At the Olympic Games 2016, Sarah Sjöström created history by becoming the first Swedish woman to win an Olympic gold medal in swimming when she set a new world record in the 100 m butterfly, with a time of 55.48 seconds.
She is the only female swimmer to win five individual medals at a single FINA World Aquatics Championships and as of 2019 she has won a total of 16 individual medals at long course World Championships, more than any other female swimmer in history.
Women Fitness President joins the inspirational swimmer on journey as a swimming sensation and her take on things during the current pandemic.
Namita Nayyar:
You are the current world record holder in the 50-meter freestyle (long course), the 100-meter freestyle (long course), the 200-meter freestyle (short course), the 50-meter butterfly (long course), and the 100-meter butterfly (long course and short course). Starting off at a young age of 14, share the trials and triumphs from your journey in the world of swimming?
Sarah Sjöström:
It’s unreal to look back at the these achievements I have accomplished in the last 12 years. It has been a tough journey but also a lot of fun. I’ve been doubting myself many times but also surprising myself many times. And I have been disappointed but kept coming back even stronger.
Namita Nayyar:
You are the first Swedish woman to win an Olympic gold medal in swimming. The only female swimmer to win five individual medals at a single FINA World Aquatics Championships and as of 2019, you have won a total of 16 individual medals at long course World Championships, more than any other female swimmer in the history. Five factors that have been instrumental inyour victory at the Olympic Games?
Sarah Sjöström:
Hard work, dedication, talent, the ability to switch on and off and mental preparation.
Full interview is continued on next page
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in your life, as an athlete and a woman full of aspirations. The first-morning ritual.
Sarah Sjöström:
-Wake up 6am, big breakfast with coffee and morning news on TV. My breakfast is 25g protein(egg/cheese) and 70g carbs (oats/bread/fruit).
-Short bike ride to the pool 7.00. Some pre-pool activation before jumping in the pool at 7.40. (shoulder preab, mobility with foam roller, and light core activation)
-protein shake and banana after swimming for 1.5-2h (4.5-6km)
-Lunch and work with sponsors / interviews between 11-14.30
-In the Afternoon I do a gym session or dryland cardio +core work and a shorter short swim (3-4.5km) after with some speed work and drills in the pool
-Between 13.30-17.00 ish dinner and relax by myself or sometimes with friends or family 😉
– sleep time 22.00
Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime? Five exercises that you would never stop doing.
Sarah Sjöström:
-Pullups
-Straight leg lifts(hanging like in a pull up)
-Heavy hip thrusts
-1 leg deadlifts with kettelbell (hate them, but I need them… haha),
-Kettelbell swings
Namita Nayyar:
Share the diet that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit? Five foods you absolutely love.
Sarah Sjöström:
Never ever eat meat, chicken, pork etc…. I do eat cheese because I love it (my treat is some good quality wines and cheese…) And sometimes (maybe 1-2 a month I eat fish). My fav healthy foods are oats, avocado, egg, mango, pineapple.
Namita Nayyar:
Having to train constantly in extreme climate conditions, how would you take care of your skin and hair?
Sarah Sjöström:
I spent a lot of money on skin when I was a teenager because I had terrible acne for a few years, and I was so embarrassed about that. The only thing that actually worked was to stop stressing about it, eat healthy, get enough d-vitamins/ zinc etc. and eat absolutely no sugar.
My hair is actually amazing quality even if I’m spending a lot of time in the pool. My fav products for hair is bjorn axen and for skin ole henrikssen and dermalogica.
Namita Nayyar:
Who has been your greatest motivator in your career?
Sarah Sjöström:
My greatest motivation has always been the people I’m training with. The last 3 years I have been training alot in Turkey (Gloria sports arena in Antalya) with my international swimming club Energy Standard with swimmers from all over the world. The swimmers and coaches I work with there really motivates me to push myself every day. I have fun even during the most horrible and painful sessions.
Namita Nayyar:
During the lockdown situation, how are you training?
Sarah Sjöström:
I have been able to continue like normal here in Sweden. Obviously I’m not competing and travelling as much as I planned to do. But I can go to the gym and swim every day.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you feel about the Olympics 2020 being delayed due to the current pandemic situation? How are you coping with it?
Sarah Sjöström:
It was the right decision because so many athletes around the world have not been able to prepare like they need to for the Olympics. I have been able to train like normal like I mention. But it is what it is. I try to see the positive things about this. I finally have time to just be home in my apartment and organize my basement and closet, etc. I guess that this pandemic was the best thing that could happen for the environment also because pepole can’t travel everywhere, anywhere at anytime. Air quality in Stockholm is amazing at the moment.
Namita Nayyar:
Five tips for an aspiring Olympian to cope with the pressure to perform their best.
Sarah Sjöström:
-Get mentally prepared that you gonna be very nervous. Might even be a little bit uncomfortable feeling. (but at the same time overwhelming)
-But remember that you can still do an amazing performance with those feelings. Don’t panic if you feel very nervous.
-Stick to your routine, but remember
-The Olympic village is huge so you might need to do more walking then you are used to in your everyday life.
-Beds in the Olympic village are very uncomfortable. But 1 week of bad sleep is not gonna affect your performance if your sleep has been good mounts/years before that 😉
Namita Nayyar:
You have an incredible following of 235K followers on your Instagram account. Do you enjoy using it? If so, why?
Sarah Sjöström:
I think it a great way to be connected with my fans, friends and swimming community around the world. When I grew up and started swimming I had no idea what star swimmers of the world were doing, where they were training and it was almost impossible to follow their results.
Namita Nayyar:
Share a few words about the website Womenfitness.net and message for our visitors?
Sarah Sjöström:
Thanks to Womenfitness.net for inspiring women all over the world to keep fit and healthy. To all the readers, especially in those special times, stay positive and keep up the good work.
Follow her journey on:
- https://www.instagram.com/sarahsjostrom/
- https://twitter.com/sarahsjo
- https://www.facebook.com/sarahsjostroms/
This interview is exclusively taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness