Gabrielle Reese: the interview

She’s 6’3, a sports legend, a former model, and GORGEOUS. Gabrielle Reese is the ultimate woman, and she’s super passionate about getting kids exercising and playing. “When you’re young you should play,” she said before adding, “and when you’re old you should play!” CGG was particularly inspired when Gabrielle accepted her award, reminding us that the #1 most important thing we can do in our lives is to protect our health. We talked to her about why it’s important for girls to play sports and how to get kids moving! CGG: What do you think about the too-skinny models? GR: It has always been – in my day there weren’t these giant girls so I would have never worked. I think people have to realize that it ends up being a cycle with the clothes and the pictures and everything and I think it’ll fade out again. CGG: What advice do you have for young women, diet-wise, so they don’t have low self-esteem or body-image problems? GR: When I grew up at 6 foot 3 people weren’t like ‘Oh that’s fantastic, they were like Oh, you’re a weirdo’ and I think the thing about it is you have to focus on what’s good about yourself and know that sometimes especially growing up it’s a very hard time for any woman, even if you’re the regular 5 8 perfect size two. Just learn to find your strengths and develop them. And I think it’s very important for women to take care of themselves. Starving yourself doesn’t work. You gotta eat and eat the right things for sure. And you have to be happy because if you do everything right and you’re not happy it doesn’t matter. CGG: Do you have any tips for new moms, how to get back in shape? GR: Yeah, get moving. If you’re not feeling really bad, get moving. People keep asking how did I get back in shape – the reality is I stayed moving my whole pregnancy. That’s really the best remedy to try to recover because once they come and you don’t sleep that’s when you really need to be strong. CGG: What other causes are you’re passionate about? GR: We do a lot with autism and anything to do with children and encouraging them to stay healthy and moving and things in the school system for you know, physical education and things like that. I think you have to get kids really early to make it a lifestyle pattern. CGG: What advice do you have for kids to get moving? GR: It’s gotta be fun. If you make it, you gotta go out and work out, it’s a nightmare. Just say, let’s go play so they understand what’s fun about it. CGG: Why is it important to become part of a team? GR: Especially for girls because you learn to play together and it’s important to learn about discipline and working hard and working for common goals and again, to play. When you’re young you should play and when you’re old you should play.