Interview with Trish on Motherhood & Business
sometimes the best medicine is a beautiful glass of wine + the grace to try again tomorrow.
You're a mum, with a fresh new business - how did you get the courage to take the leap to working for yourself?
A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity of creating a Wellbeing Program for the corporate team of BlueScope Steel as part of my role in supporting the CEO, it was a role that I adored and over time, it became apparent that my passions lay elsewhere and it was time to make a move. That and a decision to move to Queenstown, New Zealand to be closer to family for a year, (which hasn’t yet eventuated due to lockdown complications), made it the perfect time to pursue a change.
Tell us, your key tips to balance business, being a Mum & health?
This is a work in progress for me as my natural tendency has always been to work and get it done, I launched High Health Club whilst also working full time and studying, I’ve always had the capacity to hold a lot, however I’ve made a conscious choice to put life and health first and if this means my business grows at a slower pace, I’m trying to be ok with that.
I’m really mindful of living our fundamentals, eat, drink, move, breathe, sleep using them as a touchstone across each day. For me this looks like daily exercise (whether that’s running, yoga, The Class or a walk on the beach), I add as many greens as I can to my meals and prioritise sleep. I also find that adding in breathwork and meditation helps me stay grounded and brings me back in check. I know this sounds a lot, but really it could be as little as 10mins of breathwork across the day and a 20min walk, it all has an impact.
Personally, I rely on the power of ritual, habit and routine to support myself in my days and ensure I am set up to succeed as best I can. For tips on what that looks like, ‘Ritual + Routine’ article here.
Coming from a corporate background, I spent years working in a fast paced, busy and often demanding environment. Earlier in my career in supporting senior executives, I ended up with severe back pain, unable to sit in my chair for long periods of time, spending months kneeling on the floor to get my work done.
When I look back now, I see how detached I was from the stress in my life and my lack of understanding in supporting my body, yet I thought I was doing all the right things.
It’s this challenge of managing the expectations of Modern Living that inspired me to start High Health Club, to bridge the gap between busy and healthy, as I believe we have so much more control than we are led to believe, in support of our health and wellbeing.
What has being a mum taught you most about yourself?
I’m not very patient! I love alone time, (which does’t always translate) and I’m constantly challenged in navigating, leading by example and honouring what I need, and giving over to being a parent and giving Ida what she needs.
Right now, Ida is 10 and I’m reminded of how much pressure there is in the world we live in to look a certain way and fit an ideal. It’s something I have struggled with a great deal in my life and it’s something I’m determined to help Ida navigate with grace and a focus on what is actually important, as at the end of the day, it’s not the size of your jeans that brings the joy.
Being a Mum is also a constant reminder of what is truly important in life, those little moments with my family give colour to my days.
And what are you most excited about teaching your daughter as she grows up?
I’m most excited to teach my daughter about her own innate value and that she is enough, exactly as she is.
Share with us some of the favourite things you do together?
As a family we love to cook and we love to travel. Ida and I love to bake together, whilst my husband loves to cook a beautiful dinner and we love to travel, eat out and experience the world. One of my favourite memories of Ida as a toddler was asking us when she was going to go back to the ‘hotaya’, we later realised she meant hotel!
And finally, one key piece of advice you’d offer a mum who is also pushing to grow their own business.
Give yourself the permission to try and when it all gets too hard, the grace to try again tomorrow.