Kelly Landry, media personality, Getaway presenter and now Liptember ambassador spoke to Rescu. about Liptember, her views on emotional support for women and the secret to how she juggles work, family and her personal goals.RESCU: You are so professionally busy and about to become a mother – what motivated you to become an ambassador for Liptember?
Kelly Landry: I actually jumped at the opportunity when I was first approached by Liptember two years ago. I’ve worked with a number of charities over the years, but never a gender specific charity. Unfortunately medical research is still largely developed and tested on men. What a lot of people don’t understand is physically men and women are different and therefore require different assessment and treatments of illnesses. It’s quite heartbreaking when you read into the facts of how many preventable illnesses women die from because of the lack of education and research into the illnesses and how they specifically affect women.
I love the idea of working with a charity that not only unifies women, but this year is drawing much needed attention and important fundraising toward an illness that affects most people in some way during their lifetime. Mental health research and awareness have come a long way in the past years, but still has a very long way to go. There are still so many stigmas attached to the words depression and anxiety. Wouldn’t it be nice to live in a world where such stigmas didn’t exist? Where the statistics relating to mental health were significantly lowered because of funding and research. The good news is that Liptember is taking that initiative and it is so easy for anyone to become involved!
RESCU: Do you believe that as women we have the right support for mental wellbeing in our community?
Kelly Landry: I think as a woman we are significantly lacking in the right support for mental wellbeing in our community. Women do tend to draw the short straw in a lot of circumstances surrounding health in general. Women are often too busy looking after everyone else (their children, family, etc) and often are the last to take care of their own health. When it comes to mental health specifically, I believe a lot of women still view having issues with mental health as a weakness or sense of failure and therefore are a lot less likely to seek help. The statistics clearly suggest that women are much more susceptible to depression and anxiety and are less likely to seek help. Our aim is to change that.
RESCU: More than any other era there is a lot of pressure to do it all, and do it well. What are your top tips for juggling work, family and personal goals and commitments?
Kelly Landry: I think it’s really important to listen to yourself. Your body is incredibly intelligent and will let you know when you are over-doing it. I enjoy being busy, but when I am tired or feeling run down I am not afraid to take time out, or ask for help if I need it. I am also very lucky to have a close relationship with my family and some amazing friends. We all support each other through our triumphs and tribulations in life. I think it’s very important to have the right support network around you.
RESCU: Do you have strategies in place for emotional support and wellbeing in your busy life?
Kelly Landry: I try to live a healthy lifestyle. I believe in a healthy body, mind and soul. If something is out of balance I work at what it is to get it back in balance. It takes work and patience sometimes, but believing in yourself is half the battle. I use exercise, music and a good diet as my strategies for wellbeing in life. I am also a big a believer in what you think you create, so if you are a negative thinker you attract negativity and vice versa. Happiness truly comes from within and you are the only person who can create that happiness. There are many ups and downs in life, but I look at it as part of a journey and if I am having a challenging time in my life I try to continually remind myself of all the things that make me happy.
RESCU: What do you do to keep it all together when faced with life’s challenges?
Kelly Landry: Challenges can be the greatest lessons you learn in life. I often learn the most about myself when I am challenged. My philosophy is that no challenge will last forever and no matter how bad things may seem to you there is always someone who is suffering more. I try to always view a challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow.
RESCU: What’s your favourite lipstick and 3 must have beauty products in your travel kit?
Kelly Landry: I am absolutely loving wearing Burt’s Bees Hibiscus lip balm (official Liptember lippie) everyday. It’s a great colour and I find a lot of lipstick products actually leave my lips dry. This little tube of goodness does quite the opposite. After last Liptember I’ve been recommending this product to anyone who complains of dry lips. It’s great when flying too.
My 3 must have beauty products in my travel kit are:
- Avene hand cream. It’s so good.
- Ella Bache Crème Spèciale Yeux. It’s the best for flying.
- Burt’s bees lip balm – I can’t stand dry lips.
Kelly Landry is also the wife of Rescu. finance expert Anthony Bell! You can read Anthony’s finance advice here.
Liptember has partnered up with Bert’s Bees to raise awareness and fund research for women’s health issues. Throughout September sponsor your family and friends to wear the official Liptember lip shade, Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Hibiscus, everyday. Money raised from both the sale of the tinted lip balms and from sponsoring family and friends will all go towards this worthy cause.
Liptember Tinted Lip Balm Hibiscus is available exclusively at MYER stores (For stockists phone 1300 855 478)
For more information on Liptember visit www.liptember.com.au
