Meet the Founder
The beginning
Welcome to Better Life Decisions!
My name is Manuel Hoffmann, and I am the founder.
Born in Basel, Switzerland, my parents divorced when I was four; that was the last time I saw my father.
My mother had to raise three children and provide for our family. She moved to Brussels (Belgium), to secure a colorist job.
My two sisters and I were placed in different boarding schools. I had to adapt quickly, forget German, and learn French fast.
A few years later, my mother was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, forcing my sisters and me to become rapidly independent.
Passion for sailing
I was introduced to sailing at fourteen. It immediately became my passion. I taught dinghy sailing at fifteen and sailed extensively in the Nord Sea on larger sailboats, earning a buck doing what I love.
Education and moving to the USA
Despite our financial constraints, Belgium's public schools and universities gave me a solid education. I graduated in electromechanical engineering and business administration, all the while working nights and weekends.
Next, I was determined to learn English and decided to emigrate to the United States. Acquiring a corporate work visa proved to be a formidable challenge. Yet, my persistence paid off as I secured work visas, a green card, and, ultimately, my citizenship.
Career
I excelled in business development, technology alliances, sales (direct and channels), and operations with startups and large international high-tech companies.
I traveled extensively and collaborated with executives worldwide, many of whom became good friends.
I pursued my passion for sailing, eventually getting a 43-foot sailboat sailing the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific.
Wake-up call
In 2022, I had a heart attack. Miraculously, I had no damage after the incident and have been doing great ever since.
It was a profound wake-up call as I understood life's fragility. It also provided a precious opportunity for introspection, which led me to assess how to live my life moving forward while giving back to society.
While I achieved professional and personal success, I realized I could have reached greater heights by making better life decisions.
It also dawned on me that I always did it alone, constantly having to push upward instead of being pulled up by managers or mentors.
My New Calling: Better Life Decisions
That is when I founded Better Life Decisions to empower others to reach their full personal and professional potential.
Better Life Decisions is a unique and powerful program with a strong network of executives that empowers individuals to make the best possible life decisions, leading to long-term success and fulfillment.
This is done by learning, collaborating with peers, engaging with coaches and advisors, and implementing it using the high-level executives’ network.