Dr Lisa Gadd is the founder of Living Health Group, where she heads up a team of seven clinicians who work closely with elite AFL football teams and several Ironman athletes.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
I have spent the past 15 years now working in private practice as an osteopath, prior to this whilst at university I worked in the health and fitness industry as a PT and fitness instructor.
In the past 8 years I have been fortunate enough to open my own allied health clinic – Living Health Group. My current focus is developing and supporting my team of 7 health practitioners as we continue to grow and expand. I also speak and coach women on health, mindset and leadership.
2) What does a day in your life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
Being a triathlete for me a typical day starts at 5am, up early for a morning swim session, followed by coffee with team mates.
Then it’s off to work, generally a morning filled with back to back treating clients, then jumping into team meetings with my team and with coaching clients. From there it’s home, back into training consisting of either a run or a ride, home for dinner then it’s shower and bed by 930pm.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
Being a service based industry, the majority of our work is seeing clients face to face, and working with my team face to face with training and mentoring. While I do have some flexibility in working from home when working on the business or coaching clients, I find my team gets the most out of our training and mentoring sessions when face to face.
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
For me work life balance is knowing what I need for me and doing that daily. I make time to fit in what I need for me daily – morning training sessions, coffee and stretching, then I end my day with three things I am grateful for and meditation before bed.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
For me I know my body needs movement daily- sometimes it is swimming, riding or running. On my days off it could be a walk or yoga / pilates, my body really notices if I miss a day.
I also know that my mind needs some quiet, especially with what I have running through it at certain times of the day. So every night before bed I write 3 things I am grateful for from that day and I spend at least 15min in prayer or meditation.
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
My favorite book is Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead, and her book the gifts of imperfections. My favorite podcasts that I listen to on the drive to work daily have a spiritual focus and are by Joel Osteen and The Elevation podcast by Stephen Furtick.
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
My Google diary, my Evernote app and my Messenger app. With so much constantly on my mind these apps are my continual reminder of what I need to do or where I need to be. Then my Messenger app keeps me connected to friends and family.
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
Brene Brown for sure!
9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
Find what you need for you to help fill your cup and what helps you reconnect with yourself and do that daily, even for just 15 min a day.
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