4 Ways Race Car Driver Lindsay Brewer Prioritizes Her Mental Health as a Trailblazer in the Sport

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 % of all athletes within the sport. In 2024 alone, Brewer has damaged boundaries, changing 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 in regards to the physicality of racing as a complete. “It’s extremely bodily,” she tells Nicely+Good. “I’ve tried virtually each sport on the market rising up, and racing was at all times essentially the most bodily sport. There’s no energy steering, so think about holding up a 25-pound weight for nearly an hour and protecting 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 go well with,” 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 go well with and it’s so sizzling.”

“I’ve tried virtually each sport on the market rising up, and racing was at all times essentially 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 side of the game in comparison with others like basketball or baseball.”

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 masking bills like automobile upkeep and staff salaries). “I needed to lower this season a little 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, nevertheless it’s not simple to take care of and troublesome when it occurs.”

Whereas Brewer’s mornings rely upon her racing calendar, we caught up along with her in the course of the low season to learn the way she begins her day when at dwelling, 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 gymnasium. He’s so routine, however for me, I wish to sleep in—I want 10 hours of sleep. If I’ve one thing happening, I’ll set an alarm, but when I’m dwelling, 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 harassed, it typically ruins my day.

After my alarm goes off, I wish to spend the following half hour enjoyable in mattress. I’ll verify my cellphone or learn. I’m at the moment loving the A Court docket of Thorns and Roses sequence 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 off the 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 wish 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 wish 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 want 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 want 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 wish 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 gymnasium.

She caps her morning off on the gymnasium for a exercise session

Someplace between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. is once I’ll normally go to the gymnasium. A cute exercise set from Alo, Lululemon, or Vuori places me in a very good temper, particularly once I’m sporting blue or darkish colours. For sneakers, my go-to is the NoBull Allday Knit Sneaker.

I prepare essentially the most in the course of 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 workouts. In driving, there’s rather a lot to do along with your shoulders, neck, and forearm muscle tissue whereas your legs additionally should be sturdy for pushing the break actually laborious round corners.

To construct these specific muscle tissue, 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 gymnasium for an hour and a half, and I take heed to my exercise playlists, which differ between home and rap all the best way to Taylor Swift or Sabrina Carpenter.

This interview has been edited for size and readability.