Brooke Burke Dishes on Fitness, Family and Lifestyle

The model and fitness expert shares how she balances it all.

Supermodel, workout expert and mother of four Brooke Burke recently sat down with SI Swimsuit to talk all things fitness and family. Burke gave her insights on how balance and being less rigid have been keys to her multifaceted success. Check out Burke’s tips and learn about her latest venture, Brooke Burke Body:

Has fitness always been a major part of your life? If not, when did it become that and why?

Fitness has always been important to me -- I started my career in my 20s as a fitness model -- but launching my fitness app, Brooke Burke Body, has deepened my health and wellness commitment. I love encouraging women to step into their best selves, guiding them through the most efficient way to tone and sculpt their bodies.

You have built a major community around Brooke Burke Body. What was the inspiration behind launching your own brand?

Fitness changes us. It’s the best way to reset our mood, deepen our self-care, and take care of our immune system. I love connecting with women around the globe. Collective energy is a real thing. And I’m super passionate about being a wellness encourager. Home workouts are more important now than ever. We designed the 28-day Quaran-TONE program to help balance the stress of social distancing and staying safe at home. Fitness goes far beyond our superficial body needs. It’s about strength, body confidence and personal promises.

How would you describe your social community? What are some of your favorite parts about being able to connect with fans and followers?

The BB Body Community is a 24/7 support group. It consists of all shapes and sizes and ages. Women raise their average when they connect. It’s a place to connect, support, vent and uplift one another. I have designed the BB Body app for everyone. We are in it together and I love the community feedback to consider when creating new programs.

What is your personal philosophy when it comes to food/diet and exercise? Fitness should be fun. Designing a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean only sacrifice, diet and dread. Sweat will change you, plaIn and simple, adrenaline will reset your mood, and body confidence allows you to crush goals far beyond fitness. I believe in creating a sustainable healthy lifestyle that consists of mindful meals, fun fitness programs and community connection. Fitness is rarely an isolated journey. We have one body to live in—it’s our only place and we need to take care of it.

You are vocal about your practice of intermittent fasting. How long have you been doing that? Do you often recommend it? What are some ways it has benefited you?

Intermittent fasting is a philosophy that’s been around for centuries. It’s easy, gives you more eating freedom, helps burn belly fat, and improves overall energy. I’ve been doing it for years and I love it. I used to spend too much time preparing five small meals a day, worrying about fat content, and too much time eating. Intermittent fasting is the best meal plan I have experienced. And I’m never hangry!

How do you maintain a healthy household? Is your family equally as interested in health and wellness as you?

I tried to lead by example raising four children. We shop together, cook together and count on family meals. My kitchen is the nucleus of my family. We all have different tastes. But truth be told, people will grab what’s available to them. So I stocked my house full of mindful delicious foods. I teach my children how to prepare healthy meals. Time spent in the kitchen especially at the dinner table is how we connect as a family.

How are you navigating social distance learning with four kids in your household?

Through this challenging time, there have also been many beautiful moments. Having my children at home has made this a special year for all of us, although challenging. I have discovered that it’s about creating boundaries for all of us at home. Many families are struggling with that, especially moms working from home. We all respect each others' space. We try to carve out a place to call our own for periods of time during school and work hours. It boils down to structure boundaries and respect.

What does self-care mean to you?

Self-care is essential to my well-being and the biggest way of neglecting it is by caring for others before yourself. I used to do that when I was a younger mom, when I was last on the totem pole. Now I know that taking care of me means I’m a better mom, partner, CEO and friend. I know how to carve out time for myself guilt-free! My me-time helps me crush all of the other priorities in my life. Self-care means taking care of my mind, body and soul—medically, mentally and spiritually! Find me a Brooke Burke Body and I can show you how.