From skiing at age 2 to world titles in the air, Manuel Sulzbacher doesn’t just chase altitude—he thrives in it. In Episode 3 of The Next Layer, powered by ELOS Thermal, we go deep with the three-time world champion skydiver whose training ground spans everything from frozen ridgelines to freefall.
Mani’s story starts in the mountains, but it doesn’t stop there. And if you’ve ever wondered how elite performers manage cold, control, and competition all at once—this episode’s for you.
From Slopes to Sky: A Life Built on Altitude
Before skydiving, there was skiing. Raised in Austria, Mani learned balance, speed, and exposure the way few do—on snow and surf. That early love for the outdoors evolved into a career in high-stakes movement. A random discovery of skydiving at a dropzone changed everything, eventually leading him to the Austrian military’s elite skydiving unit—akin to the U.S. Golden Knights.
As he puts it:
“You start out chasing the thrill... but to do this at a world-class level, you need systems—discipline, body awareness, and control in extreme environments.”
The Training Behind a Freefall Champion
You don’t win three world championships by chance. Mani’s regimen combines cycling, strength training, and structured recovery—especially during cold-season prep. Whether lifting in alpine gyms or riding in sub-freezing temperatures, his body is his vehicle. Staying sharp in winter requires more than muscle—it demands smart temperature regulation, layering, and gear that won’t break down in the cold.
ELOS heating insoles, boot warmers, and thermal boot inserts all play a role in keeping high-performance athletes mobile in cold conditions. Recovery doesn’t start when the workout ends—it starts by keeping the cold from creeping in.
What It Takes to Jump Into Greatness
Competition skydiving is a sport of milliseconds and millimeters. In the air, team coordination, altitude awareness, and perfect form must come together seamlessly. For Mani, precision is everything—because there’s no room for guesswork at 14,000 feet.
And when things go sideways?
“There’s a moment where you lose visual contact with your teammates. The sky opens up, your training kicks in, and you hope your instinct is right.”
That pressure is why mental training—visualization, cold exposure, and fear control—plays such a huge role in his off-season.
Ice Axes, Snowfields, and Resetting the Brain
When he’s not skydiving, Mani trades the sky for silence—ice climbing and alpine skiing in sub-zero conditions. These “weekend warrior” sessions are how he resets. His Mount Olympus Odyssey—biking from Austria to Greece and summiting Mount Olympus—was a brutal but beautiful reminder of why cold-weather training still holds his heart.
That’s why proper cold-weather gear matters. Whether it's heated ski footbeds, heated sole inserts, or winter insoles, gear is what separates endurance from exposure. As Mani says:
“Staying warm means you can stay out longer. That’s where the breakthroughs happen.”
The Takeaway: It's Not Just the Sky—It's the System
In the end, greatness isn’t about comfort. It’s about staying prepared when conditions turn.
For Mani, that means training hard, recovering smart, and always being ready for altitude, cold, and chaos. Whether you’re chasing your own goals on the slopes or fighting cold feet on your morning commute, one truth remains:
Warmth is performance. Cold is compromise.
Want to train like a world champion?
Stay ready for your next layer with ELOS Heated Insoles. From heated winter insoles to boot inserts for warmth, we’re here to help you stay sharp—no matter the season.
