The urge to fight is something I feel strongly when facing tough challenges. There is nothing heavier than being stuck in your own thoughts. By moving, I step out of my head and it helps me look forward. The extremes during challenges give me a real sense of being alive.

For others, I would mainly advise not just to make a plan, but to simply start and keep going when it gets hard. Growth happens exactly when things become difficult. Everyone goes through hard periods, but the real question is: what do you want, and what are you going to do about it?

I've definitely experienced that setbacks can come from small things — injuries that arise and don't go away, stress-related issues, and losing your environment or support system. What has helped me, and still does, is continuing to surround myself with the right people — people who dare to hold up a mirror to you.

Performance-focused training is often tough and requires discipline and perseverance. These are the mental elements where discomfort begins, where I often find myself again, and where there is always room for improvement. I use training for mental relaxation mainly on days when there are no expectations or pressure. You're also allowed to simply enjoy it.