As seen on The Doctors and Women’s Health, ALI KAY the fitness influencer and host of INVEST YOUR BEST has lost over 70lbs in a year and a half and says she has never felt better and inspires millions to invest in their OWN best. Her transformation has gone viral on TikTok earning her over 500K followers.
The mom-of-two has become a TikTok star after detailing how she lost a whopping 70lbs and transformed her body after her second pregnancy. This mom was busy looking after her two sons – Lukas, seven, and Ford, two – and felt she had little to no time to prepare nutritious meals for herself.
She documented her weight loss transformation in a viral video, which has so far racked up over 4.5 million views and 1.1 million likes – prompting people to praise the mom for her dedication.
Follow Ali @alexandrawille
Hi Ali, please tell us a little about you?
Hi, I am a mom to two boys, wife, small business owner, a “move your body” and “mental health advocate” and I am on a journey towards being my best self mentally and physically. I started this journey a couple years ago when I found myself unhappy and 70 lbs over weight after giving birth to my second son and continuing to gain weight post partum. What I have found along the way is that the journey is never over towards putting in the work towards being your best self and my life began to transform when I started to prioritize my mental and physical health first before anyone or anything else. I love to share my journey on social media. I have a podcast “Invest Your Best with Ali Kay’ and I share lots of content on TikTok and Instagram about my overall weightloss journey and my journey towards being my best self mentally and physically. And I am addicted to moving my body for 30 minutes a day for my mental health, as movement is my medicine.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
Empathetic, Inquisitive & Sensitive
Name one your strengths?
I think one of my strengths has always been to have the ability to understand other’s feelings and where they are coming from. I think I have always been very sensitive to that and it’s one of the reasons why I was drawn to getting my degree in clinical mental health counseling.
Best advice ever given?
Other people’s opinions don’t pay your bills. I think it took me until my late 20’s/early 30’s to truly not care what other people think about me and let go of being a people pleaser.
Who has made the biggest impact on your life so far, and why?
My kids. I became a mother at 24 years old and it’s very clear what my purpose is in life. I want to be the best example and mom for my kids which has definitely inspired my journey thus far.
How did you get started in the influencer and fitness field?
I started my weight-loss journey/journey towards being my best self a couple years ago. And I needed the accountability so I started documenting my journey — the good, the bad, the celebrations, my progress etc. I then started sharing that content on TikTok and I think people have been drawn to my 70 lb weight-loss journey because they see that it’s more than that and if I can do it then they can do it too.
What did you learn from your biggest failure?
Oh my gosh, I have failed so many times in life. I think failure is the key to success. I think overall my biggest failure has been wasting many years in the past on trying to please others and it taking away from my ability to be my true, authentic self. I do see every failure as a takeaway and learning experience that is necessary.
What’s your advice for the newer fitness influencers or entrepreneurs?
To START. It doesn’t matter if your content isn’t “perfect” or you don’t think you are good enough, Just Start! The time is now and stop overthinking everything.There is no such thing as perfection. I think it’s also important to stay true and real to who you are, especially in the influencer world and remember “why” you are wanted to do this. You are good enough and we, individually, all have something very unique and special to offer. I think that’s really important to remember especially when you want to compare yourself to others. As an entrepreneur, my biggest take away is to take every negative/”failure” as a learning experience to apply to the next situation. I started a small home staging business, 3 years ago, and I can’t even begin to explain how many times I screwed up that first year but hadn’t I screwed up then I wouldn’t have learned what to do differently the next time.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
While I pride myself on being open and authentic, I think it’s also very important to have boundaries. I’ve learned that I need to take breaks or there are things that I do NOT need to talk about or discuss. I think it’s important to understand that you can be authentic, real but still have healthy boundaries.
Now tell us about the huge TikTok success and what are you doing to keep it going and growing even more?
I love TikTok. I think TikTok is all about that raw and real content. It’s also about connecting with your followers and growing a community. I love sharing my journey and weight loss journey on TikTok because so many people now know that they can make a change in their life because they see my journey and it holds me accountable to this day as well.
What do you think is the secret to have a successful TikTok account?
Having a connection with your followers. I think that’s key and to not focus on this perfect, curated content. People are sick of seeing these unrealistic videos and content. People want to connect and want to relate to others and I think that’s why TikTok in general has grown so fast. You get to find your people and community on TikTok, and my community involves individuals who want to put in the work towards being a better version of themselves mentally and physically without chasing perfection.
As a popular influencer you are followed by so many young girls. How do you feel about that pressure of doing always the right thing, and encourage people to follow their dreams?
It’s taken the pressure off of me by being so open with my followers that I am not this perfect person or try to keep up this “perfect” image. I share when I have bad days and I am open about my struggles with mental health. I really want to normalize and open the conversation up that we all struggle with mental health and we must prioritize taking care of our mental health and be our own advocates. I don’t think we can normalize or break the stigma about mental health unless more people are open to what they have or are going through. I think that’s what’s been easy to be so vulnerable on Tik Tok with my followers because I want to show that they aren’t alone therefore I share my bad days, good days, and what works for me.
I bet you get millions of it, but what are the best and worst Instagram DM pickup lines you received so far?
Any DM asking if I want a sugar daddy. Ugh, it’s the worst! I am my own sugar daddy, thank you very much!
What book should every entrepreneur read?
Atomic Habits by James Clear! I think I will continue reading this book throughout my lifetime because it has so many great takeaways to start applying today!
Tell us about your podcast “Invest In Your Best?”
“The Invest Your Best” podcast is all about how to live your best life mentally and physically by focusing on what you can control — your thinking and actions. I truly don’t have it all figured out so I am open and honest about my journey as I go on and I share a lot on the podcast, as well has many exciting guests, authors, and professionals in the mental health and physical health space that gives a lot of insightful takeaways.
When did you decided to create your own podcast?
I was getting a lot of messages about how I lost 70 lbs and specifics about my weight loss journey after my videos started going viral. And I had a producer and his wife “Citizens of Sound” reach out to me asking if I was interested in doing a podcast. I love podcasts but never thought of doing one on my own, but I am definitely a “YES” person so I said “lets do it.” What is different from your podcast to other podcasts?
What do you think is the secret to have a successful podcast?
I have a masters in psychology & mental health counseling so I have also been drawn to positive psychology, as well as focusing on mental health & self-care so I’ve kind of combined the two concepts, one being the authentic, continuous journey from my personal life, as well as having guests in both the mental and physical health space to share insightful and educational takeaways.
What actor/actress/model do you admire the most, and why?
I’ve always admired Kate Winslet since I was a little girl. Her talent is unmatched and I think I would be in complete awe if I ever met her.
What’s next for Ali Kay in 2022?
My journey towards being the best version of myself is never over so I will continue to share my journey. I also just found out I am pregnant with my surprise baby #3! So what’s next is really focusing on my mental and physical health throughout this pregnancy journey andI will continue to share my journey on social media platforms. I hope to build more of a community of like-minded individuals who want to better themselves and will continue to release new episodes of the podcast every Tuesday.
Which project is still on your bucket list?
A book! It’s on my bucket list and I’d love to have a book and interactive workbook on what it takes to live your best life mentally and physically, as well as what I have learned along the way.
In five years from now, where do you see yourself and your career?
I hope to still be doing something that gives me purpose and meaning in life. Part of why I love being in the “influencer”/”motivation” space because I feel like I am making a difference, as well as it holds me accountable to continue working on being the best version of myself. I hope in 5 years, I am still on this path and I am doing something that is making a difference in the world.
What is your favorite healthy food?
Quinoa
And your favorite cheat food?
Penne Pasta with mushrooms from a local restaurant called “Scarpas”
What is your own definition of happiness?
Being at Peace. I used to define my happiness as the progress or putting in the work towares goals, as I always thought the journey is better than the destination. But after a lot of reflecting, I have realized my happiness is being at peace, content, and mindful within the moment. That’s what I am focusing on as my happiness.
How would your best friend describe you?
My best friends would describe me as a procrastinator with a laid back personality who loves to bite off a lot more than they can chew.
How would you explain your fashion style and what items in your closet can you not be without?
My fashion style mostly has to do with any type of activewear that’s comfortable. I live a very busy life. I love to workout, I own a staging business so I am constantly moving furniture and I have two boys who I’m always running after so my wardrobe fits my lifestyle.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
Britney Spears… I have a lot of questions.
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
Somewhere in the mountains with my family.
What do you like to watch on Tv?
Right now I am watching Euphoria.
What music do you like?
I love music and love all types of music. I can’t choose just one genre, it all depends on my mood.
Do you support any charity?
NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness
Idea of a perfect Sunday?
I love getting organized for the week on Sundays with my family. Sundays are the day of prepping, cleaning, organizing, and lounging with my family. The success of my week has to do with how well I prepared on Sunday.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram: @alexandrawille, TikTok @alexandrawille, “Invest Your Best” podcast free on iTunes and Spotify.
FAVORITE
Quote: Excuses are a result of poor planning.
Holiday Destination: The mountains in North Carolina
Drink: Sparkling water with lime in a wine glass
Celebrity Crush: David Beckham
Favorite song? Why? Motorcycle Driveby by Third Eye Blind because I am a 90’s kid!
Sports Team: The BUCS!
Movie: Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken
