The Sacred Tribe of Man

A brotherhood where men gather to remember who they truly are. The Sacred Tribe of Man is a three-day journey filled with rituals, breathwork, sweat lodge ceremonies, and deep conversations. In a safe and respectful setting, we create space for vulnerability, strength, and connection.

We take off our masks, look into each other's eyes, and speak from the heart.

A renewed sense of strength

This circle originated from a conversation between Bas and Henry, and grew into a powerful yes to bring something together that many men miss: a place where you are seen, without judgment. Bas, a father himself, a veteran (airmobile), an expert by experience in transformation, and a spaceholder in plant medicine ceremonies, brings his life experience and sharp presence to this journey. Whether you come to let go, find direction, or simply experience true brotherhood—you'll leave with new insights, a renewed sense of strength, and men you carry with you as brothers in your heart.

Henry Kortman

Warrior of the Heart

My name is Henry Kortman. I grew up in a military family. Both my grandfather and father served in the military.

My grandfather worked for the KNIL intelligence service, and my father was in the (blue) navy. He sailed in the submarine service, worked on minesweepers, and served aboard the last Dutch aircraft carrier: the Karel Doorman.

Their stories, discipline, and dedication were a great inspiration for me to follow the military path myself. I started in the Airmobile Brigade and later transferred to the Marine Corps.

In 2002, I decided to change course. I chose to work in the sports industry as a personal trainer and group instructor. I still enjoy that work to this day.

Yet, my life after the military entered a dark period. I became entangled in the temptation of hard drugs and drifted further and further away. This led to several suicide attempts, one of which nearly succeeded.

Emotionally I was completely exhausted and didn't know how to cope.

I felt angry, frustrated and got irritated easily.

This led to me making wrong choices and even spending time in prison and a clinic.

The turning point came when I met the right people. People who inspired me to take a different path.

My recovery began with a Wim Hof workshop, offered by Wiggert Meerman and Michel Vos, known from the podcast "Eindbazen" (End Bosses). It was during this workshop that I first learned about the plant medicine ayahuasca.

Ayahuasca, a powerful psychedelic, literally saved my life. After the first trip, my suicidal thoughts completely disappeared. The severe depression never returned.

That moment marked the beginning of my spiritual journey. I discovered and embraced various tools: plant medicines, meditation, visualizations, cold training, breathing exercises, physical training, and sweat lodge ceremonies.

Looking back, I feel mostly gratitude.

Everything I have experienced has shaped me and strengthened my drive to help others in their process.

We often lose our connection with ourselves, with others, or with something larger along the way. This can be on an energetic, physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional level. Supporting people in rediscovering that connection is, in my view, the most beautiful work there is. It's my vision that this power exists within everyone!

The Sacred Sons were a great inspiration for me to organize a men's circle. A brotherhood where masculine and feminine energies are balanced.

For years, I was trapped in a toxic, masculine energy, and I now see that this was because I wasn't grounded. That I wasn't in my true power. From that lack, I overcompensated. This ultimately led to destructive behavior and even domestic violence. That's precisely why it feels like my soul's mission to give something back.

With these men's circles, I want to help men find balance. To live life with strength and love. A place where we can be vulnerable. But also embrace the healthy, powerful warrior within ourselves. Because both sides belong to us, and both deserve to be seen.

In this way I want to be of value to others and contribute to a world that is more beautiful and loving.

I step into this with pride and gratitude.

Side by side.

With my brothers.

For our brothers.

One breath. One fire. One path.

Marcel Dekker

“Making the impossible possible”

I served in the Marine Corps for over thirteen years, carrying out (serious) missions in various parts of the world. During that time, it was often vital to be able to trust yourself, rely on the team, connect with others, and optimally combine forces. Seemingly impossible tasks suddenly became achievable. After my time in the Marine Corps, I founded my own company, De Verbindelaar (The Connector), and held various leadership and support roles. Throughout these roles, I always focused on seeing and unleashing the true potential in myself and in others, enabling them to optimally develop and share their authentic and unique strengths with the world.

During my first experience with plant medicines, I envisioned a pride of lions with big, beating hearts and thought...this is what the world and the women in this society need: men who stand firm and offer protection or shelter from an open heart. Since then, I've coached (young) men, in various ways, to be present in real life without having to struggle to make the seemingly impossible possible.

Bas Peeters

Bridge between Worlds

My name is Bas Peeters. My life path has taken me through extremes: from the darkness of addiction, loss, and prison to the healing power of love, brotherhood, and herbal medicine.

I know what it feels like to lose everything. To end up on the streets. To be broken by pain, guilt, and shame. But I've also experienced that in that same darkness lies the seed of healing. That plant medicines, rituals, and music open doors to a deeper truth.

Today I live my path as a bridge between worlds. Between light and dark. Between the old and the new. Between survival and inspiration.

In the ceremonies I guide, I invite you to walk that same bridge, to face your fears, open your heart, and return to the source of who you truly are.

With Soul Return, we create a place where we journey together. Where you are carried by music, silence, brotherhood, and a loving foundation.

A place where we remember that we are more than our past and that we, as men and women, can come home to our hearts.

Recently, my brother Henry Kortman invited me to join The Sacred Tribe of Man. I feel deeply honored to walk this path alongside him and other men. Together, we want to create a space where vulnerability and strength intersect, where brotherhood takes on new meaning, and where we write a new story for the man of today.

I feel grateful for the pain that brought me here. Grateful for the brothers who invite me to build together. And grateful for every person who chooses to cross the bridge from darkness to light, from root to crown, from soul to source.

Side by side.

With my brothers.

One breath. One fire. One path.

Our mission is to facilitate healing in a loving, safe space where you can come home to yourself.

Mission & vision