Katie Austin Talks Recreating Mom Denise Austin’s Iconic Pregnancy Workout Cover and How the '90s Fitness Icon Has Inspired Her (Exclusive)

Angela AndaloroTue, June 2, 2026 at 4:23 PM UTC

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Denise Austin and Katie Austin
Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty -

Katie Austin is the younger of '90s fitness icon Denise Austin's two daughters

The 32-year-old model hit the runway in Sports Illustrated Swim Week's show, while six months pregnant

Austin told PEOPLE about finding her way, following in her mom's footsteps, and her excitement to bring her baby girl into their sweet bond

Katie Austin enjoys following in her mom's footsteps.

The model and fitness influencer, 32, has always loved sharing milestones with mom Denise Austin. Speaking with PEOPLE about her preparations for the Sports Illustrated Swim runway show on May 30 in Miami, Fla., Katie also opened up about recently recreating the cover of her mom's 1990 workout video, Pregnancy Plus Workout.

"She loves me recreating her old stuff. She helps me with it. She was, I think, holding the ring light when I was shooting the cover of it, which was so fun," the mom-to-be tells PEOPLE.

"But I'm actually recreating one of her videos, which is going to be really exciting. I'm really excited to share it. I have not shared it yet, but that's going to be really, really, really fun. And it was really cool as a full-circle moment. I'm actually not in her belly for the workout video, but I'm in her belly for that exact cover. And so a full circle moment of my mom, who was one of the first American mainstream women to do pregnancy workout videos."

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Denise Austin (left) and Katie Austin's recreation
Credit: Amazon; Katie Austin/Instagram

"It was very controversial back then, if you think about it. We're going back to the early '90s, where it's like women didn't know if they were allowed to move their bodies while they were pregnant. It wasn't about Pilates, pelvic floor PT, making sure you're strong for postpartum," Katie explains.

"It wasn't like that. And so my mom paved the way for pregnancy movement and exercise while you are pregnant, making sure that it was safe in the ways you can do so, and giving women the tools to feel empowered. So it was really cool to recreate it because it brought back that empowerment in me that, like, 'Okay, I'm doing this for other women to feel like their best selves. It's not just for me.' It's a really fulfilling full-circle storytelling moment."

Katie grew up looking up to Denise as she built her '90s fitness empire. She's also been proud to be with her for many steps of the journey.

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"I always say, I think, subconsciously, I always knew this was what I was going to do. I have been really following her along since I was out of the womb, truly since I was six weeks old, I was traveling with her for her workout shows. She started filming her workout shows postpartum, six weeks after she gave birth to me. And so I've literally been seeing her film workout videos and inspiring women my entire life; that's who I grew up with," she shares.

"But it has been cool because she's my best friend. She's a role model, but she's also a pioneer in the industry, and I have so much respect for her. I also think another phase of pregnancy is like how much more respect you've gained for your mother. I've always respected my mother, but this is a whole different ballgame. It's a newfound respect because I'm actually going through it myself, but it's cool. I love following in her footsteps."

Katie continues, "She has paved the way for me and also so many other women in the fitness industry. It has been really, really obviously inspiring to see that she had so many women come up to her at the grocery store, at the airport, wherever we were, about how much she changed their lives."

With her own little girl on the way, Katie is excited to see how their bond opens up to include her daughter, who will be Denise's first grandchild.

"Oh my God, she's going to be hilarious. I feel like I'm going to be the one who's like the voice of reason. When they say your grandma comes over and they're going to have all the rules go out the window? That's like how my mom is with my puppy right now," she laughs.

Katie Austin walks the runway at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show during Swim Week At W South Beach at W South Beach on May 30, 2026
Credit: John Parra/Getty

"And so I feel like she's going to be a very fun grandma and no rules for Denise, but we'll see. It's going to be fun because she's a first-time grandma, and so I have no idea. I think she's going to be... I haven't hired a nanny because I think she might be my nanny, which is wonderful."

Catch up on Katie's walk down the runway and all the other can't-miss moments by streaming the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show on June 9 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+.

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