The health, wellbeing and lifestyle industry is full of some pretty amazing people and we're excited to have had the opportunity to chat with the lovely Kellie Pardoe - lifestyle Influencer and mama of two from Auckland for our 'Talking Straight' series.
SUPR: What does your morning routine look like?
KP: It’s usually pretty chaotic trying to get the kids ready and out the door for school. I value my sleep, so often I get up at the last possible moment, get the kids sorted, make lunches then drop them to school. Then I go home, clean up, make the beds, have a coffee, a quick read of the NZ herald online and get myself ready for the day which often starts with a gym workout.
SUPR: What does ‘health’ mean to you?
KP: It means nourishing my mind and body. I try to eat well (although eating lollies usually play a part in my day!), drink water, exercise and look after my mind with some mindfulness or meditation in the evenings before bed.
SUPR: What are five things you’ll always have in your fridge / pantry?
KP: Herbal tea
Lollies
Peanut butter
Eggs
Avocados
SUPR: What’s your favourite form of movement?
KP: A 45 minute HIT class is my favourite form of exercise but a summer evening brisk walk is also right up there for me. I also love scootering/biking with the kids to the park as a way to incorporate them into my exercise time.
SUPR: If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I love living in Auckland, I love our accessibility to beautiful beaches as I’m a summer/beach lover at heart. If I was to move overseas though, I could see myself in Melbourne. I haven’t travelled a lot of the world but that is definitely on my list of things to do in the near future!
SUPR: What is one fun fact most people wouldn’t know about you?
KP: I didn’t have my first coffee until this year!
SUPR: Why is it important to you to be Straight Up and authentic? Have you ever struggled in the past with being your true self?
KP: I found this something I struggled with in my teenage years especially as it was all about fitting in. I suffered a lot of anxiety and it wasn’t until I was a lot older and more comfortable within myself that I didn’t feel pressured to follow the crowd and hide my imperfections.
SUPR: The health industry isn’t perfect. If you had the power to change one thing about it, what would it be and why?
KP: I would have more emphasis put on the mental health side of things rather than the physical side of things. There is a lot of focus on how we look rather than how we feel. I would love to see kids taught mindfulness/meditation/coping strategies in school as these are tools that can help anyone of any age. I didn’t learn these skills until I had kids and suffered from severe postnatal anxiety. Now they are skills I use on a daily basis and I'm now teaching them to my kids.
You can follow Kellie on Instagram at @kellie.pardoe