Sports
Marina Ritschwin: Sub-3, Motherhood, and Nike Marketing
Discover the inspiring journey of an athlete balancing high performance, career, and motherhood.
In this episode of the Stemma Podcast, Marina Ritschwin, a sub-3 hour marathoner, Nike marketing manager, and mother of two, shares her unique journey. From her passion for adventure racing to her focus on the Berlin Marathon, she discusses the challenges and rewards of balancing high-intensity sports with the demands of professional and family life. Marina offers insights into reinventing oneself and achieving ambitious goals.
In the latest episode of the Stemma Podcast, hosts Fabio Bessa and Thiago Kawamura welcome an inspiring guest: Marina Ritschwin. A Nike marketing manager focused on strategic partnerships like Centauro, Marina is also a remarkable sub-3 hour marathoner and a mother of two, sharing her fascinating journey from her first steps in sports to achieving impressive times.
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From Adventure Racing to Sub-3 Marathon: A Remarkable Journey
Marina's connection with sports began early, in her childhood in rural Lorena (SP), engaging in various modalities such as soccer, handball, and basketball. At 17, upon moving to São Paulo to study Business Administration at FAAP, she discovered adventure racing. This sport, combining mountain biking, rowing, trekking, and navigation, quickly became her passion, leading her to participate in challenging races, including editions up to 7 days and 600 km. It was during this period that Marina had her first contact with road running through the iconic Nike 600K São Paulo-Rio, a relay race that marked the beginning of her relationship with street running.
The transition to road running was solidified with her entry into Núcleo Aventura, an advisory led by the renowned Cris Carvalho. Cris's teachings, focused on body awareness and the philosophy that "practice is practice, game is game," were crucial for Marina's development as an athlete. A curious fact is that her running talent was first noticed during an exchange program in the United States at age 15, in Oregon, where she competed in track events at the state level – a reflection of the sports culture encouraged in American schools, something Marina feels is lacking in Brazil.
Professional Career: Passion for Sports in the Spotlight
Marina's professional trajectory is as dynamic as her athletic life. After experiences at companies like Mercedes and Itaú BBA, she decided to pursue a career aligned with her passion. A season in Berlin, working with sports events at Terrag, confirmed her desire to operate in this universe. Upon returning to Brazil, after a brief entrepreneurial adventure, Marina joined Specialized, where she stayed for almost six years. She started as an analyst and rose to marketing manager, contributing significantly to the brand's growth in Brazil, especially in the promising female cycling market.
Motherhood and the Triumphant Return to Elite Performance
The decision to leave Specialized to focus on motherhood marked a new phase. With the birth of her two children, the first in 2020 during the pandemic, Marina faced the challenges of balancing family life with the desire for high performance. She shares what she calls her "Z2 Moment," a period of uncertainty after the birth of her first child, where she questioned whether she could return to her former athletic and professional self. Her experience serves as an inspiring message to other mothers: a comeback is possible, and often, with even better results.
The pursuit of a sub-3 time in the Berlin Marathon, a long-standing goal since her 3h07min mark in 2015, became her main focus. For the first time, Marina dedicated herself exclusively to one objective, abandoning other modalities. With the support of João Bellini and Cíntia from Núcleo Aventura, and the consultation of Alexandre Ribeiro (Ultraman champion), she focused on a specific training cycle. After test races of 10K (37min) and a half marathon (1h23min), Marina tackled the Berlin Marathon 2023. Despite the tension at the start and having to "weave" through runners, she maintained a consistent pace and body awareness, successfully completing the race using her Vaporfly shoes.
Now, with her sights set on Chicago, Marina aims for a sub-2h50min time, always weighing the balance between athletic ambitions and family priorities. Her story is a testament to the human capacity for overcoming challenges and the incessant pursuit of passions, even amidst the complexities of modern life.
Marina Ritschwin is living proof that with focus, passion, and a strong support system, it's possible to achieve ambitious goals, whether in sports or career. The pursuit of balance and valuing personal time, such as going for a run, are essential for a full and healthy life, not only for today's high performance but for healthy aging in the future.
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