You’re a research assistant in corporate law and a doctoral candidate and lecturer at the Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW). How do you manage to make time for a fitness routine in your already busy schedule? Would you say this is non-negotiable for you?
Definitely non-negotiable! For me, sport is more than just exercise. It brightens up my day and helps me clear my head. I make time for it either first thing in the morning or in the evening after work. I hardly have any time during the day. My weekends are reserved for long runs or bike rides.
What does your training routine look like?
I work out at the gym twice a week, focusing on strength and stability work – also to help prevent injuries when running and cycling. I also run regularly. If I’m preparing for a triathlon, I add cycling and swimming sessions.
When did you first get into sport?
I’ve always been into sport – I can’t remember a time when it wasn’t a part of my life. I’ve tried out lots of sports: volleyball, tennis, gymnastics. Over the years, I’ve developed a routine that works well for me, largely because the mix of sports keeps things varied. I also took up road cycling a few years ago.
What do you find fascinating about it?
The great thing about road cycling is that you can easily spend a whole day doing it. Sometimes I’m on the road for five, six or even eight hours, discovering new places along the way – unlike running, where you often end up sticking to the same routes. Cycling takes you much further, so you get to see a lot more.
“Sport makes me feel better – I’m more focused and more balanced. It’s a good complement to the mental demands of my work.”
Charlotte Maria Beyer, Research Assistant, Gleiss LutzHow much of a role does staying fit play in your day-to-day work?
I would say it has more of an indirect effect on my day-to-day work. Sport makes me feel better – I’m more focused and more balanced. It’s a good complement to the mental demands of my work.
Name three things you need for your wellbeing and explain how Gleiss Lutz contributes to them.
- Sport is my number one priority.
- Rest and time to switch off and recharge my batteries.
- A good social life, both professionally and privately.
Gleiss Lutz plays a part in making me feel comfortable at work. I really appreciate my colleagues and think it’s great that physical fitness is actively promoted here, whether through company runs, running analysis or subsidised gym memberships. I’d love to see even more team activities, like group hikes or climbing trips.
You ran in the Stuttgart half marathon last year. Was it a big challenge or more of a routine run for you?
I think any longer distance run makes you a bit nervous. I was confident I’d manage the distance, but I wanted to set a new personal best, and that was definitely a challenge.
How do you prepare for competitions like that? Are there any particular rituals or training tools you use? And do you have any special tips for beginners?
The most important “tool” is simple: go for a run! I train three to four times a week with a mixture of fast and slow runs before a half marathon. In addition, running-specific strength training is essential for me. It not only improves speed but, above all, helps me stay injury-free.
My tip for beginners: start with slow runs. Once you’ve built a solid base of stamina, speed improvements will follow almost automatically. Strength and stability exercises are also crucial. And you shouldn’t neglect recovery, which is just as important as the training itself.
I track my workouts to monitor my progress. I often listen to music or podcasts when I run, which I find especially helpful on long runs. But nothing beats having a running partner.
“It’s not about being perfect every day, but about constantly keeping at it. A mediocre run is better than no run at all. The same is true of a doctoral thesis: Even small steps forward move you closer to the goal.”
Charlotte Maria Beyer, Research Assistant, Gleiss LutzDo you see parallels between sport and your career path?
Yes, perseverance is key in both. It’s not about being perfect every day, but about constantly keeping at it. A mediocre run is better than no run at all. The same is true of a doctoral thesis: Even small steps forward move you closer to the goal.
What has been your biggest sporting highlight so far?
I would say the STELP charity run in 2025. I ran for four hours and was able to collect donations for a good cause. It was great because the focus wasn’t just on individual performance – it was less about personal bests and more about raising as much money as possible together.
Looking ahead: If your goal was to be healthy and fit in 10 years’ time – what would your journey up to then need to include?
Three things: a healthy social life, challenging day-to-day work, and enough time for sport. With that combination, I’ll hopefully enjoy a long and healthy life.
The interview was conducted by Sarah Neitzel in 2025.
The text was updated by the editorial team for publication on the website in 2026.
