Alex van Keulen, who we know as a real estate agent from the popular TV program Buy Without Watching, has an incredibly inspiring story to tell. As the ninth child in a family of ten, he grew up in an environment where new clothes were a luxury he could not afford.
Not an easy childhood
In conversation with his girlfriend, Alex talks about his youth. So he only had to use hand-me-downs from his older brothers. It was not an easy childhood; his mother could barely care for them. Alex was raised primarily by his older siblings. “My mother couldn’t take care of us, she spent all day looking outside and smoking.”
Painful moments
For Alex, life was a constant struggle. “Of course there were painful moments, when everyone got school milk and I was the only one not. Or when they had stories after the holidays and we had not gone further than the backyard.”
Bullying
At school he was bullied for his plain clothes and unkempt appearance. But Alex was undeterred; he decided to stand up for himself. After a confrontation with his bullies, in which he finally fought back, the bullying abruptly stopped. “In rubber boots, no new clothes, a haircut that my mother cut herself and that didn’t look right. Then you’re soon screwed. (…) I went to the gym, trained hard and waited for the right moment. ” He earned the respect of his classmates and proved that he could no longer be walked all over.
Fight for what you want to achieve
With determination and perseverance, Alex managed to improve his situation. As his brothers and sisters went to work and more money became available, he too could finally enjoy new clothes and a better standard of living. His experiences have taught him to fight for what he wants to achieve and have ultimately shaped him into the successful real estate agent he is today.
