Reflecting on your career, from" "Baywatch Hawaii" to your directorial debut with Wineville, what has been the most significant lesson you've learned along the way, and how has it shaped you personally and professionally?

Well, from Baywatch to Wineville has been a long road of 25 years, so there are so many lessons that are all significant because even as small lessons, they have all added up to shape the person I am today. One nugget is that it is more important to listen than it is to talk.

As someone who has navigated various roles in the entertainment industry, what advice would you give aspiring actors and filmmakers just starting and trying to make their mark? Hands down, do what others won't!! Do the legwork and footwork, be creative, and don't take no for an answer. When a door closes, find a window to crawl through and think outside the box. Stand out and do all the things that your adversaries would never do.

Your film, Wineville, delves into intense themes and personal struggles. What inspired you to take on this project, and how do you hope it will resonate with audiences?

I hope when people watch this movie, they will come out shocked and say, "I did that coming." For me, the unexpected is what makes a thriller great. And we have quite a few unexpected twists.

You're visiting a significant part of your career in the Baywatch documentary. How do you feel about reflecting on your time with Baywatch, and what do you hope viewers take away from this documentary?

I love reflecting on my time on Baywatch; it was my best job ever. Every morning, I woke up and drove to work through the pineapple fields, my windows down, smelling the sweet smell. Then, when I got to set (which, of course, was a beach!!!) I got to hang out all day every day on a beach while frolicking in the warm waters with beautiful human beings like Jason Momoa. Who could ever complain about that or want to be anywhere else? It was for sure one of the highlights of my life, living in Hawaii and working on a show with so many loving people. Hawaii is truly a spiritual place filled with so much goodness. Some of my best friendships were made because of Baywatch, and I'm excited for people to see how much the culture of Baywatch has truly shaped people's lives. The actors and the people who tuned in overnight to watch the show.

What role has resilience played in your career, and can you share a specific moment when overcoming a challenge significantly impacted your journey?

When I got the starring role in Baywatch, the number one most-watched show worldwide, I thought that was it! I've made it! I'll always have a job and never have to audition again. Well, that was far from the truth. I was not only shocked when the show got canceled; I was equally stunned to find out people weren't knocking on my door to offer me another gig. It was a real eye-opener and a lesson never to sit back. In this business - and this goes for all areas of life - if you genuinely want something, you must constantly work at it and go after that dream. Anything worth having is worth fighting for. You can never slack, or it will slip away. This lesson drove me to keep running forward and never count on anyone else to realize my dreams.

Are there any new goals or dreams you want to pursue in entertainment or beyond? I'm working on a new series, which I'm excited about. I'm ready to bring some light into homes because lately, there has been so much darkness in the world, and we need a little more feel-good content. However, as far as goals, my goal is to raise my kids to be gentlemen who treat people with kindness and respect, to give them the tools to follow their dreams and not settle.

How do you stay grounded and inspired in your work, and what practices or routines do you follow to keep your creative energy flowing?

I will share something that has truly helped me over the last couple of years, called "the miracle morning." There is a 2-hour documentary you could watch if you don't want to read the book, but this changed everything for me. Ron Ell Rod took all the things that all successful people do and put them into "the miracle morning." I start my morning at 5:30 am. The day starts with 10 minutes of meditation. I pick different guided ones from YouTube. The second thing I do is take 10 minutes to visualize my perfect life. It's fun because it's daydreaming. Third, I write all the things I'm grateful for and why. It is the most important thing, especially if people in your life are difficult.

For me, I thank my ex-husband daily for giving me my children because, for me, that's the best gift anyone could give someone. Then I do about 5-10 minutes of affirmations, looking at myself in the mirror with conviction and saying things like "I am Successful," "I am blessed and abundant," I am open to limitless possibilities," and so on – whatever resonates with you and how you want your life to be. Lastly, when I walk or run, I read (haha or, more specifically, listen) to a book. I'm a book club for self-improvement, and we read all different kinds of books that will improve our lives in some shape or form. I know that sounds like a lot, but it's honestly not, and I look forward to it every morning. It grounds me for the day and keeps me focused on what is truly important. It clears your brain from negativity that may occur throughout the day. It equips you with the right tools to navigate the day peacefully and creatively.

You've worn many hats in the industry. How has transitioning between acting, directing, and producing influenced your perspective on storytelling and the creative process?

I've learned much about being an appreciative actor from being a director and producer. I learned it's not all about you and what can be done to make your world great; it's about getting a project done on time, on budget, and looking the best while trying to organize all the moving parts – which is way more than just the actors. It's funny because, for example, on Baywatch, they would schedule a scene where I would have to jump in the water and get my hair wet, and then, in the next scene, I'd have to be fully dry. I could never understand why they would do that to me because now I have to go back into hair and makeup. But I didn't understand that there were so many more elements to consider that were more important than me blow-drying my hair. I've learned so much as a producer, and I'm still learning, but I've learned the most that this is my passion, and I love it. And I know this because I've worked day and night on this project over the past 3 years, and it never felt like a chore. It is hard at times, but I look forward to all of it. I get excited about it, and it's rewarding.

In your experience, what is the most fulfilling aspect of being involved in a project from start to finish, and how does it compare to your experiences with more collaborative roles?

I love calling all the shots from start to finish – that way, if anything goes wrong, I only have myself to blame. I can make decisions that I feel are best for the film. However, that being said, I'm still learning, and I love learning from other seasoned and experienced producers. I have no problem calling and asking for help or advice on something I know nothing about.

Given your diverse experiences and achievements, what legacy do you hope to leave behind in the entertainment industry, and what impact would you like your work to have on future generations?

I want people to look at my career and understand that "he believed she could, so she did." I want to inspire my children and anyone out there so that if you have a dream, you CAN make it a reality. Do never give up. Keep at it; keep knocking on doors and getting creative with ways to do things others need to do. If you work hard enough at something, it will happen. I love the saying that Hugh Hefner told me: "Uck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." o get out there, prepare, and the opportunities will present themselves. I want people to see a woman who never gave up – who followed and fulfilled her dreams.