As part of my new web series, The Role Model In You, here is my most recent interview. The Role Model In You series discusses how individuals were influenced as a child to lead a healthy lifestyle. It covers who influenced these individuals, the changes they made in their life to be healthy, and the message they would like to convey to the youth of today. Our guests include doctors, soccer stars, Super Bowl champions, NBA players, Olympic gold medalist, entrepreneurs, celebrities, and just regular people looking to share their story. I hope you enjoy it!
1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?
My name is Erin Cox, and I am a 35-year-old mother, author, and speaker. My first career was as a water resources engineer, however my deepest desire was to be an author and to improve people’s lives on a more direct level. I decided to follow my dreams, wrote a book (One Hot Mama: The Guide to Getting Your Mind and Body Back After Baby), and am now a full time inspirational author and speaker.
2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?
My grandmother, Eva, was a huge influence in my life. She was way ahead of her time in matters of health and fitness. She was the most warm and loving grandmother who taught me to have a healthy relationship with food, and that all delicious treats should be enjoyed in moderation. Grandma Eva was an elementary school teacher, but took care of my brother and me every day after school when she retired.
3. What did they do to inspire you?
Grandma Eva taught me to drink a glass of water first thing every morning and much more throughout the day, to eat a healthy breakfast, to avoid processed food, and to eat the freshest fruits and vegetables available (generally from her amazing garden). She was very active late into her life, and spent hours each day walking, gardening, stretching, and going to water aerobics. She believed that exercising was the ticket to happiness. She inspired her children, grandchildren, and students by example.
4. How did their lesson change your life?
I have always known instinctively to eat food as close to it’s natural state as possible thanks to my Grandma Eva’s life lessons. She ate everything under the sun, but she simply enjoyed treats in moderation while mostly eating extremely healthy foods. She instilled in me that exercising must be a daily practice, which encourages an appetite for healthy, nourishing food. Eating whole foods, eating treats in moderation, and exercising daily are the three lessons that have stayed with me and have helped me maintain a healthy weight my entire life.
5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?
Absolutely. My children are encouraged to enjoy healthy meals made with fresh ingredients. Sugary treats are a special occasion and are enjoyed in moderation. We try to avoid processed food, grow food in our own garden, and shop at the farmer’s market all summer. My kids are not restricted from eating anything, but they are used to eating healthy food and seem to prefer it. My children love growing food in our garden and then having the pleasure of eating it. They also are much more willing to try vegetables and fruits that they selected themselves at the farmers market. I make sure my children play outside for a few hours each day when the weather allows to help them experience the benefit of moving and exercising through play.
6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?
The main message for children today is that they need to treat their bodies well by getting out and playing (exercising) and by fueling themselves with nourishing whole foods.
7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?