Celebrity wellness expert & Biggest Loser personal trainer, Libby Babet, entered the health & fitness world after discovering she had chronic hypertension (blood pressure three times the normal level). Libby reversed these numbers with a lifestyle overhaul.
Celebrity wellness expert & Biggest Loser personal trainer, Libby Babet, entered the health & fitness world after discovering she had chronic hypertension (blood pressure three times the normal level). Libby reversed these numbers with a lifestyle overhaul.
Find inspiration as we talk to Libby Babet in our #StrongHealthyWomen interview.
Hi Libby! Thank you for being part of the Health and Fitness Travel, Strong, Healthy Women Interview Series, where we are shining a light on the importance of self-care, not as an indulgence but a necessity to reduce stress and general health issues.
Is there such a thing as a typical day for you and what does that look like?
I’m involved with multiple businesses, so my day is rarely typical! I usually start my day running classes at my own studio, BUF Girls in Bondi (super fun to-the-beat workouts tailored to the female body, which every gal needs to try, so satisfying!) so I’m out of bed by 4:30am and at the studio by 5:15am. I lead the workouts so I can’t have a lot in my stomach but a Chief Bar or Beauty Food collagen bite (two super yummy and healthy products I created) gets me through until I can have breakfast with my 14-month-old daughter, Izzy, around 8:30am. Or, if it’s a day-care day I’ll drop her off (twice a week) and then indulge in a cheeky café breakfast around 9am and do some planning. After that I’ll usually teach another mid-morning class or two, then the rest of the day is for meetings and business, then it’s back to Izzy and prepping her dinner ready for the hubby to take over if I’m teaching at night, or a fun evening play at the park and dinner all together if I have the night off!
Can you share a time when you felt your well-being was challenged in the past and what did you do to overcome it?
Honestly, I’ve had a lot of these moments! When I was in my mid-20s I had a hypertension (high blood pressure) crisis, in my 30s I had major fertility issues and I had a tough birth with Izzy and a long road back to full health afterwards. I feel like with any crisis, be it business or health or personal, if you can approach it with curiosity rather than emotion, it serves you really well. Instead of “I am unhealthy, I am overwhelmed, I am sick” etc… ask “What can I do to make this situation better? What could I learn here? How can I use this situation to improve my long-term health? What is the blessing in this?”. My blood pressure crisis ended up leading me to a career in health and fitness and launching 4 businesses. My fertility struggles have helped me understand women’s hormones a lot more deeply and I program for women much more smartly because of this and am able to guide women better as they explore starting a family themselves. And the difficult birth ended up helping me become a much better guide for women repairing their bodies after baby. I’m grateful for them all!
What does being healthy mean to you and how do you keep this at the forefront when life gets unavoidably busy?
Being healthy to me means feeling resilient and robust, able to handle anything life throws at you physically and mentally. It’s NOT about body shape, it’s NOT about restriction, it’s about being well rested and well fed enough to feel naturally energised, make good decisions with a clear headspace and be in control of your emotional state It’s about moving your body often enough to enjoy the feeling of strength that brings and having that time where your mind is clear and your body is singing – movement is honesty like a happy pill for me… and for everyone else to be honest!
Have you ever taken a holiday specifically for your well-being? Can you share what the experience was like?
I actually run events specifically created to improve both wellbeing and business performance – Nurture Her and Nurture360, annually in Fiji! These events refresh my body and soul every year and although they’re hard work in the lead up (we take over 150 people to each event), I’m able to relax, connect, learn and enjoy once we’re there – the best!
Every woman’s idea of self-care is different, tell us about yours.
I’m a big personality in business, but very much a quiet, introvertish type in my personal life. I really don’t like parties or late dinners out, or big social commitments. My idea of self-care is a full day with nothing to do by be with my family, doing whatever comes up for us (and that always starts with brunch!). It’s a long walk with a backpack full of supplies (Chief Bar and Beauty Food of course!) to hang out wherever we end up all day. It’s a surf while someone’s minding Izzy or cuddling up on the couch with my hubby and a good movie, or cuddling up with myself and a good book! I’m a big reader and I always know life is stressful when there’s no time to read. I also love just having space to play and be really present with Izzy, with no work or other commitments… kids really make you stop and smell the roses… and look at the moon… and cuddle deeply. For me, it really is the simple things!
Want to tell your story? Reach out to us via info@healthandfitnesstravel.com.au and be featured as our next strong, healthy woman.
