Reinvention defines 1980s supermodel Kim Alexis.

After stepping away from the runway, she reported on fashion for “Good Morning America,” hosted cable programs and built a speaking career. 

And now Alexis, 65, is embracing her active-adult years with “Unexpired,” her podcast that “explores active longevity, the pursuit of strength, vitality, confidence, connection, relevance and purpose throughout every stage of life.” 

“I have no interest in retiring,” said Alexis, who now lives in the Valley with her husband, Jeff Schwartz. 

“I love the idea of working, reinventing, creating and evolving. The basis of the ‘Unexpired’ show is finding like-minded people — people who understand that you don’t have to give up just because you’re a certain age.”

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Working with Phoenix‑based Backlot Studios and supported by Schwartz, Alexis streams her “Unexpired” podcast on multiple platforms and features long‑form interviews with chefs, musicians, athletes, comedians and entertainers. 

Guests have included models Carol Alt and Kathy Ireland; actress Justine Bateman; actor Esai Morales; Bruce Hall of REO Speedwagon; comedian Larry the Cable Guy; former Boston Red Sox pitcher Roger Clemens; ex-basketball coach and player Nancy Lieberman; legendary comedian Jay Leno; and Jason Scheff of Chicago.

Grant Fuhr, who has five Stanley Cups and a Hockey Hall of Fame spot, was another guest.

“We discuss resiliency and what’s behind it,” said Alexis, who serves as Trilogy by Shea Homes’ national wellness ambassador. “How does your mind think? What makes you want to change? Where does that drive come from that you want to discover or contribute to another cause or purpose?

“I love talking and interviewing other people. This is right up my alley.” 

Entrance into modeling

Alexis grew up outside Buffalo, New York, and planned to become a pharmacist. However, while attending charm school, she was spotted by an Elite Models photographer. Her life changed quickly.

She was offered a guaranteed income for a year if she paused her college studies and moved to New York City.

She did. Within four days, she landed her first magazine cover. In three months, she secured a national cosmetics campaign for Elizabeth Arden. Soon, she was one of the most recognizable faces in fashion.

At 27, her contract as the Ultima II girl ended after a corporate acquisition. Instead of seeing it as a setback, she pivoted. 

Alexis signed with the William Morris Agency and landed the “Good Morning America” role.

“I realized I liked being able to speak,” she said. “When you’re a model, you’re quiet.

“You’re a canvas. You’re something for the artists [makeup artists, hairdressers, photographers] to really work on. It could be very similar to still art, where you’re shooting a vase of flowers, right? They’ve got their art. You are just a piece of their art — not a human being.”

She was fascinated to learn about other people’s stories. 

“To speak and interview and talk to other people, and pull out of them what’s important, is really neat,” she said. “My biggest compliment, if I’m interviewing someone, is for them to say, ‘Gosh, great question’ or ‘I can’t believe I’m telling you this. I’ve never said this before.’”

But the heart of “Unexpired” isn’t about being a celebrity. It’s the idea that everyone has a story worth telling.

“Right now, we’re hosting celebrities because we’re trying to drive numbers up,” she said. 

Recently, she interviewed Emily Powell, who grew up in a fundamentalist Mormon polygamous family. She shared her eventual path toward leaving the group and rebuilding her identity. 

“She stayed strong from the age of 14 on,” she said. “She literally had to build a new life and reprogram herself. The strength that allows human beings to stay busy and relevant, and to want to keep contributing to society, is very important to me.”

Staying ‘unexpired’ herself

Alexis’ personal philosophy centers on staying healthy, staying curious and staying connected. She’s certified in integrative health, teaches fitness classes at Trilogy communities, leads group hikes, and collaborates on healthy menu items — including desserts and mocktails — for active adult residents.

She’s also a believer in detoxing, infrared saunas, bentonite clay baths, whole foods, supplements, and avoiding pesticides and toxins where possible.

“You’re never going to fully be rid of them,” she said. “But the more your body stays clean, the more it wants to reset. It wants to go back to being healthy. So, to support the body is important.”

Community matters to her just as much as wellness. After moving to Arizona in 2017, she built relationships from scratch — something she says people don’t fully appreciate unless they’ve had to do it themselves. Scottsdale Community Bank, where she banks locally, became one of those anchors.

“I appreciate having a local bank where people know you by name and take the time to understand your goals,” she said.

Today, Alexis balances her professional pursuits with family life — she’s a mother of three adult sons and a grandmother of one — while remaining open to partnerships that align with her values. She prefers authenticity over traditional influencing, long‑term collaborations over quick hits.

“My big thing is ‘aging gracefully,’ trying to stay as healthy as possible, be limber and be able to get up off the floor playing with grandkids.”