Chip and Joanna Gaines say that while they’ve known each other for a quarter of a century and do almost everything together, it never occurred to them to try working out together.
The former HGTV stars sat down with their personal trainer Don Saladino for his “Stronger” podcast to talk about their journey to get healthy both physically and mentally.
Their sessions with Saladino have helped them make the connection between the two.
During the podcast, Joanna said Don has taught her how to train her brain as well as her body.
“I feel like now it’s starting to match up to where when I do leave, my mind feels strong, and I feel like ‘oh Jo, you ARE killing it’ and my body feels strong too, but it starts with that positive, just start saying all the things about yourself that you’re so proud of.”
And Chip is right there with Jo, though approaching his own transformation with his trademark sense of humor.
“What would it take to get a guy like you- Don Bod- to get a guy like me- Dad Bod- to look like you-ish?” Chip asks on the podcast.
In an Instagram post, Don Saladino writes of training Chip Gaines, “He brings this positive energy, but more than that, he stays in the moment. That’s something I’ve struggled with—getting too far ahead of myself or thinking about what’s next. Watching Chip commit to his fitness and continue getting in better shape has been a pleasure.
Joanna Gaines Admits Her Relationship With Exercise Wasn’t Always Healthy
During the hour-long podcast, Joanna Gaines admitted that her relationship with exercise wasn’t always healthy.
“I used to workout pretty crazily in college,” she confessed. “I was gymnast in high school, grew up as a gymnast, then I went to college and was done with gymnastics, if you’re not doing that training any more, your body is just in shock.”
Joanna I went on, “I think for me mentally, I’m kind of an all or nothing person. I turned that workout into something that wasn’t healthy… I worked out two-and-a-half to three hours a day. It was an obsession. I wasn’t really eating right. I remember some of my days it was saltine crackers and a gallon of water.”
Joanna confessed that she feared that starting a workout program with Don would “wake up” that unhealthy version of herself again.
Joanna also revealed that she has had two back surgeries for bulging disks and wondered if she even should workout.
Chip & Joanna Gaines Focus on Aging Well During Season of Change
Both Chip and Joanna Gaines say their new focus on fitness is all about the future.
Two of the Gaines’ five children are heading off to college, and the couple is focused on making sure they stay strong and healthy as they move into this new phase of life.
In an Instagram post, Don Saladino writes of Jo, “Lately, she’s been talking a lot about manifesting positive thoughts and believing in her ability to do things she once thought she couldn’t. That’s the coolest part. When the mind believes, the body follows. In this video, you can literally hear her talking herself into getting stronger, healthier, and more resilient. And that kind of mindset carries into every part of life.”
Chip Gaines told Don the bottom line is priorities. “If all hell broke loose tomorrow and I had to choose between fame, or success or this business and my wife and my kids, all of this would instantly go away. My wife and my kids would be back on the farm, raising animals.”
He went on, “Jo and I, we believe we can have our cake and eat it too. In the sense that I can be successful and I can have a healthy marriage and family. But I will say if I find myself to be mistaken about that, then, no problem. I’ll have a great marriage and a great family and that’ll be sufficient.”
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Chip & Joanna Gaines Get Real About Midlife, Marriage & New Mindsets