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What makes you most aLIVE

What are we striving for in life? What do we often or at least sometimes miss? Isn’t it, amongst other important needs and desires, a feeling of aliveness? Aliveness is the state of being alive, defined as vigor and intensity, often also associated with joy, vibrancy, enthusiasm, presence, consciousness, adventure, awareness, expression of a cheerful moment in life, joie de vivre, passion or exultation of spirit.

I was always amazed by the aliveness and positive mood of my father, who spent most of his days outdoors and was practically never sick. Thus I asked myself, in which moments do we feel most alive in the sense of a strong body feeling? I tried to summarize my personal experiences of intense moments:

  • Moving/exercising our body extensively so we feel our breath and heartbeat more intensely.
  • Outside in nature, especially under harsher weather or environmental conditions.
  • When soaked with love.
  • When you feel that the heartbeat relaxes, for example by receiving a good massage or by releasing pressure on a pain point.
  • When we have stark gratitude for something or somebody.
  • When we have the impression that we have given everything it that moment.
  • In general, when we have very strong feelings.

Personally, I feel most alive when I do intense interval workouts, especially running sessions.

What makes you come/feel alive?

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Norway (27.01. – 20.02.2023)

What is more inspiring than nature? Who is a wiser and nobler teacher than nature itself? Norway for me represents the ‘purity of nature’. Maybe because of some heroic athletes, maybe because of the harsh winters, maybe because of the sheer beauty of the country with all the breathtaking fjords and vast fjells. Here my heart turns upside down, my attention is more in the present moment, I am feeling a little bit more alive.

On the one hand, exercising in front of a magnificent winter backdrop strengthens your muscles, lungs, and cardiovascular system as well as your body balance, and gives all your senses a fresh kick. On the other hand, and here I quote from the official site, it is a way of contemplation and reflection about nature and oneself, a relaxing pleasure for spirit and soul. With this in mind, let’s start the adventure for the next about three weeks.

Here is a useful link:

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Going barefoot

Don’t we often try to understand everything with our head/mind? Thinking on and from the feet is often underrated, even though we spend so many hours walking, running, or jumping around. Our upright posture puts more or less strain on our feet every day. Keeping this in mind and as a running addict I discovered Vivo Barefoot Shoes. I was quickly attracted to the philosophy and concept due to the following reasons:

  • More space in the forefront of the shoes for the toes.
  • Minimal heel high
  • Flexibility
  • Feeling more connected to the ground, therefore going naturally more with your forefoot

So, the idea of some form of collaboration captured my interest and here we are! Thanks to Vivo, I’m thinking daily with my feet (heart)! It just feels better. Thank you so much Vivo Switzerland!

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Northern Kungsleden

What gives you more emotional kick than nature?

This long hiking trail of approximately 440 km gives you goosebumps because it is so diversified. For me, one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Europe and the world. In August and September 2021, I coupled it with Kebnekaise, with an elevation of 2096m Sweden’s highest mountain, and hiked subsequently the Höga Kusten trail with about 130km on the Eastern shore of Sweden.

The feelings you experience on a long hiking tour are indescribable. Nobody is a better teacher than nature. Here are some emotional feelings which captured me along the way:

  • Several moments of complete oneness with nature. Some might call it flow state.
  • Nature wants to guide you in different forms, like birds showing you the way.
  • Deep satisfaction and gratitude.

For more information regarding the trails, check these sites:

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