Lakey Peterson’s meal of champions? Salmon, brussel sprouts, and sweet potatoes. Art: Gary L for The Inertia
It’s hard to believe that prior to her win at the 2018 Roxy Pro Gold Coast to kickstart an amazing season, six years passed between CT victories for California’s Lakey Peterson. Peterson currently sits second on the 2018 World Championship Tour, and her fitness regimen has played a huge role in her success. It’s second to none. In fact, Peterson has held a top ten spot in the women’s rankings every year since her 2012 Championship Tour debut. We caught up with Peterson to talk all things nutrition, health, and wellness.
Workout Tips
Lakey’s circuit routines in the gym will motivate anyone hoping to step up their game, and in the past she has also shared her a few techniques (along with healthy recipes and inspiring messages) on her healthy lifestyle website, thesaltycoconut.com. A few things she gave insight on which have clearly paid off for her include Foundation Training, which enables crucial strengthening of muscles in your lower back. Many of the exercises can be done while brushing your teeth or doing the dishes, and the results are better balance and stronger, more fluid motion during athletic activities. Also on the Salty Coconut, Lakey breaks down the perfect 30-minute exercise routine for people who travel a lot and five simple tips to prep for any sporting competition.
Nutrition
No muss, no fuss, that’s the California way.
“I think it’s pretty simple: eat good quality food — organic, locally sourced — and have it well-balanced on your plate. Good fats, good proteins, good carbs, and that’s it.”
Go-to Meal
Are you hungry? No? Well, you’re about to be after hearing Lakey’s tasty meal prep before heats. Choosing the hearty route, Lakey fuels her body for action the night before and the morning of her heats with that ideal balance of beneficial fats, protein, and carbs.
“The night before I generally have salmon, brussels sprouts, and a sweet potato. The morning of [competition] I’ll usually do two eggs on a piece of gluten-free toast with some avocado.”
Mental Strength
Anyone can get a little down, especially when trying to achieve extreme physical feats at an elite level. But following her ankle injury in 2016, Lakey realized that good health can be taken in a flash. Since then, she’s embraced an unwavering gratitude for each injury-free day that keeps her mindset sunny and positive, which brings about positive results.
“At the end of the day, you can achieve whatever you want in life,” Peterson wrote on her website ahead of the 2017 season, her grand return to full-time competition. “I have realized that the people who are the most successful are the ones who don’t complain and don’t let bumps in the road stop them. It actually makes them better and hungrier.”
General Health Philosophy
Wanna live like Lakey? Well, don’t. Just do you, boo. This champion finds her perfect health balance inside herself, not from outside sources. Listen to what your body does and does not want, and don’t force yourself into a box that isn’t perfectly shaped for y-o-u.
“I think the biggest thing for me that I try and follow is knowing that my body is different to everyone else’s. I’ve heard so many people tell me I should be ketogenic or paleo or vegan — there are so many different diets, but for me it’s just been figuring out what works for my body type. Maybe it’s vegan, maybe it’s paleo, whatever it is, I’m just listening to my body and what it wants.”
Want more nutrition tips from badasses in surf and outdoors? Check out Julian Wilson’s installment of Champs on Health here.
