Photo by Lisa Boyle
Torrie Wilson is celebrating a huge milestone, and we’re not talking about gracing the cover of our July/August issue. The former pro-wrestler and fitness veteran turns 45 this month, and says she’s never felt better. It’s taken some work to get here, having struggled with eating disorders in her teens and suffering debilitating back injuries throughout her 10-year wrestling career, but for Torrie, her experiences with mental and physical pain have only made her stronger. “I like looking back on those times when I felt weak, hopeless, or broken, and appreciating how much stronger they helped me become."
Now, having found her business groove (she creates training programs geared mostly to women over 40) and her perfect partner (she met her now-husband Justin just two and a half years ago), Torrie is living her best life; one in which daily sweat sessions and balanced eating are a must, and restrictive dieting is no longer in her vocabulary. “Even when I was wrestling all those years, I still wasn’t happy with how I looked. I was constantly dieting to look good for a photo shoot, or trying the latest fad diet. I yo-yo’d for many years. Since I quit diets altogether, started eating things in moderation, and focused on lifting weights, I've been leaner and happier.”
How else is she maintaining a strong bod, workout motivation, and boosted energy? We asked her to share a few of her secrets.
Photo by James Patrick
SFM: How do you stay motivated to work out at home? Any tips?
Torrie Wilson: I feel my happiest and most energetic when I get my workouts in. I’m not always super motivated to work out, but the mental benefits I get from my daily workouts are usually enough to get me there. I’ve realized that it’s the days when my motivation is lowest that I need it the most for my head. On those days, I negotiate with myself to just move for 20 minutes, doing anything, while listening to great music. Ninety percent of the time, that 20 minutes gets me feeling better and I’ll end up doing more. That game plan on low motivation days keeps me from ever feeling like working out is a chore, and I always appreciate how I feel from it.
SFM: What does an average day look like for you?
TW: Over the past five months it’s been interesting [because of COVID-19]. I’ve been building my business, Fittensity, for the past two years and it’s undergone non-stop change and expansion. But during the last five months I added a new portion called Fittensity On Demand, which is real-time workouts. I’ve had to be my own videographer, sound person, lighting guy, editor, and anything else needed. It’s been a learning curve, but it’s also been really cool to see the evolution.
SFM: What are some daily habits you swear by that contribute to overall well-being?
TW: Daily sweat is hands-down number one. Even if it’s short. Another is getting outside and putting my feet in the grass and being in nature. It helps me feel grounded to stop and breathe in the fresh air and sunshine. Meditation has been a huge part of my life over the last five years. I can’t say I’m super diligent every day, but making it a part of my week has been life-changing for me. Another big focus goes into consciously having a positive outlook and finding gratitude for the silly things, especially as the outside world feels more chaotic. When this goes out of whack I become a hot mess.
SFM: Are there any foods that contribute to your vitality and energy?
TW: I focus on eating organic, whole foods, and personally feel most vital and energetic when I have a fairly even mix of carbs, fats, and proteins. I also swear by these ketone drinks by Pruvit. They put your body into ketosis within an hour of drinking and the cognitive benefits are amazing. Better mental focus, clarity, energy, and less sugar cravings.
SFM: Do you ever struggle with feeling low on energy? What do you do?
TW: Yes for sure. I’ve learned so much about myself over the years. I’m pretty empathic, which means I'm very sensitive to other people’s energy. I'm sensitive to crowds and can feel other people’s emotions. It can drain the shit out of me if it’s full of chaos or negativity. I’ve learned I need to have time alone to regroup. This is where meditation has changed my life.
For Torrie's full profile, and her personal butt-building workout, pick up the July/August 2020 issue of STRONG Fitness Magazine, or order your copy here.
