My life has been touched by some uber amazing women whose passion for life and the way they choose to live it have really inspired me. Some are bloggers, some are not, their lives are all different and they are all special. I feel honoured and privileged that they are sharing their stories and sprinkling a little bit of their awesome right here. May you be wom-inspired!
Meet Stephanie Deck.
I’m a Londoner living in Sydney, Steph is a Sydney sider who lived in London and we were introduced on Instagram via a Spanish friend living in London. Confusing much?
Clearly our paths were meant to cross, because we share a love for dumplings and running (although we don’t enjoy both at the same time, obvs) and if all the other stuff wasn’t weird enough, it turns out Steph used to live in my apartment long before David and I ever came to call it home sweet home.
Steph inspires me with her passion for life, her commitment to running, her love for her kids and the way she has transformed her life by redefining her impossible. From cake making to marathons, nutella busting to weight lifting, I really don’t think there is anything that Steph can’t do. She’s inspiration on legs! (And rather lovely legs too!) She’s currently in London and ready to run her second London Marathon! Go Steph!
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Tell us 3 things you are and 3 things you’re not.
Am a Mum of 4, runner, depression sufferer.
Not a drinker, not perfect, not satisfied with ordinary.
Complete this sentence, ____________________ changed my life. How and why?
Running changed my life.
Being a depression sufferer my whole life, the birth of my fourth child left me suicidal and at rock bottom with post natal depression. Whilst on the road to recovery I discovered running and since my son was born, running has almost controlled my depression and turned my life around completely.
What has been life’s greatest lesson?
That it’s possible to turn your life around from what seems like a completely helpless situation to the best life you could ever have dreamt of by sheer determination. I did it. It’s possible.
What is your biggest achievement?
Raising four children and running the London Marathon.
What has been your toughest obstacle and how have you overcome it?
Giving up alcohol 3 years ago. Deciding that it was controlling me and my depression. I was desperate to escape the hell I was in and the decision to quit drinking and take up running was the catalyst for gaining most control of my depression.
Viktor Frankl says “Those who have a ‘why’ to live, can bear with almost any ‘how.” Everyone needs a purpose, what’s yours?
To grow four little humans into the best people they can be and to teach people about the mental health benefits of running. That it’s possible to change your life through change.
What are your words to live by?
Change doesn’t happen without change.
If you could have any mentor, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?
Coco Chanel. A woman so far ahead of her time. To be that opinionated in that era as a woman took something very special. Plus, I love handbags.
If you could play hookie for a day what would be on your list to do?
Eat dumplings, buy shoes and go for a run.
You give so much to others, what do you do to take care of yourself?
Self care is a priority for me. I go to the gym four mornings a week and lift weights. I run twice a week. I don’t drink. I look after my health to make sure I’m around for my kids. I go to bed at 8.30pm every night … (but I eat too much Nutella).
Thank you for sharing, Steph xx
Let inspire you a little bit more…
on the blog
on facebook
on pinterest
on instagram
and on twitter
