Peter Gumbmann

Meet Peter Gumbmann, for a ready-to-deliver, interactive guest lecture!

For years he delivers lectures and workshops at vocational colleges, universities of applied sciences, and universities, exploring choices, addiction, and the importance of being honest with yourself.

Behind the appearance of a successful life,
Peter was struggling with alcohol and cocaine addiction and mounting debt.
An attempt to smuggle cocaine from Venezuela into the Netherlands landed him in the notorious San Antonio prison on Isla Margarita. After ten weeks in pretrial detention, he was sentenced to ten years in prison. He ultimately served two years. Two years of surviving amid drugs, gang warfare, knives, and firearms, in a place where human life held little value. He witnessed numerous murders, some too horrific to describe in detail.

Yet it was there, in the least free place of his life, that Peter truly began to look at himself for the first time. Who am I? What do I want?

After his release in 2002, he rebuilt his life. He started a family, returned to making music, and worked as a manager for seven years. He had quit drugs but continued drinking. In 2010, he stopped drinking as well and began exploring why he had needed to numb himself in the first place. That journey took him through old pain and emotional wounds, but also toward self-awareness and self-love. Therapy, coaching, and a few very good friends helped him along the way.
Peter’s story forms the foundation of his talks on personal leadership: taking responsibility for your choices, even when it feels uncomfortable. With the sensitivity of a musician and the openness of someone who has learned to confront his own shadow, he invites audiences to reflect on themselves. Where are you keeping up appearances? What are you trying not to feel? And what becomes possible when you are honest about it?

Together with Jolie Fraanje, he co-authored the book Agua Verde – Trapped in Venezuela.
His belief is simple: you have to do the work yourself, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Bring Peter's story to your audience
Through his powerful personal story, and open Q&A sessions!

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