Nino Schurter: Winning for 20 Years

00:00:00: Yeah, I think pressure is something.

00:00:02: you can feel it as a weight or You can also feel that there's uh-as gift if you feel pleasure.

00:00:08: You're in the position where you Where your like actually?

00:00:11: It's not everybody can feel them.

00:00:13: He is the undisputed goat of a mountain biking i think That's fair to say.

00:00:19: and Also sometimes he almost has the feeling its Like.

00:00:22: you see things in slow motion Even if you're going full gas, to get into this flow.

00:00:28: This is the challenge and sometimes... You don't know?

00:00:33: Sometimes it just goes under oldest clearly oldest in this field I don't have two anymore And If i still can It's actually super cool.

00:00:43: Give an extra reason why YOU should be one.

00:00:47: It can help you to unlock your best performance.

00:01:19: Ladies and gentlemen, we are back with another episode.

00:01:23: This is shorter going mental a man I have kind of had in my periphery for many, many years.

00:01:30: He is the undisputed goat of a mountain biking I think that's fair to say.

00:01:35: he has a full Olympic repertoire of medals ten world titles nine overall World Cup titles and happens to also be very cool dude.

00:01:45: so i'm very much looking forward this episode.

00:01:47: welcome Nino!

00:01:48: Thank you Jan.

00:01:49: yeah really looking forward.

00:01:50: what an honor.

00:01:52: I follow your career as well all the past years and you're also now my rule model in how we retire, getting into to next

00:02:03: stage.

00:02:04: Yeah I think we might have to exchange a few ideas on how do it...I was thinking about first time that i met You..i actually didn't meet You.

00:02:12: ..i saw You!

00:02:14: And this was in Stelenbosch.

00:02:15: in two thousand six ...i believe six or seven?

00:02:18: Im not quite sure....and We happened be staying at the same guest house And we had finished a ride, my best buddy and I. We were sitting on the corner cafe... ...and we was sipping or whatever we were sipping!

00:02:32: Next thing you, Thomas Frischknecht,... ..a couple of other guys arrived in your mountain bikes.

00:02:41: You were heading straight for the café as though road went through it.

00:02:46: and then did a bunny hop onto the pavement, parked your bikes.

00:02:49: And I think you went from like thirty to zero.

00:02:51: within it felt like ten meters!

00:02:53: We were like who the hell are these guys?

00:02:57: A few years later turns out that probably was the most successful team that mountain biking has ever seen.

00:03:07: You started as young mountain biker.

00:03:15: The mental aspect, the pressure was something that you always thrived upon or something that always suited.

00:03:23: You take me into that mindset a little bit?

00:03:25: Yeah I think pressure is something...you can feel it as a weight Or you can also feel like there's a gift If you're in a position where you are actually It's not everybody can feel that.

00:03:41: You know, it is also something nice if you start to feel pressure but yeah... ...it can play with your mentally.

00:03:50: But you need try and always turn around as not as pressure or weight on the shoulders.. ..you always have to try turning them around and see how you achieve this position.

00:04:01: And now you are in a position where we actually enjoy being there.

00:04:07: But yeah, I think this is the most difficult part.

00:04:09: and why mental game so important in the end.

00:04:15: Everybody at start line is well prepared trained as good he could but what's your self confidence?

00:04:24: Do you really believe yourself who can actually hold longest against those bad thoughts?

00:04:36: This is, yeah.

00:04:38: So it's racing for sure a proper mantle game in the end at top level?

00:04:45: Yeah I mean i couldn't agree more...I always used to say that or use to eventually said that pressure as a privilege.

00:04:51: right because you've worked hard to be in that position and then when the pressure finally comes well that is the fruit of your labor.

00:04:59: but what I was interested in and curious sort of instinctively, you enjoyed the pressure or were able to deal with it.

00:05:11: Is that true?

00:05:12: For sure there are moments where I couldn't enjoy and would rate was a bit too much but... ...I really always enjoyed being to race.

00:05:22: The best is actually if you can surprise people If we even show them they're better than what other people expected.

00:05:33: I never saw it as a burden or like, It was always fun and joyful for me.

00:05:40: And also was lucky that could climb up... ...and go forward.

00:05:48: That's for sure helped.

00:05:49: But i've always enjoyed to be just there and feel it Be at the start line Feel this energy This excitement also this pressure.

00:06:01: And I would say towards the end of my career, like...I got a bit tired or just too much for to long but it's still something that i think I start to miss most in these situations where you feel it counts those moments when can do something and surprise people.

00:06:31: It's amazing, you touched on something that I'm really curious about because... You touched the fact that we were always improving And things are going well.

00:06:42: Basically the trajectory was always upwards.

00:06:47: At the end of your career Your absolute performance Was probably much better or at its highest ever But the trajectory obviously slows down The further you move.

00:06:57: Do you think that may also be a trick or something... ...that makes longevity so hard to achieve in sports?

00:07:07: Because you were at the top of the game for twenty-three years.

00:07:11: Yeah, I was searching things where it's much easier when you always can have success again and move forward.

00:07:23: That helped me to go so long and so far, because it's like the hard work.

00:07:30: And also all that struggle is much easier if you have not always but sometimes success You know?

00:07:39: Towards end of my career for sure I was harder and harder to reach That.

00:07:46: This makes more difficult.

00:07:50: But also be in this position When you always go forward, it's like... You don't want to slowly go backwards or down the ladder anymore.

00:08:03: And also got to know how it is when you are successful?

00:08:09: For sure this was a harder part for me then but I wouldn't say that all about result and just feel this pressure from the surrounding, you know like I had moments in my career where if i didn't won people were like and...I could feel it's okay everybody expected that im going to win.

00:08:33: The expectation gets really high.

00:08:35: so this also for myself.

00:08:40: then I did enjoy great results anymore.

00:08:42: Like even if I were pretty good, it was like...I didn't enjoy so much any more and had to learn that towards mankind as well.

00:08:50: It's not all about the result is actually..it's much more about do you have?

00:08:56: Do you enjoy it because you can win race in these moments where i just made it.

00:09:04: but then i realized success if you enjoy what you do, and not the result is most important thing.

00:09:17: Yeah I mean it's such a tricky balance right because there's this mindset i always find like almost two minds within one so result-focused that your only as good at last race trying to achieve maximum.

00:09:32: And the other one is all about flow, which I guess in your sport has a double meaning.

00:09:37: You know?

00:09:37: It's kind of... When it's really easy because its fun.. ..it doesn't feel like it's a struggle or you're fighting even though the workload that you are putting in still tremendous and i always found this curious double play.

00:09:56: Does that sound familiar to you?

00:09:58: Yeah exactly To get into this flow some of For sure, if you have the best performance ever.

00:10:05: You are just in this flow where everything is like... Everything's light even when you put down the biggest numbers you ever did.

00:10:14: It feels easy.

00:10:16: but to get into these flows This is a challenge and sometimes.. I don't know.

00:10:20: Sometimes it goes And also sometimes almost has that feeling of seeing things in slow motion even if you're going full gas, like being in this.

00:10:35: and yeah now it's board flow has as many meanings.

00:10:38: It's like being on the flow of competition or what just do?

00:10:44: Or then also have to flow on a bike but both goes actually into same direction.

00:10:51: If you find the flow on your bike You are on trail And hit every corner right every little bump you can accelerate and take the speed with.

00:11:01: That's actually, it is also the same when you find this in a race situation or in a competition or just in a... In a situation where you need to perform its probably not just about sport but if you need performance your best And everything plays into your car.

00:11:26: That's pretty nice situations, if you are.

00:11:29: Yes

00:11:31: it really is because I mean not that i can relate to anything at all on the mountain bike.

00:11:36: yeah...I think of you quite often when I go mountain biking.

00:11:39: now that I live here close to the bike park and I'm like- I wonder how Nino would take this line.

00:11:44: but in all seriousness In your racing mindset do you have or did you have any kind of let's call them tricks or rituals that brought you out of this overthinking mind, the mind that is technically analyzing what you need to do.

00:12:04: I always try and have a technical aspect where we need to read the trail but really when your subconscious runs with it did towards just letting be, or were you always needing to be in control?

00:12:29: For sure.

00:12:29: I've always liked to have the control but yeah for me it was really important that i could do my preparation exactly how i'd like... Do everything what you think is best and some athletes would see a difference.

00:12:48: so Get the preparation done where you think now.

00:12:52: You did everything right and then in the end that the race is still it's.

00:12:57: It's a race, and not every thing can always go into your direction.

00:13:01: But as long as you know you did everything what do you?

00:13:04: Think it's its best preparation And you were happy with if the whole thing then at the end you can stand up at the competition or to raise over there and Be actually quite relaxed and say, hey I did everything what was in my hands.

00:13:22: And the rest is part of the race and nobody knows whats going to happen.

00:13:30: so this for sure also took a bit or always took pressure off myself.

00:13:37: just i was able too often have perfect preparation but what i think is a perfect preparation for maybe from another one it would say that wasn't perfect preparation.

00:13:48: but um yeah.

00:13:51: But then he's also like I had a few tricks.

00:13:54: sometimes are like tricks to just if you really need to dig deep, like if you have some of those hard races or competitions where its just like sometime after feeling its just arm wrestling who can hold?

00:14:08: the longest against, you know?

00:14:09: And sometimes we fall a bit to your side and back.

00:14:13: You do that for one-and-a-half hours or... That's what I had like some of the tricks.

00:14:20: it was also something like To reward with something.

00:14:25: if okay If i win this rift will reward me With some holidays.

00:14:31: This is something I could sometimes trick myself mentally

00:14:39: And it worked?

00:14:39: That work for you.

00:14:42: Yeah, that works a few times.

00:14:44: It's just sometimes... You really need to push through the pain and who can hold longest!

00:14:55: If I win this world championships An old timer, you know like this.

00:15:09: Like really thank you to serve it

00:15:12: Fair enough fair enough I've seen your all-time and i would also run quite hard for such an old time.

00:15:19: And that being said uh...I've seen some of your holiday trips.

00:15:21: so why not?

00:15:23: A little surf trip to Mauritius sounds like a well worthy reward.

00:15:27: Yeah

00:15:28: yeah It's interesting because the thing is its so individual right.

00:15:32: The preparation is individual and also the rewards that you give.

00:15:36: I think it's something... ...that can very often be forgotten, especially when we've had so many titles or such a long time,... like what was said earlier just becomes the next thing rather than actually making them monumental and celebrating this kind of win is probably underestimated.

00:15:59: You touched on The Perfect Prep!

00:16:01: And I do wonder how you would recommend athletes, the modern athlete today's athlete looks at that because I feel like The list of things to reach perfection just gets longer every day.

00:16:16: There is another metric You can track.

00:16:18: there Is this?

00:16:19: That Can be optimized that they can Be done and How does someone Like you over the course Of twenty three years treat the perfect prep?

00:16:29: It's a really good question And i think it's getting more and More As you said, like all the different metrics.

00:16:35: You can now track and all that this after feeling almost every week is a new methods coming up where you could do this but there also need to be able to wait.

00:16:50: what really matters?

00:16:52: it's like... This new training isn't exactly that what you need.

00:17:02: So this and I think for young athletes, it's a really challenge now to find out hey is it really important?

00:17:11: but do i don't know?

00:17:13: take the supplement or dis?i Don't Know This Thing.

00:17:17: Or Is It Now This Training That Is Really Important?

00:17:20: You Know This Like And I Think There You Just Really Need To Find The Balance.

00:17:25: But I Was Lucky You know, when I started and not even trained with power meters.

00:17:31: And those days like everybody that rides a bike is just looking at numbers in the numbers you know?

00:17:37: But it's sometimes...you also need to forget about numbers or really feel what you need them.

00:17:48: but this is...I have the feeling its getting more difficult tracking your sleep.

00:17:58: Yeah, everything.

00:17:59: At those days you track everything and I also started through my career to track more.

00:18:04: but really if i think back most of those things didn't help me perform better.

00:18:10: they just made me thinking about oh no!

00:18:14: I didn't sleep so well My hard-wired reliability wasn't that good.

00:18:20: And most of these things actually make made me think more about it.

00:18:26: And just instead of waking up and thinking how I feel actually great, that can do over there.

00:18:31: so...and also like always looking at your power you know?

00:18:35: Like sometimes a lot of those things all these devices.

00:18:43: they're not as accurate as you think!

00:18:45: You have good example.

00:18:48: when i I did two bigger road races.

00:18:52: Like, I did with Orik Greenator had the possibility to race Tour de Rommandie and into this preparation because i was on a time trial bike got new power meters for my pedals... And that's what it is like in this time trial trail I can't perform!

00:19:10: I don't know why but an event really even mental you know?

00:19:18: Fuck, I'm so bad at this time.

00:19:21: And then afterwards like after those races... ...I realized that those pedals they put out some wrong numbers and it was actually not too bad.

00:19:30: but i went to the races already with feeling.. ..i am so bad in these!

00:19:36: Then you also can't perform your best You know?

00:19:39: This is like.... I think those days she should find what he really needs what you really need for your prep and then stick to your list.

00:19:50: And not always like listen, What this athlete is doing at this?

00:19:54: You just really need to do a thing because it's not everybody needs the same Not Everybody Is Preparing The Same

00:20:05: I Do.

00:20:06: when i look At It I Feel Like Especially Because You Mention Road Cycling.

00:20:10: That Cycling Has Become So Structured And The Intervals so Exact And there is almost a dependence that's created, right?

00:20:19: The athlete is no longer actually riding by feel but just becomes another cog in the system.

00:20:27: That has to perform.

00:20:28: and as to hold those numbers on certain climb.

00:20:33: I wonder if you'd agree that this possibly sense of independence needed for the athletes to have confidence find them so they can do their own thing rather than just.

00:20:46: you know following the metrics, following your sleep score that... You need permission from Your Sleep Tracker to go out and train.

00:20:54: Yeah I think it's something personal y'know?

00:20:59: Some athletes need those numbers but It is also super dangerous going after Just Numbers.

00:21:08: But if you learn to weight them properly You know, maybe just take it as a one metric.

00:21:19: But then there's other things that you take in mind like your feeling and... And then you can use them as tools but on one metric decide or whatever you should do if that was good training or not.

00:21:42: I think to be I think to be proper successful you still need try and just go after your feelings sometimes.

00:21:53: But it's something individual, especially my young teammates.

00:21:59: they are so... It is all about numbers!

00:22:03: And this also a new generation but can be super dangerous.

00:22:11: Well, I mean in your sport it's really interesting.

00:22:13: right because there is a lot to be said for the performance on the day and you're physical output.

00:22:19: but There are A few sports.

00:22:22: And i would include mountain biking that nature can throw something at You like a rainstorm overnight?

00:22:29: The track That you visualize has changed altogether.

00:22:32: Your mentally At your top feeling ready To perform.

00:22:37: But there Is a skill of interacting with Nature really curious about how you deal with it, y'know?

00:22:45: About having complete random changes out of your control thrown at you before the biggest day.

00:22:52: I think this is like... Yeah especially in mountain bike i would say that's very crucial.

00:22:57: to be able perform You need a plan but also change your plans completely because there are so many races where my perfect setting or my perfect overnight.

00:23:16: Like one example is actually Olympics where I got Olympic champion Rio, we invested so much in like tire testings.

00:23:25: coming into those games like rolling resistance which tire is the fastest you know?

00:23:31: To this time it was not a big topic for lot of like and really I just needed to have the tires that roll best on this track.

00:23:40: It's like a fast course and it is all handmade, so... And then he was raining overnight in Rio!

00:23:50: Nobody said its going to rain there.

00:23:51: So we were expecting for ninety-nine percent dry fast race.

00:23:56: He was raining at the Coaster's Muddy and i was like an hour before start didn't know what tires now I should use and it was completely different.

00:24:06: So, everything going into this preparation had to change And iIwas able still the performance that you have so often in mountain bike in general but often in sports things change.

00:24:23: You have a crash like your bike has mechanical issue or whatever to change in seconds.

00:24:33: You master plan, you need to have something else.

00:24:35: and this there...you need these sense just feeling.

00:24:43: And you're right with your question before.

00:24:45: I think an athlete still sometimes needs the sense of feeling not after any kind number or a plan.

00:24:54: Yeah it becomes another piece of puzzle.

00:24:58: And there are so, so many pieces.

00:25:00: So to be able to zoom out is probably one of the superpowers.

00:25:04: but maybe just since we're both dads and kind like our kids being active I would interested start with a very small beginning.

00:25:16: first piece in your puzzle Did you always started mountain biking?

00:25:20: I know that dad is Swiss downhill national coach or was?

00:25:25: Yeah, he was.

00:25:27: But was mountain biking always from a young age the one thing or did you start off with a range?

00:25:35: So I grew up in this really small Swiss Mountain Village so just thirty people live here and there's more cows than people!

00:25:50: And it is in the mountains.

00:25:53: As a kid, I actually started with ski allpine.

00:25:57: And through the Allpine Ski Club we got to mountain biking.

00:26:03: but yeah... We grew up in this town and there was no soccer field or basketball fields.

00:26:10: so it's like what can you do?

00:26:13: You could ride your bike!

00:26:14: There were pretty good trails around me.

00:26:19: Then our whole family got into this sport, so my father started to ride.

00:26:25: My mother as well and me and my brother-my sister.

00:26:28: she's six years old or she didn't... She was a bit older already So she really did not get into it.

00:26:34: But we were like.. As family We are starting to enjoy mountain biking And went for some holidays with the bikes.

00:26:44: That is actually how I got in In Switzerland.

00:26:47: there just kids kids.

00:26:49: mountain bike series just started to this time and I really enjoyed it.

00:26:54: To go from race-to-race, there as well... From my story i clearly had a talent that was always successful and helped keep going My brother too but he wasn't the competition guy.

00:27:14: on one point He had enough And he did a wild and downhill racing, so that's why also my father went into this down hill.

00:27:25: He became then also for Wilder National Coach.

00:27:28: Now my brother is still connected with cycling as a mountain bike school in Tuscany the shorter bike school.

00:27:37: but I think his mental aspect actually was too much for him to always do to perform, but he loves cycling in all the way now.

00:27:47: and what's also great than my father as well.

00:27:50: He is a passionate trail builder.

00:27:53: so we are still.

00:27:55: everybody enjoys mountain biking...in his own ways!

00:28:01: I always have this question and i wonder how you think about it whether The kind of destiny calls YOU or just stick around long enough to find your destiny?

00:28:14: As an athlete, basically are you born with the talent?

00:28:17: Or is it something where you just find enough positive reinforcements that you stick around for long enough.

00:28:26: I think its a bit of both but i think your quite lucky if you found this sport and also have a talent in.

00:28:35: It's like some thing to enjoy when you're having talent.

00:28:39: If u want reach level we had I think you need to bring a certain talent.

00:28:47: If you are on such high level, then if don't bring the talent at the beginning... ...I don´t think that will make it But for sure also You have to dig in To reach those levels For sure.

00:29:03: this is like keep interesting In what we do.

00:29:08: It's for sure Need to have that you know the two.

00:29:16: To reach to reach Just to be in the best The best version of yourself like to always keep going.

00:29:25: But yeah, I've when I now think up.

00:29:28: I Still those days and this is probably You could call it then tell them how to beat to be interested In what do.

00:29:34: but for me?

00:29:35: It's still its such a cool sport to go out and drive your bike on the trail.

00:29:39: you are nature You can train your fitness, but you also have a bit of action going down the hill.

00:29:47: and I think mountain biking is really hype for myself.

00:29:53: But yeah...you could call it antalids!

00:29:55: And i think its supported that we get bored.

00:30:00: Yeah..I mean It's... But

00:30:02: yeah....I'm curious how do they swim?

00:30:04: Because swimming sometimes those guys are looking alot on this pool floor back and forth, it's like this is sometimes me a bit question how we do that.

00:30:18: Yeah call clinical conditions... That probably the way to look at it!

00:30:23: And yeah I mean there is something right of The Joy you spoke.

00:30:28: which in the trajectory so You see your improvements straight away.

00:30:31: It very objective.

00:30:32: Which mountain biking?

00:30:34: ...you have numbers and certain aspects But you can see your trajectory and black & white answers straightaway if you did well in that day or not.

00:30:44: And I find like sometimes it's an easy safety blanket to have said, okay no today my training went really well which for you there is more of a skill component.

00:30:53: that's harder to judge.

00:30:55: so...I don't know now that you've got time feel free!

00:30:59: If you need a swim program i'll let you know..i will send you one.

00:31:02: Can

00:31:02: you adjust swimming?

00:31:04: That's the only thing what can do.

00:31:06: yeah

00:31:07: We grew up

00:31:07: in the mountains, you know there's no sea.

00:31:12: No we're actually organising a triathlon near you now In The Swiss Mountains so maybe try one at end of season and get your swimming.

00:31:23: What I'm also interested because as parents i look around And see alot of parents being obsessed with their child standing out At an early age.

00:31:34: How do you treat that as a dad?

00:31:36: You come in, and know what it takes to get the actual top.

00:31:41: How would you treat with your kids?

00:31:44: I mean... Your son was little bit young at few months of age but down the line how did look like

00:31:54: this?

00:31:54: My daughter is now ten years old so she's doing alot different sports And i think its a challenge experience, it's different than when I started.

00:32:08: Now even in those ages sport gets already... In an early stage really professional and as you said a lot of parents they push their kids so much like in the sport we have sometimes after feeling its bit early for sports where there are sports that you need if if you enjoy it, and want to be world class or whatever.

00:32:36: You need to really early.

00:32:37: but I think in mountain bike cycling...you shouldn't like with ten just do one sport!

00:32:45: You should do a lot of different sports And you'll able try out new things.

00:32:50: It shouldn't be as competitive already In those earlier years.

00:32:55: This is bit of challenge at the moment Our experience for my daughter.

00:33:01: She enjoys to do competition, but she's quite small for her age.

00:33:04: And now struggles a bit like going into these races and that the level is already so high... You know there are ten-year olds who have already done warmups on rollers before the race.

00:33:16: Now they're like hey guys!

00:33:19: Are you kidding me?

00:33:21: This is kids' race, why would I put your kid on roller for warmup?

00:33:26: They can also cruise around a little bit.

00:33:29: And this is like, I think it sometimes loses a bit the joy because in the end you really need to enjoy what you do.

00:33:39: To be also good and you know that just have this talent.

00:33:47: then we've talked before about enjoying doing for years.

00:33:52: if you burn already too early Actually, in those years where it then really matters.

00:34:02: They don't enjoy it already anymore.

00:34:03: so this is a big challenge and I think its...I also sometimes struggle with that as a father just to support you know good way and say hey look if you really enjoyed the new one keep doing.

00:34:18: maybe also stop for a while from competition If we want to keep going to do some competitions later.

00:34:23: It's still time.

00:34:24: but i think you should also be able to try out a lot of different sports.

00:34:29: We are such rule models for our kids, and my daughter is so... You know she's already now.

00:34:36: She says that she wants to become professional mountain biker but you really need find your sport you enjoy this.

00:34:45: I want keep open for her.

00:34:54: If a kid, you know has already like it bad that was successful in sport and I think It's quite a difficult way.

00:35:01: And this is a challenge.

00:35:04: Yeah absolutely but the challenges really what?

00:35:09: yeah What makes an interesting?

00:35:12: So curious for them to To get there and then Coming back to the skill of turning The pressure and the expectation into motivation for the kids.

00:35:24: You know, that's really where I'm trying to study how they do it.

00:35:31: And Curious if you have any experience of when you've pushed your kids or you push the daughter rather Or helped her in a good way?

00:35:42: Yeah this is...I think needs some balance.

00:35:46: sometimes They also need like If you signed up for this training club You should not just, because one day you don't like to go.

00:35:57: You should at least stick to it for a certain time and then if you really don't liked that can go do something else.

00:36:08: but so I try sometimes to motivate her bit.

00:36:12: they look through it mostly is also often like sometimes when she's, I don't want to go two days and then.

00:36:18: She comes back has a huge smile.

00:36:20: it was so cool!

00:36:23: So i think he needs both.

00:36:25: but also the worst could be if at one point She has completely enough of it or whatever.

00:36:41: Just recently, actually she signed up for a race.

00:36:44: we have coming this Saturday and then she had bad training.

00:36:48: like she goes to a club local club training yeah And she's kind of a bad I think just at the bad day and she thought ah i'm not going to do this race that said Yeah okay if you don't want to do the rest It's fine for me.

00:37:00: um and she was thinking all the time.

00:37:03: and Then two days ago she had this club training again always Tuesday.

00:37:08: She had a great training and she came back.

00:37:11: Can I sign up for this race again?

00:37:13: Yeah, sure you can!

00:37:15: This is actually the best when they find out theirself... ...and realize sometimes we could have bad day but it wasn't so good.

00:37:25: But next time was cool again.

00:37:27: And now i want to do that once more.

00:37:32: Sometimes I do think it's also the luxury of being a retired dad that we just overthink stuff.

00:37:37: We try and do it, you know?

00:37:38: If you think about your path in your parents... You did!

00:37:43: There was no question and your Dad is busy doing other things.

00:37:48: Sure yeah!

00:37:50: Maybe have too much time.

00:37:51: Exactly talking off-time my friend.

00:37:55: You've had around birthday recently retired.

00:38:03: How's that going for you?

00:38:04: Really good, yeah I just turned two days ago forty a big number.

00:38:10: now i really can't complain and took my time to retire.

00:38:17: it was like the process over more many seasons actually but i'm ready for this step.

00:38:24: And Now after three years i've found the perfect time to retire from workup racing because I started to struggle, always also feel this pressure and there's new generation coming into the sport where it is getting really hard for me now.

00:38:48: To still perform on a level that i want!

00:38:56: Now projects and ways where I like a field.

00:39:00: This is actually something else to enjoy, And i could feel that have a plan.

00:39:05: so had the perfect end of my work career last year with being able.

00:39:16: Well, two times in Switzerland again.

00:39:17: We had world championships and the World Cup in Lenzahide where it's my home home race And I have a perfect perfect ending.

00:39:25: now i still enjoy to be kind of an athlete not another World Cup racer anymore but that can still train and also It's okay as I still train Every day But I don't have to perform any more and they're like I can be for our team sport partners, I can still be kind of an ambassador.

00:39:48: Be more available for other things and this combination i really enjoy you know?

00:39:55: And...I'm still a racehorse but not the most important anymore!

00:40:02: But ...i still feel from all my worthy for them and can do all the things.

00:40:10: And then on the other side, I've started out of projects like.

00:40:14: I started a trail building company together with my father to go trails where we build trails in the mountains Then i'm part of A few boards or it's also quite interesting here at local tourism regions.

00:40:33: Yes!

00:40:33: It is cool.

00:40:34: I'm curious actually how you do that.

00:40:38: Some of us sound like everybody, and now we have time!

00:40:40: You can do this not just from partners or projects it's also from friends.

00:40:45: oh no i could finally go on the trip with this.

00:40:50: she is my calendar so let me look into next year yeah?

00:40:55: This was at the biggest challenge to find what where you put the weight really end up.

00:41:01: Yeah, it really became helpful for me at some stage is that every time you say yes to something You said no to something else.

00:41:08: Right and in that case Every trip I go i say No To a bike ride with my son or A swim session With My daughter And That Really Made Me weigh It Up.

00:41:18: Give The Same Importance As Before Because Again Like We Said You Know we've had to Restrict Ourselves.

00:41:26: I Don't Ever Feel That The Word Sacrifice is accurate.

00:41:30: Actually, I'm curious how you think about that?

00:41:32: Did you ever feel like you had to sacrifice things during your career not necessarily on a day-to-day basis but overall?

00:41:39: No actually also don't see it as a sacrifice because You get so much else and for me never felt like a sacrifice.

00:41:51: Maybe the only thing now with having kids there's sometimes feeling Like you could have more times for your kids when you had like this training camp or traveling there again and maybe being away.

00:42:04: When, then there's a birthday they're started to feel it as a sacrifice but before actually all other aspects are actually not because I always had the feeling gives me so much more in others on other places.

00:42:22: Yeah, and that's exactly how I always saw it.

00:42:28: That you really get to live your dream.

00:42:34: It is intense but its all consuming And essentially very fulfilling Which probably the biggest challenge of chapter two Is finding something as fulfilling As chasing your dreams or goals whenever it is.

00:42:52: Yeah,

00:42:52: I think It's hard to find another job or other project where you can feel as fulfilling As a sport career?

00:43:04: You could work on yourself and if your then successful its probably something else.

00:43:13: that is so intense And so much emotions.

00:43:20: Swat in there where you can say it.

00:43:25: I'm curious for you, especially after Rio... You had a full set of medals at the Olympic Games.

00:43:36: At that stage – I don't know how many World Cup wins but then thanks to the pandemic and racing stopped….

00:43:44: For about three years between you had to navigate a phase where you still probably had the dream of chasing an overall World Cup win, which was thirty-three at that time.

00:43:59: What kept you going in that time when you really had achieved?

00:44:03: The majority from outside looking and you have a perfect career if you would've stopped everybody who said hey Nino great going well done That's it.

00:44:15: Yeah definitely struggle with this time You know like so sudden yeah For sure, it was the one aspect I achieved already.

00:44:23: Everything what i dreamed of.

00:44:27: and then this pandemic came.

00:44:28: there is no competition than you think.

00:44:30: for what your training now?

00:44:32: You don't even know when you have next competition.

00:44:38: yeah that was quite a struggling time for me but i think what kept me going while still...I didn't had any perspective what I really wanted to do.

00:44:48: So, it still was a bit...I didn't have the plan because he came some of sudden and that's like okay whatever i want actually doing you know?

00:44:58: And then this kept me going!

00:45:01: Because they're like..i still need to figure out what i want to do because i wasn't ready.

00:45:05: or yeah nobody planned these pandemics.

00:45:09: Some coming in no competition.

00:45:11: we just- i remember we've been in South Africa where were supposed And then the day of the race they said, no it's going to happen.

00:45:21: You can travel home and this actually... Then I first had to figure out what we didn't want to do.

00:45:28: That kept me going!

00:45:30: Luckily was still successful afterwards after a while but took me back.

00:45:35: you know like yeah wasn't as young anymore at that time so i really have to get back in the winning way.

00:45:45: Yeah,

00:45:47: and this I find quite curious because then you had two more Olympics.

00:45:52: Not going to plan?

00:45:54: Let me just find the exact quote that you used... Where was it...?

00:46:18: How do you deal with that in such a moment when you realize okay, this is probably my last time?

00:46:26: You know and That you put the owners on you essentially.

00:46:31: He said that you were the one Exceeding it.

00:46:35: what does that mean?

00:46:36: It's probably one of my.

00:46:38: My biggest disappointments was like the Olympics in Paris my last ones.

00:46:43: I really had feeling still am still there.

00:46:47: I prepared perfectly and i really wanted to perform on my last olympics.

00:46:53: but you know, in Rio already the feeling maybe it's not all games now.

00:47:01: Now we need to show... And then there are two more came.

00:47:05: But yeah It was... I don't what went wrong exactly At one point, maybe I got a bit too much.

00:47:19: The mental game may be way to much as well?

00:47:22: Just wanted it too much!

00:47:24: It's an interesting balance when you realize there are fewer opportunities... This is something that i realized Is that You don't take for granted every time.

00:47:34: But its such fine line and tight rope To walk That One percent over is worse than five percent under.

00:47:44: Yeah But this is the challenge in sport, you know?

00:47:47: To find these fine lines and balance.

00:47:50: This is like a good... In everything it's the balance that makes you a great athlete.

00:47:57: It's balancing training recovery, balancing.

00:48:01: how much pressure to put on yourself.

00:48:05: And this makes things so difficult because every aspect needs at least a good balance

00:48:12: Absolutely.

00:48:13: And that's exactly what I was trying to get too, is you can have all the mental strategies and everything perfect but every morning you wake up with a slightly different version

00:48:25: of you...

00:48:27: That's also true!

00:48:29: Every time something creaks you wonder if it's the door or your knee.

00:48:34: But did you ever seek help?

00:48:37: Did you find like a mental coach that helped you on this journey to figure out exactly this balance?

00:48:47: For a long time in my career, I didn't have help.

00:48:50: And then actually coming into Olympics... In Tokyo… There was actually at the time of the corona we had struggled bit and now i also need better in this.

00:49:09: And before, or I still have the feeling... This is kind of a talent for me.

00:49:14: just to find mental strength was something that always had the feeling i did a lot things right but coming then off these years that didn't perform so well.

00:49:29: finding and getting help actually quite helpful You know, like sometimes you just need to work for a bit with the coach.

00:49:40: And then those things that were learned are still used forever and I... But yeah!

00:49:48: Just actually over one year i worked there as a mental coach but in junior national team we had few times of mental coaches show us some tricks.

00:50:02: And those few tricks, I think i always use for myself.

00:50:04: you know my visualization and how a race could go.

00:50:09: And visualization of the track and all those things um...I always did how to magic it for myself or..i didn't have the feeling that need do this.

00:50:19: now its mental training.

00:50:21: It's like....I did when was denied before or on course and a lot of those things, but there is also some athletes need much more.

00:50:30: And someone needs less on the one or other trick.

00:50:35: if you just get once a trick You can use your whole career

00:50:40: Can't teach an old dog new tricks.

00:50:42: I like it.

00:50:44: Before we close up i would like to finish On The Positive note.

00:50:55: Olympic campaign, not going the way you did.

00:50:57: You ideally wanted it to...you then went and broke the overall all-time record of World Cup wins lifting from your old rivalry Julian Absalon.

00:51:12: from thirty three.

00:51:13: I didn't just break it took a two more.

00:51:15: so when to thirty six?

00:51:18: Is there something specific that you did or something?

00:51:21: That opened the floodgates for you.

00:51:24: You were struggling for such a long time, three years without a win.

00:51:29: Again difficult times of course but is there something that you would attribute this change to?

00:51:35: Yeah probably it was mentally I'd say like through my career had so many.

00:51:46: He can surprise everyone and winning World Cup races as a super young man.

00:51:50: Then some of the sudden I was in this stage where like, okay now you need to win everybody expected it And then after bit those years are struggle a bit?

00:52:00: I was like Okay Now i'm actually again is similar position has before and I am the oldest clearly old isn't this field?

00:52:08: um...I don't have do anymore.

00:52:10: if still can It's actually super cool And I tried to get this, how do you want to say?

00:52:19: Motivation or this extra like.

00:52:21: if i can win it's even better.

00:52:24: You know and see the motivation.

00:52:28: there is an extra energy To show.

00:52:31: hey...you are still with thirty-nine.

00:52:35: No my last one was thirty.

00:52:37: We're still at thirty eight Thirty nine!

00:52:41: I didn't won anymore It was early twenty four.

00:52:46: No, I only tried.

00:52:49: But it was just before my birthday and things like that.

00:52:51: so almost certainly happened.

00:52:54: In World of Soul I won the last one in twenty-five years!

00:53:01: So...I saw as extra motivation and this is a good take away for many adults if you can find extra reasons why you should perform better like or even if you have, I also in some years had a flat tire and then think...I want to prove.

00:53:26: You can also win the World Cup with a flat tyre.

00:53:31: Something didn't went perfect.

00:53:33: but now i still wanna prove that it's a motivation because if you can trick your mindset Give give an extra reason why you should be the one and it can help you to To unlock your best performance.

00:53:53: Yeah, I always think that a mechanical is The ultimate way of removing their expectation.

00:53:59: And i'll have this saying like expect nothing appreciate everything because they're expectation Just loads back pack.

00:54:08: but if You Can just go out Really be looking forward that if it works.

00:54:12: It's fantastic, but if not You know you still had a good time.

00:54:15: Nino thank you so very much for this chat.

00:54:18: I genuinely enjoyed it.

00:54:19: we have the traditional closing question here of Asking you when was the last time?

00:54:24: You went mental

00:54:28: Now last time and event mantel is probably now with parenting.

00:54:35: This also needs a lot of mental mental strengths.

00:54:40: Yeah, I can attest.

00:54:44: Full disclosure for all the listeners this is we actually scheduled to record yesterday when Nino forgot that he's that his birthday was the day before.

00:54:54: And he messaged me somewhere in the middle of the night saying, hey can we push back a little?

00:54:57: I had a surprise birthday party so you probably went mental there too but i think it's a great sign.

00:55:03: for anybody who's wondering if you're doing well in retirement...I would say thanks for all the inspiration over the years Nino!

00:55:10: You are an absolute legend and Thanks For Your Time.

00:55:13: Thank you, Jan.

00:55:14: You are definitely also a big inspiration for me and thanks for this interesting chat.

00:55:20: was.

00:55:20: I really enjoyed it too.

00:55:21: All

00:55:22: right thank

00:55:41: you.