Chartered engineer Yvonne Brady is the CEO of EVB Sports, which designs and makes supportive sportswear for women. She lives in Drogheda with her husband Brian Hughes, children JP (12), Sarah Jane (10) and Elizabeth (5).
I get up at around 6am. I’ll try and go for a run maybe two or three times a week – when I miss it I feel it affects my energy levels throughout the rest of the day. I really believe that a little bit of exercise is a real energy booster, it puts you in great form.
I am a creature of habit so breakfast is plain old porridge for me. The kids will have cereal and toast and now and again we’ll make pancakes, mostly at the weekends though.
I don’t spend much time on myself in the morning. I have to confess I haven’t the best skincare routine. I cleanse and moisturise but you definitely won’t be taking any skincare tips off me! I wish I had started taking Medcoll skin supplements sooner. A friend of mine developed this skincare supplement and she is a great ambassador for her own brand. Her skin looks amazing. I also can’t live without my Cocoa Brown tan.
My greatest weekly indulgence is House of Cards. We have just recently bought the Series Three box set and I am loving every minute of it. Robin Wright has great style. I love her clothes.
I am very lucky that my husband is a great cook. He does most of the cooking in our house. And he really enjoys it (so I keep telling him!).
When you work for yourself it’s all hands on deck 24/7. There is no routine in our house so I’m blessed to have such support in my family to enable me to do what needs to be done. I could be away very early in the morning and on the road until late in the evening. I am doing a lot of travelling also so it’s a bit of a struggle at times trying to juggle everything.
My work/life balance is not great at the moment and it’s probably the one thing I worry about most. It’s a big sacrifice and sometimes you wonder whether you’re doing the right thing. I don’t think I’m alone in these thoughts though. Our family is amazing. We couldn’t do what we are doing without them. Both our parents are always on hand to pick up the kids and I have wonderful friends too that will pitch in at the drop of a hat.
Sitting around the dinner table on a Friday night is my idea of bliss. I love a big Sunday get-together too, followed by a family movie.
I can’t remember the last time we had a holiday abroad as a family. It’s definitely on the cards though, one of these years! When we get up the road a little bit further perhaps. We spent a few days though in Westport last year and that was absolutely heaven. Brian and one of the kids will climb Croagh Patrick and me and the others will cycle on the Greenway. Westport House has everything for the family too. It really is a beautiful part of the country especially when the weather is great.
The last book I read was Gone Girl. I preferred the book to the movie.
The best piece of advice I ever received? Make sure you are doing your pelvic floor exercises the right way!
If I was to give advice to a new mum, I’d say: Protect your core. If a woman is experiencing any type of niggle or weakness from hip, groin, lower back pain to light bladder leakage, I’d urge them to make an appointment with a women’s health physiotherapist. It will be the best €50 she will ever spend.
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