Torah Jane Bright OAM is an Australian professional snowboarder. She is Australia’s most successful Winter Olympian, former Olympic gold and silver medalist, two time X Games gold medalist, three times US Open winner, two time Global Open Champion, three time World Super pipe Champion, former TTR World Champion and recipient of the Best Female Action Sports Athlete at the ESPY awards. In 2014 Bright became the first Olympic athlete (male or female) to qualify for all three snowboarding disciplines; half pipe, slope style and boarder-cross.
Medal record: Women’s snowboarding
Representing Australia
Olympic Games
| Gold medal – first place | 2010 Vancouver | Halfpipe |
| Silver medal – second place | 2014 Sochi | Halfpipe |
Winter X Games
| Gold medal – first place | 2007 Aspen | Superpipe |
| Gold medal – first place | 2009 Aspen | Superpipe |
| Silver medal – second place | 2006 Aspen | Superpipe |
| Silver medal – second place | 2008 Aspen | Superpipe |
| Bronze medal – third place | 2015 Aspen | Superpipe |
World Championships
| Bronze medal – third place | 2013 Stoneham | Slopestyle |
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Torah Bright: Australian professional snowboarder, Olympic gold and silver medalist, who talks about her workout, diet, beauty secrets and success story.
Namita Nayyar:
You are Australia’s most successful Winter Olympian, former Olympic gold and silver medalist, two time X Games gold medalist, two times US Open winner, recipient of the Best Female Action Sports Athlete at the ESPY awards and much more. What attracted you towards snowboarding as a sport, if you were to sum up in a few words?
Torah Bright:
I grew up skiing. Skiing was all about racing and regimented training. When I was 11 I followed my older brother when he tried snowboarding for the first time.
Our minds were blown. We viewed the mountain differently; the creative outlet the snowboard under out feel gave us. All of a sudden we were seeing the same mountain as a playground. Snowboarding still is a creative outlet and a source of freedom and adventure for us.
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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.
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Namita Nayyar:
In 2014, you became the first Olympic athlete (male or female) to qualify for all three snowboarding disciplines; halfpipe, slopestyle and boarder-cross. Were your eyes always set on this goal? At what age did your journey begin?
Torah Bright:
My eyes were never set on this goal! Coming into the 2014 Olympics I needed a new goal and challenge. To go back to the Olympics and try and be my best and ultimately the best on the day I needed something more.
My brother and coach at the time came up with the idea… it was crazy. Everyone though it was crazy and not possible. But for some reason it was exactly what I needed to go back to another Olympics happy and wanting to be my best. I spent more time on snow than ever before. My connection to the snow was better than ever. I felt I was riding better than ever before. It did the trick. I came home with a medal in Halfpipe, great result in Slopestyle and qualified for SBX which was always the hardest part of the journey!
I had an incredible team to support me. Amazing people who shared their time and knowledge, they all made it possible.
It was amazing, but it definitely look it toll on me! I need some time to recover after that Olympics and winter ended!
Namita Nayyar:
How do you kick start your day. Share with us your first meal of the day? 2 ways to detox?
Torah Bright:
The most powerful tool I learned along the way was intermittent fasting. I worked out what balance and timing of meals is best for me.
I start my day with lemon water and a coffee or tea with MCT oil and butter in it. Even when training this sustained me with plenty of energy until about 11am or so.
My first meal would bigger than my dinner. Depended what was available but it would be about 15-20grams of protein – lots of fibrous veggies with olive oil all over. My snack if I needed anything would be eggs or an Avocado with olive oil.
As far a detox goes… there are lots of ways to detox and supplements to use. But you really need to be guided through real deep detox by a professional.
A few good ways; drink lots of water. We generally don’t drink enough. Food elimination is a great way to detox too. One of my favs is actually an infrared sauna. Do a little research. So many health benefits. I can’t live without them!
Namita Nayyar:
Before kicking off snowboarding training, what are the key points a beginner needs to keep in mind? 5 key essentials.
Torah Bright:
- Be in good mind set!
If you’re off that morning, spend the time getting your head right. Going out on the hill skiing or snowboarding can be dangerous. If your mental space is not right, it opens you up to injury. Breathe work and saying a mantra is my favourite. - If you are a beginner. I recommend getting an instructor! This is the best way yo get your feet and your confidence. No matter what you do in your day job, everyone needs a mentor/ coach!
- When you are on the hill be patient with yourself. No matter if you are learning how to turn or a big trick. Belief and patience in you is so important.
- Sometimes you need to keep a mantra of belief in your mind even if you are sucking!! Fake it until you make it! Your day is won and lost in the mind. What you say to yourself is so important. Choose wisely!
- Don’t skip a head. Keep working on the fundamentals. If you prefect them you have the ground work done for anything in the future!
- Be prepared to have the worst and best time of your life. Nothing worthwhile is easy at the beginning. Soon enough you’ll have a new skill that can bring you so much joy and exploration!
Namita Nayyar:
Three components that are a must in a fitness regime to prevent injury? 5 exercises to build full body strength and can be followed even while travelling?
Torah Bright:
Strength is important. It prevents injury but also the stronger you are pre injury the quicker you can recover.
Ski and snowboarding in a full body work out, and because it is a high impact sort upper body is important to keep strong.
I travel with a skipping rope and Pilates bands to ad to any excises.
My favourite 5 exercises are:
- Kettle bell swings
- Jump squats/lunges
- Push ups and variations
- Medicine ball wall throw variations
- Skipping
But remember, you are never shred fit until you shred!! Have fun!
Namita Nayyar:
Define Women Fitness website for our viewers.
Torah Bright:
It’s a great resource for women fitness and health in the modern world.
Namita Nayyar:
As a sportswoman, what skincare and hair care routine do you follow to combat the stress of the sport?
Torah Bright:
Skincare is more internal than topical for me. A good diet low in sugar and other inflammatory foods, high is good fats and veggies are what keep everything in balance for me. But I do love Osmosis skincare. Making sure I use as clean as possible ingredients but effective skincare is important.
For hair, I seem to be quite sensitive to chemicals. The only hair care that I have been able to use is Arbonne. True hair is my favourite!
Namita Nayyar:
Social media has before a huge platform to connect with like-minded people across the globe. How has it helped you in reaching your fans and followers?
Torah Bright:
Social media is a strange place. But a wonderful one at that. Some days I love it. Some days I can’t care much for it. It is however a powerful tool in many ways.
People have followed me though my snowboarding career and life adventures. It’s fun is able to show and inspire by my outdoor adventures!
Namita Nayyar:
Resolutions or goals for 2020-21? Motivational quote you live by?
Torah Bright:
On July 7 2020 I along with my husband welcomed out baby boy! So with my body and life into a very beautiful transformational time I Surrender and embrace all that is.
A simple and good quote I like is “Start each day with a grateful heart”
Namita Nayyar:
What are the three things about snowboarding that thrill you the most and the three things that scare you? With your brother as coach how has been the journey with you in same sport?
Torah Bright:
I love the freedom, the feeling of flying and the creativity of snowboarding. The thing that scare me most is, permanent injury or loss of life.
My brother and I worked together for many years. He was the right guy to help me be my best in my sport. He was my friend and biggest supporter when going through hard personal times. Working with family definitely had it challenges and bore a weight on our relationship at times. He now continues to coach on the professional tour and I have branched out to big film projects and exploring other facets of snowboarding and the mountains! Its something I’ve been waiting and wanting to do for many many years! Check out my lasted film on the giant IMAX screen soon. Out Of Bounds.
Torah Bright Social Media Presence
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 © 2021 Women Fitness