Q&A Interview With Gabby Reece

Greetings from Los Angeles, California!

I just arrived to the sunny golden state to attend the 2015 IDEA BlogFest and World Convention for the rest of the week. I have a few hours to kill before I am able to check into my hotel room, so I made a couple laps around the hotel, and now I am logging on to share an interesting virtual conversation with a true fitness icon!

This trip sure crept up. I cannot believe it all starts tomorrow, and to say I am looking forward to the sessions, the workouts, and the chats with fellow fitness and healthy living bloggers would be a serious understatement.

A couple of weeks ago, I jumped at the opportunity to interview former Women’s Beach Volleyball League star and fitness icon Gabrielle Reece!

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Not only will Gabby be the keynote speaker for BlogFest 2015, but she will also be leading a session and workout. I’m so pumped to try it!

I polled questions from you guys to see what you would like to ask her on top of my questions, and I was so happy to see she responded with well thought out and detailed answers.

Thank you so much to Gabby for opening up and getting back to us so quickly!

Q&A Interview With Gabby Reece

I’m sure the majority of you recognize this beauty, but here’s a short bio.

Gabrielle has been a huge inspiration on and off the pro beach volleyball court, and has used her fitness experience to create her own high-intensity explosive training and conditioning program, HIGHX powered by Lifeline.

Gabby started a highly successful volleyball career shortly after graduating college, and has also proven to be a success in the modeling world after appearing on the covers of many well known and respected magazines. She was the very first female spokesperson for Nike, and has made several television and movie appearances as an actress.

Basically, Gabby Reece rocks.

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Today, she is a mother of four and a wife to surfer and fellow fitness fanatic, Laird Hamilton. Together, they split their time between residences in Kauai, Hawaii, and Malibu, California. As you can imagine, Gabby stays pretty busy keeping up with her family, speaking, and running her business(es) in fitness!

Here’s what she had to say…

It looks like you and your husband do a great job keeping your family on the healthy track! Have your kids learned to love the healthy eating lifestyle?

I think the best thing Laird and I do is TRY to be good examples of moving consistently (and making it seem like there is some fun in it), and doing our best to make good nutritional choices. However, let’s not kid ourselves. What kid looks at brussels sprouts sitting next to a noodle and things “I’m going green?” It is a constant conversation; which everyone knows is parent talk for battle.

Gabby Reece on Instagram

We do the best we can to provide good foot at home, but I try not to make any food a real issue. My hope is that coupled with a good example, and not making anything taboo the girls will arrive at choices that will support a healthy and happy lifestyle. Let’s face it food and junk food is in some ways a kids currency, so I also think they begin to grow out of that in time. The big thing for me is that they know the difference between food; something that nourishes their body and fun.

What is your normal fitness routine? How often do you complete HIGHX workouts?

I participate in HIGHX about three days a week. When I am in California on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, I do my husband’s pool training XPT where I’m able to do explosive training without further damaging my joints. Especially the knees. I generally take Sundays off or even in the middle of the week if I’m feeling genuinely fatigued.

So, you’ve competed professionally while 5 months pregnant! What tips would you give to pregnant women who are looking to stay fit but not overdo it?

When it comes to pregnancy each situation is very specific to the individual. The woman who is some what conditioned going into pregnancy and feels good during pregnancy can exercise at a decent clip. However, if she is feeling ill and tired long walks and resting may be best for her.

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The way I approached it was simple. I was not trying to get “in the shape of my life” once I found out I was pregnant. I tried to have my exercise level match what felt safe and good for my body. The other thing I did to be safe was I went to my Doctor every week to check to see how thick my uterus wall was while I was playing. He felt comfortable that if it was not thinning that I was not putting any undue stress on the baby.

No matter what, pregnancy and exercise during pregnancy is such a personal journey for each woman. I never used it as an excuse, but I tried to listen to my body. I did my best to stay conditioned so that I was strong during those sleepless months once the baby arrived. An armor of sorts.

What is your favorite way to unwind or relax?

I like to read and honestly, I love to go to the movies. I never have time or I end up taking my kids to one of their films, but I really enjoy watching movies to relax. Looking out at a nice natural environment is also relaxing and therapeutic for me.

Gabby Reece on Instagram

Do you have any tips on balancing health and family life?

I think balance is something that floats in and out of our days and weeks (hopefully). I don’t have the expectation to have my life balanced, I just do my best to give what needs the most attention at that moment.

You are there spinning the 10 plates and you have to just keep running between the plates to keep them all rolling. Kids, sex, work, laundry, communication, dinner, fun, etc. I don’t make all of it critical all of the time (except my family), I just try to keep each one moving and the relationships nourished.

So let’s say my kids are in school or at a camp, then I can hands on focus with work, the house, or my husband. The other thing I don’t do is expect for things to be perfect or that I can have everything all of the time. I can have everything, imperfectly, at various times. I’m good with that and don’t set a standard that is virtually impossible to obtain or you kill yourself on the quest.

Gabby Reece on Instagram

The other thing that helps me achieve balance is one simple word; NO. I say NO a lot and it saves me so much angst and unnecessary running around. I have the chance to save my energy and time for the situations that need it or mean a lot to me. “Can you make it to my all girls nail party just cuz”?  No. “It’s my third cousins bachelorette that you met 10 years ago at my house’? No. I have good manners, but I make sure to be there for the big things, and not at the cost of not being genuine.

Lastly, learning to speak up without emotion is helpful. “I’m sorry that doesn’t work for me”, or “this is how I’m feeling…” Often times woman have to get ramped up to really spit it out. Save yourself the hassle and try to in your best matter of fact express your feelings.

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Once again, I owe a huge thank you to Gabby and her media team for giving me the chance for this interview. I truly enjoyed reading her answers to our questions and hope you did too!

Well, I’m off to grab a late lunch (my belly is still on E.S.T.) and pick up my registration packet for the convention. I will see you back in the morning with a fun fitness fashion giveaway!