Katie Austin is preparing for a brand-new role, and it has nothing to do with fitness videos or swimsuit shoots.
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The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model and fitness entrepreneur is expecting her first child with husband Lane Armstrong, with the baby due later this year. While the couple already knows the gender, they've decided to keep that part private for now.
Austin, 30, recently opened up about the experience of pregnancy and admitted she knew something had changed almost immediately.
"My entire body felt different overnight," she told Women's Health, recalling how she woke up on New Year's Day convinced she was pregnant before even taking a test.
The couple had talked about starting a family for a while, though Austin said they intentionally waited after getting married before trying for children. Once it finally happened, she described the feeling less as panic and more as relief.
Still, pregnancy has come with challenges, especially for someone whose career has centered around health, workouts and body confidence. Austin admitted the first trimester hit her hard physically and mentally.
"The first trimester knocked me out like I never, ever thought it could," she said.
At the same time, she said the experience has completely reshaped how she views strength and motherhood. These days, she says "strength" doesn't always mean pushing harder. Sometimes it simply means showing up and doing your best.
Austin also credited her husband for helping her through the tougher moments, joking that he's basically taken care of her "like I'm the child" over the last few months.
The daughter of longtime fitness icon Denise Austin, Katie said becoming a parent herself has already changed her perspective on work, family and what matters most.
And from the sound of it, she's more than ready for the next chapter.
