This interview first appeared in the Sports Edition of Fat Nugs Magazine, released May 2024.
Sydni Smiley is a personal trainer and social media cannabis influencer. She began her cannabis career in 2017 as a budtender in Southern California, then transitioned to marketing, and eventually became a freelance creator in 2020 during the pandemic, when she began creating cannabis content. Her content can be found on Instagram: @_shadesofsyd
An Interview with Syd Smiles
FNM: As a personal trainer, how does consuming cannabis help you or your clients?
Sydni: It just depends on how I’m feeling that day. If I want to lift, I’ll use it as a pre-workout because it really helps me connect my mind to my body and I’ve found that I’ve had some of my best lifting days when I’ve consumed before my workout. As far as recovery, topicals and bath bombs are great after a good gym session. It really helps my body with delayed soreness. When I started really implementing cannabis seriously into my wellness routine, I didn’t feel as sore or as tight anymore. My body just feels loose. It feels good.
FNM: When did you start consuming cannabis?
Sydni: I started consuming in college to relax and get rid of social anxiety. As my relationship with the plant grew, I realized I was able to enjoy different activities, such as working out after consuming.
FNM: Growing up, were there any sort of stigmas or misconceptions with cannabis in your family?
Sydni: Definitely. I’m a pastor’s daughter. So, I grew up in the church, Baptist, Christian. Very religious, strict household. My dad is retired from law enforcement as well.
FNM: How about today? Are you able to have conversations about cannabis with your family?
Sydni: It’s definitely different now. Once I became a budtender in 2017, they realized I was making way more money as a budtender than I was as a teacher, which is crazy. They were all for it. They’re like, if you’re making money and you can take care of yourself, then go ahead.
FMM: So, you were able to legitimize it with an actual job.
Sydni: Exactly. They understood it, and eventually, I started exposing them to topicals and things like that, because they’re super old school and they’re not going to smoke, but they might use some CBD rub or a bath bomb. I would bring them topicals, and they really, really enjoy that. My dad loves Papa and Barkley now. They’ve definitely opened up to it, but they’ll probably never get high with me, and that’s okay. They accept what I do. They don’t judge me. It’s just a part of my life now for the last six, seven years.
FMM: How has cannabis benefited your athletic career?
Sydni: As a weightlifter, I sometimes use cannabis as a pre-workout, and I’ve found it really increases my mind-to-muscle connection. I also use it in my recovery in different forms, such as flower and topicals. My favorite way to utilize it in my recovery is taking a bath with a CBD bath bomb because you get the benefits of the Epsom salt as well as the cannabinoids.
FNM: What’s your favorite way to consume?
Sydni: I love to roll a nice joint. The whole process feels very therapeutic for me, and I prefer to take my time so I can truly enjoy the experience.
FNM: Do you think your athletic career would be different without cannabis?
Sydni: Yes, there would be a lot more pain!
FNM: Does cannabis give you a competitive advantage?
Sydni: I’m currently not competing, so I can’t say for certain. If anything, the only advantage I would receive from consumption is not feeling as nervous before a game or meet. I could definitely see myself consuming some CBD the night before to calm my nerves.
FNM: What do you want other athletes to know about cannabis?
Sydni: Cannabis is there to help you, not hurt you. It may take some time to figure out what works for you, but once you do, it’s such a great tool to use alongside your training.
FNM: What do you do in the cannabis industry?
Sydni: I’m currently a content creator. I started out as a budtender in late 2017, transitioned into marketing in 2019, and then ended up becoming a freelance creator in 2020 during the pandemic and now I’m here! I started creating content while I was a budtender, so the transition to being a creator wasn’t too difficult.
FNM: What advice would you give to the younger you?
Sydni: Don’t let the D.A.R.E program influence you too much about cannabis.
FNM: What is the best way to normalize cannabis consumption in society?
Sydni: To have real conversations and be open about consumption with our communities. The best way to designate something is to show people from all walks of life participating in it. As a Black woman, my open consumption means a lot for people who look like me because it shows that they can do this too. They can love this plant out loud and break any stigma they choose. Representation truly matters.
