MY RECOVERY
STORY.
I’ll share my Story with you.
Hey, I’m Chris
And although this mindset pushed me constantly to my limits and beyond and brought me a lot of achievements in life, it was also the main driver into my biggest crisis and break-down blessing and turning point. Because I made one huge mistake that I didn’t notice at that time:
For far too long I behaved as if my energy resources were infinite. I never cared about my depleted energy level and even more critical how little I did to recharge (nothing at that time!).
But I had to learn the hard way that energy is a very precious resource. In fact it is THE most precious resource we have (not time or money). And managing it is the most crucial skill for sustainable high performance and long term achievements.
MY FORMER PROBLEM
No energy. No progress.
No happiness.
Things quickly became worse when I decided to build my first company as a side business in night shifts and on the weekend, while still having my 60h+ day job as a corporate executive.
Without even realizing it, I was in the middle of a downward spiral. But of course, there were signs…
Tough mornings
Every single morning it became increasingly hard to get out of bed
Hammering thoughts
Getting less done
The growing frustration from not getting enough things done
24/7 tired
Burning eyes all day and night without a single minute of not feeling tired
Never-ending to-do lists
Growing to-do lists that don’t get shorter by working nights and weekends
Feeling guilty
Of being unproductive, unsuccessful and constantly procrastinating
Brain folk
A blurry mind that made it impossible to solve problems or being creative
Out of energy
No energy left for any kind of social activities with my family and friends.
It’s hard to fight back sometimes.
Although I had everything you could ask for (an own company, more than enough money, success, recognition, true friends and a caring family), something very vital inside of me was missing: I had no energy, no confidence, no happiness left… None.
“In that same moment I decided that I will do whatever it takes to get my energy back.”
MY 90D COMMITMENT
Come back.
Stronger.
I was 100% committed to fight my way back and become the strong, energetic and confident person I used to be.
All of a sudden, I was in the middle of an upward spiral.
The result… Massive Action.
Defined my priorities
I got my priorities in order in all major areas of my life and clarity what to focus on
Found my limiting beliefs
I identified my biggest limiting beliefs that held me back and drained my energy
Started meditating
I started meditating daily and learned step by step how to focus and single task again
Changed my nutrition
I made some significant changes to my nutrition (though there is still some upside potential)
Implemented good routines
I began studying everything about routines and habits and how to implement them
Started my gratitude journal
I started writing down three things that I am truly grateful for every day
Celebrated my wins
I started celebrating my achievements (big and small) and being proud of myself
Killed distractions
I got clarity about what distracted and overwhelmed me and how to get rid of it
Started to workout again
I started to do my favourite sports like running, biking and fitness again
Identified my top 5 values
I identified my 5 most important needs and my top 5 values
Defined my life goals
I figured out what I truely want in life and who I need to become to achieve that
Got rid of toxic people
I got rid of some toxic and energy draining people in my life
Started loving myself
I accepted that self love is not selfish or egoistic but a necessity to love and serve others
Found my life regrets
I figured out what I would truly regret at the end of my life, if I would just continue the way I lived
I raised my own standards and things that used to be my ‘Shoulds’ suddenly became my ‘Musts’.

FREE Access to Your Binaural Beats Audio Track
This was only the beginning
I invested tens of thousands of Dollars
I deeply inhaled each and every piece of content, advice and tool and tried things out for myself, constantly experimenting to refine and optimize my own systems, tools, and routines.
On my own journey
And even more important what I’ve learned is this: you can really change. Yes it is hard, but it works if you take one step after the next, one at a time. And if I can change… believe me you can, too. You just have to make a decision to start. You have to want to change. And most important, it’s never too late.
But the most important lesson
on my journey was that there is no trade-off between living a super ambitious high performance life and being happy and rested and healthy. In fact our performance improves dramatically when we prioritize our well-being and take coare of ourselves. And the secret how to do this is really simple: strategic recovery.
Once you master this life-changing skill, you can constantly perform at your best without ever running out of energy again. You will have the power to chase any dream without ever getting exhausted or burned out on your way.
For far too long we all have been operating under the false assumption that feeling exhausted and burned out is the neccessary price for being successful.
That is far from true!
MY WAY UP
Rising energy. Progress.
Returning happiness.
My engines got gradually refueled
And I experienced a higher energy level than ever before. I was back in the high performance arena. I started to experience more success, achievements, adventures and precious moments than ever before.
- I set up my new consulting and coaching business and quickly gained traction in the market place
- I regained my physical strength and finished several marathons, half-marathons and mountain trail runs
- I started to allocate a significant part of my time to spend with my family and friends
- I started to spend 1-2 months per year traveling the world
- I designed my life around my own true goals, values and needs and became independent from the noise around me
- I regained confidence into my mental and physical strength to achieve anything I want
- I started reading for 30 mins. every day
- I found my way to meditate daily (and collected the Headspace 365-consecutive-days badge, STRIKE!!!)
- I prioritized dedicated me-time to enjoy my passions like R&B music, hiking and mountain biking every week
THE THIRD WAY
Impact? Or Well-being?
We can have both!
If today was my last day
Of course there is a thin line
I finally found a way to perform at my highest level without running out of energy. Thanks to my smart recovery strategies I found a way to become a sustainable high performer.
During my journey I also realized that selling premium clothes for men online (which my e-Commerce company was all about) was not the kind of business I was truly passionate about so I closed the company and turned to something more fulfilling and purposeful that makes my heart sing every day.


FREE Access to Your Binaural Beats Audio Track
Soon people asked me
And what started as my own struggle
Now that I am blessed to have all these experiences and figured things out for myself I feel a deep purpose to pay it forward and share it with other people who experience similar challenges like I did.
Since the implementation part has always been my biggest challenge, my focus is less on the theory but more on proven and science backed, down to earth implementation tactics that I’ve tried (and optimized) myself.
MY MISSION
Less red eyes.
More sparkling eyes.
“If all I do is inspire you to care just a little more about your energy – simply by sharing with you what I learned – then my own struggle had a true and deep purpose.”
But I want to be honest with you.
STRATEGIC RECOVERY is not for everybody! It’s absolutely ok if you don’t resonate with my perspective. My strategies are designed for the ambitious who have decided to live a charged and energized life and are willing to do whatever it takes to get (back) there..

Stress + Recovery
= Growth.
I cut through all the noise
I Believe in You!
You can make it.
Even if we’ve never actually met (which I hope we’ll do someday), even if I don’t know your story yet. If you’ve read this far, then know this:
You have what it takes! And with the right energy management , you can learn how to achieve what you want.
Who do you believe in?
Together we can be the ones to believe in them. I believe this website can make a true difference to many people’s lives and I need your help to reach and inspire more of them.
Please share my message with three of your friends who will love it.
Just forward www.chrissurel.com via e-mail to them.
Stay energized,



FREE Access to Your Binaural Beats Audio Track
Meet Chris Surel
He helps entrepreneurs, executives, athletes and other high performers to become their very best selves. With the use of simple and proven tools and systems, Chris teaches his clients and followers how to become sustainable high performers by recovering faster (and smarter).
He lives in Munich/Germany with his black Labrador Karli always by his side.

Some more facts about Chris
High performance and personal development geek
Studied international business administration in Ingolstadt and London
Founded a men’s fashion e-commerce company
Meditation freak
Hasn’t missed the Oktoberfest for more than 30 years
Spends every free minute in the mountains with trail running, hiking or biking
Always dreamed of becoming a tennis pro
Started his career in strategy consulting
Travelled 30+ countries in the last 10 years
Raving black music, hip hop and R&B fan
Sports enthusiast (watching & doing)
Uncle of two nephews and one niece
Passionate FC Bayern Munich fan, where he played himself until the age of 14
Was a senior executive at Germany’s biggest loyalty program
Addicted to reading and learning
Loves to go out with his friends
Marathon “sub 4 hours” and half-marathon runner
Loves to support other people to become successful
WHAT CHRIS BELIEVES
There is no trade-off between high performance and a happy, healthy and fulfilled life
Our corporate high performance culture is completely broke
We all can achieve ANYthing (but not EVERYthing!)
Recovery is the major difference between the sustainable high performers and the exhausted hustlers
Energy (not money or time) is our most precious resource


You become what you think and focus on
The power of habits
The value of accountability
The huge power and momentum of crazy and lofty goals
The huge power and momentum of crazy and lofty goals
The power of small baby steps towards your biggest goals
Technology is a gift (not a threat) when you manage it accordingly
The importance of life-long learning
The world belongs to the energetic
Life can (and should) be simple
The guiding power of your own intuition
Respect and honesty is the foundation of every lasting relationship
