Meet Ruth Seilheimer, another team member from the international company, Athletes and Core Performance. Find out how she has combined her expertise of sports science with computer technology.

Sarah Koszyk: What attracted you to the field of fitness and exercise? Ruth Seilheimer: Ever since I was a child, fitness played a major role within my life. Starting with numerous sport activities such as gymnastics, soccer and basketball just to name a few, I was looking to transfer my skills early recognized into my profession. Not only the fun-side of fitness but particular the complexity of the human body with its anatomy and physiology led to the decision to take up the studies of sport science. How to train the body effectively to reach fitness goals and retain, but also to find out ways of rehabilitation in case of injury – alike `Within a healthy body lives a healthy mind’.

Your Job Title? Performance Specialist Manager.  Manager of the Core Performance Center.

Company you are with now? Core Performance

Website:  www.coreperformance.com

Describe a typical (or not so typical) day-in-the-work-life for you. A typical day starts ‘Early Birds’ at 7:30 am – arriving to prepare the gym for the employees. Individual classes commence at 8 – 9 am with clear focus set on posture, correct movements, core stability and improvement of mobility. Living within the world of interactive communication plays a major role too – with constant life updates on Core Performance activities i.e. running charity events by collecting credits for gym sessions, organizing health events such as “Eat and Stay Healthy” and many more. In the period from 11 am – 1 pm I am running personal evaluations by utilizing tests such as the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and a VO2 Testing to create an individual workout plans. Lunch break – best place to be is the canteen. With our gym opened just recently, it is the easiest way to ‘meet and great’ the employees. The Core Performance Headquarters is being located in the States, so 3 – 5 pm is the best time to meet with people via video conference to discuss ongoing development of sports programs and interactive health checks. But also lead specific classes for special interests upon request i.e. kettlebell workouts, triathlon, marathon, skiing preparing sessions,… to say it´s a day full of diversity, interactive communication and in the end … fun and friendship.

How did you get your current job in fitness and exercise? After graduating from university I gained 6 years of practical experience in a rehabilitation center in Cologne as a sports therapist. Always searching to broaden my knowledge and fields of expertise, I accepted a four month internship with Athletes’ Performance (AP) in Phoenix, AZ. While with AP, I enjoyed learning about new methodologies and technologies the performance specialists are successfully using abroad – especially the aspects of functional training and testing. During the following years I stayed in contact with AP and when Mark Verstegen, the founder of Athletes’ and Core Performance, asked me to run the Core Performance Center at the office here in Hamburg, I had to say ‘yes’ as it meant a great opportunity for my career and my personal development.

What skills were you born with and what skills have you learned along the way? I always have been a very curious person and eager to learn and explore new things. Probably that has driven my passion beyond boundaries to get in contact with so many great people around the world opening chances to work within amazing workplaces and therefore forming my career naturally.

On the other hand I think I am kind of conservative and sometimes struggle to adjust to things that change too quickly. At the office to begin with I felt a little lost being thrown into a new world consisting of laptops, smart phones and social media networks. But now, after 5 months, I really enjoy working with my Mac book and using all the tools and gadgets.

What advice do you have for others wanting to be just as successful and fulfilled as you? Be open minded! Enjoy what you are doing! Just be yourself!

If you could be paid for your job with something other than a paycheck, what would it be? A guarantee to stay healthy whilst growing old allowing myself to live an active and fulfilled life – that´s my biggest wish.

Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN, is a Registered Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist specializing in Weight Management and Sports Nutrition for youth and adults. She writes articles for multiple publications, provides customized nutrition coaching, and is a brand spokesperson. She is founder of Family. Food. Fiesta.Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.