Erwin Schottler

It is almost impossible to describe Erwin Schottler. He has already completed too many different stations and jobs in his life for that. After an apprenticeship in a trade, he joined the police and made it into the special task force as a bodyguard. He then left the service to run a hotel with his wife. It was here that he got to know the coaches and trainers whose work fascinated him so much. But his idea of coaching was different and new: he wanted to actively bring back the values and approaches that many office workers tend to forget in the stressful daily grind - and active is to be understood quite literally.

Erwin Schottler,

WHAT IS THE SPECIAL THING ABOUT HIKING FOR YOU?
"The perception with all my senses immediately takes me out of my current thoughts. The many colours, especially the green, are immediately inviting and calming. No matter what time of year - nature offers me many stimuli to open my mind. Many good memories from my earliest childhood are awakened. Impulses for the future also arise. "Strength lies in tranquillity" is not just a hackneyed saying for me."

MANY PEOPLE KNOW YOU AS THE "HIKING POPE". WHERE DOES THAT TITLE COME FROM?
"In 1986, when I was running a hotel (Kastanienhof) on the Donnersberg in the Palatinate with my wife, I founded the first Palatinate hiking school. After an article in Sonntag Aktuell and Stern, the topic hit the media. That's how I became the "hiking pope" through the media."

HOW DID THE COOPERATION WITH LOWA COME ABOUT?
"Through my activities with the DSV, mainly as a Nordic walking trainer and instructor, as well as a snowshoe trainer and cross-country skiing instructor, I have had a good connection to LEKI for many years. The desire to hike as the basis for movement in nature naturally also requires good footwear. That's how I came to LOWA. I am very grateful for this, because the human interaction with my contacts is also very pleasant and valuable."

ARE THERE ANY THINGS YOU ALWAYS HAVE WITH YOU IN YOUR EVERYDAY OUTDOOR WORK?
"The best LOWA shoes, a pocket knife, tissues, a small pen, a notepad, good humour and good thoughts as well as a camera."

WHAT WOULD A PERFECT DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
"Start the day with a good, challenging thought and plan, stay focussed on the task with moments of rest (e.g. a short break in the countryside). Always have the goal in mind, structure further steps and always aim high."