Hello Pieta, tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do and how old are your children and what happens with your kids when you are at work?
Hi I’m Pieta! I’m 43, my eldest boy Charlie is 8, and Cooper is 6 this November. Originally from New Zealand, I moved here in 2005 to chase my career in TV production and producing. After 10 years and the birth of my 2nd son, I left my entertainment career of 22 years to follow my true passion.
I help women find their healthy balance, not perfection - and run my online wellness & fitness business BODYHIIT bypieta.com from home in London. Prior to this (in my other life), when the boys were little we didn’t have family nearby, but were fortunate to lean on nannies and nurseries to support us when working full-time jobs and commuting to & from work. My husband and I are very grateful for the support we had, but it was still challenging both logistically, financially - and emotionally. It was time for me to take the plunge and follow my dream to work for myself in a completely different industry. Thank goodness for the support WoMo can provide through transitions such as this. I built my business to be flexible to suit my family lifestyle. I train with my clients LIVE online early in the morning usually when my kids are asleep. My husband minds them in the mornings but I’m done by 7:30am so we never miss breakfast together. Both are at school now so I love to pick up & drop off while using the daytime hours to work on my business and coach my 1-2-1 clients.
1. ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE HOW BEING A WOMO MAKES YOU FEEL?
Supported! When I was a mum for the first and 2nd time I was an employee for a big tv entertainment company. I found navigating maternity leave, returning to work ( and all the logistics and emotions that come with that! ) and balancing life - a mine field. It wasn’t always a walk in the park. So being apart of WoMo feels like a really big hug!
2. WHAT’S THE FUNNIEST EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD JUGGLING KIDS AND WORK?
I have too many to list. More recently my early morning online fitness sessions are now held in my new studio at the bottom of my garden. The main window is behind me when I’m delivering instruction to women from all over the world. My little one Cooper escaped from Daddy one morning and decided to stand at the window behind me, unbeknownst to me. Watching the playback is hilarious as all you want to do is watch him instead of workout! He slowly sides off our of view and opens the door to join me. It was a gorgeous moment that makes my clients smile. I have others which include kids joining my workouts and flinging nappies at the camera. That was a great day!
3. WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD OFFER ANOTHER WOMO?
You are the boss! What are your non-negotiables? Family-time, you-time, date-night, creative-time… being organised doesn’t mean filling ALL time with “work” while the rest is shoe-horned in. If there is one thing lockdown has taught many of us - our mental and physically health are above all. Start with making time for whats important to you, and if you’re able, design your work around it.
4. WHAT’S THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SLEEP YOU’VE GONE TO WORK ON AND HOW DID YOU COPE?
Oh gosh nada. When the kids were babies & toddlers there were MANY sleepless nights where I probably averaged zero hours sleep - and still had to commute and perform at work. It was hell. But we muddled through like zombies on endless cups of coffee. I may have hid in the loo now and then to have a nap. Anyone else done this? ha ha! These days, I’ve had occasionally restless sleeps for other reasons - the moon, hormones or family-worries - and I still get up at 5am to prepare for my 6:30am workouts. I have to thank the amazing nutrition that powers me through - I can’t live with out it. Good fuel makes the world of difference when we need sustained energy. I’m grateful to my helpful husband too.
5. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF AS A WOMO?
If all the tasks don’t get ticked off. It’s ok! I’m much more intuitive now and dialled into energy flows. Like any health & fitness journey, being a WoMo is never a straight line - it has to bend & flex, there will be ups and downs. We do our best and that’s all that matters. It’s all part of the journey and learning to go with the flow sometimes. I’m moving forward to my own rhythm.
6. IF YOU HAD A WORKING MOTHER’S ANTHEM OR MANTRA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
“ I am moving forward with healthy balance in mind, not perfection”
7. WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE TO COMBAT WOMO GUILT THE BEST?
I love a good loooooong lunch.
8. WOULD YOU RATHER BE DEALING WITH A TANTRUM OR PRESENTING IN A BOARD MEETING?
Presenting in a board meeting - hands down.
9. IF YOU ASKED YOUR CHILDREN WHAT YOUR JOB IS, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?
They both say together almost word for word “.. she helps people get in shape “ - I have them well trained.
10. WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU BECAME A WOMO?
Those unconscious working-mum “expectations” ( by self and partners ) are real. When I was an ‘employee’, both my husband and I had matching salaries - so when I decided to change careers and start my own business with 2 kids under 3 - a lot changed for us financially too. It’s ever more important to communicate and work as a team.
11. TO DATE, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST WOMO ACHIEVEMENT?
Building and growing my business from zero to now helping over 300+ women from 10+ countries in the past 18 months become healthier stronger and more confident. I feel blessed to work with such awesome women who have become great friends and collaboration partners too. Our BODYHIIT community is truly amazing.
12. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT WORKING MOTHERS?
I want to simply show my boys that being passionate and purpose led in whatever work we choose to do is important. Equality and inclusivity for all is vital. And that there are all sorts of types of families and our education-working world is changing. I like to seek progression and positivity and show them this path too. I like to inspire my kids to challenge what they see, to think about the planet too, perhaps they see a better way. They teach ME every day. I’m so grateful to them.
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