Fitness personality Katie Austin talks Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, being real with her audience and learning from her mom, Denise Austin

Katie Austin is paving her own way in the fitness industry. Gibson Johns interviews the Katie Austin App founder about appearing in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue for the third time, bringing an increasing amount of transparency to what she posts online, evolving her content from when she started and what her day-to-day life really looks like. They also discuss what it's like working alongside her iconic mom, Denise Austin, and what she's learned from her over the years, the Katie Austin App and the major goals she has for her future.

Video Transcript

GIBSON JOHNS: Hi, guys. Welcome back to "We Should Talk," a pop culture interview series from In The Know. I'm your host, Gibson Johns. And today on the podcast, we have Katie Austin, who is a global fitness personality.

She has been in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue three times. She was last year's Rookie of the Year. And she's also somebody that I grew up with. She's a longtime family friend. Our parents are very close.

And this was kind of one of those full circle moments that I was waiting to happen. We had never really crossed paths professionally. I'd never interviewed her before. And I was waiting for this moment.

So when the opportunity came to interview Katie, I jumped at it. And she did not disappoint. Again, I've known her for most of my life. And it was really fun to have this conversation with her about her evolving career, about being in the fitness and wellness space, which is, again, a space that has changed a lot over the past 10 years, 20 years, 30 years.

And her mom is Denise Austin, who kind of paved the way in this fitness space. And it's been really cool for them to both work together and also be on their own paths. They came into this industry at such different times.

And so I loved hearing Katie's thoughts on all of those topics. You know, her philosophies on the fitness and wellness space are so refreshing. And I think that a lot of people could learn from a lot of her wise words that she shared in this interview.

You know, she has she has an app, the Katie Austin app, where she shares workouts, fitness tips, recipes, wellness tips, you name it. She really is just-- I just love her perspective on so many of these things. And it's not about dieting. It's not about losing weight. It's just about feeling healthy and feeling your best and moving.

But I'll let her share those words in this interview. Again, I love my conversation with Katie. And it was a really, really special moment for me, again, as somebody who has known her for so long. And I'm just so proud of all the success that she's had.

And she has her sights set on such big things. And I know that she can get to those achievements and those milestones. So I'm rooting for her. And I think you'll really appreciate this interview.

So keep listening for my chat with Katie Austin. Check out the Katie Austin app for more fitness tips and healthy recipes. And please rate, review, and subscribe to "We Should Talk" on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

GIBSON JOHNS: All right, so we are here with Katie Austin, global fitness personality. She just made her third appearance in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, last year's Rookie of the Year, also somebody I happen to have grown up with. Katie, how are you? I'm so excited to talk to you.

KATIE AUSTIN: I am ecstatic. I am so happy to be here and to be talking to you. We've known each other for 20 plus years.

GIBSON JOHNS: Literally, that's scary.

KATIE AUSTIN: It's scary.

GIBSON JOHNS: Oh my God. Yeah, so our parents were always friends. And I'd said, I'd done something with your mom press-wise before the pandemic. But we've never been able to make this path cross. And so I'm just happy to be able to do this with you.

KATIE AUSTIN: I know, I'm so excited. Thanks for having me.

GIBSON JOHNS: Of course, and I'm so proud of you. I was like, I told you, I was like, stalking you, doing all my research. And I was just like, damn, like, Katie has just done so much for herself. And I'm just so, so, so proud of you and what you've been able to build. It's been so fun to watch.

KATIE AUSTIN: Thank you. I really, really appreciate that. It's also so cool to hear that from someone you grew up with. It means a lot. So I appreciate that.

GIBSON JOHNS: So, OK, third time in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. That, I mean, the first time clearly must have been the bucket list moment. But then to have it keep happening, is that the big pinch me moment, something like that? Just like, that's something you've kind of always been thinking about?

KATIE AUSTIN: Absolutely. I mean, it's just, first up, it's an honor to be in the issue year one, right? And then winning Swim Search was really a crazy moment. I feel like that was, like, the most insane experience of my life, especially winning it with my best friend.

But now, year three, it's just such an honor to be invited back. And I feel so, just so happy with where I'm at with the brand, to be honest, because I feel so much more confident. I feel like the first year, I was like, you go into it so much more nervous. And you don't know what to expect.

And you're just, like, envisioning it as, like, so much anticipation. Like, it's like, such a far fetched goal, really, in your life, that I just wanted forever. And the second year is like, OK, I got this. Let's do this. And then you're just so excited the whole time.

But this year, I really just took every moment in. On my shoot, I just was so comfortable. I was so confident.

GIBSON JOHNS: Good.

KATIE AUSTIN: And it's just like, I feel back better than ever, to be honest. I know the team so well. I know the other girls so well. Plus, my favorite part about it was like, this year was almost like being there for the rookies and then the year one girls, because I remember, like, being in that position and being like, OK, what's tonight like? OK, what's this going to be like?

GIBSON JOHNS: Right.

KATIE AUSTIN: And so kind of giving them that advice, it was just so cool to be in that position.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah. Yeah, and I feel like the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit brand has done such a good job of evolving with the times as well. And to me, like, that's reflected in the fact that when this is all announced and there's the big events around the launch, like, it does feel like it's a very supportive, collaborative, kind of like family-based environment that they've created around this. Is that how it feels?

KATIE AUSTIN: Absolutely. And I feel like the coolest part about it too, which now I fully understand, is how much they want to be aligned with women who represent something. Right? So like, every girl in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit has a mission or has a purpose to be in it.

And I'm not kidding you when I say every single individual who is in that magazine is, like, just so worthy and so amazing. And they're, like, fighting for something. And they have a huge brand or they have a mission that they stick by.

And so Sports Illustrated Swimsuit wants to really put that platform out for every single mission or every single brand. And for me, that's like, making girls and women feel their best self through workouts, through healthy recipes. And also, I always say this too, my mom doesn't like when I say this, Gibby.

But I always say, like, I'm not a real model, right? Like, so I was just-- I tried out with no agent. I did Swim Search. I posted the audition tape.

So I also represent, like, the normal girl, just like, having a dream, wanting to be in it. I never, you know-- my first massive modeling shoot has just happened to be Sports Illustrated Swimsuit.

GIBSON JOHNS: Right, that's crazy. Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: So I wanted to really represent the realistic girl that, like, you know, I'm not doing runway shows. I don't have, like, a huge book of all these huge brands I model for. And so that was really another type of person I wanted to represent.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, definitely. And I feel like, that's something that I've observed about what you put out there is like, you aren't somebody who makes everything super perfect and glossy. And you're so transparent with your audience. And you are down to just, like, show your everyday life that's not always the most glamorous situation.

I think that that's so-- that probably helps you continue your momentum and, like, gives you longevity, I think, because people don't think that you're [BLEEP] them. You know what I mean? Like, you're just, you're being real with these people. I think that that ties directly into that.

KATIE AUSTIN: No, absolutely. And that's my brand, you know? I want to make sure people, yes, they work hard with their workouts and they're eating healthy. But at the same time, you're human. Enjoy your life.

My mom has always, you know, she's always said, you have one body, one life. But at the same time, like, live in moderation, because that's what life is all about. I mean, I open up online, like today on Snapchat, I'm talking about, like, getting my period and, like, going through workouts with having my period.

And that's another huge reason why I think Sports Illustrated Swimsuit wanted to work with me, because I do talk about those things. I mean, I'm now in the magazine sponsored by period underwear, because I talk about my period.

GIBSON JOHNS: Wow.

KATIE AUSTIN: So just full circle moment right there.

GIBSON JOHNS: Listen, everything-- but I think it's like, you share these things, and like, anything can become, like, more of a moment for you. You know what I mean? Because you never know where, like, who's going to reach out or how that kind of avenue is going to continue down.

KATIE AUSTIN: Yes, because everyone goes through it, you know?

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: And that's something that women go through every single month.

GIBSON JOHNS: Of course.

KATIE AUSTIN: So why not talk about it? Why not be more open about it? But beyond even that, just making sure people feel seen and that they're not alone.

I feel like sometimes, you know, through social media, you can be, like, comparing yourself a lot. And I even get stuck in those situations before. But if I see someone posting some more realistic things or being more real, then I feel less alone.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: And that's like, really, the entire point of it. I think social media in general is just becoming more authentic, which is great.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, 100%. When you were first breaking into this space, is that something that you didn't see? Is that something, like, you were like, OK, I can carve this out, because one, that's just who I am. But also, two, like, there is space for more authenticity and transparency within this kind of fitness influencer space.

KATIE AUSTIN: I even fell into that. I'm not going to lie.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: I do look at those things that pop up. It's like, seven years ago today, four years ago today.

GIBSON JOHNS: Oh my God.

KATIE AUSTIN: I saw me doing, like, a HIIT workout. Like, I posted a HIIT workout, like, the day after Thanksgiving one time, being like, here's my workout today, everybody. And I remember being like, OK, I'm not like, I don't even know if I'm actually going to be doing this workout, but here is what I'm posting. I don't do that anymore.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: I'm actually living in real time. I'm practicing what I preach. I talk about the days where I don't feel very well. I'm not going to work out. I'm going to rest for my body. And I don't know if that's just evolving. Or maybe I'm just growing up as well.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: I feel like I wish, as a younger person, when I was in my later teens and early 20s, I would look up to someone who would be more realistic. I feel like I was looking at girls all the time, being like, I'm not skipping my workout. I'm only eating this. I would never eat that. And now, I am really wanting to show the other side so the younger girls can see that.

GIBSON JOHNS: Mhm, definitely. And is that something that you think-- did that-- was that, like, a conscious decision for yourself? Or was that something that you just kind of evolved over time, and that's just kind of how you've become?

KATIE AUSTIN: Definitely evolved over time. And I don't know about you, but sometimes when you look back at social media posts, I'm like, oh my God. Thank God we evolve.

GIBSON JOHNS: Thank God we evolve. But also, isn't it crazy that we live in this time when, like, seven years ago, eight years ago. Like, that moment, what you were like at that time is out there. And like, it's being-- you can keep track of it, which is, I don't know, I think it's cool to see the evolution though. I think instead of cringing at it, it's like, OK, I've grown from that moment. You know what I mean?

KATIE AUSTIN: Totally, yeah, yeah. And it also, it just shows my growth in real life too. I feel like I'm my older 20s now. I know exactly who I am more. And not to relate this back to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, but like, that's also why I feel so confident be in the magazine at this point in my life, because I know exactly who I am and what I stand for.

I actually first auditioned back in 2017. I think I was, like, 21 or 22 years old. And I'm like, I didn't get it for three years. And I'm like, thank God I did not get it, because I would have been very lost and wouldn't be as confident as I am right now.

GIBSON JOHNS: Mmm, definitely. And I think, kind of going off that being real and authenticity topic, you recently, you got engaged. And you're engaged, and you're planning a wedding.

And I think that, like, I've noticed in some of your AMAs, it's like, people want-- people sometimes ask really personal things of you. And I'm curious what your balance is with sharing those personal things or holding something back, because I know you're-- obviously, you share pretty much everything. But I'm just curious what your approach is to that, because I'm sure it can be a slippery slope into being like too honest or maybe not. I don't know.

KATIE AUSTIN: Yeah. Anything that's-- I'm doing an Ask Me Anything right now, actually, on my Instagram. Anything that's, like, more so super personal to the person, I almost reach out individually. If it's too much of a generalized thing, I actually can check in on them one on one. But there is a fine line of oversharing.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: I think I never want to share too much of my personal life, because at the end of day, I'm human. I want to make sure I'm keeping some things private. And I can definitely tell you, like, what you see online is, like, 70% of my life. I definitely don't share everything.

But you know, some special things about my wedding I'll keep private, obviously. I love to share about it. And I'll ask-- I'll put out to the public what I want to put out to the public.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, mhm.

KATIE AUSTIN: You know what I mean? I don't really know how to-- I don't know, actually. It's a great question though. But it is hard, in my mind, like, balancing the two and separating them sometimes.

GIBSON JOHNS: Well, it seems like your natural inclination is to share. And I think that's kind of like, that's why people love you. But you have to kind of, like, save some space for yourself and for just-- that's not for the world, you know what I mean?

KATIE AUSTIN: Sometimes my fiance is like, why would you post that? Like, you're sharing way too much. Like, OK, he keeps me on track. At least I have a really good support system, that if I overshare and do something way too much.

But honestly, I'm just an oversharing person. Like, beyond oversharer, it's just who I am. And I think it's like almost a way to connect--

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, totally.

KATIE AUSTIN: --with people. Yeah, and so that's just who I am.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, and I think that, like, I think you're on this wedding planning journey. And it's like, that's something that, one, I think it's cool that people who have been following you for a long time are now, like, on this with you. And they want the details, just because they're invested in you as a person.

But also, like, I think that's a big life event that people have opinions and feelings about. And you know, and they also want tips around that too. So it's like, it's a whole other thing for you.

KATIE AUSTIN: Totally. It's just a hard thing to balance. Like today, I'm talking about wedding planning. And then someone messaged me being like, get over it. We understand you're engaged.

GIBSON JOHNS: Oh my God.

KATIE AUSTIN: Stop talking about it. And then, you know, other 50% of the girls are like, please share more. I want more. And so to be honest, you're never going to win either way.

GIBSON JOHNS: Play to those people, though. Play to the people who want it from you. You know what I mean? Like, that's-- that's [INAUDIBLE].

KATIE AUSTIN: I'm happy, and I'm going to share what I want to share. And you're never going to please everybody. So just do you.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, totally. Switching gears a little bit, obviously your mom, Denise Austin, was a huge personality in the fitness space and has been for a long time. And she carved such a path for herself. And I think you've done such a good job of following her footsteps, but not mimicking her, carving out a space for yourself, really kind of doing your own thing while also, again, there are shades of what your mom made a career out of that you do as well. But I think it's a nice balance.

And I'm wondering how you think about that. Was that a conscious thing to, like, obviously, be Katie Austin, not Denise Austin? Like, how do you think about that balance? Because you also do stuff together a lot of time, which is really fun to see.

KATIE AUSTIN: I feel like the older I get, too, like the more I-- I've always, obviously, appreciated my mom and what done.

GIBSON JOHNS: Of course, she's an icon.

KATIE AUSTIN: The older I get, I embrace her more as my mom.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: You know what I mean, though?

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: Like, in the fitness industry, to be honest, because I think in my early 20s when I was just starting out my fitness career, I wanted to be so individual, right? I wouldn't like when people were like, oh, that's Denise Austin's daughter. Now I'm like, hell yeah, let's frickin' go. I feel so grateful.

And honestly, yes, sometimes I feel like what I say and sometimes my moves are just like my mom. But like, it's not conscious. I just grew up with her since I was--

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, exactly. She's your literal mom.

KATIE AUSTIN: Yeah, yeah. And like, I was in her workout videos starting at seven years old. I traveled with her since six weeks old. I saw her my entire life, filming her DVDs and filming her show.

And so it's kind of, like, just innately in me. And it's just, happens to be my passion as well. And I get the question a lot, like, would you still be doing this if your mom wasn't a fitness pioneer? And I'm like, I actually don't know that, because--

GIBSON JOHNS: Well, that's also impossible for you to separate, because it's always been intertwined in your own life, again, having Denise as your mom. Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: Right. And you know, my family and my sister and I, we grew up as athletes.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: And so we couldn't really make that a career. And then I always wanted to be a host, like a sports host. And I was an athlete in college, and I kind of combined my love of fitness and working out as an athlete, and then also my love of hosting.

And I happen to be, now, a fitness personality. And it happens to be what my mom has, as well, done. But at the same time, I love doing everything with her. I think, now more than ever, we're closer, because I think also, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit gave me this individualism that I feel really, not separated from my mom, but it's something that I have respect for in my own right. And now I just feel so confident with where I am. And I love when people say, oh, that's Denise Austin's daughter now. I've kind of evolved out of that, you know?

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: I have so much respect for my mom. Why wouldn't I?

GIBSON JOHNS: 100%. Yeah, why wouldn't you? And also, I'm sure that comes with just, like, age and maturity, basically. And just like, and I think that as we get older, like, we see our parents differently.

And I think that that's, it's really, like, a special thing, honestly. So I think it's really cool that you can reframe that for yourself. But also it's like, this space has evolved so much, I think, since your mom started.

And so you know, just the nature of the industry is so different. And I think that she's evolved really well. But also, like, you started at a completely different time than her, obviously. And so you're going to be doing different things, you know? And I think that it's I don't know, I think it's just cool to watch you both be on your paths. It's not the same path.

KATIE AUSTIN: No, it's really, really cool, because she's starting out on social media for the first time. And I can never do DVDs or VHS. It's like, she has these crazy milestones.

I feel like, also, people probably think I compare myself to her. And I never do, because she has these milestones of selling the most walking shoes on QVC and the longest standing fitness show nationwide. And I'm like, OK, no one's tuning in to a weekly fitness show anymore, unless it's on YouTube or Snapchat.

GIBSON JOHNS: Right.

KATIE AUSTIN: It's just different milestones.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: So I can't even compare myself, because it's totally different. And everyone who knows and follows my mom and I knows we're just so different as well.

GIBSON JOHNS: Mhm, 100%. One of my favorite moments was when you guys had your swimsuit runway moment together. Like, I literally, I like, teared up watching that. That was, like, such a cool freaking moment.

What went into that like? How did that-- like, whose idea was that? How did that come to be? Because I think that that was-- you've obviously done things together. You do press together a lot.

But that was, like, a particular moment that I was just like, this is something that you're going to have for the rest of your life to watch.

KATIE AUSTIN: And honestly, I'm really not even going to say, because like, I get chills when someone even mentions it. It's like, so, so special. So Sports Illustrated Swimsuit called me probably 12 or 14 days before the show, so not long ago.

GIBSON JOHNS: Not that much, no.

KATIE AUSTIN: I want to say two weeks, my mom found out. Calls me and was like, what do you think about your mom walking with you? And you know what I really, really appreciated with them? The team was like, if you don't want this, it's OK.

We don't want to take away from you. You are our model. We don't want the press to be about your mom and make that a whole thing about her. And I was like, God, I would never even think that way, like ever.

I would love my mom to be there and walk down. But it was so sweet of them to even approach it that way. And so I call my mom. She's always freaking out. She's like, I only have two weeks. I have to walk down the runway with a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. I could have had three months. And like, no, you look great.

GIBSON JOHNS: So your mom.

KATIE AUSTIN: I know, right? And also, so real of her. I feel like a lot of people are like, oh no, just she would just walk down how she is. She's like, oh no, I need three months to prepare for something like this. But no, she had two weeks. And she looked frickin' phenomenal.

GIBSON JOHNS: Amazing.

KATIE AUSTIN: Thank God she practices what she preaches with 30 minute workouts a day and her 80/20, how she eats. But you know what was so cool too? Is Sports Illustrated Swimsuit really wanted to highlight walking down with someone who has been your support system from day one.

Hunter McGrady had her sister there. And Nicole Williams showed that she was pregnant with her husband. And so I had my mom. And so it was just really, like, the day one supporter who is walking with you down the runway.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: But what was really cool to me is kind of going back to that, like, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit was my thing. I've always been involved with my mom's world, right? Like, for fitness. And this was the first time that she was, like, fully immersed--

[INTERPOSING VOICES]

GIBSON JOHNS: You could bring her in, yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: Yeah, and so it was a really cool full circle moment.

GIBSON JOHNS: That is a really cool full circle moment. The other thing I'm curious about, what, if you guys have any conversations around this, is like, obviously, you're coming up at a time when conversations around body image and society's expectations of women and all these, like, and even around wellness culture and fitness and healthy eating.

All that stuff has evolved so much. And I'm curious, like-- and your mom has done such an amazing job of adapting with the times and all of that. But I'm just curious, like, if you guys talk about that at all. Because again, like, it's probably so easy to say the wrong thing or to, like, not evolve.

KATIE AUSTIN: Totally.

GIBSON JOHNS: You know I mean? I'm curious how you speak about that.

KATIE AUSTIN: Well, you know, going back in my mom's day, I feel like it was very, lose weight, calories.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: It really matters what you eat, blah, blah, blah. So my whole brand is really making sure that people are moving for their mental health. I will rarely, rarely talk about weight loss.

If it's a one-off email or if someone asks me a question about it, I will address it. But I never have programs for weight loss or to count calories or count macros or worry about the scale.

GIBSON JOHNS: That's so awesome.

KATIE AUSTIN: And my whole brand is, really, move your body to feel good and feel more confident and for your mental health. And I also will never-- this is something that, like, I really-- I get asked all the time. And I know in the fitness industry and the diet culture, diet culture is how you make the most money in the world.

But I will never have a specific diet plan that I want my followers to stick to, because I think diet plans are something that can kill your mental health, number one, and just, like, make you feel like you're going crazy about what you have to eat. And I've been there before. And number two, you have to stick to such a harsh regimen. And every single body is so different.

So my whole thing is to make sure that I'm giving them recipes and, like, inspiration on what I eat, but never being like, OK, here is a three month plan of what you need to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And unfortunately, that's how you make the most money in the fitness industry, weight loss and diet, but two things I really, really try to stay away from. And so, you know, I always also try to reiterate that you are beautiful the way you are. And work out because you love your body, not because you hate it.

GIBSON JOHNS: I love that. That's a really good-- I love that. And I'd never heard it framed that way, where like, selling some sort of aspect of diet culture or weight loss, something, is the way you make the most money.

And I think that that's-- I've never heard it framed that way. And that's, really, kind of, like, poignant to like, basically, if you're doing that, you're kind of selling out, right? It's kind of like, you're taking the easy way out, what, to like just spew these kind of toxic messages to people.

KATIE AUSTIN: I've never actually said that too, either. Like, the fitness industry can be a whole lot of BS.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: And you know, and there's so many different fads and diets and stuff like that, and something that you could stick to. But at the same time, it's like, OK, you have to make it a lifestyle if you're going to stick to it, because you can buy a plan for-- and of course, I have, like, 12 day plans of workouts that you could do on my app and stuff like that.

GIBSON JOHNS: But that's different. Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: But that's just to inspire you to create a habit, right? And so I really want to make sure that when you're eating healthy and you're working out, it becomes a lifestyle. And you're not just going through these ups and down phases.

GIBSON JOHNS: So all of these things that you're mentioning can be found in the Katie Austin app. There we go.

KATIE AUSTIN: So it's diet plan, just recipes.

GIBSON JOHNS: Right, exactly. Talk to me about the app and why having that sort of central home was really important to you and why it works, because I feel like a lot of you all have tried to launch apps in-- I'm thinking about, I mean, even like the Kardashians all their own apps that don't exist anymore.

And like, clearly yours is succeeding. So like, how has this worked for you? And like, why is it important for you to have this sort of, like, home base that people can subscribe to.

KATIE AUSTIN: Well, I think it can work. I mean, the first thing that I can think of is, I think it's worked because it's actually my passion. It's what I love to do.

GIBSON JOHNS: Right.

KATIE AUSTIN: It's like, what I preach, you know what I mean? And so if you don't love it, it's not really going to work out. It's crazy, but this is 5 years this-- like two months, it was five years of the Katie Austin Fitness app--

GIBSON JOHNS: Wild.

KATIE AUSTIN: --and eight years of my program. So eight years of my program, I've been doing this. And it drives me. And it sounds so cliche, and it's, like, sounds like, just like, yeah sure.

It drives me that I can help people. And I learned that from my mom. It's so rewarding, in our industry, when you actually care about the people who are doing your workouts and doing your recipes. It drives you to do it every single day. And I that's why it's been so successful. It's, again, it's not about how many subscribers I have or how big the community is. But at the same time, if I can help one person, then that fulfills me, for sure.

GIBSON JOHNS: Mhm, mhm. When you have so many years of content and recipes and workouts, how often do you have to go back and revise something or take something out? How does that--

KATIE AUSTIN: I probably should. Oh my gosh, I--

GIBSON JOHNS: You just have so much stuff out there. It's like, it must be overwhelming, honestly.

KATIE AUSTIN: I definitely do. So like, on my daily workout calendar, so you get a new workout every single day on the app.

GIBSON JOHNS: Amazing.

KATIE AUSTIN: Where, basically, like, I tell you what to do. There's live workouts. I have over, like, I mean, I have like 300 classes, which is just crazy. But if you go back to about 2016, let me tell you. You might not be getting the best workout of your life.

GIBSON JOHNS: But again, it's--

KATIE AUSTIN: We evolve.

GIBSON JOHNS: It's showing your evolution. Come on, exactly.

KATIE AUSTIN: But I do it every single day. Doing it every single day for eight years, my workouts are so, so great now. So you can trust me on that.

GIBSON JOHNS: Stick to the 2020s. Right, OK, I got it. Noted.

KATIE AUSTIN: I feel like I can be so honest with you.

GIBSON JOHNS: There we go. What-- what is, like, take me through a day in the life of Katie Austin these days. Like, is every day different for you? Do you try to have a routine? Because again, it's one of those things I feel like, where you're in this space, where you kind of have to, like, partially make your own schedule or be very much a self-starter.

KATIE AUSTIN: Yeah.

GIBSON JOHNS: What does a typical day for you look like?

KATIE AUSTIN: So, well today, I actually filmed my workout classes. So I did four workout classes today. And so I will be, I don't know why I'm saying this. But I'll be eating a lot today, because that was a lot of working out.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: So today is a film day. So basically, I usually content batch my workouts if it's a film day. And then I content batch my recipes. So yesterday, I filmed three recipes. Today was workout day. Tomorrow is going to be an admin day. I have events.

So literally, every single day is so different. But I do it based on events, based on my workouts, based on recipes. And I really batch them all together, because that's how I have to focus.

And you know, I would say the biggest part about what stays the same is my morning routine, because I travel so much. I mean, I am probably gone, like, I would say, two weeks out of a month on average right now.

GIBSON JOHNS: Wow.

KATIE AUSTIN: Which is wild. And so if I don't take care of my morning routine, then I fall totally out of whack when I travel.

GIBSON JOHNS: 100%. Yeah, I'm with you.

KATIE AUSTIN: And since every single day is so different, I have to have those first 10 minutes. So what I love to do is chug water. If I'm home, I walk to get coffee. It's like, my favorite thing to walk to get coffee. It's like, my happiness.

GIBSON JOHNS: That's your moment, yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: Yeah. And then I stretch. I love to stretch for at least, like, three or four minutes, just to like, wake up my body. And then I try not to look at my phone. I try to just, like, stay clear of my phone. Stay clear of anything that I'm consuming, because what you consume right away in the morning can impact your entire day. So then, what I also like to do is, hour by hour, write my to do list.

GIBSON JOHNS: And just be able to cross things off as you go along.

KATIE AUSTIN: And then-- so I'm a very anxious person at heart, because I feel like, because I was an athlete my entire life, I'm a time-based anxious person, where it's like, OK. If it's 2:00 PM, that only means that I have 15 minutes to do this, blah, blah, blah. If I have a calendar where it's literally like, from 9:00 AM to 9:30, you're doing this. And I can look back and see exactly what I'm supposed to be doing. It just helps me.

GIBSON JOHNS: It helps you. Yeah, I mean, the level of organization is, I'm impressed. That's amazing.

KATIE AUSTIN: But I'm not organized in any other way.

GIBSON JOHNS: But listen, I mean, hello. But this is the most important way to be organized, though. And that's-- clearly, it helps you. What is the biggest misconception about what you do, whether it's, like, in the fitness world or just, like, content creation in general. I feel like a lot of people have misconceptions about that.

KATIE AUSTIN: Well, right now is actually-- really, what I just said is not a very good example of it. But I film for my app, actually, like once a month. And so when I film my classes, it's usually, like, batches of workouts.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah.

KATIE AUSTIN: So the biggest misconception is that I'm literally working out constantly, that I work out, like, seven days a week. I work out for two hours a day.

GIBSON JOHNS: That makes sense.

KATIE AUSTIN: I definitely do not do that. I'm a 30 minutes a day girl. I'm a five days a week girl. I truly, truly stick to, besides my filming of it, I truly stick to my calendar and what it is on the app is exactly what I'm doing.

So I never overwork myself. And I definitely don't do a calorie deficit. I eat a lot. I love carbs. I eat a lot of butter. I eat a lot of sourdough and pasta.

GIBSON JOHNS: Stunning. I love that for you. OK, so three times Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. I feel like that was a huge milestone, bucket list moment for you. Hopefully that continues. Hopefully we get to, like, 10 years, 15 years.

But what are the other sort of milestones that you're, that you have on your radar that might be a couple of years out, that might be down the line for you? Like, do you-- are there other things that you really want to. I'm sure there are, but like, what are some of those things?

KATIE AUSTIN: So many. OK, so my issue, something like really bad about me, is I have way too many dreams and way too many things. And so I kind of feel like a little bit of a squirrel brain sometimes, because I have so many loves and passions.

What I really want to do is create a book one day with my mom and do all of our family recipes together and do a cookbook tour with her. I feel like that'd be so fun.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yes.

KATIE AUSTIN: Not only, like, showing our family recipes, but also, like, some exercises in the book. I don't know if you guys know this, but my mom has 12 books. She might have 13, actually.

GIBSON JOHNS: Wow.

KATIE AUSTIN: But she's, like, New York Times bestseller. And so I want her to write a book again. And I want to really do it in terms of, like, you know, the more modern day, and also, like, what I learned from this recipe, if that makes any sense, like, how recipes tie a family together, mother daughter bonding.

I would love to do a TV show with her as well. I would also love to do my own workout tour. I did, in 2019 I did a 12-city workout tour. And it was 75 people a city. And next, I want to do, like, 300 people a city, sell it out.

GIBSON JOHNS: You can do it.

KATIE AUSTIN: And create my own Katie Austin products. All right, is that enough?

GIBSON JOHNS: That's-- I love that. I love that. I feel like the cookbook, like, we can make that happen, 100%, like right now. Like, that would be a bestseller. Come on.

KATIE AUSTIN: That's a dream. Just a few dreams, you know.

GIBSON JOHNS: But I think that, you said you had too many. You can never have enough. Come on.

KATIE AUSTIN: Well, I could give you-- I could go on for like five minutes. I want to do this. I want to do that. But we'll just leave it at those.

GIBSON JOHNS: OK. I love that for you. I'm manifesting for you.

KATIE AUSTIN: I love it all. Like, everything is just, it's like, I don't know if you can tell. I'm so happy when I talk about.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah. Yeah, totally.

KATIE AUSTIN: I do it because I love it so much.

GIBSON JOHNS: Do you-- we talked, you mentioned a little bit, and I know you've done this in the past. You've done some, like, sports broadcasting kind of stuff and kind of correspondent work there. Is that an avenue that you want to continue going down? Or is that something that you're kind of like, not my focus right now, maybe at a different point.

KATIE AUSTIN: Yeah, it's not my focus right now. I was, before 2020, I was actually like, full throttle, becoming a sports host. I worked for Fox Sports West for 2 and 1/2 years. I did the Super Bowl with Verizon. I worked for Overtime.

I was pitching different series when, you know, back in 2020 when everything hit. And to be fully honest with you, I just love now creating my own content, being my own boss. It sounds like I had a boss before. It's like, oh my gosh, that's what everyone has.

But at the same time, like now, I'm in this, like, different mindset where I do what I want to do. And I don't have to kind of, like, tailor my interview questions as well. Like, I've just felt like, at Fox, I definitely had tailored questions that I couldn't have creativity with.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah, you didn't have, you didn't have the full say, because you had to-- yeah, you were giving guidance.

KATIE AUSTIN: Yeah.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah. Well that's-- and now it's like, it's working. You being your own boss is working. And like, why not, why not just continue down that road, right?

KATIE AUSTIN: It's also really cool, because you know, I always thought that I wanted to become a sports host. And you know, maybe I'll circle back around. But I tried it, and I'm so happy I did.

You know, I did it straight out of college until I was 26 years old. Like, and I tried really hard at it. And I found that fitness and recipes is more of my passion.

GIBSON JOHNS: Well Katie, I feel like I could talk to you for million hours. This has been literally so fun. And it's just, like, a special, I feel like, full circle moment for us to do this.

KATIE AUSTIN: I know.

GIBSON JOHNS: But--

KATIE AUSTIN: [INAUDIBLE] just talking to your-- well, my mom was talking to your mom yesterday about Paris.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yeah. I had dinner with your mom and my mom, I think last winter. And it was, like, one of the funnest meals I had all year, because I mean, it's just-- they get me going. And it's just like--

KATIE AUSTIN: Oh, they can get going. They can get going. I miss your parents. They're the best.

GIBSON JOHNS: I know, I miss-- I miss-- you're one of my favorite families. I love you guys. Well, hopefully we'll do this again at some point, maybe to promote the cookbook that we're going to-- that we're manifesting.

KATIE AUSTIN: Maybe my mom and I together.

GIBSON JOHNS: Yes, 100%. This was so much fun, Katie. Thank you for doing this. And I'm just so happy for all your success. It's been so fun to follow and watch you just thrive. It's been amazing.

KATIE AUSTIN: Yay, thank you for having me. Love you.

GIBSON JOHNS: Of course. All right, love you too. Bye. Thanks for tuning in to "We Should Talk." I hope you enjoyed the interview. You can find out more about In The Know at InTheKnow.com. You can follow me, Gibson Johns at @gibsonoma on Twitter and Instagram. And you can listen to all of our interviews, past and future, by searching "We Should Talk" wherever you get your podcasts. Hope to see you next time.