ANKIE BEILKE
You move between acting, modelling, motherhood and wellness with a lot of ease from the outside looking in. How do you personally define ‘balance’, and what does a grounded day actually look like for you?
Balance to me isn’t about perfection or doing it all, it’s about listening to my inner rhythm and choosing what feels right for the season I’m in. A grounded day is usually quite simple: I slow my body down first, breathe and really check in with myself. I move gently — often with yoga — to bring my awareness back into my body, and then I focus on what I can realistically do with love, whether that’s filming, modelling or being fully present with my family. At home, I cook, I ground my energy, and I make space for quiet so I don’t feel scattered. I also love going to the beach for a swim, and I go on morning hikes with our dog, Pablo; those moments reset me instantly.
As someone raising a family while working in the public eye, how has motherhood reshaped your understanding of selfcare and wellbeing? Are there boundaries or habits you’ve had to learn to protect your energy?
Motherhood has completely changed my definition of self-care. Before, I thought self-care was simply ‘having time’. Now I see it more as protecting my energy so I can show up calmly. Boundaries have become essential, things like not saying yes just to be polite, stepping away when I feel overwhelmed, and giving myself permission to rest without guilt. I’ve also created small but powerful habits: clearing my energy with sound healing and using palo santo and sage when I feel the atmosphere at home needs a reset. I lean on homeopathic ways to support our family’s wellbeing, and I use essential oils when something feels ‘off ’. Holistic, but also very practical for real life.
Hong Kong has become a vibrant hub for both film and wellness culture. How does the city’s rhythm influence your lifestyle, from food and movement to how you rest and reconnect with yourself?
Living in Hong Kong means the city energy is strong: fast, bright, always moving. I love how creative it is, but I’ve also learned that I can’t live only at that pace. The rhythm here has taught me to
schedule rest on purpose. I pay attention to what each day offers: sometimes it’s nourishment through food and movement, and other times it’s consciously choosing stillness. I eat well, cook at home, and stay connected to what centres me — yoga, breath, grounding rituals, plus my morning hikes with Pablo and swims at the beach — so my mind doesn’t race ahead of my life. I make sure my heart stays connected too: I love calling a close friend in Germany for comfort, and I spend quality time with close friends here whenever I can.
Many readers look to you as a modern role model for confidence and authenticity. What would you say to women (and men) who are struggling with body image, ageing or pressure to ‘have it all’ in this social media era?
To anyone struggling with body image, ageing or the pressure to ‘have it all’, I would say: you are not a project. Your worth is not measured by how young you look, how
flawless you feel, or how busy you seem online. If social media makes you compare yourself, the answer isn’t to try harder, it’s to return to your real life and your real body. Your body is your home, not your enemy. Ageing is part of being human. Confidence grows when you stop performing and start listening. And ‘having it all’
is usually someone else’s edited highlight reel; most people are carrying private challenges. Be gentle with yourself. That’s where real beauty begins.
What is wellness to you?
Wellness to me is energy plus alignment. It’s caring for the body but also clearing the mind and the space around us. I use sound healing to clear energy, and palo santo and sage to purify and reset the atmosphere. Yoga helps me ground my body and centre myself — when my body feels steady, my life feels steadier too. That’s what drew me to yoga in the first place. I’m also very rooted in everyday wellness: I mainly cook at home, and vegetarian dishes are one of our family dinner staples, though I do eat red meat and fish for lunch occasionally. For healing, I use homeopathic ways to support our family, I reach for essential oils, and I love using TCM to nurture and rebalance my body. For me, wellness isn’t extreme, it’s consistent, loving and realistic.
‘Your body is your home, not your enemy. Ageing is part of being human. Confidence grows when you stop performing and start listening’