Amber Balcaen, a trailblazing NASCAR driver and the first Canadian to win a NASCAR race, brings a winning mindset to every aspect of her life. In August, she shared her top five mental performance books on Instagram, captioning, “My top 5 favorite mental performance books. I’m an avid reader and also believe mental conditioning is just as important as physical. Let me know if you have any questions on these books 🤍.” From her intense fitness routine to her passion for racing, Balcaen is proof that success comes from dedication both on and off the track.
1. She Loves What She Does
In an interview on her website, Balcaen talked about what she loves about racing. “I kind of describe racing as a drug. I literally cannot live without it. I love it so much. I grew up in a racing family so I was at the track at a very young age. I begged my Dad to let me race and finally at 10 years old he allowed me to race go karts. Now I’m 24 [25 on the 7th] and as the years have gone on my passion and love for racing has only grown. I’m so fortunate to be in the position to now turn it from a hobby into a career which is a very difficult thing to do. Despite the difficulty I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else. It’s what makes me happy.”
2. She Values Exercise
In her interview on her website, Balcaen talked about her wellness secrets. She says that she values working out. “Since I’m not as naturally strong as a lot of my male competitors, I spend a lot of time in the gym so that I’m not physically lacking. I really focus on my strength and endurance. I need to make sure I’m alert and present at the end of every race. It’s rewarding to put in the time at the gym and see your body react positively.”
3. She Studies Racing
Shutterstock
Balcaen shared how she prepares for her racing in her website interview. “Another part of it is actually watching races and taking notes. Since I come from dirt racing I still have a lot to learn in NASCAR. So it’s really important this year that I watch a lot of racing and listen to the commentators to pick up on strategies. Nothing beats seat time but I definitely learn from watching.”
4. She Takes Protein Powder
Balcaen revealed on her website that she likes using protein powder. “The final piece is my nutrition. I really try to eat right. As a personal choice I don’t eat beef or pork, but I take time to plan my meals. Some of my favorite, healthy things to make are foods that use protein powder. One of my awesome sponsors is 1st Phorm. I use their Phormula-1 protein powder to make waffles and muffins. I especially love making the muffins because they’re easy to take on the go with me.”
5. She Strength Trains
Balcaen revealed her favorite workouts and foods in this Instagram video. In it, she is seen doing strength training exercises with battle ropes and a weighted bag. The Mayo Clinic states that strength training has a lot of benefits. “Strength training may enhance your quality of life and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Strength training can also protect your joints from injury. Building muscle also can contribute to better balance and may reduce your risk of falls. This can help you maintain independence as you age.”
Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
