I spend entirely too much time in workout clothes. Granted, I do workout every day (even while on vacation), but an hour sweating it out with my trainer doesn’t constitute spending the entire day in spandex and lycra and other sweat resistant clothes.
But I still do it.
Shopping on Zappos.com the other day I ran across the brand Lucy. I’m really not sure why I’d never heard of it before – there is literally a storefront less than two miles from my house.
They had a ton of great stuff that looked good online, but I found this fun chevron printed tank ($55) and thought I’d give it a go. Because chevron always makes sweat look better, right?
I’m pretty selective with my workout gear – it’s got to fit well, compliment my body shape, and it’s most definitely got to be able to hold its own in the gym or on the running trail. Function first, fashion shortly thereafter.
This particular tank (named I Run This) is moisture wicking, quick drying/breathable and ideal for high-energy activities. I’ve said this before, but I tend to run errands after a hard gym session, so a quick drying tank or shorts is almost a necessity for me. I may not smell amazing sitting at Starbucks, but at least I won’t look sweaty or feel well.
Since I am so selective with workout gear, I only branched out with this brand because Zappos.com offers free shipping and free returns, so if it didn’t fit or I didn’t like the look and feel of the tank, I could return it without any hassle.
Also pictured: lululemon speed shorts in black and New Balance Fresh Foam running shoes (also available on Zappos.com).
The Blonde Side in Black Halo and Mattie-Lou in Natalie Deayala on the ESPYs Red Carpet
Once again the ESPYs proved to be hands-down one of the best events – both on an incredibly good-time personal level as well as business with opportunities to interview 100+ athletes in one day, coupled with everything else the ESPYs, ESPN crew, and all of LA has to offer.
Dressing for a red carpet event is something I’ve yet to master and has taken my anxiety to high levels – especially when you’re there to work.
You want to fit in, but not in the sense you’re an athlete up for a prestigious nomination. You’re working it, so you need to be able to move around and act crazy to get your interviews in, and it’s the middle of July in Los Angeles, so you gotta be careful not to show sweat stains or die of heat exhaustion.
After much deliberation, I went with this black dress from Black Halo (from Tootsies here in Houston). You can see me posing on the carpet with my new friend, Mattie-Lou/Cippy Wallace, as we waited for the celebs to arrive.
Side note: my favorite celeb/athlete on the red carpet has to go to Laila Ali. She absolutely looked stunning and that blue dress showed off her well-earned muscles and awesome figure!
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ESPY.jpg19361936Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2014-07-28 19:27:552014-11-19 11:20:46Black Halo at the ESPYs
The Blonde Side’s newest bikini: L*Space via Zappos.com
As most of you know, I spent last summer in the most amazing place doing the most amazing thing —> I moved to the North Shore of O’ahu and wrote a book!
During those four incredible months on the island, I learned many things about myself and about what’s important in life and so many other life-changing things, like how to properly hitch-hike, how to cut yourself off from all social media, and more. But lucky for you this blog is about bikinis…
I moved to Hawaii sight-unseen and didn’t know a soul. My second day there, I was grabbing lunch at Ted’s Bakery, literally across the street from my place, and two locals sat down at the community table next to me. We started chatting and they asked me to join them to surf some monstrous waves (I watched).
Afterwards we started talking all things Hawaii and Anthony told me one of the easiest ways to spot a tourist was by her bikini. I didn’t really understand the correlation, but he said tourists usually wear more coverage/full bikinis and were more conservative than the local style. It was true – I noticed it immediately and everyday for the next few months.
After a month, I took it upon myself to say I lived there. It was true – it was my new address for an undetermined amount of time and that made me feel the need to celebrate with a new bikini – which is how I was introduced to my now favorite bikini – L*Space. The short twelve-mile stretched where I sequestered myself to didn’t have Targets or Victoria’s Secret – there were only cute and local shops – including the bikini shops.
Where can I shop L*Space on sale?
You can also shop LSpace on sale at Nordstrom Rack for some killer dealers. Grab great deals on LPsace bikinis at Revolve and use code TULIP for 10% off most orders.
Now that I’m back living in Houston (where’s the beach!?), I want more L*Space, but it isn’t an extremely commonly-known brand in these parts. A select few stores carry the brand, and if they do, the sizing is usually sparse (it’s so popular). Ordering bikinis online used to give me anxiety – I never like to pay for shipping and even at 32-years-old, I still manage to get my size wrong EVERY SINGLE TIME. But I learned that you can order L*Space on Zappos.com and instantly I felt like a small piece of me was still in Hawaii – at least when I was at the pool.
There are a ton of style and colors, so take a few minutes to check out their stuff. (Personal sizing note: I wear my regular size on tops and a size larger usually on the bottoms.)
Zappos offers 24-hour shipping and free returns, so I no longer feel the extreme anxiety ordering the wrong size – I usually order a small and medium in every top and bottom and end up returning whichever doesn’t fit. I still feel like L*Space is a little known secret here in Texas, and I kind of like being one of the trendy few in-the-known on these awesome bikinis.
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/photo1.jpg664664Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2014-07-28 17:05:462024-06-06 16:32:31L*Space Bikinis On Sale
Pretty sure The Blonde Side’s never been mistaken for “chicken legs”
If you’ve read The Blonde Side or followed me on Instagram for a while, you know I’ve fallen head-over-heels for New Balance running shoes.
I’ve tested out many running shoes during my time as an athlete – I love Nike for many activities and their look and feel, but for function for my particular feet I’ve really become a loyal New Balance fan. The shoes I’ve been running in for the past six months are the New Balance Fresh Foam 980’s. They come in a myriad of colors, and have held up through all my travels, half-marathons, workouts at the gym, and more.
Since I’m a girl and either A) like to change my mind a lot or B) find something and fall in love with it and order a bunch of them so I never run out, Zappos.com makes shopping for running shoes particularly easy (free 24-hr shipping and free returns 365 days/year is just a simple bonus).
My favorite feature on the site is the ability to narrow down your search considerably to save on time, and to help ensure you are ordering pretty much the perfect shoe. My first option of course is to select New Balance, but the option I like most is “pick shoes by shoe weight,” as I’m a big fan of shoes that are extremely lightweight. Heavy shoes seem to slow me down, so this is a non-negotiable when shopping new shoes. The Zappos.com feature allows you to select from four weight options (6-10oz, 11-15oz, 1-5oz, and 16-20oz), which is incredibly helpful since you can’t feel them in person (or you can just order a bunch and return the ones you don’t like as much for free).
Not to mention Zappos.com offers 24-hour delivery and free returns, just in case you order the wrong size or
Zappos.com allows shoppers to choose “shoe weight” while shopping
change your mind on the color. As a creature of habit, I’ve run into the issue many times where a shoe I’ve really loved has worn itself out and I want the exact same shoe – many local stores won’t keep them in stock and 99% of the time, I’ve found that the same shoes (in the same colors) are available on Zappos.com, and since I already know the size, it’s a no-brainer.
Pro tip: Reading the reader reviews/comments on the shoes has also proved helpful many times, so keep that in mind.
New Balance shoes are also American-made and absolute marketing geniuses – huge, huge bonus for this Red, White and Blue blonde girl.
Even The Blonde Side makes a smart move from time-to-time, like buying New Balance running shoes on Zappos.com.
Pack light, thanks to Nike Pro available at Zappos
If you’re going to write about fitness, you kind of have to partake in it – for me that means especially while traveling. It’s kind of like if you’re going to talk the talk, you better walk the walk adage we learned as kids.
Recently I’ve fallen in love with Zappos.com, which helps me walk the walk that much better. It has become one of my go-to performance apparel shopping destinations, and I love the next day shipping (hi, procrastinate much) and returns 365 days a year. Another cool thing I love about Zappos.com and their next day shipping is that just in case I forget to pack certain workout gear, I can have it shipped directly to my hotel and not really miss any go-time.
Although fitness (especially hiking and running in parts of the country I’m experiencing for the first time, which is one of the most freeing things I’ve ever experienced) is a huge part of my travel, I can’t let it take up a ton of space in my luggage. The more I travel, the more I see the benefits of carry-on luggage – allowing for a quicker exit, less chance of losing bags and avoiding baggage fees. So space is limited.
I may be able to forego that extra pair of Hudson Jeans, but skimping on workout apparel isn’t an option. My favorite travel workout outfit is part of the Nike Pro Five-Inch Short ($30) available on Zappos.com. The shorts take up very little space and are great for running as they don’t ride up but are still flattering in case you stop in town to shop or grab a coffee. These shorts are also great because they come in a myriad of colors, which I’m always a sucker for.
On really hot days I pair them with this Nike lightweight sports bra ($30 | shown in picture), which provides just enough coverage and support. The other great part about this Nike line for travel is that you can wear them for multiple days. Since they are so lightweight and feature Dry-FIT technology, you can easily wash/rinse them in your hotel room after a run and let them dry in the bathroom, ready for tomorrow’s workout.
I know everyone wants to be super fashionable while traveling and working out, but sometimes it pays to be realistic. Trust me, it took me years to learn this lesson, just don’t tell my mother. Luckily with this line and all the bright color options, you can be both fashionable and realistic.
*I recommend washing Nike products inside out (as most fitness apparel should) – it keeps the swoosh in perfect form longer, although sometimes a retro look is pretty awesome.
For shoes, I love the New Balance minimalist shoe for travel. I don’t recommend them for 26.2-mile runs (I said that as if I’d actually ran that distance all at once…), but for a hike or easy 3 – 7miler, they are perfect and unfathomably light – again perfect for travel.
Even The Blonde Side makes a smart move from time-to-time, like buying Nike and other athletic products on Zappos.com.
Pro Tip for getting your workout on while traveling: If you’re staying at a hotel, send them a message via social media or ask the concierge about workout facilities. Many times if there isn’t a gym on-site, the hotel offers complimentary guest passes to nearby gyms (NYC is big on this), and you just might get connected with a fitness instructor the hotel works with often. Kimpton Hotels are also known for providing running maps with runs around the city that range from 1 to 10 miles.
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/NikeZappos.jpg632640Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2014-07-23 17:19:122014-11-19 11:23:59Nike for Travel on Zappos.com
vitafusion gummy vitamins – I love being an adult!
Nothing has ever made me feel more like a healthy adult and a child all at once. Until I was introduced to vitafusion™ gummy vitamins. Not only are they good for you, but they taste delicious!
I’m not sure when tasty vitamins became a necessity, but I’m sure glad they did. The vitafusion™ gummy vitamins deliver delicious nutrition (and are only about 15 calories each) in a great-tasting gummy, making it easy and enjoyable to take your vitamins.
The vitafusion™ gummy vitamins come in a variety of vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements to help adults meet their health and nutrition needs. They even come in a pre-natal variety, which is what I take – my doctors have said for many years that pre-natal vitamins are the most fully encompassing vitamin women my age (32) can take.
Be sure to visit gummyvites.com for $1 off.
Quick note – these are not the best vitamins to travel with (unless you put them in your carry-on or leave in the hotel), because they can melt. It’s only happened to me once, but then they start to stick together.Or maybe that’s just because I live in Texas?
Texans Cheerleader 2014-15 Swimsuit Calendars unveiled (Photo: Miguel Sada)
Steamy Texans Cheerleaders Swimsuit Calendar Revealed: This year’s edition has a Puerto Rican flair.
While the actual temperature didn’t quite hit three digits, Sunday night at the Houston Texans Grille was undoubtedly heating up as Houston’s Sweethearts, the Houston Texans Cheerleaders, revealed their 2014-15 Swimsuit Calendar in true Texans style.
This sold-out private event hosted by HTC alum Nicole featured each of the calendar girls, including a special introduction to the six calendar girls who grace the cover along with a performance by the entire 2014 squad.
The eighth annual calendar was shot in Puerto Rico by photographer Paul Ladd – quite a change in scenery from last year’s shoot in nearby Galveston.
The private ticketed event was not quite as chaotic as you might think, but we did have a chance to talk with some of the calendar girls before fans stormed the doors to get their brand new $15 copies autographed — the first ones released in Houston.
Obviously the scenery deviates quite a bit from Galveston to Puerto Rico, but there were other differences, too, according to Puerto Rican native Liz, who had the honor of being Miss July. (Professionally, the Texans cheerleaders are known only by their first name.)
“I felt like last year I was able to see everyone shoot because we were all down at the beach at the same time. This year it was kind of a mystery — like I wonder what beach they are shooting on or what bathing suit they’re in – it was a really cool surprise,” she said.
Cover of 2014-15 Texans Cheer Swimsuit Calendar (Photo: Miguel Sada)
Lesha, who reps the resolution month of January and appears in the calendar for her second year, most admired the exclusivity of the Caribbean island. “Being able to go on Palomino Island — which was a private island and many celebrities have been there — to be able to go and shoot on their beach was an amazing experience,” she said.
The hardest part according to Lesha and Brittan surprisingly wasn’t the swimsuits, but rather coping with the unpredictable weather. “We try a bunch of different angles, but you never know what you’re going to get when you get out there with the wind,” said Brittan, who also appears in the calendar for a second time.
According to Shannon, finding the perfect swimsuit was perhaps the most tedious part of it all.
“They threw out all these bathing suits they had bought and have them all lined up and tell us to go try that, that, and that on. It’s probably the longest process – picking a bathing suit — you think it’s so simple. The goal is to find something that you’re comfortable in and will also do a really good job shooting in,” Shannon said, noting that the girls also had a say in what they wore.
The calendar also spotlights an extremely familiar face, Baytown native Delaney, who has appeared in the calendar three times.
Culture Map: If you could only get your hair or makeup done for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
Lesha: Hair
Shannon: Hair
Brittan: Make-up
Caitlyn: Hair
Culture Map: Favorite swimsuit brand?
Liz: “I’ve been really looking at Beach Bunny –they are so unique and no else will have it.”
Shannon: “To be honest I get a lot of my bathing suits from Target or Victoria’s Secret, but mostly Target because they have such a wide selection and they always come out with new ones – you go in there for groceries and you come out with five bathing suits!”
This article was originally published in the sport’s section of Culture Map (including more photos). Click here to see the original article.
I am absolutely in love with the brand-spanking new Violet FitBit, available exclusively at Target – and it’s only $99.
It tracks your workouts and calories, but a feature that has helped keep me on track is the sleep tracker. I have never been a good sleeper (sad, right?), and this feature helps me understand that aspect of my day/night a little better.
The FitBit Flex is a slim and stylish wristband that is with you all the time – and it’s flexible (as the name indicates) so it’s comfortable and isn’t bulky and in your way. You can wear it in the shower, the pool, you name it, pretty much anywhere so it very accurately tracks your movements.
During the day, it tracks steps, distance, and calories burned. At night, it tracks your sleep cycle and wakes you silently in the morning (if you set the alarm). This silent alarm feature is pretty handy if you don’t want to wake up your partner, because it simply vibrates on your wrist.
Another GREAT feature, especially for someone like me who travels a lot – the battery lasts for at least five days. I don’t usually have to travel with the charger (although it’s very small), but it’s one less thing I have to worry with on a hectic work-trip.
A simple double-click on the band will cause the dots to light up (if it lights all the way across – congrats – you hit your goal!), which helps you see how you stack up against your personal goal or any friends you allow into your network. It’s the motivation you need to get out and be more active. I set my goal at 13,000 steps/day – I’m not sure where that ranks on the average female scale, but if I find myself at 11,000 steps and the day is coming to a close, I take my pup on a longer walk or just do something extra to get there. That’s what staying fit and getting healthy is all about – those extra steps you push yourself to take.
Using my FitBit Flex during a LA workout with Chris Carter, linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Like most of these trackers, the FitBit Flex comes with free online tools and a mobile app that allows you to set goals and follow your progress through awesome graphs and charts when you log food, workouts and much more.
Want to read more reviews and see the press surround the FitBit Flex? Click here.
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/IMG_3282.jpg23122312Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2014-07-20 15:22:172014-11-19 11:26:17Violet FitBit, available exclusively at Target!
Strahan, host of Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards gets slimed
Athletes, no matter where they rank on the elite scale of NBA MVPs, Super Bowl Champs, Olympic Gold Medalists, X Games record-breakers and more, are a lot more like us than we think – at least off the field.
The Blonde Side was able to have a front row spot at the inaugural Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Awards at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion last week, hosted by the ridiculously likeable Michael Strahan.
The first-ever awards show honored kids’ favorite athletes, the biggest teams and sports moments, incredibly slimy sports celebrations with a number of athletes in attendance including Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, David Beckham, Drew Brees, Victor Cruz, Marshawn Lynch and many more.
Following on the stiletto heels of the previous nights ESPYS awards, also in Los Angeles, Nickelodeon pulled out all the stops, not only showing the athletes a great night of fun, but their little ones too. And who says kids don’t have power? It was the kids, Nickelodeon’s fiercest fans, who picked their favorite athletes from an array of 14 kid-focused categories including Favorite Male and Female Athlete, “Sickest Moves,” “King and Queen of Swag,” “Favorite Newcomer,” and “Don’t Try This at Home Award,” among others.
We stopped a handful of these playful athletes on the Orange Carpet – take a look at what they had to say about some of their favorite past-times – like their favorite cartoons and TV shows growing up and a pretty dicey question – if they could slime any athlete/team or coach, who’d they go after. Since Nickelodeon and “getting slimed” are synonymous, it just made sense.
Brandon Flowers, San Diego Chargers
Favorite show growing up: “I was a Power Rangers guy. I liked the Red Power Ranger. Lets see, what else did I like? The Rugrats. Yeah! Tommy Pickles was my boy!”
Who he’d slime: “I would slime Peyton Manning. He just gives us so many headaches and so many fits on the field I just want to get him back.”
Jennie Finch, Olympian, softball
Favorite show growing up: “Oh my gosh, I loved Alf. And Roseanne.”
With three kids of her own (18 month old, 3 year old and an 8 year old), cartoons are still very much a part of her life. Her favorite one right now? “Turtle Man – yeah it’s live action which is good – not cartoons and it’s not obnoxious but it’s good and Nickelodeon of course, I have three little ones.”
Who she’d slime: “Oh my gosh – we had a big UCLA/Arizona rivalry so UCLA would be fun – yeah probably shouldn’t say that too loud – we’re at UCLA.”
Larry Sanders, Milwaukee Bucks Favorite show growing up: “I’d probably say all The Munsters and the original Rugrats.”
Who he’d slime: “Let’s see – who was always on me? Probably my old coach – Scott Skiles. I’d slime Coach Skiles – I think that’d cool him off a little bit.”
Marvin Jones, Cincinnati Bengals
Favorite show growing up: “I was a Boomerang guy (classic cartoon network) so I like all the classic cartoons – Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, all the Looney Tunes and stuff like that. Oh, even Scooby-Doo!”
Who he’d slime: “MJ – the great Michael Jordan. But I guess if I could slime any team…Pittsburgh Steelers or the Cleveland Browns.”
Earl Thomas, Super Bowl Champion, Seattle Seahawks
Favorite show growing up: “I liked Disney – everything that had to do with Disney. You know since my daughter has been born I’ve been on a lot of cartoons. My favorite is…what’s it called? (starts singing) Let it go, let it go…you know that song? Frozen, right? She’s one and she watches it everyday – we sing it together.”
Who he’d slime: (laughing) “I would slime Russell Wilson because…uh, nobody has anything bad to say about him so he needs to get slimed – he needs some drama in his life.”
Tom Schaar, X-Games Big Air Gold Medalist (youngest to ever win: 14 yrs old!)
Since you’re still kind of young, let’s go a different route – who’s the oldest athlete you can think of? “Here? Ummmm – Phil Mickelson?”
Do you still watch cartoons? “No. But yeah I have seen Frozen – I was forced by my mom, it wasn’t that bad.”
Who he’d slime: “Probably Kobe, just to say I’ve slimed Kobe. “
Nastia Liukin, Olympian, gymnastics
Favorite show growing up: “Rugrats. Yeah I loved Rugrats. Angelica was the little diva of the group.”
Do you consider yourself a diva Nastia? “Secretly nobody can really know that but yes I have a little diva in me.”
Who she’d slime: “That’s a tough one. I’m here today with Subway and Apolo Ohno, so I’d probably slime him because he was late and I was on time so yeah I’d definitely slime him!”
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
Favorite show growing up: “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles probably.”
Who he’d slime: I’d slime Chris Carter.
Fitzgerald walked the Orange Carpet with his son Devin (5 yrs old) so we asked Devin his favorite cartoon: “Curious George”
Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder
Favorite show growing up: “Tom & Jerry.”
Who he’d slime: “Blake Griffin for fun.”
Antonio Cromartie, Arizona Cardinals
Favorite show growing up: “Hmmm…Rugrats, Doug, and Real Monsters. Wait what’s that called? Aaahh!!! Real Monsters – that’s a good show. Oh, and Ren and Stimpy!”
Who he’d slime: “I would slime Richard Sherman for fun, definitely for fun!”
Jasmine Fenlator, Olympian, bobsled
Favorite show growing up: “I went through stages with cartoons, but do you remember Fraggal Rock? It wasn’t necessarily a cartoon but it kind of was. Oh I loved it! Fraggle Rock was my joint. And when it comes to Nickelodeon I loved Doug for some reason that whistle…” (imitates show tune whistle)
Who she’d slime: “I think I would slime Ochocinco because it’s not that I don’t like you – you’re a really great athlete and I highly respect you but you talk so much junk on some of us sprinters and bobsledders – until you walk on those spikes buddy I’ma slime you!” (laughs)
Matt Barnes, Los Angeles Clippers
Favorite show growing up: “That’s a tough one – Alvin & the Chipmunks or Duck Tales.”
Who he’d slime: “I’d slime Mike Brown – yes for fun, always love and fun.”
Chandler Parsons, Dallas Mavericks
Favorite show growing up: “Hey, Arnold! for sure. That was definitely my jam.”
Who he’d slime: “I would go DeMarcus Cousins. He’s testy on the court – got a little attitude.”
You know he’s just right over there (as I point down the Orange Carpet) – if you could slime him here, would you?
Parsons: “One hundred percent. I’d do it and then run really really fast.”
Think you could outrun him?
Parsons: “For sure.”
Tyson Chandler, Dallas Mavericks
Favorite show growing up: “Saved By the Bell.”
Who he’d slime: “No one.”
Nate Robinson, Denver Nuggets
Favorite show growing up: “So many! I was a big time Hey, Arnold! fan.Hey, Arnold!was my thing. Um – Rocko’s Modern Life, who else, Real Monsters, I could keep going on.”
Who he’d slime: “For fun – whoa – any athlete for fun? I’m definitely sliming Dieon Sanders – just for fun, he’s been my favorite athlete forever, and Michael Jordan.”
Nate’s nine-year old son Nahmier also walked alongside him on the Orange Carpet so we asked him who the oldest athlete he could think of was.
Nate’s encouragement: Think, think about it…”
Nahmier: “Who’s that guy – #21 from the Spurs? Tim Duncan!”
Nate: “See I didn’t even have to tell you – you know what’s up!”
This article originally ran in the sports section of CBS Man Cave Daily. Click here to see the original piece and more photos.
https://theblondeside.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/501039801_MB_6391_CD11BF91BF1378BADE06CFECD7EA5A59.jpg34402364Jaymehttps://theblondeside.com//wp-content/uploads/2018/06/1526998321020-300x192.pngJayme2014-07-19 11:48:262014-11-19 11:27:25Athletes – The Biggest Kids You Know
Laila Ali on the 2014 ESPYS Red Carpet (Photo by Rich Arden / ESPN Images)
*The full piece ran on Women’s Health. Click here to read more.
Sure, everyone has strange habits. But when a sports competition is your job, it makes sense that you might take your superstitions to the next level. So, we caught up with the athletes below at the 2014 ESPY Awards (short for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards) earlier this week to ask if they have any superstitions for before a competition. The answer? Ohhh, yes, they do:
“Oh my gosh, Where do I begin? My roommate and I started this perfume thing before we left our hotel room, where we’d always spray it. At the field, I always place my bag in the far end of the corner—us pitchers are kind of known for crazy routines. I would always head out to the bullpen 27 minutes prior to game time because 27 was my number—that was part of my routine.” —Jennie Finch, Olympic softball gold medalist
“Before every game, I gotta eat a peanut butter and jelly, and I gotta pray. Gotta talk to my man upstairs.” —DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings center
“My boyfriend has to wear lucky socks (when I compete). It’s so funny. All the heats that I’ve lost this year so far, he hasn’t been wearing the socks—so it’s pretty much his fault when I lose! Today I actually went to Top Shop and bought some really cool pink dinosaur socks. They don’t have to be pink, they just looked like they had a lot of magic in them so I bought them.” —Carissa Moore, professional surfer and two-time Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) women’s world champion
“I have to shave my whole body, anytime I’m playing a football game. It does kinda make me feel fast like my hometown boy Michael Phelps. … We call it a manzillian.” —Brendon Ayanbadejo, Baltimore Ravens linebacker and SuperBowl XLVII champion (retired)
“I try to break all superstitions. I have to have my hair slicked back just because I’m jumping over hurdles. I hate it if hair is in my face, so a lot of times I carry a brush. And there’s been times where I’ve literally been, like, on the Olympic start line and one of the last things I do before I get on the box is brush my hair. People are probably thinking, ‘She’s so vain,’ but I get so annoyed if I see one flyaway. I guess that’s a superstition, but I think it’s more performance enhancement than anything else.” —Lolo Jones, Olympic bobsled and track and field athlete
“Before a big competition, I have to wear red boxers. They don’t have to be the same ones, as long as they are red. I think I won a couple contests in a row wearing them and then I was like, might as well keep this going.” —Nyjah Huston, professional skateboarder and 2014 ESPY winner for Best Male Action Sports Athlete
“I would have to say I listen to the same song before all my competitions, (by) Ghostland Observatory. It gives me that beat, and every time before I drop in, I make sure that one song is the one that’s playing. I did it this whole season, and I plan to carry it on. It used to be Shakira’s ‘She Wolf,’ but I moved on.” —Kaitlyn Farrington, Olympic gold medalist in the snowboarding halfpipe
“I just talk to my mom every day before a game, right before I go on the field. I’ve been doing that since I was like eight years old. I call her. We don’t talk about anything specific, that’s just what we do—not necessarily a pep talk but just real talk, you know what I mean? My mom always says, ‘Live for the day. You are where you are for a reason, and believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.’ Every time we go on the field, we warm up, we come in, do our team prayer, then we got two minutes before we go back out on the field, and I call her.” —Marcedes Lewis, Jacksonville Jaguars tight end
“When I’m warming up, if I miss something, it messes up the whole day. So it’s just like, if I’m stretching and I miss a stretch or do it out of order, I just feel like, ‘OK, the first quarter is going to be bad for me just ’cause I missed this.’ It’s not something you can go back and fix, you just try to add it in afterwards.” —Antonio Cromartie, Arizona Cardinals cornerback
“I don’t really have any superstitions, but my ritual is just to always get really focused and remember all of my hard work. I say my prayers and pray for the other girl that I don’t seriously hurt her. Because I’m trying to hurt her but I don’t want any permanent brain damage or things like that. I want to take her right to the limit, kickin’ that ass, right before anything permanent happens.” —Laila Ali, retired professional boxer and undefeated Super Middleweight Boxing Champion of the world
The full article ran on Women’s Health. Click here to read it in its entirety!
