Candace Parker says one habit helps her handle hectic mornings as a mom of 3

Candace Parker says this one habit helps her get ready for hectic days. Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Prime Video 2026-03-23T04:17:55.188Z Share Copy link Email Facebook WhatsApp X LinkedIn Bluesky Threads lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

Impact Link Save Saved Read in app This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. Candace Parker says one habit makes hectic mornings more manageable as a mom of three. "I'm a big Peloton person, so I like to do that and lift. I also use the sauna quite a bit," she said. The former WNBA star says even small beauty choices can reflect how she's feeling. AI-generated summary Summaries are generated by an AI model trained on Business Insider's articles. AI may make mistakes or provide inaccurate/incomplete information. We're unable to load that answer right now. Please try again. What sparked Parker's wellness evolution? What role does self-care play for athletes? Why is Pilates challenging for Parker? How does Peloton benefit Candace Parker? How do beauty choices influence mood? Candace Parker, 39, says she relies on one habit to get going on hectic days. Loading audio narration... "I love slow mornings, but if I need a jolt because obviously the kids have school and work and all those things, I usually get up and work out," Parker told Byrdie in an interview published on Saturday.The former WNBA player is a mom to three kids. She shares daughter Lailaa with her ex-husband, Shelden Williams, and sons Airr and Hartt with her wife, Anna Petrakova. On those busy mornings, Parker often turns to a mix of cardio and strength workouts to get going."I'm a big Peloton person, so I like to do that and lift. I also use the sauna quite a bit," she said. From there, she gets ready for the day and says even the smallest beauty choices can reflect how she's feeling."It's so funny because my friends can tell if I'm having a great day or not by whether my baby hair is done," she said. Parker says her approach to wellness has evolved over the years. Looking back, she says she would've given her younger self more grace."As most athletes do, I kept moving the goalposts. Sometimes, it's okay to stop and smell the roses and realize this is what you worked your whole life for. This generation actually does that better — prioritizing mental well-being and self-care. It's inspiring," Parker said. This isn't the first time Parker has spoken about how she stays fit.Before retiring in 2024, Parker told Boardroom in 2023 that she prioritized working out even during the offseason, focusing on "really taking care of my body and making sure I'm getting my lift in." In 2023, Parker also told Essence that Pilates challenged her more than she expected."Pilates is probably the hardest thing I've ever done in my life," she said. "I walked in there like, 'I'm strong! I lift weights.' This grandma [instructor] killed me, so I have tremendous respect for Pilates.'"