Olympic Surfer Johanne Defay in Workout Gear Does Outdoor Yoga

French Olympic surfer Johanne Defay is happiest in nature, so it’s no wonder she does even her yoga workouts outside. Defay, 30, shared a video reel of herself wearing shorts and a black hoodie, going through a number of yoga poses against a beautiful sunset. “Flow 🎶🧜‍♀️🙏🏽🧡 #yogis,” she captioned the post. “Love your flow!” a fan commented. Here’s what Defay’s diet, wellness, and training regimen looks like.

1. Smoothie Bowls

Defay is a big foodie. “I love food and breakfast!” she told Women Fitness. “I love smoothie bowls topped with any kind of cool stuff! toast with any nut butter with banana hemp seed and honey, or homemade banana bread, and sometimes croissants or buns. I like to do healthy pancakes too, but I get lazy sometimes… And I will always have my coffee.”

2. Family Matters

Defay relies on her family for strength and support. “My family, my mom and dad are never far away, and today there is also my husband, he accompanies me for every competition,” she told MK Sport. “We know each other so well, it's become routine, it's never been complicated.”

3. Husband and Coach

Defay’s husband Simon Paillard is also her coach. “We started working together on mental preparation, and later it became my only referee: for mental and physical preparation,” she told MK Sport. “It helped me a lot to gain self-confidence, we move forward together, and we learn together. It's a strength to have him by my side and if he can't be there, my mother or my father take over. Their advice is valuable, their support and love, indispensable.”

4. Surfers Are Athletes

Defay wants to dispel the myth that surfing is easy. “That surfing is [spending] all the time under palm trees in a bikini,” she told Women Fitness. “Sometimes, I have to wake up at 4.45 a.m. and I have to put my wetsuit on that is still a bit wet, and go surf in [cold] water when it is still dark. That it is just a lifestyle, I think now competitive surfers are real athletes. That it could be a dangerous sport, it really depends on the conditions. And that surfer girls are not supermodels but athletes.”

Workout Regimen

Defay loves working out outdoors, and says nature makes her feel alive. “I work out everyday, I need it to feel good and not be grumpy!” she told Women Fitness. “I have two types of routines: home/training routine where I will be surfing, but even more training in the gym, run, hike and trail running, road bike or mountain bike, skate, do yoga, meditate, swim, and walk. Then I have my routine when I compete where I will wake up between 4.45 and 6.45 and go surf before the contest starts to see how are the conditions of the day. And depending on the contest, I will compete, or rest, or surf again, or do yoga/training.”

Professional surfer Brianna Cope took a break from the waves to hit the ground running with friends. Cope, 33, shared pictures of herself wearing black shorts and a matching sports bra, flashing the peace sign at the camera. “The worlds funnest race ever😂✨❤️ this race has a mix of whatever you want to do! Run a 5k, half, full marathon or an ultra. You make the rules 🤪 I did a half marathon mixed in with sauna sessions, talking with friends and making new ones! what a special event @jesseitzler @devonlevesque 🫶🏼,” she captioned the post. Here’s how the athlete takes care of her health and happiness, inside and out.

1. Super Surfer

Cope was born with a birth defect on her left hand, which made her childhood difficult—but she now feels it gives her an edge with surfing. “I think I'm faster at paddling because I don't have fingers so I don't have any drag,” she told Olympics.com. “I'm really fast. It's my superpower for sure.”

2. KT Tape and Spotify

Cope swears by KT Tape and Spotify for workouts. “This has been a huge essential for running!” she told Wellworthy. “This tape has been essential for my running routine, providing crucial support and stability to my muscles and joints while also promoting better blood flow… From working out in the gym to a drive to go check the waves….Spotify is always on repeat.”

3. Go-To Supplements

Cope takes supplements as part of her wellness regimen. “I’m always on the go so making sure I get enough protein throughout the day is so important for me,” she told Wellworthy. “Making my morning oat milk cappuccino is one of the first things I do each day. It’s a must. I’ve been using LivOn supplements for 6 years. Right now my go to is Magnesium before bed, and B Complex and Vitamin C in the morning.”

4. Resistance Training

Cope does strength training sessions at the gym, using weights and a medicine ball to get fit and strong. One Instagram post shows the surfer wearing two-piece workout gear as she goes through a whole strength routine. “In my fitness era,” she captioned the post.

5. Strength Through Adversity

Cope’s experience growing up with a birth defect has only made her stronger. "Growing up, it's always so hard to be labeled as different,” she told Olympics.com. “When I was a kid, I thought everyone was different and I was the one with the normal hand. Being born with a birth defect and having kids pick on you, it really is so tough. I was always so shy, so embarrassed. But that taught me though, to overcome. I bring it back to competing because I have the drive and the tenacity from being bullied and from being pushed down so much that I'm able to overcome. I feel like it translates into my surfing and how I am as a person."

Former model and media personality Rebecca Loos is worlds away from her life in London—the reality star is now a yoga instructor and meditation teacher in beautiful Norway. Loos, 46, shared a picture of herself wearing black yoga pants and a white tank top, siling serenely for her selfie. “Full class this morning 🤩 so grateful to all who make the effort to wake up early on a Saturday and join me on the mat 🫶🏼 Hope you are all having a lovely Easter 🐣 we have been home working and enjoying family time. Crap weather but hopefully April will bring us some sunshine 🤞🏼 Last month of skiing ahead. On May 1st the ski center closes…….and in June the hiking season starts 🤩 Lots of love, Rebecca x,” she captioned the post. Here’s how Loos is now living her best life.

1. Yoga and Meditation

Loos is a yoga instructor, and wakes up at 5 a.m. every morning to practice and teach. She frequently shares her favorite poses on social media:

“Some of my favorites:

• Spinal rolls with a swing
• Malasana (squat)
• Warrior three (great for balance & strength)
• Spinal twists
• Meditation pose (so calming and relaxing)

It's just about making time to get on your mat to breathe and move ❤️,” she captioned an Instagram post.

2. Hiking and Foraging

Loos lives a very outdoorsy lifestyle in Norway with her husband Sven Christjar Skaiaa and their two sons, hiking and foraging for food. “By focusing on the positives and practicing gratitude, we’ve come to appreciate all that mountain life has to offer,” she writes on her blog. “From the beautiful landscapes to the friends we’ve made along the way, to the strength and resilience our children have gained, embracing our home on the mountain has allowed us to appreciate every single blessing it brings us.”

3. Mountain Life

Loos met her husband on a reality tv show called 71 Degrees North, and he is the one who introduced her to the rugged mountain life. “We drove up there whenever we had time off work,” she writes on her blog. “This is where my husband introduced me to the way of life of the mountains. The freedom of open spaces, the fresh air, the good that outdoor exercise does to your body, the thrill of the challenges of climbing, reaching mountain tops, and skiing down through pine forests. This is a type of activity unlike anything in busy city life, but one that always leaves me content, happy, and feeling more healthy and alive than ever. Then, when our second child was on the way, we really needed to think as to where we were going to settle as a family and where we wanted to bring up our sons.”

4. Skiing In the Season

Loos loves to ski with her friends and family. “Epic Sunday cross country skiing with @eliannevensen in the sunshine & strong winds! Thank you Eli-Ann for kindly taking both dogs downhill and capturing this shot 🙏🏼❤️Home to freshly baked cinnamon buns 🙌🏼 The sun is bringing warmth and I can feel Winter slowly slipping away. Plenty of joy in the little moments ❤️,” she captioned an Instagram post.

5. Using Weights With Yoga

Loos incorporates weights into her yoga instruction. “I am a huge fan of combining strength training with my yoga & meditation practice. Variety is so important, especially when you get to your forties!” she captioned an Instagram video. “It’s my birthday in 8 days……..46 😳🤩😂 my gift to myself is to feel in shape, fit & strong! Let me know in the comments below if you would like to work out with me and combine yoga & strength 🙏🏼❤️ Have a great Sunday my peeps and MOVE YOUR BODY 👊🏼💪🏼🙌🏼.”

French pro snowboarder Marion Haerty took some time away from the snowy slopes to enjoy hiking, biking, camping, and swimming back home near Chamonix, France. Haerty, 31, shared a reel of herself spending lots of outdoors time with friends, including a glimpse of herself wearing a swimsuit as she took a dip in a big pond. “Summer at home 🥰,” she captioned the post. Haerty is the snowboard Freeride World Champion of 2017, 2019, 2020 & 2022—here’s what she does to keep winning, and more importantly, have the time of her life.

1. Wakeboarding and Skateboarding

Haerty loves wakeboarding when she’s not snowboarding. “When the snowboard season is over, the cable parks in France begin to open,” she says. “If I would like to follow all of the wakeboard contests, it wouldn’t be possible because many of them are during the winter in Thailand, Australia etc. I like skateboarding as well, especially in the bowl! During the summer I spend my time mostly on my wakeboard when I’m not in school or with a job. I’ll ride something like one week in Les 2 Alpes for a summer camp with Rip Curl!”

2. Meditation Before An Event

Marion Haerty/Instagram

Haerty meditates to relax before competing. “When preparing I focus on strategy, riding fast and playing with the snow. I don’t want to injure myself so I take extra precautions when training,” she says. “I enjoy being out of my comfort zone and am aware that my limit is going to be 5 years on the world tour, so I also ride to not be injured and I try to push forward every year. Of course, when I’m scared the day before, I try to meditate and relax, so I am super happy when I’m on the snow.”

3. Yoga Sessions

Haerty has developed a deep appreciation for yoga and all the benefits that come from regular practice. “The more I grow the more I realize how important it is to have balance in my daily sports routine,” she captioned an Instagram post. “On & Off. Finding commitment in activities but also on a personal level starts with learning to listen, being aware of all senses and thinking about one thing at a time. During the first lockdown I had made yoga a morning routine, a time for me or the focus revolves around the present moment. I was coming out with vitality like I had never felt before, some would say this is a fad, but for me it has become a source of refocus and everyday well-being.”

4. Challenging Mother Nature

Haerty wanted to push her limits even further with freeriding. “I’m still happy to travel, to meet people and to discover other spots,” she says. “I rode the world championship in Kreischberg, it was super interesting to see the other girls ride slopestyle and to ride this big slopestyle course! I would like to ride this more often! I’m in love with riding powder but if I want to go into the Freeride World Tour later I need to have more experience about mountain practice. Freeriding is much more dangerous compared to slopestyle, Mother Nature is harder with you.”

5. Lots of Vegetables

Haerty limits meat when she wants to feel her best. “Every day I try a new exercise because I need to have fun and I get bored easily,” she says. “With diet, I try to keep healthy by cooking lots of vegetables and eating less meat. Otherwise, I like to take my time with reading books, meditating and doing yoga.”

Professional surfer Caroline Marks trains hard for her job, but she also has a lot of fun. Marks, 22, shared a video of herself wearing a pink hat, black shorts and a yellow jersey, riding a bike in the sunshine. “The daily commute 😆,” the captioned the upbeat video. “Do a wheelie 😂,” a fan commented. Marks has her entire fitness and diet routine streamlined for the ultimate performance—everything she eats, even how she takes care of her eyes, has an impact. Here’s what her wellness and workout routine looks like.

1. Gym, Surf, Agility Ladder

Marks’ workout routine is intense but she thrives on it. "Ideally, I surf and do gym work each day—that’s where I work on balance and fitness,” she told Red Bull. “Let’s say I’m going to a long point break like Jeffreys Bay. I have to make the first turn as strong as the last turn. It’s really hard to do, because my legs get tired. Sometimes, I have to surf four heats in a day, and I obviously can’t just stop. There’s a big agility ladder at my gym and I try to keep my feet going as fast as I can. I want to keep my heart rate up as long as possible. It’s a lot of fast-twitch motions, too."

2. Protein Bars and Rice Cakes

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Marks enjoys protein snacks and avocado toast. “If I eat something in the morning and I win, then I’ll eat that again,” she told Red Bull. “Avocado toast is my go-to in the morning right now. I just do a piece of organic toast, avocado, salt and pepper, and cherry tomatoes. I definitely bring snacks like trail mix and protein bars everywhere I go. I don’t have set things I have to have. If I really want avocado and turkey on a rice cake, I’ll have that."

3. Sleep and Vitamins

Marks takes supplements as part of her holistic approach to health and wellness. “Having great, consistent habits have played a huge role in my success,” she told Authority Magazine. “My daily habits include getting enough sleep, taking my vitamins to receive nutrients, working out and of course surfing — all things that contribute to my overall health, which is key to my success.”

4. Foam Roller For Recovery

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Marks’ workouts include hours of surfing, of course, and using a foam roller for recovery. "I try to surf four hours a day minimum—it’s a really good work-out that makes you use your whole body constantly!” she told Red Bull. “I stand really low on my board and I’m always using my legs. They get tight, but fortunately rolling out with the foam roller helps. I’m still young and I don’t feel pain or anything, but I want to avoid that. Being flexible also makes my turns better. I stretch my whole body and use the roller just about everywhere."

5. Taking Care of Her Eyes

Marks spends hours in the sun and makes sure to protect her eyes. “Eye health is often overlooked, even though it’s one of the most important factors in overall performance,” she said in a press release for the American Optometric Association. “Beyond just the need for good vision out on the water, my regular exposure to the sun, wind, and sand and attachment to my phone means my eyes are being put to the test every day.”