ABOUT ME
In September 2017, just a few days before to give birth to my second son Tim, I got a chalazion in my left eye, which turned into a chronic inflammation of both my eyelids. My eyelids are red, itchy and swollen since then and make-up is making it only worse, so I’m wearing that only occasionally now.
As my eyes mean everything to me, and since I’m convinced that things in life happen for a reason, I started my journey to find a cure for this...
“Turn Your Wounds
Into Wisdom“
— Oprah Winfrey
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What does this have to do with the voice?
Well, I went to several (eye) doctors and tried several therapies (like acupuncture), (natural) eye products, nutritional supplements, etc., but nothing really helped. While I was reading articles and books, searching for a cure, the vagus nerve popped up a lot of times. I already knew that the vagus nerve was the motor function of the vocal folds, but I also discovered that vagus nerve dysfunction could cause many health issues (chronic inflammation among others) and that I was able to stimulate the vagus nerve with my own voice! This gave me a whole different and profound perspective on the voice and its functions!
My eyelids aren't cured (yet), but this health issue has brought me so much new knowledge about how our body and mind are functioning and also how we are making ourselves sick these days. I mean, I see so many people with physical issues (like breathing and voice issues), burnouts, mental issues (like depression and anxiety), who don't like their job, are with a partner that makes them unhappy and so on... In other words; so many of people are 'out of tune' (myself included). And I want to change that!
Thanks to this chronic inflammation, I now know why working ON and WITH your voice is so important and that it can improve your overall health; your vocal health included of course! Because your voice is connected to your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. So it's such a beautiful and powerful tool to use. And we all carry it with us!
More about me...
Hi, I am Maartje Monné and founder of Voice Care & Coaching.
I have been a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) since 2004, specializing in voice disorders, vocal techniques for both the speaking and singing voice, and various voice-related methods.
In addition to my clinical training, I studied Musical Theater (part-time) to develop my own skills in singing, dancing, acting, and stage presence – which remains one of the most memorable and fulfilling experiences of my life! I also had my own successful private voice practice in the Netherlands.
Then, in 2009, I met the (French) love of my life. So, I sold my practice and moved to the south of France in 2010, where I essentially started my life over from scratch (I could hardly speak the language, which was especially frustrating for someone who loves to talk a lot)!
For various reasons, I began working in 2011 at Airbus Helicopters as a Key Logistic Manager, where I stayed for nearly 8 years. While this role wasn’t voice-related, it proved to be a valuable experience, helping me learn many new skills, including fluency in French!
In January 2019, I took the leap and left Airbus Helicopters to start my own private voice practice, Voice Care & Coaching, here in France.
In 2020, I expanded my expertise and became a certified Psycho-Energetic Therapist, and also started to specialize in the vagus nerve and nervous system.
Today, my work goes beyond vocal care and improving someone’s voice quality. I integrate my knowledge of the vagus nerve, nervous system, and energy work into a holistic approach that supports both vocal and overall well-being.
“The Body is Held Together By Sound
The Presence of Disease Indicates That Some Sounds Have Gone Out of Tune”
— Deepak Chopra
Some other (fun) facts about me:
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I grew up in Prinsenbeek, a small village in the south of the Netherlands
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I have two brothers; I'm the middle one
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My passion for the voice began at a young age, sparked by Disney’s The Little Mermaid and The Sound of Music.
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I am a proud mother of two boys, born in 2012 and 2017, and I also have a cat, born in 2010—my first 'baby'! ;-)
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I speak three languages: Dutch (native language), English, and French
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I am more of a morning person than an evening person.
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My bed is my sacred place (yes, I absolutely LOVE to sleep!!)
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I can be a real party animal; Carnaval in the Netherlands is the best!
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I love to drink herbal tea (especially Rooibos); no coffee for me!
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I adore nature, especially the sea and the mountains
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I am a BIG musical fan
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I love to hug trees