WELLNESS WEDNESDAY WITH MODEL SARAH MCGOVERN
This week I’m chatting to Top Irish model Sarah McGovern. Sarah is a truly beautiful person inside and out and we have been working together for many years now. In our business no two days are the same so it can be a challenge trying to find a balance but what I love about Sarah is that she never gives up, as you’ll see in her interview. When something is not working she just tries something new. Her honesty is refreshing and I think most parents will relate to Sarah’s daily challenges.
Sarah is a model with the Andrea Roche Model Agency and a Wholesale agent with ‘The Showroom’ in Fashion City. She is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and also an Ambassador for the National Spring Clean Campaign. She is a very proud mom to Jude, 4, and Robyn, 2 and is very happily married to Kenny for over 7 years now.
How would you describe your lifestyle?
In one word.. ‘Hectic’!! With a 2 and a 4 year old and juggling two jobs, life is hectic! Because no two days, let alone weeks are the same, it’s hard to find some sort of balance in my life. I think it’s the same for most parents though, so I know I’m not alone! Being self-employed, you never want to turn down work so I just take it as it comes and work a day at a time. It does mean not being able to plan too much ahead and cancelling plans with family and friends quite often but it’s just the way it is for the moment!
What’s your favorite food? Naughty or nice.
I have a total sweet tooth unfortunately and chocolate is my vice! I try to eat a well balanced diet though but I always love something sweet after my lunch and dinner.
Do you exercise and if so what do you do to keep fit?
I have always exercised my whole life, until I got to baby number 2! I loved sport as a kid and then always went to the gym and had a personal trainer before and during my pregnancies (I decided to put the money into having a trainer than going private) I was as fit as a fiddle for both births but after number two came along I found it really hard to fit exercise and work all in to a day that was already busy with two kids!
At first I tried baby body fit classes where you could bring the baby but Robyn crawled at 6 months and so it was hard when you spend the time trying to bring her back to your mat! I took Pilates up again once a week and while I love it, work sometimes gets in the way of the classes. I tried Crossfit for a season but again work kept getting in the way and trying to make classes made me more stressed out!!
So I started running just last week again and I’m hoping to keep that and the Pilates up and id love to get into Form school to do some Ballet Barre classes soon. My friend Aoife owns it with her husband Gordon. The classes are brilliant. I just need to make more ‘me time’ to get there!
How do you find balance in your day-to-day life?
Honestly I don’t feel I have any balance and if I find it, I’ll bottle it and sell it as I think so many parents feel like this!!
The kids are in crèche two days a week now, but neither started until they were nearly two so juggling work with finding babysitters was always a little challenging! However, since they are both in crèche, it’s giving me some stability to my week, where I can work without having to worry about them. I have the best crèche too! Also I find if I’m fully organised the night before for the next day, then I can start the day as stress free as possible and that adds a little bit of balance to my day too!!
How do you manage stress in your life? Do you meditate?
No unfortunately I think I just take it out on my poor husband or at least he gets to hear about a stressful day even if he doesn’t want to! I’m a talker and so I just generally get it off my chest and it makes me feel better!!
Have you ever tried meditation? No but I like the idea of it.
People often set goals or intentions as they go through life. Is this something you do?
I always privately set goals or do a lot of planning in my head, but I should really write things down. I know they say that your goals are more likely come to fruition if they are written down. I’ve been very fortunate to have achieved so many goals and intentions so far with family, work, travelling etc but I need to start looking at the next chapter in my life now!
How do you unwind after a busy day?
I generally like to tidy up after the kids go to bed and get ready for the next day. Weirdly it helps me unwind! Then a cup of peppermint tea and some chocolate while watching a little bit of TV before bed. Nothing fancy I’m afraid!!
It’s the weekend, what do you do for fun?
Spend time with the kids and depending on the weather, we would go somewhere for a walk or go visit family and catch up with the cousins! The odd weekend we’d catch up with friends too.
What’s your top health tip for our readers?
My grandmother always drank hot water, especially with lemon in the morning. She had beautiful skin and so I have it in the mornings too! Breakfast is so important and I try have a healthy one every morning to start off my day well. Everything in moderation too!
Finish the sentence – Being complete for me means… Being happy and content!
FOLLOW SARAH ON