Christie Brinkley should write the book on aging gracefully — oh wait, she did. The supermodel has been steadily adding to her résumé with her hair extensions, skincare line, winemaking and author careers, but she still makes time for the occasional modeling gig, as she did for the cover of AARP the Magazine. And she’s still got a few tips up her sleeve to share.
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Brinkley, as you may have guessed, is all about reinvention; she’s not content to rest on her Sports Illustrated bikini bottoms. “Lately, I’ve been getting the opportunity to make people laugh and I love it … I played Roxie Hart in Chicago with no dancing, singing or acting experience. At the time I thought, ‘I’m going to seize this project and just throw myself into it.’ I had one month to learn everything, and it was a new challenge. Halfway through the show, I got to do a long monologue. On nights when I got a good laugh, it made my day.”
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But trying new experiences like that one does require keeping herself fit and active, even when she’s not in the mood. Her trick to motivate herself? “When I get lazy about exercising, I think about my goals. Short-term, I want to be in good enough shape to play with my kids, to ski and paddleboard. And long-term, I want to stay strong so I’ll remain healthy and independent into my later years.”
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Courtesy AARP
She also challenges herself to stay active in other ways, like volunteering. “Whether you’re passionate about the environment or children’s issues, join a group that’s making a dent in a problem or issue you believe in,” she says. “As people age, they tend to make their lives smaller; giving back makes your life bigger.”
And it stands to reason that a star with so much valuable experience is often getting asked for advice. And she’s prepared for that question. “You know, on Instagram there was this challenge to [give your younger self advice] in two words, like ‘laugh more,’” she says. “If I could say in two words, ‘Relax and enjoy the ride,’ that would be it. I think young women sometimes worry too much and should just accept themselves and their individuality.”
What’s your favorite piece of advice? Share below!
–Alex Apatoff
