Then it’s time to eat. Afterward, I use the Normatec recovery boots. Sometimes, after a tough training session, I’ll also use a massage gun if I feel any soreness.
SK-II Facial Treatment Essence
I swear by an electric toothbrush for oral health.
Before I get into bed, I brush my teeth with the Philips Sonicare DiamondClean electric toothbrush. I waited so long to invest in one and now I’m like, Why did I wait so long? I use Sensodyne toothpaste because it doesn’t make my teeth or gums feel sensitive, and it also whitens my teeth. I use Listerine at the end of my routine.
Philips Sonicare DiamondClean Toothbrush
Sensodyne Deep Clean Whitening Sensitive Toothpaste
To wind down, I watch sports or fire up a podcast.
This might make me sound like the most boring person, but to relax before bed I usually watch sports, usually from around 8 to 8:30 p.m.
I’m a die hard Atlanta Braves fan. It’s great because the games are on East Coast time, so by the time I get home they’ve either already started or have actually finished. That means I can watch the game on-demand and skip the commercials.
I usually fall asleep to the Braves game, or I’ll put on a sports or self-improvement podcast. I listen to pretty much every podcast that’s related to the Atlanta Braves, and I also listen to ESPN Daily. They always include stories that are fascinating but don’t necessarily make headlines. And I love Brene Brown and Oprah’s podcasts.
Speaking of podcasts! Season 2 of the podcast I host with the BBC, called On the Podium, is out now. We interview Olympians and Paralympians from around the globe, talking about their interesting backgrounds and life journeys. As an athlete I’m so inspired whenever I get a chance to talk to other athletes—I find the things I’ve struggled with and overcome are very similar to what a lot of athletes have to go through.
I try to limit my phone at night because it triggers thoughts about work and all kinds of other stuff.
In the last year, I really started being more disciplined about not spending so much time on my phone at night. I never used to turn down my ring notifications, and I was able to sleep through the sounds. Then it got to the point where they started to wake me up.
So I started to put my phone on do-not-disturb mode and that really helps. I also put the phone out of reach from my bedside, which made a huge difference. I’m not tempted to answer messages or do things since it’s farther away.
I use melatonin-blend capsules to support my sleep and body’s recovery process.
I really like the Natrol Sleep+ Recovery capsules, which contain all-natural ingredients. It’s not habit-forming and there are no drugs in it, which is important for athletes because we have to make sure we’re always taking clean stuff. I feel like the capsules help my mind and body become calmer and sleep better. It’s so important as an athlete that you sleep well and recover well, because I can 100% tell if I’m recovered adequately or not based on how I feel the next day.
Natrol Sleep+ Recovery Capsules
I track my sleep with technology.
I love using the Whoop bands and app so that I can track my night’s rest and make sure I’m getting enough sleep to support my training and help me feel my best.
I usually fall asleep by 9:30 or 10 p.m. As for total sleep, 8 to 10 hours a night is pretty ideal. I feel almost 100% recovered if I get nine hours. It’s ideal, but not always realistic. Like last week, I slept very little because of the travel, the time change from California to Florida, and the excitement and nervousness. For big meets, I know the anticipation is going to make it difficult to sleep. It’s really hard to wind down because you’re thinking about the next day, especially the night before a race. You’re so excited and dreaming of everything you want it to be.
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