Two world golds in 2023, two European golds in 2024. Is this the way you plan to win medals in future?!
In moments like these, I truly feel grateful that all the hard work has paid off. Of course, sports are unpredictable and you can´t control everything, which is why I’ve always given and will continue to give my best in my competitions, and then I’ll see what the result is. Those who give their best have nothing to blame themselves for.
What has been the proudest moment of your career – so far?
From a sports perspective, it was my first individual gold in the 10km at the 2023 World Championships, with direct qualification for the Olympic Games. Beside my sport highlights I´m proud of what I´ve achieved beyond – completing a Master’s degree, receiving a fair play award, receiving the Bavarian Order of Merit – these are things that really honour me.
However, what I am most proud of is seeing that I’ve managed to reach several people so far, and through that, I can now give something good back to humanity.
What has been the biggest challenge of your career – so far?
A career always includes setbacks, and I’ve had more of those than successes. So, I’ve faced many challenges that I had to overcome, but that’s completely normal. However, I would say the biggest challenge was when mental health suddenly started to play a role for me. I’m continuously working on managing this in a positive way.
In the recent Media Webinar on the EA Academy site you mentioned you had already prepared for the future by securing your Masters media degree. What was the most interesting thing you learned in that study, and how do you hope to use it?
It has always been very important to me to do an education alongside sport in order to make my future more secure. Since I have always been interested in the media, I did a Master’s degree in media communication.
The most interesting thing I learned during my university studies was how media content influences people’s behaviour and perception and how digital communication channels are revolutionising social communication. Nowadays, media and social media are indispensable, which is why I can very well imagine working more in this area in the future.
Also in that Webinar you speculated about when you would finish your career as an athlete, and as one possible marker you mentioned 2028. Have you set a course for the Los Angeles Olympics?
I don’t yet have a date for the end of my career. There are always many conditions that are necessary to be able to do the sport properly and which unfortunately you can’t always influence. These include health, of course.
I took a longer break after Paris to be able to relax a bit mentally. Of course, a break like that also means an enormous training deficit that you first have to make up for. Now I will slowly start training again and see where the path takes me.
Who has been your sporting inspiration – either in your own sport or any other?
My role model was always Thomas Lurz (multiple open water swimming world champion who won Olympic bronze and silver in 2008 and 2012 respectively). I was lucky enough to train with him for a few years in the same training group. He taught me that you can achieve a lot with a lot of hard work, even if you might lack a little talent.
What started you in open water swimming and what is most satisfying about it?
After the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro 2016, I decided to switch from the pool to open water. I decided to stop competing in the pool and, of course, I had been following open water swimming for a while thanks to Thomas. Like everywhere else, the beginning wasn’t easy, but with experience and time I started to get better and better results.
What I like most about open water swimming is that we are like a big family. We know and respect each other and, most importantly, we have fun together.
If you hadn’t become an open water swimmer what do you think you would have been?
As a small child I went skiing a lot with my family and also took part in competitions. At some point, to give swimming a chance, I withdrew from skiing because of the risk of injury. So maybe I would have tried to become a professional skier – but who knows what would have happened if I had made different decisions?
What is your secret passion?
I wouldn’t say secret, but I love traveling and discovering new places. I also really like photography, which of course goes well with that. One of my other passions is my Instagram profile in which I invest a lot of time. I really enjoy sharing my journey with others and awakening the joy of sport.
What would you like to have achieved by the end of 2025?
Now that it’s the post-Olympic year and I’ve been able to take away a lot of pressure and take some time for myself, this year I want to devote myself to things besides swimming that have perhaps been neglected in recent years. Travelling and figuring out what I like and don’t like in the future perspective of the working world.