How it all started

Hello everyone, this is Mitch speaking. In this blog, I’ll take you on a journey through my athletic life and how it all came to be. Additionally, I’ll share what motivates me and provide tips in this blog on how to keep children as active as possible.

I was born and raised in Haarlem Noord, where my parents were always super sporty. They encouraged my sister and me to be active, and nothing was too extreme for them. If we wanted to go surfing, we’d head to the beach, rent a board, and take lessons. They motivated us until we could do it almost effortlessly. That’s how I started playing soccer at the age of four and earned my swimming diplomas. I loved being outdoors and having fun with my friends. We could be found on the school playground every day, playing soccer or other games. Looking back, I had an amazing childhood, and I truly believe that’s where the foundation for my triathlon career was laid.

After obtaining my swimming diplomas, I began competitive swimming while still enthusiastically playing soccer. However, by the time I turned 15, I started losing interest in soccer and went on a quest to find something new. That’s when I discovered triathlon. From that moment on, things progressed rapidly. I started with local triathlons and climbed to higher levels each year. In 2019, I made my international debut and decided to fully commit to the sport.

In 2021, I achieved 4th place at the Junior World Championship and won a European Cup in the junior category. This confirmed that I was on the right track. That year, I also moved from Haarlem to Sittard to fully focus on my sport. I can confidently say it was a good decision, as I now compete all over the world against the best and am gradually getting closer to the top!

I draw a lot of motivation from doing things I enjoy and that give me real energy, and for me, that’s definitely my sport. It’s fantastic to improve a little every day, and I find this process truly beautiful. On the other hand, I’m also inspired by sports icons like Nadal, Phelps, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James. Their life stories motivate me immensely.

Here are some tips to keep children actively engaged: Let them participate in activities they enjoy!

• Encourage them to try new things.
• Engage in active pursuits together with your children.
• Lead by example and be active yourself.

I hope you enjoyed my blog and find my tips helpful in staying active!