EMBRACING CHALLENGES

Some days ago, Cati Granz visited us at our Standert Hub. We took the chance to chat with her about her journey as a professional athlete, how cycling came into her life and how the past year has been for her. Have a read to learn more about Cati’s life as a professional athlete and how she approaches challenges along the way.

"Realizing that I still had the same drive and enjoyment from pushing myself, even when the outcome wasn't being judged or measured, was huge for me. It reminded me that my motivation for sport is deeply intrinsic—I'm driven to challenge myself, embrace the pain, and overcome it, even without external rewards."

Running wasn’t her first love, but she found a passion in it Cati Granz, Berlin-based 1500-m-athlete and Olympian, didn’t begin her journey as a runner. She first started out playing tennis, perceiving running as something rather repetitive and boring. Ultimately, it was a cross-country school run that showed her how natural running fast felt right from the start. Winning this run showed her a new side of herself and sparked the idea that perhaps she had untapped potential. Slowly, she realized that running was more than a casual activity; it was something she could excel in and began to grow to love. She began to commit to the nature of running, which tested not only her physical limits but also her mental resilience.

As her commitment deepened, Cati began competing more seriously, her dedication carrying her to national championships and, eventually, to the Olympic Games in Tokyo. In talking about her experience at the Olympics, Cati remembered that even though she had to cope with some injuries before, she stayed calm. During her time in Tokyo, she tried not to be overwhelmed by high expectations, but instead to embrace each moment and be grateful. This allowed her to perform at her best but also to fully enjoy the special experience of the Olympics that she once dreamed of. Her mindset helped her approach the Games with calm determination, seeing it as both a challenge and a celebration of her years of dedication, passion and hard work.

And then came cycling: a new hobby and a fresh perspective Unfortunately, injuries forced Cati to take a break from running and she turned to cycling as a tool to maintain her fitness. At first, cycling was just a supplement to her training. It was a way to stay in shape without further straining her body. Over time, it grew into something more—a source of joy and freedom that, even though similar to running in many ways, offered her new experiences she could not have found on the track. Cycling took her away from the structure and intensity of professional training on the track, allowing her to explore her surroundings and reset her mind. This new hobby gave her a taste of adventure and a fresh way to experience physical movement.

As Cati got further into cycling, she discovered some parallels between the two sports. Just like running, cycling also demanded endurance, mental stamina, and a willingness to push her limits—qualities she loved testing in herself. Through cycling, she realized just how much she enjoyed taking on intense efforts and challenging her resilience in new ways. Her rides became a chance to explore her own strength, fueling her competitive spirit while providing a contrast to the structured demands of her running career. In this way, cycling offered her a blend of freedom and intensity, reconnecting her with the simple joy of movement and the satisfaction of overcoming hard efforts.

It was especially on the long mountain rides that she felt the most growth. One challenging tour, 8 hours including a tough climb, nearly brought her to tears when she finally reached the top. That climb taught her a profound lesson in resilience and self-belief, revealing how much strength she truly carried within her. This experience has become one of her proudest memories on the bike, reinforcing her passion for pushing boundaries, even outside of racing.

"Reaching the top after that grueling climb, I was overwhelmed—almost to the point of tears. It was a powerful reminder of how much joy I find in pushing my limits, just for the sake of accomplishing something I wasn’t sure I could."

Life beyond sports: finding joy in Berlin’s rhythm Outside of sports, Cati enjoys her life in Berlin, the city that she calls home. Her first major injury in 2015 left her feeling disconnected to herself. Without races and the structure of training there was a feeling of restlessness and loss of purpose. She had resolved to never approach this situation again that way. So this year–despite another season with injury, no competitions and missing the Olympics–she went on about it differently. She began to approach her time off in a new way, appreciating new experiences that she wouldn’t have had if she had been competing… From a summer vacation during the peak season, to more cultural events, finishing her master thesis, going out with friends and, of course, even more cycling.

The connections and new perspectives, along with the city’s rhythm fueled her without the need of a countdown clock and the finish line (of course she missed it very much too). This year, Cati has discovered that she gains strength and fulfillment from accepting the situation and embracing the opportunities that arise.

We are super impressed and inspired by Cati’s story and proud to have her in the Standert Family. We can’t wait to see where her journey will take her. Go Cati!

Footnotes

Words by Meret Stabell and cover photo by Ruben Schmitz.