From a young age, skiing has been a constant part of my life. After various youth squads, I was active at the highest level in skicross for 14 years, participating in two Olympic Games and six World Championships. But it wasn't just the successes that shaped me. Setbacks, such as serious injuries, have also shown me how important it is to embrace difficult situations and move forward with a positive outlook. This resilience helps me tremendously in my professional life today.

The first contact was made when Allianz presented itself as a potential employer at the IOC's Athlete Career Conference. I was immediately impressed by how actively Allianz approaches former athletes and recognizes their potential.

In competitive sports, success doesn't come overnight but through continuous effort and improvement. I bring this exact commitment to my role at Allianz. Qualities such as discipline, determination, and perseverance, which I learned through sports, benefit me in my current work at Allianz.

Although skicross is an individual sport, I was never alone. Without my team, my successes wouldn't have been possible. I find this same interplay at Allianz: a strong culture of collaboration where each individual contributes to the collective success.

Leaving competitive sports was one of the most difficult and emotional decisions of my life. You leave an environment where you are among the best and essentially start from scratch. Allianz offers a variety of entry programs. The IT Consulting Trainee Program provided me with a perfect entry into professional life. I was able to learn about different roles and areas and was guided by an experienced top manager as a mentor.

After completing my trainee program, I started as a Product Owner in the Tribe Data, Insights & Analytics. Here, I manage various projects in the data and AI field, such as the AI Content Lab. Health is also an important topic in everyday work. At Allianz, there are many offerings, from health days to sports events. For example, I was able to lead a running session through the English Garden on Olympic Day. Additionally, I share my experiences in panel discussions or interviews.

In sports, I learned to deal with pressure and high expectations, just like in the job. Especially in demanding situations, my sports background helps me stay focused and not lose confidence in my own abilities.

At the beginning, there is a clear goal and a plan. But along the way, things rarely go as planned. You have to remain flexible, overcome challenges, and still keep the big picture in mind. This is very similar in sports and project management.

I want to, as in sports, always bring out the best in myself, remain open to new challenges, and continuously grow. Allianz offers so many different opportunities and career paths that I don't want to commit to a specific direction. It is important to me to recognize and seize opportunities.

Have the courage to openly discuss your unique situation as a former athlete. Allianz offers many individual entry opportunities that cater to different needs. Take advantage of opportunities to engage with employees; you will quickly realize that your sports background is not seen as a gap but as a strength.

The inspiring interview with Daniel Bohnacker impressively demonstrates how successfully the transition from top-level sports to the corporate world can be achieved. Daniel has managed to bring his sports experiences as a strength and prove himself in a new environment. Particularly noteworthy is Allianz's commitment to facilitating the entry into professional life for former athletes through individual programs and targeted support. Daniel Bohnacker represents many athletes who have the courage to take new paths—with the clear message: The path after sports doesn't have to be a fresh start from scratch but can be the beginning of an equally successful second career.

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