Resilience under pressure - A conversation with Nino Niederreiter

In elite sport, as in investing, long-term success is rarely decided by single moments. What matters more are discipline, focus, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

Swiss ice hockey player Nino Niederreiter knows this dynamic from first-hand experience. For many years, he has competed at the highest international level - in the NHL, at World Championships, and at the Olympic Games. In this conversation, he explains how he deals with pressure, why routines matter, and what has shaped him over the course of his career in elite sport.

Q1. You have played at the Olympic Games in front of millions of people. How do you manage to stay calm and focused in such moments?

It’s not easy to explain, because it’s the result of many years of mental work. Of course, you also need talent to even get to the Olympic Games. But for me, it’s mainly about staying in the moment. You know that millions of people are watching, but in that moment it completely fades into the background. Your focus is solely on doing what you do best - and what brings you the greatest joy. Often, you don’t even really notice the 20,000 people in the stadium. Everything suddenly becomes very quiet and clear, and all your attention is directed towards your own performance.

Q2. Are there still moments when you briefly become aware of the scale of it all?

Yes, there are. In hockey, there are line changes or TV timeouts. Then you sit on the bench and suddenly become aware of the stadium again - the big screen, the spectators, the atmosphere. For me, though, that’s not something that makes me nervous. On the contrary, it’s more of a moment to enjoy. And sometimes the little boy from the past is watching too - the one who once sat in the stands himself.

Q3. How do you generally deal with pressure?

I’ve always loved pressure and even sought it out. Even when I was younger, I wanted to be the one taking the final shot. I wanted to be in the situation where the outcome of the game is decided. That’s something I developed from an early age. I try to see pressure in a positive light....[To read more, request the full magazine below]