Sports personality focus: Meet the ex-Chelsea player turned mountaineer
Ready to feel inspired? With so many big football personalities dominating the field, it’s important to turn attention to those who change direction and inspire others in the process.
Meet André Schürrle, who retired from professional football at the age 29. After an 11-year career spanning some of the best teams in Europe, he turned to new possibilities. Since he hung up his boots, he’s been on some remarkable adventures and faced challenges like never before.
Whether you follow the game or not, it’s worth learning about Schürrle’s new sense of purpose and direction.
A career to remember: Schürrle’s Chelsea legacy
Schürrle was born in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
His professional career commenced in 2009, and only played for two years before being scouted to Bayer 04 Leverkusen in 2011. Chelsea Football Club announced his signing on 13th June 2013, subject to medical checks. The transfer was finalised just ten days later.
It only took eleven games into his first season for fans to see Schürrle’s first goal for Chelsea, taking the lead from Manchester City. Over the course of the next few months, through to the end of his first season, Schürrle scored eight Premier Leage goals. He played for Chelsea again the following season and scored a further 10 goals in 38 appearances.
Just three months after helping Germany triumph in the world cup, Schürrle’s time with Chelsea drew to a close. Perhaps surprisingly, Schürrle blames food poisoning for the start of his struggle to keep up with his teammates. He left the club in 2015, giving Chelsea a £4million profit on selling the player to Wolfsburg.
From the pitch to the peaks
This Premier League winner is now testing his physical limits in perhaps the most unexpected ways.
Turning to extreme winter sports and mountaineering, Schürrle has revealed his exploits online. In January 2023 he shared photographs from the Iceman experience by Wim Hof, during which he trekked through mountainous terrain in the snow, with temperatures falling to negative 19 degrees Celsius.
The mental and physical challenges of such harsh environments have been proven to boost serotonin levels. In Schürrle’s case, it’s been about gaining a new perspective and pushing his mind and body like never before.
Why turn to extreme sports in retirement?
It’s never too late to gain a new passion or seek adrenaline-boosting experiences. Whether you’re changing jobs or leaving your field of expertise, let Schürrle’s new passion for mountaineering and extreme adventures inspire you into trying something different.
Heading to the mountains might feel daunting if you have no prior experience at altitude. Assistive technologies make challenging terrain more accessible, so if you’re looking for a way to start, consider an electric mountain bike which could help you reach new heights. These bikes also make a brilliant choice for new adventurers recovering from injuries or extended periods off the bike.
Cycling, hiking, and climbing all make popular choices in regions like the Alps and Dolomites. If you’re going alone, it’s easy to find groups and clubs to join in with.
Overview
When Schürrle parted ways with football, he welcomed new horizons by taking on bigger challenges and bodily tests than ever before. When passion is redirected, incredible things can happen.
