Koen De Leeuw
Ex paracommando · Wilderness First ResponderKoen leads expeditions in some of the most demanding environments in the world. On De Expeditie on Play he led eight well known Flemish personalities through Namibia and Patagonia.
Meet Koen
About Element X
We are
Element X
A Belgian team that builds and leads wilderness expeditions: expedition leaders, X Guides and a basecamp that follows every expedition closely.
Our story
Pioneers of
transformative
expeditions
More than 300 entrepreneurs on expedition since 2022
At Element X we challenge people to break free from the familiar. We take entrepreneurs, professionals and leaders into the wildest nature worldwide: more than thirty expeditions on six continents, off grid and in small groups, after months of preparation.
It is about more than adventure alone. In unspoiled landscapes there is space to slow down and to reconnect with nature and with yourself. That builds resilience, opens new perspectives and sets something lasting in motion.
See the expeditions
Far from comfort and distraction you find out what you are made of
The founders
Our
Our
founders
Element X was founded by Koen De Leeuw and Miel Bonduelle. Koen leads expeditions in the field, Miel makes sure every participant ends up on the right expedition.
Miel Bonduelle
Entrepreneur · First point of contactMiel is an entrepreneur at heart who likes to push his own limits. He is your first point of contact at Element X: he listens to what you are looking for and matches you with the right expedition.
Book a call
The team
We've found
We've found
our Element X
Expedition leaders, X Guides and outdoor chefs, with backgrounds ranging from paracommando and paramedic to adventure racer and bushcraft expert.
Basecamp
From sign up to return
Logistics Director
Thomas De Munck
Thomas is the operational heart of Element X. With his analytical eye, calm and precision he keeps expeditions on track. He safeguards quality, builds international partnerships and makes sure our operations run tight and reliable.
Basecamp Manager and X Guide
Sarah Walcarius
Sarah is your point of contact from sign up to return: communication, gear, the preparation programme and basecamp. She is also an expedition leader herself. On Sundays you will find her on the trail running circuit. Her dog Mo has more or less become our office dog.
Graphic Designer
Jolien Quintyn
Jolien is a graphic designer and adventurer. With her eye for storytelling she brings our expeditions to life in design and photography.
X Guides
Expedition leaders in the field
X Guide
Simon N.
Simon is a paramedic with the fire service and a former paracommando. The calmest member of the team: authentic, gentle and always ready to lighten your backpack.
X Guide
Marie-Louise T.H.
As an adventure racer, Marie-Louise spends days on end in extreme conditions with minimal support. Her leadership is calm and robust, always focused on safety and the team.
X Guide
Erik E.
Erik worked fifteen years as a physiotherapist in the army, in the Netherlands and on operations. Stoic but caring, both with a physical injury and for your mental support.
X Guide
Fred V.D.W.
Fred is an experienced expedition leader who knows the most remote corners of the world. As a researcher and team developer he combines technical knowledge with grounded, strategic leadership.
X Guide
Landry A.
Landry lives for adventure. A former underwater welder, he combines technical skill with strong social intelligence, always with humour, curiosity and respect for the environment.
X Guide
Wouter P.
Wouter has a natural way of leading and brings groups together towards one goal. His calm presence creates a safe environment in which participants grow and work together.
X Guide
Renske V.
Renske is an outdoor professional with a deep love for nature. On rock, on water or in the air she moves with technical strength, always with an eye for safety and the team.
X Guide
Finn T.
Finn is a bushcraft and survival expert with a deep knowledge of plants and animals. Calm and empathetic, he takes groups into his world of nature and self reliance.
Outdoor chefs
Cooking around the fire
Outdoor chef
Maarten D.
Maarten loves cooking outdoors. With pure, local ingredients and plenty of creativity he turns every meal around the fire into an experience.
Outdoor chef
Michiel D.R.
Michiel works with local, seasonal ingredients and translates the surroundings into flavour. Around the fire or on location he cooks with craft and respect for product, place and team.
Kasteel Borgwal | Gavere
Our
Our
basecamp
Our office is at Kasteel Borgwal in Gavere. This is where groups meet for their kick off and technical training: building shelters, filtering water, packing backpacks and training with weight on the towpath along the canal.
During the expedition our basecamp in Belgium follows your group 24/7. Your first conversation can take place here, or online if that suits you better.
Plan an introductory callPartners
who dare
Questions about Element X
See all questionsWho is behind Element X?
Element X was founded in 2022 by Koen De Leeuw and Miel Bonduelle. Koen is an expedition leader, former paracommando and Wilderness First Responder. Miel is founder and CCO and your first point of contact. Together with a team of expedition leaders, X Guides and outdoor chefs they build and lead every expedition.
Where is Element X based?
Our office and basecamp is Kasteel Borgwal in Gavere, Belgium. That is where the kick off and the technical training sessions take place. During every expedition the basecamp follows your group 24/7.
Where do the expeditions go?
Worldwide, from Lapland and Svalbard to Patagonia, Kyrgyzstan, Oman and Mongolia. Since 2022 we have organised more than thirty expeditions on six continents. See all expeditions.
Who are the expeditions for?
For entrepreneurs, high performers and teams who want to grow outside their comfort zone. You leave with a small, selected group of 6 to 12 people. Since 2022 more than 300 entrepreneurs have joined an expedition.
Who leads the expeditions?
Every expedition is led by an Element X expedition leader, together with X Guides experienced in extreme off grid conditions. The team includes former paracommandos, a paramedic and Wilderness First Responders.
Read on
More about
More about
Element X
