A lifetime lover of all things entertainment, Bethany stepped onto the stage, discovering her passion for dance and stage performance, at the early age of four. Throughout her childhood and into her adult life, dance was her primary focus, and shortly after college earned a spot in the NFL as a Tennessee Titans Cheerleader. During this time, she had the honor of cheering on the field at Super Bowl XXXIV and performed in the opening show with country music super star Travis Tritt.
Her love for the stage led her into the world of beauty pageants, and in 2012 she was crowned Mrs. Tennessee America and competed at Mrs. America later that year, placing in the top six. Bethany has modeled for such national brands as Carol Wior swimwear, Epiphone Guitar, and Wrangler Jeans, and has appeared on television and in runway fashion shows for top Nashville boutiques, as well as designer to prominent rock and roll and country music stars, Manuel Cuevas.
Women Fitness joins the beautiful Bethany Sharp on her journey to stardom, motherhood and lots more!
Namita Nayyar:
With dance as your primary focus in childhood, and earning a spot in the NFL as a Tennessee Titans Cheerleader. There has been no looking back. Define your life as an actor, model and TV Host.
Bethany Sharp:
Dance was the love of my life growing up and on into college, but I always enjoyed television opportunities when they arose, and I signed with a talent agent at age 14. Back at that time, Nashville had few opportunities for television or film. However, with my mom being a television host on the then cable network TNN (The Nashville Network) my first on-camera experience was at age 14, when I introduced country star Aaron Tippin on the show Opry Backstage as we went to commercial break. But, with dance and getting my education as my focus, I didn’t actively pursue television and film until after winning Mrs. Tennessee in 2012, and then competing at Mrs. America. That title opened doors, and with Nashville as an up and coming “It” city, the opportunities were many. After Mrs. Tennessee, I began modeling for some well known Nashville boutiques, and was cast in commercials, web series, and music videos, including Carrie Underwood’s “Two Black Cadillacs,” nominated for Video of the Year. I played opposite Carrie as the wife to the two-timing man. Then, in 2014, I was cast in a supporting role in the faith-based film, “Where is Good?” which premiered in select theaters from coast to coast, and can now be found on Amazon Prime. I most recently finished shooting my role as the District Attorney in a film called “Trap City”, which stars actor Brandon Jackson, star of such films as “Percy Jackson”, “Tropic Thunder”, “The Fast and The Furious”, and Clifton Powell of “Ray”, “Saints and Sinners”, “Next Friday”, and “All Eyes on Me”.
As a host, I’ve worked as a red carpet correspondent at some of Nashville’s most exciting events and have interviewed dozens of music, television, and sports celebrities including Trisha Yearwood, Lauren Daigle, Joe Montana, Colton Dixon, Brooke Hogan, Tito Ortiz, cast members of the hit show “Nashville”, and many more. Hosting is really my biggest passion, as I feel most natural in that role, and it’s a bit of a full circle feeling since I grew up watching my mom in the studio and on the television screen. I recently had the opportunity to head out to Los Angeles and take classes with internationally known television hosting coach Marki Costello, who works with many of the hosts you see on the air now. That was a big “pinch me” moment for me.
Full interview is continued on next page
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
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Namita Nayyar:
Being a working mom of three boys inevitably you have a very busy life. What is your favorite workout routine?
Bethany Sharp:
It seems I’ve done every workout routine imaginable, being that I got deeply into fitness about 20 years ago in order to get in shape for the NFL. I recently picked up the book The 4 x 4 DIET by celebrity trainer Erin Oprea, and I have fallen in love with Tabata workouts. It’s the one type of workout I had never tried, and I’ve found that not only am I seeing results, but Tabatas are the perfect workout for busy moms. They’re effective and efficient, a must in my life.
5 must-do every-day stretches- Being a dancer, I think stretches that dancers do are the best for increasing and maintaining flexibility. So, I do a few stretches on my ballet bar at home. I also love floor stretches such as the basic runner’s stretch which hits so many muscles at once, especially the hip flexor, the piriformis stretch to hit the glutes, any stretches that assist in helping me maintain my side and middle splits, and I love the yoga basic downward dog for the calves and hamstrings.
Namita Nayyar:
A healthy breakfast for you includes?
Bethany Sharp:
I’m a huge creature of habit, so I typically have ½ cup of oats and eggs, and two cups of coffee. Although if I’m in a hurry, I’ll mix a Quest bar into my oatmeal rather than making eggs.
Namita Nayyar:
Once overweight, how did fitness enter your life?
Bethany Sharp:
I wasn’t ever severely overweight but just always had an extra 10 or so pounds on me, and maybe even 15-20 after gaining the freshman 15 in college. Yikes! Fitness entered my life when I decided I had to take control of my weight in order to try out for NFL cheerleading. As a dancer, the NFL had always been a goal of mine and I was determined to make it, so I picked up the book Body For Life by Bill Phillips and the rest is history. It taught me all the basics about nutrition, food combinations, HIIT training, and working out with weights. I got in shape, made the squad, and I’ve kept myself educated about health and fitness ever since.
Namita Nayyar:
Being diagnosed with Hashimotos Thyroiditis, how did it change your fitness journey?
Bethany Sharp:
Up until the day I found out about my thyroid disease, fitness was all about looking good on the outside. So, when I realized my inside wasn’t the healthiest, that then became first priority. Up until then, I had tendencies to over exercise (especially as the Hashimotos crept in and it became harder and harder to keep the weight off), take supplements that revved me up with caffeine and other stimulants, and would even take over the counter water shedding pills to keep water weight at bay. This all changed, thank goodness, when I realized being healthy on the inside is much more important than “looking” healthy on the outside. I immediately stopped any stimulating supplements and over training, due to learning how important adrenal health is. Having to take thyroid supplements can automatically put a strain on the adrenals, so I needed to pamper them as best as I could. In a nutshell, I went from working out for vanity reasons, to working out for my overall health, and that is a much better reason to get and stay fit.
Namita Nayyar:
When and what do you have for dinner? And on weekends or cheat days?
Bethany Sharp:
My family and I usually eat around 6:30 every night and a dinner typically consists of a protein and lots of veggies. I love fish, especially sea bass, so we have that once a week. I also like ground turkey, so a good turkey meatloaf is always a favorite of mine. Weekends are a little more relaxed in terms of eating at home. We usually eat out for dinner, but still make healthy choices. I don’t really think in terms of “cheat days”. I found that when I think in these terms I tend to overdo it and eat more than I should for a cheat meal. It usually does become a day. And I tend to eat something bad just because it’s a cheat day/meal, not because I’m really wanting it.
Instead, I look at my calendar to see if there are any events coming up in the week/weekend where I will want to let myself have something I wouldn’t normally eat, and if there are, then I build my meal planning around that. If there aren’t then I will allow myself to enjoy something if I want it, knowing that it’s ok to allow myself a break from clean eating once or twice a week. I won’t indulge just for the sake of indulging, but only if I’m really craving something super yummy.
Namita Nayyar:
What is your skin and hair care routine after a sweaty workout?
Bethany Sharp:
Since I usually workout at home, I don’t have a special post-workout skin and hair care routine. I just shower and do my normal regimen, which consists of Kevin Murhpy Blonde Angel Wash shampoo, along with Aveda Color Conserve shampoo and Damage Remedy conditioner. But, if I don’t have time to wash my hair after a workout, I’ll jump in the shower to wash off and then use Living Proof dry shampoo. It’s a hair product that I cannot live without. My normal daily skin care consists is Koji pads from Karee Hayes Aesthetics in Nashville, followed by a vitamin C serum by Skin Ceuticals, Nectifirm by Revision Skincare, which is a fantastic product for over 35’s, moisturizer by iS Clinical, and sunscreen (always) by Elta MD, as well as a second layer of sunscreen by La Roche-Posay. Yep, two sunscreens. I’m a sunscreen junkie.
Namita Nayyar:
Your favorite active wear brands are?
Bethany Sharp:
Hands down Fabletics. I absolutely love this brand, and would say about 80% of my workout wear is from Fabletics. It’s affordable, adorable, and the quality is fantastic. The rest I fill in with pieces from Lululemon and Target.
Namita Nayyar:
You were named, by Nashville Lifestyles magazine, one of Nashville’s 25 most beautiful people of 2012, alongside Lisa Marie Presley, CMT’s Cody Alan and Denise Jackson (wife to Alan Jackson). Define Women Fitness for viewers keeping in mind goals for 2020.
Bethany Sharp:
Women Fitness is a fantastic resource for women. Readers can find most anything they need to know about living a healthy lifestyle, taking care of ourselves, and becoming the best versions of ourselves we can be. The inspiration that Women Fitness offers is extremely helpful in our life journey, and I love that the magazine covers subjects beyond fitness, helping women with overall self-care, and celebrating women of all ages and backgrounds. I am honored to be on the cover and to be a part of a resource that will help and inspire all of us to meet our goals in 2020.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you prepare a night before a photoshoot?
Bethany Sharp:
I usually use an entire week to prepare for a shoot, from making sure to select my wardrobe early, in case I have to go buy something additional, to ensuring that I don’t skip any nights of washing my face…which I have been known to do as a busy mom that sometimes just wants to get in bed as quick as possible (real life)…to drinking more water than normal for the week so that my skin is sure to be super hydrated. On the actual night or day before, I’ll get a spray tan and I also usually don’t exercise so that I’m not sore for the shoot. I also go to bed a little earlier than normal to ensure I feel rested.
Namita Nayyar:
After a long hard-working day, you relax with?
Bethany Sharp:
I wish I could say I relax more than I do. With three boys, my day doesn’t end until 10pm. The most relaxing thing to me is simply finding a quiet corner in my house and just “being” for a minute. Sometimes I retreat to my closet, which was built with enough room so that I could get in there and have my own space. It’s peaceful and relaxing to me to just be quiet for a little while. Other than finding moments of quiet, I love getting massages, and try my best to do those every other week, and sometimes every week if I can.
Namita Nayyar:
Social media has grown big. What is the best part about it?
Bethany Sharp:
I love that social media gives anyone and everyone a chance to let their voice be heard, talents be seen, or introduce their own product to the world without having to depend on traditional ways of “making it”. You don’t have to wait to be seen or discovered anymore. I have always said, if the path is not there, create your own, and we are able to do that now more than ever, be it music, or art, or a service we want to provide. Use social media for its positive value and the world is at your fingertips. I love that it connects people that wouldn’t otherwise be connected over city lines, state lines, or even international lines.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you take out time for family? 5 ways to utilize your family time the best?
Bethany Sharp:
With three boys ages 14, 9, and 2, as well as three bonus daughters (aka. step daughters) who are all in their 20s and married, I’ll be the first to admit that slowing down isn’t easy. With the two older boys in year round sports, a husband who owns and runs our health care company, and me working to grow a blog and booking acting and hosting jobs, we absolutely have to intentionally make time or the week is gone before we know it. Much of our family time is spent simply sitting together in our family room, enjoying our favorite family shows or movies, and laughing together. We also spend family time at baseball fields with both boys supporting each other in something they both love. That may sound strange, but since they share the same interest and I love watching them both do what they love, the baseball field is often a family outing because as a family we share one another’s goals.
Additionally, we recently built a pool and backyard entertainment area so that we could create fun and lasting memories with all six of the kids as well as the son-in-laws. Our family has grown over the past 3 years with all three girls getting married, and adding our newest boy. With the age spread between all the kids, it’s very important to my husband and me that we are intentional in getting everyone together to make memories.
Namita Nayyar:
Resolutions or goals for 2020?
Bethany Sharp:
I am a goal oriented person if there has ever been one. I am constantly setting goals for myself throughout the year, be it health and fitness related, career related, or family/lifestyle related. I’ve always found that goal setting is what keeps me pushing myself to be the best version of me. I get bored, and a little lost, without goals. That being said, I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions since I feel like I’m doing that throughout the year. But, for 2020 I certainly have things I plan to accomplish. First, I want to grow my blog (livinsharp.com), and really hone in on my brand. It’s only a year old, and I spent most of this year really figuring out my direction with it and learning what the blogging/influencer world is all about, as well as my purpose in it. It’s been one big continuous learning curve and one thing I’ve definitely learned is that blogging is a marathon not a sprint, especially with 3 young children who take priority. In 2020 I’ll be seeking more opportunities in television hosting for networks or streaming services, and will continue to grow my acting portfolio seeking roles in the faith based and family friendly film industry. The opportunities in Nashville are growing every day, so these are goals I’ll be pushing toward. On the family/lifestyle front, I want to finish furnishing and decorating our home.
We finished a remodel/add-on project over a year ago and have rooms that are still empty, so making my house a home is a huge priority. And lastly, I want to get fit Tabata style. I can’t wait to see what this new method of exercise does for my body and overall feeling of health.
Follow her journey here:
- https://www.instagram.com/livinsharp/
- https://livinsharp.com/bethany-sharp/
- https://twitter.com/bethanysharp
- https://www.facebook.com/BethanySharpMRSTN/
This interview is exclusively taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness