Brooke Bennett Swimming Champion Shares Secrets for Success and Summer Fittness
Brooke Bennett remembers the excitement and anticipation of representing her country in the Olympics.As a three-time gold medal winner, the Olympic Committee once awarded her the title, “Sportswoman of the Year.” Since then, Brooke has become a successful sports broadcaster, a certified nutritionist and will soon be the author of a cookbook with healthy recipes. Bennett has share some of her secrets for summer fitness, good health, and how she has faced the challenges of staying healthy since retiring from competitive swimming.The elite athlete says, “I had been on the world’s stage all my life. Retiring from swimming was like losing my identity.” That’s when Brooke found her second-calling, helping others find the means and the motivation for good health.
Bennett was just 16 when she won her first gold medal at the Olympic Games in Atlanta the 800 meter freestyle. Bennett ultimately added 14 U.S. Champion titles to her record. At the Olympic Games in Sydney, Bennett won two gold medals, one in the 800 meter freestyle and another in the 400 meter freestyle. When Bennett was growing up in Florida, her grandfather built her a swimming pool and a future champion swimmer was born.
SUPPLEMENTS TO MAKE SURE YOUR BODY CAN KEEP UP WITH YOU
As athletes we are taught from the beginning to take quality vitamins and supplements from reputable companies. Whether you are an elite athlete or not we can all have nutrient shortfalls. For example, the National Center for Health Statistics reports that approximately one-third of Americans have low levels of vitamin D. I take Nature Made's Vitamin D every day and as a nutritionist I highly recommend it. It helps support muscle health, maintain strong bones and also improves calcium absorption.
While certain foods and drinks may contain Vitamin D you would need to consume excessive amounts in order to meet your daily needs. In order to get enough Vitamin D in your diet, you would need to drink up to 6 glasses of milk a day or eat 14 eggs.
For More Information Visit: NatureMade.com
THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING FUEL FOR YOUR BODY
Being an athlete and a nutritionist taught me that you have to take care of your body. These athletes are swimming miles every day to prepare, and if you don’t take care of yourself the body will break down. Fortunately, there are products like Rockin’ Refuel Intense Recovery out there. It is 100% real milk, with 20 grams of high quality protein and it also provides nine essential nutrients including calcium, our friend vitamin D and potassium. And it tastes good. I love it.
It contains a 2 to 1 carbohydrate to protein ratio which is great for muscle recovery. It comes in several flavors including Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla, as well as Lactose Free Chocolate, which is great for me because I am mildly lactose intolerant, and all of them are Low fat.
For More Information Visit: RockinRefuel.com
WHOLE FAMILY CAN GET INVOLVED WITH STAYING FIT DURING THE SUMMERTIME
The most important thing is to make it fun, especially with the kids. A lot of people think exercise has to be work, but you have to remember that as long as you are moving, you are working out and if you are in the water, you will likely be moving a lot. When you are planning them, think water resorts. My favorite is KalahariResorts.
There are two locations. One is in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin and the other is in Sandusky, Ohio. These are some of the country’s largest waterparks. There are surf simulators, Zip Coasters, and for your cool down, there is a lazy river. You can’t work out all of the time!
Sandusky, Ohio
It has America’s largest indoor waterpark which includes a surf simulator and a Zip Coaster and those are just a couple of my favorites. There are many more. There is also the Safari Outdoor Adventure Park, which includes a ropes course, climbing wall, and an exotic animal exhibit.
Wisconsin, Dells
The state’s largest indoor waterpark, a vertical plunge ride called the Screaming Hyena and some Superloop slides.These kids are getting great exercise. There is also an Indoor Theme Park with a six story Ferris wheel, go-carts and more. There is also Tiko’s Watering Hole for the little ones, which features kiddie slides and a huge play area.
Make your reservations at KalahariResorts.com
MORE ON BROOKE
Brooke Bennett is popularly known for being one of the most elite swimmers in the country. Hear talent and determination was fueled by her grandfather who built Bennett a swimming pool and taught her to swim, a role model she still dedicates every race to. At the young age of 12, Bennett qualified for her first junior national cut and went on to win her first gold medal in the 800 meter freestyle at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. That same year, the US Olympic Committee named Bennett the “Sports Woman of the the Year.” After ultimately adding 14 US champion titles to her record, Bennett continued her success, winning two gold medals, one in the 800 freestyle and another in the 400 meter freestyle, in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Inspired by Bennett’s passion and athleticism, Wheaties honored her wins by placing her on the cover of the “Breakfast of Champions” cereal box. Disney also praised Bennett’s success by having her handprints in cement at the Disney/ MGM Studios.
Currently, Bennett is utilizing her passion for sports as a sports broadcaster for Bright House Sports in Florida. Bennett is also a certified personal trainer and nutritionist through the National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT). Adding to her list achievement will soon be “author” of her vary own cookbook. When Brooke isn’t in the pool, cooking in the kitchen or on television, Brooke is a avid animal lover and enjoys spending time with her two dogs.
Swimming Achievements
- Three-time Olympic gold medalist is the 800m and 400m free
- Fourteen National Titles
- Ranked Ninth in the world in the 800m free – 2004
- Holds world record for 800m free in 2000 at Olympic Trails
Hometown: Plant City, Fl
Residence: Ft. Lauderdale, Fl
