Donna Kelce Says She’s ‘Having the Time of My Life’ Now, ‘More Than Ever’ Before (Exclusive)

“It’s just fun being free like that and not having to keep secrets,” the mom of Jason and Travis Kelce tells PEOPLE exclusively on set of the Thrive@50+ campaign

Donna Kelce, Thrive@50+. Photo: Pamela Hanson and GSK

Donna Kelce is in her thriving era!

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE on the set of the GSK’s Thrive@50+ campaign ahead of its launch, the famed football mom explained why she’s relishing this current period of her life more than ever before.

Ever since her sons Jason and Travis Kelce played against each other in Super Bowl LVII, Donna has been in the spotlight, from countless interview appearances, partnership opportunities, to even an upcoming role in a movie.

“Everybody knows everything about our family,” Donna, 71, tells PEOPLE. “What they’re doing and who they’re dating and this and that,” she says, a subtle nod to Travis’ romance with one of the biggest pop stars in the world.

Donna Kelce attends Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Arizona on Feb. 12, 2023. Kevin Mazur/Getty for Roc Nation

“It’s just fun being free like that and not having to keep secrets,” Donna adds, in between takes with Brooke Shields and Gina Torres during their campaign photoshoot in Brooklyn, New York. “I am having the time of my life now, more than ever.”

Despite having new responsibilities and duties to tend to that come with a life in the public eye, Donna shares that she’s no longer under the time crunch that existed when her boys were growing up, when she had to make sure the boys had breakfast and their clothes were clean.

As part of the Thrive@50+ campaign, Donna and the women on set exchanged friendship bracelets with words that were significant to them. The football mom chose “‘persistence,” a word she says helped her boys’ NFL dreams come true.

Donna Kelce Makes Friendship Bracelets as She Supports Travis at World’s Largest Tailgate Ahead of Chiefs Game

Donna Kelce walks on the field after the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Fransisco 49ers at the 2024 Super Bowl in Las Vegas.Michael Owens/Getty

“They just kept at it. They were the water boys, they did odd jobs, they stayed there and just kept at it and kept practicing and practicing,” Donna says of Travis and Jason, who went on to have Super Bowl-winning careers on the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

Still, Donna continues to champion her grown children in their NFL endeavors as Travis attempts to clinch a third consecutive championship with the Chiefs and Jason embarks on his new job as analyst on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown, after 13 years in the league.

“I’m going to support him in that effort too,” Donna says of Jason, adding, “Especially when he’s in Kansas City because then I get to see both boys at the same time, which doesn’t happen often.”

All About Travis and Jason Kelce’s Parents, Ed and Donna Kelce

Brooke Shields teams up with Donna Kelce, Gina Torres, Susan Knowles and more influential women for GSK’s Thrive@50+ campaign.GSK

Even if that means traveling game to game, Donna assures she’s prioritizing herself, too. “It’s an important part of my life right now to do the things that I want to do and focus on myself,” she says. “I know it sounds selfish, but you have to do that because health is so important.”

That’s why teaming up with GSK’s Thrive@50+ made sense, she says. The campaign celebrates those who are age 50 and older, encouraging them to learn about risks for potential health challenges like shingles.

Donna says that “everybody” needs to take ownership of their health, regardless of age. “That’s the most important thing you can do.”