Our Team
Kathelijn Polspoel
Physiotherapist
Kathelijn is a sports physiotherapy expert with nearly 20 years of experience at UZ Leuven/KU Leuven and in elite sport. She specialises in lower-limb injuries, muscle and tendon injuries, and running-related complaints. She combines her clinical work with scientific research and shares her expertise through educational programmes. Since 2008, she has supported Belgian Athletics and has been part of Team Belgium at the Olympic Games in Rio, Tokyo and Paris.
Lukas Debeer
Physiotherapist
Driven physio with a high-performance mindset. Lukas blends clinical insight with his experience as
an endurance athlete, turning theory into practice and effort into progress. He’s passionate about
injury management, strength training, resilience and personal growth. Currently, he supports athletes
within both the Taekwondo and Sailing Federations.
Valentijn Deneulin
Physiotherapist
Hands-on expert with a sharp analytical eye. Valentijn’s path runs from youth rehab at Zulte
Waregem to first-team physio work at Club Brugge. He’s built a wide-ranging expertise in prevention,
rehab and return-to-play, guiding both recreational and elite athletes. At Orbit, he brings precision,
clarity and calm to every session, helping athletes rebuild and perform with purpose.
Esther Vanwijck
Physiotherapist
Science in motion. Esther started her career at UZ Leuven’s Sports Medical Advice Center,
combining clinical work with research on injury prevention in elite volleyball. Her approach blends
science, precision and play, refined across different sports over the years. At Orbit, she helps athletes
recover, prevent and perform with purpose. When she’s not treating athletes, she’s competing
herself, representing Belgium in ultimate frisbee.
Alana Lutz
Physiotherapist
Physio with a passion for movement. Born in Canada, trained in Leuven, now part of Orbit. Alana
blends science with empathy. Her work is rooted in data, recovery and performance. She’s deep into
hip and groin rehab and dry needling. Outside Orbit, you’ll probably find her halfway up a climbing
wall – her happy place and research lab in one.
Robberecht Bex
Physiotherapist
Precision-driven physio with a sharp eye for movement. Robrecht combines biomechanical insight
with active rehab to help athletes move better, stronger and longer. Since 2019, he’s been shaping
the future of young footballers at KV Mechelen, while refining his craft in private practice. When he’s
not treating or coaching, you’ll catch him on his bike or mid-run, always moving, always learning.
Pieter Lormans
Sports Physician
Dr. Pieter Lormans is a specialist in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine at Jessa Hospital in Hasselt, with additional expertise in sports medicine and musculoskeletal ultrasound. He works with elite athletes from, among others, OHL and Taekwondo Vlaanderen, and has previous experience with Club NXT and the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA). At ORBIT, he provides sports medicine consultations in close collaboration with the physiotherapy and performance team.
Karolien Rector
Sports Dietitian
Karolien Rector is a sports dietitian with more than ten years of experience in elite sport. She supports athletes and teams at the highest level and translates science into practical nutrition strategies. Karolien works with KRC Genk, Union Saint-Gilloise and Soudal Quick-Step, and also supports individual elite athletes. Her approach helps optimize performance, accelerate recovery and peak at key moments.
Viktor Van Der Veken
Sports Psychologist
Viktor Van Der Veken is a performance psychologist with more than ten years of experience in elite sport. He supports athletes and teams at the highest level with a pragmatic approach that creates real impact in practice. In addition to working with individual athletes, Viktor also collaborates with the Swimming Federation, the Royal Belgian Football Association, and other elite sport federations. His approach helps strengthen mental resilience and increase self-awareness, enabling athletes to perform at a high level in a sustainable and consistent way.
Vicky Bervoets
Office Manager
The engine behind Orbit. After more than 10 years in banking, Vicky made the switch to
healthcare, completing her training as a medical secretary and never looking back. At Orbit, she
keeps everything running smooth: managing schedules, coordinating admin and supporting the
physio team behind the scenes. Also a basketball trainer and player, she knows what it takes to keep
a team moving, on and off the court.
Joris Jellasics
Managing Director
Co-founder of ORBIT. Performance coach with ten years of experience in Olympic and professional sport. Joris has worked with several leading organisations, including Paris Saint-Germain and the Royal Belgian Football Association, where he developed performance systems designed to turn potential into results. He currently works as a Strength & Conditioning Coach with the First Team of RSC Anderlecht and the Belgian Judo Federation.
Maarten Thysen
Managing Director
Co-founder of Orbit. With over twenty years of experience and nine Olympic Games, Maarten’s
career has been all about performance that lasts. Specialized in injury prevention, strength and
sustainable athlete development, he’s been a driving force behind Team Belgium’s performance
strategy. In 2022, he received the Flemish Sports Jewel for his contribution to elite sport. Since 2025,
he advises Sport.Vlaanderen and Team Belgium on S&C and the development of
performance support teams.
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