Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes has opened up about why traveling with girlfriend Olivia “Livvy” Dunne can be challenging, even in the offseason, pointing to his relentless six-day training routine.
In an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published Wednesday, the reigning 2025 National League Cy Young Award winner explained that his demanding schedule leaves the couple with limited uninterrupted time together while on the road.
“I think Liv probably gets tired of traveling with me,” Skenes told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “We might spend four days somewhere, but it’s really two because half of each day, the morning, is for me to train. We don’t get mornings. She can do whatever she needs to do in the morning. But we do not get mornings.”
According to Skenes, his offseason preparation closely mirrors his in-season workload and remains non-negotiable, no matter where he is.
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He follows a structured six-day cycle that includes high-intensity bullpen sessions designed to simulate multiple innings, scheduled recovery days, light throwing, lifting sessions, additional bullpen work, catch play, and primer lifts before returning to another simulated game environment.
The routine, while essential to maintaining his elite performance, often leaves little room for leisurely mornings, a sacrifice that follows him everywhere he travels.
Paul Skenes Maintains Relentless Training Routine During Trips To Italy And Buffalo
During the current offseason, Paul Skenes and Livvy Dunne have traveled extensively, with stops in Italy, Hawaii, California, New Jersey, and Buffalo. While in Buffalo, the pair spent time with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen ahead of the Bills’ 35–8 home win over the New York Jets in the regular-season finale on January 4.
The trip wasn’t solely recreational for Skenes, however, as he continued his offseason preparation by arranging a bullpen session at the Bills’ practice facility.
For that workout, Skenes threw to a catcher from Buffalo-based Canisius University, maintaining his regular throwing program despite being away from his usual training environment.
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Skenes said he prefers training facilities that emphasize work over atmosphere and avoid spaces that feel overly social. “Guys want to get to the show, but the work is what got you there,” Skenes said. “The way I think about it, I want to do something bigger.”
The two-time MLB All-Star added that he favors quiet environments during workouts and does not train with music. “Certainly not talking bad about any other facility, but it can become a social thing,” Skenes said. “This isn’t social.”
Skenes is coming off a dominant 2025 season that firmly established him among baseball’s elite, a level of success he attributes to consistency and preparation rather than comfort or convenience.
