Being a fitness guru, an author, a TV host and a mother in Hollywood is not an easy task. But Brooke Burke makes it look effortless! We wanted to know how this 48-year-old power mum manages it all.
By Bárbara Perino
Photography courtesy of Brooke Burke
Bárbara Perino [B.P.] – You are a mother of four. Tell us about your kids. How old are they?
Brooke Burke [B.B.] – I have four children that are vastly different, yet beautifully connected. Neriah is my 22-year-old first baby. She will always be my baby. Sierra is an 18-year-old senior, well-adjusted to the expected challenges of the class of 2020. Rain, who we call Rainbow, is 13 going on 80. Our baby boy and the prince of the family is Shaya and he’s 12. He’s the youngest ladies expert I know. My children are my greatest teachers.
B.P. – What are the central values you want to pass on to your kids?
B.B. – The central value I possess, that I hope I’ve successfully passed on to my kids, is that nothing compares to family. Our home is where we learn our greatest lessons, and where we learn the importance of growing and sticking together. Families come in all shapes and sizes and ours certainly looks different, but it is defined by love.
B.P. – What is a typical mum day for Brooke Burke?
B.B. – A typical mum day for me is anything but typical. Every day is different, and I have learned to surrender to the daily challenges and changes of life. Most recently I have been running a digital health and wellness business from home. I create and curate content that connects women around the world through my fitness app Brooke Burke Body. Health and wellness are a big part of my lifestyle, and a structure that I hope to instil in my children without forcing my personal beliefs on them. Outside of fitness, my kitchen is the nucleus of my household and serves as a conference room for the family. We have family dinners and all my kids take part. My eldest daughters have been extra curious to help given the recent stay at home orders. I strive for a healthy work-life balance, so I make sure to keep my business running while always prioritising family.
B.P. – Do you follow any healthy family diet?
B.B. – I don’t believe in the word diet, but we do have a healthy lifestyle that we share as a family. We grocery shop and prepare many home cooked meals together, so I try to lead by example by keeping it fresh and colourful. We even have a garden in the backyard that we can pick fresh herbs and vegetables from! A Mediterranean philosophy is the best way to describe how we eat – we love to incorporate a mix of fresh fish, lean meat, vegetables, herbs and spices. But a little pizza and vino never hurt anyone! My children grew up travelling the world, so their pallets have developed more than most. Breaking bread with friends and family is one of our deepest connections – I value that and I hope they will carry on the tradition for many generations.
B.P. – Do your children ever comment on your job?
B.B. – Working in the entertainment business has never seemed very exciting for my children, unless it gave them a direct connection to one of their favourite stars of course. Since they all grew up watching mum from the front seat, Hollywood glam is definitely normal to them at this point. But to be honest, what matters most to them is quality day-to-day mum time, not the glitz and glam that comes with being a part of this industry.
B.P. – How do you juggle both inspiring us and being a mum?
B.B. – Being a mum has always been my most challenging, yet most gratifying job – I’ve always put it first. I believe that a woman should strive to do everything that is important to her, so I take pride in being able to have a career while still being a devoted mother. My children know that if I ever have to give up on quality time, that it will always be for their benefit. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that I have raised four children while sometimes having up to three jobs at a time, but I would do it all over again if I had to. My mother was a hardworking woman and I hope that my children will grow up to understand the value of vision, dedication, and accomplishment.
B.P. – When did you start your fitness journey?
B.B. – Fitness has been a big part of my life since I was a young model. Growing up I learned the value it not only brings to your physical appearance, but also to the mind and the soul. When fitness digitised, I wanted to bring the two decades of my experience to women around the globe, so that’s when the Brooke Burke Body app was born. My tips make fitness short and fun and motivate women to make themselves a priority. I believe in setting attainable goals, because living a healthy lifestyle should be a positive effort, not a daily sacrifice. I work out for energy, stress relief and overall wellness. I know that my body is the only place I have to live, so I hold myself accountable to take care of it daily.
B.P. – Do you think that sometimes mums forget to be women?
B.B. – So often mums forget about the woman behind the scenes. I always find freedom in my feminine energy, joy in playfulness and escapism in spontaneity. So much of what I stand for is about fulfilling personal desire by defining clear boundaries as a woman and knowing how to get your needs met. The more well-rounded I am as a woman, the better mother, CEO, friend and lover I can be.
B.P. – What are some of the funny or odd things mums have told you?
B.B. – I always laugh at stories mums share about covering up their sensual lives, like kids finding pleasure toys, and the many white lie cover-ups mums make. I’m very open about sensual health and the importance of female pleasure, but I do think all mums need to set bedroom boundaries and have a privacy trunk.
B.P. – We have all been in isolation for so long, how has that been for you and your family?
B.B. – Confinement has been bittersweet for me. Losing social freedom and the swift demand for discipline has shocked society, but there have been many positives for me as well. I have deeply enjoyed the opportunity for more family bonding and having my children at home. That is time families can never get back. I used to say, “Time slows for no one” and then suddenly one day it did. It’s been a season of re–learning what really matters. There are many things I will take with me when this is over – mandatory family dinners together, more nights at home, long walks, morning mediations, daily home workouts, Zoom calls with long-distance friendships, listening, compassion and deeper conversations.
B.P. – Where do you see yourself and your family in five years?
B.B. – I have no idea where I will be in five years, but two more of my children will most likely leave to begin their adult lives by then. I will cherish every moment I have together with my children until then. I imagine I will be in Malibu with Shaya, but I’m always open to the unpredictable road that may lead me where I’m supposed to be. In my 50s I’m certain I will be in love and as happy as I am today.
B.P. – How do we follow you and get some of your fitness tips around the world?
B.B. – I’m easy to find! I’m constantly on Instagram – whether that’s hosting at-home workouts or streaming live from my living room on my app. I try to connect with my BB Body community daily because that digital connection really matters to me.
@brookeburke
@brookeburkebody
brookeburke.com
