This is how I do it - Fiona O'Donnell

December 3, 2019

This is how I do it !

Tell us about yourself

My name is Fiona O’Donnell, formerly Evans. I am 38 years old (I’ll be 39 in May) and living in Clonakilty in West Cork. We moved here in 2006 when my husband go transferred to Cork. In 2 weeks, we moved house, he started a new job and we had our first baby. We now have 3 kids ranging in ages from 9 to 13 but who behave within ages ranging from 2 to 33. My oldest son is 13 and really behaves with far more maturity than I do. He puts his arm out to stop me from crossing the road when a car is coming and throws out a stern “Muuuuum” if I use bad language. My daughter is 11 and is a carbon copy of me (I’m really sorry Mum!). She challenges me daily and is different to anyone I have ever met. She is very emotionally intelligent and has a radar that would put the CIA to shame. Nothing gets past her. She is also wildly affectionate and touch is her cryptonite (again, same as me). A hug cures all! My youngest son is the most affectionate person in the house. He puts his hands on both sides of your face when he wants a kiss. He brings coffee to me on a Sunday morning and he loves animals. He is supercharged with empathy and is a joy in the household when he isn’t wrecking it. In terms of occupation, it might be easier to list what I don’t do! I come from a health background and used to work as a Cardiac Physiologist in the health service. While working, I got my fitness qualifications and my pilates qualifications part time. In 2011, I ‘retired’ from the health service and began my Masters in Exercise and Nutrition Science. From here, I took on single clients and threw myself into learning as much as possible about the demographic I was working with. This ranged from boxers trying to make weight for fights while not compromising performance to Ironman triathletes, to stay at home mums and dads looking for ways to shift extra weight and avoid snacking out of boredom. Having worked with such a large range of clients, I decided that the demographic I love working with most is those individuals who want to begin. Those that are willing to start on their fitness journey not knowing where to start or how to progress. I love teaching and it is definitely my passion so educating people on the best nutrition for their bodies and how to implement a fitness plan into their lifestyle is what gets me fired up. Don’t get me wrong, I have worked with elite athletes and it is exciting and interesting, but I get real joy from bringing someone from not knowing where to start to having a great base of fitness and a healthy outlook with regards to their nutrition. I work with clients mostly online and I have developed online programmes to teach clients about nutrition as well as delivering online fitness programmes.

Outside of that I run a household with 3 kids, 1 husband, 3 dogs, 6 cats (really....don’t ask) and 3 horses. I sit down for a sum total of about 16 minutes between 7am and 7pm and I love my life.
2 what was the first thing you did when you woke up this morning? Turned on the coffee machine.

What does your normal Daily , weekly routine look like , if you have one?

6:50 I wake and turn on the coffee machine. Then I pop into all the kids bedrooms for the 1st call. Coffee made, I give the 2nd call and I sit and have 4 or 5 minutes of quiet to just drink. We do breakfast, school lunches and huddle everyone out the door by 8.30. During this time, I like to get the kitchen clean and I stick on our little robot floor cleaner/hoover. Still in pyjamas, I feed dogs cats, horses then come back inside and get into running gear. I have breakfast number 1 then put horses out and clean stables - this gets the dogs out too. After this, I run for between 20-30 minutes. Once home, I have breakfast no 2 after a shower. Then I like to work for 2 hours depending on workload. I usually start to prepare the dinner at about 1:30 and once I have everything in place, I lie down at 2:15 on the couch for a snooze. I could not function without this nap! The first 2 kids get home at approx 3pm. As they start homework, I finish dinner and when the 3rd gets home at 4:45, I serve up the dinner. We don’t usually all eat together during the week because most days between 5 and 8pm we either have drama, soccer, rugby (all 3 of them play) or Horseriding. While the kids are eating, I prepare dinner for myself and my husband ( I usually start while Im doing the kids dinner). If hubby is home on time for sports, he brings kids and I ride horses. If not, I put my running gear on or I bring my laptop and run or work while the kids do sports. Kitchen closes at 7pm and the rule is that everything you touch has to be put away and cleaned up after use. I sit on the couch at 9 with a cup of herbal tea or occasionally a glass of wine and watch something until about 10:30.

In between 5 and 9, I magic in an extra hour to feed animals and tuck the horses into bed for the night.

What do you do to stay active?

I have a very active lifestyle that revolves around being outdoors. If I never exercises, I think I would still achieve about 10,000 steps a day. I run about 3 times a week, do Crossfit about twice, swim twice and if I have time, I cycle with friends. I also ride the horses 2 or 3 times a week.

What daily habbits do you have to try and keep you fit and healthy?

The main habit I try to maintain is my nap. Without it, I could not do all the other things.

What does healthy living mean to you?

Balance. A healthy body is a body nourished with good food, delicious food, great wine, good sex, rest, a little bit of rock and roll, laughter, more laughter, connections, good friends and living a life that you love.

What or who motivates you?

The people I surround myself do. EVERYONE has something going on in their lives, getting close enough to people to learn what that is motivates me to do better. If a friend who has been bullied can still be kind to other people, so can I. If a friend who has cancer can still get on a bike and leave the boys for dead on the hills, then I can get out for a 20 minute run. If a friend is raising her 2 kids as a single mum and still manages to pick up the phone and stay in touch, coach marathon runners and still get her and her kids outside in the rain for a run, then I can jog while my kids are at rugby. I surround myself with people who try!

Whats your favourite healthy meal?

I’m going to have to say pizza!

What is your food nemesis?

Nemesis as in it makes me sick or I love it and its bad for me? Bananas and baked beans - just don’t even talk about them please and if you attempt to eat them in front of me, I will leave. I love fish and chips with chip shop curry. But it absolutely kills me - I said recently I eat them once about every 6 weeks, but I don’t - its closer to once every 3 months. I always regret it.

How do you manage those periods of time when you are not so motivated?

I rest. I take a break. I step back and I do yoga. I meditate, I sleep. Then I set some new goals and kick my own ass out of that slump. I will also engage with my girls and suggest an event to work towards. Connections and engaging with your tribe are everything.

How do you overcome negative thoughts?

I acknowledge them, then I question whether they are real. If they are, I deal with them. If not, I kick it to the curb and remind myself why it isn’t true.

How do you treat yourself?

With sleep, a trip away with the girls or my hubby. Always with an experience - very rarely with something material. (although I did just buy a new horse).

What do you do to chill and recharge?

Sleep! Get to bed at 9.30 with a book. Turn the phone off and snuggle on the couch with the kids.

Best tip for packing a gym bag? Whats in yours?

Knickers & Bra - I have learned to always pack underwear first. I usually leave the gym commando. Then my shower/skin pack - shampoo conditioner, body cream, towel. Small bag with tinted moisturiser and mascara. Change of clothes and water. I always carry food in my car!

1 thing you never leave home without?

Its got to be my phone! But I always have my medications in my bag.

What’s your mantra?

Build a bridge! (And get over it). Be kind.

My flavor of this month is ( my current obsession) Clarins face and body essential oils. I am obsessed.

I’m inspired by

Anyone who tries. Anyone who makes a choice to step up and do something that they feel uncomfortable with inspires me. Fear is such a huge barrier to people - fear of judgement, fear of failure, fear of hurting yourself or being uncomfortable - anyone who puts themselves forward with the potential of all that, whether they fail or prosper, I am utterly inspired by that effort.

fiona@westcorkfit.com