Professor: International Master of Sport Management

Gijs Groeneveld did not feel sufficiently challenged by life when he studied Business Administration at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam. He came to this conclusion when - by ‘coincidence’ - two acquaintances raised the plan to row across the Atlantic Ocean. Two and a half years later they were pushed off the quay at New York Harbor, and they arrived at Rotterdam Harbor 60 days later.

After this crazy adventure with its’ challenging experiences, Gijs started working at Vopak as change manager. In addition to this, he facilitated motivational workshops about his rowing adventure. Apart from the instructive, corporate environment at Vopak, the inspiring people at these workshops boosted his energy. With the founding of Peak4, Gijs now has made this his fulltime profession. The Johan Cruyff Institute gave him the opportunity to become a teacher in Presentation Skills for MISM, an offer he couldn’t refuse.

Gijs’ philosophy towards life: One can only grow by stepping outside the comfort zone. The real growth takes place during the recovery period after the challenge.