producer (she formedherownproduc-
tioncompany, 2SFilms,with friend
andproducerMollySmith)has time
for relaxation.Alongwithacting, trav-
elandfitnessremain theLosAngeles-
basedstar’sbiggestpassions. “Iama
homebody forsure ... I lovemyhome,
as it’srejuvenating—butso is travel!”
Afterfilming threemoviesback-to-
back, sheandher familyspenta
month inarentedhouse inTuscany
and inherwords, “had thebest time
ofmy life.”
Anavidadventurerandsports
aficionado,Swanksays thatfitness
playsaneverydaypartofherroutine.
Shebelieves in“mixing itup four to
fivedaysaweek”andenjoys skydiv-
ing,hiking,PowerPilates, swimming
in theocean,andKravMaga,an Israeli
self-defenseclasspromotedbyauthor
and trainerJohnWhitman. “Forme,
exercise is life, just like thewateryou
drink,”shesays, “and Icannot imagine
my lifewithout it.”
Shecreditshermother’sencour-
agement to takepart insportsata
youngage. “I think it’sgreat forgirls
toparticipate insportsgrowingup, as
itgivesyouagreat feelingofbeing in
yourbody, andyouworkwithothers
withina teamlikeenvironment—
which is theway Iworknow. It’ssuch
acollaboration,”shesays.
Thedown-to-earthactresswith the
signaturesmilealsobelieves ingiving
back.Notonlydidshedonateherpre-
viouslymentioned locks toPantene’s
Beautiful Lengths campaign that
benefitswomenwithcancer, she is
alsoaspokesperson forpet foodmanu-
facturer Iams’ “Home4 theHolidays.”
Theprogramhelpsfindhomes for1.5
millionpets thataresitting inshelters
andawaitingadoption. “When Ihear
thestatisticsaresomething likesix
millionanimals thatareput tosleep
everyyear, I lookatall thepeoplewho
wantacatordogand theseanimals
are justsitting therewaiting fora
goodand lovinghome!”sheexclaims.
Not justacelebrity lendinghername
toacharity,Swankputshermoney
wherehermouth is—hermultiple-pet
household includesarescuedcorgi/
JackRussellmixshe foundstarving
andhomeless inSouthAfrica (named
Karooafter theregion), anadopted
goldenretrievermix from thepound
(namedRumi), andahandsomepairof
AfricanGrayandSenegalparrots.
Refreshinglygroundedand level-
headed, Swank is grateful for the
opportunitiesshehasbeengiven. “I
would saymy careerandall thedif-
ferent roleshave really shapedwho I
am. I havegotten to learnabout so
manywaysof living life through
characters,” sheexplains.While she
has literallybeenactingmore than
halfher life, theprocesshas taught
her tobe“less judgmental andmore
open-minded. Iamso thankful tohave
roles thathave inspiredme,helpedme
grow, scaredme, andhelpedme to
learnabout humanityonadeeper
level,”shesays. “There is thatgreat
saying that thedefinitionof luck is
wherepreparationmeetsopportunity.
Well, Iworkreally, reallyhardbut
havealsobeen lucky.To thisday, to
continue to tell stories is justsuchan
honor. It’snota job, it’sanhonor.”
AmeliaEarhart once said, “The
womanwho can createher own job
is thewomanwhowillwin fame and
fortune,” and it’s anhonor towatch
Swank take thatmotto toheart and
soarwith it. It’s as if Earhartwas
speakingof Swankherself.
“The woman who can create her
own job is the woman who will
win fame and fortune.”
WINTER 2009
celebratedliving.com
34
COVER STORY
Destined to Soar
©Maria Laura antoneLLi /rexuSa,CourteSyeverettCoLLeCtion
For more information on Hilary Swank and a look at the
beautiful companion book to Amelia, see celebratedliving.com.
