(Editor’s Note: This interview with fitness guru Kiana Tom was conducted back in November 2011 by Tom Heckbert for the now-defunct website Eyestrane.com. It’s been republished at Idol Features courtesy of Tom.)
Kiana Tom is one of the most vibrant, energetic people you are ever likely to meet. Just keeping track of the projects she is involved in would tire most of us. Kiana is an internationally recognized, award winning, fitness expert, television host, inventor, business woman, published author, director, actress, wife, mother and trusted source of information who has motivated millions of viewers around the world on thousands of television shows and on her own fitness series, Kiana’s Flex Appeal the “highest rated fitness show on ESPN.”
If that is not enough for you, she has been named Global Fitness Authority’s, “TV’s Top Celeb Trainer,” “America’s Fitness Guru,” “Power Princess,” “Best in Fitness” and “Fitness Legend.” Kiana’s Flex Appeal is the #1 rated fitness show of all time, currently airing worldwide in 80 million homes, since 1995.
Kiana starred in Sony Picture’s Movie; Universal Soldier with Jean Claude Van Damme, enjoyed guest appearances on the Drew Carrey Show, Family Law, CBS News, Fox News, Monday Night Live, Access Hollywood, EXTRA, Entertainment Tonight, and has hosted the ABC Superbowl Nightlife Special, to name a few.
An all new “Kiana’s Flex Appeal” for Fox Sports Network is Kiana’s latest flex on fitness! She is currently working on developing a highly anticipated remake of “Kiana’s Flex Appeal” which will air on Fox Sports Network in 83 million homes worldwide, Monday – Friday worldwide.
As Host of the popular “X Games,” Kiana’s athletic abilities enabled her to participate in many of the extreme sports to “get the interview” such as downhill street luging at 50 mph. Kiana has conducted hundreds of interviews for national and international television shows. As a leader in the fitness industry, Kiana was host to the national and international Fitness America Pageant series.
Kiana is also a mother of two and has recently launched Fit Mom TV “to help motivate Moms to put stay fit and healthy for themselves and their families.”
EYESTRANE: You seem to go non-stop, Kiana. Nothing slows you down! Now you are a mom and launched Fit Mom TV. Tell us a little about it.
KIANA: I have enjoyed working in the television and fitness industries for over 20 years. Before I had children, I traveled a lot. I would meet people all over the world in diverse places such as Brazil, Tokyo, Paris, Alaska and all over the USA. Women all said the same thing to me: “Just wait until you have kids, it will all change.” at that time, I wasn’t sure what they meant. But now I do. My husband and I have 2 amazing, wonderful, funny, fit young children ages 2 and 9. Pre-kids, I used to workout 2-3 hours per day. Now I am lucky if I get 30 minutes to workout at 5:30 am. As a busy mom it’s a constant challenge to juggle my personal time, fitness, children, family, career, husband, pets, etc.
I created Kiana’s fit mom TV to provide moms with realistic workout routines that can be done around any busy mom’s schedule. I wanted to share my healthy recipes that I make in 10 minutes, my simple 1 minute fit tip. Kiana’s fit mom tv is like your friend who knows all of the great short cuts and tips to help you be your best.
EYESTRANE: Having two children, any advice on how to manage your time to fit in exercise?
KIANA: Busy moms should workout 1st thing in the mornings before the day gets too busy. If you don’t make the time to train, something will come up. Besides, exercising in the a.m. makes for healthier choices all day long. You just feel better all day.
EYESTRANE: What about nutrition? Does Fit Mom TV cover meal planning and finicky eaters?
KIANA: Good question! I just finished my top 20 favorite healthy recipes ebook. These special recipes have been in my family for decades and I love them all! I modified all of them to make them healthier and still taste delish. Any readers interested in the ebook can read more or order it here: the newest episode to the Kiana’s fit mom tv lineup is “Kiana’s fit cooking.” together with a guest celeb chef, we make 10 min. Healthy, unique recipes such as my favorite “blueberry brown rice pudding” and “sesame crusted ahi tuna.” the recipes are so exotic but can seriously be made in 1o minutes. Busy moms don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to make delicious healthy meals. Even better, my ebook has recipes that are easy clean up. I have fun things to do, i don’t want to be doing more clean up than necessary.
EYESTRANE: You are also planning a book for Moms. Any expectations on when it will be finished?
KIANA: Good question! I have a meeting re: my book tomorrow!
EYESTRANE: You personally come up with every routine, write the scripts and oversee all aspects of production. You must find it very satisfying to see your vision fulfilled.
KIANA: I really really do. I love love love my work and love what I do. My grandmother once told me, “find a career you love and you’ll be good at it!” when i am gone all day, i cannot wait to get home and work on my shows, projects, anything remotely related to my work. I even dream about my television shows, my books, my workout routines. Shhh. Don’t tell anyone.
EYESTRANE: I know you must have been asked this 1000 times but how did you get into health and fitness?
KIANA: Um. Make that a zillion times, but I’d ask me that too! I was raised in an athletic family of outgoing people who love being the center of attention! It started when I was 5, my Chinese / Hawaiian parents had me playing tennis and skiing. My dad was a child actor in the original Charlie Chan series with 20th century fox and starred in many movies alongside Shirley temple and John Hall. My mom was a physical education teacher and was an actress too. Guess I had the best of both and loved sports and being on camera.
EYESTRANE: You are a role model to thousands. Your grandmother has had a great influence on you. Who are your role models?
KIANA: All of the women in my mom’s side of the family are very very strong. I love that. My grandmother was a very dynamic, charismatic woman, mother of 5, bread winner. She went sky diving on her 70th birthday. She sold New York life insurance. Her ancestors were hired Chinese laborers to make the railroads. She was the 1st woman on the million dollar round table which is a prestigious award for selling a million dollars in life insurance. As you can imagine, back then it was only Caucasians and men who received this award. The fact that she won it says so much about her determination and abilities. My mom is a role model because she is so unconditionally supportive of me. I am like that for my girls. No judgement, just love them for their individuality and amazing unique qualities and personalities.
EYESTRANE: I have to ask you about your father, Layne Tom, Jr. who played a young Charlie Chan Jr. in “Charlie Chan at the Olympics,” Tommy Chan, in “Charlie Chan in Honolulu.” and Willie Chan in “Charlie Chan’s Murder Cruise”. Were you a big fan of the films and did he talk about his experiences in the films at home?
KIANA: Did he talk about it? He never stops talking about it? OMG. We used to have to watch his movies over and over again. As kids it was annoying but now as adults, we love it!
EYESTRANE: Any words of advice for Asian-Americans those who may want to work in the media?
KIANA: Great question. One of my greatest feelings of accomplishment is when I get letters and emails from Asian-Americans stating that I am a role model for them. Wow. It was a great honor to be the only one to be on the cover of Yolk magazine. An Asian-American magazine that signified yellow on the inside/white on the outside.
Being Asian makes it easier and harder to work in the media. Even in 2011 it is still a Caucasian based industry. Find your niche and stick with it. Find something that makes you unique. Of course mine, is fitness.
About the author
The now-defunct website Eyestrane.com featured many interviews with some very notable ladies. Since said interviews were too good to go unseen after the site was shut down in August of 2014, former Eyestrane editor-in-chief Tom Heckbert has graciously agreed to occasionally resurrect some from his archived files for republication here at Idol Features. Tom and his former staff at Eyestrane always maintained a deep respect for the talent and creativity of the people they interviewed for the site.
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