As an eight-year-old boy, Thomas's great passion for sport was fueled for the first time by his uncle Jules Kumpen who let him train in his boxing club De Ring in Tienen. He used to spent all his school holidays and weekends to train there as much as possible. In order to be able to work out at home, he sought a boxing club closer to home (he lived in Essen) and ended up at Thai boxing club Dominator Bulldogs under the direction of André Masseurs. Thomas soon fought his first matches in the youth class. In his first year for adults, he won a WFCA Benelux title fight at the age of sixteen.

 

By years of intensive boxing, the interest in different training methods grew. That is why, after his secondary school, he obtained a Bachelor in Physical Education at Karel de Grote Hogeschool in Antwerp. Besides his job as a physical education teacher, he also worked in a sports club as a fitness coach. Meanwhile, he followed additional training courses, making him an acknowledged box trainer (VTS) and Olympic weight lift coach. Shortly thereafter, he quit his job as a sports teacher at secondary school to dedicate himself completely to guiding people to their physical goals, as strength and conditioning coach.

 

By applying different training systems and philosophies, the people he trains are not limited to just one vision or method. He links the right system to each person, depending on the goals that they want to achieve. In addition to individual coaching, Thomas and Olympic weight lifting club MILO in Assen (NL) and Sportquest in Amsterdam (NL) have started a project to train trainers and athletes to become recognized Olympic weight lifters. This clear and practical training was created by renowned Olympic weight lift coach Remco Eenink. Anyone who successfully completes this course will receive a diploma with a certificate from the Dutch Weightlifting Association (NGB), which is internationally recognized.