Jen’s mission is to assist mums in reclaiming their health and confidence through exercsie, no matter what stage of motherhood they are at.

Her  programs cater for women who are at the pre-natal and post-natal stages,  and also for mums who are ready to take it a step further. These are her “Tough Mums” !

I hope you enjoy getting to know Jen and learning about the work that she does as much as I did

Tell us a little about yourself

I am proud mum to Marley (5) and India (3) and I am married to Ben, who is a Gaffer in the film industry. I’m a Personal Trainer and I run a business that has developed specialist exercise programs for mums.

Under my personal brand umbrella sit’s my three programs; Body Before Baby, Body Beyond Baby and Tough Mums.

I am also a keen obstacle racer and have had some great results recently with placing’s at Tough Bloke Challenge, Urbanathlon and the Spartan Race. I’m currently training as part of the first Australian team selected for the Spartan World Championships in Vermont in September.

I have also just published my first book “How to Love your Body as much as your Baby”.

Tell us about your business and what it’s about?

My business is almost 5 years old – it was ‘born’ when my son, Marley was 3months old and has grown from one program and just a couple of sessions a week to what it is today.

Our programs offer the complete solution from pregnancy, through the postnatal period and way beyond that.

What makes us unique is that I am a mum, all of our trainers are mums and we only work with mums. We’ve helped hundreds of women achieve their best ever body and really find what it means to be themselves again after having a baby.

Our Body Before Baby classes help to prepare new mums for what may possible be the most physically demanding job they have ever done, in the most deconditioned state they have ever been in. Remaining strong through this time and knowing what exercise is safe and effective is very important.

We provide nannies at all of our Body Beyond Baby sessions to really help mum to take some time out after having her baby. We equip her with the best postnatal exercises for rebuilding from the inside out and flattening her tummy again.

And our Tough Mum training sessions really push to the next level. We train for an action packed schedule of obstacle races and team runs – by this stage many of our mums are stronger and fitter than they have ever been!

What are some of the things you value most in life?

I value the health and wellbeing of my family and myself. We are so lucky to lead healthy lives and I believe we should nurture and look after our body so it is able to help us do and achieve everything we want to.

I value close family, friendships and support systems; in a world where many of us live far away from our extended family, forming a group of key people around you that will support you in different areas of life is important.

I also value alone or ‘me’ time – as we grow older we become more comfortable with ourselves and taking the time to just be, and to accept yourself for who you are is very important. Then the sooner we can pass this quality onto our children the better!

What is your favourite quote?

“Make it Happen”  – short and sweet but I believe everyone has the power to create their own destiny.

What are your tips to staying happy and healthy?

My top tips to staying happy and healthy:

• Take regular time out for yourself – many mums put themselves at the bottom of the list after having children. I believe it is vital to take time out to nurture yourself, then you can be the best mum you can be.  A tired grumpy mum makes grumpy children.
• Move every day – human beings were designed to move and energy creates energy.
• Eat clean 90% of the time – there is always room for a little indulgence but it should be now and then not part of your daily routine.
• Pass on what you know – I believe that mums can change the health and wellbeing of their whole family and we have a responsibility to teach our children great habits.
• Know your purpose – there’s nothing more powerful than knowing what you are here for and what you want to achieve in life. Knowing and connecting to your ‘why’ makes everything you do in life more meaningful. Whether this relates to being the best mum you can be for your children, pushing through your fitness goals or taking the next step in business.

Do you find time to nurture yourself? What does this involve?

I am very selfish with my training time – it just has to happen and it is locked into my schedule everyday.

I also try to take moments to check in with my week. If I am feeling overwhelmed or that I have too much on my plate I am becoming very good at taking things out. I will cancel a meeting that isn’t absolutely necessary on that day and take a little time to work through whatever I’m feeling.

I think checking in with yourself regularly is important. Whether it’s in life at home with children or in business taking a moment to think about how you are feeling, connecting with it and then figuring out how that will effect your decision making and reactions at that time is important.  It is very easy to charge through life and disregard your personal feelings just to get things done. I am learning to respect myself and my needs more and STILL get things done.

What does healthy eating mean for you?

I’m one of those boring people who eats for fuel rather than for enjoyment. Of course I love a great meal at a great restaurant with my husband or friends but it’s not essential for me to cook elaborate meals every evening.

Healthy eating is about eating clean, unprocessed, fresh food wherever possible.

What are 5 of your kitchen pantry essentials?

Although healthy eating is really important to me I am not a massive cook so the most important items for me enable me to make simple, quick and healthy meals. My top 5 essentials; almonds, tins of tuna, coconut water, salad and chicken.

What do you indulge in?

I am an all or nothing girl – chocolate is my weakness, if it’s in the house it won’t last long!

What do you and your family like to do on the weekend?

Sunday is generally our family day. I like to take the children out to experience things and go places with them but it doesn’t have to be fancy; having breakfast at a café, going to the beach or the park and seeing them playing is great. India and I spent time just sitting watching the ocean and chatting last weekend which was really nice – the most important thing is taking time out to really ‘be’ with them.

Would you like to share one of your favourite healthy recipes?

I’m all about healthy kids snacks. I don’t believe in giving my children sugar so I am often coming up with inventive ways of giving them treat foods but making sure they are good for them:
Healthy Iceblocks

• 1 Banana
• 1 can coconut water (I love Nakula)
• 10 strawberries

blend

pour the blended mixture into the mould and then add the chopped strawberries

Freeze and enjoy!

Here are all the different ways you can connect with Jen

www.facebook.com/ToughMums

www.facebook.com/bodybeyondbaby

https://www.facebook.com/jen.dugard

Instagram @JenDugard

Twitter @JenDugard

Youtube @JenDugard

www.jendugard.com

I’ll let you in on a little secret early on … it’s possibly not as interesting as the contents of Kate Moss’ or Miranda Kerrs’ handbags (and doesn’t have Orlando Bloom’s number either, darn it). But if you’re still interested, join me on a journey into the unknown as I try to locate the secret pockets, chambers and small community halls that my husband insists are in there.

As my children are now seven and nine years old, the contents have substantially changed. Nappies are now a no-no, and I can’t hide my excitement! Muesli bars, cut up fruit, snacks, textas and toys have also worn out their welcome.

Once diving into my bag (not literally), I thought I would find plenty of empty space, but minimal-me doesn’t sound quite right when I pull out 19 items.

1) Business cards and postcards

2) Wallet

3) Lipstick – my current fave colour is all natural and a sexy pink!

4) Organic Lip Balm – natural and organic & my numero uno must-have in my bag. No chemical nasties.

5) Tinted Lip Balm – I adore this Ere Perez product, perfect for a hint of colour, as well as conditioning for the lips.

6) Teabag – as I don’t drink caffeine I tend to bring my own … just in case.

7) Mobile Phone – goes everywhere with me, just like a baby.

8) Car Keys

9) Scarf – my favourite Jac & Jac scarf perfect to have on hand for these unpredictable autumn days.

10) Book for the waiting room. At the moment it’s Optimum Nutrition for your Childs Mind (nerd alert).

11) Acorn – my 7yr old is a bower bird and insists on keeping little nuggets of nature she finds along the way.

12) Water bottle – can’t leave home without it. Staying hydrated is necessary for me.

13) Tissues – being a hay fever sufferer these are essential.

14) Dental Floss – to save me from potentially embarrassing poppy seed moments.

15)  Sunglasses- love my classic Chanels.

16) Green shopping bag – for any spontaneous health food shopping.

17) Activated nuts – to quell the hunger attacks when I’m on the run.

18)  Organic green apple – my favourite portable fruit & goes well with the nuts.

19) Hand moisturiser – for my dermatitis flare ups.

My handbag clearly reveals that I’m a real natural new age mum & also that I may need to downsize!

If you want to check out what’s in other new age mums handbags go to Natural New Age Mums blog.

What’s in your handbag and what does it say about you? I’d love to know!

Bren x

When I found an old appointments diary in a box recently, I flicked through it and realised the strangest thing.  I was far more frantic when I had two kids and a non-demanding job than I am a few years later with three kids, two step-children and my own business.

How?  Different types of busy.  My old diary is crammed with things that I took on for the wrong reasons: pride, self-consciousness, people-pleasing, avoidance, disorganisation, lack of assertiveness – it’s a mess!

And so was I.  Staring at my bedroom ceiling for three weeks, stricken with glandular fever – publishing contract in one hand, divorce papers in another, missing my pre-schooler’s first Christmas concert – I realised life didn’t have to be as hard as I’d been making it.

Here are 7 Types of Busy, (adapted from Soul Sisters Empowerment Group) that can take us seriously off-track:

‘Badge-of-honour’ Busy

You believe that being busy equals being significant.  Keeping your schedule jam-packed keeps you as important as everyone else – it’s how you create your worth.

People say, ‘I don’t know how you do it!’ (and secretly, you love hearing that).  The truth is, you don’t know how you do it either – or even if you want to.  All you know is that other people notice and admire you what you’re doing – and that feels good.

‘Nobody does this as well as I do’ Busy

You’d like to cut things out of your schedule, but you’d probably end up doing them anyway, because nobody else does things ‘properly’.  Exhibit A: the way he’s folded the towels!  Exhibit B: those sentences your colleague wrote!  You’ll have to do it all again!

You believe you’re the only one who can complete everything at the required level at work and at home to your exacting standards.  One of your most-used phrases is ‘Here – let me do it!’

‘Running away’ Busy

There is something big that you really should attend to: perhaps it’s addressing an unhappy relationship, moving out of an unrewarding job or something else that you find very daunting.

Instead of tackling what should be first on your list, you fill your diary with unnecessary tasks so that you ‘don’t have time’ to face the important stuff.

You could go on like this indefinitely, filling your life with distraction, pushing the real problem under the surface while you invent excuses for not having time to address it.

‘Comfort zone’ Busy

You’d love to try a new hobby, online dating, seek a promotion at work or start a health kick – but it’s a big step and you’re scared.  What if it doesn’t work out?

Staying busy keeps you in your comfort zone and protects you from taking risks.  The more busy you are, the longer you’re ‘off the hook’ and safe from potential failure.

‘People pleaser’ Busy

You have a need to be liked.  ‘Yes’ comes out of your mouth before you even consider an alternative response.  What if you say ‘no’ and they don’t like you as much?  What if there’s conflict?

Is it easier and safer just to take the request on?  YES!  You’ll do it!  And you’re exhausted!

‘Flapping’ Busy

You’re disorganised at home and at work.  You spend a huge amount of time looking for things that you’ve misplaced.  You’re regularly late for appointments.  You leave everything til the last minute. The first thing you do when you’re overwhelmed is write a Facebook status about it.

Your lack of organisation creates chaos and manufactures extra work.  It takes you much longer to accomplish things than it could, because you’re focused almost entirely on flapping.

‘Scared to ask’ Busy

You feel like a fraud at work.  You’re not sure you understand the task.  Rather than seek clarification, you go to enormous lengths to try to work it out yourself.

You’re scared of asking ‘silly questions’ and choose to complicate your life in an effort to avoid these.  You’ll send emails rather than call, then waste time waiting for a response.

Uncovering your motivation to stay so over-burdened is the first step in untangling yourself from a life that is ‘busy’ in unfulfilling ways, and creating in its place a life that is ‘full’.  If there’s not enough ‘white space’ in your diary, eliminate the 7 Types of Busy and start taking things on for the right reasons.

For more information on the 7 Types of Busy and to learn how to disentangle yourself from doing too much, receive our free eBook.

Emma Grey is the author of Wits’ End Before Breakfast! Confessions of a Working Mum (Lothian, 2005) and director of the life-balance consultancy, WorkLifeBliss. She writes on motherhood, work and relationships on her blog and her vampire-free teen novel is currently with a publisher.  Join her on Facebook.