Every Friday I am going to feature a woman that I adore. They exude all the qualities of an Alpha Female and I want to dig into their lives to get some nuggets of knowledge to help us all live happier, healthier lives balancing life & work.
Definition of an Alpha Female
An Alpha Female is a powerful and assertive woman. Her confidence is due to being an intelligent and intellectual problem-solver. Being an Alpha Female is a State of Mind based on choosing ambition and being proud of it. She strives for a happy and healthy work/life harmony.
Type A Alpha Females often come across as strong willed and selfish. When we stay true to our authentic selves and stay true to our mission we shine. A true Alpha Female puts the needs of herself first without sacrificing her principles or dignity. She fills up her cup or gas tank first so that she has enough energy for her friends, family, and coworkers. She strives for synergy with the world around her. She wants a perfect work/life balance but knows that it requires being true to your priorities and what makes you happy. She is never complacent about striving for better and nurtures relationships with the people in her life.
Gillian is currently completing her PhD at Western University in Health and Rehabilitation Science. She is a yoga and Yoga Tune Up® teacher; TV host and Community Producer of “Gillian Mandich: Cooking Adventures”; co-host of Holistic Health Diary Podcast and TV show; guest health host on the Home Shopping Network (HSN); sits on the Advisory Board at Examine.com; is the creator, producer, and host of Health Science Radio on 94.9 CHRW, and writes for numerous print and online media. Learn more about Gillian on her website or follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Are you an Alpha Female?
Yes, and I am one proudly!
Does work/life balance exist? What does your work/life harmony look like?
Yes! Just like the Byrds, I believe that to everything there is a season; while there are times when your work or your personal life may require more time or attention, overall there is such thing balance. I think that although our fulcrum is constantly shifting and changing, there is always a way to find balance when you love what you do.
Harmony allows for space so parts of our life can amplify other parts of our life.
Joseph Campbell Quote – “Follow your bliss and don’t be afraid, and doors will open where you didn’t know they were going to be.”
What are you most passionate about?
I am most passionate about creativity. I believe that no matter what we do, no matter who we are with and no matter where we are creativity is a tool we all always have that can allow us to consciously create each day to be the best day ever.
The Artist Way – Julia Cameron
What are you daily health habits that keep your immune system boosted?
I spend a lot of time honouring and taking care of my body, mind, and spirit on a daily basis. This is something that is non-negotiable for me. I love morning routine (I scrape my tongue, meditate, and journal). I also rebound (jumping on a mini trampoline), drink lots of spring water, adore smoothies and juices, enjoy Nettle and ginger tea, drink lots of medicinal mushrooms, Neti Pot (when needed), and find play in fun in everyday.
What is your weekly fitness routine like?
I consider fitness to be a holistic team. I feel fit when I am physically strong (and can pull up my body weight and pick-up heavy things), when I am psychologically fit (because I have daily a mediation practice that grounds and centers me), and socially fit (because I surround myself with positive people that support and love me).
My fitness routine is much like my life – I do lots of things because lots of things make me happy. I love to move my body and I find different ways to do that everyday – kickboxing, yoga, Yoga Tune Up®, CrossFit, Olympic lifting, reformer Pilates, spin class, squash, soccer, triathlon, and more!
How do you challenge yourself fitness wise?
I believe that developing functional strength, proper alignment, breathing techniques, and body awareness are all non-negotiable health habits. I am constantly pushing my limits with courage and passion, and I challenge myself by finding ways to keep fitness fun. I love to try new things – especially new workouts and exercise routines. I recently tried Kangoo – it was really fun!
What are your daily habits for winding down at night and reducing stress?
I try and turn my phone on airplane mode about an hour before bed (that doesn’t always happen). I also love to read (usually biographies or Anastasia books) before bed, write in my gratitude journal, and drink tea or Natural Calm. I also have baths 3-4 nights per week (with magnesium or Epsom salts).
My newest addition to my bedtime routine is the best $80 health investment I’ve made in a long time, my Waterpik – it is up to 50% more effective than string floss because it removes the plaque and debris lurking deep between teeth and below the gumline. I use it after I brush my teeth with PerioScript (a natural oral cleansing concentrate that is available at most health food stores).
What are you daily/weekly nutrition habits that keep you well nourished?
I have spent my entire life studying fitness, nutrition, and wellness, and I believe that a healthy diet is the one of the most critical components of an optimal, healthy lifestyle. To me, eating whole, unprocessed foods is a non-negotiable health habit to achieve optimal performance, energy, and vitality.
I believe that one can actualize their true potential by being a student of their body, and I am a big advocate of listening to your body – and so that is how I feed myself. I believe variety is the spice of life. I make sure to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables (as organic, local, and wild as possible) in a rainbow of colours (to get the spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients from the colour pigments) and I am very particular about where I get my meat (I like to know my farmers).
I believe in the 80/20 rule. When I eat that 20% I mindfully enjoy the food with no guilt (the psychology of eating affects our physiology and digestion), and I enjoy a wide variety of food, chocolate, red wine, and other fun foods.
What is your definition of happiness?
In my work, I often cite Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky’s definition of happiness because I think it is excellent: the experience of joy, contentment, or positive well-being, combined with a sense that one’s life is good, meaningful, and worthwhile.
I also recently saw Tony Robbins and he said that happiness is progress – that idea really resonated with me because I truly believe that to be true. The magic is in the journey, and if you don’t love you where you are now, you won’t love you later once you achieve whatever it is you desire.
I also believe that happiness is an inalienable right. While some of us may have been born with bigger smiles than others, the truth is that we all have control over the majority of our happiness and happiness can be learned through practice and skill development. Also, in addition to making us feel good, studies have demonstrated that happiness improves other aspects of our lives, as well as the lives of the people around us.
Get Gillian’s eBook Five Scientic Ways to Improve Your Happiness at GillianMandich.com