The Athletes Podcast
The Athletes Podcast is a leading source of information, inspiration, and education for anyone interested in optimizing physical performance, maintaining good health, and living an active lifestyle. Join David Stark as he interviews some of the world's biggest athletes and fitness professionals, The Athletes Podcast provides practical advice, expert insights, and real-world strategies to help listeners achieve their health and fitness goals.The goal is to entertain, educate & inspire the next generation of athletes!
The Athletes Podcast
Rising to the Top: Erin Routliffe's Journey in Doubles Tennis - Episode #248
Celebrate the incredible journey of Erin Routliffe as we chat about her rise to the pinnacle of doubles tennis. From her early days with the Caledon Free Tennis program to clinching the US Open doubles title in 2023, Erin's story is one of resilience, passion, and triumph. She candidly shares how COVID-19 impacted her career and offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of professional tennis, including the intricacies of forming successful doubles partnerships and the occasional drama that comes with it.
Balancing the demanding life of a professional athlete with personal commitments is no easy feat, but Erin shares her secrets to managing it all. Whether it's maintaining fitness and nutrition during injury recovery or finding joy in rare social moments, her insights are invaluable. We explore the concept of informal networking in sports and the challenges of connecting with the right partners, offering a candid look at the dynamics that make or break athletic relationships.
Erin's journey isn't just about athletic prowess; it's also about personal growth and embracing one's unique strengths. In our conversation, we touch on the evolution of her mindset, the transition from college athletics to the professional circuit, and the importance of supportive coaches and peers. With a nod to her love for Southern barbecue and a lighthearted chat about wellness routines, Erin's story is an inspiring blend of ambition, humility, and the pursuit of new achievements.
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It literally is like dating, though Like.
Speaker 2:I didn't want to say that like we're like out here all trying to like and then there's like some shady going on, like sometimes people are like trying to find another partner when they have a partner already. Like it gets, you know, gets feisty.
Speaker 1:Hey, what's up? Welcome back to the 248th episode of the Athletes Podcast. Today we feature Erin Routliff for the second time she's coming on the show and sharing with us what's transpired over the past four years since she last came on, part of which came in 2023 when she won the US Open doubles championship with winning the largest doubles purse prize ever awarded in tennis history. Again, no big deal. Aaron's a friend of the show, friend of mine. I am very grateful to have been able to spend 45 minutes chatting with her, learning about the ups, the downs, everything between since her time at Alabama and now traveling around the world, being able to represent her nation, that being New Zealand, as well as Canada, in the brightest lights possible. I hope you folks also are getting the required protein in that you get throughout your day, because it's an important, essential nutrient actually to make sure that you're performing your best. That's why we partnered with Perfect Sports Supplements. They produce the best quality protein on the market 27 grams of protein per scoop, that is. And one of my favorite flavors, canadian maple. I'm bringing it out today because we're featuring a Canadian on the show, aaron Routliff, and I want to make sure you folks get the same deal that I get. That's saving 20% when you use the code AP20 at checkout. Friends, family, whoever's using it. Let me know, send me screenshots. I want to see what flavors you're consuming the most, of which ones you like the best, and how we can get more protein into your hands. So send me those screenshots. Hit me up on Instagram. Let's continue to power the Athletes Podcast listeners with perfect sports diesel protein.
Speaker 1:Without further ado, let's get to the 248th episode of the athletes podcast, featuring Aaron Routliff. Here we go. You're the most decorated racquetball player in US history, world's strongest man, from childhood passion to professional athlete, eight time Ironman champion. So what was it like making your debut in the NHL? What is your biggest piece of advice for the next generation of athletes, from underdogs to national champions? This is the Athletes Podcast, where high-performance individuals share their triumphs, defeats and life lessons to educate, entertain and inspire the next generation of athletes. Here we go. This is what happens when you speak into existence, what you're going to do, because four years ago, do you remember what you said during the Athletes Podcast on episode 35?
Speaker 2:No, you're going to have to tell me and it's going to be scary.
Speaker 1:You said in 2020, during COVID quarantine, that in the next two years, your goal is to be top 40 in doubles.
Speaker 2:Oh, wow you began.
Speaker 1:you made it to top 30 during that year no big deal. Then proceeded to win a WTA championship US Open over the past couple of years no big deal. Yeah, aaron Routliff, welcome back to the Athletes Podcast Second time on the show. Thanks for coming on, excited to chat with you a bit about what you back to the athletes podcast, second time on the show. Thanks for coming on. Uh, excited to chat with you a bit about what you've done the past four years, bringing home tennis pride for canada, new zealand, everywhere in between.
Speaker 1:uh, hey, don't act too excited thank you so much for having me hey, at least this time, like we've talked about the fact that there's a lot that's happened over the past four years. You're kind of a big deal in the tennis world now, being ranked number one overall Not that you weren't when we had you on four years ago, but it was kind of like you talked about it. There's ebbs and flows in everyone's career and during COVID that might have been a bit of a or a flow, who knows? For everybody, myself included. But hey, we're on the up and up. Now you're back home in montreal, you're done your training, you're starting up your training again. Tell me what it's like, fresh off the largest purse victory in saudi for a doubles women's tennis championship.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's kind of crazy, I think. Um, obviously, you reminded me four years ago being on the podcast, and I, I, I mean I'm glad that I had those goals for myself because that means that I was aiming high. Um, yeah, I'm really happy. Obviously, the win in Saudi Arabia with Gabby was, I guess, probably top two of our careers together and it was really, really exciting. We had a great time there, first time in Saudi, unbelievable experience. Even if we hadn't won, it would have been a really, really cool experience. We did love every minute and, yeah, I've had a crazy whirlwind like year and a half. It's completely changed my life. So I'm excited to keep going and, you know, start 2025.
Speaker 1:Crazy what happens when you join Caledon. Free Tennis for Kids at six years old. Hey.
Speaker 2:Yeah, oh my God, you probably asked me like how I started tennis and that was it. That's exactly right. Yeah, my parents were like probably sick of having three kids and we're like you guys need to go do something to give us a second to breathe but yeah, it worked out.
Speaker 1:I'd say it worked out all right. Imagine if they weren't sailing around the world. You know, 30 years ago, some odd years, you know I know that hippie shit that was.
Speaker 2:That's like such a good story, like people love that story. I mean I think it's so iconic from them like epic. Not a lot of people can say that that's why they were like born somewhere else or have dual citizenship and all that stuff it's legendary, yeah, yeah, it's like.
Speaker 1:This is incredible. Now you get to represent new zealand. Uh, who was it? There was someone on linkedin. I wrote it down here doing my research. We had James William DeMortimer posted on LinkedIn about how, in 2024, might have been the greatest year for women's sport in New Zealand.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, because there was like a lot of medals at the Olympics a lot of Olympians, new Olympians that were women, new olympians that were women um, yeah, I watched, did I watch?
Speaker 1:yeah, I did I watched the rugby sevens win the gold medal.
Speaker 2:That was cool over canada I know sorry, you like you. Inside you were hurting, but outside you were smiling I did think it was kind of funny like both my countries playing each other for a gold pretty that was a win-win for you, hey yeah, and also canada's never been in the final. I think right, that was history.
Speaker 1:They made history like that's cool, that's also cool.
Speaker 2:That was awesome yeah, it was.
Speaker 1:Uh. Honestly, canadian athletics performed really well at this past olympic games. That was cool to see, and obviously new zealand's on the up and up. You want to know why else that article was interesting? Because James mentioned Ashley Hueta. You know who she is.
Speaker 2:No.
Speaker 1:She's the well, let me educate you, erin.
Speaker 2:Yeah, thanks.
Speaker 1:She won the Oceania Championship for arm wrestling at the end of 2023 and she also bench pressed 317 and a half kilograms, besting the world record by 22.7 kilograms. So like bench press, full suit. It's the equipped it's called, so it's like you know, not technically free weight bench pressing, but basically like 600, 700 pounds bench press, which is like three times what I can do, probably four, which is not embarrassing at all for me. But uh, she's also a cook's dark management athlete, fun fact. So I had ashley on the podcast, probably three, four, six, seven months ago. Now tough to count. Um, and she's also a perfect sports athlete, so we're just adding people to the repertoire. Uh, obviously she's crushing it. But what's is it? The new zealand protein? Is that what it is? Are you guys just crushing lamb down there down under?
Speaker 2:I have no idea. I'm not like a. I mean I guess I I mean, yeah, I do it because I have to, this is my job, but I I guess it's like, yeah, a lot of the protein does come from new zealand, so maybe that's it right, I think, uh, it's between that new zealand protein and, uh, you also enjoy your occasional mcdonald's meal.
Speaker 1:A post tournament victory, I've heard you have done your research. I try to I try to, especially when we have to do these virtually. You know it's not the same yeah, I do.
Speaker 2:Um, I do dabble in mcdonald's every now and again. I go in every country that I go to actually podium ranking for mcdonald's international. I don't really have one malaysia was unreal oh thailand was unreal. I went in saudi arabia and it wasn't very good, which was disappointing. Um damn, I don't know. I'm trying to think of another one. That's like really good anywhere in asia they do mcdonald's really well you're, uh, your pre-game meal.
Speaker 1:I heard you and gabby were talking about sushi as a pre pre-tourney snack sushi's just like a.
Speaker 2:It's like a really popular meal at tennis tournaments, like they just always have it, and it's like I don't know. It's good like carbs protein right before you play. It's not too big, so we're both kind of into it, yeah yeah, it's kind of tennis is interesting.
Speaker 1:It's kind of that like slightly bougier sport where you gotta be uh oh yeah, that's why I'm wearing the collared shirt, erin just for you.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm, yeah, I really dressed up for you and the wta.
Speaker 1:I know I was like, uh, you know this, this is filmed also. It's all good.
Speaker 2:I'm repping Taylor Swift.
Speaker 1:You're a Swifty.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:You're also a fan of the Kardashians. You're a reality TV gal hey.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, love, love, love, love. I'm not even going to say guilty pleasure, just pleasure.
Speaker 1:You kind of need to be able to have that unplug release when you're a high level athlete. Hey.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we have that unplug release when you're a high level athlete. Hey, yeah, we like spend so much time on the road, like on planes, hotels, like at night time, like you kind of have to have something to like turn your brain off completely and like for me, that's literally it.
Speaker 1:So and you have to be able to turn your brain off when you're body checking people out of exit lanes of airplanes oh my god, the pet peeve that one's come to haunt me.
Speaker 2:But it's true, though everyone's like airplane etiquette, it's terrible it's atrocious you're like so bad you're, you're all gonna get there at the same time that's what I'm like, and there's no like numbers, like we count from 1 to 20. For a reason I'm just like what, oh, anyway some people struggle with that. Aaron, you gotta remember yeah, yeah I try and send common sense my legs into the thing and be like you're not going anywhere.
Speaker 1:So yeah, hey, listen, I am a professional tennis player and I'm waiting no, it has nothing to do with that no, I do get that. That's a, that is also a pet peeve of mine. I also think that people in society nowadays just aren't necessarily as nice as they should be to one another, and maybe we can enact some change overall in society in that fashion by just having people look at one another and say hey, you know, go ahead Right.
Speaker 2:That would be like an ideal situation.
Speaker 1:Yeah. Why are we living in such a?
Speaker 2:hypothetical world. Hey, yeah, it's like you can't control these people.
Speaker 1:It's tough do you, uh, when you're heading back down to florida tomorrow auckland in a couple weeks how do you prepare for this season? Are you changing up your nutrition? You have some fun times after you win.
Speaker 1:You take your family out to a nice dinner, treat them with that big purse winnings but, like during this downtime as an athlete, you've got to also stay somewhat healthy, present with the fact that, hey, I just won a tournament. I want to continue on seeing success next year, in 2025. How do you balance this next couple of weeks?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think I try to enjoy the off time, because we don't really have that much off time, but obviously at the same time balancing it with trying to prepare for 2025. Right now I'm dealing with a little injury so I can't go as hard as I would like to, um, so that's kind of made me like take a step back and like start slower, but I don't change too much. I mean going to Florida tomorrow. I have a friend down there, um, I'll hit with her a little bit and then I'm going there because she has her baby shower. So that's exciting to do something social and I haven't seen her in like over a year. So that's exciting to do something social and I haven't seen her in like over a year. So that's really fun.
Speaker 2:And then I'll probably train with my coach and he's the head coach at Penn State now. So I'll go there again to train and, you know, go a little more intensely right before leaving. But I try to do I don't know, I try to enjoy it, but also, you know, work hard. It's it's cause we're on the road so much Like it's like a 10 month sport, but it's like these two months you really want to not not do too much and like burn yourself out before the before it starts, but also, at the same time, it's the only time you can like really get like a good, like fitness block or like a good block of tennis, like really improve. So finding that balance, balance, I think every year I get a little bit better at it, but right now I have to take it pretty slow.
Speaker 1:So yeah, like you bring up the social aspect and it's like you don't really have time for a social life when you're traveling for 10 months on the year and like I struggle with that as a nomad and I am in more places more frequently than you are, so I can understand and relate to that, and even like we were talking before we started recording about how I'm going to be chatting with Monica Examit about this dating episode and all the fun that athletes have to deal with in that realm and just in general now, with post-COVID, people don't know how to communicate as well, I think, in general.
Speaker 1:But one of the things that we can hopefully enjoy is the fact that sport brings people together and you are playing with Gabby. Obviously you've played with Coco. You've played with a million other partners I shouldn't say a million A couple other partners, while Gabby was injured. Obviously, you're dealing with injury. How do you manage that relationship between partners in the doubles world, because that's an interesting one that you don't really get the backstory on?
Speaker 2:yeah, it's. It depends on your ranking. It depends where you are at in your career. I'm lucky enough now that you know, gabby and I we commit well, or we got together, I guess, last summer and then played the rest of the year and then committed for this year and then did well this year. So now we're committed for next year as well. So by the time 2025, the end of 2025 rolls around, we'll have played together for like almost two and a half years. So I'm at the position where it's kind of like a more stable partnership, where you're like playing for, you know, three months, six months, 12 months, which is really nice, because before, you know, when I was on the grind like hustling, I was playing with like a different partner every week almost. So it's like just completely different than it's just completely different now than it was before. It's just different stages.
Speaker 2:I think, of the sport that happens and it's it's not what you think. It's literally you just text people, you get to know people on tour. You really, you just text people, you get to know people on tour. You're just like hey, do you want to play here? Like what do you think about playing next year? Or like for the beginning of the year in australia and blah, blah, blah. And we just sometimes there's coaches that like come together, like when gabby was injured this year. Um, I just like looked down the list at singles players and coco, you know, we were we've, we're friendly. So I was like, do you want to play? And she's like, yeah, let's do it. So stuff like that where it's just like one off, so that happens a lot as well. So yeah, it just depends that's so cool.
Speaker 1:It's uh, that's super similar to the volleyball than like atps. And you know, when we were down in la, she was saying it is super informal. You just shoot someone a text. You're like, hey, you want to play, like I imagine some super formal process that required a ton of back and forth, but hey, whatever works, that's awesome. I love it. I'm I'm kind of jealous that working with the government doesn't operate like that as well in my day they used to come up with, like some sort of like app.
Speaker 2:That's what everyone's always talking about the app to show like who's looking, who's not like blah blah. It's like dating for your professional, literally it's like dating though like I didn't want to say that, like we're like out here all trying to like and then there's like some shady shit going on. Like sometimes people are like trying to find another partner when they have a partner already. Like it gets, you know, gets feisty talk about tea, hey no, yeah, there's tea for sure didn't you watch breakpoint?
Speaker 2:no they missed breakpoint, missed every single good thing about tennis.
Speaker 1:So yeah, so how did? I was curious because sprint just came out. Uh, aaron kingsley brown, who's been on the show, posted about uh, he's like watching it as a canadian fan wearing his gold medal and he's like they didn't talk at all about canadians. It was like a pretty funny and real.
Speaker 1:I don't know if you've seen it um, but yeah, like you know, they won gold four by 100. No mention of it, it's. So I was curious from your point breaking point, you know, give me, give me more dirt. There's, there's more there. Let's peel back the onion.
Speaker 2:You feel strongly oh no, I don't think there's that much, but I I do think I mean break point was did you watch it?
Speaker 1:parts. I'm gonna be honest yeah, it's tough, they just yeah, I don't know I heard there was a lot of cut scenes that led to it actually like someone hitting a backhand and then them cutting to another scene where it wasn't the same point and really so it was like people part of it was like the tennis, part of it was like not even like real tennis like it wasn't yeah, and they only obviously they only film like the big um single stars.
Speaker 2:There's a, and obviously some people could say no, like some people could say yes and no, and so yeah, it was just interesting. I don't know, I like the other ones better and I watched the golf ball and that one's good there you go cool you're.
Speaker 1:You're a fan of athletes. That's why you're on the athletes podcast yeah, I love sports, you kidding they, uh, they did do a good job. I think netflix embracing sport is good. You're gonna be on that one when they do the next break point for sure they're gonna incorporate doubtable.
Speaker 2:I think it was canceled oh, no I don't know. I honestly don't know, but I think it was canceled oh, that didn't age well uh that's unlucky, the uh.
Speaker 1:But one of the things that you talked about when you were like on that last episode was also the fact that you probably would have burned out from that quote unquote grind that you mentioned a couple minutes ago, when you're living a professional life but you're not ranked as high and it's not as easy to get a partner. And you attributed, you know, your years at alabama with the role tied to the fact that, hey, it gave you some time to continue playing tennis, get better, develop your skills and then move into a pro role. I have so many athletes talking, reaching out on this show, that are like, oh, I want to become pro right away, when in reality, there's a lot of benefit to spending a couple years at an ncaa institution, winning a couple sec championships for your institution for the first time no big deal sending me pictures with four rings flashing, while, like you know, there's there's benefit to stuff like that and I'd love for you to kind of like elaborate on that more now, having a couple more years experience as a pro, now seeing success.
Speaker 2:Maybe it took a little longer than you originally anticipated yeah, I think um, I think it depends on the person, I think it depends on where you're gonna go obviously I'm very grateful for my time alabama and I loved, you know, I loved most of my time there and wouldn't um, wouldn't change it for the world.
Speaker 2:I think in tennis it's hard because sometimes your coaches are, like, so important in your development and so if you're, you know, not meshing with a coach that you have at college, which sometimes, I think women and men, sometimes you know they don't feel like they're the right fit for them, but I think that sometimes maybe your development goes downhill a little bit. So I think it just depends on you know your situation. But I definitely think most, most athletes should probably go to college, I mean, with the scholarships and, you know, being able to leave early and all that stuff, then it's it's, it does make it beneficial, for sure. But yeah, no, I wouldn't change for the world. I love, obviously, I love alabama.
Speaker 1:I'm having we're having a tough football season I wasn't gonna bring it up okay, we can cut that part just a mid-break here during the athletes podcast to remind you. If you need to stay calm, use can I wellness fresh supplement. A couple squirts whether you're about to head out on the court, ice or field, and it can make sure that you are staying refreshed and performing your best under any circumstances. Back to the show. I am still honestly trying to find some of that white Alabama barbecue sauce that you mentioned.
Speaker 2:You haven't had it still.
Speaker 1:No, I haven't. No, I haven't, I'm sorry.
Speaker 2:You know, actually in Canada it's hard to find.
Speaker 1:I've been looking.
Speaker 2:I was in state college this past weekend and they had it at a barbecue place, like in Pennsylvania. So it's not only in the South, it's literally just, I think, america and like, yeah, you should just look up a recipe and make it. It's really easy.
Speaker 1:I feel like we need to save it for whenever we get the third episode in person. Maybe we'll crush some white elephant barbecue sauce, and but we also should probably include the the Routless sisters, eh. Because, I mean kind of three all-around athletes. What were your parents giving you guys growing up? Were they athletes as well?
Speaker 2:My dad was a sailor.
Speaker 2:And my mom played like every sport imaginable. So yeah, they were both very into sports. I don't know what happened. I think when we were kids we did every single sport just to keep busy and stay out of trouble. And then, you know, a couple of them kind of stuck. But yeah, tess, tess is, uh, obviously winning two medals in paris pretty iconic that's. That was her second and third medal, which is so epic. And then tara, obviously, volleyball in the states. Like it's nice to have sisters that you can like talk to about, you know your job and sports and just relate to, because they're like two of my best friends.
Speaker 2:So it's really easy how uh were you guys always close growing up yeah, I mean we fought obviously like classic sisters, but like, yeah, always very close forever.
Speaker 1:Do you guys, do you attribute what you've learned curling up family sisters to how you can work with doubles now, cause I think that's an interesting dynamic.
Speaker 2:That is, it's an individual sport.
Speaker 2:You're playing it with someone you've talked about Like you played better when you had seven partners on your team at alabama than you did individually I always, I think, did better in doubles because it was with somebody else. Um, even when I was good at, like very good at, singles, I think I was always just a little better at doubles. Maybe it is because there was someone beside me. But also, at the same time, it's really hard because tennis is so individual that we grow up our entire lives just worrying about ourselves and then all of a sudden you have to worry about other people. So, like in doubles, I've learned so much like I don't think I think like four years ago, the partner that I was was nowhere near the partner that I am today. I think that's one of the definitely one of the main things that I've learned is to be a good partner.
Speaker 2:Depending on you know who I'm playing with, and that's a massive dynamic because you're trying to always say you're trying to get the best out of your partner while simultaneously getting the best out of you which is so hard because, like something that would get me going maybe would, like you know, not be good for Gabby for, for example.
Speaker 2:So you kind of have to like navigate that. But I've learned to be a good communicator and we have very good communication together and I think that probably yeah, I mean communicating with two sisters growing up that for sure helped, um, just having those like difficult conversations. I think I mean Gabby and I would be nowhere without like the tough conversations that we have to have with each other, just about everything. So, yeah, it's definitely a huge part of it and I would definitely think that and it's weird too, because I'm have two sisters and Gabby's an only child, so that's also very different, like we're very different in the way that we communicate, so that's also something that we've talked about quite often.
Speaker 1:But, yeah, definitely helps, I think thing that we've talked about quite often, but, yeah, definitely helps, I think why, uh, what's changed over the past four years then?
Speaker 2:from the partner you were then to now. Oh god, everything. I think it's just like life, like you just learn like I don't know, I don't know. It's just. As you get older, you learn stuff and you just realize like I sound like, uh, kylie jenner. You just realize like I sound like a Kylie Jenner. You just realize things Um, no, but um yeah, no, so much I don't know.
Speaker 1:I feel you. That's what I like. I hear where you're coming from. I only ask because I'm curious if there's specific things that stand out to you.
Speaker 2:Um, hmm, I think it doubles specifically like I've played. So I played, you know I had like a full time partner, resulska, for almost two years. I think we played together. So just like navigating that partnership and then, like when we ended that partnership, starting another one and then ending that one. It's just like, as you keep learning about these people and about yourself and then, like having those conversations, you just learn every single time you're going to learn more.
Speaker 1:So what's worse a tennis breakup or a relationship breakup?
Speaker 2:but I think relationship if I said, tennis, there'd be something seriously wrong I don't know.
Speaker 1:I feel like within, like your professional setting. Yeah, it's like a business partnership.
Speaker 2:Yeah, no, I get that. No, that sucks totally. But also, at the end of the day, it's like not personal where the other one is yeah fair enough.
Speaker 1:Fair enough, I had to ask yeah, fair enough, are you a? Coffee or a tea, gal erin coffee.
Speaker 2:I don't drink tea. Well, I mean, I do like, not really.
Speaker 1:Really, you've never tried athlete's apothecary tea. That's why no. I've never she's like what are you talking about? Phoenix Copley, goaltender for the LA Kings, he makes a hydrating tea, nourishing bedtime tea. I love it. It's one of my faves.
Speaker 2:Oh, nice yeah.
Speaker 1:I'll get you some of that. I'll get you some of that. I'll get you some Perfect Sports. I got homework, perfect Sports, protein and some Athletes. Apothecary tea, aaron. We'll hook you up. You know, what else Do you ever get?
Speaker 2:nervous when you're on the court. Oh my God, yeah, every day, literally every single time I have a match Before, during all of it. What do you do to stop that? I don't stop it, I embrace it.
Speaker 1:You just smile.
Speaker 2:You're just like, oh, I'm nervous. No, I just like I don't know, it's all a process. I don't really think about winning or anything like that, because it doesn't really help. I just, gabby and I, are always just reminding ourselves that we got to do like what to do in order to like be the best versions of ourselves in the court. And, yeah, definitely, keep the keep it light, like laugh and smile, because that helps so much. It helps both of us play. So that's probably my role, um yeah, I honestly appreciated that.
Speaker 1:Like there was clips watching you guys playing. It's like you gabby like laughing before she serves, or you guys like laughing in between, like that's cool. A lot of athletes don't do that, especially, you know, when you get into the semi-finals. Finals like that's yeah, high pressure situation. I uh, I struggle with staying calm. Uh, I started using this. Can I wellness fresh?
Speaker 1:it's like I don't know if you can hear that yeah, I can it's like they, so they do some spray supplements, so it's also for some sleep. I have a crazy nighttime routine now, erin, it's wild. Since last time we chatted I mouth tape, and so I know.
Speaker 2:Are you a bad sleeper?
Speaker 1:No, but I love to optimize my sleep, oh, okay.
Speaker 2:Yeah, do you have an aura ring?
Speaker 1:No, I was going to ask. I have a whoop strap though.
Speaker 2:Oh, okay, I used to have a whoop.
Speaker 1:Is it? Oh, yeah, it's just more accurate.
Speaker 2:I think it's more accurate. I like seeing my resting hurry. When I'm sleeping, I know when I'm going to get sick.
Speaker 1:What whoop doesn't tell you that?
Speaker 2:Oh.
Speaker 1:I don't know.
Speaker 2:I had the whoop and it just like oh, I don't know like I had the whoop in it, just like because I wore when I was practicing, got so sweaty.
Speaker 1:It was like it does kind of end up smelling. Yeah, it doesn't matter how many times you wash it you can't like not get it to smell?
Speaker 2:this thing's easy. You just don't even need to do anything see, but I'm not a jewelry guy.
Speaker 1:Aaron, what do I do? Embrace it yeah, you just gotta buck up but does it not impact you when you're lifting at all like?
Speaker 2:so you can get the plastic things. You know, those like cover, things that like help when you're lifting no first of all, I don't lift that heavy no like have you seen me? I literally have chicken arms but you're toned thank you, but I'm not like math.
Speaker 1:I'm not like a you're not a bodybuilder we've established that.
Speaker 2:No but um, you can get like the cover things it doesn't really affect it, I mean it doesn't for me any, but I'm like I have so much jewelry so maybe it's just me fair what?
Speaker 1:what does your training look like?
Speaker 2:uh, it depends. There's like a lot of rehab, rehab, like little little band stuff okay you know, not going heavy with the weights, though no, the no, the only time like I'd really do, that is like this next month yeah um the off-season build yeah, and then if I have like a like couple weeks in between tournaments, but like during the season, it's just like maintaining. So it's like just a lot of like really long warm-ups and cool downs basically did that change going?
Speaker 2:because I asked you this when you're at alabama and I think your workouts were a little bit crazier, just as a team does that change now when you get to the professional level 10 month season traveling like yeah, at alabama there was like a lot of we had like tuesday it was like running day on the soccer field where, like you'd be like throwing up doing these sprints or whatever, like I'm gonna tell you what I have not run in about three years. Like don't, that is not something. If I'm doing cardio, I'm not running, I'm doing it on the bike. I'm doing it like doing some like I don't know hit intervals. Like running is not my thing. Also, I'm tall. I got to take care of my knees. Also, I'm almost 30. Like there's no time to be like messing around with these, like in hillside quests. You know, you know time to be like messing around with these like fucking Side quests.
Speaker 2:You know, like running intervals, like it's not happening.
Speaker 1:Who goes and runs for fun.
Speaker 2:Lots of people. I salute them, but that is not me.
Speaker 1:I recently started running. Yeah, a lot of people do.
Speaker 2:Have you got that runner's high yet?
Speaker 1:Oh yeah for sure, uh, I, I did the toronto lake shore marathon. Oh wow, so you're like really running okay yeah, you hit that high.
Speaker 2:I like tried, I thought it would be really cool and cute to do. Never happened, couldn't do it.
Speaker 1:No. How long did you run for?
Speaker 2:no, I mean, I guess not long enough.
Speaker 1:I don't really know it's I feel like you could do it and, uh, I have the same tall issue you want to save the right it's not quite, you know I'm nearing 30 as well, but, um, you know it's good for you within reason you don't have to go run a marathon.
Speaker 2:But like no, maybe I'm done with tennis, though, but like I really do think like tennis players, especially doubles players, like for us, like we have to have like a different type of no, maybe when I'm done with tennis though, but like I really do think like tennis players, especially doubles players, like for us, like we have to have like a different type of cardio and like it's there. There's been like lots of physios that are just like just don't run, like there's really no reason.
Speaker 1:Well, that's why I asked Cause it is like for tennis players, you don't need to have crazy endurance, you need a crazy endurance.
Speaker 2:But you don't need to have crazy endurance, you need a crazy endurance, but you don't need it in one direction for four hours right, without any agility, especially doubles yeah like it's even different, even more different. So, yeah, no you, I will go on the book today.
Speaker 1:I'm not not a runner but as soon as she retires new balance, she'll be wearing your shoes, don't you worry, she'll be flying out there maybe when I retire I'll like find the joy of running that people talk about.
Speaker 2:Who knows?
Speaker 1:that's what miriam, uh abdul rashid, uh canadian olympian csm athlete, she's, uh, she's a hurdler right now, so she runs for like 10 seconds but uh, she's like I'm gonna pick up running long distance afterwards. It's great and, honestly, the running community is really cool. That's the other thing I do have to say coming from individual-ish sports, the running community, really cool.
Speaker 2:I think it's like a thing actually now People try to date in the running community.
Speaker 1:It's like a dating thing.
Speaker 2:I've heard about this in New York.
Speaker 1:Yeah, run clubs can definitely get what would be the correct way to describe flirtatious, maybe Frisky, frisky. Oh, there you go. Aaron's a tenant. No, yeah, I think it's also just physical exercise. People are looking for like-minded individuals who are health-oriented. That's tough to do nowadays. 10, 20 years ago people would go to the bar and, you know, have a good time, but a lot of people aren't boozing frequently. I'd be curious how do you, do you partake in boozing frequently? Probably not as a professional athlete, right like no, I don't.
Speaker 2:Um, sometimes, like at the end of like after a slam, we'll have like a night out. Like right now would be a time where, like the last couple weeks, I've definitely been like off and like drinking a little bit, but like no, not really but it's not like uni days where, you know, from wednesday to saturday is like you know. So you're like on a bender and you're like, yeah, no, it's not like that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and that's part of you know. As we age and go through this life thing that we talked about, you know you need to find things where people have other common interests, and sometimes that's running, sometimes that's tennis, sometimes that's sailing, which leads to having kids who are dual citizens, and then you produce world number ones. What's changed since that? You've got that title because you know well, now I'm number two.
Speaker 2:Actually I did get to number one, yes, I know, but like let's not get it twisted. But nothing really changed. I don't really pay attention to the rankings, honestly, but I do. You know, it's a goal that I would have never really thought. I mean, yeah, I don't know, I don't think I could have ever achieved, so it was like pretty cool. I I mean very proud of myself, obviously.
Speaker 1:So yeah, I think you're super humble and uh, you deserve a bit more of a pat on the back. Uh, it's, honestly it was. It was uh emotional for me to look back, watch that episode, because you know it's four plus years episode 35 and I have mentioned the fact that I looked like a baby during it, but it was like there's a lot that's changed over those years and you can see the determination in your eyes, but it's also like you just said it there, you never thought it would be achievable.
Speaker 1:But a lot of the things that you said during that was like hey, I can do amazing things. It's just maybe not at this moment, and it was also covered, right.
Speaker 2:So yeah, that is weird, I might have to go watch that you should, you should.
Speaker 1:Honestly, it's crazy, it'll uh, it's a trip.
Speaker 2:It's a good trip though. Yeah, that is.
Speaker 1:And I think that's the other cool part is having these kind of conversations is being able to look back and say, hey, fuck, four years ago there was no way I ran a marathon, let alone a half marathon, let alone a 5K. Now here we are, doing these things.
Speaker 2:That is cool.
Speaker 1:I am not world number one in anything, but maybe one day, four years from now, I'll be playing pickleball or doing some other random thing, but that's I think. Anyways, it means a lot to be able to chat with you again, bring you on the show, share your story. I know you had a process-oriented answer to this question when we had you on last time, which is why I say you've believed in yourself for a long time. Maybe you've just been humble about it, but since then, is there something that you would provide that next generation of athletes with, whether it's a piece of information, motivation, insight, experience from what you've experienced, we'll say, over this past year and a half, that's been so instrumental for you, anything you want to leave our audience with today?
Speaker 2:um process. That's funny that my last one was so prost, because that's like that's my entire thing, it's our whole thing that's your stick yeah, um, oh.
Speaker 2:I think I think the thing that I have said once was like I mean, in tennis at least, or in any sport really, I think that there's like a lot of personality traits that people have and it could be looked at as like a negative for the sport or for their potential or for their ability to succeed.
Speaker 2:And I think that it's really important for people to embrace, like who they are, and because anything can be used as a strength and to like, use those strengths in order to push you to be able to, you know, do whatever it is you set your mind to. I think that you know coaches and athletes. It's like this dynamic where you know, if it is you set your mind to, I think that you know coaches and athletes. It's like this dynamic where you know, if you find the people that believe in you, then you can really achieve anything you want, and so you should use, you know, embrace yourself and use everything you can, like your, I don't know just use every, use your personality in order to thrive. I think that that's something that, um, yeah, I'd say probably four years ago I wasn't like super confident in myself and my ability to you know, use the things that I have as strengths, and now I am, so yeah.
Speaker 1:Heck yeah.
Speaker 2:You like that.
Speaker 1:I love that answer. That was awesome yeah.
Speaker 2:That was, that was great, I uh.
Speaker 1:I think of of like nick curios here, as I throw my hat on backwards, and it's like I was talking with jordan shallow who trained him for a bit, um, and he was traveling around with him and he's like dude, I have some crazy stories from that guy and it's like there's a reason why he was able to flourish. He gained a ton of attention. It's because he was real.
Speaker 1:He was who he wanted to be, maybe a little brash, maybe a little uh, yeah, out there on some things, but like you got to do that and if you're not being real to who you are, then what do you heck? What the heck are you doing?
Speaker 2:yeah, yeah, you're never gonna like be able to to achieve what you can without doing that, which I think that I was like did really didn't know for a long time. So yeah, just uncovering it yeah, of course, just learning and growing yeah, yeah, that's what we're all doing, hey, uh.
Speaker 1:Thank you so much again, aaron, I appreciate your time. And uh, hey, third time's the charm, we'll do it in person. We'll get some white southern barbecue sauce. We'll slab it on some. I don't what, do you even eat it on ribs? Do you just eat it on normal meat?
Speaker 2:yeah, on on anything like pulled pork barbecue. You know what I mean Fries.
Speaker 1:Fries, fries, okay, okay, we'll have it, we'll make it happen. We'll have Southern barbecue, white barbecue sauce, perfect sports and athletes, apothecary tea. It sounds like balanced meal, balance that's the way we'll leave it.
Speaker 2:Aaron routliff, uh 247 248.
Speaker 1:That's a wrap. Wow, thanks for having me. Thanks for coming on the show. Hey, thank you folks for tuning in. That was the 248th episode. Big shout out goes to aaron for coming on the pod again, for erica for making the original introduction and to all of you for listening this far in. A major shout out also goes to our producer, ryan, for putting out the best productions possible on a weekly basis. Thank you, thank you. Thank you for tuning in. It means the world to me. I hope you folks enjoyed. Let me know your favorite part if you have other athletes that you want to see on the show, and I can't wait to see you again next week for another new episode. Hope you have a great rest of your day. Bye.
