By Minnie Feather, Associate Creative Producer + Community Lead

I have tried many many wellness supplement brands. Powders, capsules, you name it. Most of them end up at the back of my cupboard after a week, so when IMBIBE sent me their Recover Rest, Miracle Collagen and Beauty Renewal, I wasn’t expecting to be using their products consistently 12 weeks later!

Let’s start with the Recover Rest, because this was my favourite. I’m a terrible sleeper, the lying-awake-at-1am kind. Since making this part of my evening wind-down, I’m falling asleep so much faster and actually waking up feeling more refreshed than ever. I didn’t think a hot chocolate could do that. And it really does taste like a hot chocolate, which is half the reason I’ve stuck with it.

The Miracle Collagen is super easy to add to anything. It’s pure collagen peptides with no fillers, and it’s completely tasteless, so I just stir it into tea or even water and forget it’s there. No clumps, no weird aftertaste, nothing. IMBIBE says you’ll see results somewhere between 4 and 16 weeks, and I definitely started to see an improvement in my skin and hair at roughly week 6.

Lastly, I tried their best seller Beauty Renewal. It’s a probiotic drink with eight strains, plus coconut water and antioxidant-rich botanicals like pomegranate and elderberry. It’s all about your gut, with the idea that a happier gut shows up in your skin too. It tastes great, it’s 99% sugar-free, and I feel brighter in my face and also again better sleep because I’m looking after my gut!

Would I recommend IMBIBE? Absolutely. All three taste good, they’re easy to take, and they’ve become part of my routine, which after years of half-used tubs is a game changer. But if you only try one and your sleep is a mess like mine was, get the Recover Rest.

You can check out the full range at IMBIBE!

The post How IMBIBE’s Recover Rest Fixed My Insomnia appeared first on Balance The Grind.

Balance the Grind was invited to FS8 Shellharbour to experience the brand’s signature approach to movement, with a special class led by FS8 Global Ambassador Cristina Chan. Fresh from celebrating its 100th studio opening — and with its first-ever Hamptons pop-up bringing the Australian-born concept to one of the world’s most iconic summer destinations — we went along to find out what’s behind FS8’s growing global following.

There’s no shortage of ways to work out right now. Reformer Pilates continues to dominate the studio fitness space, strength training has become an increasingly important part of our wellness routines, and mobility and recovery are finally getting the attention they deserve.

FS8’s answer is refreshingly simple: why choose just one?

We recently visited FS8 Shellharbour to experience the workout for ourselves, joining a special session led by FS8 Global Ambassador Cristina Chan.

So, what exactly is FS8?

Born in Australia, FS8 takes elements of Pilates, yoga-inspired movement and strength-based toning and brings them together in one low-impact workout.

It’s a formula that appears to be resonating well beyond its home market. In just five years, FS8 has grown from a single Australian studio to more than 100 studios across 18 countries, recently celebrating the significant milestone of its 100th studio opening.

The brand is also popping up in some unexpected places. This northern summer, FS8 has opened its first-ever Hamptons pop-up studio, taking the workout to the popular New York summer destination and giving both locals and visitors the opportunity to experience the concept outside a traditional permanent studio setting.

Behind that growth is a relatively simple philosophy: build a body that doesn’t just perform well in the studio but moves better in everyday life.

As Jo Gomez, Director of Athletics, Pilates for FIT House — the company behind F45 Training, FS8 and VAURA — explains, FS8 was created to offer a more holistic approach to strength of both mind and body.

Its signature 3-in-1 format combines reformer and mat Pilates to build core strength and alignment, yoga-inspired movement to support mobility, flexibility and mindfulness, and resistance-based toning to develop functional strength.

The result is a workout designed to deliver the benefits of several different training modalities without having to schedule separate Pilates, strength and mobility sessions throughout the week.

The verdict

What we liked most about FS8 was that it didn’t feel as though it was trying to be Pilates, yoga, or traditional strength training.

It borrows intelligently from all three.

You leave feeling as though you’ve worked — particularly through the core and stabilising muscles — but also more mobile and connected to your body than you might after a conventional gym session.

For people trying to balance strength, flexibility, mobility and mindfulness within an already busy week, the 3-in-1 proposition makes a lot of sense.

And with FS8 now surpassing 100 studios globally, expanding across 18 countries and experimenting with destination concepts such as its first Hamptons pop-up, this Australian-born fitness brand clearly has ambitions well beyond the reformer studio.

Our biggest takeaway? Low impact doesn’t have to mean low intensity — and building strength doesn’t always require moving faster or lifting heavier.

Sometimes, it’s simply about learning to move better.

The post We Tried FS8: Inside the 3-in-1 Workout Blending Pilates, Yoga and Strength appeared first on Balance The Grind.

Thanks to the rise of hybrid work, modern professionals have become a generation that is mentally running marathons every day while physically standing completely still. Spending eight to ten hours hunched over a laptop quietly rewrites movement habits and daily energy levels.

Finding realistic ways to balance the physical toll of a busy career means looking beyond standard gym workouts. A close look at a one-on-one session with mobility specialist Ariel Comeau (founder of RMS Movement) at One Playground reveals a refreshing approach to how corporate workers can reclaim their physical health.

The Problem

An alarming pattern is emerging among corporate workers right now. People are constantly dealing with the exact same complaints: chronic lower back pain and severe afternoon fatigue.

The core issue is that traditional fitness isn’t fixing the damage done by a sedentary workday. Prolonged sitting actively slows down circulation, which dulls focus and makes decision-making harder.

This is why the focus of Ariel’s work is treated as a critical performance tool for anyone who does heavy mental work for a living. It is the missing link between physical health and mental sharpness.

Inside the Session

A one-on-one session with Ariel is built around a tailored mix of flexibility and deep strength work, but the real value is in the assessment and education. Instead of running through a generic list of exercises, she assesses your specific joints and individual mobility restrictions tailoring the entire session to exactly what your body needs.

By demonstrating how targeted movements can unlock that trapped tension, the session connects the dots between how the body moves and how the brain functions.

To read more about this specific training philosophy and how it applies to corporate professionals, take a look at the RMS Movement Lander.

Ariel has put together a quick but highly effective daily routine designed to slide easily into a busy workday.

To give the body some afternoon energy, have a look at Ariel’s Daily Mobility Routine here.

The post Inside a One-on-One Mobility Session at One Playground appeared first on Balance The Grind.

Shelley Friesen is the Founder of Melbourne Social Co and a mother of two who intimately understands the irony of running a social media agency while trying to manage screen time at home. With Australian children spending more than 20 hours a week on devices, Shelley offers an honest perspective on navigating the digital world without falling into a guilt spiral. Rather than pushing for unrealistic bans, she focuses on intentional transitions, active engagement, and practical boundaries.

In this interview, Shelley discusses why charging devices in a shared space makes a massive difference, how she resists the endless scroll, and why relying on an iPad during school holidays is sometimes just necessary survival mode.

With school holidays throwing daily routines out the window, screens often become the default babysitter for parents juggling work. As the Founder of Melbourne Social Co, how do you balance your own professional reliance on digital platforms with setting healthy screen boundaries at home?

There’s an obvious irony in being asked this question. I run a social media agency. My livelihood literally depends on people spending time on their phones. So I’m going to give you an honest answer rather than a polished one.

The truth is, I don’t always get it right. Some days during the school holidays, the spare iPhone absolutely becomes the default while I take a client call or push out a campaign. I’m not here to pretend otherwise. But what I’ve learned over the years, both as a founder and as a mum, is that guilt-spiralling about it doesn’t help anyone.

What I try to do instead is be intentional about the transitions. Screen time on, screen time off, and what we do in between. We live in the Macedon Ranges, so when the devices go away, we go outside. The garden, the paddocks, the playground across the road. There’s a natural reset that happens when you step away from a screen and into fresh air, and I try to use that as the rhythm rather than fighting against it constantly.

Professionally, I’ve also become more deliberate about not letting my work bleed into every family moment. I don’t have social media apps on my home screen anymore. It sounds small, but that extra friction matters.

Australian children are currently spending more than 20 hours a week on devices. Beyond just setting a timer, how can parents shift the focus from the length of screen time to the quality of what their kids are actually consuming?

Twenty hours a week sounds alarming until you realise that not all screen time is created equal. Watching a show together and talking about it afterwards is a completely different experience to a child disappearing into a solo scroll hole for hours.

The shift I’d encourage parents to make is from passive consumption to active engagement. Ask: is my child doing something, or just absorbing something? Are they creating, learning, connecting, or are they just being fed content in an endless loop?

One thing I’ve found helpful with my own kids is being curious rather than critical about what they’re watching or playing. Ask them to show you. Ask them to explain it. That simple act of engagement changes the nature of the screen time entirely, it becomes something shared rather than something they’re disappearing into alone.

Content curation also matters more than most parents realise. Setting up playlists, pre-approving apps, and guiding your child toward content that sparks curiosity or creativity gives you a lot more control over the quality without needing to referee every minute.

You mentioned that managing screen time is not about removing access entirely, but creating achievable boundaries. What is a practical example of a ‘small change’ a parent can implement today that actually makes a big difference?

Charge devices in a shared space, not bedrooms. 

It sounds too simple to be useful, but it’s genuinely one of the most impactful changes a family can make. When a phone or tablet lives in a bedroom, it becomes a private world with no natural ending. When it charges in the kitchen or the lounge room, there’s automatic accountability, and a natural curfew. Kids wind down, parents wind down, and the scroll doesn’t follow anyone to bed.

It also models something important: that screens have a place, and that place isn’t everywhere.  

Increased digital use is directly linked to poorer sleep, reduced physical activity, and wellbeing challenges. How do you recommend parents talk to their kids about these physical impacts without making the conversation feel like a punishment?

The moment it feels like a lecture, you’ve lost them. Kids are smart, they can smell a ‘screens are bad for you’ talk coming from a mile away, and they’ll shut down before you’ve finished your first sentence.

Conversations that actually work tend to start with curiosity, not consequences. ‘Have you noticed you feel a bit flat after a really long day on the iPad? What do you think that’s about?’ You’re inviting them to make the connection themselves rather than handing it to them pre-packaged.

I also think it helps to frame it around energy rather than rules. Bodies need to move to feel good. Sleep is what recharges everything. Screens can get in the way of both, not because they’re evil, but because they’re really good at keeping our brains switched on when our bodies need to switch off. That framing is much easier for kids to hold onto than a list of risks.

And lead by example. If your kids watch you reach for your phone the second you sit down, the conversation carries less weight. If they see you choosing a walk, or putting your phone down to read before bed, that’s the lesson landing in real time.

When you step away from running Melbourne Social Co for the day, what is your personal strategy for resisting the ‘scroll’ and setting a good example of offline engagement for your family?

I wish I could tell you I have a beautifully curated evening routine. I don’t. I’m a founder, a parent, and a person who is genuinely interested in what’s happening online, so the pull is real.

What actually works for me is having something to walk towards rather than just trying to walk away from the phone. If I’ve got a book I’m genuinely excited about, or a family dinner that has my full attention, or a walk planned with my kids after school, the phone becomes less magnetic. The problem is usually that we try to resist the scroll in a vacuum, and willpower alone doesn’t hold up very well.

I also write. My Substack is where I process a lot of what’s swirling around in my head, the juggle of building a business while raising a family. Writing forces me to be present and intentional in a way that scrolling never does.

The other thing I’ve genuinely committed to is keeping Sunday as offline as possible. Not perfectly, but as a goal. It gives the week a bookend, and it gives my kids something predictable.

Many parents feel immense guilt when relying on devices during stressful periods like the Easter break. What advice would you give to a parent who feels like they are currently losing the screen-time battle?

First: you’re not losing. You’re parenting in a time that nobody was prepared for, with technology that didn’t exist when most of us were growing up, without a rulebook, while also trying to do a hundred other things. Give yourself some credit.

Guilt is real, and I understand it. But guilt without action just compounds the stress. So instead of sitting with the feeling, choose one small thing to shift. Not an overhaul. Not a new family screen charter. Just one thing. The bedroom charging idea, an hour outside together in the afternoon, a device-free dinner. Something you can actually sustain.

The parents I see struggling most are usually the ones trying to flip everything overnight. They declare a total screen ban and then feel like failures when it inevitably doesn’t hold. Progress is better than perfection, and consistency over weeks beats intensity over a single day every time.

And honestly? Sometimes, especially during holidays, you need the iPad to get through the afternoon so you can keep your own head above water. That’s not failure. That’s survival mode, and survival mode is a legitimate mode to be in.

The goal isn’t zero screen time. It’s enough balance that everyone, including you, feels okay.

The post Shelley Friesen on Digital Boundaries and Surviving the School Holidays appeared first on Balance The Grind.

Kate Kirwin is the founder of She Codes Australia, an organization dedicated to empowering women with the skills and confidence to enter tech careers. Born in regional Western Australia, Kate has turned her passion for community building into a massive movement, providing coding education to thousands of women and issuing over 2.5 million dollars in scholarships. Her impactful work earned her the title of WA’s 2024 Young Australian of the Year.

In this interview, Kate shares why she built a community she could not find, how she manages the logistics of regional events, and why keeping a personal “wall of power” helps her stay grounded on the hard days.

You founded She Codes Australia to empower women with the skills and confidence to enter tech careers. Drawing from your background in charity and tech events, what was the initial spark that made you realize this specific community needed to be built?

I had no tech background going into this. I was 21, had just started working for a coworking space and surrounded by entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers. As a creative, I found tech fascinating – like adding the right ingredients together to make something unique. I started teaching myself but quickly found myself stuck.

Looking around at the communities that existed – there were none that were designed for me. There were highly technical meetups full of jargon and acronyms, and startup folks talking about products but nothing in the middle – for curious folks interested in learning. 

Being born in regional WA has clearly shaped your passion for supporting women in remote areas. How do you manage the logistical and energetic demands of reaching communities that are traditionally left out of the tech conversation?

Regional events are the hardest and most rewarding. It’s no secret that Western Australia is a big place, and that things get more expensive the further you go from Perth. Australia is quite unique in that regard; we have dispersed and distributed communities across a huge landmass. Western Australia is 3.7 times the size of Texas, with less than one-tenth of the population.

I just came back from Broome a few weeks back, where we held an event for more than a dozen local women. One came to the workshop with a dream to digitise the paper forms they use daily at the local surf club. Another runs the after-school STEM program at the local library. Another had recently built a drag-and-drop website in Shopify but needed support connecting her domain name to get the page live. There are so many talented people in our regions and they deserve the same access to opportunities as women in the city. 

She Codes has provided education to thousands and issued over $2.5 million in scholarships. With such a massive scale of impact, how do you personally measure success on a day-to-day basis without getting overwhelmed by the big numbers?

For me personally, it’s important for me to have a connection to the She Coders my work supports. Not their story, not the person they represent, but the actual woman. Sophie. Ellen. Sarah. Lucy. Carolyn. Kaycee. There are so many names I could mention. But to me that’s what impact is – seeing the difference I’ve made in their lives and the things they’ve shared with me. In my office I built myself a ‘wall of power’ which is a series of photos of moments I’ve felt powerful over my career.

Sometimes it’s the little things like an event I’m particularly proud of, and some are the big things – like meeting the Prime Minister at The Lodge over morning tea. My wall of power is the visual cue for me when it’s a hard day – if that previous Kate was powerful once, this current Kate can be powerful again too. I highly recommend everyone keep those moments somewhere accessible – a spreadsheet of wins, a note in your notes app, or a series of photos on your wall or in a photo album. 

Managing a growing organization and building thriving communities requires a lot of personal energy. What does your morning routine look like before you dive into emails and start making high-level decisions?

I wish I had one! I thrive on a little chaos (we call it Kate-os) and every day for me looks a little different. I have a few non-negotiables: my peanut butter cruskits, and the specific type of tea I start each morning with. I even pack my own teabags when I travel to have some on the plane, or in my hotel (don’t even get me started on the fact that hotels in the US don’t have kettles…).

You were named WA’s 2024 Young Australian of the Year and have won numerous other awards. Does that level of public recognition add extra pressure to your work, and how do you protect your mental health when the spotlight is on you?

During the Australian of the Year awards process they were very clear with us “this is a recognition, not a job”. I’m grateful for that line being drilled into us over and over again. I absolutely do think that we all have a responsibility to be good role models for future generations – regardless of our title or platform. Being a role model is such a privilege and an honour, and it’s not something I take lightly. At the end of the day though, we must put our own mask on before helping others. I have an incredible support network – my raft which keeps me floating. I know that group of women will give me a pep talk, or jump in and give me a hand if I ask them. 

Your motto is “Always Bring the Sparkle”. When your energy is running low and you need to recharge your own sparkle, what are your non-negotiable habits for switching off from work?

I love being in nature – a beach walk can put things in perspective, or listening to the birds chatting on a bush walk. I consider myself an ambivert: some days I get energy from spending time with others, and some days I need some quiet time with a cup of tea and TV. 

The post How She Codes Founder Kate Kirwin is Closing the Tech Gap in Regional Australia appeared first on Balance The Grind.

Nicole Cikarela is the CEO of The Push for Better Foundation and leads a team managing one of Australia’s most impactful mental fitness events. This June, over 200,000 Australians will complete 3,307 push-ups to raise awareness and funds for mental health. While the event has raised more than $70 million over the past decade, Nicole focuses on adapting her leadership to support a small but capable team of 25 people delivering international impact.

In this interview, she shares how she navigates the logistical reality of a massive digital event, why exercise is her non-negotiable tool for mental clarity, and how cooking the family meal helps her disconnect from the demands of a high-pressure role.

The Push-Up Challenge is celebrating its tenth year in Australia and has already raised over $70 million for mental health. How has your leadership style evolved as the event scaled to this massive national level?

I am still relatively new in this role, so for me it is less about evolving with the scale over ten years and more about quickly adapting my leadership to a small but incredibly capable team delivering something very big. We are a 25 person team, but the impact we create is international. That requires clarity, trust and focus.

In a small but mighty team, everyone carries real responsibility so I focus on setting clear priorities, removing obstacles and backing people to execute. I am also very conscious of protecting energy and culture. When you are operating at pace and scale, it’s easy to drift into constant pressure. I want our team to feel connected to the purpose, to look after their own wellbeing and to know that how we work matters just as much as what we deliver.

This June, over 200,000 Australians will take on 3,307 push-ups to support mental fitness. What is the logistical reality of managing an event with that many active participants across the country?

The reality is that it is complex, but it is also where being a digital organisation becomes a real strength. We are not managing a traditional event in physical locations. We are managing a national experience through technology, which changes everything.

Our platform, communications systems and data capabilities are at the centre of how we operate. Technology literacy is a cornerstone of my leadership because it allows us to scale without losing connection to our supporters, participants and donors. We need to understand our systems deeply, respond quickly when things go wrong and continuously improve stability, security and the user experience.

Behind the scenes is coordination across multiple moving parts. Customer support, communications, partnerships and product all have to work in sync. When you have hundreds of thousands of people engaging daily, small issues can become big very quickly, so reliability and responsiveness are critical.

At the same time, we never lose sight of the human side. Each participant is choosing to engage for their own reasons, often deeply personal ones connected to mental health. Our job is to make that experience seamless, supportive and motivating. The technology enables the scale, but the intention is always about helping people feel connected, supported and part of something bigger.

How do you personally incorporate physical activity into your daily routine to handle the pressure of running a major organization?

Exercise is a non-negotiable for me. It’s as much about mental clarity as it is about physical health. I start most days with movement, usually a run, yoga or a boxing class before the day takes over. It gives me space to think, reset and get ahead of the noise. I have struggled to create a lasting mediation habit, but exercise has the same effect for me. I try to build movement into the day in small ways, walking between meetings where I can or stepping out for fresh air. There is a real connection for me between exercise and how I show up as a leader. When I move, I’m calmer, more focused and better able to make decisions. It is also why I genuinely believe in what we promote through The Push-Up Challenge. Using exercise as a tool for mental health is something I live, not just talk about.

You are a strong advocate for the importance of work life balance when managing the demands of a big job. What are the strict boundaries you set to ensure you actually disconnect from the CEO role at the end of the day?

I try to be deliberate about protecting time with my family and community. Sometimes it works, other times it doesn’t! I don’t beat myself up over that. It all balances out over time.

Evenings are for being present, I get home and cook the family meal and then we sit down for dinner. That act of meal preparation signals the end of the work day, and gives me space for the evening ahead.

Weekends, where possible, are about connection. You will find me at a sporting club (footy or basketball), spending time with friends or family or catching up with my book club. Those routines ground me and remind me that there is more to life than work. It makes me a better leader because I come back with perspective and energy.

We always love knowing how leaders start their day. What does your morning routine look like before you check your inbox or dive into meetings?

I guard my mornings quite closely. I start with movement, usually outside, which helps me reset and think clearly before the day begins.  I try not to open my inbox or Slack straight away. 

Then it’s a routine of getting the kids organised, lunches packed, off to school and then starting my work day. A few quiet minutes on the drive to work to think about what my priorities for the day makes a difference. My calendar guides my movements from there. If it’s not in the diary, it’s unlikely to happen. 

Leading a mental health organisation means you are constantly surrounded by heavy and important topics. How do you protect your own mental energy and avoid the emotional burden of this space?

It is something I am very conscious of. The work is important and it can feel like a responsibility, so I focus on a few things to stay balanced. 

Firstly, I keep perspective by staying connected to the positive impact, the lives changed and the communities engaged. 

Secondly, I prioritise my own wellbeing through exercise, sleep and connection. Good sleep is critical for me. Without it, everything feels harder. 

Finally, I lean into my support networks. Peers, managers and advocates for advice. There are very few challenges that others have not dealt with in some way. Getting diverse views on challenges and opportunities is invaluable. Those connections are not just nice to have, they are essential. They help me recharge so I can continue to show up fully in a role that matters.

The post Nicole Cikarela on Leading The Push-Up Challenge and Protecting Her Energy appeared first on Balance The Grind.

Sumeet Saigal captured the hearts of Australian viewers on MasterChef 2024 with her calm confidence and an instinctive grasp of spice that earned her the nickname “Sauce Boss.” Before the television screens and the upcoming launch of her debut sauce range, Sumeet was balancing a career in sales while raising teenage twins.

Taking a massive leap of faith to pursue her passion for food, she has become an inspiring voice for migrants and creatives looking to reinvent themselves.

In this interview, Sumeet discusses the reality of traditional Punjabi cooking, her strategy for managing high-stress environments, and why she believes the concept of being “too late” simply does not exist.

Leaving a stable career in sales to compete on MasterChef Australia while raising teenage twins is a massive leap of faith. What was the exact turning point that made you finally decide to back yourself and pursue food full-time?

Being in the food industry was always my passion. Somewhere inside me I always knew it was my calling. Competing on MasterChef was also always on my to do list! The turning point that got me to put my hat in the ring and take the chance was my conversation with my son when I saw the invitation for applications for the upcoming season of MasterChef aired on TV. Whilst I was filled with self-doubt, my son was completely confident in me making it on the show and acing it. That was my turning point when I thought, I must do it for the faith my child has in me.

You earned the affectionate nickname “Sauce Boss” on the show, and now you are actually preparing to launch your debut range of four sauces in April. How are you managing the intense transition from being a home cook on television to running a fast-paced food product business?

It truly is a leap of faith! That’s it! Giving up the safety of living in the shadows and comfort of being a home cook to coming out in the open to reveal even the most vulnerable parts of myself, challenging my weaknesses and honing my strengths on the brink of success or failure is a huge risk. There most definitely is fear! But what gets me up and committed to this every day is that my faith is stronger than my fears! Every time fears or doubts creep in, faith shoos them away pretty quickly!

Growing up, food was central to your family life, celebration, and connection. Now, as a busy entrepreneur with teenage twins, what does dinnertime actually look like in your house on a chaotic weeknight?

Mealtimes are always peaceful. We take the time to sit at the dining table and have dinner. In these busy times, meal prep has become even more important. I usually try and have my dinners for the upcoming few days planned beforehand so that there isn’t a rush or ramble – I am generally prepared for the inevitable “what’s for dinner” question! 

Your mission is to challenge outdated perceptions and show that Indian-inspired food can be light, versatile, and perfectly suited to an Aussie BBQ. What is the biggest misconception you think people still have about traditional Punjabi cooking?

Traditional Punjabi cooking is homestyle, slow-cooked and simple. There is a deep consideration for seasonal produce. Punjab is the food bowl of the Indian subcontinent, and the farmers of the land deeply understand the crops, vegetables and seasonality. The culture revolves so much around the farming seasons. Punjabi cooking in popular culture has somehow become known for being heavy on cream, suitable only in the winter and heavily focused on butter chicken. 

Whereas it is quite the opposite. It is a cuisine which is meant to be eaten year-round, characterised by its use of leafy vegetables, cauliflower, mustard, corn and a variety of lentils and legumes.

Between the MasterChef kitchen and competing at the World Food Championships for two consecutive years, you are certainly no stranger to high-pressure environments. What is your personal strategy for staying calm and grounded when the clock is ticking and the stress is high?

It’s a learned behaviour. Our lives teach us to cope with stressful environments, and we all develop our own unique coping mechanisms. I feel like my coping mechanism with any stressful situation is to totally zone in, break it down into bite-sized pieces and clearly mark what is and is not in my control. This allows me to not get overwhelmed with the stress of the ticking clock! Panic can be saved after the crisis is dealt with. 

You have become such an inspiring voice for “late-blooming creatives” and migrants looking to reinvent themselves. What practical advice would you give someone who feels it is too late in life to completely change careers and pursue their passion?

I tend to take a philosophical yet extremely empowering approach to this. The word “late” should almost be redundant in this context. Every flower blossoms at the right time, therefore the question of late does not apply. I am an absolute and firm believer of “if you can dream it, you can do it”. So my humble and very practical advice is “go forth and blossom”!

The post How MasterChef’s Sauce Boss Turned a Leap of Faith Into a Culinary Career appeared first on Balance The Grind.

Aleesha Naxakis refuses to stay in one lane. As a PR consultant, she navigates six-month plans and corporate KPIs; as the founder of a children’s entertainment business, she brings magic and childlike wonder to the weekends; and as a National Finalist for Ms. Galaxy Australia, she is using the runway to advocate for youth mental health.

Self-described as the “hardest working hedonist,” Aleesha has built a life where intense logistical organization creates the ultimate freedom for spontaneity, joy, and profound community impact. In this interview, she discusses her fierce boundaries around sleep, how international volunteering in South Africa and Nepal shaped her empathetic leadership, and why true success is leaving a legacy of joy.

You launched a PR consulting firm in 2023 and a children’s entertainment business in 2024, all while preparing for a national pageant. How do you juggle the demands of being a dual business owner with the intense preparation required for Ms. Galaxy Australia without burning out?

I won’t lie… It is a LOT. But I truly believe that being even very busy is manageable when it’s fuelled by passion. Everything I do, I do because I love and am genuinely interested.

I prevent burnout by designing my life to allow for the most joy possible. I’m possibly the hardest working hedonist, or most hedonistic hardworker, you’ll meet. I work long days to create a life full of beauty, travel, and laughter. I have the PR brain that loves a six-month plan and a spreadsheet, but I have the heart of a children’s entertainer who wants to find the magic in every single possible moment. I work hard because I want to play hard. 

Logistically, I’m incredibly organised and often have the next couple of weeks planned out to a T. This creates the mental space for me to stay present while ensuring I don’t drop the ball on any of my projects. 

People often have a very traditional, outdated view of what a “beauty pageant” looks like. What made the Australia Galaxy Pageants system stand out to you, and how does its focus on community service align with your own professional values?

What really drew me to Australia Galaxy Pageants was its focus on being the best version of yourself, which is a value I hold very deeply on both a personal and professional level. In PR, we’re always looking at KPIs and growth, and Galaxy applies that same rigor to personal development and community impact. It’s not about a standard of beauty but rather a standard of leadership. 

As a PR consultant, I help brands find their voice and their ‘why’. Galaxy does the same for women. It provides a megaphone for the causes we care about. My professional values are centred on authentic communication and service, so joining a system that rewards style with substance felt like a perfect alignment. 

You have raised over $1,500 for the youth mental health organization batyr. Since mental health is such a core pillar of your campaign, what are the personal boundaries or daily habits you rely on to protect your own mental wellbeing when your schedule gets chaotic?

Second to nothing is sleep. I am a FIERCE advocate for quality sleep. Especially as a woman. We need much more sleep than is commonly believed. I defend my rest and sleep with my life. You can’t build an empire, a community platform, or a successful business, on an empty tank. I say yes to life but I say yes to rest first. Always.

Pilates, nature walks, quality food and intuitive eating, stretching and meditation are my favourite tools in my toolkit. They are the anchors that keep me grounded when the grind gets intense. However, the real secret is my willingness to dissolve a plan in a minute for a spontaneous moment of connection or a unique experience. If a friend needs to chat or there’s a rainbow in the sky, I will drop EVERYTHING. Being super organised actually gives me the space to be impulsive. 

And finally, I seek out laughter as if it’s a vital nutrient because for me, it really is. 

From wildlife conservation in South Africa to teaching English in Nepal, you have a deeply global perspective and are even learning your fifth language. How have those international experiences shaped the way you lead your businesses and approach your community work back home in Sydney?

Travelling the world and learning different languages has taught me that humanity is sacred. My international volunteering experiences have taught me that everyone is looking for the same things: connection, joy, and a sense of purpose.

This global heart is what drives my local work. In my businesses, I don’t just see clients or customers, I see people with stories. It has made me a more empathetic communicator and a more resilient entrepreneur. It reminds me that there is a massive world out there, which keeps my daily stressors in perspective. Life on Earth is an unlikely, beautiful journey and I lead with gratitude every single day. 

The “Eco Fashion” component sounds like a lot of fun. You are tasked with taking secondhand items and upcycling them into a “Denim & Diamonds” runway outfit. As someone who is usually managing corporate PR campaigns, has this hands-on, creative project been a welcome outlet for you?

Big time! Getting my hands dirty whether it’s in the garden, through creative outlets like painting and colouring, or working on the Eco Fashion component of the pageant is the ultimate brain break for me. 

Upcycling a secondhand find into a runway ready piece is a physical manifestation of my niche; finding beauty and humour in the unexpected. Plus, it challenges the idea that luxury has to be expensive. True luxury is creativity and sustainability.

Looking ahead to May, if you take home the national title and pack your bags for the United States, what is the number one message you want to share on the international stage about modern Australian female entrepreneurs?

My message is that you do not have to stay in one lane. You can be a strategic marketing consultant, a whimsical children’s entertainer, and a community advocate all at once. 

I want to show the world that we are a generation that leads with empathy, values sustainability, and, above all, never loses our sense of childlike wonder. We are proving that the most successful grind is the one that leaves a legacy of joy.

The post Why Aleesha Naxakis Defends Sleep With Her Life appeared first on Balance The Grind.

Yvonne Ralph didn’t set out to build a business on grief, but a conversation on her daughter’s back deck changed everything. Pivoting from general gifts to memorial tributes, Yvonne transformed Chain Valley Gifts into one of Australia’s largest personalized memorial businesses. Drawing from the heartbreaking loss of her own daughter, Jessica, Yvonne now works alongside her surviving daughters to provide tangible comfort to thousands. Here, she explains why you should never send flowers to a grieving friend, how to find purpose in pain, and why saying “I don’t know what to say” is better than staying silent.

You’ve turned immense personal loss into something that brings comfort to others. What do you remember about the moment you decided to focus your business on memorial gifts? How did that shift change the way you approached your work? 

As a small family business we had tried several different strategies to grow but still hadn’t found the “thing” that would make the difference. 

I remember sitting on my daughters’ back deck one weekend, talking about the business, talking about the parts we loved and the parts we didn’t. The customers we could connect to and the difficult customers, the parts of the business that bring joy and fulfilment and the parts that were plain hard work.  

It’s like Cassie and I came to the same conclusion at exactly the same time. The thing that we loved, the customers that we could connect with, the thing that brought joy was creating meaningful tributes for people who were grieving. This was something that we could be truly proud of, something that we both knew would make a difference to those people.  

As corny as it sounds, I always had this deep feeling that I was put on this earth to make a difference. Although I knew I had done that in small ways my whole life, I suddenly knew that this was my calling – it just felt right. 

Work was different after that day. Decisions were much easier to make because we had a clear path to follow. It became more than a way to make a wage, it was a way to touch people at a time when they needed support and to be heard. 

My favourite part of the business is creating new products that can help ease their grief in some small way and talking to customers who are grieving themselves or wanting to support a friend who is grieving. 

Holding space for grief every day can be deeply emotional. How do you protect your own energy and find moments of peace while helping others through such sensitive experiences? 

Grief never leaves you, you learn and adapt to live your life with it. I admit that sometimes it gets to me, especially when it’s a young child that has died and I have shed a few tears, but deep down I know that what we do does make a difference. 

My work fills my soul. Even when I talk to a customer and can feel their grief, their sadness, I know that simply by taking the time to talk to them, to listen to their story, I have made a difference to their day. That alone is enough to fill my soul. We also get tons of emails and reviews from customers thanking us for providing them with a way to honour their loved ones, So although it can be sad, it is an amazing business to be involved in. 

Chain Valley Gifts began as a small family venture and has now grown into one of Australia’s largest memorial gift businesses. What has it been like building this with your daughters, and how has that shared purpose shaped your family? 

Like any small business, there have been ups and downs. There have been a few lean years which were tough but I feel so lucky to work with two of my daughters.  

Although all my children are now adults, with their own lives, I am part of my daughters’ lives on a daily basis. We joke and winge and even gossip sometimes, but I get to hear about everything that goes on in their lives, that is a blessing. 

My eldest daughter Cassie has three children, the youngest with severe special needs and the business allows her the time she needs to care for her family. She has the freedom to work from home if one of the children are sick or during the school holidays whilst still giving her the mental stimulation of running a business. We call it a lifestyle business because together we make it work around our lives. 

We get along great, most of the time, and are generally aligned with business decisions. We all have our own areas of expertise and work collaboratively to grow the business. 

I think that because grief has been part of our lives for so long, shifting our business focus into memorial gifts was a natural progression that felt right for us all. 

You’ve described creating keepsakes as a way to help others feel connected to their loved ones. What have you learned about the healing power of something tangible during grief? 

I believe that one of the scariest things you feel, when grieving, is that you or others might forget the loved one. Having a tangible keepsake can be a physical connection, something to touch, smell or look at. Something that keeps the loved one in the present, a connection to the love that continues after death. This gives a form for the love and creates a safe haven for their grief to be expressed. 

It could be a candle that you light each night, a garden plaque where you can sit quietly, a cushion to hug or a photo, all of which say “you are here- you are loved”. This safe haven allows the nervous system to calm down so memories can surface without the fear of sweeping you away. 

Keepsakes can also form rituals which can bring a quiet sense of control when everything seems to be out of your control. Over time, the ritual becomes a bridge between “then” and “now,” allowing love to be expressed in a new form. 

The other side is sympathy gifts, when a friend gives a memorial gift to their grieving friend it says “I’m here for you, I care” and that is one of the most important things a grieving person can hear. 

Through your grief counselling and coaching training, what insights have stood out about how people process loss — and how creativity or ritual can support that process? 

Grief is love with nowhere to go. Everybody experiences grief differently and at their own pace, there are no short cuts, no way of avoiding the pain, no right way to grief and no wrong way (although some may experience prolonged grief which needs professional intervention) 

It is like the end of that chapter of your life and now you have to start to write a new chapter. You need to learn to live your life without that person there, you need to find a new direction or purpose for your life. Creativity plays an important part at this stage, journaling or art can be a good way to help express your grief while finding a new hobby can help begin a new path 

In the early stages of grief days blur and past routines collapse, nothing is how it should be and you feel overwhelmed by emotions and the illusion control, we all thought we had, vanishes. By implementing small rituals, you bring back a sense of control, a moment of calm in the day, a time to remember and grieve that is contained by the ritual. It begins to build a new connection to the loved one and teaches your mind and body that remembrance has a place in everyday life. 

Shared rituals, like telling stories, sharing a favourite meal or listening to their favourite music, creates connection to others who share your grief and makes you feel you are not carrying it alone. 

Creating rituals is a way of containing the grief, it doesn’t lessen the pain but creates a repeatable pattern of remembrance to carry forward. 

For those wanting to support a friend or loved one who’s grieving but don’t know where to start, what’s one thing you wish more people understood about how to show care? 

Wow, that’s a big one… Just be there and be ready to listen. And I don’t mean just that first week or month, be there for them for as long as it takes, show up regularly, remember special days like birthdays, anniversaries and Holidays as these days can be especially difficult. Don’t judge or try to fix anything – there is no fixing grief.  

When my youngest daughter Jessica died, many of my friends did not know what to say, so they avoided me. I even had one friend cross the road to avoid having to speak to me. 

There was one lady from school, who, at the time, wasn’t a close friend, showed up at my house and simply said “I don’t know what to say, but I just wanted to be here for you” That honesty was so refreshing after all the platitudes that it put me at ease and enabled me to speak openly about my feelings. 

Don’t send flowers, they die and it is another reminder of their loss. If you want to give a gift, choose one with meaning that shows you care, one that will last longer than a week or two and will bring a sense of support. 

The post The One Thing Grieving People Actually Need appeared first on Balance The Grind.

At 60, Celine Egan, CEO of Juice Plus+ ANZ, is tired of being asked when she’s going to retire. Viewing her first four decades in the workforce as merely an “apprenticeship,” Celine is now challenging the “quiet ageism” that pushes experienced women toward the exit door just as they hit their stride. Here, she discusses the “Second Half on FIRE” movement, the economic imperative of hiring women over 55, and why she believes sixty is a green light to build something extraordinary.

You’ve spoken about being constantly asked when you’ll retire — and how that question reflects a quiet ageism many women face. How do you personally respond to it, and what do you wish people would ask instead?

I often respond with a smile and say, ‘Sixty is a green light, not a red light!’ While I know the question is usually well-meaning, it carries the subtle sting of an outdated assumption that women over a certain age should be eagerly winding down. I see it as a symptom of a quiet ageism that too frequently greets empowered women. 

Instead of asking when I’m retiring, I wish people would ask me: ‘What extraordinary thing are you building next?’ That question acknowledges my decades of experience as an asset and recognises that for many women in this demographic, the need for purpose, work, and connection within our community is stronger than ever. We’re not looking for a rocking chair, we’re looking for a bigger platform. 

You’ve described women in their 50s and 60s as being “on fire” in the second half of life. What does that phrase mean to you, and how has your own sense of purpose evolved at this stage of your career?

The phrase ‘second half women on FIRE’ is about reclaiming our purpose, power, and wealth on our own terms. It means we are focused, inspiring, radiant, and energised by the opportunity to turn decades of lived and professional experience into our greatest advantage. We’re not slowing down; we’re hitting our stride. 

My own sense of purpose has shifted from just building a successful business to one of fierce advocacy. The first half of my career was about the ‘apprenticeship’, learning the ropes, building businesses from an accounting technician role to CEO. Now, my purpose is two-fold: to lead Juice Plus+ with impact over hype, and to use my platform to champion age inclusion, especially for the one in seven women over 55 who are struggling to find meaningful work despite their wisdom and qualifications. I am here to build something extraordinary, and that includes building a movement and support for our community.

You’ve built your career from accounting technician to CEO over four decades. Looking back, what lessons or qualities from your early career have become your biggest strengths now?

My earliest years as an accounting technician in Dublin instilled an absolute dedication to detail, financial discipline, and foundational structure. That rigour is critical in a CEO role.

However, the greatest strength that emerged was from my side-gig in direct selling, the original gig economy. That taught me the power of community-first leadership and the importance of human connection.

My core strengths today are:

• The ‘why’: Understanding the intrinsic motivation, the $500 a month that pays for school sports, rather than just the ‘six-figure stories.’ This is about leading with heart. 

• Resilience and reinvention: Having successfully navigated the industry for 40 years, I’ve learned to adapt, be a lifelong learner, and lead with courage and heart, which is essential for challenging the status quo. I believe in the power of small changes and continuous growth.

Many women over 55 want to keep working, but face barriers in finding meaningful opportunities. What needs to change — in workplaces, leadership, or culture — to better support them?

The primary barrier is clear: ageism. We are sacrificing wisdom, perspective, and an immense economic opportunity by sidelining this powerful cohort.

What needs to change involves workplaces, leaders, and the culture at large.

• Workplaces must see the value, not the number. We need a shift in mindset to view women over 55 not as ‘older,’ but as a vast, untapped pool of talent ready to contribute. Leaders must actively hire for wisdom and experience, knowing that women deserve to feel strong, supported, and energised. (Focus: Uses Celine’s key phrase)

• Women over 55 are hungry for purpose, work, and community. Recognising that flexibility and autonomy are key drivers, the same elements that powered the original gig economy, will attract and retain this talent.

• Culturally, we must redefine the narrative. We need to move beyond the myth of the slow-down (for those that don’t want to). The statistics are sobering, this demographic is the fastest-growing group experiencing homelessness. Investing in their employment is not just a personal injustice issue, it’s an economic imperative. In Australia, employing 5% more people over 55 would grow the economy by $48 billion annually. We all benefit when women are empowered and respected for their experience. 

You’ve said the first half of your life was an apprenticeship and now you’re building something extraordinary. What are you most excited about creating or contributing in this next chapter?

I am most excited about building two things that are deeply intertwined: impact and advocacy.

First, continuing to lead Juice Plus+ with purpose, focusing on the social impact of initiatives like the Healthy Starts Program and championing ethical, community-led business practices in the direct selling space.

Second, being a voice for age inclusion and women’s empowerment. I want to shift the conversation about why 60 is just the beginning and inspire women to reclaim their purpose and wealth on their own terms. This is about creating a life that feels good from within. 

On a more personal note, how do you look after your energy and wellbeing while leading a company and challenging the status quo? What daily habits or rituals keep you motivated and grounded?

Leading a company in the health and wellness space is incredibly energising, but you have to be disciplined about replenishing your fuel tank. For me, wellbeing is non-negotiable and it’s deeply rooted in the philosophy of the Juice Plus+.

I live by the healthy living principles we promote at Juice Plus+. That means consistent, high-quality nourishment to sustain energy for my demanding schedule.

Despite living in a hyperconnected world, isolation is a growing problem. My daily rituals focus on genuine human connection. Whether it’s connecting with my team, family, or partners, belonging is what keeps me grounded. And this is all wrapped in time for reflection and prayer each day that truly sets the tone for how I want to show up and be each day. There’s nothing more important than how we feel each day. I am a lifelong learner, holding a Graduate Certificate in Management and accredited coaching credentials. I make time for learning and personal growth, which keeps my mind sharp and motivated. 

The post “Don’t Ask Me When I’m Retiring”: Celine Egan on Quiet Ageism appeared first on Balance The Grind.