Sean's Instinct

Sean Van Court was born in Japan to American-French parents. His passion? Cycling. So much so that in 1994, he broke the time trial road cycling record previously held by Lance Armstrong. At the peak of his ascent, his handlebar snapped—he crashed and ended up in Geneva in 1999, bedridden after the accident. It made him realize how everything can come to a halt in an instant.

That moment sparked a mindset shift. While continuing his studies at Webster University, he cycled 35,000 km a year, won two races in Mauritius and Réunion Island—thinking to himself, “I’ve got nothing to lose.”

In 2003, he launched Van Court Sports, importing and exporting high-performance sports gear, before becoming a distributor for specialized brands in cycling, running, and triathlon. By 2011, he focused on trail running gear—especially carry solutions—then bought a sewing machine and started making the first prototypes of a pack.

That’s how Instinct was born—after countless sleepless nights and years of hands-on experience not only as a high-level athlete but also as a marketer, distributor, and entrepreneur.

In parallel, Sports Vision follows a completely different business model, complementing “Instinct” by personalizing a wide range of gear for brands dedicated to professional athletes.

What is the vision behind Instinct?
I wanted to reinvent the way we carry gear—what we call the hydration backpack—through design, accessibility, and exceptional functionality. I wanted athletes to forget the pack was even on their back during effort.

To achieve this, I focused on intuitive movements during physical exertion. I studied the body’s motion in action, every movement at every stage. I really began this process with a blank slate.

What does performance mean to you?
It’s about doing the best you can with what you’ve got.

Society focuses on who beat whom in a race—first, second, third place. But for those who truly love sport and push themselves, it’s about personal satisfaction. Reaching your own goals. Having no regrets.

Everyone has their own Everest.

In your journey, what’s one major mistake that taught you something important?
There’ve been several!

But I’d say one of the biggest was not listening to my intuition. As an entrepreneur, I’ve also made financial mistakes—especially in distribution and production—since capital needs are significant. You have to make smart purchases.

You also need to be able to question yourself and rise after a fall.

My kindness has backfired with certain employees too. Experience has taught me to set boundaries.

Money doesn’t fall from the sky, so as a boss, I have to strike a balance between flexibility, listening, and firmness.

My father often said one of the main ingredients in his professional success was his wife. So here’s your chance to write a tribute to Annabelle.
I completely agree with your father.

My wife, although she’s not involved in the day-to-day business, often gives me advice and trusts her intuition.

At the beginning of our relationship, I was incredibly stubborn. But over time, I learned to listen to her.