Philipp Nawrath came into last season with exactly zero podiums on his resume, by the end of December he had three including his first victory in the Oestersund Sprint. As a bonus, the German was in the Yellow Bib for a couple of competitions, ending the season a personal best 15th in the World Cup Total Score.

After a hard morning of intensity training, Nawrath sat down to talk about his early week routine and what keeps him focused every day.

Biathlonworld: What time do you wake up on Mondays and what is the first thing you do after waking up?

Philipp Nawrath: I wake up at 6:45 and first wash up, do my body measurements for our data base, then cooking breakfast: boiling water for my cereals. I have a nice breakfast for half an hour and ten minutes preparing for training.

BW: What is the first app you look at when you turn on your phone?

PN: It depends on the weather. Sometimes it is the YR weather app or WhatsApp to see if the training is changing.

BW: What makes your breakfast routine perfect?

PN: When I have everything I like. I like it a bit sweet in the morning with some jam and honey and fruits in my cereal. When I see the weather is good, then I am in a good mood.

BW: Does your early morning regime include stretching, yoga, a jog or mental preparation?

PN: Not at all. I think sometimes I want to do the gym activation, but to be honest, it is not included!

BW: Is your backpack packed and ready every day or do you throw everything in at the last minute?

PN: It is a bit last minute sometimes; it also depends on the weather. When you see it might rain or be colder, then you need extra clothes. Then it is a bit of a last-minute hurry.

BW: Biggest “Oh I forgot that” when you got to training?

PN: It is usually not having the right clothes.

BW: Do you have a mental checklist that you go over in your mind each morning?

PN: I think it is good to set up the times to give you more space to be on point in training and not be thinking about it at the last minute. That is the kind of mental planning that I do the evening before.

BW: Do you consider yourself a perfectionist when it comes to training?

PN: Yes, I think so. When I see something that I forgot or is not going right, I am a bit unhappy. Also, if someone else is not working at the right level, I try not to say anything and calm down.

BW: Beyond a training log, do you keep a journal, meditate or something else to keep your life in order?

PN: More or less, I spend the time between 6 and 10 pm to call my parents, brother or someone else I want to speak with.

BW: Is there one piece of advice that guides you every day in training?

PN: It is my goal that I am working for. Use every day to get better and work for the goal. The past shows what is missing, could be better, and shows that there is potential to be better. That is my line: fighting every day.

BW: What do you do in the evening, besides the phone calls, to calm down after a long day?

PN: I do the social media stuff, like everyone, maybe a half hour or so, also producing something. It is clear that if you want to be better at these things, you have to practice, spend time, and check out what is new. Sometimes I visit neighbors or watch football.

BW: Are you a picky eater?

PN: I am not a picky eater. I am open to new meals.

BW: What is the hardest part of being a professional biathlete?

PN: You should not let your goals get out of sight. Sometimes there is a little wind from the side and you have to come back to the right line and stay on it. Staying focused can be hard.

BW: What project is on your “to do” list when you go home from camp?

PN: To get some more stuff for my new living room, like a couch and the rest of the things that goes in it.

Photos: IBU/Christian Manzoni, Nordic Focus, Jerry Kokesh