1. Up and at it what is your morning routine?

Im awake from about 6.30am and normally get up to do a yoga workout or go for a run. Work can be unpredictable, so I prefer to do exercise before work in case something comes up and I dont get a chance later in the day. My husband leaves for work earlier than I do so I eat breakfast while catching up on the days news on my phone.

2. What might you eat in a typical working day for...

Breakfast? I love porridge with honey on cold mornings. But in the summer, I change it to overnight oats (oats soaked overnight) in apple juice with fruit, yogurt and granola.

Lunch? Lunch is often rushed and, unforgivably, normally eaten at my desk while working. My mum makes fab wheaten bread which I usually have toasted and served with a salad.

Evening meal? It varies my husband is a great cook and quite adventurous with his recipes, so we eat whatever has captured his attention that week. We try to have fish at least twice a week.

3. Is nutrition important to you?

Yes and no. I dont generally give it too much thought, but I know what food makes me feel good and feel positive, so I veer toward that instinctively.

4. Best meal ever?

I recently got married in Virginia Park Lodge in Cavan, which is owned by the chef Richard Corrigan. Our wedding tasting took place in his restaurant in London and was a five-hour affair of incredible food, matching wines and really good craic with very relaxed and lovely staff. It is a really precious memory and the first-class service and food was, thankfully, replicated on the wedding day too.

5. Do you have a guilty pleasure?

I love crisps and could happily eat them forever.

6. Have you ever been on a diet?

If so, how did it go? I haven't really been on a proper diet, but if I want to lose weight or tone up, I just do more exercise rather than restrict my food intake.

7. Do you take health supplements?

I have only ever taken protein shakes after long runs when marathon training.

8. How do you relax?

I like to go walking and hiking. My husband and I spent our honeymoon in Patagonia, Argentina, trekking in the Andes and it was incredible. It's maybe not everyones idea of a relaxing honeymoon, though, but we loved it.

9. Teetotal or tipple?

Tipple gin and tonic.

10. Stairs of lift?

Stairs I sit at a desk a lot so I like to avail of any opportunity to move about.

11. Do you have a daily exercise regime?

I try to do yoga daily and jog two or three times a week. I ran a few marathons and, although I'm not training for anything at the moment, there is nothing better to clear your head than a run outdoors.

12. Best tip for everyday fitness?

Find some sports activity you enjoy and dont stress if you miss a day or a session pressurised exercise is not fun and therefore not sustainable.

13. On a scale of one to 10, how fit do you think you are and how fit would you like to be?

I'm probably about a seven as I'm quite naturally fit, but I would like to be a nine but that would take a lot more concerted effort.

14. Have you tried, or would you try, alternative therapy?

Im very interested in mindfulness and the positive impact of focussing on the present rather than fretting about the past or imagining the future.

15. Were school sports happy times or do you have a memory you would rather forget?

I loved sport in school and played in the hockey, tennis and athletics teams. I continued playing hockey through university which was a great way to meet people. I really enjoyed the camaraderie of team sports and it was a good way to channel my competitiveness.

16. Did you ever have a health epiphany which made you change your lifestyle?

I have very sensitive skin and prone to outbreaks of eczema and hives. Two years ago, through an elimination diet, I recognised that dairy was a contributing factor to my symptoms. After cutting out dairy my skin has been relatively symptom-free. Getting used to oat milk in tea, though, has been a challenge.

17. Best health/lifestyle advice you were ever given and would pass on to others?

My mums mantra is Lots of water, sleep and fresh air and I think if you can achieve that, you should be fairly healthy.

18. Who inspires you or who would you try to emulate in terms of fitness / attitude to life?

I love the health and fitness expert Shaun T who created the intense Insanity workout. Normally I dont buy into health fads, but his positivity and enthusiasm is totally contagious.

19. What time do you normally get to bed and do you get enough sleep?

Im normally in bed for 11pm and I'll read for a while and then sleep soundly until 6.30am or so. Im not much good to anyone on less than seven hours sleep a night.

20. Would you say you have a healthy attitude towards your own mortality?

Yes, at the Childrens Heartbeat Trust we work with children living with complex heart conditions. Seeing the challenges these incredible children and their families overcome everyday with inspirational courage and positivity definitely helps me to keep a rounded perspective on life.

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20 Questions on Health and Fitness: Sarah Quinlan, CEO of Children's Heartbeat Trust - the Irish News