We caught up with Model/ Actor/ Athlete and aspiring stunt woman, Katie Reese, to discuss her goals and how she turned her passion into her profession. You may know Katie from our ALPHA Convoy Collection page, where you’ve seen her flipping and flying across your screen with mesmerizing grace. We are honored to work with such a charismatic, driven, and awe-inspiring person like Katie. She truly embodies turning ambition into achievement!

Where do you call home?

I’m from Detroit, Michigan, but I call Los Angeles, California, where I currently live, home. I intend to stay here forever.

At what age did you start pursuing your passion for fitness?

I’ve been active my entire life, but I started pursuing sports and fitness modeling a year after I moved to Los Angeles. I love that my fitness career has also helped my dance and acting career, and I love that the three sometimes merge together on jobs.

What was your first biggest accomplishment/milestone in your career?

For Dance, I would say it was my first big job. While studying dance in my junior year at Western Michigan University, a connection told me about an audition for a dancing role in A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas. I auditioned and booked the job! It was my first professional job, first big feature film and first SAG union dance role. My biggest accomplishment for my fitness career so far has been every dream brand that I’ve wanted to work with. Every time a booking comes through for a big name, my heart explodes with gratitude!

Who is your biggest inspiration?

My biggest inspiration would have to be my mother. She isn’t a coach or an athlete, but she has a fire inside her that has inspired me throughout the years. She is the most ambitious, strongest woman I know.

What do you do both mentally and physically to better prepare yourself to excel in fitness and modeling?

The hustle and work never stop for me. When I’m not going to auditions or castings, I consistently train so I can give 100% on the job. Being a sports model is more than being pretty and posing.

How do you set your goals?

I write my goals out every year and then I make a plan on how I am going to achieve those. It’s pretty cool to look back at the goals each year and see what I’ve checked off!

What would people be surprised to know is a critical part of your training process?

Honestly, I think it’s the fact I rarely actually go to the gym. I don’t even have a gym membership! I am just not the girl who enjoys standing in front of a mirror lifting weights and taking breaks in between. I am someone who gets bored easily so I love changing it up. Also, food is a critical part. I cook almost all of my meals, which aren’t very exciting, but make me feel at my best!

What goal are you currently working on to take you to the next step in your career?

One goal I have is to work in stunts. I feel that my knowledge and experience, as well as my versatility, would make me a great stunt woman! This year, I plan on taking fighting and stunt classes and staying physically in shape. Eventually, I want to be a trainer or come up with my own workouts. I think when I have a better picture of what that looks like I will start to gear it towards that goal. I believe as long as your energy and work is going towards what you want in life, the universe will reward you.

If you could give advice to someone just starting off in the fitness industry, what would you tell them?

I would say be versatile and start building a portfolio. Train every day, better your form so you are doing everything correctly, and live a healthy lifestyle. Stay true to who you are, never fake it til you make it. Own your skills and own the audition room.

What is your favorite quote to live by?

My quotes are very simple. “Don’t forget to fly” and “Passion changes everything”. Don’t forget you are capable of anything and everything you want in life as long as you believe and take action. Put your heart and soul into what you love and it will show.

What is your Ogio Bag of choice and why?

I am a backpack girl for sure. I always am carrying my life with me in a backpack whether it’s to training, set or traveling. My favorite product would be the Alpha Convoy backpacks! They are durable, functional, have a laptop sleeve, and have tons of storage for my shoes, makeup, audition materials, changes of clothes, etc. The details are like no other!