Mediaplanet: Over the past few years you have become a social media sensation. Was inspiring women across the world your original goal? If not, what was your original inspiration, and how has it shaped your journey?
Kayla Itsines: I was always active growing up and played a lot of sports, particularly basketball. My clients were (and still are) a huge inspiration for me to continue to pursue my dream and career in the health and fitness industry. Seeing these women feeling fitter, stronger, and more confident is seriously the most rewarding aspect of my job. It’s so amazing that there are so many unique women, all from different backgrounds, with varying ages and fitness levels, yet they all share one common goal — to feel confident.

MP: What advice can you share with women who want to get back into shape?
KI: I know it can be daunting; however, my best advice is to remember that something is always better than nothing and to not be so hard on yourself. Developing new habits can take time, so be patient and set realistic goals. Focus on your own personal goals as well, and try not to compare yourself to others. Progress photos are an amazing form of motivation to help you on your health and fitness journey. There’s nothing more motivating than being able to see the results from your own hard work and dedication.

MP: How can the busiest of women stay active?
KI: So many women struggle with extremely busy schedules, which means it is more important than ever to try to make the most of the time you do have to work out! The high-­intensity resistance training sessions in my Sweat With Kayla app are only
28 minutes — which is just two percent of your day. This makes them perfect for anyone on a busy schedule. They require little to no equipment and can be done at the gym, at the park, and even in the comfort of your own home.

“I always say that if you want to climb a mountain, make sure you have another goal set for when you get to the top.”

MP: What advice do you have for women who want to stay fit as they age?
KI: I personally believe setting goals is so important. They can give you the motivation to keep doing what you love and push you to get where you want to be. I always say that if you want to climb a mountain, make sure you have another goal set for when you get to the top so you don’t lose motivation!

MP: We understand that you have been on the road for the past few weeks for your Sweat With Kayla tour. What were you hoping to achieve with this tour, and what was its outcome?
KI: Yes, I’ve just returned from my Sweat Tour 2016, where I hosted free boot camp events in London, New York, and Los Angeles. It’s crazy to think I trained almost 10,000 women across these three capital cities in just eight days! To me, these tours mean absolutely everything. It’s an opportunity for me to be able to meet and train the girls who I communicate with online day in and day out. The tours also allow the girls to come and work out as friends and be a part of the world’s largest female fitness community — the BBG Community. It is so amazing to see these girls come alone and then leave with friends! I feel so blessed to be a part of such an inspirational movement full of a supportive and empowering community of women.

MP: We’ve all gotten out of our gym routine before. What’s your solution for the days you just want to skip exercising?
KI: I think the important thing is to remember that we’re all human! I would suggest that you don’t see taking a day off as a setback, but rather as a day of rest your body deserves! For me, I actually turn to my incredible BBG Community when I may be lacking motivation. I personally believe that it’s really important to surround yourself with positive individuals who share the same goals as you so they too can motivate you on your health and fitness journey!