EXCLUSIVE: Kylie Kelce Isn't Afraid to Tell the Truth About Motherhood

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a day ago

With four girls under 5, celebrity mom and "Not Gonna Lie" host Kylie Kelce says she's "not thriving, but surviving." Still, that doesn't stop her from advocating for children in need and making moms like herself feel seen. That's why she's a Parents Next Gen winner.
Kylie Kelce's unapologetic candor has helped her gain a nod of approval from millions of parents around the country. Whether it's opening up about the realities of postpartum, supporting an unconventional parenting style, or her frustration with people asking if she's going to 'keep trying for a boy,' Kelce is all about keeping it real on her Wave Original series Not Gonna Lie.
Her podcast, which features relatable conversations with high-profile guests, hit No.1 on the Spotify and Apple charts shortly after its release in 2024, for all the right reasons.
'I'm still not sure why I have a social media presence or following, but I have said a number of times that if people are going to talk about me, they might as well talk about something meaningful,' Kelce, who has more than 2.6 million followers on Instagram, tells Parents in an exclusive interview.
Her frankness is something her husband, retired NFL Philadelphia Eagles player Jason Kelce, has praised, saying on the Conversation with Cam podcast that 'she's not afraid to be who she is and does not feel pressure to be something that she doesn't want to be.'
It's one of the reasons why we love the mom of four and she's a Parents Next Gen winner. Another is her effort to push today's youth forward through her charity work and powerful messages.
Helping Youth Thrive
Kylie has been using her platform for good by partnering with organizations that are making positive change.
In June 2025, the Kelces helped raise over $1 million during a fundraiser for the Eagles Autism Foundation, which they've been involved with since its 2019 inception. The foundation is dedicated to autism care and research, while offering safe spaces for autistic children.
The famous mom is also actively involved in (Be)Philly, a nonprofit aiming to improve the lives of Philadelphia's youth, which her husband established in 2022. The organization raises money through fundraising and by selling its Underdog Apparel merchandise to provide resources and opportunities to youth in the city.
But her impact spreads beyond her Philadelphia hometown. She's an advocate for body positivity and aims to help young girls everywhere build confidence, especially in sports, through her partnership with Dove.
Kylie, who played field hockey throughout high school and college, knows firsthand the struggles many girls face to feel comfortable in their own skin.
'I was 5 foot 10 going into high school, which was taller than most of the boys I was in school with,' she previously told Parents. 'I stuck out like a sore thumb.'
Now, she's all about promoting self-confidence. She also imparts these lessons as a varsity field hockey coach at Philadelphia's Lower Merion High School.
Kylie's passion for creating opportunities for kids through sports and education stems from knowing what a difference they made in her own life.
'I had the privilege of those experiences when I was growing up and I want to encourage other young girls to have the positive life-shaping experience I did,' she explains.
Her work is critical as half of teen girls drop out of sports because of low body confidence, according to Dove and Nike research. Another reason for losing interest in sports, according to the Women's Sports Foundation, is a lack of confident, strong female athletic role models.
Kylie's ultimate goal would be 'equal opportunity for youth,' but in the meantime, she is pushing to touch as many lives as she can.
'Any positive impact is substantial,' she says. 'Even if a few girls end up sticking with a sport because they feel confident in their body enough to do so, or if a couple kids get involved in a sport that they had never tried before, that's a win.'
Raising Four Little Changemakers
Kylie's work continues at home with her and Jason's four girls—Wyatt Elizabeth, 5, Elliotte Ray, 4, Bennett Llewellyn, 2, and Finnley, 4 months.
'I want our kids to be loving, considerate, kind human beings so trying to model that, but doing it with firm boundaries,' she says. 'We try to give back to our community and stay involved in our community and hope that modeling back will show the kids to give back themselves.'
She also hopes that she's setting an example for them to one day use their voices to make change in whatever causes they feel passionate about. Her method?
'By trying to instill confidence in them that allows them to speak up against things that they believe are wrong, or stand up for themselves and others,' she explains.
Kylie previously told Parents that she helps build their confidence by paying attention to how she speaks about herself in front of them and always making sure to praise their abilities.
Of course, it's not always easy. And Kylie doesn't shy away from being honest about the ups and downs of motherhood.
'We're not thriving, we're surviving,' she says. 'We have four kids under the age of 5.'
It can be trickier when you're a parent in the public eye. But she and Jason, who famously met on Tinder and wed in 2018, make it a point to stay grounded despite their fame and busy schedules.
'We actually parent our kids,' she says. 'We keep a small circle of people that help us care for or interact with our kids. That provides us the opportunity to be in the thick of it and stay surrounded by family.'
Another parenting tool she leans on is humor—as evidenced on her podcast.
'As parents, sometimes if you don't laugh, you'll cry,' she says. 'So, might as well get some laughs out of a crazy day.'
Read the original article on Parents
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