Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Takes Her Morning Self-Care Just as Seriously as Her Success on the Track

She’s the queen of the 400-meter hurdles, a world record holder, and a four-time Olympic gold medalist. Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone has stamped her name as one of the best track and field athletes maybe ever, and she has the stats to prove it: She’s set (and reset) her own world records six times over.

Since winning a second consecutive Olympic gold in her signature race at the Paris Olympics, McLaughlin-Levrone’s schedule has barely slowed down: she’s hosted a run club with Girls on the Run International, appeared on Thursday Night Football, and proven her excellence in the 200-meter race in a post-Olympics competition held in Brussels.

It’s safe to say the 25-year-old is no stranger to success and discipline on the track. And when it comes to self-care, McLaughlin-Levrone takes it just as seriously. Here’s how the track star starts her day.

She’s usually awake before her alarm goes off

On a normal training day, I wake up around 7:30 a.m. I can wake up right before my alarm clock, my body always knows. So it’s usually around 7:25. The first thing I always do is drink a glass of lemon water. I used to do hot lemon water, but my nutritionist explained to me that it kills the benefits of the lemon, so I drink cold lemon water. It helps reset my system and detox the body before I start the day.

She dedicates time to her faith

I will read my Bible, whether that’s on the Bible app or sitting down reading it, depending on how much time I have. I read anywhere between 10 to 15 minutes. And then I’ll start to get ready for the day.

• Bible App by YouVersion (free)

Her skincare routine starts the night before

I’m a pimple patch person. So I’m normally peeling all of them off in the morning before I start anything. I’m [also] someone who will go out with pimple patches on. The Neutrogena Hydro Boost cleanser is also really helpful—it’s super moisturizing and I have combination skin.

The first skincare product I tried was the grapefruit scrub. I stole it from my sister who’s five years older than me. I’ve always been interested in beauty and skincare, but I felt like I really had an elementary understanding of it. So it’s been cool partnering with Neutrogena and getting to understand the science behind it.

• Neutrogena Stubborn Acne Pimple Patches ($8)
• Neutrogena Hydro Boost Facial Cleansing Gel ($11)
• Editor’s note: McLaughlin-Levrone has a partnership with Neutrogena

McLaughlin-Levrone fuels her body with superfoods

For breakfast I normally have two eggs scrambled and avocado. I’ll bring a banana with me, and then either have bacon or oatmeal. I love oatmeal because it’s long-lasting for longer workouts, which I need the energy for—and my superfood is blueberries. They’re super helpful for the cognitive focus that it takes, especially for hurdling.

She’ll always hit the track with two important items in her bag

I go to practice and I always have two things with me: sunscreen and makeup wipes. I’ve grown so much in skincare over the past few years. I use sports sunscreen and then I also have in my bag the makeup remover wipes. I’m sweating on the track, getting dirt on myself, so I’ll just clean up whenever and wherever.

• Neutrogena Sport Active Defense ($13)
• Neutrogena Fragrance-Free Makeup Remover Wipes ($5)

Her running kicks depend on the workout

The shoes I race in are mid-distance spikes [even though I’m a sprinter]. I don’t use a traditional sprint spike because I like the mold-ability of the shoe. I don’t like a stiff shoe when I run.

And for the running shoes, I wear the FreshFoam x 1080v13, the FuelCell Rebel v4, and the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4. I love the FuelCell Rebel v4 or the FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4s for the silhouettes and the support.

• FreshFoam x 1080v13 ($165)
• New Balance Fuelcell Rebel V4 ($140)
• FuelCell SuperComp Elite v4 ($250)
• Editor’s note: McLaughlin-Levrone is a sponsored athlete with New Balance 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.