The Mental Fit Path was initiated by project founder Mario Kozuh-Schneeberger during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a time of immense strain, he asked respected figures in society to bring their mental knowledge where it was needed most – to children and adolescents. This idea quickly evolved into a movement reaching people of all ages.

Today, the Mental Fit Path is not only present in Austria but has also been successfully implemented in Germany, including in Aschaffenburg, Nagold, and the Olympic Park in Munich. The project is developing very positively in these regions. So far, it has reached over 50,000 people. In Austria alone, around 680 fitness trails have been set up to encourage children and adolescents to move and, at the same time, benefit from the mental techniques of top athletes.

Thanks to its simple language (even child-friendly) and visual design, the concept is suitable not only for children, but also for senior homes, hiking trails, and school environments – anywhere that promotes mental health and movement.

The Mental Fit Path consists of eight weatherproof panels that are easily mounted thanks to holes in the corners. They can be fixed on fences, walls, or wooden surfaces – in parks, schoolyards, or along hiking trails. Each panel offers age-appropriate exercises for three groups:

Heroes (kindergarten),

Warriors (primary school), and

Masters (14+ years).

The exercises are shown visually on the panels, allowing them to be performed without a smartphone.

The mental tips are available exclusively via QR code, enabling focused engagement with the personal video messages. These videos are authentically recorded by the athletes themselves using their smartphones, usually at home in a familiar environment, not in a professional studio – making them more personal and credible.

Many prominent figures from various fields strengthen the Mental Fit Path with their unique experiences. Among them are Austria's most successful Olympian, a blind extreme mountaineer, some of the world’s best climbers, inspiring Paralympic stars, creative artists, renowned scientists, individuals with disabilities, and world champions.

They share authentic insights through short video contributions, revealing their personal methods for self-motivation, handling fear or pressure, and overcoming setbacks – each combined with physical exercises. Their diverse perspectives demonstrate that mental resilience is learnable and accessible, regardless of background, discipline, or ability.

These real stories inspire and empower the next generation.

This makes the Mental Fit Path easy to implement in schools, communities, and clubs – cost-effective and highly efficient. For schools and clubs, it is available free of charge thanks to sponsors – and it can be used wherever it is needed.

An additional option has been created specifically for schools to integrate mental strategies directly into classroom teaching. Through our website, teachers can preview the videos and then discuss them with students in the classroom using a projector, display, or smartboard. This makes the Mental Fit Path not only effective outdoors, but also a valuable and purposeful tool in educational settings.