UCLA Volleyball Star Audrey Pak Shares Swimsuit Photo “Grateful"

UCLA volleyball star Audrey Pak had a beautiful summer in Honolulu, Hawaii, getting plenty of rest before the season kicked off. Pak shared pictures from the vacation, including one of her wearing a brown bikini, taking a selfie in the ocean with friends and family. “So much to be grateful for,” she captioned the Instagram post. “Okay Audreyyy🙌🔥😍,” commented teammate Katerina Lutz. Here’s what Pak’s approach to health and fitness looks like, according to her social media.

1. Korean Rice Bowls

Pak loves Korean rice bowls from her favorite Westwood restaurant Gogobop, near the UCLA campus. “White rice typically has lower amounts of arsenic than brown rice,” says Devon Wagner, MS, RD. “That’s because the bran, or the outer layers of brown rice, and the germ are removed to make white rice, which decreases the amount of arsenic. Still, switching to white rice is probably not a good idea because white rice has very little nutritional value despite being lower in arsenic.”

2. Red Wine

Shutterstock

Pak fully embraced the food and culture during a trip to Croatia, sharing large carafes of red wine with friends. “If you enjoy red wine, be sure to limit yourself to moderate amounts,” say the experts at Harvard Health. “Measure out 5 ounces (which equals one serving) in the glass you typically use. Five ounces appears smaller in a large goblet than in a standard wine glass.”

3. Swimming, Of Course

Pak is a confident swimmer, both in the pool and in the ocean. “Swimmers have about half the risk of death compared with inactive people,” says the CDC. “People report enjoying water-based exercise more than exercising on land. They can also exercise longer in water than on land without increased effort or joint or muscle pain.”

4. Volunteer Work

Pak has spent at least three trips volunteering in Mexico. Spring break’s looking a little different this year, but here’s to the past 3 spent in such a special place. God, thank you for all you’ve let me experience through my times in Mexico and the people you’ve placed beside me. Praying we choose joy & trust in You even in these crazy times,” she captioned an Instagram post.

5. She’s On the Move

Pak loves to travel, which research shows offers many benefits beyond just being fun. “Traveling for pleasure can contribute to subjective well-being because people have more opportunities to detach from their work environment, to experience new things, and to control what they want to do during vacations,” says Paul Simeone, PhD, Vice President and Medical Director of Behavioral Health with Lee Health. “There’s ample research to support that positive travel experiences can make a person healthier, can strengthen their relationships, and benefits their overall wellness.”

University of Wisconsin volleyball star Sarah Franklin spent summer back home in Florida, and even on her down time the athlete likes to stay active. Franklin shared a picture of herself paddleboarding in a green bikini top and shorts, looking vibrant and happy in the sunshine. “A quick trip home with adventures and sweet pea the baby goat🐐,” she captioned the post. Here’s how Franklin recovered from serious surgery to thrive in her sport and come back stronger than ever.

1. Love of the Game

Franklin has a whole new appreciation for her sport after getting surgery earlier this year. “I just feel overjoyed every day that I get to walk on the court and do the things I love the most with the girls I love,” she says. “It’s crazy to think about what the summer was because this just feels normal, it feels right. It felt like a fever dream. I’ve said that a couple times. But I’ve definitely grown and learned a lot from those weeks and the unknowns.”

2. Support From Team

Franklin had no choice but to have surgery after blood clots were found in her arm, and appreciated the love and care she got from her coach Brittany Dildine and teammates. “It’s nice to see that side of a coach, to know that they care for you that much and that they have your back as a human and not just as a volleyball player,” Franklin says. “Britt and I got very close over that period of time, which is very special and I cherish that now.”

3. Big Ten Player

Franklin was just named Big Ten Player of the Week after games against Rutgers and Maryland over the weekend. “Their entire team is just playing the game really well. It’s been fun to see how cohesive they are, with that young group,” Luke Fickell says. “It reminds me a lot of my 2017 team, but we weren’t playing the game nearly as well as these guys. It’s a little bit contrasting of styles, which should make it really fun and I’m sure the fanbases are foaming at the mouth on both sides-- they should be! This will probably be one of the more anticipated and most-watched college matches probably in recent memory.”

4. Motivation For the Next Year

Franklin is motivated for the future. “I feel that now I’m a lot more equipped to deal with any hardship, any little thing that gets in my way,” she says. “I’m on a mission. I know what it’s going to take to win a national championship, and I’m on a mission to complete that. Last year I didn’t know what it took. I didn’t know the habits, I didn’t know the organization, the time management. Now I feel like I can see everything piecing together slowly. The experience I had this summer, I feel even closer with the team even though I missed them for two weeks. I feel like everyone has backed me up, has been there. I just feel so insanely thankful for everything that has brought me to this point. It’s been a lot, but I think it was what I needed to feel ready for this season.”

5. Paddleboarding Fun

Franklin’s love of paddleboarding offers many health benefits. “Core is where everything stems from,” says Rachel Williamson, a physical therapist at UCHealth Medical Center of the Rockies. “It is our body’s strong base. Back pain is a huge issue for a lot of people and not engaging the core well is often one of the major culprits of aches and pains. You may not get a six-pack (abs) from paddleboarding but you will strengthen those deep transverse abdominal muscles which act as your body’s natural back brace.”

Lacrosse champion Alex Aust is sharing throwback summer bikini pictures to herald the approach of the colder months. Aust, who is a Team USA gold medalist, posted a snap of herself wearing a tiny bikini while posing in the surf at the beach, looking fit and sunkissed. “When AA reminds you she creates magic,” Aust commented about famed photographer Alex Ashman. So how does she do it? Here are 5 ways Aust stays fit, strong, and happy.

1. HIIT Workouts

Aust is a big fan of HIIT workouts, and shares her routines online. “HIIT can help to decrease body fat, increase strength and endurance, and improve health outcomes, but it is not necessarily better than other exercise formats,” say the experts at Harvard Health. “Its main appeal is that it can achieve similar fitness and health benefits in a shorter duration, and that it includes periods of rest.”

2. Say No To the Scales

Shutterstock

Aust refuses to weigh herself, instead focusing on her strength and energy. “As athletes, we don’t have that stick-thin body type, but at the end of the day, our bodies are our vehicles,” says Nicole Aust, Alex’s sister and former Maryland Lacrosse teammate. “If Alex’s body is skinny and small, it’s not going to perform the way she wants it to on the field and she’s learned to cherish that.”

3. Professional Trainer

Aust developed at-home workout The Sweaat Life to continue working out during the pandemic lockdowns. “All of the things that I am involved with, I think back to my training at Maryland, hearing Cathy’s [Reese] voice in the back of my head, telling me to believe in myself,” she says. “That definitely is something that I constantly reflect back on when I do something or I put myself out there for another goal I am trying to reach.”

4. Sports Illustrated Model

Aust was emotional about her photoshoot for Sports Illustrated, as she worked incredibly hard to make it happen. “I felt every emotion I had in the past eight months,” she says about seeing the pictures for the first time. “Working my butt off to be the best version of myself. I saw that in a moment. I never realized a photo of yourself could be that powerful.”

5. She’s a Role Model

Being a role model for young female athletes is something Aust takes seriously and is proud of. “What’s more important than actually playing, though, is being able to reach these young female lacrosse fans,” she says. “That’s my biggest thing. To me, it’s super important that we have the visibility of the WPLL and have it on ESPN3, so that the girls on my club team can watch us play and see these high level athletes and hopefully in 15 years see them on these teams, which would be really, really cool.”

Kayla Simmons is starting the week off with a swimsuit selfie. In one of her latest social media posts the volleyball star flaunts her amazing body in a black bathing suit with a plunging neckline. “Happy Monday,” she captioned the post with her followers. “Your gonna break the internet!” commented Nicole Pedra. “You are absolutely perfect,” commented another follower. How does Kayla maintain her physical and mental health? She abides by a few simple health habits.

1. Swimming and Snorkeling

Kayla is a water baby and can often be found in the ocean. Two of her favorite activities are swimming and snorkeling. In addition to being a great aerobic exercise and burning calories, other health benefits of putting on a mask and fin may include improved cardiovascular function, stress reduction, mood enhancement, and muscular toning.

2. Surfing

Kayla is a surfer. There are many health benefits of the sport including cardiovascular fitness from paddling, shoulder and back strength, which also strengthen from the paddling, and leg and core strength. “Once you’re standing up on the board, strong legs and a strong core will keep you up,” the Australian government’s Better Health says.

3. Body Confidendce

“Being a former college athlete & growing up around sports has taught me to push myself to the limit,” Kayla said in an interview. “College athletics was a great experience for me, but it also taught me some valuable lessons. I was told by my school administrators that the pictures I post are inappropriate because of my body, I was even asked to delete my Instagram at one point. I was torn bc I felt I couldn’t embrace my body & play the sport I love. I’ve since learned that you can’t let other people affect how you feel about yourself.” She added to The Post in July 2019 that she hopes younger fans “know that it’s okay to just be yourself and feel confident.”

4. Hiking

Kayla also enjoys hiking. “Hawaii has my heart,” she captioned this photo from one of her hikes. “Hiking is one of the best ways to get exercise. No matter what type of trail you find yourself on, hiking is a great whole-body workout—from head to toe and everything in between,” says the National Parks Service. Some of the physical benefits include building stronger muscles and bones, improving your sense of balance, improving your heart health, and decreasing the risk of certain respiratory problems. It also offers many mental health benefits, according to a Stanford University study.

5. An “All Natural” Body

Simmons, who has been dubbed the “world’s sexiest volleyball player,” addressed plastic surgery rumors during a Q&A on YouTube. “I got zero silicone. I’m all natural, I’m sick of answering that one, but yeah,” Simmons responded when asked, “How much silicone did you get?”

Sasha Goforth, an Arkansas Razorbacks basketball team standout, recently embarked on captivating journeys to Croatia and Greece, showcasing her adventures on Instagram. The vivid snapshots reveal her enjoying sandy shores and honing skills on the court. In her post, captioned "Greece and Croatia dumpski," she offers a glimpse into her active lifestyle. Ever wonder how she maintains her peak fitness? Read on to uncover the five strategies Sasha Goforth employs to stay in exceptional shape, each illustrated by compelling photos that validate their effectiveness.

1. She Plays Basketball, Naturally

Basketball is, naturally, the main way Goforth stays in shape. And it has a lot of health benefits. FitnessAdvisory.org states, “Basketball requires you to jump while playing, as well as running back and forth multiple times. In a basketball game, you rely on your body positioning and the ability to maintain that position when an opponent is pushing against you. This is why playing basketball can strengthen all parts of your body, especially your core muscles, neck, lower back, and arms.”

2. She Swims

Goforth spends a lot of time outside. One thing she likes to do to stay in shape is go swimming. In her recent Instagram post, Goforth is seen wading in the ocean with friends. According to Better Health, “Swimming is a great workout because you need to move your whole body against the resistance of the water. Swimming is a good all-round activity because it: Keeps your heart rate up but takes some of the impact stress off your body. Builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness.”

3. She Addressed Her Gastroparesis

Goroth took a break from basketball to focus on her health while battling gastroparesis, delayed stomach emptying causing digestive and motility issues. "That was kind of the only option at that point," she said to Arkansas Online. "I realized that I was really going to have to make a change." "It was a relief for me to hear her finally say she needed to take some time off," Goforth's former high school coach Vic Rimmer told the outlet. "I could see in her eyes that her spirit was broken. Her mind was waning because physically she was struggling so much. And I was relieved for her." "People really do only see the tip of the iceberg of what is going on," Goforth added. "They have no idea what is going on behind the scenes, and that's why I try in life to just be kind and loving to everybody. Because you have no idea what somebody else's situation is."

4. She Made Time for Her Mental Health

"I really did carry the weight of the world on my shoulders," she told Arkansas Online, "or that's what it felt like to me, at least. This past year's really been just focusing on feeling right in general -- being confident, being less anxious, less depressed. I really feel so thankful for this past year."

5. She Gets Vitamin D From the Sun

Discover the natural essence of well-being with Vitamin D, generously gifted by the sun. This essential nutrient harmonizes within, fortifying bones and invigorating the immune system. As sunbeams grace your skin, they stimulate the production of Vitamin D, cultivating resilience against ailments and nurturing a vibrant spirit. Embrace the solar embrace, relishing the synthesis of this invaluable vitamin that bolsters calcium absorption, fostering robust bones and teeth. Elevate mood and vitality as the sun-kissed nutrient fosters mental well-being. Unlock the radiant benefits of Vitamin D, an illuminating elixir bestowed by the sun to inspire a healthier, more enlivened you.