The Daily Valet. - 3/12/22, Saturday
✔️ Weekend Reading: The Boxer's Morning Routine
Weekend of March 12th
You’ve got to respect a guy who consistently puts in the work, proves the haters wrong and has fun while doing it.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Weekend Reading
The Boxer’s Morning Routine
Up and at ’em with Ryan Garcia
Ryan Garcia isn’t afraid of a little pain—or even a lot of it. Don't let the Hollywood good looks, perfect hair and huge Instagram following fool you. Garcia is consistently ranked among the top lightweight fighters in the boxing world today, a fact often attributed to his mental and physical toughness. After turning pro at just 17, he's made a career out of turning social media critics into believers—not to mention, knocking guys out in the ring. As a professional boxer, Garcia has never lost a match and won 18 out of 21 fights by knock out. He's got a ruthless work ethic when it comes to training and staying ring-ready, but he's also been candid about his anxiety, and the need to take a step back in order to come back stronger. Last year was particularly tough—Garcia was slated to fight in July, but he withdrew to address his mental health. A bout against Joseph Diaz Jr. this fall was cancelled after Garcia suffered a wrist injury while training that required surgery. As he prepares for his upcoming fight, with Emmanuel Tagoe on April 9th, we got a chance to talk about how he starts his day and stays on track.
I definitely consider myself a morning person.I make it a routine to wake up at seven each morning and go on a five mile run to get my mind and body flowing. During that time, I like to prep for the day ahead by clearing my head and setting my goals.
I take sleep seriously.As an athlete, you have to. I'm not crazy about it, I just try to get at least seven solid hours a night.
At this point, I don’t even need an alarm to wake up.That's the power of routine, I guess. My body is so dialed in during training camp that I just get up automatically at seven to go running.
I actually like to shower before bed so I wake up feeling fresh.I'm addicted to Marlowe's body scrub bar—I use it both before I go to bed and after I get home from my morning runs. The smell of it is invigorating and, in my opinion, it's the best way to feel clean.
I jump out of bed and into my running shoes immediately.It's a five mile run, at least, every morning—no matter where I am. I usually switch it up with my sneakers, depending on the training that day and length of run, so I'm always geared up with the right support as it varies for each training session.
My morning routine stays pretty consistent both in on and off-season for matches.It starts off with my run. That's the most important part of my whole morning. It's my time. During the run, I clear my mind of any stress. Once I'm back, I hit the shower and let the water run over me for a few minutes.
I’m not a big breakfast person.Sometimes, I've got to eat to fuel, but I'm not always in the mood for it. I've got a great chef at home, so he usually has something ready for me, even if it's just something small like hard boiled eggs. But I've got to have coffee. And not just any—I like a mocha. Ideally, a Starbucks Venti Mocha.
I’ve started incorporating smoothies into my mornings.After a run, they can hit the spot. I've been really enjoying them. Or a Yakult, those little probiotic shots. While I'm downing that, I check my phone to engage with my fans on social media.
Boxing is about consistency.I'll do rounds of shadowboxing with weighted gloves before breakfast. Just at home, even before I start the real training for the day. Then I head to the boxing gym for a three-and-half hour session where I push my body to the limits. Some people have called it “grueling,” but I enjoy the work and the grind. The training is vigorous, but it takes what it takes to be great. And you've got to love the work.
Thankfully, I don’t sweat the details of my calendar much.I have a great team around me that keeps me on track during training, keeping me updated with a calendar. I check in with them at the start of each day to see what the plan is.
My grooming routine is, in a word, quick.Because of all the time I spend training and leading up to a fight, I'm not putting a whole lot of effort into my skincare. But that doesn't mean I don't care about it. Boxing's hard on your body and skin. That's how I got involved with Marlowe, actually. I'm now a co-owner in the brand because it worked so well for me. I didn't just want to partner with them, I wanted to be a part of it. The pomade is a staple for my hair. It's great because it doesn't hurt my eyes if I sweat, and it holds the shape of my hair while still making it feel flexible.
Clockwise, from top left: Santal body scrub bar, $8.99 by Marlowe; The Trimmer, $74 by Meridian; POWERFIT weighted training gloves, $44.99 by PowerHandz; Caffè Mocha drink, by Starbucks; Extra moisturizing body lotion, $13.99 by Marlowe; Facial cleanser, $13.99 by Marlowe; React Infinity Run Flyknit 2 sneakers, $160 / $139.97 by Nike; Light probiotic drink, $2.99 (for a 5-pack) by Yakut; Classic pomade, $11.99 by Marlowe
I use a manual razor for my face.I don't shave everyday, but basically any razor will do. When it comes to grooming my body hair though, I have been loving an electric trimmer with ceramic blades to help protect my sensitive skin.
During the pandemic, self care has become very important to me.I wasn't as invested in my skincare routine before, but after keeping a routine with Marlowe, I've been able to see a difference not only in how my skin feels and looks, but how I feel overall.
Never leave home without ...
A bottle of Gatorade. What can I say? It’s a daily staple.
See you Monday.
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