Lindsay Brewer has been breaking new floor on the earth of motorsports over the previous few years. With over 3 million social media followers, the 27-year-old has been a trailblazer for feminine race automobile drivers—who solely make up lower than 10 p.c of all athletes within the sport. In 2024 alone, Brewer has damaged obstacles, turning into the primary American feminine racer to compete within the Indy NXT (the stepping stone to Indy 500) in 16 years.
Whereas her achievements ought to converse for themself, Brewer continues to face each gender bias and societal misconceptions concerning the physicality of racing as a complete. “It’s extremely bodily,” she tells Effectively+Good. “I’ve tried virtually each sport on the market rising up, and racing was at all times probably the most bodily sport. There’s no energy steering, so think about holding up a 25-pound weight for nearly an hour and retaining it turning actually quick.”
Brewer additionally explains that the excessive temperatures additionally play a serious function within the issue. “The automobile could be 120 levels Fahrenheit and also you’re in a helmet swimsuit,” she says. “You get so dehydrated and depleted of all of the vitamins and electrolytes that I’ve even misplaced 4 kilos racing inside one minute. I do know greater guys who’ve misplaced seven or eight since you’re in a fireplace swimsuit and it’s so sizzling.”
“I’ve tried virtually each sport on the market rising up, and racing was at all times probably the most bodily sport.” —Lindsay Brewer, race automobile driver
Past the bodily and psychological calls for of racing, there’s the often-overlooked monetary burden that many, Brewer included, underestimate. “Indy NXT was a $1.2 million endeavor for the 12 months,” Brewer says, including that competing within the Indy 500 would require a staggering $5 million. “Some drivers come from rich households, however for myself, I’ve been self-funding since I used to be 17. It’s numerous work, and it is a distinctive facet of the game in comparison with others like basketball or baseball.”
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Regardless of her profitable fundraising efforts this 12 months, largely due to her social media affect, Brewer nonetheless confronted the cruel actuality of inadequate funds (essential for protecting bills like automobile upkeep and group salaries). “I needed to lower this season a bit quick as a result of I ran out of funding,” she says. “It occurs to lots of people and it is a part of the game, however it’s not straightforward to cope with and troublesome when it occurs.”
Whereas Brewer’s mornings depend upon her racing calendar, we caught up together with her through the low season to learn the way she begins her day when at residence, her psychological well being practices, and her distinctive coaching schedule.
A gradual morning is her type of self-care
My fiancé wakes up at 6:30 a.m. naturally after which goes to the fitness center. He’s so routine, however for me, I prefer to sleep in—I would like 10 hours of sleep. If I’ve one thing happening, I’ll set an alarm, but when I’m residence, I’ll normally go to mattress round 11 p.m. and get up at 9 a.m.
Beginning my day slowly after getting my 10 hours is how I prioritize my psychological well being. I journey a lot that having gradual days at house is truthfully extra for my psychological well being than something. When I’ve to stand up tremendous early, I genuinely get so careworn, it typically ruins my day.
After my alarm goes off, I prefer to spend the following half hour enjoyable in mattress. I’ll test my telephone or learn. I’m at the moment loving the A Courtroom of Thorns and Roses collection as I really like to flee into these enjoyable fantasy worlds.
She prioritizes protein for breakfast
At round 9:30 a.m., I’ll get away from bed and throw on my Soho Residence gown and Ugg slippers earlier than heading to the kitchen. I actually take my time within the morning and prefer to be tremendous cozy and comfy.
Breakfast is usually two scrambled eggs and a few avocado toast. Protein is actually necessary for me, and I prefer to prioritize it all through the day. I don’t drink espresso, however I do love a Starbucks venti inexperienced tea. On a race weekend, I eat extra carbs as a result of I would like that vitality. So long as it has good protein and carbs—I really like pasta and burgers—I’ll eat it as a result of I would like the sustenance.
Then it’s time for skincare
I’ll normally spend 30 to 60 minutes on breakfast earlier than beginning my skincare routine between 10 and 10:30 a.m. I prefer to preserve issues easy within the morning. I wash my face with Cetaphil face wash after which use the Drunk Elephant Vitamin C Serum and Peter Thomas Roth Tinted SPF. From there, I’ll both compensate for some necessary emails or head to the fitness center.
She caps her morning off on the fitness center for a exercise session
Someplace between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. is after I’ll normally go to the fitness center. A cute exercise set from Alo, Lululemon, or Vuori places me in a very good temper, particularly after I’m sporting blue or darkish colours. For sneakers, my go-to is the NoBull Allday Knit Sneaker.
I practice probably the most through the offseason, and it’s typically three days of lifting heavy and two days of cardio and lightweight lifting, like a forearm exercise or grip power workout routines. In driving, there’s rather a lot to do along with your shoulders, neck, and forearm muscle mass whereas your legs additionally must be robust for pushing the break actually onerous round corners.
To construct these explicit muscle mass, there are particular race automobile driver exercises, and I’ve a program particularly designed for me. It’s the identical exercise as males as a result of we’re driving the identical automobile, however I’m not lifting as a lot as them. I am normally on the fitness center for an hour and a half, and I take heed to my exercise playlists, which differ between home and rap all the way in which to Taylor Swift or Sabrina Carpenter.
This interview has been edited for size and readability.
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