About us
Jacqueline Klemke
Back in the day, when I was a parent, and Nick the head of the school my daughter goes to, I walked into his office - unannounced - and asked him if I could make a proposal of how to improve social skills/social wellbeing. He said: "Go for it". What I did not know at the time is how important these issues were and are to him. Let's Be Real is the continuation of the work we started back then. And the rest as they say is history.
I have always been deeply passionate about children and their mental health. Yet, life took me on a different path, and it took me 20 years to discover my true calling. My English teacher had told my mom that she should make sure that I do something with languages, so I first became a conference interpreter - a profession that I still enjoy today.
During my studies, I would read any psychology magazine that I could get my hands on. Purely out of curiosity. Over the years, I tutored both kids and adults until the time I worked with a Chinese-born corporate consultant. I quickly realised that her struggles extended beyond language barriers; they involved core beliefs, expectations, cultural norms, and navigating a corporate world vastly different from her own. This inspired me to become a Life and Business Coach.
Watching families around me taking on the daily struggles of family life, I felt compelled to dive deeper, and soon decided to pursue specialised training as a Systemic Couples and Family Coach. Looking back now, I realise this journey led me exactly to where I’m meant to be.
Nick Praulins
I co-founded Let’s Be Real together with Jacqueline because schools are on the front lines of a growing mental health crisis, yet most lack the tools, training and shared language to respond effectively. The result is stigma, silence and strain across entire school communities: students, teachers, staff and families alike.
Over the past 20 years I have worked as a teacher and school leader in Australia, South Africa and Germany. In leadership roles I saw the toll that a lack of mental health understanding takes not only on students but on staff as well. I also experienced the frustration of searching for resources that simply did not exist, leaving schools and families to figure things out alone.
That challenge shaped my conviction: mental health in schools cannot be left to chance or treated as an afterthought. When entire school communities are equipped with knowledge and practical strategies, they can replace stigma with compassion, and isolation with connection.
Today I design and deliver workshops for schools across Europe, as well as facilitating in corporate settings. These experiences reinforce one truth: whether in classrooms or boardrooms, people thrive when mental health is openly addressed and practically supported.
Outside of work, I am passionate about cycling and Hyrox training. Both remind me of the value of persistence, resilience and community – the same qualities I believe are essential for creating stronger schools and workplaces.
Through Let’s Be Real, my mission is simple: to create school communities where mental health is everyone’s responsibility, and where every individual feels safe, supported and able to thrive.