Humans of Wing Chun: Marco Zuijderwijk

I’ve found my passion

I was the sort of person who’d sign up for a gym membership on 1 January and by 15 January was already wondering why on earth I’d done it. At the time, I fancied taking up Kung Fu, but I felt I should have started about 10 to 20 years earlier. At some point, I thought: why not?

I started with Shaolin Kung Fu. That was a fantastic move. I took it seriously and attended both private and group lessons. I enjoyed it immensely right from the start. What I did notice, however, is that Shaolin Kung Fu requires you to be very flexible, and I’m not. My Sifu therefore advised me to try Wing Chun. A discipline I’d never heard of at the time, but which I immediately became hooked on.

Efficient, direct and scientific

Wing Chun immediately appealed to me because of its efficiency, direct approach and scientific logic, in which defence and attack occur simultaneously. I also really appreciate the way lessons are taught at WuDae. The instructors can always explain why you do something in a particular way. That’s important to me. I don’t want to just copy something, but to understand what I’m doing. Not because this way of moving has been passed down for years, but because it makes sense and is logical.

I train at various schools, taking classes in kickboxing and MMA as well as Wing Chun. As I’ve taken a sabbatical, I now have the time for it, although I do have to get up early for the morning Wing Chun classes from 09:30 to 11:00. I’m in the car leaving Velp at 6.30 am, even though I’m not even a morning person. Still, it’s absolutely worth it. I’ve truly found my passion in Wing Chun. It’s the first time I’ve practised a sport that I’m willing to do anything for. I train two or three times a week at WuDae in The Hague and have now also ordered a wooden dummy so I can continue training at home.

Puzzles

I absolutely love puzzles and solving problems. That came in very handy, because until recently I was working as the director of a large rental company. In that role, you’re faced with decisions every single day, and what you do in one department can have an impact on another. I enjoy thinking about that – solving complex puzzles that encompass all aspects of an organisation.

As well as looking around for a new job, I’m working on projects through my own consultancy firm, ‘Snuggur’. It specialises in organisational consultancy, with a holistic approach to management. I call this ‘quantum management’, where, rather than dividing the organisation up as in traditional management, the focus is on the interconnections and systemic impact of changes.

Although I really enjoy carrying out projects through my own business, I’d eventually like to go back to working for a larger company. To be surrounded by colleagues to work with. I think it would be absolutely wonderful to become the director of an organisation with a charitable mission, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of so many people.

Acting with a sense of ease

Looking back on my life, I do wish I’d sought out more adventure and dared to take more risks. I’ve always lived with a certain sense of security and safety, and now I’m increasingly convinced that things will work out. One way or another.

The continuation of the interview with Marco will soon be available here!

Text and photos by: Robine Hillen

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