Name: Jordan O’Brien
Where do you live? Garden Grove, California
What type of athlete are you? Professional Soccer Player
Do you have a day job or are you a professional athlete? Professional Athlete
How long have you been participating in this sport? Since I was 3, so 23 years now.
Who are your biggest influences? Who do you admire most? My biggest influence in my life would be my brother, Kyle O’Brien, and my grandma, Patricia O’Brien. I have great admiration for both of them. My grandmas resilience throughout life, and my brothers hard work, determination, and dedication to the game has been major influences in my life.
What is your training regimen? I train 2 hours a day about 5-6 times a week. I like to get a feel for the ball on all surfaces, so I general train on an array of terrains, such as cement, astroturf, sand, and grass. Some days I am on my own doing technical work, and other days I am with my team doing possession.
How do you structure your days? A bottle of water, a little yoga and mediation, and then a large breakfast in the morning, then off to training with teammates. After training grabbing food, and in a perfect world there would be a Champions, or Premier League game on that I would watch. Then heading home and hanging out with my dog, then tea with my grandma to finish off the day. Right before bed some light stretching, while I listen to Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday Podcast.
Do you find your diet to be a crucial part of your lifestyle? If so, what diet tips would you recommend to your followers? Yes diet is so so so important. I cannot stress that enough, the older I become the larger the part it has played in how I perform during training and games. I am vegan so it is crucial that I provide myself the proper nutrients and proteins prior to a training or game, and after as well for proper recovery. I believe what is important is a nice balances diet, I also believe that testing what works for you is important, see how you feel with certain food items during training, and or games. Everybody is different and a plant based diet has done me very well in regards to my health, and fitness. If you would like to try a plant based diet, I would highly recommend it based off of how I feel when I eat plant based, but it is definitely key to regulate what nutrients you need to be supplementing for.
How do you care for your body and health aside from your sport? Yoga, Meditation, and foam rolling. Also I like to get involved in other work outs aside from soccer whenever I have the time. One big thing that makes a huge difference for me is yoga, it helps my muscles stretch out all the places I neglect when I am playing. Getting into the habit of yoga and foam rolling has done wonders for my body in regards to recovery, and warming up.
What is your impression of the Silipos Lace-Up Gel Metguard? How did they add value to you? What did you like about them? First impression was that I like the sleekness of the design. It fit in seamlessly behind the laces of my shoe. When I am looking at products that want to add a benefit I always make sure I am not having to adjust anything about my game when using a new product. With the Silipos thin insert it felt exactly as if I did not have anything in my shoe in regards to fit, which was a very pleasant surprise. As well as it absorbed so much shock, I felt that I was able to strike a ball far harder than ever before.
Would you recommend Silipos products to other athletes? 100% would recommend Silipos, I think this product has definitely allowed me to take my game to the next level.
What is something that your followers do not know about you, that you find to be very important to your personal lifestyle? So one thing my followers don’t know about me is that I love pushing myself to the limit in training and games. Many people don’t like the feeling when they are exhausted but I feel that that is where I thrive. I live for the moments in training and games where it feels like you cannot give anymore, and then you prove your body wrong that you keep going, that is where the magic happens for me. I like pushing myself to the limit.
What keeps you motivated when you are faced with challenges? My whole career I have experienced challenges after challenges, and I am a firm believer if you stay positive and keep working hard, good things are going to happen. Everything I have done in relation to soccer I have never regretted, my story if a crazy one with many trials, but I would not have it any other way. Also staying focused on if one door closes, another one near by is sure to open.
What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring athlete? Never stop enjoying what you are doing, and always put in the work. It shows who is doing extra and who is not. Whatever you are doing on your own, it will show and pay off in the end. Also to always remember that there is only one you, so do not get lost in somebody else’s story or fall a victim to comparison. Your experience with the beautiful game is one of a kind, and whatever you want to make it.
You can continue to follow Jordan’s active journey through life by following her on her social channels!
Instagram: @jordanobrien
Facebook: @jordanobrienofficial
Twitter: @jordanohbrien
