Our Story: From Personal Struggles to a Global Fitness Journey

Hi, we’re Stefan and Marie—partners in life, business, adventure, and fitness. For over 20 years, we’ve dedicated our lives to helping people transform their bodies, regain confidence, and move pain-free. But our path wasn’t simple… and that’s exactly why we understand the people we coach so well.

From struggle to strength

My journey started with frustration—I, Stefan, grew up overweight and had no idea how to get in shape. Years later, a herniated disc changed everything again. It forced me to rethink how I train, how I move, and how I help others stay strong without injury.

Marie knows this story too. A skiing accident left her with a serious knee injury, and she learned first-hand how challenging it is to stay active while recovering. These experiences shaped the way we coach today: with empathy, understanding, and smart training that works for real bodies—not perfect ones.

Building expertise across the world

Our coaching journey took us far. Together, we launched and ran MaxFit Bangkok and MaxFit Performance, helping people of all ages—from absolute beginners to athletes—get stronger, leaner, and more confident. Working with so many older adults and clients with injuries taught us what truly works… and what doesn’t.

After years of building successful fitness businesses, we sold our studios and followed a dream:
a two-year motorcycle adventure from Argentina all the way to New York.
Riding through mountains, deserts, remote villages, rainstorms, and endless landscapes changed us. It taught us resilience, patience, and gratitude.

When we eventually arrived in New York, we teamed up with an American partner and opened an F45 franchise. It became another powerful chapter of learning, coaching, and community. But when COVID hit, life changed again, and we decided to return home to the Netherlands.

Back in Holland, we were hired to open and build two EMS electro-stimulation studios, and they grew rapidly—even during the challenging Corona period. Working with EMS on such a large scale expanded our understanding of electro-muscle stimulation, recovery, and performance. Every chapter added a new layer to our expertise.

Where we are today

Now, we bring all of this experience—our personal struggles, business journey, global adventures, and years of hands-on coaching—to Leefstijlcentrum Haaglanden, where we work as lifestyle coaches. We help people over 40 move better, feel stronger, lose weight, and rebuild confidence with a smart, safe, and sustainable approach.

Because here’s what we’ve learned after coaching hundreds of people around the world:
Training after 40 isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Your body changes. Your recovery changes. And your training needs to change with it.

Why we created FitStrongOver40

FitStrongOver40 is the result of everything we’ve lived, learned, and experienced.
It’s training designed for real people, real bodies, and real lives.
It’s about rebuilding strength, improving mobility, reducing pain, and unlocking confidence at any age.

We know what it feels like to struggle. And we know what it feels like to rise again.
Now, we’re here to help you do the same—stronger, smarter, and without injury.