— NEUROSCIENTIST · KEYNOTE SPEAKER · DRUMMER
The manual for your brain
Leo van Woerden, a neuroscientist with 25 years of research experience, strengthens how people stay sharp and resilient under pressure. Science, made tangible through drums.
Trusted By
Dutch Government
Regional Safety Authorities & Fire Brigade
NIPV
UMC Utrecht
Amsterdam UMC
Unilever
ABN AMRO
Proximus
TenneT
Bidfood
TVM Insurance
Windesheim
Windesheim
An overloaded brain doesn't perform
Mistakes, dropout and loss of focus rarely come from a lack of expertise. They come from a brain that doesn’t switch well. In work where flawless execution is critical, that directly determines safety, productivity and absenteeism.
SLEEP DEBT
17–19 hrs
awake without sleep, and your brain performs as if you had a blood alcohol level of 0.05%. After 24 hours: 0.1%.
WORK STRESS
1 in 5
awake without sleep, and your brain performs as if you had a blood alcohol level of 0.05%. After 24 hours: 0.1%.
THE BILL
€3.1bn
what work-stress-related absenteeism costs employers every year.
More than half the cost of work-related absenteeism comes from psychosocial strain. Not a question of effort, but of recovery.
Sources: Dawson & Reid (Nature) · TNO/NEA · TNO Arbobalans 2025
- THE METHOD
Understand what's happening, and you'll change it yourself
The brain constantly switches between action and recovery, but most people don’t know what that switching actually does, or why it goes wrong. Once that understanding is there, the motivation to act differently follows. Real change is only possible from within.
“I separate facts from fiction and translate what happens in the brain into something you can do differently tomorrow.”
/01
Handle stress better and build resilience
Understand how your brain reacts under pressure, and recover faster after a hard day.
/02
More energy and focus
Work from the right brain state instead of on willpower.
/03
More calm and control
Less noise in your head, more overview in your working day.
/04
Fewer mistakes and lower costs
A rested brain makes better decisions, with less dropout as a result.
The keynote inspires a room. The programme changes an organisation
LEO AS A SPEAKER
KEYNOTES
A keynote that stays with you
For conferences, kick-offs and events. Neuroscience, brought to life with drums. The starting point for awareness at scale.
LEO AS A SPEAKER
WORKSHOPS
Hands-on and practical
Teams translate the neuroscience into their own working day. From insight to application, in your context.
PROGRAMMES & TRAINING
From insight to lasting change
Longer engagements for teams and leadership, from a single session to a running programme and the vitality coach training. Recovery before it becomes damage.
Prefer to talk first?
Topics
Every keynote and workshop is tailored to your sector and challenge.
02
SEE LEO IN ACTION
Neuroscientist. Drummer. Speaker
Leo van Woerden studied neuroscience at VU Amsterdam and has 25+ years of research experience. His own experience with ADHD sparked the realisation that behaviour only changes once people understand how their brain works.
As a drummer, he makes brainwaves and rhythm tangible on stage: strictly evidence-based, with sharpness and humour. From regional safety authorities and Defence to UMC Utrecht, Proximus and TenneT.
Science without noise
Accessible and immediately applicable
Proven in critical sectors
"Once you understand the manual for your brain, you can do more than you ever thought possible."
What others say
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A cultural shift has taken place where situations affecting vitality have become discussable. Even the most critical audience is convinced by your clear presentation of scientific facts.
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Through drumming he managed to illustrate scientific insights in a clear and memorable way. He inspired me and many in the room to critically examine our sleep and lifestyle.
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Leo is a highly passionate speaker and motivator. Sleep is the foundation on which we function. Leo helps you strengthen that foundation: a recommendation for anyone who wants to make a difference.
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Just as fun and engaging as a day racing on the track, because I immediately felt how I could improve my life.
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We asked Leo to speak to a group of PhD candidates. An inspiring, popular-science talk on sleep; the expression of rhythms on the drum was received very positively.
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You can hear things often, but to truly understand them it's important to experience them yourself. That's what makes Leo's presentation so special.
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A cultural shift has taken place where situations affecting vitality have become discussable. Even the most critical audience is convinced by your clear presentation of scientific facts.
-
Through drumming he managed to illustrate scientific insights in a clear and memorable way. He inspired me and many in the room to critically examine our sleep and lifestyle.
-
Leo is a highly passionate speaker and motivator. Sleep is the foundation on which we function. Leo helps you strengthen that foundation: a recommendation for anyone who wants to make a difference.
READY FOR THE NEXT STEP?
Curious what this could do for your organisation?
Tell us briefly what’s going on, and Leo will think through the format that fits. And whatever the outcome of the conversation, you’ll walk away with insights you can use.
FREE · MONTHLY
The day protocol: science, delivered by email
Every month, Leo shares what happens in the lab and on stage: evidence-based insights on sleep, stress and recovery, ready to use in your working day.
You’ll also receive the Leo day protocol: the routine Leo himself uses to stay sharp, recovered and focused.
From the manual
Evidence-based articles on sleep, stress and recovery. No hype, just mechanism.
Recovery
6 min read
Why sleep determines your performance, and how to use the system
Neurobiology
8 min read
The neurobiology of stress: what happens in your brain under pressure
