Azzi Fudd Shares Her Pre-Game Rituals

Azzie Fudd is not your typical college student. As a guard for the respected UConn Huskies basketball team, she joined an ever-growing focus on women's sports — all the time combining classes, she “Figure it out and find out» podcast and (not so) personal life. This is hard for any 22-year-old to deal with, but Fadd still manages to make it look easy – even if she still gets nervous from time to time. “It's nerve-wracking,” she told POPSUGAR as part of her recent partnership with Celsius. “I’m so excited to go out and play with my team and have UConn written on my chest.”

For example, basketball practice starts at 1:30 p.m., which means Fudd starts warming up with a pre-practice workout and warm-up exercises around noon. After her workout, she does her usual lifting routine, followed by a recovery session that includes cold baths, saunasmanual treatment and stretching. Fudd adds that while she hates needles, she will endure the IV in the name of rest and recovery. If it were up to her, she would even visit the cryotherapy chamber. . . but unfortunately they are not close enough to campus.

“It’s just a busy thing that goes on all day, non-stop, every day, all week,” Fudd says. She admits it can be a little overwhelming at times, “but you can really feel the difference if you're intentional and intentional about the recovery and healing you give your body.”

When it comes to actual game day, Fudd is focused on making the latest progress—mentally and physically. Plus, she always comes prepared: “I definitely need to have during game day [or] headphones and Celsius,” she says (the peach vibe is her favorite scent). Her pre-game rituals should not be missed either. “I always braid my hair—my teammate does my hair. I read my religious poop before the game and [drink a] “Celsius before the game,” she says. Let's do it again? “Poop before the game,” she repeats and laughs. “When I feel my nerves, they are in my stomach. So I need to let it go—relax, you know? Get it all out and then you'll be ready to go.” However, in case that doesn't work, Fudd can always count on her teammates to keep her in good headspace. “My teammates really ground me, and being able to play with people who are your best friends, who you love and who you'd run through a wall for, just makes it more meaningful,” she says.

It's clear that Fudd works hard, but she still seems to genuinely enjoy life despite close attention that many female athletes face (on and off the court). It's not that she's completely immune to this pressure – she just has the right mindset to get through it in one piece. “You can't get every shot, you can't get everything perfect,” Fudd says. “So I work on making sure those moments of self-doubt are just that—just moments.”

Chandler Plante (she/her) is a social producer and staff writer for the health and fitness department at Popsugar. She has over five years of experience in the industry, having previously worked as an assistant editor at People magazine, social media manager at Millie magazine and a contributor at Bustle Digital Group. She earned a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and lives in Los Angeles.