Alexis DeJoria: Maintaining Peak Fitness at Lightning Speeds!

I always find it fascinating to see how athletes and celebrities who are constantly traveling manage to stay fit and healthy. There’s a big difference between just being “skinny fat” and actually staying active and exercising to maintain health while on the go. That’s why I was so excited to learn about how Alexis DeJoria stays in shape and eats healthy while traveling from one race track to another, all while driving a 10,000-horsepower monster!

Some people think racecar drivers aren’t real athletes, but Alexis DeJoria would totally disagree. As one of the few women competing in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing series, she has to be in top physical condition to handle her 10,000-horsepower, 2,600-pound nitro Funny Car.

With three wins, three No. 1 qualifiers, and two track records, Alexis regularly hits speeds over 300 mph, covering 1,000 feet in just four seconds or less, all in her Patrón XO Cafe Incendio Toyota Camry.

In her line of work, staying healthy and maintaining both a strong body and mind is crucial. Controlling the car, which tries to go in every direction but straight, demands great physical condition. Nitro Funny Car drivers face immense amounts of pressure on their bodies, from the g-forces experienced during acceleration to the restraint system holding them in their seats. The physical toll is significant, requiring substantial upper body and core strength, along with quick reflexes and agility.

Alexis follows a comprehensive fitness routine with a focus on strength training, working out six days a week when she’s home. During the intense nine-month, 24-race NHRA season, her workouts include Pilates classes three times a week, cycling classes twice a week, and circuit training at home on weekends. She emphasizes balanced workouts between weights and cardio, with Pilates to build core strength, lengthen muscles, and improve flexibility and posture.

When on the road, staying fit and eating healthy can be more challenging. Alexis often works out in her motorcoach, doing sit-ups, push-ups, and other exercises that don’t need much space or equipment. If she can find a nearby gym, she sneaks in a 45-minute session before racing begins.

Stretching plays a significant role in her routine, with each stretch held for at least a minute. Even though she loves food, she sticks to a high-protein, low-carb diet, focusing on wild-caught fish, lean meats, veggies, fruits, and green juices. She tries to eat organic whenever possible. Alexis even gets fresh eggs daily from the hens on her property and is working on building a new organic garden.

She believes in moderation, balancing healthy eating and staying active so she can enjoy treats with her kids now and then. For breakfast on race days, she opts for steel-cut oatmeal, a poached egg with whole-grain toast, or yogurt with fruit, depending on the weather and how she feels. On Sundays, she almost always chooses oatmeal because it keeps her full the longest, important for those busy race days with little time to eat.

For lunch, Alexis munches on a salad with organic greens and wild-caught fish throughout the day rather than having one big meal, to keep her energy levels steady and avoid feeling too full. She drinks plenty of water, vegetable juice, green juice, or coconut water, avoiding sodas and sugary fruit juices to stay hydrated, especially during the hot summer races.

Following Alexis DeJoria’s approach can offer insights into balancing a hectic travel schedule with maintaining health and fitness.