Presenter and entrepreneur

‘Inspiration’
I wrote the book Perseverance (Kracht) to share my experiences. It was not my primal goal to inspire others, but I did have the confidence that my story could mean something for others. This book is a good reflection of a guy who didn’t want to end up in a wheelchair and does everything to be able to walk again. But now, when I read it back, I think: come on whiner, the situation is not that bad. The power now lies in the fact that I’ve accepted my situation. At a previous TED Talk I spoke about the strength in adjusting to new situations. The fact that I now feel comfortable with myself makes me able to share my story on stage.

‘Championships’
When I was thirty years old I started playing wheelchair basketball. I made the national team and joined them on the European championships, but I’m not aiming to be the best at just one thing. My way in life is doing my best in different things and doing something completely new creates a great growth curve. I like variety and the challenge in learning new things.

‘TV personality’
Being a television fan, it’s a privilege for me to work on a well-produced television program like De Rekenkamer. I like the pressure that comes with appearing on live talk shows. If I mess up my performance on television I can see that in the right perspective, because I often realize that I am probably the only one who notices when I didn’t do so well. I seem to be good at quiz shows and also won a few. But winning the National IQ test on Dutch television was also due to good preparation. I know my IQ is okay, but the perfectionist in me made me prepare well by playing apps with IQ tests on my iPad.

‘Agenda’
If I’d compare my agenda with many other hardworking people, then mine is filled with doing things that I love. Earning a living by performing in theaters, making a TV program and playing wheelchair basketball, while others would be at a manufactory from early in the morning. I have admiration for those people, because they work on things that have to get done. People say that everyone should follow their passion and do what they really enjoy, but if that would happen then we must hope that there are enough people who’d love picking up our trash. So, much respect for the ones who just get things done. And as for me, I’m grateful that I am in such a privileged position.

‘Suits’
When it comes to making a good impression, I actually focus more on what I say than what I wear. It was different when I was eighteen and just started my Internet company, because I thought that wearing a suit would make me look older and more professional. Probably if you’re not where you want to be yet, you dress yourself towards that. If you’re there, then it doesn’t matter anymore. I doubt that Steve Jobs wore suits for others to listen him.
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Location:
WestCord Fashion hotel, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Clothing:
Bellerose
Samsøe & Samsøe
Magnanni

Photographer:
Ferrie by Studio Popgun

Stylist:
Sinja Bloeme

Muah:
Gloria Babic

Interviewer:
Lexter Woodley

Marc de Hond:
www.marcdehond.nl