Chill Chat

The dynamic U.S. forward shares the workouts and treatments getting her ready for Paris.

Here, USWNT forward Mallory Swanson shares her game-day routines ahead of the Paris Olympics.

But the coveted ticket to the 2024 Olympics was far from a guarantee for the striker.

Mallory Swanson, a USWNT forward, talks to Bustle ahead of the 2024 Olympics.

Her comeback is a long time coming.

Mental fortitude got her through the emotional roller coaster, she says.

I feel like I accepted that early on and I think that helped me a lot.

Mallory Pugh Swanson, who’s number 9 on the USWNT, talks to Bustle about the Paris Olympics.

I didnt really dwell on it.

[You have to] give yourself a little bit of grace.

I loved the hyperbaric chamber.

USWNT player Mallory Swanson is a forward for U.S. women’s soccer team.

It helped my body really send everything good that it had to my knee.

And then, I mean,sauna.

I have a go at sauna at least twice a week.

In a new Mal Swanson interview, she says her husband, Dansby Swanson, makes fun of her nighttime rou…

If we have an afternoon training, usually Ill take a stab at sleep in until 9 or 9:30.

Do you have a go-to coffee order?

What about game days?

Number 9 on the U.S. women’s soccer team, Mal Pugh Swanson, will lead the USWNT in Paris 2024.

Do you have a ritual to help you get in the right headspace?

Usually its similar to a training day.

Ill sleep in, have a slow morning, and go get coffee.

USWNT players Mallory Swanson, Lindsey Horan, and Sophia Smith.

Its pretty chill, honestly.

How do you wind down in the evenings?

I love to take an Epsom salt bath.

It helps me unwind and also helps with recovery.

I have to go to bed clean, so I do all the things.

I do all the skin care.

I have to have the room super cold.

My husband [baseball player Dansby Swanson] is like, Your nighttime routine is insane.

But I have to have a really good sleeping environment to be able to sleep well.

How many hours of sleep do you get?

I would say like nine.

Yeah, I love sleeping.

It is my number one source of recovery.

Are there things you have to say no to so you can prioritize getting enough sleep?

Especially if we have training early in the morning.

My number one priority is getting a good nights rest.

Do you workout outside of practice?

Whats your go-to cross training?

I started doing it six or seven years ago.

My trainer in Colorado was right next door to a Pilates studio and he told me to try it.

I was like, But Im already so sore.

So cross training is Pilates, and then I also do breathing exercises.

How has breathwork helped your game?

A lot of us, in general, dont breathe correctly.

I worked with my PT this offseason on a breathwork technique calledPRI.

Its definitely helped my overall wellness and [strengthened] the little muscles that hold things together.

Whats your go-to meal after practice or a game?

Ive been eating a lot of red meat lately.

My body has been craving it.

Are you a good cook?

Whats your signature dish?

In the offseason, I like to cook a lot.

Youre about to head to Paris.

Whats one thing you always have with you on a flight?

I always have headphones, just the plain old, wired Apple headphones.

I dont like the AirPods.

They kind of hurt my ears.

I also double-check Im chugging water, especially on a long flight.

The team is heading to Paris as the underdogs.

What can fans expect to see from the USWNT?

Every tournament is completely different.

The group we have right now, weve been able to continue to grow, to trust the process.

Theres adversity that comes your way with every tournament.

Its just about how you overcome that as a group.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.