Maartje: Ultimate Frisbee talent and head of data science and AI

From football to Ultimate Frisbee

‘Until I was 22, I played football at a high level. That changed during my studies when I went to study in Australia for six months. Through roommates there, I was introduced to the world of Ultimate Frisbee. They needed another woman on their team and convinced me to join. I had never played before, but the Australian coach indicated that I had real talent for it and could even make it to the Dutch team. Because of my football past, I was very quick and had game insight, which is why I scored all the time. At the same time, I thought: me, in the Dutch team? I have never played before and can only run and catch, but not throw at all. Still, he encouraged me to continue with it in the Netherlands.’

10 years at a high level

‘Back in the Netherlands, a friend who was doing the same studies asked me to set up a Frisbee club with him in Maastricht. We then founded ‘Ultimaas’ (Ultimate Frisbee Maastricht) together. After six months, that same study friend pointed me to the try-outs for the national frisbee team. At first I thought I had nothing to do there, as I had only just started playing. In the end, I went anyway and got selected! I did not understand, but apparently they saw potential in me. I have now been playing at the highest level for 10 years and have participated in several European Championships and World Championships. Currently, I also play for GRUT, an Ultimate Frisbee team in Amsterdam. With that club, I have already become European club champion a couple of times. Our next goal? Finally beat the Americans at the world championships. Because of the distance, I can't train twice a week in Amsterdam. I therefore train in Aachen and also do cycling, running and strength training. I have really found my own flexible way to stay fit.’

16 hours of exercise per week

‘I combine my data background with sport in various ways and vice versa. For example, I keep statistics on which sports I do and how much I exercise per week. I also use my sports watch to understand the impact of my training load and optimise my training and rest. Besides my work at Mediaan Conclusion, I train about 16 hours a week. In doing so, I really look for how to combine my job, normal life and sports career in a way that I can sustain for a long time. By proactively adapting my training activities to my life, I can stay fit in a way that is sustainable for me and continue to play Ultimate Frisbee at a high level. Without constantly having to go to Amsterdam or give up my career at Mediaan Conclusion for this.’ 

Multifunctional talents

‘At Mediaan Conclusion, we help companies innovate. We usually do this on a project basis. We first look at the company's problem and only then choose the best technology for the solution. At Mediaan Conclusion, we work on large projects and yet there is plenty of room within the company for personal attention and development. I really enjoy that. Moreover, my role as head of data science and AI is extremely versatile and therefore I can use several of my talents in it. I discuss with technicians what is possible in the IT field and can then explain this to a company's management. I speak both languages. And I also use the skills I gained during my sports career on a daily basis as a data scientist. For instance, I know how to lead a team, how to give and receive feedback and how to improve things through continuous evaluation. For example, I am always observing and analysing what other people do, how they behave and what impact it has. I notice that my team finds it very valuable when I hold up a mirror to them in a positive way and give them tips for their development. In short, I always look at how something went and what can be improved in the future. Whether it's a sports performance or a project at Mediaan Conclusion.’

Proud

‘I am proud that I can combine my demanding job with my great passion to play Ultimate Frisbee at the highest international level. I am also very grateful that Mediaan Conclusion wants to facilitate me in this and gives me the freedom to work from abroad from time to time, for example. In recent years, I have been able to develop quickly both professionally and athletically. It is not always easy to combine my personal life and my career at Mediaan Conclusion with my career in top sport, but it still gives me a lot of satisfaction. 

I am also proud of the fact that I always go for what I want, without letting other people's opinions stop me. I hope I can be an example by showing that you don't necessarily have to follow the path others think is normal. It gives me a lot of energy and motivation on to keep challenging and improving myself both at work and in sport.’