#61 My Body My Story 45 Over 45 - Kirsty

In this episode, you will learn 10 FACTS about Kirsty and what she thinks about perfect body image, positive changes and challenges of 45+ women, what is it for her to feel good and look beautiful, and what advice she would give younger women and 30-year-old self!

 

10 Facts About Kirsty

(at the time of the project)

1. 45 years old.
2. Kirsty is from the country in South Australia. She’s lived in Sydney for over 25 years now.
3. Kirsty has two brothers and a sister, mum, and dad. All of them are in South Australia, except the sister, who is in Melbourne.
4. Kirsty has two boys - 16 and 11 y.o. and they are her whole world
5. Kirsty left her marriage three years ago now. That walking away was her biggest act of self-love. They were together for 22 years.
6. Kirsty has two cats at home who rule her family life, but they certainly make life great.
7. Kirsty is an accountant. Kirsty actually wanted to be an astronomer growing up. So hey, they both start with A's.
8. Kirsty is a Virgo
9. The biggest challenge at this age – “Definitely grey hair is coming out, like there is no tomorrow. But the biggest challenge I think, for me, right now is dating. Everything is online, we just don't meet people like we used to.”
10. Positive change with age – “I care less now about what other people feel like. I've recognised that what I think and what I feel matters, and that needs to come first.”

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT

(auto-generated)

Hi, you're listening to My Body My Story podcast.

No matter what anyone says, you know, so long as you love yourself and what's inside. Everything else is going to be okay like you are your greatest, your greatest loves.

 

This is the 45 or 45 chapter where we celebrate rule breakers and role models, the women who inspire us to live life our way and to show that sensuality, beauty, soul and true essence. Here we talk about what it's like to be 45 Plus, adjusting to the changes that come with time, and will listen to the stories of our participants. If you have an interesting story to share, we would love you to participate, you can email us on info@aleksandrawalker.com or visit our website, www. aleksandrawalker.com

 

Hi, everyone and welcome to my body My Story project and today with us Kirstie in the studio. Hi, Christy. Hi, how are you? Good. Good. Thank you. Happy to see you here. And while you're sitting in the makeup chair, and Nicole is doing makeup for you. I'll ask you a few questions. So tell us a bit about yourself.

 

So I'm a Virgo. I'm 45. And I'm actually from country, South Australia. I have two boys 16 and 11. And they are my whole world. We have two cats at home which you know, rule our lives and, but they certainly make life great as well. I'm an accountant. I never thought I'd be an accountant. I actually wanted to be an astronomer growing up. So hey, they both start with A's. So let's go with that. And I've lived in Sydney for over 25 years now. So it's just home. And I have two brothers and a sister, mum and dad. And just loving life. I've you know, booked myself in for a triathlon in November, which I'm pretty excited about.

 

Oh, wow.

 

So yeah, I know that it'll be fantastic. So yeah, looking forward to it all of all of the above.

 

So your family is all in Sydney or they still in South Australia.

 

So my family, my brothers are in the country in South Australia. My mum is with them as well. My dad is in the country, but just a different country, South Australia, but just a different area of town. And my sister is in Melbourne.

 

Okay, so you do you travel a lot to see your family or they come to you?

 

Not so much anymore. Like since COVID. Like obviously everything shut down. But yeah, no, I definitely travelled a lot. A few years ago, and I are planning a trip back to the country in November, because I have high school reunion.

 

Oh, that's nice.

 

Yeah, that'd be great.

 

Okay, so what are you most passionate about?

 

I am most passionate about self care, self love. Just being 100% authentic. I growing up had a very traumatic, you know, childhood. And so there was lots of parts of me that just didn't feel worthy. So I didn't feel lovable or that I was worth anything. And so I've really worked on just loving myself 100% And I'm trying to instil that in my, in my boys as well that no matter what anyone says, you know, so long as you love yourself and what's inside. Everything else is going to be okay. Like you are your greatest, your greatest love. So that is definitely what I'm passionate about. And I want to share and, you know, just encourage and inspire all other people who have that self doubt that they don't need to doubt themselves. Like it's, it's all within them, like the love that they're looking for the acceptance the that everything is all within within them. So, yes, that's, that's my passion.

 

So what do you do, like, do meditate or you do some development classes? Or look, how did you come to that philosophy?

 

So, look, I'm definitely a work in progress. It's not something that I've always believed. Since I left my marriage three, three years ago now, that was my biggest act of self love. Walking away, we were together for 22 years. So it was it was a big thing. There was a lot of guilt. There was a lot of a lot of emotion and I tried for a long time but yes, so podcasts are definitely my go to and just, you know, the people that I surround myself with and Do what I, you know, what I listened to what I ingest in my body, just just everything. Like, it's not just, you know, one part and gratitude is a massive, massive part of that as well. Because, yeah, like, you just got to be grateful for everything that we have, because there are lots of people out there who don't, don't even have a fraction of what we have. So, ya know, definitely gratitude all the way. So,

 

and we have to keep reminding ourselves that, you know, stop and think that you have it, and it's a blessing, and you know, just appreciate it. Sometimes we just forget. And for us, it's a norm, as you said, for but for some other people, it could be a blessing, you know? So yeah, I completely agree with you.

 

Absolutely. We always think that we need to have that one more thing to make ourselves you know, when we have that one more thing I'll be whole or I'll be happy. And it's like, no, no, actually look around and look at what you've got, take stock of what you've got, and just be grateful for that, you know, so? Yeah, absolutely. I'm with you.

 

So do you think it's connected with the age changes? Or like I'm leading to the question that we change with age, and obviously, the way we see ourselves, and the way we live our life also change? What do you think is the positive change you have experienced so far? Hitting 45? What do you think?

 

So, I definitely think that I care less now about what other people feel like, I really think that it is about putting yourself first and how is it going to lift you up energetically like, or is it going to drain you like? So I think that has definitely come with come with age. Because with when I look at the younger me, I would have not I would have been the last the last on the list, it wouldn't have mattered whether it was going against how I felt so long as everybody else was happy. And that would be enough to make me happy. You know, so I really think that with age, I've recognised that what I think and what I feel matters, and that needs to be that needs to come first. Because then I'm really, really honouring myself.

 

I know it's not in the order, but I will ask this question now. So if you could meet your 30 year old self, that what advice would you give her? What would you say?

 

I would say back yourself 100%. Trust your intuition. Because what you feel is the honest truth. And just be true to yourself. Just, it's all going to be okay, you are going to be okay. And you are just so much stronger. So much stronger than what you believe. So just take that leap of faith and do what your heart is telling you to do.

 

Yeah, that's a really nice advice and coming back to age, positives and challenges. So what is the biggest challenge you're experiencing at the moment connected with the age group?

 

definitely grey hair is coming out, like there is no tomorrow. But biggest challenge I think, is for me, right now is dating because I'm just like, the world of dating has changed so much. Everything is online, you know, it's just, oh, we just don't meet people. Like we used to meet people. But just, you know, trying to balance everything up, you know, trying to be that full time mom and you know, full time worker and give, give to myself and give to my children as well. So you know, that that whole balance piece has definitely been very challenging, I think but you just got to work out what's important. And you know, watching that Netflix series, or, you know, is it I mean, there's a time and place for it, but you know, it's not the be all and end all like having that time with the family and stuff, you know, that extra hour that you spend in front of the TV could be time that you've you know, spent with the kids instead so, or, you know, doing some meditation or you know, some self care work. So, yeah, definitely balanced. I think.

 

I just don't know why I have this question. But what time do you get up?

 

Sorry, I'm usually up around five or while in the morning. Yeah, so get up early. Yep, there's definitely lots of Yeah, So there's definitely lots to, you know, squeeze into the day. So I'm trying not to waste a minute right now, which is great.

 

And so what would you say your greatest accomplishment so far?

 

My children, you know, when I look back, you know, before my kids, it was definitely, you know, putting myself through education, uni, my professional qualifications and whatnot. But I think over the last few years, since I've left my marriage, my greatest accomplishment is definitely finding me and loving me. And yeah, I'm just so grateful for that, that journey, and it just makes me feel more whole and more able to give to my children, and you know, to set them up. Better, better in life. So, yeah,

 

I asked you about 30 years old cell, but if you would give advice to younger women, generally, to all the women who will eventually reach our age and undergo this age changes, what would you tell them?

 

To do what makes them happy, to just stop overthinking and stop trying to please other people to embrace who you are? And you know, all of your imperfections, you know, you're perfectly imperfect the way you are? And, you know, just love yourself, just love yourself, like nobody else can, you know, so? Yeah, that would definitely be my advice for the younger generation.

 

So what do you think will change them? If they follow this advice? Like? Will they be different from what we are now? Because it seems like everyone I asked on this podcast, having this regrets, not loving themselves more and you know, caring about themselves, but just imagine that they will. So what do you think they will be by 45?

 

I think that they would have a life with less regret. You know, we look they would be making better decisions for themselves, I think and, you know, when they reflect on their lives when they are 45, that they can look back and go Yeah, I did what was right by me. It wasn't necessarily the, the road often travelled, it's the road less travelled. But I think that they will feel more honored and, you know, happier with those decisions. Yeah, it's tough at the time, but no regrets. Life is about no regrets. There's no rewind button. say just do what makes you happy.

 

If they will have gratitude.

 

Yes, yes, you definitely gotta have gratitude.

 

Okay, so and if we talk about body image and perfect body image, where do you think this idea comes from? Perfect body image.

 

So my initial thoughts around this was around, you know, media and social media. And I definitely feel that they still have a big part of it. But I think growing up what you perceive in your mind as a perfect, you know, as a perfect person. So, you know, I played with Barbie dolls. And so that was my, my model, I guess, like, and so we look at Barbie and she's, you know, she's perfect. Right? But is she really? Yeah, exactly. You know, is she really perfect? Like so I think, you know, we, we definitely compare ourselves, you know, growing up with, you know, our friends and whatnot. And, you know, whether we're good enough. And I think it really comes down to you know, that self talk and what goes on, you know, in your mind, so, whether you are positive and uplifted or whether, you know, they're just not skills that we we learn early on, I don't think, you know, that self empowerment and that self love because if we did, we would be content and, you know, love ourselves. So I definitely think it comes from media, but also, you know, yeah, upbringing and so like our peers and friends as well.

 

I agree with you 100% With that, and what it would be for you your perfect body?

 

to be healthy, healthy and fit. So last year, I had to have a full hysterectomy because I had uterine cancer. And so that was a really big wake up call for me. And so, you know, I am now just loving my body so much more because it's delivered my two children to me, it's given me life to this point. And, you know, I'm, I'm grateful for that. So I just want it to be as healthy and as strong as it can be. And so that doesn't, I don't want to define that by a number. Or a sighs I just wanted to find that with me being able to be healthy, and I don't know, be active with my children and be here for a long time.

 

So that's why you booked your… what was that?

 

The triathlon?

 

Yes, that's right.

 

Yeah. All about, you know, setting goals and pushing my limits. And that is definitely something I never thought of training for that. Yes, I have started training for that. So it's gonna be great and I'm going to do it. Well.

 

I bet. I have no doubts about that. And what does it mean to you feeling good, and looking good, and what comes first for you?

 

So I definitely think that feeling good comes first because I think you know, healthy mind, healthy body, you know, and you just put that out to the world and comes down to I think, you know, what, what we're ingesting, like, what our environment is like, and, you know, whether we're caring for ourselves what we're listening to, like, if it's all positive, you can't help but feel positive and uplifted and, you know, powerful. So I think, yes, they definitely go, you know, they obviously partner with each other, but I think when you feeling good, you know, everything, just, everything is just great. Yeah, you know, so you tend to see the positive in, in even the toughest situations,

 

and what makes you feel the most beautiful?

 

You know, my kids when they come up to me, and they just, you know, hug me out of the blue and just tell me that they love me, and you know, that I'm the best mom, which I know all kids tell their moms, but you know, it just it just melts my heart and yeah, just makes me feel all mushy. mushy, and mom, you know, but just and laughing and smiling and seeing Yeah, just happiness makes me feel beautiful. Because it's such a Yeah, it's such a loving emotion. It's great.

 

And my last question, and I love it, because I have so many different answers to that. Do you have any favorite quotes about being a woman?

 

So it could, it's not necessarily about being a woman, I guess. But my favorite quote is: " They Whispered To Her You Can Not Withstand The Storm She Whispered Back I Am The Storm”.

 

Oh, I have goosebumps. I love that quote.

 

Yes, yes. So that's it.

 

Thank you, Kirsty. Thank you very much for joining us today and coming to the project and I hope you will enjoy the rest of the day and your photoshoot. And that will be part of your journey of embracing yourself and enjoying yourself. And I wish you will have a great rest of the day with us.

 

If you have an interesting story to share would love for you to participate. You can email us on info@aleksandrawalker.com or visit our website, www. aleksandrawalker.com

This is the 45 over 45 chapter of MY BODY MY STORY podcast, where we celebrate rule breakers and role models - the women who inspire us to live life our way and to show their SENSUALITY,  BEAUTY, SOUL, and TRUE ESSENCE.

 

For more information about the project visit:

https://www.aleksandrawalker.com/45-over-45

 

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