We spent time with Commonwealth and world champion track cyclist, Sam Webster, to find out how he's getting on with his Sealy Posturepedic Exquisite bed. We learnt about his packed training routine, his goals, ambitions, and how sleep is an integral part of his success.
I'm a full-time athlete, so everything I do is geared towards performance. A usual training day will involve a gym session focusing on leg strength exercises (squats, leg presses and Olympic lifting) and then a track session in the afternoon involving high speed interval training.
Sleep is important - it's the biggest factor in my recovery, so I’m always trying to maximise both sleep quality and hours. I've had trouble with sleep in the past, so receiving my Sealy Posturepedic Exquisite bed, eliminating blue light before bed and properly unwinding from my day have been key for me. I aim to sleep around 90-minute REM cycles, so I target seven-and-a-half or nine hours (not in-between) to get a good sleep. Waking up to my alarm part way through a REM cycle ultimately results in feeling groggy.
My experience has been nothing short of remarkable. I sought help to find the correct firmness of bed for my spinal alignment, and this has meant I haven't woken in the morning with soreness from bad sleeping posture. Plus I've got the drawers in the base of my bed which has been an extremely handy addition!
Quite a while ago I had some issues with sleep, bordering on insomnia. It was one of the most unpleasant feelings not getting sleep when you so badly want it. There's also no quick fix, and you get minimal sympathy from people who haven't experienced it. I found lack of sleep was beginning to set me back, so I actively sought methods of relaxation and processes to get better sleeping habits. Since then, I've appreciated a good night's sleep and my Sealy Posturepedic Exquisite bed much more.
Without good sleep, your body isn't able to repair itself. If it can't repair itself, your body can't perform at its maximum capability, either mentally or physically. Rest offers a fantastic moment to reflect on your day, and also time to daydream about goals and ambitions. I think it's really important to unload your thoughts before trying to sleep, and I find reflecting on your ambitions promotes positive dream thoughts, too.
I rise to an alarm around 6:30am most days, then wander out to the lounge where my dog Mushka is waiting excitedly. After a few pats, I'll turn on my coffee machine and while I wait for it to heat up, I'll eat my muesli and scroll through the Herald and Stuff websites, usually reading the articles with the most clickbait-worthy titles! Once I've had my coffee at 7:30am, I start to get ready for training and head out the door shortly afterwards.
At the moment I am reading my way through the Lee Child books. Listening to is a tricky one, but I've been listening to a lot of Kasabian and Blur. Tame Impala, The Beatles and The Jam are also always on a playlist.
I've always liked Winston Churchill's, "An optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty." The other one that's very straightforward for my racing, but I take into all aspects of life is, "Train for the demands of winning the event." To me, this means not letting your preparation be your downfall and giving yourself every opportunity to execute the goals you've set.
My new Sealy Posturepedic Exquisite bed has made a massive difference to my quality of sleep. My previous bed was brand new only four years ago, but after purchase and a bit of use, I realised I had bought a bed that was too soft because it felt 'right' in-store. I completed the Sealy bed selector and tried the recommended product at a local store and after some great advice, find I sleep much better on my Exquisite bed.
Find out more about the Sealy Posturepedic Exquisite bed Sam is sleeping on here.
Read about Larissa Carlson and how to create a bedtime routine.
Read about NZ Netball Player, Kayla Cullen, and her Sealy experience.
Read about Mandy Duncan and the importance of sleep for busy mums.
Read about NZ Netball Player, Grace Kara, and her Sealy experience.
