As a world-renowned big-wave surfer and waterman known for his impressive physical abilities and disciplined lifestyle, Laird Hamilton's daily routine has been dialed in since way before it was cool to be mindful.
Be prepared to get inspired with a look into a "normal" day in his unconventional life.
Inside a day in the life of Laird Hamilton
Key takeaways
- Laird Hamilton's routine is anything but normal.
- He's incredibly healthy and fits in multiple surf sessions a day.
- Hamilton starts the day with three breakfasts!
Mornings
The age-defying Laird rises and shines at 5 a.m. Experience tells him that a mere bowl of cereal won't keep him going until lunch, so he divides his morning nutrition between three mini-meals, each serving a specific purpose.
He has — wait for it — three breakfasts consisting of a fat-infused "bulletproof" coffee, then protein-rich eggs, quinoa, or yogurt with almond butter, and finally, a turmeric juice and apple cider vinegar combo, which gives him a mid-morning energy boost, followed by a glass of water mixed with Himalayan salt and lemon to hydrate and get his system going.
Before heading to the beach for a hectic day of surf training or competitive surfing, he takes 10 minutes to cycle through four poses that open his lower back, hamstrings, abs, shoulders, and chest. This has been his practice every morning for over 30 years, long before it was the cool thing to do.
Three empty 1-liter bottles are daily proof that Hamilton takes his water drinking seriously.
Afternoons
After lunch, which might include sushi, Laird heads back to the water. Depending on the conditions, he'll go foil boarding, stand-up paddleboarding, or tow-in surfing if the reefs are lighting up.
Later in the afternoon, he stretches and meditates before finishing his day with a paddle boarding session on the river before sunset.
Evenings
Dinners with the family — wife Gabby and daughters if they're around — are nutritious and balanced with plenty of high-quality protein and vegetables.
Hamilton is a big believer in recovery and aims for no less than six hours of sleep every night. He says, "You can train like a monster and eat clean 24/7, but skimp on sleep, and you'll never see gains."
He takes daily magnesium supplements, a muscle-relaxing mineral that helps him get to sleep and stay there. He says, when interviewed by Outsider, "Good sleep is also critical. When you dial back your activity, it's easy to feel wired come nighttime. I'm careful to avoid caffeine late in the day and make sure I have a cool, dark place to sleep—and a down pillow."
