I understand that you used to work in the fashion industry, how did you end up writing this book?
I’m originally from Norway. I first came here on a modeling contract almost oh god, thirteen years ago. After working in the industry for a couple of years, I found myself feeling totally run down and depleted. So, like anyone who feels ill, I went to see a doctor. They looked me over and ran all my bloodwork, and told me that from a medical standpoint I was perfectly healthy. And I thought to myself “I’m in my early twenties, and I feel like shit. There has got to be a better way to live”.
Were there any missteps along the way?
Oh certainly. I tried everything - vegan, vegetarian, paleo, candida, the master cleanse - I tried it all. I learned pretty quickly that restrictive eating did not work for my Viking body, so in the end, I decided to focus on simply eating real whole foods.
It’s easy to get carried away, like how right now everybody is drinking celery juice. I mean, I love celery, but it’s starting to sell out at Whole Foods, it’s crazy!
You pull a lot from Ayurvedic wisdom that has been around for thousands of years - why do you think there is such an interest in adaptogens right now?
We often fall into this “go-go-go” mentality, especially for women, to have all the things, to do all the things. We’re really stressed out as a culture, and these constant stress signals are wreaking havoc on our bodies long term.
I think it can be really empowering to realize that you have the ability to actually make yourself feel better with simple lifestyle changes. With access to information, people have the power to use these ancient wisdoms and apply them in their own way - every body is different.
We often fall into this “go-go-go” mentality, especially for women, to have all the things, to do all the things. We’re really stressed out as a culture, and these constant stress signals are wreaking havoc on our bodies long term.
I think it can be really empowering to realize that you have the ability to actually make yourself feel better with simple lifestyle changes. With access to information, people have the power to use these ancient wisdoms and apply them in their own way - every body is different.
What other rituals of self-care do you use to keep yourself sane?
I like to keep it simple: sleep, water, exercise.
Sleep is holy for me. Having two kids means it isn’t always the easiest task for me to accomplish, but it makes all the difference.
How do you maintain a healthy relationship with fashion after having left the industry?
I still love fashion. Wearing clothes you feel good in - it’s a powerful mood lifter. Whereas a lot of what I do is focused on working from the inside out, fashion has to ability to work from the outside in.
I like to keep it simple: sleep, water, exercise.
Sleep is holy for me. Having two kids means it isn’t always the easiest task for me to accomplish, but it makes all the difference.
How do you maintain a healthy relationship with fashion after having left the industry?
I still love fashion. Wearing clothes you feel good in - it’s a powerful mood lifter. Whereas a lot of what I do is focused on working from the inside out, fashion has to ability to work from the outside in.
Will reading Super Powders give me super powers?
*laughs* You’re not going to eat just one bliss ball and start floating. A lot of people don’t understand that these things take time - it isn’t magic - it’s food, it’s energy. Self-care is a process, it takes a little patience, but the results can be really transformative.
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
The power to move through space in an instant - *snap* and I’m in Thailand. I love to travel.
*laughs* You’re not going to eat just one bliss ball and start floating. A lot of people don’t understand that these things take time - it isn’t magic - it’s food, it’s energy. Self-care is a process, it takes a little patience, but the results can be really transformative.
If you could have one super power, what would it be?
The power to move through space in an instant - *snap* and I’m in Thailand. I love to travel.