A lot of your fans say that Way of Gray is the first program they’ve ever stuck with. What is it about your program that you think keeps them happy and committed?
I really think at the end of the day they are buying me, .≤cause there’s ton of programs, and honestly all of them are equally as good, but it’s who the person is gravitating towards. I’m very real with everyone that follows me and they know that side of me. I feel that that’s why they’re gravitating towards the program. Eventually, I want to be able to give my workouts away for free and that’s what I’m moving towards. [Right now], it’s full-length videos, 30-50 minutes [each], brand new workouts every single day, for $7 a month. It’s not recycled content. It’s a process to make but I obviously love it. Also, in my terminology that I use, I do a voiceover for every single one of them, reminding them that they love themselves.
What kinds of questions do your fans tend to ask you? Is it usually about fitness or nutrition?
It’s a really good mixture of both. People are still fixated on what I eat and my weight so that’s something I respond to with that ‘it’s none of their business’. Also lifestyle questions and about self-love.
Do you find that people are more intimidated by fitness or nutrition? What stops people from achieving their goals?
I think it’s a bit of both and I think that’s all miscommunication with this industry. That’s my biggest problem is that [people think] it has to be an all-or-nothing lifestyle. People struggle with it because they don’t understand how simple it truly is. It’s not meant to be difficult. People are not properly educated about it.
A lot of people believe it’s about cutting all the bad stuff altogether and forget it’s all about balance. Why do you think that is?
I think it’s people from my industry, not properly educating people, presenting this perfect lifestyle. [For instance], “X person” on Instagram would never eat that so I can’t eat it. No one’s being real about what this lifestyle is really about, which is a huge problem. At the end of the day, it is bad, but I strongly believe that the stress we surround around poor habits is more harmful than the poor habits themselves. For me, I eat quite terribly 30-40% of the time, but only since I’m mentally able to do it. If I was restricting, I’d fall back into those bad habits.
Unlike a lot of programs that don’t focus on mental health and body confidence, you absolutely do. Why was it so important for you to include that in your message?
I struggled really deeply with depression and insecurities. I think it’s an important conversation that needs to be had. We have quite a lot of commercials about mental illness awareness right now [in Canada]. I don’t think a lot of people in my position are talking about it. You do see some celebrities talking about depression. There has to be a conversation because it’s way more normal and a lot of people are affected by it. I’m fortunate I have my platform because I can let people know that are struggling with it that other people are, too.
In an age where the average person checks out photoshopped fitness images and wannabe models’ Instagrams every day, how do you encourage people to not compare themselves to others, especially those in the public eye?
For me, I post photos without makeup and I try to show my flaws as much as possible and I feel that people really appreciate that. Just showing that real side, people will start to accept that about themselves more and more.
Do you find that people assume you don’t have problems or insecurities just because you’re in shape?
I think that’s what I was put on this Earth to talk about. I get it. It’s easier for them to say that than to look internally and ask why they’re so triggered by my words. People have to understand that happiness is internal, not external.
You wear makeup in your workout videos. Do you wear all-natural makeup?
My day to day is all natural. I wear whatever for my photoshoots. I get my lashes done, which are not natural. I always use natural hair products and soaps. That’s a hard topic to talk about on social media because it’s such a science-based thing. I just know that it’s bad for me. I use Jane Iredale makeup.
-
Save
