Poker is often portrayed as a game of luck and nerve, but professionals know it’s more like running a mental marathon. Top players face long hours at the table, intense decision-making under pressure, and constant shifts in strategy. The demands go far beyond technical skill. Research on elite online players has shown that poker pros often optimize other aspects of life, like diet, exercise, and stress management, to maximize performance. Players who actively improved their health habits reported stronger focus and better results during games.
This principle doesn’t only apply to those grinding high-stakes tables. Whether you’re making critical calls in a tournament or navigating everyday decisions, maintaining mental clarity and physical well-being is essential. As the poker calendar fills with big-money events and online marathons, professionals are increasingly turning to holistic routines that support their bodies as much as their minds. Few embody this approach better than Katie Lindsay: a player, entrepreneur, and advocate for living well both on and off the felt.
Katie Lindsay’s Online Poker Journey
Before making a name for herself in tournaments, Katie Lindsay worked behind the scenes as an agent for celebrity poker pros, managing their careers and building relationships in the industry. Her path took a personal turn when she met and later married Chris Moorman, one of the most successful online poker players in history. Eventually, Lindsay stepped into the spotlight as a player herself, earning $468,701 in career live earnings and making deep runs in major events.
Her career highlights include a surreal moment in the 2021 WSOP Circuit January Super Series Event, where she and Moorman were the final two players. Moorman took the title, but the shared accomplishment underscored their unique partnership. In a move that made industry headlines, Americas Cardroom became the first poker site to sign a husband-and-wife duo as Team Pros. Representing a top online poker platform like Americas Cardroom has allowed Lindsay to connect with a diverse, global poker audience while balancing her competitive drive with a love of the game. She’s candid about the pressures of poker but also about the importance of enjoying the journey, something she believes starts with daily routines that strengthen both the body and mind.
Health Habits that Power Performance
Lindsay has developed a wellness routine designed to keep her sharp through long sessions. These habits aren’t reserved for pros; they’re practical strategies that anyone can adopt to improve energy, focus, and overall well-being.
One of her favorite rituals is starting the day with a hot cup of lemon water. Aside from being her morning drink of choice, it’s also her cue to get out of bed without scrolling on her phone. She notes the anti-inflammatory benefits, and research supports that lemons are an excellent fruit for diabetes management, since they are low in carbohydrates and can add flavor without spiking blood sugar. For Lindsay, this simple habit sets a positive tone for the day and primes her for productivity.
Exercise is another cornerstone. She commits to 20 minutes of cardio daily, though she’s quick to point out that it doesn’t have to be grueling. Some days she opts for a neighborhood walk, others for treadmill inclines, stairmaster sessions, Peloton rides, or group cardio classes. This variety keeps workouts engaging while ensuring she moves beyond routine daily motions. Four days a week, she also does strength or conditioning workouts.
An addition to her regimen that’s made a noticeable difference is stretching. “So many people forget this aspect and it’s so important, especially as we are all getting older,” she says. Stretching not only improves flexibility and blood flow but also reduces injury risk: key for anyone, especially those sitting for extended periods during poker tournaments. Lindsay also reports that her sleep improved significantly after making stretching a habit.
The Role of Mindfulness and a Balanced Perspective
If poker is a mental battlefield, then meditation is Lindsay’s armor. She meditates every day, sometimes for just five minutes and other times for much longer. Guided meditations are her go-to, often done right before bed to promote relaxation. This practice helps her manage the emotional swings of poker, where bad beats and lucky wins can happen in quick succession.
But for Lindsay, mental preparation isn’t only about structured practice; it’s about attitude. She emphasizes gratitude for being able to play poker for a living, a perspective that keeps her grounded. Even in competitive settings, she makes space for enjoyment, whether that’s sharing a laugh with tablemates or unwinding with a drink. This balance between focus and fun helps her maintain resilience, preventing the mental fatigue that can come from constant high-stakes pressure. By blending physical health, mindful practices, and an optimistic mindset, Lindsay has built a lifestyle that supports sustained performance in poker. It’s a model that proves the habits of elite players can translate far beyond the felt, offering valuable lessons for anyone who wants to keep their mind sharp in the face of daily challenges.
