Wind Down

Everyone is different. A pretty universal statement. And depending on who you are, what you do, where you live, the way you get ready for bed is likely different than the person behind you in line at the grocery store. The Flow Trip caught up with a few humans we admire from different walks of life to hear about how they wind down and their relationship with sleep. 

Morgane Herculano

Professional High Diver, Red Bull Cliff Diver

Photo by Gabriele Seghizzi | World Acquatics, Marmeeting

The one thing you need to fall asleep, no matter where you are in the world?

Since I started traveling more with club diving in 2023, I started using earplugs and an eye mask. It's very basic, but I think they recreate the setting for my brain that it's time to sleep, whether it’s on the plane or in hotels, because the light might be different, or other things you can't control when traveling. 

How would you describe your relationship with sleep?

Generally, I've always valued it highly, even unconsciously. When I was in high school, I remember I had to wake up pretty early for practice, you know, 6 a.m., and I vividly remember seeing 9:45 p.m. on the clock and being like, “Oh, I'm late to sleep.” Obviously now, I value it much more, and it’s really part of my non-negotiables. It's a part of training, as I see it.

If you could trade all the time you spend sleeping to learn and master a new skill, what would that be?

Getting better at other sports. Because I spent so much time of my life being specialized in one sport, I’ve noticed I don't have a lot of hobbies. It just doesn't fit in the routine. 

Where or when did you have the best night sleep of your life and why?

After any competition. I have this memory of my first trip to Canada for a competition when I was around 16. It was a big competition for me at that time, and I came home, obviously jet-lagged, and I fell asleep seated on my bed, straight up. And I slept for like 13 hours. 

Mel D. Cole 

Photographer, Creative, Adjunct Professor

Photo by Averie Cole

The one thing you need to fall asleep no matter where you are in the world? 

I need to kiss my son goodnight. I do not go to bed until I give him a kiss on the cheek or I need to talk to him on FaceTime if I am not with him. 

How would you describe your relationship with sleep?

I LOVE sleeping and taking naps. I think that they both are very important to not only physical health but mental health as well. 

If you could trade all the time you spend sleeping to learn and master a new skill what would that be?

I would learn Japanese or Chinese. I have always dreamed of being in an elevator with a bunch of people and they are talking shit about me in another language and I not only understand them but I am able to speak to them. 

Where or when did you have the best night sleep of your life and why?

I always have the best sleep after having the most amazing day with my son Auggie. Knowing that he is well taken care of puts my mind at ease which gives me the ability to relax, get that rapid eye movement, sleep and have the most vivid dreams!

Tara Davis-Woodhall

2024 Olympic Gold Medalist

Photo by Avery Reed 

The one thing you need to fall asleep no matter where you are in the world? 

A good pillow and blanket. 

How would you describe your relationship with sleep?

We're friends, but we could be best friends. I'm open to growing the relationship ;)

If you could trade all the time you spend sleeping to learn and master a new skill, what would that be?

Learning new languages.

Where or when did you have the best night sleep of your life and why?

The day we came home from the Olympics. I was finally in my own bed with my own blanket, pillow, and two dogs. 

Chef Eduardo Garcia

Chef, Outdoor Enthusiast, Storyteller, Creator, and Athlete

Photo by @beccaskinner

The one thing you need to fall asleep, no matter where you are in the world?

Knowing I did all I could do, and now it's time to sleep and rest.

How would you describe your relationship with sleep?

Beloved, peaceful, intentional, but often third party in hours allocated compared to ALL the things I want to say on any given day.

If you could trade all the time you spend sleeping to learn and master a new skill, what would that be?

Languages.

Where or when did you have the best night sleep of your life and why?

Leaving Nassau, Bahamas, on a yacht bound for St. Maarten. I had just worked nine days straight with little to no sleep. We left the dock, I served crew dinner at 5 p.m. sharp, and promptly hit the hay. I slept until 11:30 a.m. the following day. I'll never forget that 18-hour sleep.

Lily Meola

Singer, Songwriter, Beautiful Songbird

Photo by Jo Anna Edmison

The one thing you need to fall asleep, no matter where you are in the world?

Chapstick. Every night, no matter what. I will literally get out of bed and drive to a 24-hour store if I need to.

How would you describe your relationship with sleep?

My relationship with sleep is quite complicated… traveling constantly comes with all sorts of variables within the sheets. I take what I can get and nap as much as possible.

If you could trade all the time you spend sleeping to learn and master a new skill, what would that be?

Some nights I stay up way too late crafting — knitting, sewing, embroidering, painting. I think I would just become a craft freak.

Where or when did you have the best night's sleep of your life and why?

That’s a hard question, but one night comes to mind. I was on tour, and we had to drive halfway through the night. We stopped at a hotel in Morro Bay… something about the pillows in the hotel was just perfection. I wasn’t the only one — our whole crew couldn’t stop talking about them. I tried to buy one at checkout, but the front desk wasn’t having it. Since then, my manager found out who the supplier was and bought 10 and gave them as gifts.

Caroline Marks 

Professional Surfer & 2024 Olympic Gold Medalist 

Photo courtesy of Red Bull Content Pool

How would you describe your relationship with sleep? 

I’d describe my relationship with sleep as healthy. I try to prioritize at least 7 hours a night, 8-9 hours is my sweet spot. I try to be mindful about winding down before bed and limiting screen time late at night.

The one thing you need to fall asleep no matter where you are in the world? 

A silk eye mask and a cold room. I sleep best when it’s dark and freezing.

If you could trade all the time you spend sleeping to learn and master a new skill what would that be? 

I’d become fluent in a few languages. Being able to connect with people anywhere in the world would be pretty incredible.

Where or when did you have the best night sleep of your life and why? 

The best sleep I’ve ever had was the night after I won my world championship at Lower Trestles. After competing, surfing a lot of heats, and celebrating the win, I was exhausted in the best way. Since it was the final event of the year, my mind finally had a chance to shut off, and sleeping in my own bed after such an intense and emotional day made it even better.

See more from Caroline in her upcoming film Now Days, premiering May 1st on Red Bull TV and Red Bull Surf. 

Leah Thomas 

Environmental Activist 

The one thing you need to fall asleep no matter where you are in the world?

Complete darkness — I have an eye mask and it helps me quickly fall asleep. 

How would you describe your relationship with sleep?

I've always needed 8+ hours of sleep and I love a good nap. My mom said I had no problem sleeping when I was a child and that's carried on into adulthood. Sleep isn't something I'm willing to compromise because it contributes to my overall sense of wellbeing and the older I've gotten, the more confident I've become in leaving an event and not staying out too late if it means I won't get a good rest. 

If you could trade all the time you spend sleeping to learn and master a new skill what would that be?

A new skill I'd love would probably be becoming a skilled herbalist, specifically learning about African American traditional herbalism and rootwork. That's something I'm looking forward to doing after finishing my next book, but it'd be so cool to learn more about ecology and herbalism from my ancestors. 

Where or when did you have the best night sleep of your life and why?

I remember returning from Australia and sleeping for what felt like an entire day. After that I felt so rested and didn't feel any jet lag. I also sleep much better in hotels — their mattresses must be made of clouds or something.

Erin Brooks

Professional Surfer & Global Traveler

Photo courtesy of Red Bull Content Pool

The one thing you need to fall asleep no matter where you are in the world?

How would you describe your relationship with sleep?

If you could trade all the time you spend sleeping to learn and master a new skill what would that be?

Where or when did you have the best night sleep of your life and why?