In SELF’s Wake-Up Call series, we ask celebrities, athletes, and other notable people to share the details of how they wake up and glow.
To say it’s been a busy summer for Mallory Weggemann is an understatement. The swimmer is a five-time Paralympic medalist who will be returning to compete in Paris. Plus, during the final critical weeks of training, she’s become the first Paralympian to host NBCU’s Olympic coverage. With excitement, pressure and adrenaline filling her days, Weggemann is relishing the opportunity to take things slow while also raising her 16-month-old daughter, Charlotte.
“She and I have some time alone in bed together, and there’s no better way to start the day,” Weggemann tells SELF. “I know I’ll miss this so much once my breastfeeding journey is over, but for now I’m enjoying it. Knowing that the first moments of the day start with her and me is really special and comforting.”
Weggemann’s morning routine also includes a few other comforting habits that help her feel her best. A simple, hydrating skin-care routine is essential, especially when she’s training: “I like to put something other than chlorine on my skin before I get in the pool.” In a typical week, she swims intensely five to six days, and she also relies on portable “soup-in-a-cup” oatmeal for energy, which she can make anywhere.
Below, Weggemann shares the details of her morning routine, including her skin obsessions, her morning media rules, and how she takes advantage of a rare luxury (at least for a professional swimmer): a morning shower. As a new mom, sports show host, and frequent traveler, and While there may not really be such a thing as a “typical morning” for the Paralympian (tune in to her first event on August 31st!), these essentials always help her feel strong, confident, and ready to take on the day.
In her own words:
I’ve learned that when it comes to skin, less is more.
It’s nice to have an easy morning routine — especially as a mom, I don’t need to spend 30 minutes in the bathroom — but I do like to have a few minutes of “me” time with a system that fits into my daily lifestyle, which helps bring a bit of structure and consistency to an otherwise orderly and chaotic life.
I travel a lot Because of all the flying I do for work, the weather changes, and swimming in chlorine, my face gets super dry, but sometimes my skin tries to keep up and get oily… so I’m not sure what my skin wants to do on any given day.
I’m totally obsessed with OSEA and since switching to their products, it feels like I have my own little spa in my bathroom. Ocean Cleanser I look forward to washing my face every morning, Sea Biotic Water Cream It’s like heaven. Ocean Eyes Age Defying Eye Serum The products are all water themed, which for me is a perfect fit for the brand. I can’t live without SkinCeuticals. Phytocorrective GelHowever, this is a must-have in my cupboard because it helps reduce redness caused by chlorine.
My swimming schedule doesn’t allow me to shower in the morning, but when I can, I’m very happy.
It helps me wake up and starts my day off slow. If I’m in the studio covering the Olympics and then I go swimming, I shower first. Oribe is my favorite brand for hair care. They have a great shampoo. Gold Last and Light Blondeto defend my color.
I also wear SPF every day, but I’m not tied to any particular brand or product. I think as I get older I realize how important it is to protect my skin, and now that I’m a mother I really appreciate it. Whenever Charlotte is in the sun, I always wear sunscreen. Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV DefenseBut I’ll use whatever I can get my hands on, and since I swim indoors it’s always part of my morning routine unless I head straight to the pool.
I’m taking this breakfast to the Paris Paralympics. I’ve taken this breakfast to Tokyo, I’ve taken it to Rio, I’ve taken it to London.
On hard training days, a big bowl of hot or overnight oats is my go-to. Quaker Oats Packetsit is very convenient to take on a trip. I always Fair Life Milk. Milk has more protein and I always like to get a big dose of protein in the morning.
