He first picked up a sword in 1996 and started training and teaching sword fighting for shows and the theatre. In 2003, founded Zwaard & Steen, now one of the largest schools for historical martial arts in the Netherlands.

Currently, he mainly trains in longsword, dagger and wrestling according to the German tradition, but he also has extensive experience with the staff and sword and buckler. His background in various martial arts varies from Judo, sport fencing and various western martial arts to horse riding with and without armour and weapons.