Not many things unify people in the same manner as sports. Cars – and automotive parts, of course – might get you into a conversation, but most of the time, we love to talk about our favorite sportive activity that we either watch or practice ourselves. In my case, it is basketball. I played that game, which – fun fact, was invented in 1891 by a PE teacher who wanted to keep his gym class active on a rainy day – almost my entire life; it is now precisely 32 years. My idols were Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird, and you bet I collected all jerseys of my favourite players.
My passion for the ball game does not stop with my active playing. Besides competing, I serve as a coach for children’s, adolescents’, and adult basketball teams in TV Passau 1862 “White Wolves”. I’ve been doing the latter for almost 30 years.
Why am I telling you all of this story? After all, this text appears on a blog for automotive aftermarket parts. As a sales manager, it is a natural part of the job to connect with people from the industry. One of my business contacts, Jochen Freier, who, first and foremost, is the CEO of JFNetwork & Tyremotive and, secondly, a like-minded basketball enthusiast, asked me if I wanted to participate as a coach and supporter at a football and basketball camp for children. I did not hesitate for a second to agree. Besides his CEO duties, Jochen is one of the co-founders of Peak Performer Stiftung, a charity founded by more than thirty top performers in sports and business. Peak Performer Stiftung organized the Kids Camp in Bavaria, which took place last week. Participants were 50 kids from the ages 10 to 14, and they received highly competent masterclasses from former and active pro athletes and entrepreneurs, teaching them not only technical skills for their game but also valuable mindset strategies to get them to deliver their A-game in both sports and life. The camp lasted two days, and we had a blast building and running the individual areas and stations. We cultivated contacts, had a great time, and we got better at our favorite sport.
I think that the biggest takeaway from this event, in which I invested my private leisure time, is that professional relationships do not stop with an occasional Teams call. We all do things like a job or career, but we are also people with backgrounds and passions outside the work environment. I regard this opportunity to connect with peers from the industry outside the aftermarket bubble as a gift, and I would like to encourage everyone to reach out and do amazing things together. A special “thank you” goes to Jochen Freier, the Peak Performer Stiftung, and all the Kids for having a great time together. I am looking forward to seeing all of you next time!
For more information, please visit: https://www.peak-performer-stiftung.de
