“You’re just insanely inspiring”
Sandra Rüger, Munich
I come from a team sports background, and I didn’t realise it at the time, but my whole life has been dedicated to Teamsport Intelligence™. It wasn’t until much later that I finally cracked the code.
For years, my world revolved around sport.
I loved giving it my all, running for each other, thinking for others, and the fact that everyone apologised when they’d messed up.
With this attitude, I had a pretty rough landing in my first job.
And suddenly, everything was different.
No one wanted to – or was allowed to – take responsibility. There was pressure, a slightly frosty atmosphere, and from day one I was afraid of doing something wrong. The team operated on an ‘I’ll give a lot, but without any real passion’ level, and I could feel myself losing my enthusiasm. I burned out.
That was the ultimate kick that pushed me into going freelance. I joined my partner’s business, we pulled together like mad – and I blossomed again. Until 11 September. That day shook the foundations of my life too. I had to learn to deal with real pressure. Years later, I came across the ‘team elephant’. Don’t know what that is? It’s that queasy feeling that creeps up on you when you walk into a room where people have been gossiping behind your back…
Teamsport Intelligence™ was born. I realised: at their core, people want to perform. But to do that, they need a supportive environment. They want to be included, to be trusted, and to rely on others. Today, I know how to create that. There’s nothing in it for me to succeed on my own. What drives me is showing decision-makers how to make performance sexy for their team
Short and sweet: Conny in fast-forward
Quick facts:
- Born in Tegernsee
- Studied sports science and business administration (Sportökonomnie), graduating with a diploma from the University of Bayreuth
- 3 years working as a sports marketing and PR officer in elite and grassroots sport
- 10 years as co-owner and managing director of an international CD retail business
- Over 25 years’ experience as a personal trainer and coach
- Lectured at Meditrain (Cologne) and Macromedia University (Munich)
- Multiple author, management trainer & speaker
- Owner of Conny Schumacher – Holistic Sparring for Leadership & Business Development PTY Ldt in Cape Town
Further education and training:
- Various national and international training courses such as NLP, Sales, Quantum Leap with Blair Singer and T. Harv Eker, Uplift Your Mind, and Aliveness Coaching Mastery (Master Coaching Programme by Gigi Sage)
- Member of the professional association COMENSA, South Africa
Publications:
- “Fit in the Office”, 2009 (Nymphenburger Verlag)
- “Fit by… Nutrients?” (2010, BoD)
- “Success is different” (2019), bestseller in the category “Psychology & Life Coaching”
- Novel: “Isaya’s Eyes” – Questions to Life Beyond Religion and Esotericism (D and E),; Bestseller 2022 in the category “Women & Philosophy”
Training programmes and methods I have developed:
- “Fit in Schlips & Pumps” – tips for high achievers to boost energy in daily working life
- “Forget the Scales” – a scientifically based weight-loss programme that helps you regain your natural eating habits
- “The 7 Secrets to Better Health, Vitality and Resilience at Work”
- “Teamsports Intelligence™” – Make your team want to succeed, and you’ll never have to play nanny again.
Things I never planned:
- I love adventure – I’ve crossed the Alps on foot twice, walked the Camino, trekked through the Negev Desert in Israel, and cycled to Minsk.
- As a doping control officer for the DSB, I tested elite athletes worldwide.
- Volunteer work in an orphanage in India and for the protection of wild elephants in Namibia.
- After my first law lecture, I realised I was on the wrong path and switched to studying Sportökonomie instead.
- I paid for my studies by working as a waitress in a beer garden.
- I’m in Cape Town because I was travelling the world – and ended up staying here.
- I managed to secure the renowned artist Friedrich Hechelmann to illustrate Isaya. It was one of his last works, and I’m very happy it all worked out.
This post is also available in: German