Sami shares with us an honest and inspiring piece of herself in this segment of “people we love” We hope you’ll be empowered as much as we were!
WHAT EVENT OR EXPERIENCE KICK STARTED YOUR JOURNEY TO HEALTH AND WELLNESS?
My background of disordered eating and a broken relationship with myself certainly was the catalyst. I was exhausted of the never ending thought-pattern of “never good enough”. Yoga was instrumental to my healing – the days I did yoga I didn’t want to deprive myself or have nasty thoughts. Instead, I learned to honour my body and all that it did for me. From here, I began to experiment in the kitchen, learning how to make some of my favourite meals with a healthy twist, and I became hooked on how good it felt (and tasted) to eat clean. I am a typical A-type personality, so it seemed only natural to me that if I was going down this path, I had to learn it all! I did my Yoga Teacher Training and enrolled into full-time Nutritional Medicine. During my studies, I was drawn toward veganism, which has only seen my health and my passion for health skyrocket, and was definitely another “uh ha” moment for me.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST LIFE SESSON SO FAR?
Never be too stressed, too worried, too fearful, too XYZ… to not be living in each and every moment.
IF THERE WAS 1 MOTTO OR MANTRA YOU HAD TO LIVE BY, WHAT WOULD THAT BE?
There is no safe investment. To love and to live is to be vulnerable.
WHAT DO THE FIRST 2 HOURS OF YOUR MORNING LOOK LIKE?
I wake up anywhere between 5:40 and 6:30am depending on my workout for the morning. At the moment I am doing a 30 day yoga challenge so have been making the 6am class most days. After class, I rehydrate, alakalise and wake my body up with a glass of warm water with the juice of ½ lemon and a pinch of sea salt. I also have a 5-10 minute facial routine I do every morning, that includes facial massage. Around 7:30am I take my dog for a walk and/or to the park. I grab a soy latte on my way and enjoy every sip! I’m home around 8:30am, and I go straight to the blender and make a big green smoothie. I try to drink this over the course of 20 minutes. Then I get ready for work and am usually at my desk by 9:15am.
LIFE CAN GET PRETTY HECTIC. WHAT ARE SOME WAYS YOU TRY TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY MIND/BODY BALANCE?
You know there are so many things you can do – earthing, meditation, deep belly breathing, yoga, journalling, saging – and these are all wonderful things, but sometimes trying to do even a few of them can be stressful in and of itself. If you’re like me and a little bit Type A, they just become part of your never-ending to-do list. For me, it’s about shifting my mentality to just simply being. Taking time out to reflect on whether I am being present, pausing for a breath, eating lunch outdoors. These are things I try to do every day. I also stopped listening to podcasts during a walk or whilst I drive. It just adds to the busyness and overcomplicates a leisurely activity. So in essence, I guess I try to do one thing at a time, simplify everything, get fresh air and just support myself in small ways every day. Giving yourself permission for a super lazy day or evening each week, is also pretty divine. I will say getting up early and getting moving does set me on the right path physically, mentally and spiritually, so perhaps that consistency is my best wellness practice.
WHAT FOOD CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?
Bananas, avocado, Brazil nuts and dark chocolate!.
WHERE IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE TO BRUNCH?
At the moment it’s probably bare naked bowls. It doesn’t matter how many smoothies I make, having a decadent acai bowl out at a cafe is my idea of heaven. It makes me feel like I’m on holidays!
Sami is a clinical nutritionist and yoga instructor. She offers face to face nutritional consultations as well as Skype. If you’re based in Sydney, Sami also offers clean cooking lessons as well as kitchen overhauls! She is a wealth of knowledge. All the information you need to book is on her website. Click here to check it out!
If there is someone you’d love for us to interview, please let us know by commenting below!
xx
