About us
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.
WE ARE
ELEMENT X
ABOUT ELEMENT X
PIONEERS OF TRANSFORMATIVE EXPEDITIONS
At Element X, we challenge people to break free from the familiar. We create life-changing, off-the-grid adventures where professionals and leaders find themselves in the wildest nature. Far away from comfort and distraction, they discover what truly lies within them, both physically and mentally.
We are about more than just adventure. We design experiences that resonate, deepen, and have a lasting impact. In pristine landscapes, space is created to slow down, reconnect with nature and with yourself. This strengthens resilience, opens new perspectives, and sets something lasting in motion.
ABOUT ELEMENT X
PIONEERS OF TRANSFORMATIVE EXPEDITIONS
At Element X, we challenge people to break free from the familiar. We create life-changing, off-grid adventures where professionals and leaders find themselves in the wildest nature. Far away from comfort and distraction, they discover what truly lies within them, both physically and mentally.
We are about more than just adventure. We design experiences that resonate, deepen, and have a lasting impact. In unspoiled landscapes, there is space to slow down, reconnect with nature and with yourself. This strengthens resilience, opens new perspectives, and sets something lasting in motion.
32+
Unique
expeditions
17,000+
Kilometers
traveled
6
Guided
continents
6
Guided
continents
30+
Unique
expeditions
12,000+
Kilometers
traveled
WE'VE FOUND OUR ELEMENT X
WE'VE FOUND
OUR ELEMENT X
Koen de Leeuw
Founder, CEO and
Paracommando
Koen is an experienced adventurer and former Paracommando. He leads expeditions in some of the most challenging environments in the world. With his expertise in survival and leadership, Koen inspires others to push their boundaries.
Miel Bonduelle
Founder and Chief Commercial Officer
Miel is an entrepreneur at heart, driven by a passion for adrenaline, dopamine, and pushing personal limits. He connects adventurers and brings his business insight and commercial expertise to
Element X.
Thomas De Munck
Logistics Director
Thomas is the operational heart of Element X. With his analytical eye, calmness, and precision, he keeps expeditions on track. He ensures quality, builds international partnerships, and makes sure our operations remain tight, reliable, and flawlessly organised.
Jolien Quintyn
Graphic Designer
Jolien is een creatieve grafisch ontwerper en avonturier. Met haar oog voor storytelling brengt ze de schoonheid van onze expedities tot leven via design en fotografie, en inspireert ze anderen om groot te dromen.
Simon
X-Guide, Paracommando, Survival Expert, Paramedic
Simon is a professional paramedic with the fire service and a former Paracommando. He is the calmest member of the guiding team. Authentic, gentle, and always ready to lighten your backpack.
Marie-Louise T.H.
X-Guide, Wilderness First Aid, Arctic & Desert, Packraft
As an elite adventure racer, Marie-Louise operates autonomously for days in extreme conditions. Her leadership is calm, robust, and efficient - always focused on safety, team, and perseverance.
Erik E.
X-Guide, Military, First Aid
With 15 years of experience as a physiotherapist in the military, both in the Netherlands and on operations, Erik brings stability to every adventure. Stoic yet deeply caring, both for your physical well-being and your mental support.
Sarah Walcarius
Basecamp Manager & X-Guide
Sarah is incredibly helpful. She is your point of contact from sign up to return: communication, gear, the preparation programme and basecamp. On Sundays you will find her on the trail running circuit, keeping her fitness up. She is also an expedition leader.
Fred V.D.W.
X-Guide, Deep Ocean Recovery, Team Development
Fred is a mature expedition leader with experience in the most remote corners of the world. As a guide, researcher, and team developer, he combines technical knowledge with grounded, strategic leadership.
Landry A.
X-Guide, Wilderness First Responder, Packraft
Landry lives for adventure. With a background as an underwater welder, he combines top technical skills with strong social intelligence -always with humor, curiosity, and respect for the environment.
Wouter P.
X-Guide, Wilderness First Aid, Team Development
Wouter has a natural form of leadership and effortlessly guides groups towards a common goal. With his calm presence and infectious enthusiasm, he creates a safe, stable environment in which participants can develop and collaborate.
Renske V.
X-Guide, Wilderness First Aid, Rope Techniques, Paragliding
Renske is a powerful outdoor professional with an unmistakable passion for nature. Whether on rock, water, or in the air - she moves through it with technical strength and intuition, always with an eye for safety and team.
Finn T.
X-Guide, Wilderness First Aid, Bushcraft & Survival
Finn is a driven bushcraft and survival expert with deep knowledge of plants and animals. With calm, empathetic leadership, he guides groups into his world of nature and self-reliance.
Maarten D.
Outdoor chef
Maarten is a professional outdoor chef with a pronounced love for cooking outdoors. With pure, local ingredients and a lot of creativity, he turns every meal into an experience. Fire, nature, and flavour come together naturally for him. (Foer)
Michiel D.R.
Outdoor chef
Michiel is a professional outdoor chef with a strong passion for cooking in nature. He works with local, seasonal ingredients and translates the environment into flavour. Around the fire or on location, he cooks with craftsmanship, precision, and respect for the product, place, and team.( De Sjampetter)
Koen de Leeuw
Koen is an experienced adventurer and former Para Commando. He leads expeditions in some of the most challenging environments in the world. With his expertise in survival and leadership, Koen inspires others to push their boundaries.
Miel Bonduelle
Founder and Chief Commercial Officer
Miel is an entrepreneur at heart, driven by a passion for adrenaline, dopamine, and pushing personal limits. He connects adventurers and brings his business insight and commercial expertise to
Element X.
Thomas De Munck
Logistics Director
Thomas is the operational heart of Element X. With his analytical eye, calmness, and precision, he keeps expeditions on track. He ensures quality, builds international partnerships, and makes sure our operations remain tight, reliable, and flawlessly organised.
Sarah Walcarius
Basecamp Manager & X-Guide
Sarah is incredibly helpful. She is your point of contact from sign up to return: communication, gear, the preparation programme and basecamp. On Sundays you will find her on the trail running circuit, keeping her fitness up. She is also an expedition leader.
Jolien Quintyn
Graphic Designer
Jolien is a creative graphic designer and adventurer. With her eye for storytelling, she brings the beauty of our expeditions to life through design and photography, inspiring others to dream big.
Simon N.
X-Guide
Simon is a professional paramedic with the fire service and a former Paracommando. He is the calmest member of the guiding team. Authentic, gentle, and always ready to lighten your backpack.
Renske V.
X-Guide
Renske is a powerful professional with an undeniable passion for adventure in nature. Through rain and shine, you can find her among the rocks, with the canoe in the water or paragliding in the air.
Finn T.
X-Guide
Finn is a true nature lover with a great passion for nature and survival, also known as bushcraft. He is eager to share his extensive knowledge and experience with the group. A leader who calmly and empathetically takes you into his world full of nature.
Marie-Louise T.H.
X-Guide
As an adventure racer, Marie-Louise is often on an adventure for days with minimal support. Mountain biking, rafting, rappelling, swimming, running, navigating, all in competitive form. Her leadership is calm and robust, always with an infectious smile.
Erik E.
X-Guide
With 15 years of experience as a kinesiologist in the army, both in the Netherlands and on operations, Erik brings stability to every adventure. Stoic yet very caring, both for your physical injury and for your mental support.
Fred V.D.W.
X-Guide
Fred is a mature expedition leader with experience in the most beautiful and remote places in the world. As a guide, scientific researcher, and team development facilitator, he takes people into the unknown. In addition to being a guide, Fred is also an artist who draws inspiration from nature.
Landry A.
X-Guide
Landry breathes adventure. From underwater welder to driven guide: he feels at home in challenging situations. With his social instinct, humour, and interest in the history of adventure, he effortlessly takes people along in every story and every expedition.
Wouter P.
X-Guide, Wilderness First Aid, Team Development
Wouter has a natural form of leadership and effortlessly guides groups towards a common goal. With his calm presence and infectious enthusiasm, he creates a safe, stable environment in which participants can develop and collaborate.
Maarten D.
Outdoor chef
Maarten is a professional outdoor chef with a pronounced love for cooking outdoors. With pure, local ingredients and a lot of creativity, he turns every meal into an experience. Fire, nature, and flavour come together naturally for him. (Foer)
Michiel D.R.
Outdoor chef
Michiel is a professional
outdoor chef with a strong passion for cooking in nature. He works with local, seasonal ingredients and translates the environment into flavour. Around the fire or on location, he cooks with craftsmanship, precision, and respect for the product, place, and team. (The Sjampetter)
Partners who dare:
Partners who dare:
Read more about Koen De Leeuw, safety and our vacancies.