Hello Georgina, 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?
I am a women’s wellness expert. I coach women empowering them to get the most out of their bodies through exercise, nutrition, breath work and meditation.
The end result: a sculpted and toned body at their ideal weight, with a calm mind to match.
My two children are 14 and 24. A son at boarding school and a daughter now working.
So, thank God no child-care issues anymore.
When they were young, I always had my own business, working from home so it wasn’t a problem, except in the holidays! These were always a logistical juggle trying to work and entertain the children. Luckily working from home meant I was able to always do drop off and pick up, and be at matches. I always wanted to be part of my children’s lives, so I structured my working life accordingly.
1. ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE HOW BEING A WOMO MAKES YOU FEEL?
Excited.
2. WHAT’S THE FUNNIEST EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD JUGGLING KIDS AND WORK?
My daughter was just two, and I had an Actors Agency at the time. One day the phone rang—it was Saatchi’s, they wanted to use one of my actors in an advert. As you can imagine, I was thrilled about being approached by this great agency. Suddenly, I saw my daughter heading towards the landline phone. I realised I had to end the call, before she started speaking loudly or somehow manage to disconnect it. (I was trying to come across as very professional, as having a child in the background in those days definitely was not on.) I’ve never wound up a business call so quickly. It was a close call!
3. WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD OFFER ANOTHER WOMO?
Always maintain a sense of humour!
4. WHAT’S THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SLEEP YOU’VE GONE TO WORK ON AND HOW DID YOU COPE?
None! I worked through the night. I was pitching for a large commercial interior design job I drank coffee all night with masses of sugar! This was before I knew about the evils of refined sugar.
5. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF AS A WOMO?
How incredibly resilient women are.
6. IF YOU HAD A WORKING MOTHER’S ANTHEM OR MANTRA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I can do it!
7. WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE TO COMBAT WOMO GUILT THE BEST?
A Gails cappuccino or a glass of champagne.
8. WOULD YOU RATHER BE DEALING WITH A TANTRUM OR PRESENTING IN A BOARD MEETING?
Definitely easier to be presenting in a board meeting.
9. IF YOU ASKED YOUR CHILDREN WHAT YOUR JOB IS, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?
“Boss Bitch” according to my daughter. My son thinks I am a health expert!
10. WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU BECAME A WOMO?
Getting the balance right can be hard.
11. TO DATE, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST WOMO ACHIEVEMENT?
Getting my book “Eat Less” published.
12. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT WORKING MOTHERS?
That it’s important for mothers to follow their dreams and passions while still being there for their children.
IG georgina.jackson.sytner