MOTIVATIONAL MONDAYS // LAUREN SIECKMANN

Lauren Sieckmann

Professional Beach Volleyball player, USC student, model,  workout-aholic, and originally from Omaha, Nebraska.

Instagram: @laurensieckmann

What is your favorite dryland workout? My favorite dryland workout would have to be running the Manhattan Sand Dunes. I love running the dunes because it is a total body workout but is also so good for my sport and gets me moving in the sand. I normally spend about an hour.  One workout I do is just walking up and down it as many times as I can in an hour. You’d think walking up a sand hill would be easy but most people can’t make it to the top!  Walking up it really works glutes and is great cardio. I am always out of breath once I get to the top. 
Another workout I do is to work on quickness. I will do about 10 sprints half way up the hill, 10 sprints backwards, 10 shuffling to both sides.
Another favorite workout I do is Olympic lifting. I love to lift weights! I don’t think girls should be afraid to lift weights and there is always a stereotype that lifting makes girls “get big” but it is not true! I lift 3 times a week and on the other days I do some form of conditioning.  Lifting is a important part of my workout routine. I do all types of Olympic lifts that really help with speed and quickness, such as hang cleans, cleans, and snatches. I always pair it with a type of squat, either a front squat, back squat, or overhead squat.  Every workout I do one type of Olympic lift and one form of squat and then do other accessory lifts such as pull-ups, push-ups, biceps, triceps, lat pull-downs, lat raises, or lunges and always end with some ab exercises!

What is your favorite water workout? Since I play on the sand I do not do very many water workout but I do love to swim in the ocean! After long practices or tournaments I always hop in the ocean.  I think swimming is great on the body and relieves stress from normal workouts that really compact on your joints. When I do pool workouts I normally do them as a lighter workout for recovery. I would tread water for time intervals and then I have movement patterns I do in the shallow pool such as shuffles, high knees, and sprinting.

What activities do you do in Jolyn? I always have my Jolyn suit on when I’m playing beach volleyball or even just going to the beach for a relaxing day. That’s what I love so much about my Jolyn suits, they are so versatile. I can play in them or wear them as a cute suit to the beach.

What’s your favorite Jolyn color? My favorite color would have to be the mermaid print or the electric. I love any of the blue and lavender prints and colors, purple has always been my favorite color

What’s your favorite Jolyn style and why? My favorite style for playing would have to be the European bottoms. I love them because I am always diving in the sand when I play and they never get sand in them. I’ve had embarrassing experiences with other brands where I have dove for balls and either had piles of sand get into my suit or had them actually slide down! Jolyn’s always stay so feel comfortable playing knowing I don’t have to worry about holding on to my bottoms while I’m trying to make a play. My other favorite style is the LUKE vent tops. I got to model those the other week and fell in love at first sight!  They sold out so fast I couldn't get one for myself! They are super sporty but cute and the highlighter one is definitely my favorite.

Who is your favorite athlete? Misty May! I have idolized her growing up and now I am lucky enough to have her as a coach. She’s even more amazing now knowing her as a person. Not just the way she plays but the way she carries herself and takes on life is really inspiring to me. I have gone to her for advice on many things, volleyball and non-volleyball related.  She’s the best.

If you were 60 years old what would you tell your children? If I was 60 years old I would tell my children to always trust in their path. I’ve gone though crazy things and have doubted my goals and dreams many times but trust everything happens for a reason and there’s a path planned for greatness ahead, keep persevering.  And also, don’t be afraid to take the road less traveled on.

What would we find in your refrigerator right now? I am super into nutrition and am such a healthy eater! I love my meat so you’ll definitely find steak and fish, my two favorite. Definitely kale, asparagus,  guac, and green beans. I eat a lot of veggies!  Anything but broccoli, that’s the only thing I won’t eat! And definitely almond butter, its my weakness. I think I actually have 3 jars in there right now…..

What nail polish color are you? Nude! I love my nude nail polish. I can’t remember the last color besides nude that I’ve worn.

What is something that nobody knows about you? I did gymnastics for 7 years! I finally decided to quit when I realized I was about a foot taller than everyone. 

What is the hardest thing you've ever experienced? When I was about 17 I went through a really hard time in my life and developed anxiety and depression and because of that I developed food allergies to gluten and dairy. All of that took a toll on my body and I lost about 20 pounds. After seeing many doctors, I finally got a hold on what my body could handle and I took a summer of just lifting weights and eating and I gained back all my weight. This is what inspired me to get into nutrition. I read many books and articles on my own I learned what foods affect certain hormones and help the brain.  By really being conscious about what I was putting into my body and getting into nutrition, I was able to fight and cure my anxiety and depression all on my own. Before this experience, I was eating fast food 4 times a week and crushing bottles of Mountain Dew. This also elevated my athletic ability to a whole another level.  I have never felt stronger and happier than I am now. It’s amazing how much food really affects your mind and body. From this whole experience I have a vision to encourage girls about body image and emphasizing that strong is what’s beautiful and to love your body.

If you were stranded on and island and could only bring 3 things, what would they be? My Jolyn swimsuit, if I could wear a swimsuit 24/7 instead of anything else, I would. 2. Bulletproof coffee, I drink it every single morning! I really don’t know what I would do if I didn't have my coffee in the morning. 3. My family. Family over everything.

What is your signature dish in the kitchen? I would definitely have to say a steak with a side of sweet potatoes with cinnamon and ghee on top, absolute favorite!! Or I love making fish or steak with quinoa and basil hempseed pesto.