WNBA Star Cameron Brink’s Wellness Routine & Recreation Day Prep

Throughout her last 12 months enjoying basketball at Stanford College, Cameron Brink grew to become a family title. It was a watershed 12 months for ladies’s basketball—one wherein the NCAA championship event garnered record-breaking views and younger athletes grew to become immediate superstars. 

And whereas Brink’s fame appeared to occur in a single day, it was clearly the results of years of arduous work and a powerful school profession. Her group was the 2021 NCAA champions and four-time Pac-12 champions from 2021 to 2024. Brink herself has earned a number of Pac-12 Participant of the 12 months awards, a three-time Related Press All-American, WBCA Defensive Participant of the 12 months award, and extra. And earlier this 12 months, she grew to become the second total decide within the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.

Cameron Brink: I am nonetheless getting my routine down [now that I’m in the WNBA], however one factor I discover important is a nap. I didn’t was a napper, however now I take one earlier than each single sport. I additionally wish to take heed to a meditation on my telephone. For me, it’s nearly taking time for myself.

Brink: I’ve been performing some long-term work main as much as the video games by working with a sports activities psychologist. By the WNBA we’ve some nice individuals to work with, which has been superior. However that work takes extra time. 

Within the second, I wish to take a while to do breathwork. It is crucial for me to have that point to recenter. 

I used to be such a skeptic of it earlier than. I used to be like, Actually? My breath goes to do all that? But it surely’s develop into my greatest instrument! The video games may be such a loud, loopy setting—so something that you should use to calm down at first will get loopy is essential. 

Brink: The perfect factor I’ve realized is to simply construct your habits to allow them to be constant. That method once you do it earlier than mattress, it simply feels such as you’re going by what you’re doing each evening—even on the nights earlier than large occasions. 

I’m going by my complete skincare routine—I really like skincare—after which my boyfriend and I’ll watch a present collectively. You’re actually not speculated to be on screens earlier than mattress, so we at the least attempt to put our telephones away. 

Brink: I am not a choosy eater—I am additionally not the healthiest eater. However after all, I make sure that I get my fundamentals. 

I’ll do a bowl or one thing the place I can eat complicated carbs like a candy potato, wholesome fat like an avocado or olive oil, and an excellent quantity of protein. Earlier than video games, it’s extra carbs. 

Brink: My favourite restoration model is Hyperice by far. They’ve one of the best restoration boots. I used to be given a pair which are moveable—not those you plug into the massive battery—which is nice as a result of we journey a lot. With the ability to deliver them with me in every single place has been nice.

Brink: I’ve actually sort of leaned into being a girly woman, particularly this season. I like to buy. I love to do my make-up. I love to do my skincare. I really feel prefer it’s tremendous meditative for me, preparing for issues. 

Brink: You realize, you are proper—I want to complete my undergrad first although. 

Brink: I really maintain a camp for younger ladies in Beaverton, Oregon. It is in all probability my fourth 12 months doing the camp now. It’s only for Oregon ladies now, but it surely’s all about giving again to them. 

And my primary messaging is simply to remain concerned in sports activities! Or even when your passion shouldn’t be a sport—possibly on the finish of the day, you’re similar to I actually don’t like sports activities—simply keep concerned in one thing the place individuals problem you. It’s essential to really feel such as you’re rising on daily basis. These actions are additionally essential for constructing bonds and friendships. 

I really feel like basketball is simply such an awesome alternative for that. Through the camp, we clearly undergo plenty of talent work, however my favourite half is the lunch Q & A. We simply sit down and we’ve frank conversations. I am an open guide. I inform them they will ask me something, and we’ve nice conversations. 

Brink: [Since my ACL injury] I really feel like my function on the group has modified. I really feel prefer it’s given me the chance to pour in all the way in which into being an awesome teammate and being there for my individuals. Recreation days look totally different for me proper now, however I can nonetheless sit on the bench and be an awesome cheerleader for my teammates.

I really feel like within the WNBA, there’s a stigma of veterans solely searching for themselves. Or that the persons are solely there for the paycheck. However my group is de facto particular. 

Brink: It’s been such a loopy 12 months for me, however I can really say that I’m so fortunate to play this sport for a dwelling as a result of on daily basis is full of so lots of these little pockets of pleasure. Strolling into the health club with my new pet. Speaking with my teammates. Making these bonds. I additionally discover plenty of pleasure on sport days.