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Get to know our new Health Expert: Kristof De Smet 

We are thrilled to welcome Kristof De Smet, a passionate expert with an impressive track record in sports, health, and innovation.

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His unique background and experience make him a valuable member of the FTI team. “My career revolves around connecting sports, health, and data. I look forward to leveraging my expertise and network to create a meaningful societal impact with FTI,” Kristof shares. 

 

From the beginning of his career, Kristof dreamt of combining his academic knowledge with practical applications in a commercial setting. After earning a Master’s in Physical Education and Movement Sciences with a specialization in Sports Management, Kristof worked on a PhD in biomechanics at UGent. In 2009, he transitioned to the private sector, joining Golazo Sports to co-found Energy Lab. “The moment I joined, Golazo was known as organizer of famous sport events, such as the Antwerp Ten Miles, but they wanted to invest in guidance for the participants. With Energy Lab we developed four testing labs across Flanders and introduced a corporate wellbeing program that convinced companies to invest in the health and fitness of their employees”, says Kristof De Smet, who recently handed over his role as CEO of Golazo Energy. 

  • Kristof De Smet

    Kristof is a true sports enthusiast with a passion for cycling.

What makes Kristof remarkable is his forward-thinking approach to sport and digital technologies. “I’ve always been fascinated by innovation and the role of data. For example, we launched the Start to Run app, helping thousands of people take their first steps into running,” he explains. Kristof himself is a real sports addict, a passion he has passed on to his children and one he fully integrates into his professional work. Kristof is a pioneer in adopting wearables and platforms like Strava and Zwift and establishing collaborations with parties active in this domain. 

 

At FTI, Kristof aims to use his expertise to select the right partners, who can bridge the gap between data and impactful health solutions. “There are a lot of parties and organization active in this domain, but we need to cooperate with those who can make a striking impact. Based on my experience, I have a good instinct for selecting the right partners”, says Kristof, and he continues, “Have you noticed today’s striking paradox? We’ve never had so much data about our physical and mental wellbeing, yet burnout and absenteeism are still on the rise. By connecting datasets and performing intelligent analyses, we can make a significant difference. FTI offers the perfect platform to achieve that societal impact.”

 

And for those curious about Kristof outside his professional journey, one golden tip: install a smart bike on rollers and download the Zwift app. Since Kristof is busy as ever, you’ll mostly find him sweating it out in the virtual world. While cycling indoors, you might also consider putting in your earbuds and listening to the ‘Zorg Doe(t) Je Goed’-podcast, where Kristof is Stijn De Mote’s guest. 

 

At FTI, we’re ready to join the ride. Welcome Kristof!