Max: I can definitely say that I've had a very exciting journey with lots of ups and somedowns that helped me grow personally. I´m extremely grateful for everyexperience. My biggest passion is rowing. It started as a hobby and soon became thecentre of my life. This sport is fulfilling for me because I am able to chase mygoals together with teammates and friends. It’s the most rewarding feeling if youachieve something that you always wished for.

Max: I started rowing in the age of 10. Four years later, I decided to move to a boarding school with professional circumstances for training. That decision was the beginning of my career. At first I was trying to be successful at national champs and then junior world champs. To get to the profession of now, it was a long journey with different steps. After finishing my A level, I moved to the national training centre in Dortmund. I started studying there and I got one of a few spots for professional sportsmen in the German army. From that moment, I finally became a professional rower – earning enough money to say that I turned my hobby into a job.

Max: There were definitely some moments of struggle in different chapters of my career. I´m very grateful for all of them because they helped me grow the most.My first big challenge was my move from my hometown to the boarding school.It was a totally new situation for me where I had to adapt to the higher pace. At the end of the first year I started believing in myself and soon became national and international champion. After finishing my A level and lots of successful years I had to decide if rowing would stay the centre of my life. 

After considering different options I luckily made the decision to move to the national training center in Dortmund. This move enabled me to find some really good new partners. The training also began to be more fun again which led to more success in competitions. Qualifying for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro was like a dream coming true. Taking part in the biggest sports event in the world was an incredible experience. However, it happened to be my biggest disappointment. I struggled in the competition as well as with the surroundings. Soon I realized that I became stronger and awakened my hunger to win a medal in Tokyo 2020.