For health entrepreneur and six-time Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit mannequin Katie Austin, this 12 months’s SI Swimsuit Miami Swim Week runway wasn’t simply one other glamorous stroll underneath the highlight. It marked a significant private milestone, because the wellness influencer proudly stepped onto the long-lasting runway whereas pregnant together with her first youngster.
Whereas some on-line critics questioned why she selected to take part this 12 months, the founding father of The KA App says sitting it out was by no means an choice. In an unique dialog with The Blast, Katie Austin opened up about navigating being pregnant within the public eye, redefining confidence, and why motherhood doesn’t imply placing desires on pause.
Austin, who has now modeled for Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit six instances, admitted this 12 months’s runway expertise felt vastly totally different from earlier appearances. “This was my sixth 12 months in Sports activities Illustrated, and this 12 months was each further particular and further totally different,” Austin advised The Blast. “I used to be actually excited main as much as the runway stroll, however within the moments earlier than, I undoubtedly felt an identification shift.”
The health entrepreneur defined that whereas she has at all times felt assured in her physique, being pregnant launched feelings she wasn’t anticipating. “I’ve at all times felt very comfy in my physique, and I nonetheless am, but it surely was simply totally different mentally,” she defined. “Strolling down that runway for the final 5 years, I felt so assured in my physique, and this 12 months my physique regarded so totally different. There was undoubtedly a psychological shift.”
Regardless of these insecurities, Austin mentioned the expertise in the end turned one of the crucial empowering moments of her profession. “Completely,” she mentioned when requested if the expertise felt empowering in a brand new approach. “I don’t wish to sit right here and say it was simple, as a result of it wasn’t. I felt actually courageous doing it.”
Why Austin Refused To ‘Skip A 12 months’ Of SI Swimsuit
Austin additionally revealed there was a deeply private cause she refused to skip this 12 months’s Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit runway whereas anticipating. Earlier than changing into pregnant, the mannequin admitted she apprehensive about what motherhood may imply for her profession and whether or not changing into a guardian would pressure her to step again professionally.
“It was a robust second for me as a result of earlier than I acquired pregnant, I at all times apprehensive about what my profession would appear like and whether or not motherhood would put my desires on pause,” Austin shared.
Strolling the runway whereas pregnant turned proof to herself that each issues may exist directly. “Strolling that runway was proof to myself that I can nonetheless do what I like, nonetheless pursue alternatives, and nonetheless observe my desires whereas coming into motherhood,” she mentioned.
That message resonated strongly together with her on-line viewers, although not everybody agreed together with her determination. “The response has been unimaginable. I’ve acquired so many messages from girls saying, ‘Thanks for doing this,’” Austin mentioned. “In fact, there have been some feedback saying I may have skipped a 12 months, however that’s precisely why I didn’t wish to skip it. I needed to point out that you are able to do each.”
The second clearly struck a chord on-line, with Austin revealing the runway video exploded throughout social media. “The video ended up going viral with greater than 20 million views throughout platforms, which has been actually thrilling to see,” she added.
Katie Austin Will get Actual About Being pregnant Physique Picture Struggles
As somebody who constructed a whole model round serving to girls really feel robust and assured, Austin admitted being pregnant launched a very new relationship together with her physique. “I didn’t absolutely perceive physique picture struggles throughout being pregnant till it occurred to me,” she confessed. “As an outsider, I might assume, ‘You’re rising a human, give your self a break.’ However while you’re the one experiencing it, it’s totally different.”
One of many largest surprises for Austin was simply how shortly all the things modified. “Your physique modifications so shortly, and I wasn’t ready for how briskly all the things would occur,” she defined. “I’m used to realizing my physique so properly, planning my exercises, and feeling in management. Being pregnant challenged that in a approach I didn’t anticipate.”
Trying again, Austin says there’s one factor she needs she had embraced sooner: grace. “Being pregnant is a a lot greater adjustment than individuals notice,” she mentioned. “You’re rising a human, and it’s vital to go simple on your self.”
She additionally acquired candid about one lesser-discussed problem of being pregnant: psychological well being in the course of the first trimester. “Everybody talks about postpartum, however no one warned me that you would be able to really feel depressed or emotionally overwhelmed early in being pregnant due to the hormonal modifications,” Austin revealed.
Being pregnant Modified Austin’s Relationship With Health
As a former Division I athlete and health skilled, Austin mentioned being pregnant compelled her to fully rethink what power seems like. “I’ve actually needed to redefine power throughout being pregnant,” she defined. “Coming from being a Division I athlete and health skilled, I needed to rethink what a profitable exercise seems like.”
As a substitute of evaluating herself to her pre-pregnancy routine, Austin mentioned she’s realized to take heed to her physique. “As soon as I ended evaluating my exercises to my pre-pregnancy routine and began listening to my physique day-after-day, it took a lot stress off,” she mentioned.
The aim behind health has modified, too. “Earlier than, I might need been targeted on sustaining my physique or coaching towards a selected objective,” Austin defined. “Now, I’m figuring out to really feel good, really feel like myself, put together for labor, and help my postpartum restoration.”
That shift can be altering her enterprise. Austin revealed prenatal and postpartum wellness content material will probably grow to be a a lot bigger focus for The KA App transferring ahead. “I’m really ending my prenatal certification proper now,” she shared. “However now that I’m experiencing being pregnant myself, prenatal and postnatal wellness will grow to be an excellent greater focus as a result of I can relate to it firsthand.”
Katie Austin Is Already Considering About The Instance She’ll Set For Her Daughter
As Austin prepares to welcome a child lady together with her husband, she admitted she feels each pleasure and nerves about entering into motherhood. “I’m so excited, however I’m additionally nonetheless scared,” Austin admitted. “Individuals hold asking if I’m prepared, and truthfully, are you ever absolutely prepared?”
Nonetheless, she’s trying ahead to figuring issues out collectively as first-time dad and mom. “This little lady is 50% him and 50% me, and I feel it’s going to be such a particular expertise studying collectively as dad and mom,” she mentioned.
Relating to elevating her daughter, Austin says confidence, not look, will at all times be the precedence. “I would like her confidence to return from who she is, not what she seems like,” Austin shared. “I hope she focuses on being type, good, humorous, loyal, and passionate.”
And whereas matching exercise outfits might not be on the agenda simply but, Austin admitted she’s already thought of some lovely style moments. “I’ve undoubtedly thought of matching seaside outfits and trip outfits,” she joked.
