Softball Star Brylie St. Clair in Two-Piece Workout Gear is "Disconnected"

She Has Cystic Fibrosis

Sophie was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at four months old and was told she might not live past 16.“Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects your lungs and digestive system, inherited from birth - although I was actually diagnosed very late,” she told Women’s Health. She added to Strava that she ended up in the hospital at 19 and was told by doctors she "only had a couple of years to live,” she said. “I think this is where the power of naivety can sometimes kick in. I sat there in the hospital thinking ‘I don’t believe you. I don’t have time to die. There are all these things I want to do with my life.’”

Running "Saved My Life" She Says

“Running saved my life. If I hadn’t gone on my journey and decided to challenge myself through running in different ways, who knows whether or not I’d still be here today,” Sophie told Strava. “I believe fitness saved my life, because it’s given me experiences and memories, and it’s also shown me what I am capable of. My happiest times and my happiest memories have been the ones where I've been leaning into the most discomfort.”

Goal Setting

Sophie recently revealed that her goal for 2025 is to complete “12 challenges in 12 months,” she wrote in a post. “I thrive and love big challenges but next year is about being able to achieve smaller but just as significant goals throughout the year to fit into life and staying fit and strong simply say YES to anything. The main goal being I want to see how fast and strong of a runner I can become and add in some different types of adventure to take me back to the mountains, trying new things to push me out of my comfort zone and with few things set already and a dream race in place which I’ll talk about soon its turning into an incredible year. And Also the building blocks to get as strong as I can ready for the big challenge I want to do after…I love setting goals.”

Swimming

As part of her workout split, which she shared on Instagram, Sophie swims. “Weeks out from @newyorkcity_marathon,” she wrote. Why does she swim? “I swim for recovery and to reduce impact plus benefits for my engine and lungs for running,” she said in the post. She does two 30 minute swims per week. Swimming is a good way to get regular aerobic physical activity, according to the CDC. Just two and a half hours per week of aerobic physical activity, such as swimming, bicycling, or running, can decrease the risk of chronic illnesses. In addition to the many physical benefits, there are multiple studies supporting the mental health benefits of swimming as well.

Hiking

Sophie loves to hike and mountain climb. She even summited Mount Kilimanjaro in 2015, two years after she was told she had years to live. According to the National Parks Service, the physical benefits of hiking include:

• Building stronger muscles and bones
• Improving your sense of balance
• Improving your heart health
• Decreasing the risk of certain respiratory problems

Volleyball

Jaqueline, a member of the Brazilian volleyball team that won the Olympics in 2008 and 2012, spends a lot of time playing. According to one study, recreational volleyball played with fewer players on a smaller court can be an effective training modality to stimulate decrease in LDL cholesterol and resting HR.

Running

Jaqueline enjoys running, both outside and at the gym. Here she is running on the treadmill. According to the Mayo Clinic, running is great for cardiovascular health, muscle building, and weight loss. “For every mile run, the average person will burn approximately 100 calories,” they say.

Cycling

She also bikes. In the same video she cycles on a stationary bike. The Cleveland Clinic explains that biking, a low-impact aerobic exercise, is great for building muscle, improving strength and flexibility, and improving balance. It can also boost mental health and help other health conditions, including arthritis.

Dancing

Jacqueline often shares videos of herself dancing. Dancing is a great workout for many reasons. Not only does it build strength and promote flexibility, but helps you lose weight and even promotes cardiovascular function. A 2016 study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine determined that people who engaged in moderate-intensity dancing were 46 percent less likely to develop heart disease or die from it than non-dancers. In comparison, moderate-intensity walkers were just 25 percent less likely to suffer heart health issues.

Strength Training

Jacqueline spends a lot of time in the gym strengthening her body by weight lifting. According to the Mayo Clinic, strength and weight training help reduce body fat, preserve and increase lean muscle mass, and burn calories more efficiently. Strength training may also help you:

• Develop strong bones
• Manage your weight
• Enhance your quality of life
• Manage chronic conditions
• Sharpen your thinking skills