Andy Schleck  has left an impressive legacy in the world of sports and continues to bring inspiration along with motivation to many. He is an engaging speaker and delivers great insights on leadership and motivation.

As a self-motivated effective leader, he has proven leadership skills with a track record of successful wins in the cycling world. Being an entrepreneur and successful founder of Andy Schleck Cycles, Andy knows about the challenges of taking a career turn as well as building a successful business. In February 2016, Andy finally made his business project come to life with his wife, Jil Delvaux, and his stepfather, Jeannot Delvaux, assisting in the management of the store. Covering a three-floor shop, the Andy Schleck Cycles team also welcomed four additional employees.

The Inspiring-Speaker Team met with Andy Schleck and his team. Discover the portrait of Andy Schleck, the inspiring cycler and business man through our interview:

1.When I hear >inspiration< I think… I was always inspired by motivational speakers. We would listen to them when we were on the cycling team bus and it does change something in your mind! Looking back, I am still inspired today with Steve Jobs’ 2005 Standford Commencement Address. He was talking about “connecting the dots” looking backwards. I see it the same way now ! For a whole 3 months after I stopped professional cycling, I did not know what to do. Now I am here and today, I say: Yes, it was a hard period for me and my family because what I loved and what I lived for – was gone from one day to another! I was not prepared for it. Looking back, I think I needed to have that so I can stand today. It’s like this in life: when one door closes another one opens. It was a hard part of my life, but maybe it was the missing piece of the puzzle. I find this speech very inspiring. Listening to motivational speeches is different than reading. While reading, you see what the author means. But if you hear something, with emotion, it stays up there! It stays in the mind. I don’t remember how many times I have watched Obama’s Inaugural Address. It was fantastic! When I watch it today, I still get goosebumps. It works!

2.How did you become a professional cycler? When did you know it was your calling? I always wanted to be a cycler. I was born with a bike but the idea to make a living and a career out of it came quite late. I started winning races in Luxembourg. At the age of 17, I started competing in World races as a junior but it took me until the World Championship to see that I was also there on the top with my first professional contract at the age of 19. Making a career out of my passion was a big dream, but you don’t believe it until you’re there! I would say 2007 was a crucial year for me – when I was second at the Giro d’Italia. Finishing second was extraordinary that year! That’s when I started to realize I was able to aim very big.

3.What did you do to make it this far? What is the secret to success? How did you put you mind toward this goal? I was working hard for my goals, and I wanted to put all the odds on my side. I did not want to leave anything aside. I was determined to prepare and not to leave any training or effort aside. I needed to do everything so I could be relaxed and have peace of mind – Thinking about your goal is one thing, but working for it is different. It is fun to do it because you work for something you believe in. Instead of doing a 6-hour practice, let’s do 8 to fill a 100% up for the challenge! And sometimes the results were not there but I was still quite happy because I knew I did everything right. The motivation was there because I followed my dream.

4.Who was your greatest motivation whilst preparing for the Tour de France? I believe it was my family – who was always very very supportive -, my brother and my coach!

5.Going from the cycling world to the family business world – what new challenges are there? The shop is my new challenge. I also do a School for bikes for kids in Luxembourg. Let’s put it like this: Before I would ride my bike and I had someone to assist me with everything (cook, masseur, trainer etc…) , I just needed to ride my bike and focus on that! And then I stopped, I had to take care of everything myself. This was really challenging, and it took a while to adapt to my new responsibilities. It was similar in a way to my cycling career because I was still involved in the decision-making process, I was still the leader. What changed is that I had to manage the business, which meant everything from paying all the bills to ordering all kinds of things. Nobody else would take care of it. It is now my job to manage the business and I still struggle with that. It’s a learning process. It’s a matter of learning and adapting yourself. But you learn it very quickly! It is a nice, new challenge! Running a family business: it is my wife and I,  it could not be better!

6.Do you have any personal motto? What message do you want to share with our followers? I always had something written on my bike : “Live your dream, don’t dream your life!” It is cynical but somehow it helped! I don’t share it much with people, I would rather help like I do with the School For Bike. This way I can deliver a message to the kids. I am happy if I can teach them something and ride with them in the fields.

 

More advice from Andy in our Wednesday’s coffee break. Click here to see the 10 tips given by Andy Schleck to achieve your life goals!

To discover more about Andy Schleck, click on this link to view his profile: PROFILE

 

 

THE INSPIRING-SPEAKER TEAM WARMLY INVITES YOU TO GO AND VISIT ANDY SCHLECK BIKE SHOP – 2 Rue des Prés in Itzig

You will find a welcoming team along with a wide range of bikes from city & kids bikes to mountain & race bikes!

 

Marjolaine TIPAKA

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