- Former elite boxer Laila Ali said she and her dogs stick to a healthy morning routine.
- Ali said she fuels up with a protein shake and vitamins, and her dogs get daily supplements too.
Laila Ali, retired boxing champion and daughter of the heavyweight legend Muhammad Ali, swears by a morning routine to keep her and her family healthy, energized, and happy.
That includes her two dogs: Malibu, a French bulldog, and Buddy, a breed of Italian mastiff called a Cane Corso, who weighs in around 140 pounds.
Keeping the whole household in peak shape starts first thing in the morning, Ali told Business Insider in an interview about her partnership with EverRoot, a dog supplement company.
"It's all about having a routine and consistency," she said.
Ali said she's a big fan of morning protein shakes. Her go-to recipe, packed with flavor as well as nutrients, includes:
One scoop of vanilla protein powder (she prefers her own brand)
One scoop of collagen powder for healthy joints, hair, and nails
One tablespoon of almond butter, a good source of healthy fats
A splash of oat milk for texture
A dash of cinnamon for flavor
Half a banana, which provides carbs for energy
She'll also sometimes add in a green powder for even more nutrients, as well as whatever frozen fruit is on hand (especially low-glycemic fruits like berries). The whole shake is blended with crushed ice.
Ali said she also drinks plenty of water (aiming for 40 ounces throughout the morning) and takes a daily multivitamin.
Ali said her pets are 'part of the family' and take supplements to stay healthy, too
Her dogs have a similar morning routine: breakfast, walking, and Everroot supplements, which Ali said are easy to give to them directly or mixed into their food.
The dogs also get their daily steps in by following Ali up and down the stairs of her three-story home.
"They get plenty of exercise," she said.
Ali said when she hits the home gym — sometimes in pajamas, "if I go upstairs, I'm not going to want to come back downstairs" — for a heavy bag session, petite Malibu likes to tussle with Buddy, a gentle giant.
Having dogs by her side every step of her routine has been a part of Ali's life since her pro boxing days, she said. Back then, a furry friend would accompany her on long runs while she trained for championship fights.
"Wherever I am, they are. They're part of the family," she said.