4 Surprising Things Olympic Sprinter Kendall Ellis Can’t Live Without

Kendall Ellis is making a comeback for the Paris Olympics: In 2020, Ellis took 4th place at the Olympic Trials for the 400-meter sprint and was only able to compete in Tokyo because she was chosen for the relay team. Despite her disappointment, she helped Team USA nab gold in the 4×400-meter women’s relay and bronze in the mixed 4×400-meter relay.

“Because I got 4th place at trials, I knew I wasn’t running the open 400,” Ellis tells Well + Good. “This time around, three years later, it’s an entirely different feeling because I won [at] Trials. Some people might think I have a sense of pressure, but for me, I’m choosing to look at it as a boost of confidence.”

The two-time Olympic sprinter has a lot to look forward to as she competes in the open 400m race for the first time as an Olympian. Her Olympic experience won’t only be different because of the events she’s running, but the state of the world, too. The Tokyo Olympics weren’t exactly the full experience Ellis had dreamed of, between being postponed for a year, racing in an empty stadium, and not having family and friends there to support her. In many ways, the Paris Olympics feels like a fresh start.

“It definitely feels like the first ‘real’ one. It’s nice to be able to say I’m now a two-time Olympian, but this feels like the first real full experience of the Olympic games that so many of my friends and I will get to have,” she says. When she’s not setting personal bests on the track, here’s what Kendall Ellis can’t live without.

1. She watches a lot of movies and YouTube

One of Ellis’ favorite ways to unwind is going to the movies with her boyfriend or watching YouTube content at home.

“I spend a lot of time with my boyfriend. He works in the TV and film industry, so we are constantly going to the movies.” Her favorite movie is Avatar—and she’s quick to clarify which one. “The blue people avatar, not the anime Avatar. I always have to clarify because people get excited,” she laughs.

When she’s not at the movie theater, she’s browsing YouTube to watch vlogs, hair care videos, and lifestyle content. Her favorite lifestyle creator is Allyiah’s Face, specializing in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle tips.

“I also do my own content creation. It’s a hobby for me and a release, something so different from track and field with a more creative aspect. That’s a lot of fun for me,” Ellis says.

2. You won’t find her without a perfume

Ellis also has a passion for perfume and smelling good at all times. The sprinter has an impressive collection of fragrances at home—more than 99 bottles of perfume!

“Right now since we’re in spring/summer, I really like the fruity and floral scents. I’ve been doing Daisy by Marc Jacobs,” she says. “Every day I just pick up one and spritz it.”

Marc Jacobs Fragrances Daisy Eau de Toilette — $137.00

One of 99 (!) fragrances Ellis owns, this classic, light eau de toilette from Marc Jacobs is fruity and floral for summer.

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3. She’ll never have dry lips (like ever)

“A lip balm and a perfume are always going to be in my bag, no matter what,” Ellis says.

She won’t leave home without one (or more) lip balm or gloss options to keep her lips moisturized. Her favorite products are Topicals Slick Salve and Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balms.

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm — $24.00

This vegan lip balm is one of Ellis’ faves for never, ever having dry lips and comes in eight different shades.

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“I have like seven of them in my car,” Ellis admits. “If nothing else, my lips are not going to be dry. That’s just something I cannot stand.”

4. Her post-workout tools are always on-hand

The life of a professional sprinter is no doubt a strenuous one. After a full day of being on her feet and training, Ellis keeps recovery tools at-the-ready.

“I like the Normatec Compression Boots. I think those are my go-to after a workout beyond seeing my actual physio and chiropractor,” she says. “And then I always have a massage gun with me in my bag at practice because I like to use it between reps or right after I finish a workout.”

Normatec 3 Legs — $800.00

If you’re willing to spend big bucks on feeling amazing, these compression boots, a favorite of Ellis, deliver the “aaaahhhhs.” (Check out our full review of the Normatec boots here.)

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You can catch Kendall Ellis competing in the Women’s 400-meter races starting on August 5. NBCUniversal is the official U.S. broadcaster for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics, but you you can also watch on Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC.com, USA Network, CNBC, and E!