Soccer Star Christen Press In Workout Gear Says “Look Out World!”

Professional soccer player Christen Press missed out on the 2023 World Cup due to an ACL injury—but fans will be glad to know the athlete is clearly on the mend. Press, 35, shared a video of herself wearing shorts and a jacket, doing exercises out on the pitch. “Look out world she’s on the move!” she captioned the post. “I will cry when you get back on the pitch bc I know how hard you worked to get there. Can't wait, We are rooting for you ❤️,” commented a fan. Here’s what Press’ diet, exercise, and wellness routine looks like.

1. Yoga for Soccer

Press uses her yoga practice to support her soccer skills. “The most important poses in my practice for training purposes are hip openers, shoulder openers, and hamstring lengtheners,” she told Yoga Journal. “These poses help me release some of the tension in my back. I enjoy balancing sequences with Tree Pose, Warrior III, and Half Moon Pose. And Rabbit Pose is a new addition that really helps release my neck.”

2. Vedic Meditation

Press does Vedic meditation twice a day. “Practicing yoga makes me a happier soccer player,” she told Yoga Journal. “Sometimes, thoughts freeze you. When I’m able to play thought-free, I am more dynamic and natural. This thoughtlessness is something that yoga and meditation instilled in me. There is also a core group of the national team that regularly practices yoga together during camp.”

3. Protein and More Protein

Press focuses on protein for a healthy, balanced diet. “The most essential nutritional need is just finding the right balance,” she told Healthy Living. “I, personally, have a hard time getting enough protein, so I focus on that. I take quite a few supplements, especially during high intensity periods of my life. And I try to find as many nutrients in whole foods and in my daily diet as possible.”

4. Fitness Tips

Press says fitness should be fun—so find an activity you actually enjoy doing. “Find something active that you love,” she told Healthy Living. “It doesn’t have to be a struggle. Join a team! Kickbox! Being active feels awesome. The more you do it, the more you’ll love it. Respect and give love to your body. It carries you around all day; it deserves to be cherished. Who better to do that than you? In my life, there is a balance between being so disciplined (with diet, free time) that you become deprived. I like to recognize how feeding my soul with healthy but fun things actually helps me be my best!”

5. Inclusivity In Soccer

Press is passionate about making soccer accessible to more women of color. "I feel really, really lucky for the trajectory that I've been on in all of the amazing skills and tools that soccer has given me," she told Popsugar. “When I think about my identity and my personality, soccer has cultivated so many of the skills and assets that I am so grateful to have now as a business leader, as a professional player, as someone who's fought for equality on behalf of a lot of different marginalized groups. So much of that strength has come from what I've learned on the field, and I think that that's what makes it so important to continue to ensure that there is inclusivity, so that more people can have that type of experience."

Lauren Sesselmann, an accomplished soccer player and Olympic bronze medalist, continues to inspire with her positive outlook and dedication to wellness. Currently playing for the Santa Clarita Blue Heat, Sesselmann’s fitness routine revolves around her passion for sports, particularly soccer and tennis. Recently, she shared a video by the pool on Instagram, quoting Marilyn Monroe: “Keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling.” Beyond the physical benefits of her athletic lifestyle, Sesselmann emphasizes mental wellness, taking time daily to count her blessings and stay grounded. She’s also focused on self-care, sharing how small rituals and supplements have become essential in maintaining her health and happiness.

1. She Plays Soccer

Soccer is the main way Sesselmann stays in shape. Better Health states that the sport has a lot of health benefits. “Soccer can be a great workout and lots of fun. The health benefits include that it: increases aerobic capacity and cardiovascular health, lowers body fat and improves muscle tone, builds strength, flexibility and endurance, increases muscle and bone strength, improves health due to shifts between walking, running and sprinting.”

2. She Counts Her Blessings

Lauren Sesselmann/Instagram

In her recent post’s caption, Sesselmann revealed that she makes sure to count all the blessings in her life. “Taking time every day to appreciate the beautiful blessings I’m surrounded with. Things might not always turn out the way I want but learning to embrace what’s not meant for me & realizing bigger & better things are right around the corner. Never lose faith that you are worthy of it all & in time it will all come together beautifully🌸☀️🌊”

3. She Takes Time For Herself

Sesselmann also makes sure to take time for herself. She talked about this in the caption of her recent Instagram video. “Take a minute today to stop, take a breath & take it all in. Each day is a gift…you’re alive, people love you & you bring so much light into this world..believe that!!! Have a blessed day everyone💞💞”

4. She Prioritizes Wellness

Sesselmann is making her wellness a priority in her life. She talked about this in the caption of this Instagram post from last year. Sesselmann wrote, “This past year I made a New Years resolution to prioritize my own health and wellness. After learning about my concussions and depression I’ve been slowly working my way back to a routine and instilling habits that help me start my day the best I can on a positive note. Enter...my personalized multivitamin with Rootine which has been instrumental in making me feel better❤️”

5. She Plays Tennis

Soccer isn’t the only sport that Sesselmann likes to play. She also enjoys playing tennis. Sesselmann shared this video on Instagram of herself on the court. Tennis has a lot of health benefits. The Columbia Association states, “Whatever your age or level of athleticism, tennis is an excellent full-body workout that releases feel-good endorphins to help you relax and relieve tension. Its low-impact nature also means your joints and bones will thank you. Because tennis includes short bursts of activity, it offers the same conditioning benefits of interval training, which has an unparalleled positive effect on the heart and lungs, slashing your risk of heart disease by 56% (!). Just an hour of play burns between 400 to 600 calories.”

Australia soccer star Steph Catley is taking a well-earned break from her busy training schedule to enjoy the beautiful sun and sea in Santorini, Greece. Catley, 29, shared highlights from her vacation, including snaps of herself wearing a yellow bikini and she soaked up the sun on a luxury yacht. She also included pictures of herself swimming in the ocean. “A few days to recharge in 🇬🇷😍,” she captioned the post. Catley works incredibly hard to maintain the physique of the Olympian she is—here’s how she does it.

1. Protein-Heavy Diet

Catley enjoys a balanced diet with plenty of protein. “[Breakfast is] 1 piece of almond butter toast, 1 bowl of oats with shredded almonds, honey and mixed berries,” she says. “[Lunch] varies but generally a salad with some sort of meat mixed in or on the side. My favorite combination right now is a chicken salad with spinach, walnuts and pear. [Snack is] a coffee with a small chia pudding bowl, or some fruit… I love different types of pastas, grilled vegetables and potatoes, or stir fries and dishes with brown rice.”

2. Game Day Fuel

Catley’s game-day diet is designed to give her as much energy as possible. “It depends what time the game is. But no matter what I eat in the morning or lunch, around an hour and a half before I play I always eat two slices of multigrain toast with peanut butter and sliced banana on top,” she says. Her favorite indulgence meal is “a huge burrito bowl from Chipotle with lime and salt chips on the side.”

3. Giving 100 Percent

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Catley leads by example when it comes to training and competing. "I always give 100 per cent at training and in everything that I do on and off the field," she says. "I'm not the leader that's going to be screaming and shouting at everyone in the change rooms [when something goes wrong]. On the field, I want people to look at me, and think, ‘Well, if she's giving 100 percent, always, then I have to give 100 percent'."

4. World Cup Training

Catley and her teammates start the day at 7.30am. “We’ve been non-stop for the last four to five weeks now. Training, gym, meetings, the lot,” she said about preparing for the World Cup. “The rest of the day is made up of ice-baths, massage, physio treatment and often media commitments… But the closer we get to the games, you can see the hard work paying off and everything starting to come together, so the hard work has definitely been worth it.”

5. Role Model

Catley was thrilled about taking part in the World Cup not just for herself and her team ,but for future athletes. "It's an opportunity for us, as a team, to inspire young girls and young boys," she said. “I had no [female athletes] to look up to growing up, to aspire to be a footballer, compared to what it’s like now. As a team, we have the opportunity to perform on the biggest stage on home soil, and I think it’s so, so exciting. It could change anything – everything – for football in Australia for young girls and young boys. So to be honest, I wish the World Cup was starting tomorrow. I'm just excited to get going.”

Lauren Hemp is one of the UK’s soccer, or football, stars. She plays for the Lionesses. Hemp recently enjoyed a spar trip while on break from football. She shared a photo on Instagram of herself in an outdoor pool. Hemp captioned the post, “Catching some sun before the international break.” How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Lauren Hemp stays in shape and the photos that prove they work.

1. She Plays Soccer

Playing soccer, naturally, is Hemp’s main way of staying fit. Soccer is a great way to stay in shape. Better Health states, “Soccer is a good sport for maintaining health, fitness, strength and endurance. The health benefits include that it: Increases aerobic capacity and cardiovascular health. Lowers body fat and improves muscle tone. Builds strength, flexibility and endurance. Increases muscle and bone strength. Improves health due to shifts between walking, running and sprinting.”

2. She Handles Pressure Well

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Hemp opened up about how she handles pressure to The Guardian. She says that being proud of herself and her accomplishments have helped her from putting too much pressure on herself. “For me, I’m my biggest critic. I put so much pressure on myself that I don’t really feel it from the outside. But I sometimes look back and realise how far I’ve come and that I’m still so young and think I should not put as much pressure on myself as I do. It’s finding that balance in making sure I do perform at my best but that I do enjoy the journey as well because I think when I enjoy it you get the best out of me.”

3. She Learns From Her Coach

Sarina Wiegman/Instagram

In her The Guardian interview, Hemp sung the praises of coach Sarina Wiegman, and shared what she’s learned from her. “For me, she’s always told me to have freedom, express myself, and I think that’s what I’ve needed. You’ve seen from the results that we are playing very well under Sarina. Hopefully that will continue into the Euros. She’s been on the winning side, so we’ve got so much trust and confidence in her. She’s telling us what we need to know to ensure that, come the Euros, we’re the best.”

4. She Pushes Herself

In her interview with The Guardian, Hemp shared what aspects of her game she wants to improve. “One of the main things is my decision-making,” she says. “Whether cutting on the inside, going on the outside, shooting, crossing, things like that – driving at a player. When you get the ball and everyone comes towards you it’s all about that split-second decision and what you’re going to do on the ball. With the decision-making then comes becoming more consistent with goals and assists. That’ll show in my stats. But also, my right foot, at the moment I think I just use that to stand on, so that’s another one of the many things I’d like to improve.”

5. She Loves Omelettes

In another interview with The Guardian, Hemp shared some of her favorite foods. “I like an omelette but I’m not great at making them, so when I was away with England I’d always ask the chef. He said it’s all in the pan, so I now have a specific pan that doesn’t get used for anything else.”

Soccer star Tobin Heath can officially add cycling to her long list of athletic achievements. Heath, 36, shared pictures of herself wearing cycling shorts and a shirt, posing on a bike with a huge smile on her face. “Saturday pt 1,” she captioned the post. “Takes up cycling in June. Goes to the Tour de France in August 😒 😜,” joked girlfriend Christen Press in the comments. “You look like a professional,” commented Sydney Leroux. In another post, FDJ–Suez captioned her in workout gear with: "Big connections are made on @letourfemmes." "Tobin really out here living her best life I love that for her😍," said one fan. Heath’s career is going from strength to strength both on and off the pitch—here’s what the soccer star is up to next.

1. She’s a Gunner

Heath played for Arsenal in the UK, an experience she treasures. “I was attracted to the style of play, to the certain players that were playing there, and you know, your first love of a club is something that is kind of unchanging and unwavering through it all,” she told Forbes. “Then, if you look on the women’s side of things, I guess in the landscape of European football, they were at the forefront of women’s football in creating a team, investing in a team, winning both the Champions League and the domestic league. So it’s a club that it’s easy to be passionate about and one that is really deep in my heart and in my history of football.”

2. Speaking Through Her Sport

Heath is proud of her track record in soccer. "I'm a stubborn and passionate person, and I wanted to be known as a footballer full stop," she told Business Insider. "I believed that that's where I wouldn't be distorted and that's where I could get the most amount of respect. I did a lot of talking with my football for a long, long time. I'm really proud of that."

3. Dating Christen Press

Heath recently announced she and Christen Press have been dating for eight years. "Tobin and I were not really friends. We weren’t really running in the same circles. And then as soon as I actually got to know her, there was just, like, a magnetism," Press said on Watch with Alex Cooper. "And I was like, that's what I want. And I never looked back. I still feel the exact same way. The other day, someone just said to us, 'Oh, you guys just met. You look like you’re in love.' And I'm like, 'No, it’s been eight years.’"

4. Sports Analysis For Women

Heath started The RE—CAP Show with Press to give their own analysis of the World Cup. "Women's sports has never been shown in its fullness, and that's because the structures of what sports are weren't coming from the perspective of us," she told Business Insider. "This was a very unique opportunity for us to change that landscape and be able to tell stories that look and feel like us and are from us."

5. Building For the Future

Heath wants women’s voices to be better represented in sports. “Women love sports," she told Business Insider. "And it's about time that women start building things for the things that they love.” She says it's been liberating to build something that helps "women have an opportunity to share the things they're passionate about."