A stronger body, a stronger mind: what sport has taught me

Over the years, sport has become much more to Manu Beyens than just exercise. It’s a way to challenge myself, make my body stronger and clear my mind. Having been actively involved – and still am – in sports such as football and Thai boxing for many years, I have become convinced that the value of sport goes far beyond what you see at first glance. You’re not just training your muscles; you’re also developing yourself as a person.

Consistent training pays off

One of the most important lessons sport has taught me is that hard work pays off. That doesn’t mean every training session is easy or that progress always comes naturally. It does mean, however, that effort, patience and consistency eventually pay off.
If you exercise regularly, you’ll notice that your body is getting stronger. Exercises that feel challenging at first gradually become easier to do. Your fitness improves, you move more easily and you gain more confidence in what your body is capable of.
But that progress isn’t limited to the physical aspect. By challenging yourself and overcoming difficult moments during a training session, you also develop a form of resilience. You learn that you don’t always have to be comfortable to make progress.
That mindset carries over into life outside sport. Whatever job you do, whatever responsibilities you have, or however hectic your life is: continuing to challenge yourself and investing in your health makes a difference.
Thai boxing brought me peace
Of all the sports I’ve practised, Thai boxing has a special significance for me. At first glance, it might seem like a sport that’s mainly about strength, intensity and physical combat. For me, however, it also brought something else: peace of mind.
When you’re training, you need to be fully present. Your focus is on your movements, your technique, your breathing and what’s happening in that moment. There’s little room to be preoccupied with other matters. You leave the hustle and bustle of the day behind you for a while and focus entirely on the training.
That taught me that physical exercise and mental tranquillity can go hand in hand. Sometimes you don’t need more time to feel better; you just need to make conscious use of the time you have.
Sport has helped me to become stronger, but also to clear my head. And it’s precisely that combination that I find so valuable.

What I consider important as a personal trainer

Today, I try to draw on that experience in my work as a personal trainer. I don’t just want to help people become stronger, fitter or more mobile. I also want them to experience what exercise can mean for their everyday lives.
Not everyone has the same goals. Some people want to get stronger, others want more energy, to move more easily or simply to feel better in their own bodies. That’s why I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.
In my view, good coaching starts with listening, understanding and working together to find out what someone needs. Training should be challenging, but also achievable and tailored to the person in front of you.
For me, the best thing about coaching isn’t just the physical progress. It’s the moment when someone realises they’re capable of more than they initially thought. When uncertainty gives way to confidence, or when someone discovers that exercise isn’t just a chore, but also a moment for themselves.
Invest in yourself, even if you’re short of time
We all lead busy lives. Work, family, commitments and other responsibilities often take up a large part of our time. Yet that needn’t be a reason to completely neglect our own health.
You don’t have to be a top-level athlete. Nor do you have to spend hours at the gym every day. Just two to three hours of exercise a week is enough to lay a solid foundation for a stronger, fitter and sustainably healthy body.
It’s not about perfection, but about consistency. It’s not about a single exceptional training session, but about the choices you make week after week.
Those hours are not a waste of time. They are an investment in yourself – in your physical health, your mental wellbeing and the way you experience your daily life.
.Get stronger, your way
Sport has taught me that physical strength and mental resilience reinforce one another. Through training, you get to know your body better, but you also learn to push your limits, take on challenges and build confidence.
That’s the message I want to get across as a personal trainer: you don’t have to be the best to make progress. You just need to be willing to invest in yourself.
Whether you’re just starting out, getting back into it, or have been active for years: every workout can be a step towards a stronger body and a calmer, more resilient mind.
Because, ultimately, for me, sport isn’t just about what you achieve during a training session or a match. It’s also about what you take away from that training session or match to apply to the rest of your life. And to achieve that, I believe you always hold the key yourself: the key to consistency.

Your personalised programme to get started with sport

Personal training isn’t just about coming in for a set number of sessions. A trainer will draw up a realistic programme tailored to your goals, taking into account your work, family situation and social life. Whether you want to get back to exercising with energy or run a (half) marathon, Manu will get you back on track. This might involve starting with a nice walk incorporating bursts of pace, alongside a specific strength programme that you can do at home 2–3 times a week.

Have you never really done any sport or strength training before, and are you doing this because you’ve read everywhere that it’s best to do strength training at least twice a week? Manu will guide you through this in a safe and responsible way. First, we’ll learn the basic movements and the correct technique, combined with proper breathing. Then, if appropriate, we’ll increase the weights or resistance.

Manu Beyens is our latest addition. He’s joining the Healthcube Sterrebeek team as a personal trainer on Mondays and Thursdays from 6 am to 1 pm. Would you like to get your day or week off to a good start? Find out what options are available for incorporating more high-quality exercise and sport into your daily routine, so you can work towards your goals.

Support tailored to your needs, taking your goals into account. That’s what personal training at Manu is all about.