Sport has become your business - you work as a personal trainer. What are your most valuable tips for athletes? Do you have an own philosophy?

I founded the association "Never Walk Alone Nürnberg e.V.“ in 2006 - with the aim of bringing people closer to the joy of movement. Since then, I have acquired seven different trainer licenses and like to pass on my knowledge to others. The most valuable tip I have for my athletes - usually beginners - is the following: Take it slow - and if you think it's slow, take another step back. Finishing a competition should be the first priority.

You are known as men "Der eiserne Franke" (The Iron Franconian). Has Ultratriathlon become socially acceptable in Germany by now, or do you still hear many prejudices?

Yes, since the finishing of the Deca Ultratriathlon in 2018 I have been nicknamed "The Iron Franconian", and the prejudices about this sport are getting less and less, since I appear in the media many times and therefore the Ultra-Triathlon is no longer so "unknown".

The Swissultra is also a history of suffering for you: At the Deca 2016 you had to take a break after only one day, in 2017 you finished the Quintuple (under agony while swimming), in 2018 you finally achieved the big success: Deca-Finisher! Which problems did you have to deal with the most on your way to the Deca-Ironman?

I had to struggle most with my broken collarbone and ribs, which I had suffered from three accidents with my bike. Swimming was a horror for me at certain times. It was never due to the "mental strength", which I consider to be one of the most important factors in our sport.

That's right, you're mentally very strong: Will you tell us one of your secrets?

I never start with the goal of complete distance. I always work through "short" sections, so the "big picture" is easier to master in my head - because that's where the competition is decided, in my opinion. The mental strength grows automatically with the length of the distance.

Last year, your finish at the Deca was very emotional; you even kissed the ground. What was it like to finally make it?

It was an indescribable feeling to have finally achieved my life goal of finishing a Deca Ultratriathlon after the really difficult three years. At that moment a big weight fell from my shoulders.

Now you plan to double your great success: in 2019 you want to finish 20 Ironman distances in 20 days. What are your plans for the Double Deca at Swissultra?

I have only set myself the goal of finishing the competition. No more and no less. But, one more point: healthy and without injuries I would like to reach this goal.

How do you train for the Double Deca? Does the training differ significantly from the preparation for the Deca?

The training does not differ from last year's training. On some days I do up to seven different training sessions. In addition, there is one long weekly training session for the "Route 66".

With the project "Route 66" you want to break the current world record of 60 long distances with 66 triathlon long distances in one year. How did you come up with this idea?

The thought of mastering a really big thing has been in my head for a long time. And the number has resulted from the previous records. In addition, the "Route66" is very well known as a name and somehow fits in well with what I've set out to do. In total I am registered for 52 long distances in competitions. I complete the remaining 14 indoors, i.e. I swim the 3.8 kilometres in the morning in a swimming pool, then I usually do 180 kilometres of spinning in the gym and run 42.2 kilometres on the treadmill.

What do you look forward to the most - and what do you have the most respect for?

I'm excited about every single competition I'll be competing in this year and about the many familiar faces I'll inevitably meet around the world. I have the most respect for the swim course in Mexico: there I plan to do the Double Deca Continuous, which starts with 76 kilometers in the water ...

Speaking of Mexico: After the Swissultra you only have one month before you start again. How do you recover in this time?

Almost not at all. Between the two Double Decas I'm planning an indoor long distance and will take part in the Challenge Almere-Amsterdam. Of course I try to take as many days off as possible in September. I will reduce cycling and running to my personal trainings with customers and team trainings. But I will increase swimming to long, slow sessions this month.

After the race is before the race: What dreams do you have for your sports career in 2020?

There is no room in my head for new goals at the moment and I am simply too focused on the 2019 season. It was difficult enough to win sponsors for this year or to extend long-term partnerships. But I had a good hand and enormous luck to win companies like Franken Express, Franken Aktiv, Viactiv-Krankenkasse, Graf & Kittsteiner, das Autohaus Bronner, the Triathlon Shop of Christoph Schwerdt, missionMED, Reboots and Rösch.

But of course I will keep to the following saying: "What do I care about my yesterdays talking, today the world looks different". I will certainly find a goal for 2020!