What goes through Zoe Atkin’s mind when she’s upside down mid-trick in a halfpipe FreeSki competition? According to the world champion and Team Samsung Galaxy athlete, she finds that elusive flow state that people always talk about. “Your brain is totally empty; you can just be in your body and feel the sensations of what you’re doing,” she tells British Vogue. “For me, that’s when it’s really fun because I feel like I’m flying above the crowds on the side of the halfpipe. I’m way above them and I can hear them screaming – I’m never that present, or in the moment, anywhere else.”
That rare sense of presence doesn’t happen by accident. For Atkin, peak performance is built on understanding her body as intimately as possible – from sleep and nutrition to recovery, mood and energy levels.
All in a day’s work for the 23-year-old Team GB athlete, who is set to chase more freestyle skiing medals at Milano Cortina 2026. Alongside her studies at Stanford University, Atkin carefully balances training with wellbeing, using daily habits – and smart technology – to stay in tune with her body. Because what happens before that split-second, flow-state moment is just as important as the moment itself.
Her preparation begins with the daily essentials, like getting a good night’s sleep. “I’m very regimented about getting enough rest,” she explains. “I aim for between nine and 10 hours if I’m training the next day and calculate what time I need to wind down, just to make sure I’m asleep on time.”
That wind-down routine is deliberate. She puts her phone away, replacing it with reading, meditation and journaling. “Anything that helps me get into a calm space makes it easier to fall asleep,” she says.
Just as sleep helps her body perform at its best, it’s also a key way to recover – and Atkin takes that seriously too. Alongside stretching and dynamic warm-ups, she relies on foam rolling, massage and contrast therapy. “If I’ve had a big fall – which can be up to 32 feet – I’ll really go for it,” she laughs. “I love doing saunas and cold plunges. It gets the blood moving and helps me reset.”
She’s also a fan of compression boots. “They’re such an easy way to recover,” she says. “I can just lie in bed and watch TV while helping my legs get better.” Data from her Galaxy devices helps her track how her body responds to these routines, turning recovery into something she can actively manage, rather than guess.
Overcoming fear is another mental and physical challenge. Despite appearances, she insists she isn’t an adrenaline junkie. “I feel fear very intensely,” she says. “I’m always working on the mental process of managing it. Learning how to be comfortable with stress and anxiety is part of the sport. I’m keenly aware that doing maneuvers and tricks from 22 foot walls of ice is scary! For me, it’s not about pretending I’m fearless, but staying open to that fear and embracing the journey. That’s why I’ve partnered with Samsung, who share that same ethos.”
To get her head in the zone before a competition, she meditates, which helps lower her baseline stress levels – a metric she can see reflected in her Samsung Health data. “It stops me spiralling and helps me stay grounded,” she says. Journaling supports that mindset. “I try to write about the positive parts of my day,” she explains. “It keeps me connected to my goals and reminds me why I love what I do.” But staying grounded isn’t just about breathwork. Before each competition she checks in with her family on her Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7. “Even if it’s just five minutes”, she says. “Seeing their faces resets me.”
When it’s finally time to drop in, music helps her lock into the moment. “Music helps set my mood and get me ready.” Her playlist? “It has to be upbeat and fun – usually hip hop or pop. Dua Lipa is a favourite.” It’s a ritual that signals the shift from preparation to performance – from analysing data and listening to her body, to trusting it completely.
Focus, drive and a little Dua Lipa, Atkin proves that elite performance is built as much in the small, everyday moments as it is in those breathtaking seconds soaring above the halfpipe. Through disciplined routines, mindful habits and a commitment to both body and mind, she shows that success isn’t accidental – it’s built from hours of work.
Zoe Atkin joins Team Samsung Galaxy for Milano Cortina 2026. Find out more at samsung.com
