Hello there,
This week I am delighted to introduce you to one of Australia’s leading Nutritionists and Author Lola Berry. “Walking the Talk” on Women’s health and wellness, this lady is brimming with passion and authenticity. Lola marches to the beat of her own drum; she’s down to earth yet has a wealth of knowledge on all things health related.
Lola’s mission – to become the Steve Irwin of fruits and vegetables (love that!). Lola’s bubbly, light-hearted personality shines through on her TV, Radio and Video appearances – you can’t help but feel like she’s sitting in your own kitchen sharing a few of her gems with you.
Q/ Can you tell us about your journey to where you are now in life? Were there any major turning points that brought you to living a life dedicated to health and wellness?
A/ Well I’m a mega health nerd, but haven’t always been this way. I used to be a DJ, make-up artist and fashion stylist all rolled into one, and although I was having loads of fun I wasn’t living from the heart. I’d wake up in the morning and feel empty.
One day I decided to go on a summertime detox and started feeling awesome. I was blown always but how good I could feel and I stared just reading about superfoods in any spare moment I had. I was so intrigued by it all!
Then I started studying a bachelor of health science. I didn’t think I was smart enough to get through, but I just dove into the deep end and 3 months in I decided I’d be the Steve Irwin of fruits and veggies – I had always admired his passion, drive, enthusiasm and authenticity. And so I got 3 jobs: working in a health store, waitressing, and cleaning toilets, then saved up enough money to buy a video camera that I’d talk to each day.
After that we filmed a web series, then morning TV came along. Then the books, then I’ve been lucky enough to film and travel all over the world, so I am feeling very lucky to be living my dream.
My aim is to be the best version of myself and I hope that can inspire others to do the same. Simple.
Q/ I was fortunate to attend one of your yoga classes where you spoke about the importance of finding your dharma. Can you tell us more about this and share what your own dharma is?
A/ Ahhh.. Dharma..One of my favourite words in the entire world. Dhama is the natural flow for you, your bliss, passion, the things you love most. You have to follow your dharma, you just have to, it’s so important! If you’re not following your bliss then you probably won’t live up to your full potential and you probably won’t succeed in making those dreams come true!
Q/ You have written a book called the 20/20 diet – how to lose 20kgs in 20 weeks, which you personally achieved. Can you share a few simple adjustments people can make in their lives to help them lose weight and keep it off?
A/ It’s really just about honouring yourself, putting your health first and not compromising on that. The 20/20 diet is a paleo inspired way to live – it’s all about pulling the refined packed jazz out of the diet and coming back to the stuff the body thrives off: real food. And it’s not even primarily about dropping weight, it’s just about being the best version of you.
Q/ What makes you happy?
A/ Doing what I love. When I’m filming or on a shoot, time stops, I’m in what they call “flow” and that’s when I’m just in bliss. Being out in nature makes me really happy too – my favo word is Biophilia, and that’s the healing power of mother nature.
Q/ You are on the move a lot – what are your non negotiable daily rituals regardless of location?
A/ Real food, sunshine, good tunes (iPod comes everywhere with me) and I always pack my runners so I can explore on foot.
Q/ I’m following ‘Lola Berry’ and it looks like you have a very full and adventurous life – from presenting on TV to jumping out of airplanes – what are best and worst parts of your job?
A/ Ha ha, I am very lucky! The best stuff.. I love, love, love filming and shooting inspiring stuff, and I love going on adventures – sky diving was unreal! So was “glamping”. I did that a few weeks back with Ford and it was ace. There’s no real downside, except when I get to do all of these amazing things and travel all over the world, it sometimes would be ace to share it with another human, so now I try to rope mates into coming on work trips with me and then you get to make the coolest memories with people you love! Last year I was filming in London and I brought two mates with me and we had such a ball and got so much work done at the same time! It was unreal! So there’s no down side for me, I love it all, one big inspiring adventure!
Q/ You appear to be comfortable in your own skin and a very authentic version of yourself. How has this served in where you are today?
A/ I think being real is the key, if you’re fake people can feel it and things will start to fall apart. Just be real. It’s so easy and it feels good. You’re an awesome unique soul, why hide that?
Q/ If there were 3 tips on health and wellbeing you could share with the world what would they be?
Love yourself
Honour yourself
Be real
Q/ What are 3 health products you can’t live without?
coconut oil
chilies
and I have this beetroot check tint, I love that! Vain I know!
Q/ What are your dreams and aspirations for the future?
to continue inspiring others to be the best that they can be and to be the best that I can be
to live in a tree house
to inspire as many souls as I can.
Q/ Do you have a favourite quote or affirmation that you like to live by?
A/ you are the only person who can get you to where you want to go, and you are the only person who can stop you.
Q/ Your 20/20 Cookbook looks so delicious – full of amazing healthy recipes that taste good! Are you able to share one of these with the Nourishing hub?
A/ Of course. Here’s my favo – the raw banoffee pie!
We are so grateful to Lola for sharing her precious time and delicious recipe with the Nourishing Hub – what a treat for us!
Have a lovely weekend!
Simone @ the Nourishing Hub X
