#Supermamas Interview Series: Introducing Gemma From Waist Trainer

What are my #Supermamas interviews about?

Initially, I thought Im going to do a few interviews in the couple of weeks leading up to Mother’s Day. But then I realised that I know so many fantastic Supermamas, that I will keep running these series. My weekly interviews are about mums, who have given up their professional life after becoming a parent and decided to do something completely different for living. In these interviews real women are telling me about their journey of becoming a mother how they have changed their way of thinking about work, pursuing dreams and making money.

I came up with this idea when I realised that I’m lucky to know so many wonderful women. I really am surrounded by #supermamas. Most of all: my own mama. She started an evening course at the university and she was reading law when she was pregnant with me. By the time I was in pre-school, she graduated summa cum laude and became a lawyer! And others too: friends, blogging buddies and creative business owners I have met lately. They are juggling it all: looking after the children, having a newly found profession, running a new business and inspiring us. Their stories are a real inspiration to everyone.

I truly believe when a child is born, a mother is born too. And so we change. We grow, learn and become stronger. We should embrace all these changes and use their power to nurture, create and find our passion. So these mums took risks, pushed themselves, overcame self consciousness, challenged themselves again and again until they found their very own path to balance. My Supermamas Interviews are about them.

#Supermamas Interview Series: introducing Gemma from Waist Trainer

Can you please introduce yourself?

Hi I’m Gemma, I’m a mum of two – a boy aged five and a girl aged two and a half.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A business woman, my auntie was always my role model, she was a director of lots of big companies, had flash card and travelled all over the world.

What did you do before becoming a mum?

I was an accountant for 15 years, working in a local utilities company in their finance department. My days consisted of staring at spreadsheets trying to come up with clever cost saving initiatives!

Why did leave that job?

I had a realisation one day (the day my son’s primary school allocation arrived) that I just didn’t want to do it anymore, I was busting a gut to earn other people their fat bonuses and they would cast me adrift without a backwards glance.

What do you do now?

Internet marketing (running affiliate websites) and trading in domain names, working from home with my husband. As part of this, I have started a blog which looks at health and fitness, but also has a parenting angle called Mummy’s Waisted.

What are you passionate about?

Making sure I give my children a childhood that is memorable for the right reasons. Also, loud rock music and going to gigs!

Where do you find inspiration?

Mostly the school playground at the moment, understanding what other parents are feeling or need help with.

Did you learn to say no?

Eventually! A lot of it for me has come with building my confidence, knowing that I’ve said no to some pretty big things has made it easier for the small nos!

How did you overcome uncertainties and self doubt?

Trying out things I’ve never done before, and pushing myself into situations that I never thought I could deal with – for example, volunteering to help out with 60 6-7 year olds at forest school (including fire lighting with 16 of them!)

Did you have to convince your family about making the leap? Or did they support you from the very beginning?

My husband has been hugely supportive, he’s had to live through my distress when I was working and knew that there would be a better solution out there. My wider family don’t really understand but are outwardly supportive!

What’s your latest project?

Waist Trainer UK, an affiliate site selling waist shaping products plus a health and fitness blog.

Name a thing (or two) you used to give a shit about – but not anymore:

Wearing high heel shoes and having a statement handbag! Now you’ll find me in trainers and usually carrying round my daughter’s unicorn bag.

Fill in with the first word comes to your mind:

I believe in…a thing called love

My super power is…organisation

Being ethical means to me…being honest

Right now I’m most excited about….the box of dark chocolate Lindt Lindor that I have hidden away

My dream job is…writing (content / blog etc)

The most important thing I can teach to my children is….patience (I am the most impatient person and it’s caused me so many problems in the past!)