Most professional golfers maintain strict dietary regimens between rigorous gym sessions and tournament preparations. But Charley Hull isn’t like most golfers. The same athlete who posted “Long day but still got my threshold run in” after an intense training session was, just days earlier, sharing her joyful adventures in Bruges, indulging in what she called “loads of chocolate” with zero apologies.

This isn’t a story about an athlete breaking their diet—it’s a glimpse into the refreshingly authentic approach reshaping elite athletic performance in women’s golf. While her contemporaries like Lexi Thompson make headlines for their strict fitness regimens, Hull is carving out her own path to success.

Charley’s refreshing take on athletic excellence

“Not always cardio. Strength sessions are a must too,” Hull shared in another recent post, showcasing her dedication to physical training. But beneath these intense workout videos lies a philosophy that challenges traditional athletic norms. The 2X LPGA winner isn’t just training for golf. She’s building a sustainable approach to peak performance that includes discipline and joy. “I went to Bruges and ate a lot of chocolate. Enough to put on a lot of weight! But then I ran a lot so as not to put the weight on,” she once shared, perfectly capturing her balanced philosophy.

Her training stats are impressive: working to reduce her 5k time from 26:42 to 20 minutes, pushing sleds for full-body strength, and maintaining a rigorous strength training schedule. Yet, unlike many athletes who view such training as a sacrifice, Hull sees it as just one part of a fuller life. As she puts it, she “can’t resist a bit of dark chocolate for a quick boost” between her intense workouts. Who doesn’t like chocolate?

“I don’t want to just be a golfer. I want to be an athlete. I train because it’s good for my mental health,” Hull has emphasized in an interview with Sky Sports. This perspective becomes even more remarkable, considering she manages degenerative arthritis in her shoulder, asthma, and ADHD—conditions that would prompt many athletes to adopt an even stricter lifestyle.

Her 2024 season proved this unconventional approach works: 17 events, 15 cuts made, five Top 10 finishes, and a victory at the Aramco Team Series final in Riyadh—which she celebrated, true to form, with her favorite hot chocolate.

While fans worry – as one commented on her recent workout post, “Don’t injure yourself! You’re a golfer, not a football running back!“ – Hull continues to demonstrate that peak performance doesn’t require sacrificing life’s pleasures. After all, as she loves to say, “Shy kids don’t get sweets” – a mantra that perfectly captures both her bold play on the course and her unapologetic approach to life.

Charley Hull’s road to 2025 glory

Hull’s 2025 campaign is already in full swing. She had a solid T19 finish (-12) at the Founders Cup, where rounds of 68-72-66-70 showed glimpses of her exceptional form, earning her five top-10 finishes in 2024. Currently ranked 11th in the world, Hull’s consistent play has resulted in eight consecutive top-20 finishes, showcasing the effectiveness of her unique approach.

As she heads to Saudi Arabia for the PIF Saudi Ladies International (February 13-15) as defending champion, Hull looks ready to continue her strong start to 2025.

After the Saudi title, she will head to Asia for Honda LPGA Thailand (February 20-23). The travel doesn’t stop there – she’ll head straight to Singapore for the HSBC Women’s World Championship (February 27-March 2). Each tournament offers a unique chance to prove Hull’s revolutionary fitness approach and test her philosophy.

What do you think about Charley Hull’s approach to professional athletics? Is this the future of sustainable athletic performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!