Truly Bold and Beautiful: HUNTER TYLO Hunter's own story is as full of drama as the series in which she stars

by Chris Compton, photography by John Russo

HUNTER TYLO’S CHILDHOOD SEEMS STRAIGHT OUT OF THE DIARY OF THE COWGIRL JESSIE CHARACTER IN TOY STORY 2. It brings to mind those old sepia-tone storybook cov- ers with the picture of a young girl wearing a cowboy hat. She’s standing by her horse with a far-away look in her eyes. She could be a little girl on the prairie, dreaming of the day when she can go to school, study, start a career, raise a family and achieve ultimate fulfillment.

In truth, Hunter did start out as a tomboy, hanging out with the guys in the Future Farmers of America, breaking bucking horses, and roping cattle. Growing up in the Texas countryside had some influence, but it was her own indomitable spirit that possessed her to train guard dogs, keep snakes, a fox, a cat, a raccoon, cows, kittens, dogs and guinea pigs for pets, and even spend her allowance on a mail-order alligator . . .

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Hunter was a good student and was awarded a schol- events exploding like fireworks in a clear summer sky. arship to attend veterinary school. Then, like many prom- Hopes once dashed rise from the ashes into never-imag- ising young girls still in their teen years, she gave up the ined scenes. And the young heroine lives her life in luxu- scholarship and her plans when she became pregnant and ry, fulfillment and happiness. Except that this isn’t fiction. married the father. He was a young man seven years her It’s only the small piece of the drama that makes up the senior who lied to her about his age. He turned out to be real life of Hunter Tylo. less reliable than he appeared in other ways too. Hunter helped support the young family by serving drinks in a She’s Bold and Beautiful lounge and was even able to save some money in hope of On CBS’s The Bold and the Beautiful, Hunter plays Dr. Tay- one day going to college in spite of losing the scholarship. lor Hayes Forrester, a psychiatrist who often puts the con- But her husband also lied about the loss of his job and cerns of her patients before her own happiness. And yes, ended up spending all the savings without her even know- she is certainly gorgeous. Even up close she might remind

ing. A breakup was inevitable. And eventually, she had to you of a figure you’d find in a doll collection. You know, find a way to support herself and her child. the ones that are “too pretty to be real.” Some of us have a hard time seeing such a bigger- A Twist of Fate than-life soap star and believing she could be somebody Isn’t it funny the way life works things out sometimes? who could relate to us. Just look at the cover of Hunter’s While Hunter was still in school, her mother had encour- autobiography, Making a Miracle. She’s stunning, aged her to use some savings set aside for a car for, of all untouchable—seemingly removed from the day-to-day things, charm school. Mom hoped she would learn to be realities of life. just a little bit more of a lady. And at a critical juncture Still, she’s a practical, down-to-earth working gal who later in her life, Hunter would find that “alternate self” is as real as they get. (Don’t be offended by the word “gal.” would serve her well. After her breakup, Hunter used That’s a loving word they often use in her home state of those charm school lessons to work her way into the Hol- Texas.) She is a mother of four and a committed wife of lywood scene. Today, not only are the traces of the cow- more than 15 years. Her husband, , formerly girl all but erased, but Hunter Tylo is regarded as one of appeared on The Young and the Restless. You’ll love the the world’s most beautiful people, twice chosen by People part in her book where Michael confesses to Chris, magazine as one of the “50 Most Beautiful People in the Hunter’s little boy, that he’s going to marry his mom. Little World” and featured by TV Guide as one of the sexiest Chris jumps up and down saying, “Yay!” while all the women in daytime television. She is a glamorous star drip- strangers in the restaurant applaud and say, “Aaahhhhh.” ping in expensive diamonds, hobnobbing with the politi- If you are a mom, a woman who works outside the home, cal elite, and married to a devoted husband who is also a or a person who believes that a difficult life is a reason to television daytime drama hunk. sell yourself short and settle for less than life’s best, this It’s so easy to get lost in such a world where the book could change your way of thinking. You’ll walk away improbable happens. In stories like those in the soaps, from it with a deep sense of admiration for Hunter Tylo. small dreams are overshadowed by the light of brighter It’s easy to imagine how she could have used her success

26 Women’s Fitness International • www.womensfitnessonline.com hunter tylo COVER STORY to get even with those who had made her so unhappy. She Charitable Contributions could have been bitter and could probably have justified She was an invited guest at President Bush’s inaugural cel- it—at least to herself. Instead, she has risen above her ebration and used the opportunity to forge alliances for challenges to become a giving person who supports and her nonprofit work on behalf of children. Her work inspires others. includes spearheading two foundations. Hunter and Think what her schedule must be like. (And you Michael’s fourth child, Katya, was born in 1998 with haven’t heard most of it yet!) And then imagine this: She is retinoblastoma, a malignant tumor of the developing reti- a dedicated fitness enthusiast. na that occurs in babies and young children. “We were heartbroken,” says Hunter. “We knew we had to find Fitness and Faith something positive in the tragedy.” Hunter & Michael “It’s so important to be in shape,” says Hunter. “I took that founded Retinoblastoma International in 1999 to help for granted in my twenties and early thirties. Then I began raise awareness of the condition and to help other children in similar plights. Scenes from CBS’ The In 1998 she founded Bold and the Beautiful, Hunter’s Chosen Child, an from left to right: organization that helps to Hunter Tylo and support single parents, “Thomas and Phoebe” unwed mothers’ homes, in Episode #3496, pregnancy crisis centers and 2/2/01 (Jesse scholarships for daycare and Grant/JPI); Hunter Tylo other individual situations. and Ronn Moss in The proceeds from her cos- Episode #3739, 1/24/02 metic line, Chosen by (Aaron Montgomery/JPI); Hunter Tylo, also con- Hunter Tylo with Susan tribute to her charity. “Every Flannery and Ronn time a customer makes a Moss in Episode #3553, purchase, there’s a dona- 4/19/01 (John tion,” says Hunter. Funding Paschal/JPI). continues to increase. It’s commendable that to get tired just climbing my stairs at home after my two her organizations are so well run that they draw responsi- daughters were born back to back—I didn’t know how I ble supporters. Michele Varsano is owner and president of was ever going to keep up with them. I started out slowly, BeBé Michele, a company that creates and sells infants’ just running and walking. I noticed how difficult arm and children’s all-natural bath products and accessories. weights were with only two pounds and that was really a When Varsano was looking for an organization to support wake-up call.” that helped children where all of the money actually went Hunter worked out regularly at the gym but, like all of to the kids and not administration, she chose Hunter’s us, eventually became bored with her routine. “I saw a girl Chosen Child. working with a kickboxing trainer,” she says, “and I was Now, a portion of every sale BeBé Michele makes fascinated. It seemed to be exactly what I needed to break goes to help Hunter’s charity. up the monotony of doing the exact same routine day after day.” Hunter’s Other Passion: Fitness Hunter’s willingness to embrace variety in her work- It’s easy to see that the thread of passion in her life runs out mirrors the variety in her personal and professional through every area, including the physical. life. Yes, she’s a well-known star on a famous daytime “I switch between free weights, pulleys and drama. Still, she is deeply committed to her faith. Some of machines,” says Hunter. “I’m always looking at new sports her major career decisions have been made in a real-life equipment to hit the muscles better. One I love that I prayer closet. It’s her faith that has seen her and her fami- began to use recently is the Ab Swing. It replaced my ly through the difficult times. And while she can at times using the Roman chair and hanging ab straps at the gym. be a hard-edged business woman—launching her own It’s great because I can do it at home and complain out cosmetic line, winning the famous -Melrose loud if I want. (Does anybody not relate to that?) But I do Place pregnancy lawsuit and forming a production com- finally have those “little squares” I really wanted to get on pany to make a movie about the life of film star Loretta my torso! Young—she also has a heart as big as . . . well, Texas. “The thing about kickboxing is that it teaches your CONTINUED ON PAGE 104

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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 27 body to absorb lots of wear and tear. For example, I had a “When a healthy meal is not possible I substitute a broken clavicle that had been repaired by surgery five years protein shake. I carry it in a plastic bag and mix it in my ago. It used to ‘pop’ all the time when I did shoulder raises water bottle. or pushups. After beginning slowly with some punching “For meals before 4 p.m. I will have a complex carb routines, the tendons and attachment muscles got stronger like a small apple, a small potato, sweet potato, rice or and stronger—my shoulder no longer pops and I can lift pasta with a palm-size serving of fresh lean meat (chick- lots of weight on military shoulder presses now with no en/turkey is best) or fish. popping. I also sleep better. I have fewer migraines and vir- “After 4 p.m., until 8 p.m., I enjoy veggies and/or sal- tually no back trouble or spasms any more—strong abs are ads (lots of greens!) with protein. The last meal before bed the key! I carry and load the water bottles for our drinking can be a protein shake. machine, carry large bags of heavy groceries and, should “In general, I don’t have sodas, chips, breads, candy, one of the 45-pound babies in the car fall asleep—no cookies, aspartame, processed meats, frozen meals, prob!—I just carry them upstairs by myself.” ‘quick’ breakfast foods (Pop-Tarts®, cereals, cereal bars) And here’s some other terrific advice: pretzels, popcorn, ice cream, doughnuts or muffins. “Another interesting fact is that I weighed 102 pounds “I always drink lots of water!” before I started working out. You may think that is a great weight—but I am small boned and I was still ‘fat’ and flab- by. I wore a size 4 or 5 pant. After I got into shape, I gained HUNTER’S WORKOUT ROUTINE 12 pounds. My arms and legs are firm now, and my abs are hard as a rock. I did get smaller though! I wear a size Hunter’s workouts vary, but here is a sample 0 or 2! Don’t get fooled by ‘weight.’ Throw the scales out of how she organizes her workouts in any and look for muscle tone!” particular week:

Hunter’s Dieting Tips Monday and Tuesday: Resistance training for “Sure, Hunter,” you might be thinking, “and I suppose you the large muscle groups: chest, back and just eat whatever you want, eh?” Well, you’ll be pleasantly shoulders. surprised to know that the remarkable balance so charac- teristic of Hunter extends to her diet as well. The four kids Wednesday: Kickboxing for two hours, contribute their part every Mother’s Day. Some eggs, (some- including a 45-minute stretch and either a times burnt) toast, and juice—all prepared with a touch of quick run or bike as a warm-up. messiness and a ton of love—are served as a special break- fast in bed for mom. Hunter adds, “I like to give myself per- Thursday: Either 20 minutes on the elliptical mission to have some ‘treat foods’ one day a week on a machine or lunges with 8-pound weights. ‘cheat day’,” she says, “. . . pizza, enchiladas, desserts. . . .” Some stork lunges and calf raises. But most of the time, a more sensible regimen is the order of the day. “Never any aspartame or processed Friday and Saturday: Repeat the Monday and meats . . . and I drink lots of water!” Tuesday routine. And although she works hard to maintain her fit and healthy appeal, even through her pregnancies, Hunter Abdominals: “I don’t have set days; I just aim doesn’t forget the value of some real self-care. “If it’s been for 5 to 10 minutes, five days a week, on the a grueling week, one with lots of kickboxing, or a PMS Ab Swing. Upper, lower, and obliques are tar- week,” she says, “a sports massage is essential. It keeps the geted by changing seat position and doing tissues flushed and allows healing of broken-down muscle. 50 reps for each.” And again, drink lots of water afterward to get toxins out.” Most of us will never find ourselves on the pages of People magazine or on television. But Hunter’s life and choices are an inspiring example of how each of us can For more information, you can visit www.wfihealth.com pen our own story and ride off into the sunset to live hap- or look up the following topics: pily ever after! Her show: The Bold and the Beautiful Hunter’s Basic Dieting Rules Her organization: Eye Care For Kids “First thing in the morning, within one hour of rising, I eat Her organization: Hunter’s Chosen Child four egg whites with one yolk and one-half cup of oatmeal. Her cosmetic line: Chosen by Hunter Tylo “I always try to eat every two hours. Her special corporate supporter: BeBé Michele

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