Kathy Ireland is both eager and terrified to perform as a celebrity competitor on this season of “Dancing with the Stars”. One would imagine this beauty who’s most famous for her jaw-dropping Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition covers, and being CEO of a massive company Kathy Ireland Worldwide which lists sales of 1.4 billion dollars annually wouldn’t fear much. We’d all guess wrong on that one. Kathy’s level of anxiety is going through the roof as she prepares to compete, but she’s facing those fears with excitement, energy and a fabulous secret weapon. Here she reveals what drives her, what’s hurting her and whether or not she’d consider famously slapping on a bikini for S.I. once more. Don’t be surprised if this season of DWTS reboots America’s love affair with Kathy Ireland.
Fitz: Tell me about your training so far.
Kathy: It is so hard! As a Mom with three children and CEO of Kathy Ireland Worldwide, I’ve spent most of my time sitting! Sitting in meetings, sitting in the car driving my kids to school and so on. I didn’t realize how deconditioned I’d become until I started training for “Dancing with the Stars”! I have discovered muscles I didn’t even know existed! I’m so sore, but it’s just so much fun. I think DWTS has really helped get Americans back on our feet, moving and on our way to being healthy again.
Fitz: What part of you is most sore?
Kathy: It’s so hard to pinppoint! I’ve had two knee surgeries in the past, so they are a little sore. And I’m dancing the Salsa and I didn’t even know it was possible to move my hips in so many directions. Put it this way … I smell like Ben Gay! I cut my leg surfing with my son this weekend and it was kind of a blessing in disguise. The pain from my cut has kind of drawn my attention away from my other parts that hurt!
Fitz: Regretting your decision to sign up?
Kathy: No. I really feel like what I’m doing is healthy and my partner, Tony Dovolani, is really careful about injuries. When he says “stop”, we stop. The things I’m learning are sure to benefit me throughout my life as well. I’m learning great posture and more.
Fitz: You recently and very publicly announced that you had let yourself go quite a bit and had to purposely adopt new eating and exercise habits to get back in shape. Would you have been able to take on this challenge with DWTS before you had made those positive changes?
Kathy: No. I don’t think I would have had the energy. It’s hard for me now, but boy … it would have been even more difficult if I were still in poor shape.
Fitz: How much confidence do you have about making it pretty far in this competition?
Kathy: Oh gosh! I’m both terrified and excited. What I’m really thrilled about is that my business family knows that I’m donating 100% of my profits from this competition to my favorite charities and they’re going to match every dollar I win as well!. It’s great motivation to step out of my comfort zone.
Fitz: Dancing will no doubt get you in even better shape. Ever consider going back for one last Sports Illustrated swimsuit photo?
Kathy: No. Been there, done that. I just don’t see how it would benefit anyone. Our mission as a company is to find solutions for families, especially busy moms. I don’t know how my crawling back in to a swimsuit could help achieve that. I also think being healthy is far more important than looking great in a swimsuit. Heart disease is the number one killer in America and an extra 25 pounds alone can take ten years off your life! I just want to be healthy. In my book Real Solutions for Busy Moms: Your Guide to Success and Sanity, one of the things I emphasize is for moms to put on their own oxygen mask first (like they say on airplanes)! Moms think they need to take care of their family and tend to forget that they’re a part of it. But if moms don’t take care of themselves, they’re not going to be much help to everyone else! I want to be there for our kids and dance at our great-grandchildren’s wedding. I feel great, have more energy and have with all of this exercise … I’ve never slept better!
Fitz: Last question. While training, what’s your favorite “go to” healthy food and your favorite not-so-healthy indulgence.
Kathy: My partner Tony and I love this restaurant called Backyard Bowl which is near our dance studio. It offers yogurt, granola, fresh fruit, and lots of choices which give me great energy to keep going. My favorite indulgence food? It’s so hard to pick just one! I’d have to say homemade chocolate chip cookies, hot fudge sundaes and all of that good stuff.
Fitz: Thanks so much for your time, Kathy. I wish you the best of luck in winning that fancy disco ball!
The season of “Dancing with the Stars” begins Monday, September 21st at 8/7 pm on ABC.
