loader image

 Trauma-Informed Coach | F.R.E.E. Method creator

Meet Joe Van Niekerk

Hello, I’m Joe van Niekerk. You might know me as ‘Big Joe’ from my rugby days with the South African Springboks and Toulon, or perhaps ‘Jungle Joe’ from my transformative years in Costa Rica. Today, as I embrace a new chapter—potentially ‘Daddy Joe’—I’m here as your guide, mentor, and fellow traveler on the profound journey of personal growth and holistic well-being.

My path to becoming a personal coach and holistic health mentor wasn’t a straight line. After retiring from professional rugby in 2014, I faced a profound loss of identity. For two years, I retreated into solitude, immersing myself in meditation, yoga, and deep self-inquiry. This intense period of inner work wasn’t just about finding a new passion; it was about rediscovering my authentic self and charting a new course for my life.

My Coaching Philosophy
Beyond the Surface, Towards Deep Healing

My coaching philosophy is deeply rooted in this personal journey and a holistic, trauma-informed approach to well-being. I believe true healing comes from addressing the root causes, not just the symptoms. For me, health isn’t just physical; it’s a seamless integration of your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self.

Here’s what guides my work:

  • Inner Transformation: I’ll guide you to look within, connect with your deepest self, and make peace with past experiences. Letting go of old identities, even successful ones, can feel like a “part of you dies,” and I understand that journey intimately.
  • Healing Trauma: Many mental health challenges have their roots in childhood trauma – often “mother wounds” and “father wounds.” My focus is on gently and effectively addressing these underlying patterns.
  • Authenticity & Self-Worth: My ultimate aim is to help you reclaim your authentic self, express your truth without fear, and realize your inherent worthiness, independent of external achievements or societal expectations.
  • Beyond Medication: Having personally navigated battles with substance dependency, I offer guidance and support for those seeking alternatives to long-term medication for underlying issues, focusing on sustainable inner solutions.
  • Connection to Nature: My years as ‘Jungle Joe’ in Costa Rica instilled in me a deep conviction: reconnecting with nature and the Earth’s energy is a powerful pathway to healing and self-discovery.

Are You Ready for True Transformation?

My services are for individuals who:

  • Feel stuck in unhelpful patterns, anxiety, depression, or emotional numbness.
  • Struggle with relationships and boundaries, or feel disconnected from their authentic selves.
  • Are tired of surface-level solutions and are deeply committed to addressing root causes.
  • Are seeking profound healing, self-discovery, and a lasting sense of peace.
  • Include burnt-out professionals, those struggling with childhood trauma (“father wounds,” “mother wounds”), or former athletes facing identity loss.

Important Note: My program is not for those seeking quick fixes, who are unwilling to feel difficult emotions, who expect someone else to do the work for them, or who are in active crisis. This work requires commitment and a readiness for deep self-exploration.

My Transformative Program

I offer a range of services designed to facilitate profound healing and personal growth:

The F.R.E.E. Method: 12-Week Trauma-Informed Transformation Program:

This signature program is a comprehensive journey to help you break free from invisible patterns stemming from trauma. F.R.E.E. stands for:

F: Feel Emotions

Embrace Your Feelings, Begin to Heal

This foundational step guides you beyond emotional numbness to courageously engage with your feelings. It’s where you begin to truly witness and integrate your inner world, laying the groundwork for authentic healing.

R: Release Stored Trauma

Discharge What Your Body Holds

Here, we focus on helping your body discharge the deeply embedded trauma it has been holding onto. This isn’t merely a mental exercise; it’s a somatic unwinding, allowing your physical self to release the profound burden of past experiences for true relief and liberation.

E: Embody Power

Reclaim Your Authentic Self

This phase is about stepping fully into your inherent strength and reclaiming your true, authentic self. It’s a powerful journey of self-discovery and empowerment, as you deeply reconnect with your inner wisdom and personal authority.

E: Evolution

Live and Love Without Masks

Evolution is the soul’s natural movement toward wholeness. You are not becoming someone new—you are remembering who you’ve always been beneath the layers of conditioning and fear.

Feeling Unsure
Where to Begin?

It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed when you’re starting a new journey. That’s why I’ve curated a collection of resources to help you explore, learn, and take your first steps toward healing.
I’m here to support you.

Your First Step
Towards Freedom

If you’re truly ready for deep transformation, especially if The F.R.E.E. Method resonates with you, I encourage you to take that courageous first step right now. Let’s have a conversation to explore how this program can unlock your path to lasting freedom.