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About Maxime Dierickx
Maxime Dierickx brings a fun, supportive and empathic energy to ALGSO. As a physiotherapist, his mission is to make every participant feel safe, seen, and empowered.
His Teaching Style
Meet the Coach 📸
An Interview with Maxime Dierickx
A positive, highly sensitive and incredibly sweet human being, our Belgian Fitness and Strength Training coach in Colpach, Maxime Dierickx, is always up for a laugh (and usually at his own expense). Read on to plunge into his world of empathy, adaptability and love for what he does.
What inspired you to specialise in oncology physiotherapy?
As a child, I had very weak knees, so I was always in physiotherapy sessions. It’s always been the job that I’ve wanted to do as I always wanted to be able to help others around me.
I was doing my dissertation at the CHL, when the head of department asked me to do some replacements in the oncology section. At the end of my contract, my director, seeing how much I loved working in this section, informed me that Colpach was opening and advised me to apply for it.
Maxime went on to do a training in Louvain in exercise therapy, a course on the role of physical activity in chronic pathologies as well as cancer, studying in depth many of the various types of cancer.
He is also a member of the oncology GIS (“groupe d’intérêts spécifiques”) in the ALK (“Association Luxembourgeoise des Kinésithérapeutes”).
What I love about working in oncology is the approach. Yes, there is the physical aspect, but you especially have the emotional and psychological aspect. Sessions involve a lot of active listening. There is an incredibly intimate environment of trust. It is a very full role, and this is what makes me feel so useful. It’s what I love doing. It’s so empathic, human and non-judgmental.
What do you enjoy the most about your Colpach class?
The group! The energy and love that they bring. It’s truly extraordinary and I’ve never seen or felt this anywhere else.
It is a terribly selfish activity for me. I wait all week-long for Monday to arrive, because I know I’m going to see them again… It’s our decompression session, that’s why we really don’t need much, sometimes just a look will send us into laughter!
I really love them. They are always there, always smiling and in a good mood, even when things aren’t great. We have an aperitif, we work, we have a great time. They really are a 2nd family.
Even people who no longer come to the classes, for various reasons, still join us for dinners here and there, or write to us to let us know they are thinking of us!
We are always laughing, joking and gently teasing each other. However, as soon as we see that someone isn’t doing well that day, it’s respected and we don’t force it. The understanding they have between each other doesn’t require any words.
How do you tailor your classes to accommodate the specific needs of cancer patients or those in recovery?
Everything can be adapted.
Usually, most new members give me a call before joining for the first time to introduce themselves, and we have a little chat then. Otherwise, I ask them what type of cancer they had and where they are in their journey. It’s not to label them, or to keep a file on them (I never write anything down), it’s just for me to be aware of the best way for me to take care of them, and how to adapt certain movements in certain exercises.
Maxime is highly sensitive to people’s energies and can immediately tell when someone isn’t doing well, however, participants shouldn’t hesitate to let him know how they’re feeling, or if they need something in particular that day.
I adapt the class, based on the group present on the day, how they feel and what they need or want to work on. When we go for a hike, I always warn the group in advance so that they can bring appropriate clothing. After all, there is no bad weather, only bad clothing!
The only condition Maxime has, is that participants must be able to sit or lie down on the ground on their own. So, not require any mechanical aid to move around.
Every exercise can be adapted, so floor exercises can be done standing, or if you’re too tired, you can stay on the machines. But requiring mechanical aid to move around is really something else. We don’t want to close any doors to anyone, and everything really can be adapted, but we need to ensure your safety above all else.
How do you ensure a fun atmosphere in the class?
I usually use music to animate the classes, mostly 80’s music! And there is always laughter and humour flying around. It’s natural really, the teasing and love. Everyone is there for everyone and the fun just happens!
Is there a fun fact most people don’t know about you?
I love to travel (although my patients already know that about me)!
The more I age, the more I love to explore, discover new cultures and ways of thinking. It really opens up my mind and has made me become less judgemental. I have a passion for my job, but I work to travel.
I love going where people don’t usually go…I’ve been to places like Uzbekistan, Bosnia, Ukraine, places I would have never thought of going when I was younger, but I love it!
My husband and I also really enjoy the concept of “nothingness”.
It’s something we discovered in the desert in Jordan. You hear nothing, you are sounded by this environment of “nothingness”. So we always look for a little moment of “nothingness” wherever we go.
A personal message from Maxime:
Come as you are. There is no age to start sport.
Maxime’s Class Schedule
Activity: Fitness and Strength Training in Colpach
When: Every Monday from 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Where: Centre de Réhabilitation du Château de Colpach
Who for: Open to all ALGSO members and resident patients of the centre