Hello, hello everyone! 

I hope you are all going amazing!

Over the last year I have received so many messages on @healthynourishedsoul asking me when it was going to be my turn answering all these questions I have asked my fellow creative souls, here on my journal page? My reply was always never - as it's not about me, it was all about the other women who have inspired me along my journey.

When I started writing this blog, I never visioned myself being interviewed (as that would be so weird right, interviewing myself.... like really Sal??) but after a lot of thought I realised it was only fair if all the other women before me had to answer these some what personal questions of mine, I should answer them too!  So I decided to go ahead and do it - so you to can read and discover a few things you probably didn't know about me and my life.

Ahhhhhh... this was so hard for me to do! I'm not so good talking about myself, but here goes. 

So find a cosy spot to relax, and enjoy this interview.

Love Sal x o

 

Tell us a bit about yourself, and what you do?

I'm the creator & author of ‘Healthy Nourished Soul’. I’m a mumma to Sonny & Lani, wife to my awesome hubby Todd and a creative soul at heart. On most mornings you will find me beach side walking my dog and soaking up the sunshine & salty breeze after school drop off. During the rest of the day you will find me working away hard behind the scenes getting ‘Healthy Nourished Soul’ out into this big wide world and trying to grow my brand.

I also work a few days a week at the amazing Bowy Made - so as you can see I’m a busy bee at the moment, but loving every minute of it.

 

When did you realise that this is what your passion was or what you wanted to do? 

Writing and self-publishing my book ‘Healthy Nourished Soul’ has been a dream of mine for over eight years. I couldn’t stop thinking about it and I just knew I had to bring it to life. It was always on my mind, on my vision board and in my dreams - so putting everything into creating it (literally) was so totally worth it.  

I knew everyone that had tasted my raw treats loved them and wanted the recipes, but I wanted to create not just a typical ‘cookbook’ but a book that also contained ways to nourish your soul and pages filled with inspiration and love - the ultimate self-care and wellness book. I feel my book really takes you on a journey of yourself and captures the essence of you. 

 

What’s been your biggest accomplishment to date?



Besides my two gorgeous kids, it would definitely be overcoming my fear of failure and bringing my dream to life - my book! Once I decided to go for it (thanks to my husband's push and support)…. I quit my job and put everything I had into writing and creating it (including all our savings). Yes, it was scary to do this not knowing what the response and outcome would be once I launched my book, but it was also so very exhilarating at the same time. 

Once I found my dream team to help me bring it to life - everything just flowed perfectly over the next few months and before I knew it... Healthy Nourished Soul was here and I couldn’t have been more proud of myself.

 

What has been your greatest challenge in life so far, and how did you overcome it/how are you working to overcome it?



Suffering with crippling anxiety for over twenty years and hiding it from my husband and family in fear of them thinking I was broken and a failure. Sad isn’t it? But it’s the truth!

I look back and I’m angry at myself for not having the courage and speaking up to ask for help. I put so much pressure on myself to be and look like I was all good and had my shit together everyday, when in fact it couldn’t have been further from the truth and my reality - I was struggling so much and felt so alone! It wasn't until I had a panic attack driving home one day with my daughter in the car and running off the road (no one was hurt) that I realised enough was enough, and I finally had the courage to speak up and seek the help I so desperately needed. The hardest part was telling my husband everything and explaining to him why I had hid it from him for so long. I felt horrible for lying and hiding it from him for all those years. I am just so blessed he was so understanding about the whole situation and continues to help, support and be there for me wholeheartedly everyday. 

Anxiety is still a huge part of my life, and will be forever, but I now have the tools and support I need to kick it in the arse when it rears its ugly head and comes full force at me. I have good and bad days still, but knowing when to ask for help when it all gets too much is key to my day to day life.

 

Describe yourself in 5 words..

Kind, caring, loving, happy and fun.

 

What are you most proud of?

Most definitely my kids, but I am also so very proud of backing myself and turning my dreams into a reality. I have never been a confident person, like ever, so deciding to give up my job and focus all my energy and time into bringing my book to life was a huge call for me, one I am so proud of doing.

 

What are three things you are most grateful for? 

My family, my health and my amazing life.

 

What do you love most about yourself?

I hate talking about myself like this as it feels awkward, but if I had to list one thing I love most about myself it would be that I am kind - I always, always choose kindness first.

 

What’s your favourite way to move your body?

Going for a long walk along the beach - it always makes me feel so good afterwards.

 

How important is self-care to you, & how do you take time out just for you - to nourish your soul?

Self-care is so very important to me - It's non-negotiable! Everyday I do something just for me, that brings me joy and leaves me feeling a sense of calmness and happiness - I call it my ‘me time’ and I do not feel guilty for taking time out of my day to do this. It’s what my soul needs.  

There are so many ways to nourish your soul… heck, I wrote a book about it haha… but my most favourite ways I take time out just for me are the following;

In the morning after I drop the kids off at school I will either go to my local cafe on the beach and sit and enjoy a cup of coffee, or if it's a beautiful day I will get a takeaway coffee and sit down on the beach and look out over the ocean and watch the surfers. This soothes my soul so much - the beach is my happy place. 

Also at the moment I am loving meditating in the morning as soon as I wake up - ten minutes is all I need and it leaves me with such clarity and calmness. 

I could go on and on with ways that I love to nourish my soul, but these are two of my favourite practices to take time out for me.

 

If you had a self-care box you could open up when you needed some timeout, what would you fill it with?

A good book, a candle, my playlist on spotify, a warm cosy blanket, a glass of wine and one of my delicious raw treats.

 

When was the last time you tried something new for the very first time & what was it?

I finally did my first ever LIVE on Instagram the other day! Oh my goodness I was so incredibly nervous, I couldn't stop shaking the whole way through it, but I did it and it was a huge success. I pushed past my comfort zone and felt so good for having a go.

 

What’s the best advice you have ever received in your life?

If it’s not a hell yes….. It’s a no!

 

What is a random act of kindness you have done for someone else to brighten up their day? 

Every week I leave money with the staff at my local cafe to pay for a coffee for someone behind me in the line.

 

What are 5 things you can’t live without?

My family, my little fur baby ‘Lenny’, my friends, the beach and nutritious food.

 

What’s one thing you haven’t done that you really want to do?

Ride a horse along the beach.. I have ridden horses all my life, but I have never galloped a horse along the beach and I would love to do this one day in the near future. It’s definitely on my bucket list!

 

What’s one thing most people wouldn’t know about you?

I play the guitar - but please do not ask me to play a song for you as I won't as I'm too shy.

 

If you could have lunch with one person (living or passed) who would it be & why?

Morgan Freeman - I love him and I am such a big fan of his! It would be an honour to have the chance to sit and talk with him. When I married Todd I so wanted Morgan to be our celebrant, his voice and warm character is just beyond. Haha… so dreamy!

 

What’s a talent you wish you had?

I wish I could sing! I have a terrible voice. haha..

 

If you could be someone else for just one day, who would it be & why?

Taylor Swift - to be able to sing and play guitar as amazing as she does would be beyond.

 

Who would your celebrity BFF be?

Cameron Diaz - I just love and adore her! We’d definitely be besties if she ever had the chance to meet me. Haha..

 

Favourite Quote?

In a world where you can be anything, be kind.

 

Favourite Food?

Thai Food - Red Curry Vegetables & steamed rice…. Yummo!

 

Favourite Cocktail?

Definitely a Margarita! I have just started making these at home and my god they are good! Friday and Saturday nights in my household have turned into Margarita nights. Ha!

 

Favourite Book/s?

Besides my book of course (haha)…. It would definitely be ‘Mastering your Inner Mean Girl’ by Melissa Ambrosini - this book literally changed my life!

My other favourite book is ‘Conversations with God’ by Neale Donald Walsch - this book is also life changing and a must read.

 

Favourite holiday destination?

Hawaii - I just love that place so much! I have travelled there a few times and it holds a special place in my heart - it truly is a beautiful place to visit.

 

Favourite podcasts to listen to at the moment?

Darling, Shine - by Ellidy Pullin & Chloe Fisher - this podcast is just so real, raw and honest. I love it!

My other favourite podcast is Simply Complicated by Katie Dean - I love her!!

 

Favourite song?

Mr Brightside by The Killers

 

Favourite movie?

The Holiday - oh I just love this movie, it always gives me those warm and fuzzy feels… I’m such a romantic at heart. 

My other favourite movie is Legends of the Fall - Brad Pitt in his prime… need I say more.

 

Celebrity crush?

Oh this is a tough one… so here goes. Please do not judge me - I have a few haha..

Chris Hemsworth (obviously) - I haven’t met a female yet that says their heart doesn't skip a beat when he appears on screen.

Also I'm a big fan of Jared Leto, Zac Effron and Ian Somerhalder.

 

Finish this sentence - I feel my best when I…

..spend quality family time with Todd and the kids. This always brings me so much joy and happiness.

 

Who or what inspires you & why?

My husband Todd - I know this sounds cliche as he is my husband, but he really does inspire me everyday.

Todd was fortunate enough to make his dreams a reality when he was younger by becoming a professional NRL player by working incredibly hard and sacrificing a lot to get there. He lived out this dream of his for over a decade playing the sport he loved, whilst also working hard behind the scenes studying and graduating courses for life after footy. His work ethic, dedication, strength and hard work has always been above & beyond and this has always inspired me to chase after my dreams and believe that I too can bring my dream to life if I work smart and hard to get it too. He always inspires me to be the best version of myself.

 

Any advice for women following their dreams, but are afraid to take the next step?

Just do it!! Don’t wait until you have everything ready, just start doing what you love today and watch things unfold. I promise everything will fall in place as you go.

You are never going to know if it’s the right time or not, you just have to take the next step forward in the direction you want to go and back yourself!

Believe in yourself and you will be unstoppable.

 

 Photos by @candicesavillephotography