Healthy lifestyle: I believe that consistently good eating and sleeping habits are key to strong performance. When I’m not properly fuelled with the right nutrition or haven’t slept enough, I can feel the physical effects on my speed and endurance. It also affects my capacity to properly process information, and my ability to solve problems strategically and creatively. That said, I do my best to eat clean and get sufficient sleep to sustain high energy levels and ensure my body and mind are running optimally.
Mental strength: My experience in long distance racing has taught me a lot about mental strength. Staying calm is key, because it’s usually impossible to think straight and perform well under a high state of stress. Cutting out distractions, eliminating limiting thoughts, focusing on progress instead of perfection, and staying positive are all things that help me focus on the steps in front of me to make it through my long journey.
Balance and recovery: Like so many others, I am doing my best to juggle all the things that are important in my life: raising happy children, maintaining loving relationships with family and friends, engaging in interests and extracurricular activities while also delivering on my professional commitments.
With all of this, there is a certain level of balance that feels right for me. There are periods when I need to be “off-balance,” spending more time at work. While challenging, it’s still important for me to make time for loved ones and doing other things I enjoy outside of work because it’s imperative to my emotional wellbeing.
It’s easy to feel that we can’t afford to step away. But as in any physical training, recovery needs to be built in. When we set time for recovery, our body and mind reset and we’re stronger and more equipped to go the distance.
I approach my personal and professional life as a marathon. I do my best to pace myself and operate consistently, taking sprints when needed and then taking time to recover so I can re-centre to that right balance for me.
You’re a very active community volunteer. What draws you to the organizations you support?
There are many worthy organizations that don’t have resources to much-needed professional expertise. I can’t think of a better use of my free time than to help people using my experience and knowledge, and I’m amazed at how even the smallest of efforts can go a long way.
The ability to help and be useful really motivates me. I have been involved with organizations that I believe I have the skillsets and opportunity to make an impactful difference and provide value. Additionally, I’m drawn to organizations that support causes I feel passionate about, which tend to be those that are doing work to help improve the lives of vulnerable people.
What advice would you give to your younger self when you were starting your career journey?
I would advise my younger self not to measure herself against other people’s abilities, and instead focus on her unique strengths. Once I embraced what was different about me, I started to use it as a superpower, and that’s when I truly gained confidence and started to thrive.