Our Ryderwear athletes are more than just the sculpted cores and sweat-soaked workouts you see on your Instagram feeds.
They’re real people, leading real lives beyond the lens, each with their own ambitions, anxieties and adversities to overcome.
What we want to do is offer a window into the people behind the physique. Sure, part of that is what they eat and how they train, but also their stories, their passions and their habits. How did they get to where they are today? What influences an influencer?
Maya Basse is a WBFF Bikini Pro, personal trainer and body-positivity and mental health advocate, who’s passionate about empowering women to be stronger and discover their true potential. She’s also a Ryderwear and PUSHH athlete.
We asked Maya to give us an insight into her rituals, her inspirations and the challenges she encounters every day. By showing you the woman behind the workouts, we want to connect you with our athletes on a human level, revealing the sacrifices and relentless work ethic it takes to be a Ryderwear athlete!
6:00AM: Wake Up
The first thing I do when I wake up is jump in the shower to exfoliate my face and wake myself up, but also because it’s been so freezing lately! Each day is a new day and a chance to start fresh. I always begin each day with an open mind and try not to carry any negativity from the day before.
6:30AM: Breakfast
Breakfast is a protein smoothie with gluten free oats, banana and flaxseeds. I include the flaxseeds for the essential fatty acids, which have a heap of health benefits like improved heart and health and lowering inflammation. My other morning ritual is my 30 minute walk to my gym. I live by the beach and love getting outdoors in the fresh air and listening to the waves breaking. I love dropping past the local coffee shop for an almond cap, and listening to a motivational, mindset and growth podcast. On my walks I always wear Freestyle Seamless, as it has a real sporty look, which I love!
7:00AM: First Clients
I meet my first clients for the day at the gym. The gym is my home away from home, and I’m savoring every moment after the gyms were shut down for 3 months during the pandemic. During lockdown I spent a lot of time on my own personal growth and development. I used the time to rest my body, take a break from training and focus on incorporating better habits, as well as planning some goals for the rest of the year. I also took time out to relax and finally read so many of the books I’ve been waiting to dive into!
I’ve found my calling being a personal trainer and nutritional coach. I’m passionate about inspiring others to become stronger versions of themselves and guiding them towards healthier, happier bodies and better mindsets. I went to university for 4 years, then did a job that wasn’t right for me for six years, but I told myself I can’t do this job forever, and made the decision to pursue my true passion. I didn’t want to look back in 10 years and have regrets. I wanted to master myself, to experience, to have the flexibility to travel and to build a relationship with my partner. I wanted to run my own race.
“Trust yourself enough to let go, shift and uproot. Give yourself permission to shed who you used to be. You’re allowed to start over and find new ways to bloom into your best self”
10:00AM: Meal 2
When I get a break in between training clients, I’ll sneak in Meal 2. My meals usually vary depending on whether I’m in comp prep or not, and today it’s a classic bodybuilding meal: Chicken tenderloins, rice and avocado. I prefer quick, convenient and healthy meals (this one literally took me 5 minutes to make) byt my diet isn’t all chicken breast and brown rice. My favourite meals are Thai Food and Grill’d Burgers, but I’m trying to resist temptation as much as possible given I’m in the middle of comp prep!
1:00PM: Meal 3
I’ll finally get another break from training my clients for Meal 3, which is Turkey mince, rice, spinach and walnuts. I focus on eating whole foods at least 80% of the time and hydrating well. 
2:00PM: Mindfulness and Self-Reflection
I’ll try and go for a walk after lunch as I’m trying to get up to 8-10K steps every day, but what I really use this time for is to practice mindfulness and self-reflection. It’s little rituals like these which keep me present, lift my spirits and make me more optimistic. 
Today I spent a lot of time trying to reflect and think confident and empowering thoughts, letting go of the limiting belief that I’m not. I’m working hard on getting to know myself, and become more aware of certain behaviours that aren’t effective for who I want to become. How I feel in my body, and the energy I have usually stems from my thoughts, or a thought I’m repeating. Once I think that thought, it’s followed by certain emotions and feelings which then lead to a behaviour. Thoughts become things is a little mantra I use to make it through difficult times, periods of self-doubt and failure, to create meaningful change. I have been diving deep into certain limiting beliefs I have and working to release these in order to create a shift within myself and my life.
“Every action you take is a vote for the person you wish to become”
3:30PM: Pre-Workout Meal
After training a few more clients I’ll have my pre-workout meal, which is sweet potato with eye fillet steak. Throughout the day I’ll also have a few snacks, like dark chocolate, strawberries, pineapple and rice cakes, just to make sure I’m hitting my nutritional goals.
5:00PM: Workout
At the moment I’m working out 4-5 times a week with one day of cardio. I blend compound, isolation and machine-based exercises, with some heavier sets followed by some light supersets. Today I’m doing a Glute and Hamstring workout, otherwise known as Booty Day! 
MAYA’S GLUTES & HAMMIES WORKOUT
Romanian Deadlift 4 x 8
Hip thrust 4-5x
(5 x 5 sec holds / 5x reps)
Superset 4x
Top half hip thrust x 12
Goblet squat x 12-15
Superset 4x
Seated hamstring curl x 12-15
Banded crab walk x 12⠀
When I’m training, I like to wear anything from the Ryderwear Seamless ranges, as they allow for any type of movement, and they’re super lightweight and quick drying!
Clothes never fit properly on me growing up (which is why I love the flexible Ryderwear Seamless!). My butt was eating my bathers as an 8 year old, and it just stood out so much as my hips and waist are smaller. It’s genetics, so I decided if I can’t change it, why not just make them bigger! I don’t want to hide.
I’m a strong person, but I think the little comments people make about your body start to add up and form the foundation of your insecurities.
Remember, perfection is an illusion, and a big one on social media. That’s why I always try to show what’s real and what’s raw. I always try and make it clear how hard and how long I have to work to achieve this, and what I’ve had to sacrifice so people know the reality. People who aren’t into muscle building need to post real too, and show that it’s normal to carry body fat and fluctuate, especially for younger women still learning to love and accept their bodies.
“We are stars wrapped in skin, the light you are seeking has always been within”
6:30PM: Post-Workout Meal
I’ll walk home from the gym and have my post-workout dinner with my partner. When I get home I usually slip out of my Seamless and into the NKD range, as it’s so smooth and silky and perfect for lounging around in. Dinner is barramundi, zucchini, broccolini and potatoes.
8:00PM: Netflix & Meal Prep
In the evenings I’ll prep my meals and then relax with my man and watch Netflix. During the week we’re both regimented and religious with our training and eating (he’s also a WBFF Pro) but on the weekend we might venture out! 
Being 32, I’m faced with the challenge of feeling the pressure to start a family (even though I feel 21 on the inside), and I’m just starting to really step into the woman I want to become. I constantly face issues to do with my purpose, and whether or not I’m on the right path. I try and deal with certain things that don’t feel good to me and try and eliminate them from my life, always trying to surround myself with positivity (my partner, my training, my family). It’s a constant battle but I always choose what feels truest to my heart.
“Your heart tells you BIG things in little ways. Listen”
Discover the daily routines and rituals of more of our Ryderwear athletes below
A Day In The Life of Warren Leppan
A Day In The Life of Senada Greca
A Day In The Life of Kwame Duah
