What It Takes: Inside the Training and Recovery of Speed Skater Hayden Mayeur

For Black Sheep Ambassador and Canadian speed skater Hayden Mayeur, life extends far beyond the oval. He's been hard at work through an intensive training cycle, and this month, he's giving us a glimpse into his training and recovery methods.

Hayden's competing at a level where hundredths of a second separate the podium from fourth place. At that level, the work you do off the ice becomes just as critical as what happens on it. Every training session, every competition, every recovery strategy—it all counts toward excellence.

Since Beijing 2022, he's diligently honed in on his programming, nutrition, and of course, his recovery. And he's just as methodical about his sleep as he is about his interval training.

From Beijing to World Championships: Lessons Learned

When Hayden competed in Beijing in 2022, he didn't know what he was truly capable of achieving. Since then, he's earned two World Championship medals and a collection of World Cup medals. Those achievements didn't just add hardware to his shelf—they taught him what his body needs to perform at its peak.

"I've learned to focus on what's actually working," Hayden says. "And a huge part of that is recovery. You can have the perfect training program, but if you're not recovering properly, you're compromising your performance."

The science backs this up. Research published by Biological Rhythm Research in 2025 concludes that sleep is considered a key strategy for success in sport—something elite athletes have known intuitively but are now treating with the same rigor as their training protocols.

Training at the Highest Level

We asked Hayden to walk us through what his life looks like right now during this demanding training cycle. Here's what he shared:

What does your high-performance training look like?

"At the moment, I'm training roughly 6 days a week, and on average, twice a day. This includes time on the ice, in the gym, on the running track for dry-land sessions, and on the bike.

It's normal to see a lot of volume and high intensity work—race speed-focused sessions—followed by a taper. This gives my body time to recover, allowing it to reset so I can skate my best when the time comes."

Translation: Hayden is absolutely punishing his body, then giving it exactly what it needs to adapt and get stronger. The taper—that strategic reduction in training volume—is where the magic happens. But only if recovery is optimized.

How do you maximize sleep during such an intense season?

"In all honesty, it can be challenging at times to optimize sleep during intense training periods. When you're working hard, your body can often be very sore at the end of the day, and despite being tired, it can sometimes be difficult to fall asleep.

Right now, I try my best to wind down throughout the evening so I'm not just hopping into bed right after a long day at the Oval. This means coming home, maybe watching a show, eating a healthy dinner, lighting a fire, and heading into bed when my body says it's time.

Fortunately, the mattress I sleep on is a customized mattress from Black Sheep that was built specifically for me, so I don't spend nearly as much time tossing and turning as I used to. When the lights go out, I can put my head down, close my eyes, and drift off to sleep.

As an athlete, a good sleep is just as important as a good training session, so it's important for me to get enough shut-eye."

This is crucial: Even when you're exhausted from training, sleep doesn't always come easily. Sore muscles, elevated cortisol, mental activation from intense training—all of these can interfere with falling asleep. Having a mattress that actually supports your body makes a measurable difference.

How do you stay balanced while travelling for competitions?

"For athletes, it's incredibly important to do everything in your control to keep your immune system in tip-top shape. Most of the time, whether we're travelling to Europe, Asia, or somewhere closer, we only arrive a handful of days prior to competition. That doesn't leave a lot of room for you to catch a cold, recover, and show up feeling your best on race day.

Leading into travel days, I try to focus on my sleep schedule, making slight adjustments prior to take-off to get myself closer to the destination's time zone. I will also increase my vitamin intake, sometimes supplementing it, as well as keeping to a healthy, balanced meal plan.

When travelling, I try not to overpack. This allows me to arrive and settle in rather quickly, while also letting me optimize the amount of time that I have for recovery."

The lesson here: Control what you can control. You can't control jet lag, but you can prepare your body for it. You can't control unfamiliar beds in hotel rooms, but you can make sure your home sleep environment is dialed in.

Why Sleep Matters for Everyone (Not Just Elite Athletes)

Here's the thing: you might not be training for World Championships, but the principles are exactly the same.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (2022), when we consistently achieve around 7 hours of high-quality sleep per night, we support our body's ability to:

• Fight off infection (crucial whether you're competing in Europe or just dealing with Calgary winter colds)
• Regulate hormones
• Improve cognitive function
• Recover from physical activity (whether that's speed skating or your morning run)
• Manage stress and maintain emotional balance

Quality sleep supports what you do while awake—whether that's athletic training, learning, or creative work.

Building Your Own Recovery Foundation

So what can you do to improve your own sleep and recovery? To help you solidify those 7 hours of restorative rest, we've incorporated a few strategies from Harvard Health:

Create a Wind-Down Routine

Like Hayden, don't just collapse into bed after a long day. Give your body and mind time to transition. This might mean:

• A consistent bedtime routine
• Limiting screens before bed
• Creating a calming environment (dim lights, comfortable temperature)
• Light stretching or reading

Optimize Your Sleep Environment

What you're sleeping on makes a difference. Hayden sleeps on a customized mattress we built specifically for his body and recovery needs, using natural materials like Talalay latex, organic wool, and organic cotton.

Maintain a Consistent Wake-Up Time

Elite athletes like Hayden maintain consistent wake times, especially on weekends. This helps regulate your circadian rhythm and makes falling asleep easier.

Limit Daytime Naps

If you're training hard or dealing with disrupted sleep (hello, new parents), strategic naps can help. Keep them to 20-30 minutes for a cognitive boost, and at least six hours before your desired bedtime.

Maintain Physical Activity

Whether it's training like Hayden or your daily workout routine, regular physical activity supports overall health and better sleep quality.

The Foundation of Peak Performance

For an athlete operating at Hayden's level, compromising sleep means compromising performance, no matter how perfectly executed the training program may be. But this story isn't reserved for elite athletes alone—the effect that a good night's sleep has on our performance is significant for everyone.

Your sleep environment and products matter. The fact is, what you rest upon matters. If you're in search of deeper, more rejuvenating rest, it might be time to consider your sleep suite, which includes everything from your mattress foundation, to your mattress, to your sleep accessories. It's truly remarkable what non-toxic, high-quality, handcrafted products can do for your well-being.

Following Hayden's Journey

As Hayden continues through this rigorous training cycle, we're honored to support his recovery. These hard training days and restorative nights add up to big moments when everything aligns on the ice.

Make sure to connect with Hayden by following his social channels @hayden_mayeur. He's always busy with a new endeavor, whether it be training or an exciting event with Hayloft Coffee.

We've also shared a blog about Hayden's off-grid tiny home here. It's worth a read!

Your Recovery Matters Too

Whether you're training for competitions or just trying to show up as your best self every day, recovery starts with quality sleep. And quality sleep starts with what you're resting on.

Ready to upgrade your recovery?
Give us a call at (403) 455-8491 or email hello@blacksheepmattress.com

We'll help you find the right sleep system for your body, your goals, and your life—no sales pressure, just genuine guidance from people who care about helping you sleep better.

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