Magdalena Neuner: With Mindfulness, Movement, and Heart—My Path to a Healthy Life
Together with former professional athlete and world-class biathlete Magdalena Neuner and BLACKROLL® Master Trainer Stefan, we’re bringing the latest prevention course right to your home! In this interview, Magdalena speaks openly about her time as a competitive athlete, how she mastered the transition to a more normal life, and what this new chapter of her life looks like. In this article, you’ll also learn what excited her about collaborating with BLACKROLL® on the prevention course and how it helped her feel happy after each session.
Health Awareness
For Magdalena Neuner, a healthy lifestyle didn’t just begin when her athletic career ended. Even back then, when she lived in hotels for seven months of the year, she always had her own pillow and blanket with her—a habit she’s kept to this day. “For me, it’s very important to get enough restful sleep. I’m very careful to go to bed at the same time every night, usually between 10 and 10:15,” she says. She carried her awareness of sleep hygiene over from competitive sports—just like turning off her cell phone before falling asleep and taking a 15-minute lunch break with her eyes closed to meditate.
Competitive Sports as a Way of Life
Her life used to be strictly scheduled: “On Sunday evenings, I knew exactly what my week would look like—every day was planned out with training sessions.” Two sessions a day, structured meals tailored to the volume and intensity of her workouts. “Ultimately, everything revolves around competitive sports 24 hours a day.” And in biathlon in particular, versatility was essential: strength endurance was key, complemented by long cycling sessions, mountain hikes, and kayaking. Arms, abs, and back—everything was trained through targeted coordination, strength, and balance. In winter, skiing took center stage—with a focus on pure pole-push or leg-focused sessions.
Recovery as the Key to Success
Despite the packed schedule, recovery was always part of the plan. “I had to work my way through my training plan every week, no matter how tired I was,” she recalls. Fortunately, a physical therapy team was always by her side. Because that, too, was part of being a world champion: taking care of your body, listening to it, and above all—taking it seriously.
The Road to the Podium
When she looks back on her highlights, Magdalena finds it hard to pinpoint just one moment. “My very first World Championships in 2007 in Antholz, when I became world champion for the first time—that changed my whole life.” And, of course, the Olympics: “When I became an Olympic champion, my biggest dream came true.” Inspired by Uschi Diesel, whom she admired on TV as a child, her dream grew. “That moment—standing on the podium myself—drove me for years and gave me energy and strength.”
The Downsides and Mental Strength
But Magdalena also knows the other side of the coin. “The more I won, the more it motivated me—but there are downsides, too.” Critical voices from the outside, dealing with defeats, illnesses, and injuries. “I tried to turn all of that into something positive—to grow from it.” As a young athlete, she was helped by a mental coach she met at age 19. “He was by my side for 15 years—I couldn’t have done any of this without him.” Today she’s convinced: “Mental fitness is the key to success. Without inner strength, without self-reflection—great success isn’t possible.”
A New Life, New Roles
After retiring from her career, the structure remained at first. Five to six workouts a week, a clear schedule. But with the birth of her first child in 2014, everything changed. “Anyone who has children knows: they are the center of your life.” Today she is a mother of three—organized, structured, with room for moments of mindfulness as soon as the children are out of the house. “In our family, we function as a team.”
Why Prevention Is So Valuable
Magdalena is convinced: “I should be aware of the added value of my workouts. That’s what motivates me!” Exercise helps her relieve stress, feel better, and deal with challenges more calmly. “There’s no better feeling than standing in the shower after a workout, exhausted but happy.” The first step is the hardest—“but then it gets easier every day.”
The Prevention Course—A Course for Everyone
She’s been using BLACKROLL® products throughout her career—and to this day, they’re an integral part of her daily routine. “I clicked with Stefan right away. He helped me get over my initial hesitation.” She felt completely at ease on set. “It wasn’t just a bit of exercise—we’re showing people how important daily movement is.”
For anyone who’s still hesitating, Magdalena has a clear message: “This course is for everyone!” The instructions are easy to follow, and the exercises are flexible. “If you can only manage 20 seconds instead of 45—that’s fine too! The important thing is to get started. That’s the moment when you say, ‘Hey—I’m doing something for my fitness right now.’”
Strengthened Physically and Mentally
Speaking about the prevention course , the former world-class biathlete says :
I can definitely say: After the course, you feel stronger—both physically and mentally.
She, too, discovered her weak spots—sore muscles included. “But it did me a world of good—and I wish everyone could experience that feeling. Eight weeks in which you solidify your routines and find new motivation.”
Social Change: Time for Prevention!
Magdalena observes a positive trend: “People are paying more attention to themselves again. But the shift could certainly be even more intense!” Many are at a loss when the first symptoms appear—“but there are so many ways to take preventive action in everyday life.” Everyone can take responsibility—and start by becoming more aware of their own bodies again.