Staying Fit
Nancy Travis, 61, has had memorable roles in movies such as Three Men and a Baby and So I Married an Axe Murderer, and starred opposite TV husband Tim Allen for nine seasons on Fox’s Last Man Standing. Now she’s back as a rodeo dynasty matriarch with a heart of gold on Hallmark’s new series Ride. The show features a multigenerational family struggling to keep their beloved Colorado ranch afloat.
You spend a lot of time on horseback in your role on Ride. Was this a new skill you had to learn?
It is most definitely a new skill. I’m a fan of animals and of land, ranch life, nature and that sort of thing, but I didn’t really know anything about it at all. I became acquainted while we were shooting. I did learn to ride. I wouldn’t say that I’m going to join any competitions or anything. When the horse moves quickly I’m terrified, but I’m getting there.
AARP Membership— $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine.
Some people have called Ride the PG version of Yellowstone. How would you describe it?
I’m very flattered by comparisons to Yellowstone. It’s a great show. I would say that our show is about a family wrestling and struggling with diverse elements. We are fighting to protect each other and support each other. There’s a lot of emotion, a lot of heart and less darkness [than Yellowstone] I guess.
It also looks like a physically demanding role. How do you keep your stamina up?
I am a big walker. I have a very demanding dog, so I’m constantly walking her. I find that it’s not just a form of exercise, but it’s a meditative thing where I can collect my thoughts. I also work out twice a week with a trainer who helps me do resistance work with weights.
Tell us about your dog.
Her name is Josie, and she’s our COVID rescue dog. I love animals, and I’ve always had dogs. The last two we had got old and passed away. We were going to take a break, and COVID happened. My son was a senior in high school at the time. He begged me to get another dog. … She’s a 40-pound shepherd-terrier mix. I think she’s gorgeous.