Steven Edelenbos
What I do is simple: I train people to stay — right where it gets uncomfortable.
I care for performance
I know the world of elite sport from the inside.
Ten training sessions a week, strict nutrition, never out late. Everything for results.
And still—they didn’t come. In 2011, my rowing career ended. Not from lack of effort, but from lack of focus and calm.
That’s when I discovered meditation. I trained for years in Zen monasteries.
I learned the paradox: want less, achieve more.
Today, this is my mission: to teach athletes and coaches the skill of meditation. So that under pressure, you can stay calm and clear.
With Focest, I bring the power of sport together with the depth of meditation, translating centuries-old techniques into today’s reality: training, competition, travel, media.
In the meditation hall in Deventer, at the club, or on training camp—I teach meditation as a serious form of training.
A skill you’ll carry for the rest of your life.
The focest method
meditation
Mental training is physical training for your focus.
You may sit still, but you’re building: stress control, sharper focus, and faster recovery.
You learn to shift between action and rest — right when it counts.
implementation
What you train, you use immediately in your sport.
You learn to handle pressure in competition, recover under strain, and act decisively when stress or fatigue hits.
realisation
Mental training isn’t optional.
It sharpens your clarity under pressure, strengthens your control in critical moments, and helps you peak when it matters most.
Zen is the focus work-out
I train what you can’t see: concentration.
I work with athletes and coaches who give everything—and precisely because of that, need something else: silence, clarity, direction.
No templates. No frills. Just precision and rhythm.
So that, in the decisive moment, you don’t need to think. You just act.
As a coach, Steven made a difference in mental guidance. In my view, this was of great value since in rowing the physical and mental aspects stands central.
Steven is capable of coaching to the core, simple and original.
I had a good experience with Steven. His coaching has helped me a lot in creating more peace in my mind! He always explained everything well and how I had to apply it, I still meditate to this day.
Frequently Asked Questions
A growing body of scientific research has demonstrated various effects of meditation, both on a physical and mental level. For example:
- Stress reduction
- Improved concentration
- Emotional stability
- Enhanced well-being
- Physical health benefits
For optimal results, we build your meditation practice to meditate twice a day for twenty minutes each session.
You meditate separately from your sports activities. However, during your training sessions and competitions, you will rely on the skills you acquire during meditation.
No, I provide personalized training. This means the program may vary for each sport. However, the foundation, meditation, remains largely the same.
Meditation is for everyone. Truly everyone. Numerous scientific studies endorse the positive effects of meditation on your physical and mental well-being. Everyone can learn to meditate, including you. I’m here to help.
I guarantee that I’ll provide you with everything you need to achieve your sports goals and guide you through the process. Ultimately, you are responsible for your (inner) growth. That’s something no one else can do for you.
In short: focus, enjoyment, and better performances.
You can. But how far would you have come in your sports performance without a coach? It works the same way with mental training and meditation.
Yes, you’ll get more out of your training schedule by meditating. Meditation won’t add extra burden; it will alleviate it.
It’s great that you’re already engaging in mental training. You’ll find that meditation will add even more depth and strength to it. Feel free to schedule a call with me. Together, we’ll see how meditation fits into your current mental training.
Sports are largely mental. You have to deal with external pressure, stress, and setbacks. That’s why simply training physically isn’t enough. Train your brain as hard as your body to perform optimally and maintain enjoyment in your sport.
That’s a long list! Here are a few examples:
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Demi Vollering
- Lebron James
- Dafne Schippers
- Kobe Bryant
- Novak Djokovic
- Stefan Groothuis
- Dafne Schippers