In the world of fitness, few names are as recognizable as Katrina Scott. A mother of two with another on the way, Katrina has built a successful career that spans fitness, entrepreneurship and media.
But her journey to the top has not been without its challenges. From her humble beginnings in New Hampshire to becoming a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, Katrina’s story is one of perseverance, growth and a deep commitment to fostering community—a story that resonates deeply with the many women she inspires.
“My husband, Brian, and I are both from New Hampshire, and we met when we were 19,” she shares. Their two-decade relationship flourishes through mutual growth and discovery. “We keep getting to know each other. Someone told me, ‘Never stop dating your partner,’ and that advice has stayed with us.”
After graduating from Keene State College with a degree in exercise science, Katrina set her sights on a fitness career. She began as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor in Boston, where she fell in love with the connection and camaraderie that group classes fostered. It wasn’t long before Katrina realized that her calling extended beyond the gym walls.
“I was teaching group fitness classes and saw how the women in my class connected with each other,” she recalls. “That’s what community is—creating a space where people can come together and support one another.”
This sense of community would become the foundation of her career. In 2006, as the world began to explore the possibilities of online video content, Katrina was approached by a producer to become one of the first certified fitness experts on YouTube. “I was so camera-shy, but Brian encouraged me to think outside the gym,” she remembers.
Katrina took the leap and started filming fitness videos, becoming a pioneer in the online fitness space. Her videos have since reached over 100 million women worldwide, solidifying her status as one of the most recognizable names in wellness.
In pursuit of bigger dreams, Katrina and Brian moved to California. Brian flew to Los Angeles, driving all along the coast from Santa Monica to Newport Beach. He came down Vista Del Mar and saw a sign posted on a telephone pole in El Porto. That real estate listing would become their first home.
“Even now when I walk through El Porto, especially on a misty surf morning, and hear the sound of all the electricity running through those poles, I feel nostalgic for that electricity that was in me when I first moved to El Porto,” Katrina says.
In Manhattan Beach they found community, and the couple quickly became immersed—with Katrina teaching at local gyms and fitness clubs. She juggled multiple jobs, driving all over Los Angeles to train clients including former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Katrina co-founded Tone It Up, a fitness company that exploded into a wellness brand, which she and Brian have since exited. “Back in 2010 Brian said to me, ‘Why don’t you create your own protein bars,’ and then he founded our nutrition company—creating an entire line of nutrition products for our community,” Katrina shares. “He’s the brilliant creator behind the scenes with no ego, letting the women in his life shine.”
Katrina’s impact on the fitness world reached new heights in 2021 when she was named Sports IllustratedRookie of the Year and again in 2022 when she became the first visibly pregnant swimsuit model to grace the pages of the iconic magazine. This groundbreaking moment was not just a personal triumph but also a powerful statement about body positivity and the beauty of motherhood.
“One thing that has contributed to the success of my career is doing it from a place like Manhattan Beach, where the lifestyle is so healthy and community- driven,” Katrina says.
While her professional accomplishments are numerous, Katrina’s journey to motherhood has been marked by challenges and loss. “This is my seventh pregnancy,” she shares candidly. “I’ve experienced immense loss trying to grow our family, but each experience has shaped me and taught me something new.”
Her honesty about the struggles of miscarriage and fertility has resonated deeply with her community, offering hope and solidarity to other women facing similar challenges. She experienced her first loss at the beginning of 2020.
“We miscarried when the shutdown started. I was at the hospital by myself with Brian waiting in the parking garage. My doctor, Dr. Lily Lee, was there for me when neither Brian nor my mother could be there to hold my hand. I’ll always remember the way that she was there for me through all of this. She’s been through a lot with me.”
Katrina learned through that loss that she could either retreat or share her experience to help others. “Being in that hospital where everyone was alone, surrounded by people with masks and plastic and gloves, I realized that all of us were experiencing something difficult and we were all collectively going through it alone. I was sitting there, looking around, making eye contact with other people, wondering what each person was going through. And so through my healing, it helped to share my experience because when we go through loss, we can help someone and in turn it heals a little part of us.”
After they endured a third loss, Katrina’s doctor asked if the couple would consider hormonal health therapy. “We sought out Reproductive Partners, and the care we received was incredible,” she says. “It helped to look at my body and figure out what I needed help with. Walking into a clinic and asking for help, as a woman, to have a baby was like asking for help outside of me for something that I thought my body was supposed to know how to do. And I am so glad I did because it worked, and we got pregnant!”
“I’ve experienced immense loss trying to grow our family, but each experience has shaped me and taught me something new.”
Katrina’s recent surprise pregnancy, which she describes as a “miracle,” has been particularly meaningful. “Every single class I’ve taught at Studio KSL, this little miracle baby has been with us,” she says. “It’s almost like a blessing that we are on the right path. I still honor the pregnancies that I’ve lost and the babies that I’ve connected with. Someone once told me that this baby is a spirit that’s always been wanting to come. This spirit has been trying to be here this whole time.”
Studio KSL (Katrina Scott Lifestyle), her latest venture, is a fitness studio that also embodies everything Katrina stands for: kinetics, strength and longevity. “KSL is all about functional training for life, training for being a mom and training for whatever challenges you face,” she says.
The studio, which Brian built with his own hands, is more than just a place to work out. It’s a space where women can come together to build strength—both physically and mentally. “You live longer when you have community and purpose,” Katrina emphasizes.
She defines her purpose as her love of being a teacher and connecting women. Katrina’s philosophy on fitness goes beyond the body; it’s about the full circle of life.
“We already have the strength within us,” she says, “we just have to find it. And sometimes standing back up and starting over is the only option.” This message of resilience is at the heart of her new chapter, both as a fitness leader and as a mother.
Looking ahead, Katrina is excited to expand Studio KSL and launch a new app that will bring her workouts and community-building ethos to women around the world. “I want anyone, anywhere to be able to be a part of Studio KSL,” she says. “It’s scary building something new, but it’s also so rewarding to know that we are building a legacy for our family.”
As she and Brian prepare to welcome their third child, Katrina reflects on how her children have shaped her. This pregnancy mirrors the rebirth of her fitness career and a rebirth of her family.
“I don’t think I would have had the courage to keep going if I hadn’t had our first daughter, Bella. As soon as we realize that our kids are watching us and listening, it holds us accountable as adults to do what’s best for not only ourselves but also our family,” she says. “Bella has held me accountable, and Colette taught me to surrender—walking in and asking for help, and then surrendering during our labor and delivery. And this baby has taught me courage. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Katrina’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance, community and love. Whether through her fitness classes, her YouTube channel or her honest conversations about motherhood and loss, she continues to inspire millions of women to find their strength, embrace their journey and never stop building the life they dream of.
