Fitness starts in the mind: mental strength as a key skill

© FIBO / Jannik Hammes

The fitness and health industry faces a paradoxical situation: Never before have companies, executives, and employees had access to as much data, technology, and scientific knowledge as they do today. “At the same time, a sense of uncertainty, complexity, and constant pressure to change is growing in many places,” notes Anke Brendt, Product Manager at FIBO organizer RX Germany. It was precisely this tension that ran like a common thread through the FIBO Congress 2026 (April 16–18, 2026).

The event, held at the Confex at Koelnmesse, was organized by FIBO, with the German University for Prevention and Health Management (Deutsche Hochschule für Prävention und Gesundheit – DHfPG) and the BSA Academy once again serving as the professional organizers. Around 40 expert presentations, panels, and networking sessions addressed topics such as artificial intelligence, longevity, recovery, training, leadership, health management, and the impact of new developments – such as weight-loss injections – on the industry.

The two keynote speeches provided a special highlight. Paracycling world champion Denise Schindler and freediving world record holder Christian Redl drew attention to a resource that is often underestimated in the digital transformation: mental strength.

The FIBO Congress 2026 offered participants support in tackling today’s complex challenges: “Many companies are currently undergoing profound changes. Business models are evolving, technologies are transforming workflows, and the expectations of customers and employees are shifting,” said Gerd Maurer of the DHfPG. For executives, this means having to make decisions amid uncertainty. 

Denise Schindler sees this not as an exception, but as a new reality. The most important mental attitude, she said, is a combination of acceptance, openness, and a trained eye for opportunities. External certainty is becoming increasingly limited, she explained. Therefore, the ability to develop confidence in one’s own response to change is crucial.

Denise Schindler during her keynote “The Blessing of Being Unlucky: How Setbacks Shape Resilience.”
© FIBO Congress / DHfPG

“Resilience arises precisely here. And it can be trained – just like a muscle. The more often we consciously navigate change, the more confidence we gain in our ability to adapt,” says Denise Schindler. 

The message fits surprisingly well with the current challenges facing the fitness industry. Whether it’s digitalization, AI-driven processes, new health markets, or shifting customer expectations: many companies are faced with the task of further developing what has been proven effective without losing their identity.

While Denise Schindler shed light on dealing with change, Christian Redl focused on managing pressure. As an Austrian extreme athlete, Redl finds himself in situations during free diving where composure determines success or failure. His insights can be applied surprisingly directly to everyday leadership.

 “In free diving, it’s not maximum strength that matters, but the ability to stay calm under pressure,” explains Redl. “Those who maintain control over their breathing, focus, and thoughts in stressful situations make better decisions. It’s not speed that’s decisive, but calmness and confidence.”

This statement is particularly relevant for operators of fitness and health facilities. The volume of information, decisions, and demands is constantly growing. At the same time, employees expect guidance and customers expect personalized solutions. The ability to stay focused even under pressure is thus increasingly becoming a leadership skill.

Another key focus of Denise Schindler’s keynote was dealing constructively with setbacks. “Crises have a bad reputation. Yet they are often precisely the moment when real development begins,” she explained. Old certainties crumble, but at the same time, space is created for something new.

Schindler recommends asking three key questions in difficult situations:

• What is no longer working for me right now?
• What can I let go of?
• What could emerge instead?

This perspective can also be applied to the industry’s development. Many of today’s successful business models emerged from times of upheaval – whether during digitalization, the pandemic, or the growing convergence of fitness, health, prevention, and, increasingly, longevity.

The conference made it clear that the industry is currently facing another such phase of transformation. The crucial question, then, is not so much what changes are still to come, but how companies will address them.

Denise Schindler’s perspective on the social role of the fitness industry is particularly compelling. She notes that the world is characterized by constant connectivity, information overload, and increasing social isolation. This is precisely why gyms today could be far more than just places for physical exercise. She emphasizes that the fitness industry has always accompanied people through processes of change. Gyms could become social anchors – places where people reconnect with themselves and others, relieve stress, and experience genuine encounters.

Trainers play a key role in this regard. They are no longer merely experts in physical exercise, but increasingly serve as guides for mental resilience and personal development. This perspective aligns with many of the themes of the FIBO Congress 2026. Numerous presentations demonstrated how closely physical health, mental performance, and long-term quality of life are now intertwined.

Christian Redl during his keynote “Mental Strength: Limits of Performance? Tips from a World Record Apnea Diver.”
© FIBO Congress / DHfPG

Christian Redl also sees the greatest challenge of our time not in a lack of motivation, but in a lack of focus. “Mental strength doesn’t come from doing more, but from consciously directing focus and energy,” he says. In free diving, he explains, you can’t fight against the pressure. Instead, it’s about setting priorities and being able to switch between tension and relaxation.

This ability is becoming increasingly important, especially in an industry that deals intensively with artificial intelligence, data analysis, new training concepts, and digital business models. Technology can accelerate processes and support decision-making. However, it does not replace the ability to set priorities, lead people, and provide direction.

“The FIBO Congress 2026 impressively demonstrated how dynamically the fitness and health industry is evolving. Artificial intelligence, longevity, recovery, new training approaches, and innovative business models will shape the future of the industry,” said Anke Brendt.

Perhaps the most important insight from the congress, however, goes beyond individual trends. The future of the fitness industry will be more digital, data-driven, and diverse. But it will be most successful where people bring mental strength, a willingness to learn, and leadership qualities to the table.

Or, to summarize the messages from Denise Schindler and Christian Redl: Change cannot be stopped. Pressure cannot be avoided. What matters is how we deal with it. Technology changes markets. People decide what becomes of them.