"I went to see a psychic some time ago," Peter Althoff, celebrity bodyguard and longtime security companion of singer Nino De Angelo, tells me while calmly continuing to eat his dessert. I crouch down beside him, curious. "Really? And?" Peter looks up for a second. "I rang the bell. The voice on the intercom simply asked, 'Who's there?' At that moment I thought... well, this is off to a great start." He tells the story as if he were reading tomorrow's weather forecast, without changing a single facial expression, casually taking another spoonful of dessert. That's exactly why it takes me two seconds longer to get the joke. Then we both burst into laughter at exactly the same moment. I honestly think Peter would have a great chance of winning Last One Laughing.
Anke and I visit our friend Michi Breitschopf, who is currently touring with the wonderful Nino De Angelo. What fascinated me that day didn't happen on stage. It happened behind the scenes. While waiting for Michi after the soundcheck, we notice that the backstage gate is locked with a heavy chain and padlock. On the other side, a van is idling. The door opens, and out steps Nino De Angelo with a big grin on his face. "Nino, can't get out?" a woman from the restaurant next door shouts across in broad local dialect. Standing between a chain-link fence and a row of patio umbrellas, Nino chats with her for a moment until someone finally unlocks the gate. As he drives past us, he smiles, waves at Anke and me and calls out, "See you later!" I can't help thinking: "What a great guy."
How many times I've stood alone in the rain...
Now I know—that's simply life.
When you're on top, everything feels easy.
But when you're falling... you pay three times over.
Later that evening, as Nino performs his song "Gesegnet und Verflucht" ("Blessed and Cursed"), I listen carefully to every word. I think we've all experienced days like that. Days when it feels as if the whole world is against you. Maybe you made the mistake yourself. Maybe you didn't. Either way... None of that changes your value as a human being. Look. You are already enough. Exactly as you are. Period. Not necessarily from a human perspective, but from a much bigger one. Parents continue to love their children, even when they don't approve of every decision they make. Perhaps it's the same with us. I believe there is a higher power that loves us exactly as we are. Not after we've run faster than everyone else. Not after we've jumped higher. From that perspective, we are already complete. Just as our own children often seem perfect in our eyes.
What deserves questioning isn't your value. It's your behavior in certain moments. Just because someone else thinks you behaved "wrongly" doesn't mean your worth has changed. Yet that's exactly what often happens. We begin to adopt someone else's opinion of us. You acted as well as you could with the understanding, emotions and perspective you had in that moment. Then someone criticizes you. Rejects you. Throws accusations at you. And suddenly... their view becomes your view. That's when you start falling. Just like Nino sings: "When you're falling... you pay three times over." So what do you do when you're lying there at the bottom?
After the concert I asked Nino the same question I've asked successful people for years. "What's the most important thing for living a successful life, Nino?" He didn't hesitate. "Faith." Then he smiled. "It doesn't really matter what you believe in. But without faith, you'll never get back up." I couldn't agree more. It immediately reminded me of something my son Philip once said: "You're only a superhero once you believe you're one." There's so much truth in that. Without belief, there are no positive emotions. Without positive emotions, there is no meaningful action. Without meaningful action, there are no meaningful results. And without new results... our old thoughts simply stay the same.
I smile and hand Nino one of my little lucky ticket. "The next time life gets difficult," I tell him, "scratch off the entire card. Read what's underneath. Then keep looking at it until you truly believe it." He smiles, thanks me, slips the card into his back pocket and we continue talking.
Later that evening, back at the band's hotel, we're sitting outside on the terrace, talking about life, football and everything in between. Suddenly, Nino looks over at me. He smiles. "I'm the main prize." I grin and nod. "Exactly." In that moment I knew he hadn't simply scratched off the card. He had understood the message behind it. Because only a few hours earlier I had heard him sing another song called "Heroes." "Heroes fall... and heroes rise again. Heroes never give up. Whatever comes. Heroes always stand back up after every fall."
Life isn't about how many times you fall. It's about getting up... just one more time than you've fallen. Just one more time. Do you think you can do that? I do. And do you know why? Because I believe in you. I truly do. To me, you're a superhero too. Maybe, just for today, you can borrow my perspective until you're able to see it yourself. And if you ever get the chance... listen to "Heroes" by Nino De Angelo. Actually... listen to all of his music. Or even better, go and see him live.
Because I truly believe Nino has the ability to change people's lives. Not because he pretends to be perfect. But because he isn't afraid to show that life exists in countless shades of grey between black and white. At the very least, Nino De Angelo has already changed one life.
His own. Through his songs, he invites us to witness his journey—from zero to hero—and every chapter in between. Perhaps you'll take something with you. Maybe the reminder that the sun always rises after the darkest night. Maybe the belief that life eventually becomes lighter. Maybe simply the comfort of realizing that someone else understands exactly how you're feeling. Someone who truly sees you.
Nino, Peter, Michi, and the entire band and crew... Thank you for the wonderful conversations, the laughter and the unforgettable evening. You're all superheroes. Always keep shining.
