As a child, Alex had only one dream: to become a circus director. In one of the least profitable industries, he built a thriving enterprise with four productions and an annual audience of 150,000 visitors. His circuses travelled with various tents across the Netherlands and Belgium and were honoured with the North Holland Culture Award and De Opsteker from the City of Utrecht.<\/p>\n
A few years ago, Alex\u2019s body abruptly forced him to slow down. Due to the rare condition hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), he is gradually losing strength in his legs, requiring him to make significant changes to his life. However, this has not stopped him from pursuing his dreams, both professionally and personally. For Alex, that means inspiring others to do the same.<\/p>\n
A NEW AUDIENCE<\/strong><\/p>\n Alex swaps the circus for the world of conferences and seminars. A new audience welcomes him with open arms. Once again, spectators are on the edge of their seats. Not for circus performers this time, but for a life story that encourages them to face adversity head-on and pursue their dreams. And, of course, a generous dose of humour is never missing!<\/p>\n RESILIENCE AND CREATIVITY<\/strong><\/p>\n ‘You don\u2019t just tell a story\u2014you are<\/em> the story,’ Alex was told after one of his talks. The moment he steps onto the stage in his circus uniform, the tone is set. His story is about transforming dreams into a mission, following your instincts, embracing change, and persevering despite setbacks.<\/p>\n Though Alex\u2019s body may be losing strength, his story is anything but weak. It is powerful, motivating, and deeply inspiring. It helps you recognise that you, too, possess the resilience and creativity to overcome obstacles. Alex invites you to look within yourself and discover how to turn your own dream into a mission.<\/p>\n As a child, I fell often. Each time, I had a choice: stay down and cry or get up and carry on. Anyone who wants to achieve their dreams will stumble many times\u2014but just as often, they will rise again.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As a child, Alex had only one dream: to become a circus director. In one of the least profitable industries, he built a thriving enterprise with four productions and an annual audience of 150,000 visitors. His circuses travelled with various tents across the Netherlands and Belgium and were honoured with the North Holland Culture Award […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_trash_the_other_posts":false,"editor_notices":[]},"sa_speaker_category":[87,83,136,135,39,138,41,149,37,35,141,88,145,131,146,34],"sa_language":[249],"sa_employability":[188,203,178,204,216],"class_list":["post-78308","sa_speaker","type-sa_speaker","status-publish","hentry","sa_speaker_category-behavior-change","sa_speaker_category-creativity","sa_speaker_category-diversity-inclusion","sa_speaker_category-education-learning","sa_speaker_category-entrepreneurship","sa_speaker_category-governance-management","sa_speaker_category-health","sa_speaker_category-inclusive-organizational-culture","sa_speaker_category-leadership-strategy","sa_speaker_category-marketing-and-branding","sa_speaker_category-motivation","sa_speaker_category-personal-leadership","sa_speaker_category-social-enterprise","sa_speaker_category-storytelling","sa_speaker_category-successful-entrepreneurs-male","sa_speaker_category-technology-innovation"],"acf":{"sa_introduction":"Alex Sijm inspires others to bring out the best in themselves, sharing a powerful story of perseverance, overcoming obstacles, and achieving dreams.","sa_one_liner":"Speaker | Theatre Maker | Moderator | Resilience, Inspiration, Humour","sa_name_title":"","sa_region":[],"sa_degree":"","sa_stars":"","sa_maglr_ids":[{"sa_maglr_title":"","sa_maglr_id":"0inwauisbf"}],"sa_publications":null,"sa_socials":null,"sa_subjects":[{"sa_subjects_title":"Keynote - Live Your Dream ","sa_subjects_information":"With Live Your Dream<\/em>, Alex inspires his audience to build something meaningful from passion, love, and intrinsic motivation. People often believe they lack the resilience and creativity needed to overcome obstacles, but Alex is convinced that everyone possesses these qualities. His personal life story is living proof\u2014he understands better than anyone how to turn disadvantages into advantages.\r\n\r\nWith humour, he shares his journey and invites you to look within yourself. It is a search that begins with daring to dream and not fearing the opinions of others\u2014then transforming that dream into a mission.\r\n\r\nLive Your Dream not only sparks reflection but also motivates action.\r\n\r\nKeynote: 60 minutes\r\nInteractive keynote: 90 minutes (including exercises for participants)"},{"sa_subjects_title":"Keynote - Staying Down Is Not an Option","sa_subjects_information":"Imagine a doctor telling you, \u201cI have bad news. You won\u2019t get better.\u201d How would you react? Perhaps with anger, sadness, or fear. Or maybe, in your own way, you would develop resilience and vitality. But how do you do that?\r\n\r\nIn a deeply personal journey, Alex discovers the answer. With warmth, humour, and sometimes thought-provoking honesty, he shares his insights in Staying Down Is Not an Option.\r\n\r\nThis powerful and inspiring talk explores perseverance, embracing change, overcoming obstacles, and discovering the path to personal strength that lies within us all.\r\n\r\nKeynote: 60 minutes\r\nInteractive keynote: 90 minutes (including exercises for participants)"},{"sa_subjects_title":"Theatre Presentation - Staying Down Is Not an Option","sa_subjects_information":"Can theatre help you transform your life? Make wiser\u2014healthier, more sustainable, and safer\u2014choices? Cope better with setbacks? The cast of Staying Down Is Not an Option believes it can.\r\n\r\nWith a powerful, authentic story, this theatre talk invites audiences to experience new perspectives and realise that there are alternative ways forward\u2014and how to embrace them.\r\n\r\nCan theatre help you change your life? Can it guide you towards wiser, healthier, more sustainable, and safer choices? Can it help you navigate setbacks? The cast of Staying Down Is Not an Option firmly believes that theatre can do exactly that. Through a powerful and authentic story, Alex Sijm and his team enable the audience to experience new perspectives and realise that change is possible.\r\n\r\nDiscovering Inner Strength<\/strong>\r\nThe cast uses theatre as a powerful tool to inspire people to uncover and harness their inner strength. This production brings deeply personal themes to life\u2014mental well-being, resilience, vitality, and inclusion\u2014subjects that the performers hold close to their hearts.\r\n\r\nTotal Theatre<\/strong>\r\nThe cast moves the audience with Alex\u2019s life story, told by Alex himself. Modern circus acts and live music weave throughout the performance, creating a unique and immersive experience. These acts, rich in metaphor and narrative depth, provide space for artistic expression while reinforcing the core message.\r\n\r\nMore than just a story, this moving theatrical experience compels audiences to take action and inspires lasting change.\r\n\r\nTheatre Performance: 75 minutes"},{"sa_subjects_title":"Event Moderator \u2013 A Master of Ceremonies Tailored to Your Event","sa_subjects_information":"Event Moderator and Facilitator<\/strong>\r\nAlex is not your \u201ceveryday moderator.\u201d His presence is distinctive\u2014walking differently, dressed as a master of ceremonies, and openly addressing the unspoken. Alex defies convention, and it works. With his unique humour and insights, he strikes the right balance: serious when needed, yet always with a sense of entertainment.\r\n\r\nAn Unconventional Event Moderator<\/strong>\r\n\r\nAs a non-traditional moderator, Alex is not the right fit for every conference, but he\u2019s perfect for organisations willing to be bold and offer participants both substance and an engaging experience. Alex specialises in themes such as cultural and social entrepreneurship, inclusion, living with physical limitations, diversity, resilience, and creativity. His personality brings these topics to life, ensuring an experience that resonates.\r\n\r\nCollaborative Event Planning<\/strong>\r\nWhile a moderator may not traditionally be involved in event production, Alex brings with him two decades of experience in organising productions large and small. This background enables him to work seamlessly with organisers, directing teams, and production staff, offering input on elements like event flow, transitions, and scheduling. With Alex, you gain a uniquely hands-on, creative partner for your event.\r\n\r\nTailored Master of Ceremonies<\/strong>\r\n\r\n \t