A Malmö girl! Basketball star, mental coach – and a role model for many.

You might recognize Kalis Loyd from the Swedish TV show, Mästarnas Mästare. Her energy was impossible to miss when we first met her over Teams. Things move fast – between our first and second conversation, she got married, became pregnant, and started planning a move (!). Join us on a journey full of contrasts and impressions, both on and off the court – with an inspiring hair story.

Tell us about yourself and your family

My name is Kalis Loyd, I’m 36 years old, born in Copenhagen to a Swedish mother and an American basketball player father. I grew up in Malmö and am a “Malmö girl” – my bike was my best friend, and I loved that you could get from Söderkulla to Ribban in just half an hour. And the abundance of affordable food is without a doubt one of Malmö’s best features.

Basketball has always been a big part of my life. My dad was a pro and later a coach, so much of our family time was spent in basketball arenas (my parents met on a basketball court in Malmö back in the day). It was a natural, pressure-free given that I too would become a professional basketball player. At home, Swedish comfort food mixed with American holiday dishes – a blend of two cultures I’m very grateful for.

We often traveled to the U.S. to visit my American family, but it wasn’t until I moved there to play college basketball that I realized I was in-between – not entirely Swedish, not entirely American. That feeling of having one foot in each world stayed with me for a long time.

After five years in college and a business degree, I played professionally in Europe for ten years. I’ve experienced both incredible moments and, unfortunately, racism in different parts of the world. It’s a sad reality, but also an experience that has taught me a lot about who I am – and how to navigate different environments, both as a woman and as a Black person. Basketball has taken me to Spain, France, Italy, and Romania – and helped me learn languages like French, nearly fluent Spanish, and some Japanese and Italian.

Today, I split my time between Austin, Texas, with my husband, and Sweden/Europe. I’ve left my playing career behind, but basketball is still a big part of my life. My husband still plays, and I’ve found my new role as a mental coach, helping young athletes strengthen their mental resilience and face the often-tough reality of professional sports.

What do you appreciate most in life?

Without a doubt – my family. Without them and their support, I would never be where I am today. My parents played a crucial role in my basketball journey, from driving me to practices to making food after late games. They never questioned my dreams – they supported them wholeheartedly.

The extended family has always been there too – traveling to see my games, showing up for national team matches abroad, and even flying in for my college graduation in the U.S.

And my husband – he loves me for who I am. Sharing life with him is one of the greatest things I’ve ever experienced.

What do you do for work?

I work as a mental coach, mainly for basketball players. Simply put, I support the mental side of sports – the part that’s often overlooked but is essential for performance and well-being.

It can be about managing stress – both on and off the court – or learning to handle the pressure that comes with competing at a high level, especially when there are expectations for stats, results, and performance.

I also work with athletes playing abroad or at college, where homesickness, culture shock, and loneliness can be major challenges. We talk about building self-confidence, creating sustainable routines, and focusing on what you can control – instead of getting stuck on what you can’t.

My goal is to help players feel secure in themselves, so they not only grow as athletes – but also as people.

What does your hair mean to you? Tell us your hair story!

My mom who is Swedish, learned early on how to care for a different hair type than her own, and thanks to her I almost always felt good about my hair growing up – something I’m deeply grateful for.

But it hasn’t always been easy. When I was little, there were hardly any products in Sweden that worked for my hair type. We had to go to Copenhagen, where there was a bigger selection for afro and mixed hair – even though my hair didn’t fit neatly into any category.

It wasn’t until middle and high school that I started caring more about my hair myself. I wanted it straight, like “everyone else’s,” and my mom agreed to let me get it chemically straightened at a friend’s salon. That was a time when I, like so many others, just wanted to fit in.

My time in the U.S. was important for my hair journey. That’s when I learned to care for it myself and saw the many ways American women took care of theirs. I tried everything – from braids to sew-ins – but most importantly, I began to love my natural curls. Today, there are products that truly enhance my curls and make my hair feel beautiful.

Being a basketball player is tough on your hair – double training sessions, sweaty games, multiple showers a day. You often just look for quick fixes, which for me was usually a ponytail or messy bun. The only days I really put effort into my hair were game days – or days off – but even then, I was often too tired or lazy to give it the love it deserved.

For large parts of my career, I wore braids – simply because it was easiest. I didn’t have to think about my hair every day. But over time, I noticed the damage, and eventually, I decided to do “the big chop” and start fresh – a new, healthy hair journey.

Today, I’m much more intentional about how I care for my hair. I’ve learned what it needs, what it thrives on – and what to avoid. It’s time-consuming (and yes, I still have my lazy days 😂), but I have much more respect for my hair now. I know how fragile it can be, how important it is to be gentle with heat, and how much manipulation can affect it.

Now, my hair feels like part of my identity.

When is your hair at its best?

When I wash it twice a week, apply products while it’s still wet, and take the time to diffuse until the curls get that perfect “crust” – which I then gently scrunch out. That’s when I get soft, defined curls that truly shine.

Two final questions:
What makes you upset and what would you like to change?

Something that upsets me is that there is still so much racism in the world – especially structural racism – and it exists everywhere, whether we want to talk about it or not.

I want to change the way we live together. I dream of a more inclusive society, where we help people who immigrate, show empathy for those forced to flee war, and simply are kinder and more considerate toward each other. In the end, it costs nothing to be kind and helpful.

What are you curious about?

I’m curious about cultures – especially through food. There’s so much joy, laughter, and history shared around a dinner table, no matter where in the world you are.

During my years as a basketball player, I’ve had the chance to see many parts of the world, and some of my most cherished memories come from moments around a table – at someone’s home or in a small local restaurant. That’s where conversations open up, traditions meet, and you truly get to experience a culture.

About Kalis:

• Likes: food, travel, beach, ocean, swimming
• Family: husband and a baby on the way
• Hairstyle I’d dare to try: shaved
• Best hair tip: Take the time to diffuse your hair!
• Favourite Rufs product: The Detangler Trio (Shampoo, Conditioner and the Moisturizing Detangler)