Shanina Shaik has a secret weapon hidden in her suitcase

SHANINA Shaik’s secret weapon to looking good is very simple and can always be found in her suitcase.

AT JUST 26, Shanina Shaik seems to have her mind, body and soulmate sorted and has already packed in a whole lot of modelling life into her relatively young years.

She’s been a Victoria’s Secret ‘angel’, walked for a zillion designers around the world, appeared on countless magazine covers and will marry fiance, DJ Ruckus (aka Greg Andrews) next year.

“It’s always special and exciting to come home as I don’t get here very often and being away from home is really hard for me. I aspired to be like Megan Gale or Miranda Kerr, always.”

But there is one thing the Melbourne-born, globally renowned model can’t live without: it’s her portable gym.

“The most important thing I travel with is my gym,’’ says Shanina.

“It goes wherever I go. I have ankle weights and normal weights and resistance bands and I pack them all up in my little suitcase and I take it all with me.

“You can do all of these workout routines on your hotel room with a minimum of fuss.”

Shanina Shaik showing off all that hard work on the runway at the David Jones Spring Summer show. Pic: AAP Image/Paul Miller

“It is part of my job to be fit and ready and have energy because I do travel so much.

“If there is a swimsuit shoot or a summer shoot coming up I know I have to work consistently so I work with my trainer. I just Skype and Facetime with him from wherever I am, so it’s not difficult once you get into a routine.”

As far as eating is concerned, and contrary to being one of ‘those’ models who can eat what they like, Shanina is very conscious about what she puts into her body.

“I just like to eat healthily and I notice it in my energy and in my skin and I want to look great as well,’’ she says.

“I eat pretty much vegan right now but I am pescetarian too as I am still eating fish and eggs.

“I recently went to a nutritionist as I am certainly not perfect and with so much travel it really grabs a hold of my energy and not feeling well at times. So vitamins are really important to me.”

Shanina Shaik and fiance DJ Ruckus walk the runway during the David Jones Spring Summer 2017 Collections launch. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images for David Jones

Shanina’s one weak spot when it comes to food is her sweet tooth.

“It’s really bad,” she says. “I am such a dessert person but I really have to watch myself that I don’t go over the top when it comes to all things sweet.

“I eat in moderation and exercise in moderation, but I don’t deprive myself. It isn’t so much a diet that I am I, but a lifestyle decision.

“Being healthy is 80 per cent of what you eat and the rest is about the gym and exercise.”

Shanina’s fiance, DJ Ruckus, with whom she recently shared runway with at the David Jones fashion launch is as equally into ‘health’ as she is.

“He has one of those bodies where he can eat what he wants,’’ she adds.

“He has like a natural six pack which is infuriating but he is very good with his eating,’’ she laughs.

“He’s eating quite vegan although he does love his carbs.”

Shanina says everyone wants to live a healthy and happy life and says it’s great to see so many millennials seriously interested in staying healthy.

Shanina Shaik and her fiance DJ Ruckus (aka Gregory Andrews) Picture: Instagram

With wedding bells in the air for the toned-up duo, major details are still under wraps but one thing is for sure: the nuptials won’t be happening in Australia.

“Maybe my fiancee is making it bigger than I maybe want it to be,” she laughs.

“But it will be one fantastic huge celebration, that is for sure, and we’re still not quite sure when or where.”

While Los Angeles is currently Shanina’s favourite ‘other’ home, “I’ve done what I’ve needed to do in New York,” she adds. “I can imagine settling down and having children in Los Angeles.”

So when it comes to life-lists, is Shanina a big planner?

“I am a big dreamer and I write down all the things I do and don’t like but I’ve realised it is so important to live in the moment,” she says.

“Social media is obviously a big and important part of my working life but I find it hard and sometimes difficult to keep up with it,’’ she says.

Perfect pair: Shanina Shaik and DJ Ruckus at the recent DJs show. Pic: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images for David Jones

“Having a dinner with my fiancee or friends is a no-go zone when it comes to social media.

“I recently went to Bali where they have this one religious day where ALL social media and electronic is turned off and it was the best thing ever. It was just good to be ‘in the moment’.

“It’s a business at the end of the day as social media can show your personality, sure, like I’ve been booked by photographers through my Instagram feed.

“But being in charge and taking charge of your social media is so important but not let it rule your life.”