Spirit of Women magazine is a national publication presented to women by hospitals and their physicians. The magazine provides up-to-date, evidence-based healthcare information and promotes our hospitals as leaders in women's health excellence.
Issue link: https://spiritofwomen.epubxp.com/i/617196
1 5 w w w. s p i r i t o f w o m e n . c o m W I N T E R 2 016 S P I R I T O F W O M E N "[For breakfast], whole grains, such as oatmeal, freshly cut fruits, and eggs are consistent for me," she says. "We try to avoid processed foods as much as we can. My husband, Greg, an emergency room physician who also owns a commercial fishing enterprise, enjoys bringing [home] delicious fresh salmon and other gifts from the sea that we enjoy. Also, we eat chicken, low-fat cheese and occasionally … beef. That's what our menu looks like." Paying attention to your stress level is also an important part of living healthfully, says Ireland. "One area that isn't discussed enough is emotional health," she says. "In the fashion industry, I experienced a lot of people who had the look of the moment, and yet their mental and physical health was fragile and fading. Anxiety and insomnia are reaching new levels in American lives. It isn't healthy." GIVING BACK Along with her family and her faith, says Ireland, service to others is an important part of her life. She cites the book "When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor … and Yourself" (Moody Publishers, 2014) as one of her favorite resources. "It informs our company's choices of philanthropy," she says, adding that "it's important to help [others] with intention and with consideration of the consequences. There are countless needs in many areas of the world, and we are helping much too slowly." Ultimately, your own inner passion can be the most powerful motivation for serving others in every area of your life, Ireland adds. "Listening, learning and having passion are the keys to unlocking opportunities in life," she says. "To fulfill dreams, we must be good listeners. Without listening, how are we able to understand the wants and needs of others?" • PHOTO Y kathy ireland Worldwide I f the multi-taskers of the world ever need a poster girl, Kathy Ireland is more than qualified. The 52-year-old former international model is chief executive of her own $2 billion-plus design and marketing company (she was named one of Forbes' Top 50 most successful self-made U.S. women in 2015), a wife and mom of three, and a philanthropic powerhouse who contributes to and advocates for causes ranging from women's health to Special Olympics. "When you want something accomplished, ask a person who is busy," says Ireland, who was also ranked by UCLA as one of the Top 10 women's health advocates in the United States. "You know they already have multi-tasking under control, so learn from them. Most of my mentors are multi-taskers." Although Ireland is adept at keeping many balls in the air at once, she acknowledges there's a downside to an action-packed lifestyle if you don't work at maintaining balance in your life too. "Some women feel a need to be 'perfect,' and perfection is the enemy of the very, very good," she says. "It is also an enemy to happiness. "Women are multi-taskers at work and at home … because women are naturally nurturers in every aspect of that very special word," she adds. "In the area of health, are we failing to nurture ourselves? Sadly, too often the answer is yes. We neglect our tests, doctors' appointments and sometimes even medications." FAMILY TIME Ireland says her own healthy lifestyle starts at home with her family—her husband of 27 years and her three children. "I love our family activities—we enjoy biking, surfing and playing in the ocean," says the Southern California resident. "Being around our children and watching them grow and learning about their thoughts and ideas is breathtaking." And she stresses that athletic ability needn't be a prerequisite for staying active. "I'm not a great dancer [for example]," says Ireland. "That was proven when we got the boot from 'Dancing with the Stars.' [But] my coach and partner, Tony Dovolani, helped our entire family understand the relationship between dance and fitness. Strength, cardio and flexibility all are powerful, healthy life enhancers for dance. You don't have to be great. Just have fun and try not to injure your partner!" Ireland says she also has "battled with extra weight ever since we were blessed with our children—my sweet tooth was wicked." Today, she focuses on eating healthy from the minute she gets up. Body of work Kathy Ireland's many professional accomplishments include: • frst female paperboy in her childhood neighborhood • kathy ireland Worldwide (kiWW) brand, a $2 billion-plus design and marketing frm • one of Forbes' Top 50 most successful self-made U.S. women in 2015 • covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, and Mademoiselle magazines • numerous TV and flm roles from 1985–2013 • fve ftness videos • six books, three of them for children • Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue model for 13 consecutive years