Spotlight on scholarship winner, Meg
When we received a Teacher Training Scholarship application from Meg Ryan, the first thing we thought was, “Meg, you have not aged a day since When Harry Met Sally.” Then when we got to know her, we realised that not only is Meg a mum, a mindfulness and meditation teacher and far more inspiring than any movie star, she’s using her inner spark to create change for mothers everywhere. Drawing upon her own experience – partnered with her newfound expertise in the Pilates Mat Teacher Training program – Meg is about to change the game. We simply can’t wait to see what magic she creates, and after reading this interview, we have a feeling you may feel the same. Okay, Meg. Action!
Hi Meg! Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Meg Ryan. I am a Sydney based Mum of two beautiful children, wife to my wonderful hubby and a registered nurse and midwife.
My calm place is the ocean but any form of nature will do the trick. I love herbal tea, advocate for a balanced diet always and am always finding new ways to move my body.
I believe we can’t genuinely give anything to our family and friends until we love and nourish ourselves first.
You’re speaking the Barre Body language. Other than our agreement on giving back to ourselves, what attracted you to Barre Body?
Barre Body just holds such beautiful values. Self care shines through in all of Barre Body’s studios, programs and now for me, courses. There was such versatility available in course selection and the instructors have such incredible wellbeing values and that’s something I wanted to be a part of for my future.
Oh come on, now we’re tearing up! Tell us, why does the scholarship mean so much to you?
I’m not sure I can put into words what this scholarship means to me. After my first child in 2017, I was very quickly diagnosed with perinatal depression and anxiety. I basically buried that diagnosis for another 3 years until I had had my second child and was at the end of my maternity leave. Returning to work, along with other life changes at the time, saw me have a huge mental breakdown. This experience was terrifying, dark and I lost all direction.
Now, looking back, hitting rock bottom was a brand new beginning for me. I started working with an incredible psychologist who I am still with today, 2 and a half years on. I have learnt so much about myself, changed so many old habits that weren’t serving me well and my self care and wellbeing is now my number one priority.
I have realised through my incredibly hard work to get to where I am today, a state of strength, love and confidence, that so many mums don’t put themselves first.
My mission now through becoming a mindfulness and meditation teacher and now a Mat Pilates Instructor, is to empower more pregnant women and mothers to nourish themselves first in order to thrive in all areas of life.
That is absolutely incredible. How are you bringing it to life?
I have started The Perinatal Platform (@theperinatalplatform) to provide wellbeing and mindfulness support, education and programs to all mothers. By winning this amazing scholarship and opportunity with Barre Body, I can so easily now add in my passion for movement and share my skills, expertise and love for movement and all it means to me and does for our brain health.
We cannot wait to see what’s ahead for you and the women you work with. Can you tell us what movement means to you?
For me, movement is a privilege, it’s denied to many, it’s lost by some and it’s taken for granted so easily. There’s so many ways we can move and for so many varying reasons but we can’t deny the effect it has on our brain health, is science backed.
I used to need to do HIIT training to feel like I’d done something and it was my psychologist that stopped me from fast paced exercise for a period and introduced me to more grounding exercise of Pilates and yoga. I’ve never looked back. It’s been an integral part of my recovery.
What are you most excited to get out of your training with Barre Body?
I am most excited about advancing my knowledge on this beautiful practice. Going further in depth with the effect on varying parts of the body and how best to tie a workout together for pre and postnatal clients. Technique is everything and I can’t wait to be able to share such information having been taught from such well regarded teachers.
What impact do you hope that your story has on your community?
I hope it becomes someone’s survival guide. Whilst, as a community, we are getting better at speaking up about and accepting mental health challenges with less judgement than ever, we still have a long way to go. I want mothers and women to know it truly is okay to not be okay, it is okay to ask for help and you can recover.
It’s a tough ride at times but with the right support and implemented nourishing changes to the relationship between your mind and body, you can thrive happier and bigger than ever.
If I can, anyone can.
Wow, Meg. Inspiration cup: loaded. And look, it has to be said. Meg, we’ll have what you’re having.
