Canadian professional racecar driver Amber Balcaen is reminding fans and followers that the best is yet to come—providing she puts the hard work in. Balcaen, 32, shared pictures of herself wearing black leggings and a matching sports bra, doing a strength training workout at the gym. She also included a picture of the late, great, Kobe Bryant, who is clearly an inspiration for the racer. “Once you see your potential, the work becomes addictive,” she captioned the post. Here’s what Balcaen’s diet, exercise, and wellness routine looks like.
Balcaen is inspired by Danica Patrick and her achievements. “When I saw Danica Patrick in the Cup Series, that made me believe that I could somehow, someday be in the Cup series,” she told ABC News. “It’s a lot easier when you see that it’s been done before for you to believe in yourself to achieve that as well.”
Balcaen’s diet consists of plenty of protein. “I really try to eat right. As a personal choice I don’t eat beef or pork, but I take time to plan my meals,” she told GladiatHers. “Some of my favorite, healthy things to make are foods that use protein powder. One of my awesome sponsors is 1st Phorm. I use their Phormula-1protein powder to make waffles and muffins. I especially love making the muffins because they’re easy to take on the go with me.”
Balcaen is excited for the future, and proud to be a role model. “My goal in general is to inspire and motivate girls and women to be the best people they can be and to follow their dreams whether they want to be a race car driver like me, a singer or a doctor,” she told GladiatHers. “I want to inspire them to let them know that anything is possible when you work hard. I’m an underdog. I don’t come from money. I come from dirt racing.”
Balcaen’s favorite workout is using the Stairmaster. “Sometimes I like to pick up a weight that’d you normally put on a dumbbell and hold it out and front of me and turn it like I’d turn the wheel of the car,” she told the Winnipeg Free Press. “You need lots of upper-body strength in this sport.”
Balcaen works hard to build strength for the track. “Since I’m not as naturally strong as a lot of my male competitors, I spend a lot of time in the gym so that I’m not physically lacking,” she told GladiatHers. “I really focus on my strength and endurance. I need to make sure I’m alert and present at the end of every race. It’s rewarding to put in the time at the gym and see your body react positively.”