When it comes to juggling – or, in this midfielder’s case, handballing – the challenges life routinely throws at her, AFL Women’s League superstar Daisy Pearce makes it look as easy as kicking a winning set shot, 25 metres’ out from goal.
At just 28 years of age, Swisse AFL campaign ambassador Daisy has not only managed to win six Victoria Football League‘s Women’s Best and Fairest awards and be named captain of the AFL’s first-ever All-Australian women’s team but she also made history earlier this year when she became Triple M’s first female football caller.
But before winning her growing list of accolades, as well as the well-deserved praise of the AFL community, Daisy was balancing training as an elite athlete with her full-time career as a midwife.
As the Melbourne Demons’ captain tells us, this was no mean feat. However, it was her commitment to health, wellness and mindfulness that has seen this young up-and-comer achieve athletic supremacy in what has been long heralded as a male-dominated sport.
And she tells us exactly how she did it…
1. Be ‘present’
Practice being present in each of your ‘worlds’. When I am at football I try to focus on being a footballer and resist thinking about the work I need to do tomorrow, or what happened at the hospital that day, or about what I am going to do on the weekend.
The same goes for when I am with my partner or family, I try not to ruminate too about football.
Plus, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. If I devote too much of my time and energy to one aspect of my life (like football, for example), it leaves me really vulnerable because I have nothing to fall back on and identify myself by if I have a bad game, get injured or lose an important match.
“I am lucky that I am very passionate about both football and midwifery because it makes the sacrifices you have to make in order to fit it all in worth it,” says Daisy.
2. Self-reflect
Rarely is something achieved without hard work, moments of angst or sacrifice and whilst the perception of many successful people is that they do things with such ease and grace – it is rarely the case.
Behind the person there are many challenges, meltdowns, personal crisis and daily chaos.
I remind myself of that often and remember the doubts and discomfort can actually be a sign that you’re heading in the right direction and are about to grow.
3. Practice meditation
Meditation is a great way to practice being present.
By doing it consciously for short periods of time on a daily basis through meditation you will improve your ability to do it in ‘real life’ situations like I mentioned and become better at being mindful or present in whatever it is you are doing.
4. Reboot and refuel
I always try to ensure that no matter how busy my schedule is, I take the time to prioritise eating well and fuelling my body with all the right nutrients.
During the winter months it is really important to make sure I stay as healthy as possible, as between training and playing there is no time to be sick!
I find that in addition to eating well an added boost of vitamin C and a multivitamin daily really helps keep my immune system strong. I like to take the Swisse Women’s Ultivite and the Swisse Ultiboost Vitamin C + Manuka Honey each morning.
“Remain true to yourself and follow your passions.”
