Susan Holmes-McKagan: Secret to Her Superstar Body, Revealed!

An American model, television personality, and fashion designer, founder of Susan Holmes Swimwear is, Susan Elizabeth Holmes-McKagan holding the title “The Body” earned by iconic fashion photographer Steven Meisel.

At the age of 17, Holmes was on her first cover of a magazine (San Diego magazine) and also appearing in ads on billboards. She has worked with innumerable brands- Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Versace,Christian Lacroix, Badgley Mischka, Nicole Miller, Marc Jacobs, and Prada. Holmes also has appeared in ad campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, Fendi, Escada, Guess, Revlon, Karl Lagerfeld, Louis Vuitton, and Victoria’s Secret.

She launched her swimwear line in 1997 and received an award from supermodel Niki Taylor, in New York City as “The Swimwear Designer of the Year” at the National Children Leukemia Foundation’s –The Michael Awards in 2008. After being married for more than 20 years to her inspiration Duff McKagan and two beautiful daughters, she released her book called “The Velvet Rose”. The book talks about how her fashion world collided with Duff’s rock ‘n’ roll world back in the ’90s.

Here she is in coversation with Women Fitness President, Ms Namita Nayyar sharing her diet and exercise routine, life as a model and unstopable dreams.

Namita Nayyar:

A healthy morning ritual that you follow?

Susan Holmes-McKagan:

I am a creature of habit, so I try and keep a consistency in my day to day routine. A typical morning starts out with a positive thought for the day — and the fact that it is a brand-new day and just that, always a fresh start. I drink a large glass of Mountain Valley spring water with a fresh cut lemon from our own back yard. I then check e-mails, texts and social media (as I’m always on there so best place to reach me is on my Instagram @susanholmesmckagan as I love responding and hearing from my fans. Then I take my vitamins and a strong cup of organic espresso dark roast coffee — I love it with coconut milk for creamer. Of course, then I get a work out in … I rotate them frequently from weight lighting, to yoga to Peloton biking or hiking.

Namita Nayyar:

When did you realize your passion for modeling?

Susan Holmes-McKagan:

I’ve always had a passion for fashion. My older sister was such an inspiration for me, and when she started to model, I knew I wanted to be immersed in it too. I am so lucky to have the sustaining and successful modeling career that I’ve had now for over two decades! People love to ask me how I manage to stay so young, and keep so fit. They are often shocked to know I have daughters in college.

Namita Nayyar:

Share the best part of your job as a writer to your best-selling new book The Velvet Rose?

Susan Holmes-McKagan:

The best part is the creative fulfillment that I find so particularly rewarding, to the wonderful feedback I get to hear after someone’s read my book, and they convey to me, just how much they truly enjoyed it!

Namita Nayyar:

What exercises are an integral part of your home workout routine? 5 must-do morning stretches?

Susan Holmes-McKagan:

I always do 30-40 minutes of cardio to warm up the body, muscles and get the blood flowing before lifting. I have recently hyper focused on my back as I actually have slight scoliosis and need to keep my alignment and posture and bones as strong as possible. I’ll use the straps and use my own body weight to strengthen. I also swim at home, several times a week which is so cathartic for your back muscles. For arms, it’s drop- sets with twelve, five and three pound weights. Bicep curls, shoulder raises, tricep kickbacks, hammer curs and chest presses. I also do tricep dips all the time (on our workout bench, or even on our tub before I take a bath). For abs I love supine bicycles, crunches on the medicine ball (it’s so much better on your back), V sit ups, Mason twists with weighted medicine ball, and plank jacks, reverse crunches and leg lifts for the lower ab.

My must have stretches include: calves (they’re the most important body part to stretch). You don’t ever want to tear your Achille’s tendon ..and this avoids that big time. Quad stretch (stand upright and bend one leg back, grabbing the top of that foot. For hamstring’s (stand upright, bending one knee and extending the other out straight in front of you). I stretch my back in the child’s pose from yoga on the floor mat. And for hips, glutes and lower back I do the standing figure four hip stretch.

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.

All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness

Namita Nayyar:

Besides being an inspiration as a long-time international supermodel, and being a best-selling author, what else might you be up to we may not be aware about?

Susan Holmes-McKagan:

Starting my journey to obtaining my certificate completion at Harvard University. I am looking forward to further enhancing my journalism and writing credentials, by taking online courses at Harvard. I am having fun with a new Sirius XM radio show called “Three Chords And The Truth” it’s on channel 38, and new episodes premier every Friday, and continue re-airing each day thereafter, as well as On Demand tv. It is my husband Duff’s show and I have a segment on there, called “Factoids with Su” that is a lot of well… factual fun. I like to educate the listeners with some insight on their favorite rock n’ rollers and also perhaps a story or two with Duff and I’s personal insight with them. I’m learning to garden as well as enrolling in Harvard online classes too.

Namita Nayyar:

Your meal before and after a workout?

Susan Holmes-McKagan:

I eat very little pre work out, usually a banana or some oatmeal. I always make sure and put protein back in immediately after working out. I typically make a protein smoothie with organic spinach, chia seeds, pineapple and low-fat Greek yogurt, unsweetened vanilla almond milk, hemp seeds and low sugar high protein vegan powder.

Namita Nayyar:

Favorite meal of the day? What does it contain?

Susan Holmes-McKagan:

I love tacos! Currently I saute shrimp in olive oil with fresh finely diced jalapenos, paprika, a touch of cayenne, smoked sea salt and pepper. Half way through their quick cooking time, I then add lime zest and fresh garlic. This a delicious and super quick and easy recipe…

Namita Nayyar:

Top three healthy snack options? One diet secret you would like to share now?

Susan Holmes-McKagan:

My recent healthy picks would be: de shelled roasted chile pistachio nuts, sliced cucumbers with hummus, paprika and topped with pine nuts and lastly, I love sliced avocado with smoked sea salt and touch of fresh lemon.

Namita Nayyar:

Define Women Fitness for WF viewers.

Susan Holmes-McKagan: Your body can stand almost anything, it’s your mind you have to change. And on that note, consistency is key. You don’t have to abide by a perfect work-out routine, but you do have to try and fit in some me time aka some quality time to exercise and get that heart rate up. It’s so immensely important for both your mind and body.

Namita Nayyar:

Share your workout in a week now during a lockdown?

Susan Holmes-McKagan:

Every day I try and mix it up. You’ve got to shock those muscles, plus who wants to get in the same old grind it our work out all the time. In a nutshell, I start off with some stretching and then I either do a 40-minute cardio on the Peloton bike, swimming laps in our pool, Life Fitness elliptical machine, core power sculpt yoga class, or a fast paced, with lots of hills hike. I alternate leg and glute days with arm, back and abs ones. And I love to challenge myself by trying out new and different work out videos.

Namita Nayyar:

Social media is instrumental in today’s era. Two things you love and hate about it?

Susan Holmes-McKagan:

I love how immediate it is. How fun it is to keep track of your friends and colleagues quicker than basically any other news source. I am a very visual/creative person so I like to follow and learn from sites that specialize in health and beauty, to interior decorating and cooking, I also love to follow lots of pug ones too— since we are pug parents and lovers. What I dislike very much about social media are people’s negativity on there. The worst are the people who hide behind via anonymously through their private pages, simply to cowardly bully someone. It’s incredulous to think how someone would honestly have the time and energy to pursue this.

Namita Nayyar:

Having graced the covers of Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Playboy, Australian Maxim, Cosmopolitan, Tell us one memorable moment from your photoshoot?

Susan Holmes-McKagan:

The best moments I think are the ones developed cumulatively as a creative whole. It’s always a rush to me, when everyone is on “level eleven” and we as a creative team, procure some magic. At the end of the day, it’s our job to of course, make the consumer want to figure out how to look and/or feel better —to be enlightened by the beautiful clothes I’m wearing, or the make-up and hair that look so fabulous. I loved on my recent cover shoot for Cosmo, we had the music blaring to artist Saweetie’s high energy song “My type!” it was a fun and memorable moment …when everything fell into place, and we just knew we got that strong pants wearing woman on the cover. And everyone is feeling that aritistic camaraderie and so happy to be doing what we get to do.

Namita Nayyar:

Athleisure brands that you love?

Susan Holmes-McKagan:

I love high waisted leggings at the moment, my go to brands are Ultracor, Stella McCartney for Adidas and Fabletics. I also adore Elisabetta Rogiani work out shorts, and beautiful bra tops.

Namita Nayyar:

Any advice you would like to give to your younger self?

Susan Holmes-McKagan:

Be proud of the young woman that you are, that you strive to be and not to worry so much. 99% of what you worry doesn’t usually happen. Enjoy the moment. You are healthy, strong and capable of doing whatever you razor sharp focus on.

Namita Nayyar:

Resolutions or goals for 2020 and 2021?

Susan Holmes-McKagan:

I have another published book on the way! I was approached by a prestigious French publishing house to do a new book. It will consist of my top most iconic modeling archives and runway moments to backstage on tour with my

Namita Nayyar:

Message for your 240K million followers on your @susanholmesmckagan Instagram?

Susan Holmes-McKagan:

So humbled and honored you follow me! I can’t thank you enough for your inspiring kindness and support always… Let me know how you’re all doing as I love making new friends!

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanholmesmckagan/?hl=en
• Website: http://www.susanholmes.net/

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.

All Written Content Copyright © 2020 Women Fitness