A Weekend with Ann Johansson of BoomBoom Athletica

A superhuman woman with two ultra-marathons under her belt and miles upon miles of terrain under her feet, Ann Johansson understands firsthand what materials and silhouettes are best suited for a body in motion. Raised in the fruitful berry forests of Stockholm, Johansson moved to Canada at age thirteen and hasn’t stopped moving since. From London and Berlin to Boston and New York, Johansson has participated in twelve marathons and even earned accolades for her athletic performance. Everything about the cardio fitness world has been a perfect fit for Johansson– except for her leggings.

If you often feel like cute athletic wear and functional activewear are mutually exclusive, you are not alone! This athlete-turned-entrepreneur long lamented the absence of stylish, performance-oriented activewear– that is, of course, until she created her own! Designing her own custom garments with luxurious European fabrics and specialist EU factories, Johansson soon put her breathable and beautiful lovechild on the market: BoomBoom Athletica.

Beauty inspo, fitness guru, entrepreneurial genius– Johansson has a wealth of knowledge that BWB couldn’t wait to access. Read below to join us on our weekend marathon with the woman who is sprinting ahead of the fashion and fitness world as we know it.

Friday day-to-night look?  

Casual chic during the day with leggings or jeans, a cashmere sweater, and a jacket on top. For the evening, I’ll swap out the sweater for a slinky little number or shirt and top it off with a blazer.

Weekend dinner plans?

Always trying to see friends for a great meal. We used to look forward to trying new restaurants, but we are increasingly eating in as kids have come into the frame.

Favorite home-made meal?  

A massive salad with far too many avocados.

Saturday ritual?

Working out in the morning for a few hours – either a long run or a mix of three to four classes – followed by a massive brunch with friends.   

Sunday run or relax?

I take my dog out for a two or three-hour walk. If I’m training for a race, I also do a workout or go on a run.

Go-to beauty routine?  

Moisturizer and sunscreen summarize my beauty routine. My skin is exceptionally dry and irritated, so I am constantly applying lotion. I also have a passion for nude lipsticks; I am forever looking for the perfect one!

Signature work-out routine?

I love running, and that takes up most of my time, but I have found that regular Barry’sBootcampand Pilates sessions have helped to keep me injury-free.

BoomBoom Athletica’s Summer activewear picks?

My current favorite color is turquoise, so I created my summer line around turquoise accents. The Casual Track Pants are great for my walks with my dog; the fabric is wrinkle-resistant, light and airy. On top, I wear my Novelty Eye Sweatshirt, which is soft and cozy; it captures the irreverent side of my personality. For workouts, I love the black and turquoise Fashion Leggings with the matching V Bra and Perfect Fit Tee.

Travel essentials for a weekend getaway?

I’m getting a lot of use from my Pullover with Faux Fur Accents as the collar and cuffs are detachable giving rise to different looks. A pair of Compressive Fashion Leggings work as casual leggings and also have the compression for a two-hour run. Similarly, the Plunge Bra looks sexy and provides great support for a workout. I never travel without my running shoes, but I also bring some proper heels. And I would almost certainly have a pair of jeans and a couple of T-shirts.

A cherished memory since creating BoomBoom Athletica?

The first time I saw someone wearing my clothes in the park. It blew my mind!

What does it mean to you to be an empowered woman today?

Having an outstanding set of opportunities worthy of spilling blood, sweat and tears to achieve.