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

Throughout her last yr taking part in basketball at Stanford College, Cameron Brink grew to become a family identify. It was a watershed yr for ladies’s basketball—one wherein the NCAA championship event garnered record-breaking views and younger athletes grew to become prompt superstars. 

And whereas Brink’s fame appeared to occur in a single day, it was clearly the results of years of onerous work and a powerful faculty 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 Yr awards, a three-time Related Press All-American, WBCA Defensive Participant of the Yr award, and extra. And earlier this yr, she grew to become the second general choose 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 once a napper, however now I take one earlier than each single recreation. 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. Via 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 essential 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? Nevertheless it’s develop into my greatest software! The video games will be such a loud, loopy setting—so something that you need to use to settle down at the start will get loopy is necessary. 

Brink: The perfect factor I’ve realized is to only construct your habits to allow them to be constant. That approach while you do it earlier than mattress, it simply feels such as you’re going via what you’re doing each night time—even on the nights earlier than huge occasions. 

I’m going via 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 not less than attempt to put our telephones away. 

Brink: I am not a choosy eater—I am additionally not the healthiest eater. However in fact, I ensure I get my fundamentals. 

I’ll do a bowl or one thing the place I can eat advanced 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 the perfect restoration boots. I used to be given a pair which can be moveable—not those you plug into the large 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 truly maintain a camp for younger women in Beaverton, Oregon. It is in all probability my fourth yr doing the camp now. It’s only for Oregon women now, however it’s all about giving again to them. 

And my fundamental messaging is simply to remain concerned in sports activities! Or even when your pastime will not be a sport—possibly on the finish of the day, you’re identical to I actually don’t like sports activities—simply keep concerned in one thing the place individuals problem you. It’s necessary to really feel such as you’re rising every single day. These actions are additionally necessary for constructing bonds and friendships. 

I really feel like basketball is simply such a terrific alternative for that. In the course of the camp, we clearly undergo lots 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 position 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 a terrific 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 a terrific cheerleader for my teammates.

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

Brink: It’s been such a loopy yr for me, however I can actually say that I’m so fortunate to play this sport for a residing as a result of every single day is stuffed with so a lot 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 lots of pleasure on recreation days.