"Soon after I finished my PhD my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer, which had already spread to her bones (known as metastatic breast cancer). After she passed away, I chose to focus my research solely on breast cancer. My research focuses on helping women to improve their health and wellbeing after a breast cancer diagnosis through what they eat, their physical activity and their body composition, and is also focused on ensuring that all women regardless of where they live or their cultural, social, economic or educational background, have access to optimal cancer care and support. I’m very fortunate to have recently received funding through the Medical Research Future Fund to lead a trial to evaluate an exercise and dietary program for women with metastatic breast cancer living across all of Queensland."

"My mum was of the generation of women who did everything for everyone else and never for herself, which ultimately impacted her health. So, I’m acutely aware that looking after my own health and wellbeing is non-negotiable. As a dietitian and from a Greek family, I’ve always eaten well, but exercise and sleep are the first to go when things get busy."

"For me, self-care now is focused on strength training at the gym three times a week, a short trail run around my local reservoir on the weekend and a bush walk whenever I can. In this decade of my life, I’m much more focused on getting stronger and less focused on my weight. Next, is to get back to my daily yoga.

For sleep, I have a good night-time routine to help me switch off from the day – downtime set on my social media apps, journalling three good things from the day, reading a good fiction book and some meditation to send me off to sleep. I’ve also cut-back my alcohol intake. Society has told us that we need alcohol to relax when we’re stressed and to have fun but ignores all the risks and harms. Limiting alcohol is important for reducing my risk of health conditions (and better sleep), but also role models to my kids that you don’t need to use alcohol as a crutch.

Equally important for my wellbeing, is some good doses of laughter throughout the week, connecting with friends and some dancing when I can (thanks to @discoclubaus and @studio38.club.australia, for making this much easier and an earlier night!)."

"Personally, I’m proud that I had the courage to leave my unhealthy marriage 11 years ago and to be a role model for my children. I grew up in an extended family where there was no divorce and I had very few friends with divorced parents, so this was all foreign to me. I wanted my son to know that this wasn’t how a husband and father should behave and my daughter to know that this wasn’t how she should be treated by her partner and that it is ok to leave. With two young children though, it was the hardest decision I ever made, but ultimately the best decision."

"I couldn’t have done it without the support of my psychologist, and my family and friends. I know how lucky I am to have had this support and to be in a financial position where I could support myself and my kids on my own.

Despite the challenges of single/co-parenting, parenting a neurodivergent child and working full-time, I’ve been able to be there for my kids and succeed in my work, without compromising on my values and what’s important to me. Succeeding in academia as a woman can be hard but doing it as a single parent can sometimes feel impossible. I know the person who would be the proudest of what I’ve achieved both personally and professionally, is my mum."

"I wouldn’t have known how to describe my style before this year, but I had a great styling session with @kerriecarucci_stylist and worked out that my go-to work style is feminine-masculine. I love a wide leg pant and blazer but with a touch of frill or lace or a pop of colour. Outside of work, my style is focused on comfort! In summer, I live in linen shorts and a tank.

Since COVID lockdown, I’ve also worked on embracing my inner curly-girl. I had straightened my hair for many years. Straight hair gave me a sense of feeling in control (thanks to society and media for reinforcing this). It wasn’t until I was telling my then 12-year-old daughter that she needed to love herself for who she is, as I was straightening my hair, that I saw the irony.

There are still some days when I’m tempted to go back to straightening my hair, but there is a strong curly girl movement now and I have a great curly hair hairdresser who helps me to see that curly is great and that it’s nice to stand out from the crowd sometimes."

"I was recently in Europe for two cancer conferences and had the chance to do some hiking in the French Alps while I was there, which was absolutely breathtaking. Being in nature helps to put a lot of things into perspective. Hiking in other parts of the world (and Australia), is now high up on my bucket list."