Melissa Stockwell is a three-time Paralympian who will make her fourth appearance in this year’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games, representing Team USA in the paratriathlon. Like most athletes gearing up for the world’s largest sporting event, Stockwell is spending a lot of time training before her competition on September 1. Yet, the mom of three has made time for important extracurriculars, including a partnership with P&G’s Athletes for Good, a new initiative awarding grants to important causes by recipient athletes.
Stockwell’s charity, Dare2Tri, is one of the Athlete’s for Good grant recipients, and it is another exciting part of this year’s games she is looking forward to. “I made it my mission to give other people with physical disabilities the opportunities I had,” Stockwell says. “The Athletes for Good grant will help us impact even more people and open even more chapters nationwide.”
Before Stockwell heads overseas, we got to catch up with her about the grant, how she’s prepping for Paris, and her on-the-go beauty and lifestyle must-haves.
On her go-to recovery routine
Stockwell has made it her mission to empower people with physical disabilities to feel their strongest. Pair that with raising a family of her own while training for a global event, and—as a new mom myself—I’d definitely classify her as a superhero. Stockwell tells me that there’s no magic recipe to her game, though: just hard work and a lot of rest.
“You’re a mom so you get it,” Stockwell tells me. “I have to get recovery and rest in where I can, and I’m lucky if I get massage therapy done once a weekend.” When she can’t get to her massage therapist, Stockwell relies on recovery boots (our editors love the Normatec 3 Leg Recovery System, fyi) to help relieve soreness and tension.
Though professional help from a massage therapist is nice, Stockwell says don’t underestimate the power of a good ol’ tennis ball if you’re trying to treat an achy body part. “I bring a tennis ball with me pretty much anywhere I go, which is great even if I’m flying or driving I can roll out my hamstring or glutes,” she says. “It’s not expensive and it works.”
On her ideal sleep routine
“Easy and simple” is the theme of most of Stockwell’s current routines, including her sleep regimen, which is critical to her recovery and performance. “This may be unpopular, but I definitely enjoy a few minutes of screen time before bed and use that time to catch up on anything I’ve missed for the day,” she says. “I brush my teeth, shower, get my pajamas on, and spend some time on the phone—it truly relaxes me.”
On the beauty products she uses during training
While Stockwell isn’t big on makeup, she’s committed to sun protection, loading up on face sunscreen and body sunscreen using SPF to protect her face and body. “As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned that wearing sunscreen is key because I am out in the sun a lot,” says Stockwell. “I use Olay Complete Sunscreen SPF 30 ($30), which is great because it reapplies nicely before and after workouts.”
Stockwell also spends a considerable amount of time training in the pool, which does a number on her hair. “There’s a lot of chlorine in my hair and I’ve been using the Pantene Daily Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner ($20) when I am out of the water to help my hair feel less stringy,” she says. [Editor’s note: Olay and Pantene are owned by P&G]
On how she’s spending her downtime in Paris
In between competitions and recovery time, Stockwell is looking forward to spending time with her family, who will be on the sidelines cheering her on. “I have my phone with me and thousands of photos that I’ll be looking through when we can’t be together,” she tells me. “I am also pretty sure that my kids will write me little notes that I’ll make sure I have with me.” Stockwell also says that she’s started a tradition of making jumbo cutouts of her family’s faces to keep in her room and on the race course. “It’ll be a solid reminder of why I’m there and my reason for competing,” she says.
You can watch Stockwell compete in the paratriathlon on September 1. NBCUniversal is the official U.S. broadcaster for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, but you can also watch on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, USA Network, CNBC, and E!.