Cedric De Vlieger was just 21 years old when he became the youngest candidate ever to pass the selection process for the Special Units (DSU). What followed was a 22-year career on the front lines of extreme pressure, high-risk operations, and leadership in situations where failure was not an option. First as an assaulter and later as a team leader, he played an active role during the terrorist threat period that gripped Belgium for years.

Today, Cedric brings that raw, unfiltered experience into the business world. Through Backbone and Assemblee Speakers, he helps leaders, teams, and organizations perform stronger in times of change, uncertainty, and high pressure.

No theoretical management models or superficial motivational talk — just hard-earned insights from the world of Special Forces operations, translated into practical lessons on mental resilience, discipline, ownership, leadership, and team dynamics.