Wellness is really important to me so I like to surround myself with similar values. I remember the first time I met Lindsay Jay, I knew we would be friends and other people had said that we would get on well, but the reality is that when you are a mum with kids of different ages it can be really hard to make friends, but rather than leaving it to wait til our paths crossed, I messaged Lindsay and invited her on a hike. Since then as our friendship has grown, as our lives have taken twists and turns. We both have a thirst to learn and share so it is lovely to interview someone I value as one of my dearest friends.
Hi Lindsay, Welcome to No Mum Is An Island. I am a great believer that no mum or dad should have to do everything themselves, we can’t possibly know it all, and we need all the support we can get, there is a wealth of information out there to help us upgrade our parenting experience, to make our lives easier and this website is a hub for just that! You have made your love of health into a career that transforms the lives of the people you work with whilst having time to be with your son.
You had a successful health and fitness career in London, yet when you found out you were pregnant, you left it all behind to go and have your baby in Ibiza, can you tell us a bit more about why you made that decision?
I have a friend that had moved to Ko Samui, when she had her first child I went to visit her out there and her lifestyle totally inspired me. I knew that when I fell pregnant I wanted to be living somewhere I could enjoy a slower paced life than my hectic London one, to give me time to truly connect with my child. The free spirit vibe, sunshine and like-minded people here in Ibiza really make life here very special.
How did you get your mummy body to be healthy and fit after having Hercules?
Firstly I was patient with myself sleeping and looking after your newborn for me was far more important than getting my dream body back! But when I felt up to it at seven weeks I started training again, but really listening to my body. I actually documented my journey back to fitness with all the workouts on my YouTube channel.
You have created a wonderful retreat in Ibiza called YogaFit Retreats that sees 450 people come for an epic week of health and wellness, twice a year. Can you tell us more?
I knew when I moved to Ibiza and after having my son Hercules I wanted to start running retreats and that I wanted to offer something a little bit different to what was on offer on the island, retreat wise. In my previous life, before I moved here, I was an international fitness and yoga presenter teaching quite big classes, so wasn’t phased by big numbers. I also missed my friends that I used to work with week in, week out, so I thought why not get everyone together and create something really special.
My first proper job back after having Hercules was teaching some classes for a press launch in a hotel and this hotel has ended up being the one that we use for YogaFit retreats. It’s a hotel beach resort on the northeast of the island and we take it a week before they open to the public and a week after they close. We fill the hotel with every type of yoga, fitness, life coaching, nutrition and healing style we are inspired by. And in between each retreat, I spend my time looking for new things that inspire me. The business is a family one I run it with my brother and his wife. And due to the fact, there are only two retreats a year it gives me a lot more time to spend with my gorgeous little boy.
Children are also welcome on the retreat there is a kids club available giving you the chance to enjoy some classes and workshops and talks and +14 years olds are welcome at all of the main stage classes. Check out www.yogafitretreats.com for more information.
What is the most important wellness factor that results in a long and healthy life?
I watched a Ted talk that really inspired me over a year ago now and I still think about their words a lot…. they said that the main factor to live a long and happy life had nothing to do with the food you eat or the exercise you do and everything to do with the people you surround yourself with. It’s all about building up a beautiful community of people around you that you care about and care about you, this is the main thing I focus on cultivating at my retreats and in my everyday life.
I know from first-hand experience that being a single mum is a real challenge. What is the wellness secret that helps you be a better mum?
I think this question kind of goes hand-in-hand with the one above. Having a support network of wonderful people around you… it really does take a whole village to raise a child. I’m so grateful for the special ones like you in my life Jade!
A child’s primary love language is ‘quality time’ so I try to be completely present for my son as much as I can and to do this my mindfulness and meditation practice is essential.
You are putting together a parenting retreat in Ibiza for next year, can you tell us more?
Yes I’m really excited about this new project, one because I’m going to be working with you and two because there’s just so much to learn and as I learn I want to share this with as many people as possible. The retreats will be for children and parents giving them time to connect, enjoy time together and learn some incredible new life skills.
What else have you got going on at the moment?
I’m taking Release Me, the opening class from our YogaFit Retreats on tour in aid of The Lotus Flower. This charity was set up by my friend Taban, who is a Kurdish child genocide survivor. They help women and girls who have been affected by conflict and displacement. My class ‘Release Me’ is a therapeutic blend of all my favourite classes, with the intention to help us let go.
We will dance ourselves free, feel ourselves open up through breathwork and yoga and submerge into a bath of connection and meditation as we dissolve into LOVE. The class tour dates will be updated on my website regularly www.lindsayjay.co.uk The tour will also be heading out to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq this summer to work with the women in The Lotus Flower centres in the refugee camps. If you can’t make it, you can still help by donating to the ‘Just Giving Page’
