Kylie Vonnahme has graced the covers of Vogue Portugal, Harper’s Bazaar US, Harper’s Bazaar Brazil, Issue Magazine and Elle Bulgaria. The Hamptons have become her home for the summer as she continues to co-host her podcast “The Not So Simple Life,” a wellness and beauty podcast founded with fellow model Sophie Longford.
With summer underway, Kylie joined forces with Sarah Brooks of Brooks Pilates + More to host a charity pilates mat class benefitting The Wild Tomorrow Fund at The Montauk Beach House. The luxury activewear brand, Koral, gifted looks for each guest to wear for the class. Wild Tomorrow Fund works to protect, restore and re-wild a critically important wildlife corridor in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The work to protect nearly extinct animals is far from done, but organizations like The Wild Tomorrow Fund provide hope that beautiful animals like elephants are around for future generations.
We caught up with Kylie to talk all things career, podcast, and health & wellness:
Your event Workout For Charity will benefit The Wild Tomorrow Fund. Can you please talk a bit about your interest in animal conservation and why you chose this charity specifically?
KV: For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been an animal lover. My passion only grew as I learned more about animal conservation. Unfortunately, many animals are in need & many species are at risk of facing extinction in the near future. Modeling has given me the platform online to have a voice on these issues and to be able to spread awareness to my followers. I love to help advocate & raise funds for incredible organizations like The Wild Tomorrow Fund by providing the resources for my followers to do so. I chose this organization in particular because I love that they are set out to protect and restore a critical piece of land that is vital in helping many wildlife populations survive. This project will save millions of animals & I am so happy to have a small part in helping this project succeed.
Kylie, your work has taken you all around the world. What is one lesson that has resonated with you most throughout your career and impacts your work today?
KV: My career as a model has provided me the opportunity to travel to many places & meet people from all over the world. One lesson that I’ve learned in my time as a model is that there is something to learn from everyone. I’ve been able to make so many meaningful connections with so many amazing individuals, all from very different backgrounds. As I arrive on set each day, I look forward to learning something new from the creatives that I’m lucky enough to work with. Everyone has their own unique story and if you make the effort to connect to one another, it’s incredible how much you can learn.
Of all the places you could be this summer, why did you choose the Hamptons?
KV: The beauty of the Hamptons is that you’ve got a warm & beachy escape only 2 hours away from the city. I love that I’m able to work in the city during the week and totally unplug in the Hamptons each weekend. I adore the farm stands, the beaches, all of the restaurants…the Hamptons really has it all!
Your podcast “Not So Simple Life” welcomes many fascinating guests who cover topics on wellness, fashion, lifestyle, and everything in between. What are some things you do in the Hamptons to maintain the best quality of life and overall balance?
KV: I usually always have one fun night out with friends, because having fun & letting loose is such an important part of living a balanced lifestyle. I love doing a morning workout class each day, anything from Soul Cycle at the barn to Pilates with Sarah Brooks. I try my best to buy all of my food from the local farm stands because it’s always so fresh & delicious. I also enjoy visiting Shannon at Your Organic Edge for a day of detox. Other than that, I find that nothing is better for the soul than spending a relaxing day at the beach. I’m always able to leave the Hamptons feeling so much better than how I arrived.
Can you talk a bit about your fitness journey with Pilates and why you love doing the Brooks Pilates classes?
KV: Pilates has 100% changed my body, and in all of the best ways. I used to be a big cardio junkie & never really spent much time on toning type workouts. Ever since starting Pilates, my body feels so strong & balanced. Pilates can strengthen the body while also increasing mobility and flexibility. It only took one session with Sarah for me to get completely HOOKED on Brooks pilates. I join Sarah and her incredible team for a workout anywhere from 3-4 times a week. I’m definitely a regular & it’s because I’ve never loved a workout like this in my life. If anyone reading this hasn’t been to Brooks Pilates, this is your sign to go!
Brooks Pilates + More was founded in Manhattan and has popped-up in the Hamptons for the summer months.
“I love working with Kylie! She has been such a big supporter of my small business and I am so grateful for her,” said Sarah Brooks. “I am very much looking forward to using my passion for pilates to help raise money for an amazing cause. Fun fact is that the creator Joseph Pilates used animals as inspiration. We’ve got some moves called elephant and swan that I will 100% incorporate.”
If you’re ready to get back into your fitness routine post-COVID, Brooks Pilates has made it convenient for her clients that split their time between NYC and the Hamptons: “I own and operate a small boutique, private studio in Chelsea NYC but most of my clients come out here during the summer. So I am more than happy to come out here and accommodate them! I do mostly at-home private classes but also small private group classes! This summer I am teaching classes at the Reform Club in Amagansett and Gurneys as well. I grew up coming out to Montauk so the summers are always special for me out here,” reflected Sarah.
To learn more about the work of The Wild Tomorrow Fund, visit www.wildtomorrowfund.org.
“The Not So Simple Life” can be found on all major streaming services including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
