Qualifying as a dipl. Sportmentaltrainer

As an athlete and a masseuse I kept coming into contact with many different mental training techniques over the years. But it was only my diagnosis in 2011 (multiple sclerosis) that “forced” me to seriously face myself and my own mind. With the help of my therapist I learnt various mental techniques that helped me see possibilities again for how my life could go on, and how I could support my body in recovering faster. Applying these techniques regularly, I found solutions for how I could learn to live with this chronic illness. And I could draw on these techniques not only for coping with the illness, but also in sport and in my work with patients and with my family.

These experiences motivated me to look more closely into mental training and its techniques. That set off the urge in me to back this up professionally with a solid qualification. So I decided to train as a dipl. Sportmentaltrainer. This training was extremely exciting, instructive and also very demanding. I developed a great deal through it, and now, after my diploma (October 2020), it motivates me to go on and train as a workplace mentor with a federal qualification (betr. Mentor FA). The federal exam is in June 2021. In the meantime I am already building up my new field of work as a mental coach, and I already get to support individual athletes and “non-athletes” on their own paths.

As a mental coach, or workplace mentor, I work in the role of coach, adviser and trainer. That means I support both organisations that commission me and individuals through professional learning, change and development processes. Starting from each individual situation and each client's needs, I put together a support concept or work with single interventions.

The personal conversation is at the centre of the support process. In that way I encourage clients to help themselves and support them in planning concrete steps. For instance, I work through changed demands with a client and help them build up their resources further, or prepare them to take on new roles. I also play an advisory role in resolving conflicts. But the most important thing in any support process is the relationship with my clients. It rests on a basic attitude of respect, empathy, active listening and targeted feedback.