Hello Maria, 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?
A native of Melbourne, Australia, Maria is one of the UK’s leading wellness practitioners who has pioneered a range of treatments and therapies in the London since 2016.
She is a mother of two, as well as a health and fitness enthusiast who has completed five marathons and is training for her sixth race in 2021.
While trying to keep up her fitness routine, Maria noticed she wasn’t recovering as quickly as before, and was more susceptible to injury as she waved goodbye to her thirties...
While visiting New York City, Maria gave Whole Body Cryotherapy a try and found a number of physical benefits including a quicker recovery from training and that it made her feel clear-headed and happy due to the endorphins that are released as part of the bodies natural response to the treatment.
Fascinated by the physical and mental uplift, and wanting to be able to add to her life, as well as give others the chance to benefit from cryotherapy, Maria gave up her job in the City of London and set up LONDONCRYO.
Her goal was simple, to make cryotherapy and a range of other leading wellness treatments available to people of all ages who wanted to improve their recovery from training as well as their wider wellbeing too.
She writes regularly on a range of wellness and related topics and after 4 years of founding LONDONCRYO Maria continues to apply her extensive knowledge and invest in innovative treatments to improve her clients mental and physical health.
As above I am the founder of LondonCryo. I have two children aged 10 and 12 years of age. They are at school whilst I work during the day and at home with my partner/nanny if I'm working late. It's a team effort.
1. ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE HOW BEING A WOMO MAKES YOU FEEL?
Awesome.
2. WHAT’S THE FUNNIEST EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD JUGGLING KIDS AND WORK?
This is very personal but on a day I was due to film a show for the BBC I got a call from my daughter in distress just as I was about to film. I had to hand my part to another colleague as my daughter needed me as she had just had got her period for the first time and was starting high school the same day…..I laugh about it now but definitely didn't think it was funny then!
3. WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD OFFER ANOTHER WOMO?
Ensure you have time to take care of yourself; eat healthy, get plenty of sleep, and workout. You have to set your priorities, making sure that your happiness is on top of everything. A happy mother equals a happy family.
4. WHAT’S THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SLEEP YOU’VE GONE TO WORK ON AND HOW DID YOU COPE?
The least amount of sleep I have gone to work on was four hours and I coped with lots of espresso shots, very Italian of me, and cryotherapy of course! Both gave me the boost of energy I needed as well as mental clarity.
5. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF AS A WOMO?
That it's ok to have a career and still be a very good mother.
6. IF YOU HAD A WORKING MOTHER’S ANTHEM OR MANTRA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
No matter how many obstacles appear along your pathway, you will overcome them. Believe in yourself and never give up.
7. WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE TO COMBAT WOMO GUILT THE BEST?
A morning run whilst the sun is rising listening to a podcast - a great way to kickstart my day!
8. WOULD YOU RATHER BE DEALING WITH A TANTRUM OR PRESENTING IN A BOARD MEETING?
Presenting in a board meeting any day.
9. IF YOU ASKED YOUR CHILDREN WHAT YOUR JOB IS, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?
When my children were young, mama’s job was to “freeze people”, however now that they are older, they understand that my job is all about improving the health and wellness of individuals.
10. WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU BECAME A WOMO?
That you would look forward to getting to your office after the kids were dropped off at school to have some freedom and enjoy a cuppa in peace.
11. TO DATE, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST WOMO ACHIEVEMENT?
My best WoMo achievement is quitting my corporate job and entering a completely new industry that did not exist in the UK before. After almost five years of juggling motherhood and the demands of a start-up company, I am now the proud director of three successful stores. When I feel overwhelmed and need a boost in confidence, I look back and remind myself of my accomplishments and the support I had from my partner and children - if it was not for their love and encouragement, I would not be in the position I am today.
12. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT WORKING MOTHERS?
Women are incredible and have so much to contribute. If they have faith in themselves and visualise who they want to be and their end goal, they can achieve anything.
Website: LondonCryo
IG: londoncryo