Erik Michels

"Achieving ambitious results is fantastic. But the way you do it and what you learn about yourself as a result is perhaps even more valuable."

With Sweet Spot Performance I would like to share my ultra experience with conscious ultrarunners and eager professionals with drive and an adventurous spirit.

Sweet Spot Performance was born from my belief that performance is more than just numbers or speed. It is about balance and sustainable success.

- Erik Michels

The current focus on performance has a downside: more and more people are burning out.

A lack of balance causes injuries, exhaustion and a sense of loss. The Sweetspot philosophy revolves around finding a sustainable way of performing, where you are the person at the center, not just the performance.
For ultra runners and professionals alike.

Together we will find the best way for you to achieve your goals.
Where is your desire and motivation? What are your circumstances?
How do you overcome personal obstacles? What are your talents and possibilities?
Where are your growth opportunities? How do you ensure that you can continue to evolve and grow in the long term, without burning yourself out?

By asking yourself these questions, gaining experience and reflecting on it, you gain insight into yourself and ultimately experience 'inner sustainability'.

I believe that if people are aware of the importance of their personal sustainability, this will benefit everyone.

First and foremost themselves, but also their partner, children, colleagues, team and society.

Ultratrails & extreme running expeditions

Ultrarunning is my ultimate passion.

I participated in the classic ultra trails in the Ardennes and iconic ultra trails in the Alps such as the UltraTrail du Mont Blanc (CCC, TDS and UTMB).

Every now and then I finished in the top 10 or on a podium.

However, I am not a competitive animal or someone who runs extremely many competitions. The fun of ultra running and the outdoor adventure always came first.

The many non-competitive running adventures I have experienced are evidence of this.

Such as the attempt to be the first Belgian to run the Bob Graham Round, a running expedition in Greenland, or various running bivouac trips in the Ardennes. Together with polar explorer Dixie Dansercoer and ultra runner Christophe Vandewiele I was also one of the driving forces behind PolarRunningExpeditions.

Special experiences and achievements

2014: Attempt to become the first Belgian to complete the Bob Graham Round
2016: 5th place at the Great Escape 160K
2016: 1st place at the Bello Gallico 80K
2017: 3rd place at the Bello Gallico 80K
2017: 8th place and 1st Belgian to finish at Spine Challenger UK 170K
2018: 6th place in the Legends trail 160K

2018: Walking expedition in Greenland
2019: 2nd place Esprit Montagne Invitational Extreme 170K, +17,000m. A gruelling hors categorie race over very technical trails and narrow ridges in the French Alps.
2021: 1st place, in team with Lander Debrabandere in the Grand Trail du Pays de Mont Blanc 330K, + 26,000m. GTMB is a real adventure over very technical terrain, run only in teams in semi-autonomy.

Passing the torch

At a certain point, I started receiving more and more requests from people around me to provide “ultra advice”.

Each of my ultra adventures shaped me as a person and provided personal growth beyond what I thought possible.

Everyone wants that profound, transformative growth. That's why I started Sweetspot Performance.

In the meantime, I successfully coached several fantastic athletes.

To their first finish in tough 100-mile races. Or when switching from running to ultrarunning.

At the request of Belgian ultra runner Karel Sabbe, I provided practical advice in 2018 during Karel's preparations to set a new world record and Fastest Known Time on the 3500 km long Appalachian trail in the US.

As coach of Team Belgium during the Big Dog's Backyard Ultra 2020, I was a privileged witness from the front row to a piece of recent ultra history.

Team Belgium won the Nations Cup and Karel Sabbe became the new BackYard Ultra 2020 world champion and set a new world record (500+ km in 75 hours) together with "Assist" Merijn Geerts.

What I believe in

Achieving ambitious goals can also be done in a sustainable way and does not have to be at the expense of other aspects in your environment, on the contrary!
Every Real World Athlete and conscious professional needs a sparring partner . Someone who holds up a mirror and thinks along with you so that you can continue to make good decisions yourself.
Everyone is different , there is no 'one size fits all'
Body & Mind are intertwined
Your energy management is the crux for sustainable performance

What I'm excited about

Inspiring people around themes that are close to my heart : achieving challenging adventurous goals in a sustainable way; personal growth that also has a positive impact on the people around you; personal leadership.
To provide conscious people with powerful experiences from which they gain great insights that transform their lives, preferably in nature.
Bringing like-minded people together in quality communities , so they can inspire and stimulate each other.
Practice what I preach. As a Doctor of Science, I combine an active family life with my wife and 3 children with a busy job in a large company, my own coaching practice and running ultra trails. Not self-evident, but a good example that this is quite feasible with a lot of drive, conscious choices and the right focus.