If you Google the phrase “work hard, play hard,” you might just land on a picture of Jess Sims. The Massachusetts-born student athlete turned teacher turned school principal turned fitness instructor turned celebrity Peloton trainer turned ESPN reporter (try to say all that in a single breath!) has a knack for making her jam-packed lifestyle look like a walk in the park. But if you catch her during off hours, you’re more likely to find her on the couch with her two rescue pups, Shiloh and Sienna Grace, settling in for an evening of takeout and reality TV.
Today, Sims lives in New York City where she splits her time between sweating it out as a Peloton instructor—teaching strength, bike, tread, and bootcamp classes to over 7 million members worldwide—and traveling around the country reporting on college football for ESPN. She’s also a contributor at Good Morning America, where her interviewing skills span far beyond sports, from hosting book clubs and interviewing authors to covering the Country Music Association Fest live in Nashville.
Sims is also an avid home cook who loves having friends over for dinner, so we caught up with her for a few minutes while she was getting ready to host a party. Turns out, fueling such a busy lifestyle requires a few secret weapons — and one of those is DoorDash!
What do you crave when you get home from a work trip?
A home cooked meal, for sure.
How do you pamper yourself after a long week?
I like silence! I like to be at home with my dogs, and always watching some sort of trashy reality TV.
What’s your go-to delivery cuisine?
Oh, hands down, Mexican. One of my secret talents is that I can time it perfectly: I order my food so that as I’m walking up to the hotel, or as I’m walking up to my apartment, I’m literally meeting my Dasher so they don't even have to knock on the door.
What’s your ideal workout?
Has to be a boot camp!
What’s your post-workout recovery meal?
After that boot camp? Girl, I’m eating everything! I want a lumberjack breakfast. Bacon and sausage, and both pancakes and French toast — because I don’t like when they make me choose!
What if you’ve gotta be camera-ready in t-minus one minute and can swipe on only one makeup item?
First of all, a minute is a long time, so I’m not gonna choose just one. I’m doing brown lip liner, and eyeliner — black or dark brown. And blush. Gotta look alive.
It’s a BYOB party. What do you bring?
Oh my gosh, thank you for reminding me.
*Pulls out her phone, opens the DoorDash app.*
Mezcal! I love mezcal margaritas, mezcal palomas. You can’t go wrong. I'm gonna order that right now.
What are your go-to host gifts?
Depends on the person, but I would say it’s pretty safe to go with either a bottle of wine or a candle.
If you’re hosting a party on Game Day, what are you serving?
I’m definitely going to serve some pizza, wings, and salad.
What is your favorite thing to do with your dogs?
People think that since I’m a fitness instructor, I like to run with my dogs. But I do the opposite. I like to be a couch potato with my dogs.
What’s your favorite non-fitness-related hobby?
This is it. Literally hanging out with my dogs on the couch, about to watch some TV.
Okay, time for a lightning round. Ready? Veggies or meat?
Why do I have to choose?! Okay, if I’m really hungry, meat — but that’s a crazy question to ask!
Cooking or takeout?
Both, but I really, really love cooking.
Nachos or wings?
Wings.
Tacos or burgers?
Burgers.
Avocado toast or peanut butter toast?
Avocado toast — with egg!
Spicy or mild?
Mild. I’m a baby :(
Sweatpants or spandex?
Oh, sweatpants. Hands down.
Cardio or strength training?
Strength, all day.
Running or spinning?
Running.
Swimming or dancing?
Swimming. I love swimming! It’s one of the most underrated, best workouts ever.
Protein shake or protein bar?
Protein shake, hands down.
*Doorbell rings*
Ooh, the mezcal’s here! Check, done. Girl, it’s time to make some margaritas!
