A year ago, our little Jasmin arrived and changed our world forever. I still can’t believe she’s one. It feels like yesterday that my husband and I, in our new-parent haze, decided we’d spend her first year between Portugal and Mongolia—chasing sunshine, family, and the perfect balance of work, travel, and biohacking.
When Jasmin turned three months old, we packed our bags and flew to the south of Portugal. The plan was three months. We stayed for five. Portugal has a way of wrapping you up in its warmth—golden sunsets, sea breezes, and the slow, delicious pace of life.
I thought that by the three-month mark, I’d fall back into my “normal” rhythm: early mornings, nourishing meals, movement, and deep self-care. I began documenting my biohacking journey again, and in those early weeks, it all looked promising.
We were lucky to find a wonderful nanny who could help a few days a week. I pictured us working full-time, fitting in workouts, eating clean, and still wandering through charming towns on the weekends. Friends and family visited, filling our days with laughter and shared meals.
But here’s the truth: biohacking, exercising, eating well, and caring for a baby—while keeping up with work—was harder than we ever imagined. We were first-time parents, learning on the go, and we underestimated the energy it would take.
From Algarve to the Steppes
After five months in Portugal, we headed to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The shift was huge—gone were the ocean views, replaced with wide-open skies and busy city.
We joined a gym the moment we arrived. Mongolia’s food is a dream for any biohacker—pure grass-fed meat, rich ghee, mineral-packed rock salt. We filled our fridge and felt ready to take our health to the next level. With family caring for Jasmin a few times a week, we thought we’d cracked the code.
Then reality knocked again. The seven-hour time difference with our work meant late nights—often until 11 p.m.—and our bodies protested. Fatigue crept in, junk food cravings whispered, and our best-laid health plans started to bend.
We had overpromised ourselves. Looking back, maybe we could have pushed harder. But I promised myself I’d share the real version of this journey—not the perfectly curated one.
What Really Happened
When I started biohacking after Jasmin’s birth, I weighed 74 kilos. Now I’m 72. Not a dramatic change—but this year wasn’t about numbers on the scale.
This year was about mental health. About adjusting to our new roles as parents, finding joy in the chaos, and not losing ourselves in the process. On that front, I feel proud.
A New Season
Now we’re back in the Netherlands, Jasmin is starting daycare, and life feels like it’s opening up again. I have more space to focus on my body, energy, and all the hacks we’ve learned along the way.
Mental health will always be my foundation—without it, the rest doesn’t matter. But with that foundation in place, I’m ready to restart, rebuild, and finish this year strong.
Thank you for walking beside me in this journey—through the easy days, the messy days, and all the days in between. Here’s to the next chapter.
🧭 Biohacker’s Takeaways from a Year of Travel with a Baby
- Your season of life matters – Adjust biohacking goals to match your reality, especially in high-demand phases like new parenthood.
- Environment influences habits – Surroundings, weather, and time zones can dramatically shape energy levels and routines.
- Flexibility is key – Some biohacks might need to be paused or adapted when life circumstances change.
- Prioritize mental health first – Without emotional stability, physical transformation is harder to sustain.
- Small wins add up – A few healthy meals, short workouts, or extra hours of sleep still count.
- Travel is an opportunity to learn – Different cultures and environments can inspire new healthy habits and mindset shifts.
Biohacking with Kate 
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