The first time I came to the adidas Headquarter in Herzogenaurach, Germany was long before I joined the company as an employee. My fencing shoes, the adidas Equipment, needed a new outsole and the shoe makers at adidas were able to help me out when no one else could. That was in the 1990s and I had no idea that one day I’d be back in Herzo – and this time for longer than just to get my shoes fixed. After studying Sports Management, spending time abroad, and realizing that my life plan A (qualifying for the Olympic Games as an athlete) would not work out, I returned to Herzo in 2004 to join adidas as an employee. 17 years later, I am still proud to work for the 3-Stripes. My career has enabled me to live in China, the US and Dubai and I have been fortunate to work in many exciting roles across Corporate Communication, Marketing, HR and now sustainability. I have to admit: to this day, the adidas Equipment Fencing Shoe remains my favorite adidas shoe of all times – and I still keep the pair with the ‘new’ outer sole as a memory.