Some weeks ago, I had the privilege of visiting our Pasteurization Production Masterclass in Greece – a course led by Orazio Tietto, Christelle Chevalier, and the passionate team at Manitaria.
What a week it was: a deep dive into both theory and practice, underpinned by solid science and real-world experience. What struck me most was the profound openness among the participants – a group of seasoned entrepreneurs who, despite their decades of expertise, remained curious, vulnerable, and generous with their stories.
From following recipes to understanding them
Many came to the course expecting new techniques, but they left with something more powerful: insight. Not just how, but why. And that’s exactly the transformation we aim for. If you truly want to solve your own problems, you must first understand the principles behind your methods. That’s where autonomy begins.
What happens when people stop copying methods and start discovering their own?
They become innovators, not just followers. They become empowered.
The silence that slows us down
This spirit of openness moved me deeply. Too often, I see the opposite in our field – people remaining silent about their struggles, their failures, even their breakthroughs.
When I look at the consulting requests we receive at Mycelia Academy, one thing becomes crystal clear: everyone is facing similar challenges. But nobody knows it, because hardly anyone talks about it.
Why is that?
- Pride? As if failing means you’re not good enough? But believe me, every great player has failed. Repeatedly. That’s exactly how they got there. They hit walls, rebuilt, and tried again.
- Fear of reputation loss? Then every successful person should have a terrible reputation – because behind every breakthrough lies a string of failures.
- Scarcity-thinking? The idea that because you struggled to get answers, others should too?
I understand these feelings. We all do. They are human.
But then I think of Magda Verfaille, my mother-in-law and founder of our sister-company Mycelia – or as she likes to call herself, a bit of a witch (I’d add “a wise witch” to that title).
Learning from Magda - and giving back
When I first met my partner Kasper Moreaux, I fell not only in love, but also into a kind of kettle like Asterix did when he was a child: a family kettle – a brew of generosity, stubbornness, and relentless curiosity that reminds me of my own precious family.
Magda welcomed me into her world and, through countless conversation in the early days of projects like the WoodFungi Conference, I witnessed something rare: a successful entrepreneur who shared everything she knew without holding back.
Magda had no interest in watching others “suffer as much as she had.” She believed the opposite: that if her experiences could spare others unnecessary pain, then that was meaningful. That was purpose.
The seeds of Mycelia Academy
This was before Mycelia Academy even existed. Back then, Magda would spend hours writing detailed, helpful emails to people who had questions – not just customers, but anyone who asked. She practiced, unknowingly, what would become our Academy’s motto: We share knowledge. So you harvest success!
But of course, she couldn’t help everyone. There weren’t enough hours in the day. That’s how the Mycelia School was born, which later evolved into Mycelia Academy – a dedicated space for learning, sharing, and growing together.
Yes, you could call it a business model. We charge for our courses. But if profit were the only driver, things would look very different.
It’s not about being first – it’s about moving forward together
Let’s be honest:
- If we were purely commercial, our courses would be twice the price. Decades of hard-won knowledge, served up in a week? That’s invaluable.
- We wouldn’t spend our breaks in deep, off-program conversations over coffee or dinner.
- We wouldn’t give away so much extra - because “that wasn’t included,” right?
But we do. And we always will.
Because here’s a truth we’ve come to embrace, and I hope you will too:
Even if we shared every single thing we know – even if your competitors attended the same course – you’d still be ahead.
Why? Because you’re already walking the path. You’ve failed, succeeded, reinvented yourself. You know what questions to ask, what risks to take, what mistakes not to repeat. That can’t be copied – it’s earned.
Your ideas, your determination, your creativity – even your stubbornness – don’t lose value when you share them. On the contrary, sharing makes them more powerful.
And honestly? If someone does “catch up” because you shared something? Good. That means the field gets better. The community grows stronger. You’ll still be leading, because leadership is not about keeping secrets – it’s about creating momentum.
Let’s normalize transparency
What I witnessed in Greece was more than just a great Masterclass.
It was a glimpse of what the future of our field could look like – one where people freely exchange experiences, ideas, and mistakes.
One where we learn not just from books and slides, but also from each other. It reminded me of what we’re really building with Mycelia Academy.
Not just a learning platform. Not just a consultancy. But a culture – one where collaboration beats competition, and where experience becomes a gift, not a secret.
Join us! You don’t have to walk alone.
Best regards,
Lieselotte Verweirder
Director Mycelia Academy
May 2025