Lindsay Brewer has been breaking new floor on the planet 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 limitations, turning 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 communicate for themself, Brewer continues to face each gender bias and societal misconceptions concerning the physicality of racing as an entire. “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 probably the most bodily sport. There’s no energy steering, so think about holding up a 25-pound weight for nearly an hour and preserving it turning actually quick.”
Brewer additionally explains that the excessive temperatures additionally play a significant position within the problem. “The automobile may 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 larger guys who’ve misplaced seven or eight since you’re in a fireplace go well with and it’s so scorching.”
“I’ve tried virtually each sport on the market rising up, and racing was at all times probably 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 quite a lot of 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 because of her social media affect, Brewer nonetheless confronted the tough actuality of inadequate funds (essential for protecting bills like automobile upkeep and group salaries). “I needed to reduce this season a little bit brief 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 straightforward to cope with and troublesome when it occurs.”
Whereas Brewer’s mornings rely upon her racing calendar, we caught up along with her throughout the low season to learn the way she begins her day when at house, 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 health club. He’s so routine, however for me, I wish to sleep in—I would like 10 hours of sleep. If I’ve one thing happening, I’ll set an alarm, but when I’m house, 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 generally ruins my day.
After my alarm goes off, I wish to spend the following half hour stress-free in mattress. I’ll test my telephone or learn. I’m at the moment loving the A Courtroom 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 away from bed and throw on my Soho Dwelling 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 often two scrambled eggs and a few avocado toast. Protein is absolutely 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 would like 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 would like 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 maintain 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 health club.
She caps her morning off on the health club for a exercise session
Someplace between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. is after I’ll normally go to the health club. A cute exercise set from Alo, Lululemon, or Vuori places me in a very good temper, particularly after I’m carrying blue or darkish colours. For sneakers, my go-to is the NoBull Allday Knit Sneaker.
I prepare probably the most throughout 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 workout routines. In driving, there’s lots to do along with your shoulders, neck, and forearm muscle tissues whereas your legs additionally must be sturdy for pushing the break actually arduous round corners.
To construct these specific muscle tissues, 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 health club for an hour and a half, and I take heed to my exercise playlists, which fluctuate between home and rap all the best way to Taylor Swift or Sabrina Carpenter.
This interview has been edited for size and readability.
