Smile, explore, discover and share..
In 2005, the adventurous Moroccan-French scientist became the first Moroccan person, as well as the first female French astronomer to reach the heart of Antarctica. Beaming with pride, she planted the Moroccan flag at one of the highest, coldest, most isolated places on earth. "With its lack of light pollution and six months of darkness in the winter, this is the perfect place to study the stars," according to Merieme. When she was asked - as the first astronomer in the world - to install a large astronomical observatory in this remote location, she didn't have to think twice. Working hard under the extreme circumstances of the Antarctic galvanized her leadership skills: "I learned how to make the right decisions quickly, under tremendous pressure," she explained. Then, with a smile: "It was like a space mission!".
Growing up in a large Moroccan family with a blacksmith and a housewife for parents, Merieme knew at 10 years old that she wanted to 'understand the magic of the universe'. She fought her way up, to become a pioneering expert on stellar evolution by - literally - following the stars, but also her own heart. "Throughout my career, I stayed true to myself. And so, I have ME to thank for my success," she explained, exuding self-love and pride. Her biggest mission now? To inspire the rest of the world to go out and fulfill their dreams: 'Smile, explore, discover and share, that's my motto."
Self-love may not be the first word that comes to mind when describing the characteristics of a tough explorer. Self-discipline perhaps, yes. But here's the thing: I believe that self-discipline is actually the highest form of self-love. And that when we really want to fulfill a dream - be it planting a flag on the North Pole or getting a black belt in karate - we gladly make the necessary sacrifices. Because we're worth it. At the end of the journey, we often realize it was actually about the journey itself. It was about learning, growing and blossoming into the person we see in the mirror and say: "Damn, I love this woman!"
"It is always our own self that we find at the end of the journey." - Swiss explorer Ella Maillart
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MD Friends
Building bridges
From the Erasmus Bridge and the Mercedes-Benz Museum to Qatar’s metro network; Ben van Berkel’s iconic landmarks bring people together in rapturous beauty, again and again. I talked with the Dutch architect and educator about sensuality, ‘healthy’ buildings and the remarkable parallels between our designs.
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More than a feeling
Don’t ignore your emotions; they are much more powerful than you can imagine. By linking the magical world of emotions with hard science, Dutch scientist Pierre Capel, professor emeritus in experimental immunology, shows us the consequences of our feelings and the power of our minds. The message: we can do much more than we think. “Meditate. It’s the single best thing you can do for your health.”
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Marlies Says
Keto curious?
The fact that I feel bikini-confident all year round is, of course, a nice bonus. But for me, the biggest payoff of following the keto diet is the way it optimizes my health and gives me tons of energy.
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Marlies Says
Super (skin) food
‘If you can’t eat it, why put it on your skin?’. I pretty much live by this beauty adage. After all, with your skin being one of your body’s largest organs, anything – and I mean anything! – you put onto your skin will end up in your bloodstream.
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