Ivanka Trumps Fitness Journey Impresses Fans: Surfing Skills and Healthy Lifestyle at 43
Ivanka Trump caught attention during her recent Central American vacation, where she demonstrated impressive surfing skills while wearing a conservative black and white swimsuit. The 43-year-old mother of three surprised many social media users with her athletic physique and sporting abilities.
Former Advisor Shows Athletic Prowess During Family Vacation
Photos circulating on social media this week showed the daughter of former President Donald Trump skillfully riding waves during what sources report was a family vacation in Costa Rica. The images quickly generated significant online engagement, with many commenters expressing admiration for both her athletic ability and toned figure.
“Her fitness level is absolutely incredible,” one impressed viewer commented. “And she can actually surf properly!” Another follower noted the modest nature of her beach attire: “I appreciate seeing a swimsuit that’s stylish yet tasteful compared to typical beachwear these days.” Several others expressed similar sentiments, with one user writing, “It’s refreshing to see someone looking fantastic without revealing everything on the beach.”
Admirers continued with comments like “She is truly one of the most beautiful women” and “She looks gorgeous.” One person even claimed to have previously seen her at the Beverly Hills Hotel, describing her appearance as “perfect.”
Family Time and Ocean Activities
The widely-shared images and video footage captured not only Ivanka’s surfing session but also her quality time with her children on the beaches of Santa Teresa. While her husband, Jared Kushner, didn’t appear in the April 15, 2025 footage, eyewitnesses reported he was present during the family beach outing.
Mindfulness Through Water Sports
In a July 2024 appearance on the Lex Fridman Podcast, Ivanka spoke about her appreciation for surfing, describing it as a meditative experience: “It feels really nice, with no noise, chatter, or interruptions. Just being present in the moment.”
The businesswoman elaborated on her philosophy toward the sport, explaining, “You can’t fight the water. You have to be fully present.” She contrasted surfing with other water activities, noting that while some water sports involve “manipulating the environment” with “something aggressive about it,” surfing feels more natural: “You’re not fighting it; you’re going with it.”
She acknowledged her relatively recent introduction to surfing, having only started a few years ago, and admitted she wasn’t exceptionally skilled. Nevertheless, she embraces all aspects of the experience, particularly enjoying the physical challenge and the pleasure of being in the ocean.
Martial Arts Training Behind Her Fitness Transformation
Ivanka attributes her athletic physique primarily to her dedication to jiu-jitsu training. She explained how her journey into martial arts began when her daughter Arabella, at age 11, expressed interest in learning self-defense. After researching options, they discovered the Valente Brothers studio.
Initially accompanying Arabella to classes, Ivanka eventually joined the training sessions herself at her daughter’s encouragement. Her sons Joseph and Theodore also became interested, which ultimately led to her husband Jared participating as well, making fitness a family activity.
Benefits Beyond Physical Fitness
For Ivanka, martial arts training provides more than just physical conditioning. She describes feeling empowered by having fundamental self-defense skills, which gives her a “sense of confidence” and knowledge of “how to de-escalate rather than escalate a situation.”
The training has also heightened her situational awareness in public spaces—a contrast to people who remain distracted by their devices in elevators or while walking.
In March 2025, Ivanka was photographed training with one of the Valente brothers. The caption shared alongside the image offered insight into her appreciation of the discipline: “Jiu-Jitsu is more than a martial art. It is based on ancient traditions and has been refined over decades to provide a path to physical confidence, mental clarity, and emotional balance.”
Her commitment to both surfing and martial arts reflects a holistic approach to wellness that emphasizes strength, mindfulness, and continuous self-improvement. These activities represent core elements of a lifestyle centered around purpose and balance.
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