Photo Credit: Bell-Phillip TV
Courtney Hope will tell you that she walks in other people’s shoes for a living. She even pretends to design their clothes too! Courtney portrays charismatic and fierce fashion designer, Sally Spectra, on the daytime soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful. You can also catch Courtney racing to repair a fracture in time before time quite literally expires as Beth Wilder in the video game and embedded TV show, Quantum Break. In addition to many other appearances in film, television and commercials, Courtney is also a leader as the Director of the Federal Bureau of Control fighting against the evil HISS as Jesse Faden in the renowned video game, Control, for which she just won Best Performer in a video game by the Game Critics at the New York Game Awards.
Courtney Hope has quite an impressive body of work and she certainly also puts her own body to work because, in addition to her acting career, Courtney is also a certified personal trainer and accredited instructor in cardio barre, Pilates and Piloxing. Sitting down to talk with Courtney, it’s immediately clear to see how her passion for fitness has not only been a driving force in her own life, but has helped her connect with her fans, students and social media followers to build a strong community of support.
When did you realize that you had such a strong interest in fitness?
For as long as I can remember, being physically active has been a part of who I am. I began dancing at the age of three and went on to competitive dancing and touring with a dance troupe. In addition to my rigorous dance schedule, when I was seven years old I began tumbling and taking gymnastics. I realized early on in my life that I wanted to pursue a career in acting and held my mother to an earlier promise that she would get me an agent for my 12th birthday!
Regardless of what path my career was taking, being physically active has always been a constant in my life. My fit lifestyle eventually triggered an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and I began to learn anything and everything I could about fitness. I am currently getting my nutrition license online from Cornell University and am always digging deeper into my wellness journey every day!
Did you have a fitness mentor or role model?
I would not say I had one person in particular as my role model, but I greatly admire people who are health conscious and who make their health and wellness a priority. I try to surround myself with people who are educated in a variety of health and fitness realms. It’s much like that old expression, “If you are the smartest person in the room, then you are in the wrong room.” I am always interested in learning more, as the human body and all of its potential fascinates me.
What advice would you offer someone just starting out in their fitness journey?
I frequently tell students that take my cardio barre classes that, “It’s easier to make an excuse than to make a plan.” It is easy to get overwhelmed when you don’t know where to start. Get informed help and plan your workouts and your nutrition and continue to take steps in the right direction. Consistency is the key! I also always recommend trying a variety of different workouts to find what you really enjoy. I am constantly trying new and different workout routines to avoid getting bored and to see how my body responds to new challenges.
