HANAH Rituals: Finding balance with JJ Thomas

In the latest HANAH Rituals, get an inside look as we tag along for a day in the life of Olympic medalist and current US ski and snowboarding coach JJ Thomas.

JJ says it best himself: “...the little things you do everyday over and over again, it’s like compounding interest. That really makes you who you are.”

This concept is one of the core motivations in creating our Rituals series to begin with. By looking behind the curtain at how some of the world’s most inspiring individuals spend a normal day, perhaps we can inspire and motivate ourselves in our own journey towards our full potential. 

In JJ’s journey, a key factor is the balance of work and play, and going too far in one direction or the other inevitably leads him to burnout. To maintain that balance, he spends his down time with simple joys: Purposeful walks with good posture, taking in nature and fresh air, and evolving with his favorite physical activities. He’s been surfing, skating and golfing since childhood, but with age, they’re taken on a new light. For example, surfing in his youth was about chasing down the best waves and executing wild tricks. Now, in his 40s, it’s more about getting exercise, soaking in some vitamin D and feeling the salt water on his skin. The simple joys.

Maintaining balance also applies to JJs nutrition.

“...that old saying, you are what you eat, I think is one of the truest, most simple statements ever. And I live by that. I don’t plan on growing up and stopping the sports that keep me ticking. As you age, it’s essential to align yourself with the right fuel sources. HANAH products are with me wherever I go in the world. Without our health we have nothing.” 

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JJ’s HANAH ONE almond butter recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp almond butter (or nut butter of choice)
• 1 tbsp HANAH ONE
• 1/2 tsp honey (or to taste)
• 1 pinch sea salt
• Optional: Fruit, rice cakes, toast, etc.

Method

1. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl
2. Enjoy however you like! JJ likes to eat with apples, bananas or spread on rice cakes.

Learn more about JJ Thomas and why we're proud to call him a HANAH Hero.

Rituals is an exclusive HANAH video series that explores the routines of some of the world’s most inspiring athletes, adventurers and entrepreneurs. In an effort to inspire, motivate and share ideas, they have graciously given us a peek into their own rituals. We hope you enjoy this very personal series.