When it came to facing off against some of Rugby League’s best players, former Rooster’s player, Braith Anasta, would barely flinch.
But, ask the doting dad if he’d like to tackle a second round of home schooling his kids in lockdown and he’d likely break a sweat at the thought.
Chatting to Now To Love the 38-year-old happily admits that he never could have predicted how hard teaching his three kids, Aleeia, who he shares with ex Jodi Gordon, Addison, new partner Rachael Lee’s son, and Gigi, whom he shares with Rachael, would be.
“I don’t care what anyone says, it’s not ideal and it makes you appreciate teachers,” he says with a laugh.
“It was a huge challenge. My partner Rachel was really good but I’m not the most patient person in the world, so I struggled and they take advantage. They get cheeky.”
Braith is so proud of his family – and we can see why!
(Instagram)Sharing part of the parenting duties too is Braith’s ex and former Neighbours star Jodi Gordon.
The Fox Sports star explains that when it comes to co-parenting, it’s all about routine for their daughter, Aleeia.
“With Jodi moving back [to Sydney], it hasn’t changed much.
“I’m really big on routine and structure so that Aleeia, has routine. She goes to school Monday to Friday and is here with us as a family and then Jodi has her on the weekends.
She can see her whenever she likes, she probably sees her a bit more and can just go hang out, that’s the advantage of being in Sydney.”
Jodi returned to Sydney from Melbourne after leaving Neighbours.
(Instagram)Home-schooling, co-parenting and work isn’t all Braith has been trying to juggle amid the pandemic, he’s also been planning a wedding after popping to the question to partner, Rachael.
“We are aiming for the end of next year, but we haven’t locked anything in or booked anything, obviously that’s pretty hard to do in the current situation.
“We can’t wait to get married, but we are pretty open to when that happens, so we’re just going to take our time.”
As coronavirus restrictions have eased, in some states, Braith’s felt the push to get back into fitness and has thrown his support behind POWer Up! Challenge which sees participants complete 30km any way they want – run, swim, walk, ride – between 14th to the 20th of September.
Getting back into fitness isn’t his only motivation, however, as the charity event supports the Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation.
“It’s close to my heart because I’ve used the hospital a lot, as most parents have experienced, you have accidents and you’re up there a bit with the kids, and they’re always amazing,” he explains.
Braith and his kids with the heroes who work at the Prince of Wales Hospital.
(Supplied)It’s also where Braith spent many long days by his mum’s side as she received treatment for breast cancer.
“I was up there a lot with her,” he recalls. “Let’s be honest, it’s a horrible time in your life, you know, and they just make you feel so comfortable, they make it as easy as possible, as warm as possible, obviously it’s hard to do that for a hospital.”
For more information on how you can get involved in the POWer Up! Challenge, visit: powhf.org.au
