Merel’s sense of empathy and resilience has been influenced significantly by her upbringing and her faith.
Schaatsen.nl, a Dutch sports news outlet, reported on how Merel’s early life experiences and beliefs have contributed to her character.
Sjaak and Jacqueline discuss how Merel’s attentiveness to others partly developed through her childhood. Merel’s brother Niels, who is eight years older, lives with multiple disabilities. As children, Merel and Niels played together, laughed, and shared moments including Merel climbing onto Niels’ wheelchair. Despite these close moments, Merel was also expected to develop independence at a young age. Jacqueline noted that being encouraged to do things on her own early on has empowered Merel.
Jacqueline also highlighted that Merel was taught that excelling isn’t always about being the best but understanding that everyone operates at their own level, which helps her to handle disappointing results more calmly. Sjaak added that another important influence on Merel has been her Christian faith, which she considers very significant and values strongly. Jacqueline explained that Merel was not baptized as an infant so she could choose for herself. At the age of six, when her younger brother was born, Merel expressed a desire to be baptized. Her belief in something beyond the physical world provides her with strength, and she often carries a cross as a symbol of her faith.
