers and bold leaps pushed him beyond comfort and into a fuller, unbounded life - the thrill of stepping past the familiar. This is an invitation to recognise the inflection points in your own journey: the moments when comfort pulls one way and curiosity beckons another. Pick Your Gummy Bear is your companion for those crossroads in life, when you pause and ask: Which gummy bear will I choose?

Full Product Details

9781918191936

Table of Contents

Reviews

'Powerful, deeply personal and ultimately transferable.' Sharath Jeevan OBE, Author of Intrinsic and Inflection, Founder of the Generational Success Lab 'This book is more than the memoir of a successful man; it is a profound reflection on courage, choice and self-discovery.' Hongsuk Kim, CEO Compose Coffee 'Johan Depraetere's ""gummy bear moments"" are a brilliant way to frame the courage it takes to seek purpose and dare to grow.' Barbara Martin Coppola, Former CEO of Decathlon, Board Director INSEAD 'Pick Your Gummy Bear is a wonderful read, written warmly and tenderly; it's an incredibly open and honest story, an intimate reflection on life and inevitably, and very thought-provoking. It speaks strongly to Johan's reflective, spiritual side, combined with an unusual willingness to take risks and his extraordinary strength in coming to terms with his losses over the last five years.' Patrick Wall, Founder and CEO of Metapack, co-founder of Centre for Education Systems 'A beautiful story about the decisions that have shaped a life of few regrets. Johan Depraetere writes without pretension about the times he chose a more courageous path. These simple descriptions of bold decisions have helped me examine my own life, with pragmatism and depth.' Tom Rippin, Founder and CEO of On Purpose 'In this book, Depraetere takes us on a journey that is highly personal and yet, at the same time, familiar to all of us. The themes are universal. He then encourages us to reflect on our own lives and the choices we have made, and to cultivate a habit of small experiments. These experiments may then in turn reveal new choices and release our potential in a more intentional way. Ultimately, he encourages us to play.' Laurence Barrett, Author of A Jungian Approach to Coaching: The Theory and Practice of Turning Leaders into People and Coaching the Unconscious: A Jungian Approach to Working with Symbol, Founder Director of Heresy Consulting 'This is a must-read for anyone looking to connect to real stories that can have a real impact on your thinking and decision-making about some of life's most important decisions. Moreover, it helps you realise that every day matters, and even the smallest decisions can have a profound impact on our lives. I will personally be sharing this book with all of the young adults in my life as this book can be a helpful framework for understanding many of our daily experiences. Pick Your Gummy Bear... five stars!' Craig White, Founder and CEO of The Better Table

Author Information

Johan Depraetere was born in a small town in Belgium, but his calling led him to become a true modern nomad. He has lived across three continents, in Brussels, Boston, New York, Barcelona, London and Seoul, and he has travelled to just under 100 countries. He has worked for some of the world's best-known companies, including McKinsey, Samsung, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and Procter & Gamble. He is the co-founder of Energy Equation Partners, a newly established investment firm focusing on energy transition.Johan also coaches scientists at Cancer Research UK and is a mentor for the social enterprise On Purpose. Johan has an MBA from Harvard Business School, a master's degree in Change from INSEAD and is trained as an executive coach. As a dedicated spiritual seeker, Johan maintains a daily meditation practice that helps him explore the fundamental question: Who am I? He explores his creativity through writing, photography and pottery, through which he has learned the true meaning of vulnerability and courage. He is not afraid to embrace impermanence and his mortality. Walking alongside his mother and brother in their final moments taught him about courage in the face of death and the powerful lesson of forgiveness. He currently lives with his wife, Kyoung, and their cat, Misty, in South London.

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