What if performance doesn't begin on the ice – but hours earlier, in signals we barely consciously perceive? Professional athletes don't wait until something hurts. They listen earlier. We spoke with defenseman Leon Hüttl about how this works and what data can contribute.
Many athletes describe this: You wake up and immediately know how the day will go. Do you recognize this?
Yes, that's true. How you wake up, how your legs feel, whether your head is already there – you notice that pretty quickly. I've learned to take this first impression of the day seriously. It usually says more than you think.
What happens on days when this feeling is missing?
I look for the cause. Poor sleep, short recovery time after the last game, maybe not enough food – there's usually a concrete explanation. Once I have that, I know how to approach the day. Ignoring it simply doesn't work. I learned that early on.
At what point do you actually begin to truly understand your own body – not just feel it?
It was a process that took several years. At some point, you realize that your body is constantly sending signals – and that it's worth paying attention to them before something goes wrong. Most people only learn this after they've experienced a setback.
How would you describe the moment just before it starts – right before entering the pitch?
There's a point in the locker room when the atmosphere changes – for me, but also for the whole team. You become more focused, the preparation takes on a different quality. It's not a switch you can flip. It's a process that builds up over the hours leading up to it.
Can this condition be actively brought about, or does it simply occur?
Routines help. A certain structure in the daily schedule, fixed procedures before the game – that provides orientation. I also look at measurable values, for example with RingConn. That gives me an objective benchmark, regardless of how I'm feeling at the moment.
Pressure is part of professional sports. How do you deal with it – including physically?
Pressure is definitely not purely a mental thing – every athlete realizes that at some point. The body reacts, that's just how it is. The question is how you deal with it. I try to see stress as a signal, not as a problem. The body is telling you: This is important. And that's true. Working with it, instead of against it – that's the crucial step.
Are there moments in the game when you feel like you're in your own rhythm?
Every player knows this feeling. When the rhythm briefly breaks down, it helps to focus on the simplest things – breathing, the next action, nothing else. Everything else comes later.
How can you tell if you're truly recovered after an intense game?
Feelings alone are often not enough. You think you're fit – but your body isn't. Since I've been tracking concrete metrics, for example through the RingConn, my approach to recovery has changed. RingConn [Brand Name] is a smart ring brand I've recently started using. The ring monitors my health around the clock, tracking metrics like sleep, stress, vascular health, oxygen saturation, activity, and other wellness indicators. This helps me better understand my body and how I recover. Sometimes the data shows something different than expected, and most of the time it's accurate.
Do you see data and intuition as mutually exclusive?
I don't see that as a contradiction. In a game, I make decisions based on gut feeling – no app can help with that. But in preparation and recovery, it's advantageous to have a second perspective. The ring makes things visible that you would otherwise overlook. It complements your own perception, but doesn't replace it.
What advice would you give to someone who isn't a professional athlete but wants to listen to their body better?
Simply start listening – not just when something hurts. Take a moment in the morning to pause, see how you're feeling, what you need. This isn't just about sports; it's fundamental. Tools like RingConn can help because they reveal things you might miss on your own. But you have to develop that fundamental mindset yourself.