How important is sport in your life?

Doing sport helps me to know my body and my mind better. It gives me discipline and challenges me. I played basketball for 30 years. I was also a coach for 25 years. Now, I do triathlons (swimming, cycling and running). I also do long-distance open water swimming (5 km).

That must require a lot of training!

I usually participate in 5 to 7 competitions a year. When you do a triathlon, you have to be absolutely committed! There is no middle way. I train every day of the week, sometimes twice a day. It’s not always easy, but I love it. Even though I only compete in amateur competitions, I train with semi-professional athletes. At the moment, for example, I’m training with Richard Varga, one of the world best triathlon swimmers. For swimming over long distances, it’s especially important to work on your concentration. When you’re swimming 5 km, you have a lot of time to think… But if you let your mind drift off, you can lose the competition fast! We use innovative and interesting methods to help us master this aspect of the race. Whether it’s for sport or work, preparation is the key to success.

Speaking of which…  how do you use your sports experience to carry out your missions at ENGIE Slovakia?

In work, your circumstances can change quickly (working conditions, environment…). You often find yourself facing new situations and challenges, which isn’t always easy. Sport has taught me not to run away from problems, but to face them, to do the best I can and to make the best of it.

What sporting values do you try to uphold as director of the Energy Services department?

Discipline, inventiveness and the joy of a mission accomplished!