
Chip and Joanna Gaines Tackle Their Next Project, and It’s Personal
By Movieguide® Contributor
Chip and Joanna Gaines are doing something they’ve never done together before.
After 22 years of marriage, the couple has starred in TV shows, flipped real estate and built multiple companies, but they’ve never worked out together, something they decided to change.
“We joke that we’ve known each other for 25 years and we’ve never once worked out together. Last year I said, ‘Chip, let’s start working out because I want to be young for the kids,'” Joanna told PEOPLE. “I feel like every choice I make now will affect me at 70, and I don’t want to wait until I’m 70 to be like, ‘Oops, I need to fix some stuff.’”
“We just got into [working out], and it’s a totally different thing for us,” the Magnolia founder continued. “We’ve never worked out together, and now we do. It’s just us pushing each other and holding each other accountable. It’s been this whole other thing, and it feels good to do it. So, it’s been fun. We’ve done so much together in the past that it’s like this whole new stage in our marriage.”
Family is a major focus for the Gaineses, so it isn’t surprising that prioritizing their physical health comes from a desire to enjoy time with their kids — Drake, 19, Ella, 18, Duke, 16, Emmie, 15, and Crew, 6.
READ MORE: HOW CHIP AND JOANNA GAINES BUILT AN EMPIRE ROOTED IN FAMILY, FAITH
Joanna is getting ready to release her new children’s book, “The World Needs the Wonder You See,” inspired by Crew.
“Years of admiring the way Crew moves through the world inspired an idea for a children’s book all about the everyday beauty and surprise that kids are so naturally drawn to seek out and discover,” she said of the book.
“I wanted to write this story in part for Crew — as a thank you for all of the times he has walked me back to the richer side of life,” Joanna continued. “But I also wrote it for me, and for anyone who could use a reminder that wonder awaits us too. I don’t think it’s ever too late to live with our eyes wide open and our hearts expectant for wonder.”
READ MORE: JOANNA GAINES WANTS YOU TO ENJOY EVERY MOMENT WITH YOUR GROWING KIDS — HERE’S WHY
“Here’s to all the hopes and wishes and prayers we’re whispering to ourselves as we enter into a new year ✨ May we posture our hearts and minds to carry well all that is ours,” she wrote. “With Grace and gratitude. May our souls be saturated with love and healing. Our satisfaction comes solely from Him. May the weary be given rest and the yearning find hope in the waiting.”