Olympic gold medalist Alix Klineman is a beast in the world of beach volleyball. Her professional career has earned her international recognition and the coveted Olympian status.
After the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Klineman stepped away from the sport to become a mom, so she’s not competing in the Paris Olympics. But her love for volleyball persists, and she’s still got plans to compete with her partner April Ross in upcoming international beach volleyball tournaments.
“Volleyball is still a huge part of my life, but my world has changed in the best ways since [I competed in] the Summer Games,” Klineman tells Well + Good. “I became a mom a little over a year ago, and later this summer I’ll be getting married in Italy. Competing in the Summer Games was a dream come true, but I’m excited for this next chapter of life with my family.”
Here’s what Alix Klineman does when she steps off the sand.
1. She loves hosting her friends and family
“I have such fond memories of dialing into my friends’ and family’s watch parties after matches and feeling the support and emotion from afar,” Klineman says. “Having been on the other side, watch parties are more than an excuse to have fun and catch the action—they truly mean something to the athletes, too.”
With that in mind, Klineman is hosting her own watch parties for the Paris Olympics this year. She’s also teaming up with Total Wine & More and sharing a Summer Games Watch Party Guide, detailing her favorite cocktails and tips on how to host your own winning watch party.
“A Hugo spritz is my go-to cocktail this summer, especially because it’s a refreshing, lighter cocktail that can be sipped on for get-togethers of all hours,” she says. Try it yourself: A Hugo spritz is 4 parts Prosecco, half part St. Germain, 1 part club soda, and mint.
2. She prioritizes self-care
“My form of self-care is carving out time with the people I love. I consider cooking for people one of my love languages and find making a homemade meal with a glass of wine and some music to be so therapeutic,” Klineman says.
“When I’m not whipping up a meal, I also love to unwind by taking a walk with my fiancé and son along the beach around sunset, or by getting a facial at my favorite local spa.”
3. She stays stocked up on her favorite items
“I always try to keep a good bottle of wine at home, especially when I’m planning to entertain or have a guest stop by last minute,” Klineman says. Her vino of choice is usually a white wine, like Domaine Chatelain Petit Chablis or L’Etincelle Sancerre, both of which are on her must-have list of wines for hosting Summer Games watch parties at home.
“After a hard day of training, I also like to unwind at night with Normatec boots, which pump oxygen into the legs to help with circulation and recovery,” she says.
“And as someone with naturally wavy and frizzy hair, I’m always reaching for my Revlon blow-dry brush too. It’s a cult beauty item for me and gives me the perfect blowout in a matter of minutes!”
You can watch the Olympics’ Women’s Beach Volleyball matches from July 27 to August 9. NBCUniversal is the official U.S. broadcaster for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, but you can also watch on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, USA Network, CNBC, and E!.
