1. Where did you grow up?
Mostly in Mt Albert. Ironically, growing up Helen Clark was our local MP and Prime Minister, and now Jacinda!
2. What school did you go to?
Marist Primary and Marist College in Mt Albert. I am a Marist woman through and through.
3.What super power would you most like to have and why?
When I think about it, I wouldn’t actually have a superpower. At first it sounds fun being a “superhuman”, but I think I like being an ordinary human being.
4. What brought you to Logos?
Fate, synergy and connections. It was a combination of my own story, friends, and opportunity. Fr Frank Bird, a Marist priest, approached me about an opportunity with Logos. I was a young Chef at the time and actively part of the Edmund Rice Network Oceania and involved with the running of Edmund Rice Camps. I took a leap of faith, it wasn’t an easy decision to leave by cheffing dreams but it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
5. What was the best advice you received as a young person?
“Discover who you are, your gifts, nurture them and give it away every day”
6.What advice would you give to your younger self?
Two things:
1. “Slow down, don’t put too much pressure on yourself”
2. “Hang out with people who you genuinely can be your authentic self with”
7. What do you do to make sure you are being your best self?
Three things (even though I have about 10 things I do):
1. I practice self-awareness every day. I have spent years getting to know myself – things like, my heritage, my unique gifts and talents, my self talk, what gives me energy and what my purpose is. I’ve also got to know the things that fire me up like the injustices I’m passionate about, or what interrupts me being my ‘best self’.
2. I always remind myself of my purpose. Things like social media and peer pressure can really change the way we see ourselves and we become disconnected from what is real and what really matters. When I feel like I’m falling into this I remind myself of why I’m here and tune into my positive self talk (turn it up high volume!). Prayer and meditation helps me to be connected to myself, a mini reminder that I’m/we’re connected to each other and the universe. I then become aware of the spirit at work. This encourages me to be my best self, because I believe by being my best self I am contributing to the greater good and that’s pretty cool.
3. I do things that I love doing that doesn’t involve being too serious or using my head too much. Things like singing loudly in the car to my favourite jams, or making yummy wholesome food, even going to the gym and definitely having a good laugh.
