Laird Hamilton Quotes

Author Image

Laird Hamilton

Profession : Athlete

Birth : March 2, 1964

Start to think about food as a fuel source and you'll see real results.

Laird Hamilton

It's tempting to make nutrition feel restrictive. But rather than count calories or macros in a meal, I simply avoid most processed foods and focus on the distance between its origin and my plate. If the distance is short, I'm OK with eating it.

Laird Hamilton

You don't need to make peak performance your full-time job like I have, but you should think of it as an all-day mentality that goes far beyond the gym. It requires near constant attention and a holistic approach to health.

Laird Hamilton

Exercising with other people, ideally those who have different strengths than you, is a natural performance enhancer. It's easy to slack off when it's just you and the mirror, but as soon as you put someone else in the room, your competitive side kicks in, and going hard becomes the only option.

Laird Hamilton

When I'm home in California, on most days I train with a group of about five guys. While the specific mix of people has changed over the years, one theme has remained constant: everyone gives maximum effort. To me, that's the most important characteristic in a training partner.

Laird Hamilton

Nobody should try to be the best at every discipline, especially not you. If you are, you're bound to plateau.

Laird Hamilton

It's a lot easier to embrace the pain cave when you're doing it with someone else.

Laird Hamilton

I love food. Not just because it tastes great, but because it's fuel for my body.

Laird Hamilton

When it comes to powering my life in the water or on the beach, proper nutrition is just as important as my training regimen.

Laird Hamilton

I'd rather eat fish eyes than a manufactured substance whose name I can't pronounce.

Laird Hamilton

My morning sets the tone for the whole day, whether I'm gearing up to work, surf, or spend time with my family.

Laird Hamilton

I always start my day well rested. I usually wake up around five or six o'clock, and I'm strict about getting plenty of sleep. Nine hours is good; ten is even better.

Laird Hamilton

I can't sleep in, even if I stay up late the night before. So if I begin the day with a sleep deficit, I try to listen to my body and maybe take a 20-minute power nap later on.

Laird Hamilton

Despite consistent morning habits, my training changes dramatically based on the season and the day of the week. My day might include surfing, weight lifting, or pool training, but I always make a point to warm up slowly, whether that's with light cardio or a session in the sauna.

Laird Hamilton

I've dealt with plenty of injuries in my career, including six broken ankles and a torn ACL.

Laird Hamilton

The potential for injury from outside forces is everywhere - so don't contribute to it with bad training.

Laird Hamilton

Everyone's dietary needs are different, and it has taken me decades to develop nutritional habits that work for me.

Laird Hamilton

I always eat dinner with my wife, Gabrielle, and on most nights we have a smoked or roasted meat like lamb with a lot of veggies. My favorites are broccoli and brussels sprouts drizzled in olive oil, or cabbage and butternut squash tossed with coconut oil.

Laird Hamilton

You want to have diversity in your diet. Too much red meat can leave me feeling sluggish, and sometimes my body will clue me in to the fact that I need to take a break from animal protein and go big with the greens.

Laird Hamilton

I don't eat energy bars when I'm out on the water all day. In fact, I don't need to eat anything. My body runs off its body fat.

Laird Hamilton