Answering some of your questions!!

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What made you choose to live in Miami vs NYC, LA, CHI, etc?

I joke that Andy hoodwinked me into it (he was living here when we met), but the reality is that it’s an awesome place for our kids. They are outside the whole year - swimming, fishing, and playing sports. We live 7 minutes from the beach. It really is a dream life for a kid. I have a love-hate relationship with this city, mainly because of the damn heat. Have you ever tried running 18 miles in Florida in August? DO NOT. I’m a bit of a nomad by nature so I’m always pitching a move to a new city, but I also get how insane that is with 3 kids in school. It’s not like we can just move right back if I’m not into it after a month, you know? Anyway, Miami might not be forever but it is pretty damn great most of the time, and we are happy here for now.

How do you balance mum/work life and the pressure of being in the entertainment industry?

Balance is a triggering term for me because it makes me feel like there should be this sweet spot when it comes to work and family, and if you haven’t found it you’re doing something wrong. The reality is that it’s a swinging pendulum. Some days you’re building forts and swinging from monkey bars, and you don’t reply to a single email. Other days you’re in a flow state with work and your kids are banging at the door begging you to play with them. It’s taken me a few years to find a rhythm, but at the end of the day my highest priority is my family. As long as I stand by that and show up for them in the moments that matter, I’m ok with whatever professional outcome that generates. Perhaps that means I don’t get to be as successful as I’d hoped, or that I don’t get to take an acting job that shoots for 9 months in another country. I’ve come to terms with it. I’ll keep working and aiming for creative and intellectual fulfillment (because I know that makes me a better mum), but I’m never going to do that at the expense of my family. In fact, I have a vision board that I stare at every day with all of my hopes and dreams, and in the centre is a picture of the 5 of us with the phrase family first. I’m 100% committed to that.

Can you share your running routine and average pace? How long have you been running?

I’ve been running since my late teens. It’s like a religion for me. I’m obsessed with it in a way that is hard to explain because I love it so much but I also hate it?? Like 8 out of 10 runs just suck balls. I guess if you weren’t trying to get faster or hit certain mileage goals, it would be a lovely experience. Nice zone 2 runs every day. No pressure.

The problem for me is that I usually have a goal in mind which requires WORK. My last marathon I ran in 3 hrs 42 mins with an average pace of 8 mins 30 seconds per mile (5 mins 17 seconds per km). When I started my training block, that pace was hard for me to hold for even a few miles. It takes work to get faster but it’s possible! I’ve had to rebuild my fitness many times so I know it requires patience, but it always comes back. I plan to write another piece on running/the marathon in the future so let me know if you have other specific questions!

What do I do if my man is very close with his ex?

I meannnn there’s so much nuance to this question. My husband is still really close with one of his exes and I think she’s amazing. I’m super close to a boyfriend from my early 20s and my husband loves him. I think it just depends on how the relationship ended. Do you suspect lingering feelings? If so, you need to talk about it, otherwise it’ll go down a path you’re not going to like. Respect and boundaries are important, but you can have those without being cray or controlling. If you’re confident in yourself and your relationship, I don’t see any harm in him being friends with someone he used to date. They broke up for a reason, ya know? HOWEVER, if your intuition is telling you something and you don’t feel good about what’s going on, trust yourself. Plenty more fish in the sea!

Could you share your pre- and post-run stretches?

I absolutely suck at this. I’m lucky if I do a few hip circles and calf raises before I bolt. It’s SO bad. Once I get back into a marathon training block, I really try to prioritize the warm up so I don't get injured... but for now it’s the wild west. I’ll revisit when I have an actual program to share but until then you can go on Youtube or IG and find lots!

Is it true that you used to have a relationship with Joseph? Or is it just a rumor?

I have never ever had a relationship with a costar. Ever. Not even a hook up lol.

I love your discipline, how did you get it?

I dunno maybe some trauma? JK I think I was just conditioned that way as a kid. I was super dedicated to martial arts which really helped with discipline, and then I started working a full time job at a young-ish age. There was no time to mess around. I had to show up for work at 5am, learn all my lines, finish my school work. It was a lot. But I’m glad for that conditioning because I think it’s the reason I’ve achieved a lot of my goals. Just like Andy always says to our kids: you can't cut corners.

As someone who does a lot of cardio, what do you do to build muscle?

Listen, I’ve been trying to build an ass for a decade and I still don’t have one so I’m not sure I’m an authority figure here, but I’ve definitely been able to build a little muscle in other parts of my body whilst keeping up my cardio. I lift heavy weights 2-3 times a week, eat a lot of protein, take creatine, and try to train to failure. I recently started working out with a trainer at the gym and that’s really helped because I have access to heavier loads than I do at home. I also love online programs (especially Linsday Harrod) and think you can get a great outcome for a reasonable price.

How did you find the transition from 2 to 3 kids? I’m due with baby number 3 in January and I'm so nervous.

I love it so so so so so so so (there aren't enough so’s to properly articulate this feeling) much. I am beyond happy I chose to go for number 3. I really feel like we are a complete unit now. That’s not to say it wasn’t challenging - it can be especially hard on your relationship. 3 feels like a lot more than 2. You just gotta remind yourself that everything is a phase and you will eventually sleep again or go on a date again or wash your hair again or go to the toilet alone again. Remind yourself that you don’t have to do it on your own and try to build a good support system around yourself if you can. It’s all worth it. Also, don’t tell my older 2, but the 3rd child is the coolest.

Tell us about how you haven't enjoyed being pregnant? I want kids but I’m scared of pregnancy.

I shared a lot on The Corner during my last pregnancy (so if you feel like a deep dive you can go back and read), but the TLDR is that I just wasn’t a great pregnant person. I was so sick with both my boys - not Elle, surprisingly, but she was a covid baby so that had its own challenges. I felt really out of control of my body, and just didn't enjoy what felt to me like “restrictions." I get it, growing a baby is a beautiful thing and you need to have grace for yourself - but that’s just not something I’m good at. I was annoyed that I couldn’t run or jump or chase my kids the way I wanted to. I was upset that I hurled my guts up all the time. I didn’t like that my ribs were a punching bag, or that I had a boulder on my bladder. With that being said, I would absolutely do it all over again to get James, Elle, and Ford. They are so beyond worth every minute of struggle and pain. At the end of the day, the sacrifices were an honor. I am so lucky to be their mum. So yes I hated pregnancy, but I am also so infinitely grateful that I got to do it.

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