What drives a recruitment manager to run ultra-marathons - and how does endurance translate into leadership and life?

In episode 12 of Unplug With Us, we sit with Adriaan van der Heijden, Manager Recruiting BeNeLux at McKinsey & Company and proud OG member of the Recruitment Slackers Community. In this candid conversation, he opens up about his journey from a small village in Zeeland to moving to Amsterdam and working for one of the world’s most recognized consulting firms.

Adriaan shares how early experiences - losing his father at a young age, growing up in a tight-knit religious community, and later finding his way through hospitality and psychology - shaped his values around connection, curiosity, and community. We talk about resilience, ambition, and how saying “yes” to new opportunities can change your career trajectory.

From his passion for cooking to running 70-kilometer ultra-races, Adriaan reveals the habits that help him unplug, stay grounded, and lead with empathy. Tune in for an authentic story about growth, grit, and finding purpose - both at work and beyond. 

Stay Keen,

Doeke Geertsma, CEO at WeAreKeen

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.wearekeen.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearekeen⁠