Kevin VDS

Kevin Van der Straeten - Founder @eventplannerNET | CEO @forward_eu | TV host, consultant, speaker & author

[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

🎙️ Just wrapped up an inspiring conversation on The Lean Founder Podcast with Johan de Wit and The Lean Founder 💡 We talked about coming back stronger to ultra-trail running after heart surgery. Big thanks to Johan for having me on - had a blast! 🚀

[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

🏔️ Ultra trail running isn’t just about cardio - it’s about power, stability, and surviving the downhills on legs that don’t feel like jelly 😅 That’s why I hit the gym 2-3x/week at at Kineworks 💪 Max power reps 🔥 Explosive plyos ⚡ Core work that holds it all together 🧱

[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

It’s confirmed ✅ In 2026, I’ll take on my first 100K category race: the Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB 🇮🇹 80 kilometers 🏃‍♂️ 3000 meters of elevation gain ⛰️ Running through the vineyards and hills of Tuscany 🍇

But first, 2025. Still a few big races to run.

[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

Why do I run ultra distances? 🏃‍♂️⛰️ Honestly, it's not always easy to answer… But on days like today, I’m reminded why.

To clear my mind 🧠
To find perspective 🌄
To wash away disappointment 💧
And to reconnect with nature 🌿

Out there, step by step, I find peace. 🕊️

[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

🔥 1km intervals in 38°C? Who needs a sauna when you’ve got speed work! 😵‍💨☀️ It felt like sprinting through the gates of hell… but hey, race day can be hot too 🏃‍♂️💨🔥 Good head training. Great meltdown. Would not recommend. 😂

#ultrarun #ultrarunning #trailrun #trailrunning

[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

Throwback to my Chamonix training camp earlier - with mighty Mont Blanc as the backdrop 🏔️ A true trail runner’s paradise! 🏃‍♂️🌴 Can’t wait to hit those epic trails again 🙌🌲

#ultrarun #ultrarunning #ultrarunner #trailrun #trailrunning #trailrunner #run #running #runner #UTMB

[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

Be Proud. Especially in times like these, standing tall and advocating for inclusiveness matters more than ever. Pride is not just a celebration — it’s a reminder that every person deserves to feel safe, seen, and valued. Let's continue to show up, speak out, and spread love. 🏳️‍🌈

[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

🔥 New challenge unlocked! Training has officially started for my next ultra trail marathon in the epic  Kaçkar Mountains 🏔️ of Turkey 🇹🇷 Time to grind, climb, and chase that finish line again! 🏃‍♂️ Let’s gooo! 🚀

[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

🚨 WARNING: This book may cause dangerously flawless events 😎💥 Think you've seen it all? Think again. 📖 EVENTPLANNER is the ultimate guide to pulling off unforgettable events without losing your mind 🤯

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[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

Pretty sure this is the first time I’m actually smiling in a finisher photo 📸 Normally I’m too busy suffering 😵‍💫… but last Saturday I felt surprisingly great on the UTMB Ultra Trail 50k 🏔️ Legs worked, lungs cooperated, and for once… the photographer didn’t catch me dying.

[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

Well, this is one I’m extremely proud of and grateful for 🙏 From heart surgery 🫀 to the UTMB Ultra Trail 50k in Andorra with 3,500m of climbing ⛰️  Race time: 9h37 moving time ⏱️ I finished 29th in my age group and 250th overall out of 560 strong athletes 💪

[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

Ready as one can be, I guess 😅 It's been quite a journey - from heart surgery to this start line. Tomorrow I take on my next adventure: UTMB Andorra 50K 🏔️. 50 kilometers, 3400m+ of climbing (and yep, about the same going down 🤯).

[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

Just me, the hills… and 30 unexpected pacers 🐑😂 Early morning traffic jam. They weren’t fast, but they owned the trail.

#sheep #ultrarun #ultrarunning #ultrarunner #trailrun #trailrunning #trailrunner #run #running #runner #utmb #endurance #motivation #mountainrunning

[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

Counting down the days ⏳ After months of recovery, it's almost time to lace up and rise again 🏔️ UTMB Andorra is calling - and I’m ready to answer 💪 #StrongerThanBefore 🫀🏃‍♂️🔥

#ultrarun #ultrarunning #ultrarunner #trailrun #trailrunning #trailrunner #run #running #runner #utmb

[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

Why do you do what you do? 🤔 That one question changed everything — how I lead, how I train, how I live. 

📖 Start With Why by @simonsinek stuck with me - and it still fuels me.

#startwithwhy #leadership #ultrarunning #mindset #CEOlife #trailrunning

[eventplanner.net @eventplannerNET]

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[eventplanner.net @eventplannerNET]

🌟 Attention, Dutch-speaking fans! 🇳🇱🇧🇪 We've got something special for you. Dive into our latest podcast and TV episode 📺🎙️, featuring an engaging chat with Fleur and Joris from EventSummit. 🎧 #EventSummit #Podcast #TVShow

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[eventplanner.net @eventplannerNET]

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#Events #EventPlanning #EventPlanner #CorporateEvents #Wedding #WeddingPlanner

[eventplanner.net @eventplannerNET]

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[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

@cyatrollbar @rollbar Load times are still terrible, but I'll drop an email. Thx for answering.

[Kevin VDS @Kevin_VDS]

@rollbar Could you look into your loading times? Opening pages on https://t.co/GtqZlT1XUC takes ages... We have had serious loading issues yesterday, but also today. We're connecting from Belgium.