Name: Andreas von der Heide
Age: 34 years
Current occupation: Co-founder of Les Deux
  

What did you dream about as a child?

I dreamed of being a farmer.

What key experience impacted you to move in the direction you are moving today?

My father died when I was younger, and based on that, I decided that I should love every day and show those around me, especially my children, how far you can go with hard work, passion, and joy. I briefly dreamed of becoming a consultant or lawyer in one of the larger companies in Denmark or abroad but decided that if I was going to spend 60-90 hours working, it should be for myself and not a partner in a company that mainly focus on the profit. 

What choice you’ve made in your life are you most proud of, and why?

I’m proud of two choices. That I dared to stand by the fact that it was Les Deux I wanted to create and did it, despite endless adversity while finishing law school, doing all my extreme sports (250km race across the Sahara, 100km trail race, Ironman, etc.) and becoming a father early.

I fell in love with my wife at law school, where she was my lecturer. That we chose each other and have stayed together throughout the journey, despite the challenges of having three children at the same time as the above, is the greatest achievement and what I am genuinely most proud of.

What has been the hardest choice you’ve taken, and why?

I have no specific choice that has been the hardest, but during Covid-19 my partner Kristoffer and I were faced with a lot of difficult choices, that also affected the people who had helped us along, which was tough.

 “I'm at my best when I'm playing on the 2nd team and dreaming of the 1st team.”

How do you find inspiration and confidence to pursue your personal journey?

I believe I can create whatever I dream of, and my comfort zone bores me. I am rarely in the so-called comfort zone for very long as I get restless, and I am put in the world to develop and challenge, not to maintain. I'm at my best when I'm playing on the 2nd team and dreaming of the 1st team.

What personal characteristics do people most often use to describe you?

Ambitious, dedicated, and devil-may-care.

 “I've lost, I've learned, and I've won. Most importantly, I know that there is no end to my ambitions - I believe in the impossible, and every time I reach a goal, I set a new one.”

How do you feel these unique characteristics have impacted your way in life?

I don't really think I need to put too many words into this. I've lost, I've learned, and I've won. Most importantly, I know that there is no end to my ambitions - I believe in the impossible, and every time I reach a goal, I set a new one.

What is your best advice to others who would like to feel more comfortable about making personal choices?

When you make a choice, you also choose the consequence. Make sure you are aware of the impact of your choices, and if they are for better or worse.

Follow Andreas and Les Deux on Instagram @lesdeux.