Missy Franklin, a 5X gold medalist winner, hall-of-fame swimmer, and Member at Burn Boot Camp Bellevue, knows all too well the challenges of maintaining a busy lifestyle while striving to meet her health and fitness goals. Between going to Camp, being a mom, and everything in between, she sometimes feels overwhelmed at the end of the day. That’s where Burn Boot Camp Meals comes into play. As she puts it, “I deal with decision fatigue. I get to the end of the day and I don’t want to make another decision. Knowing there is a meal that stays fresh for 14 days is amazing.” This convenience allows her to focus on her busy schedule and spend time with her family without the added stress of meal planning.
“Burn Meals are cool because they work as an unconscious educational system. We’re still going to go out to eat at restaurants and travel. Burn Meals can help us get used to what a serving size looks like, what 40 grams of protein or 30 grams of carbs looks like. These Meals are so helpful in helping people understand what fueling your body looks like to help you feel your best.”
One of the standout features for Missy is the ability to cater to the whole family. The family-friendly Meals ensure that everyone enjoys nutritious options they love without the hassle of cooking separate dishes every night. Missy’s entire family is obsessed with Burn Meals, even her 3-year-old daughter. Plus, when it comes to which Meal will be on their weekly rotation, they all agree: “We all have the same favorite – the Power Chicken Parmesan. I think it’s nostalgic for me because growing up that’s what I would have before every competition.”
For Missy, the nutritional benefits are just as important as the convenience. She encourages others to give Burn Meals a try, saying, “If you’re hesitant at all, just try them. I was blown away with how fresh they are, how delicious they are, and the macros.” Each Meal is designed to deliver optimal nutrition, with at least 30 grams of protein in every Meal while all staying under 500 calories. With 20 different Meals, Missy appreciates that there are 16 gluten-free options to help fit her lifestyle. She also loves the auto-ship option, it saves 5% and she loves the free shipping.
Matt Morris, VP of Fitness and Burn On Demand Trainer, sat down with Missy Franklin to talk about all things nutrition. Read their interview below to learn more about Missy Franklin’s approach to nutrition, how she hits her protein goals, and the impact that Burn Meals has on her routine.
Matt: How has your mindset shifted around nutrition as an Olympic athlete?
Missy: “I was so young when my career started. I was 17 years old at my first Olympics. I’m so thankful I had a mom who was an amazing cook, but I didn’t have a lot of intention. I wasn’t thinking about what the macros looked like or if I was getting enough protein. For my second Olympics, I was 21, so I was thinking about nutrition more. I put in four to six hours of training a day and when I would leave the pool or weight room, if I didn’t fuel myself properly I would negate everything I just did. I truly began to understand the importance of being an athlete. Whether it’s at an elite level or you’re going to Burn Boot Camp, it’s a full-time job.”
“If you want to see the most results and best benefits from being an athlete, it’s all about your nutrition, hydration, and sleep. Life happens and we all have so many things going on. That’s why I love Burn Meals so much. Burn Boot Camp knows how hard you’re working and is making your life easier and helping you work towards your goal.”
Matt: What does the convenience look like for you and how have Burn Meals affected your schedule?
Missy: “Moms know that a lot of times, we make our kid’s dinner and then end up having whatever is left. That’s just how it goes. There are so many jokes about the number one argument spouses have is about what’s for dinner because you’re both so tired by the end of the day. With Burn Meals, there are options for everyone. If you have a 12-pack of Meals and someone wants steak, someone wants salmon, and someone else wants pasta, you can all have what you want. It’s just one less thing to think about.”
“I’m very “type A” and I’m the kind of person that likes to plan out the whole day, so if I don’t have a plan for dinner, I’m thinking about it all day. The fact that this is one less thing we have to decide and spend mental energy on is great. We can come home to be with our kids and family and put our Meals in the microwave for three minutes and have a healthy, nutritious, and delicious dinner on the table just like that.”
Matt: What has muscle building looked like as you’ve gotten older? How has your nutrition and a high-protein diet helped with gaining muscle or maintaining what you have?
Missy: “When I retired from swimming, I had a really hard time going from working out four to six hours and eating between 4,000 to 5,000 calories a day to being on my own. I struggled with that transition because there was no one there to tell me what to do. My focus changed to being small and I personally didn’t like what that did for me, my lifestyle, and my mental health. Once I began to see that, I completely shifted from trying to be small to trying to take up space. I realized I wanted to be strong, powerful, and capable. Having a daughter just tenfolds it when I imagine her growing up and what she’s going to deal with. She’s already really tall for her age and I want her to be so proud of her height, muscle, and strength.”
“I get so much of this from Burn Boot Camp, with training at a level that I haven’t trained at since I was a professional athlete and then focusing on protein as a number one goal. Burn Meals and nutrition help take the guesswork out of what I’m going to eat and what my snacks should look like. It’s cool to look back on what I’ve accomplished and to be able to say I’m lifting heavier than I ever have in my life.”
Matt: How many grams of protein do you try to get each day?
Missy: “I try to get about a gram of protein for every pound of body weight. I’m 6’2”, so that’s a lot of protein for me. I would say on average, a low protein day is about 120 grams. If I haven’t hit that for the day, I’m going to bed eating yogurt, cottage cheese, or an Afterburn protein shake. I found around 140-150 grams works really well for me. It’s not quite a 1:1 ratio, but it feels good to me.
Matt: For me personally, I eat two big meals a day that each have close to 100 grams of protein. Do you space your meals out during the day or try to get as much protein as possible in one meal?
Missy: “I’m a spacer! There is nothing I hate more than being hungry. I’ll eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and usually a snack in between every meal. That also just really helps with how I feel. You mentioned that you didn’t want Burn Meals to feel overpowering or super heavy. I have not once eaten a Burn Meal and felt bad after. They’re just the perfect size because I’m not hungry after I eat them. They’re the perfect balance of feeling satiated and recovered after a workout, but I can also keep going on with my schedule. I love that because that’s how I eat now, with several smaller portions throughout the day. But yes, I’m pretty much constantly eating.”
