Miley Cyrus is one heck of a performer—but it doesn’t come without some hard work. In a new interview, the singer opened up about how her health is paramount to her career and she has a few unconventional methods for keeping up such a clean lifestyle.

For starters, Cyrus opened up about her sobriety in a new story with W Magazine, adding that it plays a “big part” in her good health. In terms of honing her performance skills? Cyrus believes that practice makes perfect.

“My mantra is, like any athlete, ‘Practice how you perform,'” she explained. “So that’s why I practice in my heels.”

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Swapping out her sneakers for stilettos isn’t just about getting stronger, however. Cyrus noted that working out in a cute outfit—which includes Gucci heels for her—is much more motivating.

“The gym looks really tough, but then I’ve got my ivory Gucci slingbacks, because they remind me of Marilyn ­Monroe,” she continued. “I train in heels, mostly. I’m interested in feminizing the workout space, because so much of the workout equipment is ugly.”

Despite the fact that Cyrus is always training for the stage and pumps iron in her pumps, there is a stripped-back version of the performer that the audience doesn’t see.

“I definitely have a persona—an expanded, fully realized version of myself that I tap into as a performer,” she told the publication. “But then there’s a level of my life that’s super-intimate, sacred, and secret.”

For instance, a very normal and relatable part of her day includes having candid text conversations with her friends—even if that friend is Beyoncé. Cyrus explained how the two mega stars have bonded over their shared desire for privacy over the years.

“Sometimes, I forget to talk about things that are a normal part of my day-to-day, like texting with Beyoncé,” she said. “I think it’s a really cute part of our relationship, because over the past couple of years, I’ve really locked down on my privacy and on what I share with the public. She’s the same way. Part of our relationship is the safety between us.”

“The songwriting or the work is just a small part of my relationship with her—or with Dolly, or with anyone,” she continued. “Our personas have a relationship, but then we have a relationship. And I love that.”