Wild purpose with: Jack

Some people run from the unknown. Others walk straight into it.

Jack is one of the latter. After a military career in the Dutch armed forces, he left everything behind; his relationship, his comfort zone, his old life. What followed wasn’t a retreat. It was a mission. A full immersion into the wild. What started as volunteering in Africa grew into a calling: a life lived among predators, poachers, and park rangers. Today, Jack coordinates anti-poaching teams across multiple African countries, trains specialists, and works with people built for pressure, purpose, and danger.

But it all began with a kid who couldn’t sit still. “I spent most of my youth outside, climbing trees, feeding animals, building huts. Always chasing something wild.” That instinct, his urge to protect, lead, and stand up for what matters, was born early, shaped by a difficult childhood. The military was in his blood. “My dad, my uncles, even my sister. Everyone was connected to the military. It wasn’t a coincidence. It was a calling.”

Jack served in the Dutch artillery, operating 120mm mortars at Wolvenbatterij and later working with the Panzer Howitzer 155mm. The army taught him to push beyond limits. Physically, mentally, spiritually. “Two busted knees before I was 30, but mentally stronger than ever. The military taught me how to think outside the box, keep moving forward, and handle pressure head-on.”

But life had other plans. After leaving the military, Jack hit a breaking point and chose to pivot. “I was stuck, but I flipped the script. I took the worst part of my life and turned it into my best decision. I jumped out of planes. I went to Africa. I fell in love with the animals, the cause, the people. Now I can’t stop going back. It’s who I am.”

His first time in Africa was raw and unfiltered. “I arrived at a rehab sanctuary where volunteers were butchering zebra and donkeys to feed carnivores like lions, cheetahs, hyenas, and leopards. The stench of death hit me 3km before I even got there. The coolers barely worked. But you know what? I felt right at home. No fluff, no excuses. Just do what needs to be done.”

He worked his way up through trust, sweat, and grit. Eventually coordinating ranger teams through organizations like Noctuam Poaching Prevention Academy. While much of his current work remains confidential for safety reasons, Jack’s mission is clear: protect the wild, train those willing to fight for it, and lead with integrity.

And not just anyone gets to join these teams. “This isn’t a safari. It’s not a game. You need to be physically and mentally strong, have no criminal record, and be willing to work under extreme pressure. You need skills. Experience. Police, military, or security backgrounds. And above all, a respect for nature. You can’t protect lions if you’re not willing to kill a giraffe to feed them. That’s the reality. The circle of life.”

The military gave him a foundation he still stands on. “It taught me selflessness, resilience, and the power of teamwork. You might not see results immediately but when you zoom out, you realize what impact really means. You learn to put the mission first.”

His network today is vital. “I’ve invested time in the right people, in the right places. Time is the most valuable thing we have. When you give it wisely, it pays back tenfold.”

Jack even had the chance to share his journey with the 

Commander of the Dutch Armed Forces. Not in the field, but back home at a horse event. “I got to tell him everything. That moment meant a lot.

So how does Jack interpret The Scythe Project philosophy?

“Cut the weakness” hits home. “In life, you have a choice. You either use your weakness as an excuse or turn it into your reason to keep going. I’ve had plenty of injuries, setbacks, and dark chapters but I’ve never thrown in the towel. I don’t wait for miracles. I move forward.”

Living between predators demands more than just survival. “It requires trust. Your training, your team, your core values. And it requires vulnerability. Talk about what’s going on. Don’t bottle it up. You’re not alone out there.”

The road ahead? More time in Africa. More conservation work. More awareness. “I want to expand my impact, spread the message, and light a fire in others. Anti-poaching isn’t just about saving animals. It’s about protecting a future we all belong to.”

His personal mantra? “Do good and fear nothing.”

The lesson he leaves us with? Acta, non verba — actions, not words. Ubuntu — unity, shared strength. And above all: nothing is handed to you. You want something?
Earn it. Fight for it. Live for it.

Instagram: Jack - Acta Non Verba Anti Poaching