Collage of various pictures of female speakers at ISPO Munich 2024
Image credit:
Messe München GmbH
LISTICLE/03/08/2025
11

strong women, 1 clear message: Health is still not fair - and affects us all

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62% of women worldwide feel disadvantaged within the healthcare system. This gender health gap is also evident in sport and the outdoors — from training plans to injury prevention. International Women’s Day highlights this reality — but health equity must be a year-round priority. Achieving it requires ongoing attention, education, and systemic change.

These 11 statements from strong women make one thing clear: It’s time for change — and there’s still a long way to go.

More than half of women feel they receive lower-quality care in the healthcare system compared to men. Whether it’s sports injuries, heart attacks, or mental health, medical research and diagnoses are still often based on the male body as the standard. As a result, women are diagnosed later, treated less effectively, and given too little attention when it comes to prevention and therapy.

This gender health gap is also evident in the world of sports and the outdoors — from training plans and stress thresholds to injury prevention. However, the issue of health goes far beyond gender-specific differences. Health — both physical and mental — is increasingly becoming a key factor for performance, quality of life, and sustainable participation in sports.

That’s why health took center stage at ISPO Munich 2024, with talks, panels, and discussions featuring strong voices from female athletes, health experts, and industry leaders. Their perspectives make one thing clear: health is more than just a trend — and the sports and outdoor industry must take a holistic approach to this vital topic.

With the ISPO Munich 2025 this focus will be further intensified: For the first time, Health & Wellbeing will be featured as a separate area in the site plan - including special areas, networking opportunities and innovative solutions from sports and health. This will provide the sports business community with a visible platform to showcase the increasingly holistic approach to sport and health.

On March 27 at 11 a.m. we will present the concept of ISPO Munich 2025. Be there and be the first to find out what awaits you!

REGISTER NOW

01

Malaika Mihambo

Malaika Mihambo auf der ISPO Munich
Image credit:
Messe München GmbH

Olympic, world and European champion in the long jump - Malaika Mihambo not only flies over the sand pit, she also wins the hearts of her fans. With discipline and sportsmanship, she inspires both on and off the track, advocates for education and equal opportunities through "Malaikas Herzsprung e.V.", and combines sport with environmental protection. In her book, Spring dich frei, she explores how movement can empower both body and mind.

"And I think we would live in a happier world if everyone would do more for their personal well-being and inner peace."
02

Emma (Mason) Zwiebler

Emma P. (Mason) Zwiebler auf der ISPO Munich
Image credit:
Messe München GmbH

As CEO of the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry, Emma Zwiebler brings together her experience in professional sports, sports law and the start-up world. Her mission is to unite the global sporting goods industry, foster innovation, and build strong alliances to create a more active and healthier world.

"81% of the next generation of youth who don't move their bodies enough to maintain good health.  And that's our next generation employees, it's the next generation's fans of sports(...)."
03

Elena Korf

Elena Korf auf der ISPO Munich
Image credit:
Messe München GmbH

Elena Korf embodies partnerships with purpose. As Director of Engagement & Partnerships at Nike, she brings together companies, NGOs and communities to drive real change. With 25 years of global experience - spanning Europe, the US and East Africa - she drives social innovation that connects sport, equality and education.

"We are facing an inactive generation who is likely to produce another even less active generation and this is something for the industry to collectively think about and consider."
04

Lena Haushofer

Lena Haushofer auf der ISPO Munich
Image credit:
Messe München GmbH

Lena Haushofer lives and breathes sports. As Exhibition Director of ISPO Munich, she brings together key industry players, fosters meaningful connections, and propels the outdoor community forward. With her passion for trail running and the mountains, she is more than just a networker—she’s a true insider, always driven by authenticity, enthusiasm, and boundless energy.

"Inclusion, health and education and sustainability – these are the three main topics also for ISPO Munich. And with ISPO, we are reaching millions of people. And we can use this platform and all the changemakers and stakeholders on this platform to really spread the word."
05

Marina Moguš

Marina Mogûs auf der ISPO Munich
Image credit:
Messe München GmbH

Marina Moguš is the General Manager of adidas for Central Europe and has been on the Executive Committee of the BSI (Federal Association of the German Sporting Goods Industry) since 2024. Whether in brand strategy, market positioning or sustainability - she drives key industry initiatives, focusing on collaboration, innovation and a clear stance. Her goal: to make the world of sport fit for the future - economically, sustainably and inclusively.

"We strongly believe that sport has the power to change lives and it's not only sport that is beneficial for our health if you just think about it's also what it does to our culture to our community."
06

Kathrin Messer

Kathrin Messer auf der ISPO Munich
Image credit:
Messe München GmbH

From office worker to exercise expert: Kathrin Messer embodies health & fitness - and has done so since 2007. With her company Bloomergy|m, she brings workouts, workshops and health impulses directly to where they are needed: in Munich's parks, corporate spaces or at international events. Her approach? Movement meets mindfulness - always with a mindful flow and deep expertise in sports therapy, stress management and health psychology.

"The topic of sleep is so essential for everyone, whether in business health management or for private individuals. Our approach is to provide health to everyone regardless of their income level because everyone is equal."
07

Tamara Lunger

Tamara Lunger auf der ISPO Munich
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Messe München GmbH

Having grown up in the mountains, South Tyrolean Tamara Lunger is one of Italy’s best-known extreme mountaineers. Influenced from an early age by her father, a ski mountaineer himself, she has always been drawn to high altitudes — preferably above the 8,000-meter mark. In 2014, she made history as only the second Italian woman to reach the summit of K2. Whether on ski tours or in the thin air of extreme altitudes, Tamara actively seeks out challenges, pushing the limits of what seems possible with every expedition.

"I defined myself very much by performance. It always had to be faster, higher, further. And at some point there is no end to it. So there has to be a crash. That should arouse our sensitivity for this topic."
08

Grace McNamara

Grace McNamara auf der ISPO Munich
Image credit:
Messe München GmbH

Whether on a ski tour or in business - Grace McNamara knows how to get things moving. The Italian mountaineer is CEO of The Collective, where she helps companies become healthier through smarter growth and strong leadership. Previously, she spent 12 years at Apple, where she led health and fitness strategy across Europe. She later took the helm at EXI, a MedTech company focused on exercise-based solutions for chronic disease. With an Executive MBA, a Master’s in Public Health, and extensive board experience across the USA and Europe, Grace is now a global advocate for a healthier society — always keeping the big picture in mind.

"Screen time is huge. How do we convert that screen time into active screen time?  whether it's walking to work, whether it's traveling, cycling to work. We have to tackle this Problem of inactivity."
09

Theresa Härter

Theresa Haerter spricht auf der ISPO Munich 2024
Image credit:
Theresa Haerter

From sales to surfboard and back to the boardroom: Theresa Härter combines her experience as a manager with her passion for mental health and female empowerment. At WORK BODY MIND, she advises companies on all aspects of mental health, women’s advancement, and leadership — always bringing a touch of globetrotter spirit along the way.

"We are equal, but not the same, men and women – and that needs to be reflected in corporate health management"
10

Petra Hagel

Petra Hagel auf der ISPO Munich
Image credit:
Messe München GmbH

What does the future of healthy work look like? Petra Hagel has the answers. As Head of Corporate Health at Schwarz Produktion, she develops strategies that smartly combine health, a sense of purpose and employee motivation. Her goal: to make companies fit - for engaged employees, strong teams, and long-term business success. Her credo: Health is more than just a benefit—it’s the key to sustainable employee retention.

"I think a really important point is psychological safety, because that’s truly a key to healthy work environments where people can make mistakes. There’s no such thing as a culture of mistakes — there should be a learning culture. And in cultures where mistakes are not allowed, that has a very negative impact on employees' health."
11

Jiskia rice

Jiskia Reis auf der ISPO Munich
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Messe München GmbH

As Entrepreneurship Lead at EIT Health Germany & Switzerland, Jiskia Reis connects start-ups, companies, and investors, with a focus on health tech, biotech, and life sciences. Born in Latin America and with a background in business and finance, she brings deep expertise from the BigTech and venture capital sectors. Her mission: to leverage open innovation platforms to drive solutions that make Europe’s healthcare system smarter and more accessible.

"Of course we need digitalization, but we need in health care for the public easy access to our health data, easy access to health care in general that could only be facilitated by digitalization. I think especially the transferability of such data is of massive importance."
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