Armin van Buuren Reveals the Life-Changing Lesson His Coach Taught Him

For Armin van Buuren, one of the world’s most iconic DJ and music producers, success has always been about more than just talent behind the decks. Recently, the Dutch superstar shared a life-changing lesson he learned from his coach, Jasper Schmitz, that goes beyond music and performance. Sometimes, the smartest thing you can do — in work, training, or life — is simply listen to your body.

Armin, known for his rigorous touring schedule and high-energy performances, admits that even with all the latest technology and fitness trackers at his disposal, the key to longevity and well-being comes from paying attention to what your body actually needs.

Listening to Your Body: The Core Lesson

“I have a smart smartwatch and I like to track my workouts,” Armin explains. “But these devices can also be very dangerous because they can prevent you from truly listening to what your body needs.”

Jasper Schmitz, Armin’s coach, has always emphasized the importance of balancing technology with intuition. According to him, tracking metrics is helpful — knowing your heart rate, sleep patterns, or calorie burn can inform your training — but it should never replace awareness of your own physical and mental state.

“Prioritizing your own health is not a luxury, it’s a must,” Jasper says. “Ultimately, it’s all about taking good care of yourself and listening to your body.”

This advice was a wake-up call for Armin, who admits that for years he pushed himself to exhaustion, relying too heavily on metrics rather than his own instincts. The lesson wasn’t complicated, but it was revolutionary for someone whose career demands constant energy, focus, and resilience.

Practical Ways to Listen to Your Body

Listening to your body isn’t just about stopping when you feel tired. It’s about interpreting signals, making adjustments, and being proactive in your care. Armin and Jasper recommend several strategies that anyone can apply:

• Track, but don’t obsess: Use devices like smartwatches to gather data, but don’t let numbers dictate your every move. If your body feels off, pay attention to that over any metric.

• Check sleep and nutrition: Feeling sluggish or drained? Look closely at your sleep quality and nutrition. Proper rest and a balanced diet can prevent injury and improve performance.

• Stress management: Mental fatigue can manifest physically. Simple practices like meditation, deep breathing, or taking five minutes to reset can help bring your body back into balance.

• Physical care: Stiffness, soreness, or discomfort should not be ignored. Visiting a physiotherapist, getting regular massages, or doing restorative exercises can keep your body functioning optimally.

Armin emphasizes that these steps are not indulgent. They are essential for anyone, whether you are performing on stage, training for sport, or managing a demanding career.

A Game-Changer in Training and Performance

For Armin, this approach has been transformative. By learning to trust his body and respect its signals, he has been able to maintain a more consistent and sustainable schedule while on tour. His energy levels remain high, his performances are sharper, and he has even found that listening to his body allows for greater creativity and focus.

“Sometimes, the simplest advice is the most powerful,” Armin says. “It’s easy to get caught up in the latest technology or trends, but real performance comes from understanding and responding to your own body.”

This mindset has also influenced how Armin approaches his training and lifestyle choices. He now integrates recovery periods, balanced meals, and mental health practices into his daily routine, ensuring that both mind and body are aligned.

Solution-Oriented Lifestyle Tips

Beyond performing artists, anyone can apply these principles. Listening to your body is about observation, reflection, and action. Here are some step-by-step tips inspired by Armin and Jasper:

1. Daily Check-In: Start your day by noticing how your body feels. Are you stiff, sore, or unusually tired? Adjust your activity accordingly.

2. Nutrition Awareness: Keep track of what you eat and how it affects energy levels. Foods rich in nutrients, proteins, and healthy fats support both body and mind.

3. Structured Rest: Include intentional rest periods in your schedule. Quality sleep and short breaks improve endurance, focus, and performance.

4. Active Recovery: Engage in gentle exercises, stretching, or yoga to release tension and maintain flexibility.

5. Mental Reset: Incorporate meditation, breathing exercises, or even a short walk to reset your nervous system and reduce stress.

6. Professional Support: Consult a physiotherapist, trainer, or wellness coach when needed. Expert guidance ensures that minor issues don’t escalate into injuries.

By integrating these strategies, anyone can optimize their health, productivity, and overall well-being — just like Armin has.

The Role of Technology in Self-Awareness

While smartwatches and apps provide useful data, Armin’s experience demonstrates that technology should complement, not replace, self-awareness. Metrics are helpful for identifying trends, tracking progress, and setting goals, but they cannot account for fatigue, emotional stress, or subtle aches.

“Tracking devices can be very useful,” Armin says, “but they can also be dangerous if they stop you from listening to what your body truly needs.” The lesson is clear: data informs, intuition guides.

Joining Armin’s Coaching Program

For fans and aspiring performers who want to emulate Armin’s holistic approach, there’s an opportunity to learn directly from him and his team. His coaching program at Fysiek Atelier provides step-by-step guidance on how to listen to your body, design effective training schedules, and make practical lifestyle improvements.

Participants learn to:

• Integrate mindfulness practices into daily routines

• Optimize nutrition for sustained energy and performance

• Develop a balanced training schedule tailored to individual needs

• Monitor progress without becoming dependent on metrics

• Enhance recovery and mental focus to maximize productivity

The program emphasizes practical application, helping participants translate theory into everyday habits that support both performance and long-term health.

A Lesson for Everyone

Ultimately, the lesson Armin van Buuren learned from Jasper Schmitz is universal: your body communicates constantly, and paying attention to its signals can transform not only performance but overall quality of life. Whether you are an elite athlete, a touring musician, or someone balancing work and personal obligations, this principle remains vital.

By combining mindful awareness, structured training, and professional guidance, anyone can create a sustainable routine that maximizes energy, prevents injury, and promotes well-being. Armin’s experience shows that even world-class performers benefit from listening to their bodies — and that the most high-tech gadgets are never a substitute for self-awareness.

In a world increasingly focused on metrics, numbers, and external validation, Armin’s takeaway is simple yet profound: sometimes the smartest thing you can do is to pause, reflect, and listen.