diff --git a/site/content/docs/main/backup-hooks.md b/site/content/docs/main/backup-hooks.md
index 7c849cf0a..ef38dc7fe 100644
--- a/site/content/docs/main/backup-hooks.md
+++ b/site/content/docs/main/backup-hooks.md
@@ -24,23 +24,23 @@ You can use the following annotations on a pod to make Velero execute a hook whe
 * `pre.hook.backup.velero.io/container`
   * The container where the command should be executed. Defaults to the first container in the pod. Optional.
 * `pre.hook.backup.velero.io/command`
-  * The command to execute. If you need multiple arguments, specify the command as a JSON array, such as `["/usr/bin/uname", "-a"]`
+  * The command to execute. This command is not executed within a shell by default. If a shell is needed to run your command, include a shell command, like `/bin/sh`, that is supported by the container at the beginning of your command. If you need multiple arguments, specify the command as a JSON array, such as `["/usr/bin/uname", "-a"]`. See [examples of using pre hook commands](#backup-hook-commands-examples). Optional.
 * `pre.hook.backup.velero.io/on-error`
-  * What to do if the command returns a non-zero exit code.  Defaults to Fail. Valid values are Fail and Continue. Optional.
+  * What to do if the command returns a non-zero exit code.  Defaults is `Fail`. Valid values are Fail and Continue. Optional.
 * `pre.hook.backup.velero.io/timeout`
-  * How long to wait for the command to execute. The hook is considered in error if the command exceeds the timeout. Defaults to 30s. Optional.
+  * How long to wait for the command to execute. The hook is considered in error if the command exceeds the timeout. Defaults is 30s. Optional.
 
 
 #### Post hooks
 
 * `post.hook.backup.velero.io/container`
-  * The container where the command should be executed. Defaults to the first container in the pod. Optional.
+  * The container where the command should be executed. Default is the first container in the pod. Optional.
 * `post.hook.backup.velero.io/command`
-  * The command to execute. If you need multiple arguments, specify the command as a JSON array, such as `["/usr/bin/uname", "-a"]`
+  * The command to execute. This command is not executed within a shell by default. If a shell is needed to run your command, include a shell command, like `/bin/sh`, that is supported by the container at the beginning of your command. If you need multiple arguments, specify the command as a JSON array, such as `["/usr/bin/uname", "-a"]`. See [examples of using pre hook commands](#backup-hook-commands-examples). Optional.
 * `post.hook.backup.velero.io/on-error`
-  * What to do if the command returns a non-zero exit code.  Defaults to Fail. Valid values are Fail and Continue. Optional.
+  * What to do if the command returns a non-zero exit code.  Defaults is `Fail`. Valid values are Fail and Continue. Optional.
 * `post.hook.backup.velero.io/timeout`
-  * How long to wait for the command to execute. The hook is considered in error if the command exceeds the timeout. Defaults to 30s. Optional.
+  * How long to wait for the command to execute. The hook is considered in error if the command exceeds the timeout. Defaults is 30s. Optional.
 
 ### Specifying Hooks in the Backup Spec
 
@@ -78,7 +78,9 @@ velero backup get nginx-hook-test
 velero backup logs nginx-hook-test | grep hookCommand
 ```
 
-## Using Multiple Commands
+## Backup hook commands examples
+
+### Multiple commands
 
 To use multiple commands, wrap your target command in a shell and separate them with `;`, `&&`, or other shell conditional constructs.
 
@@ -86,6 +88,23 @@ To use multiple commands, wrap your target command in a shell and separate them
     pre.hook.backup.velero.io/command='["/bin/bash", "-c", "echo hello > hello.txt && echo goodbye > goodbye.txt"]'
 ```
 
+#### Using environment variables
+
+You are able to use environment variables from your pods in your pre and post hook commands by including a shell command before using the environment variable. For example, `MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD` is an environment variable defined in pod called `mysql`. To use `MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD` in your pre-hook, you'd include a shell, like `/bin/sh`, before calling your environment variable:
+
+```
+pre:
+- exec:
+    container: mysql
+    command:
+      - /bin/sh
+      - -c
+      - mysql --password=$MYSQL_ROOT_PASSWORD -e "FLUSH TABLES WITH READ LOCK"
+    onError: Fail
+```
+
+Note that the container must support the shell command you use. 
+
 
 [1]: api-types/backup.md
 [2]: https://github.com/vmware-tanzu/velero/blob/main/examples/nginx-app/with-pv.yaml