COVER MOM
Melissa van Hoydonck
CREDITS
- Model: Melissa (@Mellie_fromtheblock )
- Photographer: Ron Paolo Gilman (@ronpaologilman)
- Art director GMM: Kéyoh Ohanian (@keyoh_official)
- Interior designer / creative director: Anna Ohanian (@annaohanian)
- Make-up by: Jiji (@jiji.makeupstudio )
- Hair by: Kings & Queens (@kingsandqueens_hair)
- Styling by: Didi (@Bleucestgris)
- Clothing by: Bleu C’est Gris (@Bleucestgris)
- Location: Studio
COVER MOM INTERVIEW
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01. For readers who are just getting to know you, who is Melissa beyond the spotlight?
Hello to all the Glam Mom Magazine readers. I am a real family person; family is my priority. I truly love calmness and peace, although with a two-year-old daughter and two additional children, that can sometimes be a challenge. I do enjoy a bit of glitz and glamour, but behind the scenes and in my free time, I also love being a comfy, relaxed mom!
02. Looking ahead, where do you see yourself in five years, both personally and professionally?
In five years, I hope to have a less hectic life, with a healthy work–life balance in my personal life. And hopefully a lot more time in the sun!
03. Motherhood is a big part of your life. How has your daughter influenced the woman you are today?
Victoire has completely changed me. She has made me a stronger person and, in general, also a more emotional one. She has also made me a much happier person. She is the light of my life, and thanks to her, I enjoy life so much more. Because of her, I hardly feel the desire to leave the house anymore, I simply want to spend as much time as possible with my family.
04. You’ve experienced fame through The Real Housewives of Antwerp. How would you describe that journey, and how has it changed your life?
Becoming more well-known through a television program hasn’t changed much in my private life. Of course, when you walk down the street, you immediately notice that people recognize you or want to take photos. But you just accept it, and I try to enjoy it, even when I’m having a bad hair day!
05. You’re also an entrepreneur with your own wine brand, La Petite Victoire. What inspired you to create it, and what makes it special to you?
The name La Petite Victoire carries the name of my daughter and means ‘my little victory’. I had such a long wish to have a child, and when Victoire came into the world, that truly felt like my victory… that’s where the inspiration for the name came from. And wine – well, because I do enjoy a nice glass every now and then!
06. You’re often seen as a style and lifestyle icon. When you notice other women drawing inspiration from you, does it feel flattering or overwhelming at times?
Absolutely! I always see it as a huge compliment, and I truly enjoy it every time I notice that I can have a positive or fun influence on someone’s life.
07. Who or what inspires you the most, and why does that inspiration resonate so deeply with you?
The recently deceased Brigitte Bardot has always been a huge inspiration to me. Not only was she incredibly beautiful and a talented actress, but she was also a strong advocate against animal cruelty and has done so much for animals. That is something that is also very close to my heart and something I try to support and stand up for as well.
08. What dreams or goals are you most focused on achieving in 2026?
Working hard! Selling a lot of rosés. And continuing our search for the perfect little home on the Spanish coast, where we hope to spend our winters in the future.
09. If you had the power to change one thing in the world today, what would it be and why?
I would tackle the suffering of children and animals, the two most vulnerable groups on our planet deserve much better protection.
10. Finally, how was your experience working with the Glam Mom Magazine team, and what does being featured here mean to you?
Amaaaazing!!! I felt incredibly honored to be asked to be part of this. It was such an amazing team to work with strong women one by one, who fully support each other and only want the best and the most beautiful things for one another. A super close-knit team filled with wonderful people!
Between Ships and Dreams: Building a Business, and a Family
Roxette, Co-Founder of PIRO Advisory & Voogt Maritiem
With Voogt Maritiem, we focus on technical services in inland shipping. Vessels are a vital part of Europe’s logistics network, and behind every ship lies a world of engineering, maintenance, and craftsmanship. Our work is not limited to one region. We operate internationally across Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany’s Ruhr area, one of Europe’s most important industrial and logistics corridors. Every day, hundreds of vessels move through this region, transporting raw materials, containers, and industrial goods. It’s a dynamic world where reliability and expertise are essential.
My own focus lies primarily on the strategic and business side: structure, growth, and building long-term relationships. Alongside Voogt Maritiem, we are also growing PIRO, where we focus on yacht charter and yacht sales. This brings us into a different dimension of the maritime world, more international, more relational, and centered on guiding clients through the chartering or acquisition of a yacht. Where Voogt Maritiem stands for engineering and service, PIRO is about connections, trust, and international opportunities within the yachting world.
But behind all of this lies something deeply personal. We’re not building these companies just to grow or close deals. We’re building them because we believe entrepreneurship can also give us the freedom to create a life with space for a family. Our desire to have children plays an important role in that vision. In many career narratives, it often seems as though women must choose between ambition and family. I believe it can be different. Not by trying to plan everything perfectly, because that never truly works, but by consciously building structures that create stability.
For me, the key lies in partnership. Pieter and I each have our roles. He brings technical expertise and hands-on experience; I focus on strategy, organization, and the broader entrepreneurial vision. And perhaps our journey as entrepreneurs will change when children come. Maybe we’ll adjust the pace or make different choices. But that, too, is part of growth.
What brings me peace today is knowing that step by step, we are building something that goes beyond business alone. We are laying the foundation for our future. And perhaps that is the most beautiful form of entrepreneurship, not just creating something in the world, but building a home where work, partnership, and family come together.
In Silence, My Greatest Blessing Grew
Thanaree Scheerlinck
Helpful, driven, and sincere, that’s how I would describe myself. I work as a hairstylist and beauty specialist, and alongside that I also do modeling. Every day I’m building my own path, step by step. My schedule is tightly planned, and I take my work seriously.
“The bank account doesn’t fill itself,” I often say with a smile. But behind everything people see on the outside, I’m actually someone who really values peace, quiet, and being careful with where I invest my energy. My time is precious, and I try to share it intentionally. My pregnancy started unexpectedly, but somehow it felt perfectly timed. I remember noticing through the Flo app that I was three days late, something that had literally never happened before. I took a pregnancy test at work, just about a week after I had moved into my new home.
Positive.
It was one of the most beautiful moments of my life. It felt like everything suddenly aligned. The pregnancy wasn’t planned, but it was absolutely welcome. My partner and I had always lived with the mindset that if it happens, it happens. After being off birth control for two and a half years, the news came as a surprise, but also as confirmation that things were unfolding exactly as they were meant to. I told my colleagues almost immediately because they truly feel like family to me. But toward the outside world, I decided to stay quiet for several months. I didn’t post anything on social media, and I didn’t even tell my clients. Only around my seventh month, when my belly became visible and all my medical checkups looked good, did I finally feel completely certain.
That silence was a conscious choice. I grew up with a Buddhist philosophy, and I believe strongly in energy. I wanted to protect us. Not everyone wishes you well, and I felt it was important to experience my pregnancy first within my own little cocoon. In the meantime, I kept working hard. Ten-hour workdays weren’t unusual for me, even during the busy Christmas season. From the second trimester onward sleeping became more difficult, and my body started to feel heavier, but I listened carefully to my limits. I tried to be more gentle with myself.
My colleague Maria, who is also a mother, supported me with so much care and understanding during that time. On December 18th, my birthday, it finally felt like the right moment to share the news. A new year of life, with a new life on the way. The reactions were incredibly positive. But to be honest, I don’t think it fully sank in until my belly became visible and I said the words out loud: I’m pregnant. My baby was calm throughout the entire pregnancy, super chill, as I like to say, and I never experienced any sickness at all. I’ve always trusted my body. I truly believed everything would go well.
Pregnancy also changed something inside of me. I became more productive, more protective, and much more aware of the energy I allowed into my life. If someone brought stress or negativity, I immediately stepped away. My baby didn’t need to feel that. Something inside me healed during that time. A softness appeared that I hadn’t felt before, together with a stronger protective instinct. It felt like the child within me was allowed to exist again, while at the same time the mother inside me continued to grow.
The most beautiful moment? Feeling him. Carrying him. I truly see my baby as a blessing, a gift. And if there’s one thing I hope to pass on to my child someday, it’s something simple but powerful: Be a good person. Be kind to yourself and to others. That will take you the farthest in life. The world needs more of that. And to other women, I would say this: Let things unfold. Trust your body. Everything comes at the right time. And even if life doesn’t go exactly as you expected, that’s okay too.
As women, we are stronger than we think.
The Way Back
Kiro Matcha
A year ago, I didn’t even know what matcha was. Life changed after the birth of my daughter, an emergency C-section left me with a body that no longer felt like my own. I’d always been slim, but suddenly bloating and fatigue became daily struggles. In search of balance, I tried a green powder I found online. Only later did I discover its key ingredient: matcha. That small detail sparked a journey of discovery. I immersed myself in research, learned about the health benefits of ceremonial-grade matcha, and soon realized that not all matcha is created equal.
Driven by perfectionism – and perhaps a touch of obsession – I tested countless brands. Many were blended, diluted, or sweetened. None lived up to what matcha could truly be. That’s when the idea was born: if the perfect matcha didn’t exist, I would create it. This is how Kiro Matcha came to life. Pure, organic, with no additives and no sugar. Our EU BIO certification guarantees traceability and authenticity, so every sip reflects the highest standards. Kiro (帰路) means “the way back” in Japanese – a return to purity, to origins, to what is essential. More than a drink, it’s a ritual, an invitation to slow down and reconnect with yourself.
No loud campaigns, no gimmicks—just quiet luxury in a cup, trusted by those who know the difference. Perfection takes time. And now, it’s finally ready. Join our VIP list and be the first to experience matcha the way it was meant to be.
Helping Women Feel Stronger, Energized, and Confident Through Movement
Laura Oliveira Granja, Founder of Go Fit with Laura
Who are you and what do you do?
My name is Laura Oliveira Granja. I’m a Pilates teacher, model, content creator, and the founder of Go Fit with Laura, an app designed to help women feel stronger, more energized, and more confident in their bodies through movement. Through my social media channels and online platform, I share Pilates workouts, strength training, healthy recipes, and lifestyle inspiration. My approach is centered around balance. Movement should support your life — not exhaust it. I also come from a Belgian-Portuguese background, which has shaped much of who I am. That culture carries a strong sense of passion, warmth, and energy, and I try to bring that same positive spirit into the way I teach and connect with women.
How did your journey with fitness and Pilates begin?
I’ve always been very sporty. Movement has been a natural part of my life for as long as I can remember, but it took time for me to discover the type of training that truly suited my body. For many years, I focused mainly on heavy gym workouts and intense strength training. At the time, I believed that the harder you trained, the better the results would be. But over time, I began to notice that my body was constantly tired. I often felt drained and eventually started dealing with injuries. At one point, I developed serious neck problems and was even close to developing a hernia. That moment forced me to slow down and really rethink how I was training. During my recovery, I worked closely with a physiotherapist and osteopath and also underwent treatments like dry needling. Through that process, I began to understand how important posture, mobility, and body awareness truly are. That was when Pilates entered my life in a much deeper way. Pilates completely changed my perspective. It taught me to focus on breathing, alignment, and control instead of simply pushing my body harder. Today, I combine strength training with Pilates, mobility work, and stretching. That balance gives me strength, flexibility, and energy at the same time.
What inspired you to start Go Fit with Laura?
I realized that many women experience the same struggles I once did. They want to feel strong and healthy, but often believe they need long workouts or extreme routines to see results. In reality, consistency is far more important than intensity. That realization inspired me to create Go Fit with Laura. My goal is to help women integrate movement into their daily lives in a realistic and sustainable way. Even short workouts can make a meaningful difference when practiced consistently.You focus a lot on helping mothers. Why is that important to you?
Mothers often carry an incredible amount of responsibility. Between work, family life, and daily tasks, they rarely take time for themselves. I want moms to understand that taking even ten minutes to move their bodies is not selfish, it’s essential. When you feel stronger and more energized, it positively impacts every part of your life. The workouts I design are realistic and accessible. They are short, effective, and designed to fit into a busy day. Sometimes that means exercising while your baby is nearby or while everyday life is happening around you, and that’s completely okay. Movement does not have to be perfect to be powerful.
What are you currently building with your app?
Right now, I’m preparing the launch of my Go Fit with Laura app, which officially launches on March 28. The app will offer a full library of Pilates workouts, strength training sessions, mobility routines, and short workouts designed specifically for busy schedules. All of these workouts can be done easily from home. My goal is to create a space where women can move in a way that feels empowering, supportive, and sustainable. To celebrate the launch, I will also be hosting a special launch event for influencers, where we will introduce the app and celebrate the beginning of this exciting new chapter.
You are collaborating with Glam Mom Magazine this month. Can you tell us more about that?
Yes, I’m incredibly excited about this collaboration. Over the coming weeks, I will be sharing exclusive workout videos with Glam Mom Magazine. Each week we will release a 10-minute workout, designed specifically for busy moms who want to stay active but have limited time. These sessions combine strength training, Pilates, and energizing movements that fit easily into everyday life. One of the videos was filmed together with my close friend Julie Boone from The Real Housewives of Antwerp, and her baby even joins us during the workout. It’s a beautiful reminder that movement doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Readers can also follow these workouts and additional content on my Instagram @gofitwithlaura and my YouTube channel, where I regularly share Pilates routines and lifestyle inspiration.
How can readers stay connected and join your community?
Women who are interested in joining the platform can already sign up for the Go Fit with Laura newsletter through the coming soon page. By registering at www.gofitwithlaura.com/comingsoon they will receive exclusive early access, a special foundation member price, an exclusive launch discount, and a bonus webinar when the app officially launches. They can also follow my journey on Instagram @gofitwithlaura and my YouTube channel, where I share regular Pilates workouts and tips to help women feel stronger, more balanced, and more connected to their bodies. My mission is simple: to help as many women as possible rediscover how powerful and energizing movement can be – even in the middle of a busy life.
The Quiet Disappearance: Why Mothers Must Not Lose Themselves
by Glam Mom Magazine
There is a particular kind of silence that often settles into a home after the children have gone to bed. Toys are pushed to the corners, dishes are stacked to dry, and the last lullaby has faded down the hallway. In that silence, many mothers finally sit down, sometimes for the first time that day, and feel something they rarely admit out loud: a quiet sense that somewhere along the way, they have disappeared. Motherhood is widely celebrated as the most selfless role a woman can take on. Society praises the mother who gives everything, her time, her sleep, her career ambitions, her hobbies, even her identity, for the sake of her children. Sacrifice is often framed as proof of love. But there is a dangerous misconception hidden inside this narrative: that a mother must erase herself to be a good mother.
Across cultures and generations, countless women fall into the same pattern. They slowly abandon the things that once defined them—friendships, passions, personal goals—believing that devotion to their children requires total self-neglect. At first, it feels noble. Over time, however, it quietly becomes something else. It becomes loss.
The Subtle Way Mothers Lose Themselves
It rarely happens all at once. There is no dramatic moment where a mother decides to stop caring about herself. Instead, the shift is gradual. A painting hobby becomes “something I’ll get back to later.” Gym classes turn into “maybe next month.” Meeting friends becomes “I just don’t have time anymore.” Days turn into years.
Eventually, many mothers wake up and realize they cannot remember who they were before motherhood. Not just what they did, but who they were. Psychologists often describe this as identity erosion. When a person’s entire identity becomes tied to a single role, the sense of self outside that role begins to fade. For mothers, this can be particularly intense because parenting is constant, demanding, and emotionally consuming. The problem is not motherhood itself. The problem is losing the person who became a mother.
When Self-Sacrifice Turns Into Self-Loss
Ironically, the cultural glorification of maternal sacrifice can push mothers toward emotional exhaustion and internal conflict. When every ounce of energy is directed outward, very little remains for the self. Over time, several consequences begin to emerge.
First, self-love begins to fade. When a mother continuously puts her needs last, she may begin to believe, often subconsciously, that her needs are not important. Next comes erosion of self-respect. Without personal boundaries or time dedicated to herself, a mother may feel less valued not only by others, but by herself. Then comes emotional fatigue. Constant giving without replenishment creates deep burnout. Many mothers describe feeling physically present in their families but emotionally drained.
Relationships can also suffer. A mother who feels invisible or unfulfilled may develop resentment toward her partner, her children, or even herself. Not because she does not love them, but because she has been running on empty for far too long. In the most severe cases, mothers report feeling trapped inside a life where they no longer recognize themselves.
The Myth of the Perfect Mother
Part of the problem lies in the unrealistic expectations placed on mothers today. Modern motherhood often demands that women be everything at once: nurturing caregiver, successful professional, supportive partner, household manager, emotional anchor, and social organizer. Social media only amplifies the pressure, presenting polished images of “perfect” families and endlessly patient mothers. In reality, perfection is not only impossible, it is harmful. Children do not need perfect mothers. They need whole mothers. Children benefit far more from a parent who models self-respect, balance, and emotional health than from one who sacrifices her identity entirely.Self-Love Is Not Selfish
One of the most important shifts mothers can make is reframing self-care and personal identity. Caring for oneself is not a betrayal of motherhood, it is a vital part of it. A mother who maintains her individuality teaches powerful lessons to her children: that personal dreams matter, that boundaries are healthy, and that loving others does not require abandoning oneself. Self-love may look simple, but its impact is profound. It can mean protecting an hour for a personal hobby, maintaining friendships, pursuing a career goal, or simply allowing oneself moments of rest without guilt. These small acts rebuild something essential: the recognition that a mother is not only a caregiver, but a person with her own life, aspirations, and identity.
Remembering the Woman Behind the Title
Motherhood is one of the most transformative experiences a woman can have. It reshapes priorities, emotions, and perspectives in extraordinary ways. But transformation should not mean disappearance. The healthiest families are often built by mothers who remain connected to themselves, not in spite of their children, but alongside them. Because at the end of the day, a mother who remembers who she is does something powerful for her family. She shows her children that love and identity can exist in the same space. And that becoming a mother should never mean losing the woman who came before.The Invisible Job Every Mother Has
Why the Mental Load of Modern Mothers Is Finally Being Seen
There is a moment most mothers recognize instantly, even if they’ve never named it. You are answering a work message, mentally planning dinner, remembering that your child needs sports clothes tomorrow, thinking about the birthday gift you still need to order, and simultaneously reminding yourself to schedule a dentist appointment you forgot last week. None of this appears on a to-do list anyone else sees. And yet it never really stops.
This invisible, constant management of family life has a name that is finally entering the public conversation: the mental load. For many modern mothers, it is not the physical tasks that are most exhausting. It is the invisible responsibility of anticipating, organizing, remembering, and emotionally managing everything that keeps a household running. And for years, it has largely gone unspoken.
The Work No One Sees
The mental load is not simply about doing things. It is about thinking about them before anyone else has to. It is remembering when the school holidays start before the calendar notification appears. It is noticing that the winter jacket no longer fits before the first cold day arrives.
It is planning meals, arranging appointments, anticipating emotional needs, and constantly adjusting the logistics of family life. Many mothers describe it as having a permanent browser with twenty open tabs in their mind, each one representing a small responsibility that cannot be forgotten. The challenge is that much of this work happens silently. Because it happens in the mind, it rarely looks like effort from the outside.
Why This Conversation Matters Now
For many years, the focus of discussions about motherhood centered on visible responsibilities: childcare, household work, and balancing career and family. But increasingly, psychologists and sociologists are recognizing that the mental management of family life may be one of the most significant sources of stress for mothers today. In a world where many women pursue professional careers while also managing family life, the mental load often becomes the invisible layer holding everything together. Modern motherhood frequently requires women to operate as project managers of their entire household. Schedules, communication, emotional well-being, logistics, education, nutrition, social relationships, all of these layers require attention. And attention is a limited resource.The Emotional Side of Mental Load
Beyond the practical responsibilities, there is another dimension that makes the mental load particularly heavy: emotional responsibility. Many mothers naturally take on the role of emotional coordinator within the family. They notice when a child feels insecure. They anticipate tensions between siblings. They remember birthdays, friendships, family traditions, and the small rituals that create stability for children. This emotional awareness is a profound strength. But when it is carried mostly by one person, it can quietly become overwhelming.
The Emotional Side of Mental Load
Beyond the practical responsibilities, there is another dimension that makes the mental load particularly heavy: emotional responsibility. Many mothers naturally take on the role of emotional coordinator within the family. They notice when a child feels insecure. They anticipate tensions between siblings. They remember birthdays, friendships, family traditions, and the small rituals that create stability for children. This emotional awareness is a profound strength. But when it is carried mostly by one person, it can quietly become overwhelming.Why Many Mothers Don’t Talk About It
Interestingly, many women do not immediately recognize the mental load in their own lives. Partly because they are used to it. Partly because it feels like an expected part of motherhood. And partly because the work is difficult to explain. It is not a single task that can be completed and crossed off. It is a continuous awareness that runs quietly in the background of everyday life. But as more women share their experiences openly, something important is happening: recognition. Recognition that this invisible effort is real. Recognition that it requires energy. Recognition that it deserves to be acknowledged.
Changing the Conversation
The goal of discussing mental load is not about assigning blame or creating conflict within families. Instead, it is about bringing visibility to something that has long remained invisible. When partners, families, and workplaces understand the concept of mental load, it becomes easier to share responsibilities more consciously. Simple shifts – shared calendars, clearer communication, joint planning of responsibilities ´- can significantly reduce the pressure that many mothers quietly carry. But perhaps the most powerful change is cultural. Acknowledging mental load allows women to stop questioning whether they are simply “overreacting” or “not managing well enough”. Instead, it validates something millions of mothers experience every day.A New Definition of Strength
The conversation around mental load is also changing how we define strength in motherhood. Strength is not simply the ability to handle everything alone. It is the ability to recognize when responsibilities need to be shared. It is the courage to speak openly about invisible pressures. And it is the wisdom to protect one’s own energy while caring deeply for others. Modern motherhood is not about carrying every burden perfectly. It is about creating families where responsibility, care, and awareness are shared. And perhaps the most powerful step in that direction begins with something very simple: making the invisible visible.
Elena Moreau