Xander stopped at the roadside on a climb, looking out over the valley.

Rising from the ashes.

Everyone tells him it’s impossible, but Xander’s journey is defined by ambition, grit, resilience, reinvention and growth.

Young Xander in a Jumbo-Visma jersey on a black Merida road bike, beside a stone wall.

Young Xander in a Jumbo-Visma jersey riding his Merida road bike over a brick driveway.

The early days

It all started with an 800-euro bike, a Jumbo-Visma jersey, a local race called “The Tour of Flanders,” and a 13-year-old kid with a dream. In a family where sports are the last thing to think about, Xander found a passion for sports because of his grandfather, especially cycling. When COVID hit, he started training more and more. When his grandfather passed away during the same period, his purpose ignited and burned fiercely.

Xander in a red and black Flanders team kit, standing with his road bike in a garden.

Xander on a race start line in his red and black Flanders team kit, among other riders.

Building from scratch

Even though he grew up in a big family, there was no connection or support for the dream because why would a guy like him ever make it? Xander was exposed to this from a young age, which made him sensitive to pressure and expectations and gave him a sickening desire to prove himself. No matter what he did, it was never good enough. The only thing that mattered was grades in school. So he decided to build a team around him from scratch with the people who do believe in him. He keeps going, tries to finance it himself, and bets on himself that he will make it happen.

Xander racing in red and black Flanders team kit, head down over the handlebars.

Xander riding past tall grass in his red and black Flanders team kit.

Mental Health

Xander experienced a very negative period between the ages of 12 and 18. This had a huge impact on his self-esteem. If this wasn’t enough, his parents divorced with severe hostility. There was no safe place to go, so he pushed himself on the bike. He built defense mechanisms and walls, which created tension that caused an injury at 19 years old. He found help from a sports psychologist, started growing and reinventing himself, and finally leave everything that happened behind. That’s why raising awareness for mental health is so important for him.

Discipline, resilience, and grit have always been inside of me, but only for pursuits I am passionate about that mean something to me.

— Xander Claeys

Xander cornering in a junior race in red and black team kit.

Xander riding along an open road in a colourful Pulso EFC team kit.

The shift

Everything shifted because of inspiration. Not the kind of inspiring mindset content you see on social media, but real stories. Wout van Aert, Alysa Liu, Eileen Gu. He studied how they built confidence, how they’ve overcome obstacles, how they have dealt with toxic behaviors and negativity, and how they became the person they have become. He refused to stay stuck; he raised his voice, he set boundaries, he left toxic environments, and started building a life he actually wants to live ON HIS TERMS.

Xander leaning into a corner in a Pulso EFC team kit on a Van Rysel bike.

Xander racing through a town in red and black team kit.

Confidence comes from action

Instead of waiting to be ready, he started anyway. Xander is on a path to become his true self again. To grow every day and to build the kind of habits and systems that will actually build his success. The journey will be scary; there will be moments of doubt, and there will be setbacks. But there will also be wins and experiences, and he will cross paths with people who could change everything. The direction of his goals and passion is what makes the journey meaningful. Becoming confident by taking action and being gritty day in, day out, for years.

He focuses on becoming better every day; he isn’t where he wants to be yet but he bets on himself that he will make it happen because:

“Why Not Him?”