We Took Aussie Athletes Into The Wilderness And Here’s How It Went
Earlier this month, we hosted our very own wellness retreat in partnership with Samsung. Just call us fit-fluencers.
We whisked some of Australia’s biggest names in health and wellness to Byron’s hinterland hideaway Sun Ranch, inviting these icons to eat, sleep, and breathe wellness, all while monitoring it on their new Samsung Galaxy Watch8. Think Nine Perfect Strangers, but less toxic and minus Nicole Kidman (she had scheduling issues).
But which big names made it to Byron? We had the legendary AFL player Dyson Heppel, current Roos captain Jy Simpkin, netball star and Firebirds player Lara Dunkley, world champion surfer Laura Enever, and finally, wellness advocate and influencer Chloe Wheatland.
Between them, this group boasts a wealth of wellness knowledge, many having used it to maintain demanding careers. But how would it change once we handed them these superpowered watches designed to monitor performance, track moods, and coach everything from a morning run to that precious night-time rest? You’re about to find out.
Day One
Day one was great — or as Lara said, “grounded, grateful, and…. I can’t think of another G word”.
After arriving in sunny Byron, our superstars met and mingled before heading off to our day one yoga sesh. They focused on breathing and mindfulness, which left the whole gang feeling very “zen”, as Chloe herself put it.
Even in the chillest of states, they couldn’t help checking out those screens. For the self-proclaimed “data obsessed” Dyson, the Galaxy Watch8 was the perfect tool to monitor his body’s performance, noting that “it’s really cool tracking your data and noticing your heart rate dip throughout the session”.
The team headed off for a farm-to-table feast and we were prepared to call day one a roaring success except for one tiny issue: a rogue rattlesnake in one of our rooms. That being said, it definitely promoted a very still, quiet energy so maybe it was here to help with some good ol’ mindfulness. Still feeling zen, Chloe?
Day Two
Day two saw a couple of people waking up to a lovely sight thanks to the Galaxy Watch8’s sleep coaching, as Laura and Dyson’s sleep scores had already improved (shoutout to Laura with a sleep score of 94 per cent which, according to my teacher housemate, is an A+).
Chloe, Lara, and Laura headed off to explore the stunning scenery of the Byron Bay Hinterland. The girls tracked their movement as they walked, and Lara in particular was impressed with the Galaxy Watch8’s ability to spot the difference between walking and talking; “when we stopped to chat it actually paused our walk”.
It’s a big day for all the chatty Cathys out there!
Dyson and Jy kicked off their day with “a nice little trot” (Dyson’s words, not mine). They managed their running pace on their Galaxy Watch8 Classic’s to make sure they could return refreshed for a kick of the footy with the rest of the gang.
Now don’t worry, it wasn’t AFL stars vs everyone else (we wanted a fair game). They went to Gemini, the AI inbuilt in the Galaxy Watch8, to decide the teams. And lucky Laura even got a shoutout from Jy himself, saying “the most unexpected part of the day was how good Laura was at marking”. Now, I’m not a betting woman, but considering this was Laura’s first time playing, I’d put money on seeing her in the VFL in no time.
Day Three
We headed into day three so well rested, we felt like ScarJo in that movie where she unlocks all of her brain power (a flawless reference, thank you very much).
The final day started with a group meditation which our team tracked on their Galaxy Watch8 before heading straight into a cacao ceremony, which was a new experience for many of our team. But it was the next activity that became the most impactful of the retreat.
The group participated in a sound healing session, which is typically used to promote relaxation and wellbeing. It can, however, also bring up memories or feelings one may not expect.
For most of the gang, it was a great experience. Laura found it “profound” and Dyson loved the “zinging sensations” he felt throughout his body.
For Jy, it brought up something more. “I saw my nan who had recently passed away”, Jy said. “I’ve never done anything like that before.”
After a quick dip in an ice bath (because nothing says wellness like an ice bath), it was time to say goodbye. So long sun, snakes, and stress-free living, it’s back to the real world.
So, what were our wellness warriors takeaways?
Many left feeling rejuvenated; having expected a hectic week of shoots and activities, they were instead calm and relaxed. Fortunately, with the Galaxy Watch8, they’ll be able to take these wellness lessons into their normal, typically stressful, lives.
But it was Laura who summed it up best, saying “It’s been an incredible experience. Being around other athletes and connecting with them has been a great opportunity, and I feel very grateful for the experience… and I’ll definitely be taking up yoga”.
Laura, we’re right there with you.
The post We Took Aussie Athletes Into The Wilderness And Here’s How It Went appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
