Joan Freeman, founder, Pieta House
Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle?
Absolutely not – not just from a stress point of view but from a working hours point of view as well. I would work 70-80 hours a week, so there’s a total imbalance.
How often do you exercise?
This is awful, but I don’t. I have walked only twice since the snow last year, I’m ashamed to say. I’ve been terribly busy, but also I’ve been travelling quite a bit with work around Ireland which knocks exercise on the head.
Do you get your five a day?
Part of our work is to get people to look at their eating and sleeping habits – we keep saying we must model self-care but I am doing the complete opposite – so no, I don’t get my five fruit and veg a day. I don’t think I’ve had a piece of fruit all year. That is the truth and it’s disgraceful. I can’t stand not having veg, but during the week I’m pretty bad – I’d only have vegetables at the weekend. I’d have a fry most mornings.
Do you worry?
No. I’ve never worried about the financial future of Pieta House. We’re running six years and it costs €1.3 million to run it. We’ve no source of income really as such, but I’ve slept every single night. I don’t believe in worry. I’ve great personal faith and I trust in God and that would be why I don’t worry.
What do you do to relax?
The best thing of all is going out with my husband. Every week we would have a date and we’re married 30 years. Going out with him, I just love it, and being with my family and children.
What’s your unhealthiest habit?
I suppose lack of exercise. I don’t smoke or anything like that, but I think lack of exercise is probably the worst thing. In 2012, I’m going to walk every day without fail, even if I have to get up at the crack of dawn, and I’m going to have a proper diet.
In conversation with JOANNE HUNT
