Antti Lehtilä: Balancing recovery between the sky and the saddle
Between flights, there’s intense dressage training, coaching sessions, and physical conditioning — all aimed at one goal: competing at international championship level.
This is Antti’s reality — an airline pilot, competitive rider, and professional coach, all in one.
In the midst of it all, recovery has become not just a goal, but a necessity.
Balancing schedules between the sky and the saddle
No two days are the same in Antti’s world. "I might wake up at 4 a.m. for a flight within Europe, and just a couple of days later, I’m flying back from the U.S. overnight — and heading straight to the stables."
His schedule shifts constantly — yet he still trains three horses five times a week, coaches on several days, and keeps up with physical conditioning as he works toward the top level of his riding career.
The calendar becomes a tightly packed puzzle — with little room for error.
When eight hours of sleep feels like luxury
Sleep has become a rare treat. "If I can get eight hours of sleep, that's a luxury. Often it's just a dream." Irregular work hours, physical strain, and constant time zone crossing disrupt the body's rhythm.
The data from the Oura ring speaks the same language as how I feel: high heart rate, low HRV, little deep sleep. "My body is a bit confused all the time – stress levels remain high, and it's hard to get really restorative sleep."
Neurosonic – building better recovery, one moment at a time
Antti didn’t turn to Neurosonic on a whim – it was a response to a real need.
Neurosonic Harmonia became part of his daily routine through trial — and stayed.
"At first, I was skeptical. I thought, this can’t really work. But then my body adjusted, and I started noticing real changes — deeper sleep, fewer interruptions, and waking up actually feeling refreshed." The impact is especially noticeable after long-haul flights.
"When I land, I start with a 39-minute relaxation program before going to sleep. Then in the morning, I use an activation program — it really works. And if I have time, I’ll do another round before my next flight."
Neurosonic has followed Antti to hotel rooms, horse trucks, and training trips.
"Sometimes I place it right on top of the mattress, sometimes under the blanket. Either way, it works. It’s become a routine — a small moment with a big impact."
Antti's Oura data. On the left, a night without Neurosonic and on the right, a night with Neurosonic. The resting heart rate is higher and sleep is more intermittent.
Riding isn’t a hobby – it’s a goal.
Even though flying is his profession, Antti’s heart belongs to horses.
"My goal is to compete at championship level. It takes hard work — but also the ability to recover. If I don’t recover, I can’t progress."
Training three horses, coaching, physical conditioning, and flying means every hour has its place.
"If I don’t plan carefully, nothing works. But when everything aligns — that’s when I remember why I do this."
Recovery is not a luxury – it is a necessity
"I used to think recovery was something you do if you have time. Now I know that if I want to fly, compete, and coach — recovery has to be at the center of it all."
Within the pilot community, well-being has become increasingly important.
"People are training more, eating smarter, and sleeping whenever they can. Neurosonic fits perfectly into that — it supports recovery when there’s no time to waste."
Big goals begin with small habits — like a good night’s sleep
Antti knows that success isn’t just about hard training — it’s also about recovery, rhythm, and smart choices.
"I don’t want to choose just one. I love flying and I love riding. To give my all to both, I have to take recovery seriously."