Xavier Clerbout – Take Control Now Podcast

In this episode of the Take Control Now podcast, I had the pleasure of welcoming Xavier Clerbout.
We talked about his atypical career path, his many professional hats, his move to Switzerland, and some more personal topics including homosexuality, burnout, and the search for recognition.

Who is Xavier Clerbout?

Xavier is 36 years old and currently works as a salaried director at a financial services company in French-speaking Switzerland.
Before that, he had a rich and varied career: youth worker, activity leader, volunteer firefighter, waiter, restaurant manager, and handball club president.

What stands out about him is his ability to reinvent himself and bounce back, even after difficult periods.

From France to Switzerland

Originally from northern France, Xavier grew up in a modest family. From an early age, he helped his parents by looking after his younger siblings — an experience that shaped his sense of responsibility.
He started his career as a youth activity leader through the BAFA qualification, then as a youth worker in social centres and through handball, a sport that would accompany him throughout his life.

In 2008, he seized an opportunity to work at a private school in Switzerland (Préfleury, in Villars-sur-Ollon). This radical change brought him the recognition he had never found within the French system.

A wealth of experience

Over the years, Xavier accumulated a wide range of experiences:

• Activity leader and head of activities at Préfleury, where he learned the importance of teamwork and recognition.
• Volunteer firefighter on the Villars plateau.
• Waiter and bartender at the MAD Club in Lausanne, then at the Métropolis restaurant in Morges.
• Manager and president of the Vevey handball club, where he invested himself wholeheartedly in developing the junior programme.

At every stage, one constant stood out: the need to feel useful and to contribute to others.

Recognition and personal challenges

One of the recurring threads in Xavier's life is the search for recognition:

"I always looked for recognition from the outside, whereas today I understand that it's up to me to give it to myself first."

He also speaks openly about difficult moments: a breakup, a burnout, and the struggle to know when to stop when he no longer sees growth in what he's doing.
These challenges helped him better understand his own needs and learn to set boundaries.

Swiss Keys Management: a new chapter

Since 2017, Xavier has been with Swiss Keys Management in Vevey.
He started as a financial adviser, then progressed quickly: team leader, regional manager, and now director.

His mission: to support clients in managing their finances and insurance, with a focus on education and clarity.
He sees himself as a facilitator, helping people better understand and plan for their future.

Update

Since 2023, Xavier has gone independent — all the details at https://xavierclerbout.ch/

Values and inspirations

• Altruism: inherited from his parents, who were always there for others.
• Sport: handball as a vehicle for integration, social connection, and leadership.
• Resilience: learning from mistakes, accepting failure as a stepping stone to growth.
• Education: today, he views his work as a form of financial education for adults.

Conclusion

Xavier Clerbout's journey is a perfect illustration that there is no single linear path.
From France to Switzerland, from youth work to finance, he has turned his experiences and hardships into strengths.

👉 An inspiring story for anyone who doubts their own trajectory and is looking to reinvent themselves.