Ahead of IMEX Frankfurt, we caught up with mountaineer, skydiver, mountain biker, Handifly NL consultant—and IMEX speaker, Sabrina Schoenmaker to talk happiness, adaptability and reimagining ability.
Q. Mountaineer, skydiver, mountain biker. Extreme sports are clearly your passion. How did this passion develop? And have you passed this love of extreme sports on to your children?
A. I grew up outdoors, climbing trees and building dens. I have a natural lust for adventure. As a young girl I bought books about the Himalayas, dreaming of climbing Mount Everest. My kids are little adventurers in the making. I teach them that curiosity is worth nurturing, nature is worth embracing and adventure is worth chasing.
Q. Extreme sports are inherently risky. How do you balance fear, uncertainty and risk? What, to you, is an acceptable level of risk?
A. I know my capacities and understand how far I can go without needing help. I have an innate sense of the comfortable margin where I can redefine my limits. It isn’t just about bold leaps, but also about knowing when to trust myself and when to embrace growth. It guides me in every challenge I take on.
Q. You encourage others not to be defined by their limitations. How do you do this? How do you motivate and inspire others to go beyond what they think they can achieve?
A. Impossible is just an opinion without imagination. Though I can't walk, there are countless things I can do. Through sharing my adventures, I aim to show others that joy and happiness are vital for well-being, and that taking ownership of them is a personal responsibility. I want to inspire people to rethink what happiness means to them and reimagine their own abilities—because sometimes, the only limits we have are the ones we refuse to challenge.
Q. At IMEX one of the sessions you’re speaking at talks about designing inclusive experiences. Can you share an example of an experience where you personally have felt truly included—and why?
True inclusion is about designing experiences to be accessible from the start or thoughtful integration. Where everyone participates together without feeling different or separate. Support or accommodations should be an option for everyone, not an obligation. One of the best adaptations I’ve experienced was kayaking the Great Glen Canoe Trail with Adaptive Expeditions. Where independence, dignity, and choice were seamlessly integrated.
Q. If there was just one thing you could ask event planners to consider when planning an inclusive event or experience, what would it be?
A. I would advise them to involve people with a disability. Listening to lived experiences ensures that accessibility isn’t just theoretical but practical, meaningful and effective.
By collaborating from the start planners can identify barriers they might not have considered and create genuinely inclusive events from the ground up—rather than adapting an already non-inclusive design.
Q. You’re also speaking at a session on inclusive travel. Can you tell us about any recent travel challenges you’ve experienced and how you feel the travel providers could have done better?
A. I recently enjoyed a concert trip starting with a dinner at a restaurant, followed by a transfer to the concert hall. I was assured the transfer bus would be wheelchair accessible, but their definition meant my wheelchair would fit in the luggage compartment—not that I could board independently. I had to be lifted in by two people. Travel providers should truly consider accessibility from the perspective of those with disabilities.
Q. If you could attend just one education session at IMEX Frankfurt 2025 (apart from your own!) what would it be and why?
A. Lessons in extreme leadership (link to https://imex-frankfurt.com/newfront/sessions/59636) because leadership in adaptive expeditions mirrors the resilience and adaptability required in high-pressure environments. Guiding people with disabilities through challenging terrain, both physically and mentally, aligns with the lessons shared by frontline veterans.
Resilience is at the heart of my work, and this session reinforces those values, equipping me with practical tools to enhance my approach.
Q. What are you most looking forward to at IMEX Frankfurt 2025?
A. I'm looking forward to connecting with passionate individuals who have creative ideas on capturing people's attention and driving real impact, eager to make a difference. Like myself. I expect to gain valuable insights for the events and expeditions I organize. It will help me amplify their reach and deepen the influence they create.
Sabrina Schoenmaker at IMEX
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