Jaap Bressers

‘It’s the little things that make a difference’  When an accident left Jaap Bressers paralyzed he realised that this is true. In his keynote  ‘The power of a Carlos moment’ he shares with his audience why it is so important to find your personal strenghts. Where do you ad value? Where can you make a difference? Jaap shows us how you can create added value; at your workplace, within your company or in the lives of others. His message is clear: You can make a difference.

Jaap Bressers had one goal from childhood on: to get the most out of life. At 21 years old, he was in a diving accident which left him paralyzed from the chest down and bound to a wheelchair for life. Looking back, Jaap can say that in the end he came out stronger, and he uses his experiences from this tumultuous period in his life to inspire others.

Jaap even found renewed strength during his rehabilitation. He completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree almost cum laude, and developed a passion for sustainability while working as a student assistant to former Dutch minister Pieter Winsemius.

Today he gives keynotes on topics such as overcoming adversity, talent, leadership, and values. In addition to speaking, he is involved with projects that seek to make a difference in terms of sustainability and for people with disabilities or others who could use a helping hand. He believes that it is important not just to live for yourself, but to see opportunities and consider society as a whole.

Jaap has been through a lot but has also learned a lot. He enjoys sharing that knowledge on stage, where he can touch, entertain and inspire people. As he says himself: “I learned a lot because of my accident, it’s just a shame that I had to break my neck for it.” His performances as a keynote speaker will inspire you to make a difference in your own life using the motto: “Small things matter and you are capable of much more than you think.”