Tammy Fry is the Marketing Director at The Fry Family Food Co., a company which focuses on delivering high protein vegan and plant based food.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
I am currently the Marketing Director for the Fry Family Food Co. I have been with the company since I was born, I suppose!
Born a vegetarian to a meat-eating father, took some serious propaganda (and nagging) to get him to change his ways. And when he did, a new company was born out of the necessity to feed our own family with wholesome, high protein plant-based meats that easily replaced the meat-taste he missed so much.
2) What does a typical day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
I wake up early – usually 5am. School lunchboxes, homework and house cleaning all gets done before I leave for CrossFit at 7am. My workday starts at 8:30am and I leave the office at 2:30pm to collect kids for their afternoon sports.
After preparing and eating dinner, I usually have a few more work calls with countries outside of Australia. Time zone differences can wreak havoc with a schedule, so I allow some flexibility to have meetings/calls at all times of the day or night. I have a huge passion for plant-based food and nutrition, so downtime for me is studying nutrition books or trying out a new recipe.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
Moving to Noosa, Australia 6 years ago has completely changed how I work. I manage marketing departments in various countries around the world and the difference in time zones, means meetings can start at any time in a 24-hour period.
This also means that I can schedule appointments that allow me to spend some afternoon time with my children. More flexibility but less structure.
4) Do you have any tips, tricks or shortcuts to help you manage your workload and schedule?
3 tips:
- Never start your day on your phone.
- Batch cooking for the week on the weekend
- Plan only 3 tasks you want to complete each day and get these done
5) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
Balancing motherhood, work, training, cooking and downtime is a tough gig, but I certainly am not alone. We live in a world where busy-ness is the new topic of conversation between friends. I don’t have much balance until the weekend comes along. Our weekends are sacred – dedicated only to sports, beach-time, camping and friends.
6) Are there any books that have helped you improve over the years?
- The Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest by Dan Buettner (this book prompted our move to Noosa)
- The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss, and Long-Term Health by Dr Colin Campbell (plant-based nutrition)
- The Alchemist by Paul Coelho (about finding adventure)
- Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action by Simon Sinek
7) What is the number one thing you do to make sure you get the most out of your day?
I believe the way you start your day is indicative of the success and happiness you create in the day. If you start out by checking social media, being late for work, packing an unhealthy lunchbox or with a bad mindset, the day spirals out of control.
If you can find mindfulness in the morning, get your home in order, get your body moving (even if that means following “Yoga with Adriene” on You Tube in your PJs next to your bed – then do it!) and plan the day properly, you will always enjoy the rest of the day more.
8) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
There is no easy answer or magic to creating balance. One minute you have it, the next you don’t. If you have self-discipline and clear goals, you have a much better chance of getting it right.
Life is a little like a rollercoaster and times and at other times, smooth sailing. Embrace the challenges, stay positive, breathe and sometimes things just work out. Remember, everything is as it should be.
If you’d like to have a conversation with us about how you balance the grind, get in touch with us!
