Brooks Nader, 22, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, spoke to DailyMail.com about her daily training and nutrition regimen.
She singles out boxing as the key to her form, which helps her stay toned, strong, and full of energy thanks to endorphins.
He tries to avoid sugar and dairy products, but admits to allowing himself small ‘’sins’’ when it comes to food cravings.
She openly said that she used to have a complicated relationship with food and her body, but that working with the magazine taught her to strive for a healthier version of herself.
Among the 10,000 registered girls, she was chosen by the famous Christie Brimkley (65) for this year’s edition.
She participated in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search contest and is currently awaiting the results of the public vote.
The star of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, Brooks Nader, announced how she maintains her line and also described the preparations for her first appearance in this magazine.
Her fitness routine usually includes boxing, which has become her favorite way to stay in shape and to mentally ‘’reset’’ the day. As she says, she used to train exclusively to lose weight, while today she sees exercise as a tool to relieve stress, strengthen her body, and clear her mind.
After moving to New York, she trains regularly with trainer Rob Piel, and occasionally throws in hip-hop dance classes to break up the routine.
Although she admits that training is often difficult for her after a hard day, she always ends up feeling great. For her, training has become a way to release stress- especially through the energy she expends in the boxing ring.
Brooks Nader does not hesitate to talk about the period when she experimented with rigorous diets and had an unhealthy relationship with food and her body. As she says, such an approach hindered her more than it helped her – it left consequences on her psyche and physical condition.
Over time, she completely changed her perspective. Today, he believes that nutrition should be balanced and not based on prohibitions. And what is even more important, there is no room for remorse. If she eats something “unhealthy”, like fried chicken, she simply enjoys it without stressing.
A big influence on that change was Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, which she says wasn’t a game-changer, but did open up a much more honest story about the female body and self-acceptance. Instead of pushing a single ideal of beauty, the focus has shifted to authenticity – different builds, backgrounds, and stories.
Before her first shoot, she didn’t want to fit into a standard mold – her goal was to get the most out of herself. It was the mindset that completely changed her attitude towards training and her body. Today, she works out to feel good, relieve stress, and get stronger – not to “fit in.”
However, the road to self-confidence was not easy. Early in his career, she was often told she was “not good enough” – that she was either too round or didn’t meet the standards of certain markets, especially New York. Such comments shook her confidence, but the experience with the magazine helped her rebuild it.
That’s why she now believes that all the contestants in this competition are already winners – as together they’re changing the way the industry views female beauty and breaking outdated norms.
When she was younger, she was a typical “tomboy” – sports were at the forefront of her mind, while she didn’t think about modeling. Today, even though she doesn’t have time for team sports, she says her life and career work like a team – the people around her and the challenges have become her new “game.”
Apart from modeling, he is increasingly turning to acting and other projects in the fashion industry. It is interesting that she did not plan this path at all – she thought she would end up in finance, away from the spotlight.
When she signed up for Model Search, she didn’t have high expectations. That’s why her choice among thousands of candidates was a complete surprise. Meeting Christie Brinkley cemented that feeling – an icon she had looked up to for years suddenly became a part of her personal experience.
One of the things that surprised her the most was the complete absence of pressure about appearance. No one asked her to diet or transform – on the contrary, the message was to remain herself.
This significantly changed her attitude towards her body. She used to wonder if she had to starve herself to succeed, but now she knows the key is to feel good in her own skin.
This approach is part of a larger story the magazine is building – a story about diversity, authenticity, and pushing the boundaries of beauty standards. There is less and less focus on perfection and more and more on individuality.
For Brooks, the greatest value of this experience is not just in the modeling but in the possibilities it opens up. She is inspired by women who have built serious careers outside of the fashion industry.
In the end, her message is simple – opportunities like this aren’t just about looks, but about showing who you are, what you want, and how far you can go.
