The Art of Survival: Insights from Bernice Notenboom

Unlocking Your Survival Mind

On Sunday, February 1, 2026, adventurer Bernice Notenboom will give a lecture at Museum Rotterdam. This event coincides with the pop-up presentation of the Rotterdam Emergency Package. Bernice will share her insights on the art of survival. She will reveal how to maintain mental strength when the world around us collapses. Drawing from her bestselling book, Survival Mind: The Art of Survival, she will explore the depths of our minds. True survival begins in our heads.

Understanding Our Responses

What happens to our brains and bodies when we suddenly face unprecedented risks? How do we stay calm and think clearly when panic threatens to take over? With 38 years of expedition experience—from Everest to the South Pole, from deserts to wild rivers—Bernice intertwines thrilling survival stories with scientific insights. She explains how people react under extreme conditions.

Training Your Survival Mind

At the heart of this lecture is the idea of training your "Survival Mind." This training builds confidence, making you more self-reliant, vital, and resilient in the face of challenges. You don't need to climb Everest to learn how our minds can be activated to act effectively and intelligently, even when emotions clash with logic.

The Importance of Mental Fitness

Mental fitness is crucial. It serves as an inner tool for focus, decision-making, resilience, and clarity. It's the ability to think clearly when your body and mind want to freeze in fear and panic. In today's world, we are overwhelmed by screens and stimuli, which can lead to a loss of perspective.

In this lecture, you will learn how to consciously train your Survival Mind and apply it when it matters most. This is not about abstract concepts; it's about gaining hard insights into how your brain functions under pressure and how you can mobilize it.

Real-Life Applications

With powerful imagery, anecdotes, and experiences from her expeditions, Bernice demonstrates the ingenuity of the human brain and body. She shows us that we can harness our mental capabilities to navigate through crises effectively.

Bernice Notenboom is the first Dutch woman to ski to both the North and South Poles and the second Dutch person to reach the summit of Mount Everest. Her experiences provide a unique perspective on survival and resilience.

Conclusion

Join us for an inspiring session that will empower you to develop your Survival Mind. Learn how to face challenges head-on and transform your mindset. Together, we can cultivate resilience and adaptability for a better future.

For more information on Bernice Notenboom and her work, visit her website.