MY STORY
THE MOUNTAINS WEREN’T ALWAYS BEAUTIFUL.
In 2006, one moment changed everything. A spinal cord injury meant rebuilding my life from a completely different starting point.
Sport became my way forward. From wheelchair basketball and three Summer Paralympic Games to para alpine skiing and becoming World Champion — with some of the hardest moments happening far away from the podium.
My story isn’t about everything going to plan. It’s about what you do when it doesn’t.
THE JOURNEY
NOT A STRAIGHT LINE.
Five Paralympic Games. Two sports. One world title. And the next goal is already waiting.
●
2006
CHANGES
MOTOR
CYCLE
ACCIDENT
●
2008
BEIJING
6TH
WHEELCHAIR
BASKETBALL
●
2012
LONDON
BRONZE
WHEELCHAIR
BASKETBALL
●
2016
RIO
BRONZE
WHEELCHAIR
BASKETBALL
●
2022
BEIJING
4TH
SUPER G
ALPINE SKIING
●
2023
ESPOT
WORLD CHAMP
DOWNHILL
ALPINE SKIING
●
2026
CORTINA
5TH
GIANT SLALOM
ALPINE SKIING
SPEAKER
FROM SETBACK TO TOPLEVEL.
What do you do when your world changes in one second?
In my keynotes I don’t just share the highlights of five Paralympic Games, but take you with me along the lessons learned from the moments when things didn’t come easy.
About resilience, perseverance, making choices, teamwork and mental safety.
RESILIENCE · PERSEVERANCE · CHOICES · TEAMWORK · MENTAL SAFETY
TRUSTED BY · Rabobank · Unica · CHIO Rotterdam · Rotterdam The Hague Airport · The Athlete’s Foot · Deloitte · Tio
IMPACT BEYOND SPORT
SPORT HAS GIVEN ME A PLATFORM.
A platform to create change beyond competition.
SOCIAL IMPACT
Using sport to inspire movement, participation and positive change.
INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY
Helping organisations look differently at accessibility, participation and opportunity.
ATHLETE VOICE
Giving athletes a voice in the decisions that shape sport.
IMPACT IN ACTION · Dirk Kuyt Foundation · Sporthelden op School · NOC*NSF Athletes’ Commission · European Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Commission ·
MEDIA
STORIES WORTH SHARING.
On stage, behind the mic and in front of the camera.
PARTNERS
MOVE MOUNTAINS WITH ME.
Competing at the highest level takes more than talent and determination. It takes a strong team around you. Through my Move Mountains Foundation, partners help make my journey towards the 2027 World Championships possible.
LET’S CONNECT.
Looking for a speaker, a partnership or another way to work together? Let’s talk.