Read time: 3 min.

The first time I found hard dance music on YouTube, I couldn’t look away.

Fireworks lit up the sky, the bass shook the ground, and a massive crowd moved together like one giant heartbeat.

But it wasn’t just the show that hooked me; it was the people.

Young, old, even some in wheelchairs, all dancing like they didn’t have a care in the world.

That’s when I knew: I had to be part of it.

So I made a promise to myself:

When I turn 18, I will go to a hardstyle festival.

Two years later, the moment finally arrived.

Standing at the festival entrance with my foldable camping tent, I could hardly believe it.

At the time, I was struggling with a severe skin condition caused by a leaky gut.

My skin looked anything but normal—red, inflamed, and impossible to hide.

People would often stare, and I felt constantly judged, like I didn’t belong.

But at the festival, something changed.

For the first time in a long time, people weren’t staring at the scars on my body.

They were too busy expressing themselves in their own unique ways.

We all shared one thing: a love for hard dance music.

I felt welcome and accepted, and it was incredibly liberating.

The music—fast, euphoric, and full of energy—felt like a spiritual experience.

Years of bottled-up energy finally found an outlet.

Tears streamed down my face as I hugged strangers and openly shared my struggles from the past years.

It felt like therapy.

Fast forward; it’s been six years since that festival. And I’m still going.

From the outside, the music seems harsh and intense.

Many call it noise. And maybe it is.

But for me, it goes much deeper than that.

Hard dance music has a special place in my heart, not just because of the beats, but because of what it taught me:

Be yourself. Fully. Loudly. Unapologetically.

Because somewhere out there, your tribe is waiting.

Why This Matters to You

Building a personal brand is a lot like stepping into that first festival.

At first, it feels intimidating—people might judge you, and self-doubt creeps in.

But once you embrace your unique voice, everything changes.

Here’s how you can start doing that today:

1. Engage without filters – Stop trying to fit into a mold. Reply to comments and messages in your own tone, not how you think you should sound.

2. Stop editing your writing – Over-polishing content kills authenticity. If it sounds too perfect, it probably isn’t coming from the heart. Hit "post" or "send" when you feel it’s 80% there. Let the rest be raw and real.

3. Experiment and track what works – Post different types of content (stories, tips, rants, etc.), and see what gets the most engagement. Double down on what feels authentic, but also pay attention to what your audience responds to.

It all comes down to one thing:

Your brand should feel like home.

The right audience won’t judge you—they’ll resonate with you.

And the ones who don’t get it?

They were never meant to.

Much love,

— Martijn