Healthy Habits with Kylie Dwyer

Kylie Dwyer has been in the hairdressing industry for 36 years, Co-Founder of Elite Hair Education and pricingyourservices.com

Kylie was a salon owner for 21 years with 2 salons and 25 employees and is passionate about maintaining a balance in her physical and mental health. One of Kylie’s favourite sayings is by Jim Rohn which states “Motivation will get you started; habit will keep you going.” This makes her a perfect candidate to talk to us about how she has time to balance everything and instil Healthy Habits into her life.

HAPPINESS

What does happiness mean to you and how do you find it in everyday life?

Happiness to me is when my everyday life is fulfilling my needs. These needs can change depending on circumstances around me, so I try to always act with an open heart and find gratitude and joy in all that is around me most days. Each day I try to just do my best and expect only that of others around me , when there is failure or disappointments, I don’t take it personally I just dust myself off and keep going . I have very strong beliefs and values so it’s often easy for me to feel content even when there is bad stuff going on around me. I truly believe that you become the people you spend most of your time with, so I choose my business partners , network groups and friends wisely these days. If something or someone doesn’t bring me joy, I spend less time on it or with them; it’s as simple as that. You only get one crack at your life, getting older means you are wiser and more knowledgeable, so I choose happiness every day. It’s a choice, right???

BALANCE

What do you do to maintain balance within a busy lifestyle?

Balance is something that varies in my year depending on what’s happening; however, I do have a strategy that I follow most years to ensure I am living my best life. My husband/business partner and I break our year into quarters: 9 weeks working in the business, 2 weeks working on the business and 2-week rest. 2 weeks rest may be work if I choose, or research/development or just a holiday. 2 weeks working on the business is whatever my office and marketing team need me to do . 9 weeks consists of traveling on a Sunday afternoon, Monday- Wednesday educating either in group workshops or Private salons. Wednesday night I travel home. Thursday, I work freelance in a salon 8am- 8pm looking after clients that I have had for 30 years. Fridays is working on the business in our office or filming content in our studio. Friday night and Saturdays is family time.

ALWAYS FOCUSING ON A POSITIVE ATTITUDE AND MINDSET HAS HELPED ME MAKE GOOD CHOICES

My husband travels for work too so life has been hectic since we had our daughter who is now 16 . This year she has gone to boarding school for her final 2 years of high school, so things are much easier logistically Monday- Friday. She comes home weekends so look forward to that and cherishing my time with her and our extended family .

FOOD AND EATING

What would an ideal day’s meal plan look like for you?

Apart from the last year where we all stayed home more and I started drinking wine every day , eating lots of carbohydrates and putting on a few kilos lol, I normally just stick to a balanced diet. I’m a huge fan of the 80/20 rule for everything in life so if 80% of my week I eat health than 20% I can do what I like. That saying “you are what you eat” is so true, so I’m very conscious of wanting to feel good all the time. Monday to Friday I’m very planned and boring. Breakfast- omelette and coffee Lunch - protein and salad on a wrap or rice paper rolls Dinner- protein and salad or veggies and a glass of wine Weekends I eat whatever works and always a few more wines !!

EXERCISE

Do you follow an exercise program?

In my early 20’s I was a competitive triathlete, training 15 hours per week and following a tight training program. These days I exercise at least 4 times per week. I do 2 weights sessions a week, 2 runs and a long walk if I have time . I have always worked long hours either as a salon owner or now heading up Elite Hair Education so it’s important I stay strong and fit. 35 years in the hairdressing industry and I still can do a 12-hour shift on the floor, sometimes feeling better at the end of the day them the younger ones around me. I strongly believe a good diet and fitness routine each week is a priority if you want to have any form of success. It makes it easy that I love my runs down the beach and coffee watching the sun come up with friends. On the days I travel I visit the gym in the hotel at 6am.

CONSISTENCY

Are you consistent with your healthy living habits or do they start and stop depending on what is happening in your life?

I would say I’m consistent 90% of the time with my healthy living habits . The wheels do fall off the wagon when I meet friends for lunches or dinners. The key to staying consistent is having a training buddy and plan your meals prep. I am very lucky that my husband is the cook in our family so that’s one less job I have.

HABITS

What habits have you developed that set you up for success?

Over the years I have acquired quite a few very successful mentors who have shared their success and enabled me to create those same great habits. In all my workshops I talk a lot about creating good habits that set you up for a happy day, week, year, and life. Some of mine are : Set goals that inspire you Wake up early, the early bird gets the worm. Exercise regularly Networking with like-minded people Being positive Think solution not problem Choose to be happy and laugh a lot

What’s one habit that you’d like to break or change to be healthier or happier?

Drink less wine

What’s the best thing you’ve ever done for your own health or happiness?

I was a chubby kid growing up so losing 20 kilos when I was young has set me up for a healthy life. Always focusing on a positive attitude and mindset has helped me make good choices and enabled me to act confidently when I have needed to be brave.

WEEKENDS I EAT WHATEVER WORKS AND ALWAYS A FEW MORE WINES!!