Kim Vandenberg On The Olympics, Meditation, And #Wellth

Kim Vandenberg was a member of the bronze-medal-winning U.S. team in the women's 4-by-200-meter freestyle relay at the 2008 Summer Olympics. She's also won several medals at other events around the world like the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara. Now at 32, she's training for the Olympic trials coming up at the end of June. As part of her training, she meditates, practices yoga, and swims five hours a day, six days a week. She's a good friend of mbg and we'll be cheering her on during the trials!

KV: Blueberries hit the spot. Pineapple is a close second.

My kitchen. I've been making a big effort to cook more at home; it's definitely the healthiest place to eat! Thankfully, I have a couple of food-savvy friends who have inspired me to explore my culinary skills.

I love hiking upstate or heading to the beaches of Montauk, New York.

Dancing is pretty hilarious, and it could be a good workout! Also Vinyasa yoga.

Massage, yoga, and meditation.

I have been exploring different forms of meditation the past few years. I've practiced metta meditation, Transcendental meditation, breathwork classes, and sound baths, when a sound therapist has crystal bowls and other instruments, creating a Zen environment during meditations; all help me de-stress (especially living in New York). I also love long Epsom salt baths and reading.

Definitely to stop stressing out! The work was done and I was more than ready, so just enjoy the moment. The Olympics were stressful for obvious reasons but also for personal reasons, so I was on edge and worrying a lot about everything; I wish I'd had the perspective then to embrace that chaos. It was complete chaos in my mind during that time.

Peace of mind and cultivating gratitude.

Pay attention to what you find yourself attracted to, to what makes you feel most alive, and if it scares you, that's a good thing. I would recommend writing your dreams/goals/visions down and to daydream. There are no rules.