Can you tell us a little about you and your family:

I’m the youngest of eight kids. I think looking back, having six brothers was good training for having three boys myself. The boys are now past the scary teenage years, and I have three amazing men looking after me.

Adjusting to motherhood..

I was a young mum, well 25 felt young to me.

Getting pregnant changed my world. I was still backpacking and on a very long gap year. I was going out until all hours of the morning and had no commitments other than showing up to work. I had to grow up fast!

How do you manage the juggle?

I’m a big list person. I organise the day by hours and write everything on the board in the kitchen, that way everyone can see what’s happening. I must say, now two of the kids are driving, life is much easier. But the lists still come in handy.

The best thing about motherhood?

All the kids make me laugh. I just love standing around the kitchen bench talking with them. While they don’t want to follow in Dad’s footsteps into stand-up comedy, they all have a great sense of humour. I’m also so proud of everything they achieve – seeing them reach their goals is gold.

The biggest challenge?

I found juggling all the activities, like sport, music, whatever filled the week, really tough, especially as Pete is away so much with work. Sometimes I was so tired I’d fall asleep at the traffic lights or end up really sick from not looking after myself.

The biggest surprise?

How quickly they grew up. Everyone tells you that, but when you’re in the thick of it, it feels like time will never pass, and then you blink and you’re organising a 21st!

What do you wish you knew before becoming a mum?

Everything is going to be OK! I found having more kids easier because you just don’t worry as much about the little things. You know what the cry means, how long you can leave them, that they’re warm enough, fed enough, happy enough – all the little things don’t need as much attention as I gave them with baby number one.

Any advice to your past self or new mums?

I would go back and let the house be dirty, leave the dishes in the sink, and worry less about the piles of laundry. We had so much fun when they were growing up, but I always felt guilty about not doing the chores. Removing that stress would’ve made such a difference.

Any advice to manage the day-to-day juggle?

Writing lists! I can easily get overwhelmed by the number of things to do in one day. Ticking off the list is so satisfying. When everyone needs to be across it, I write everything on our paper roller in the kitchen, it’s like a diary on display. Being organised and communicating with your partner, kids or whoever is helping you also eases the stress of the juggle.

How do you manage your time across career, parenting, and everything else?

Fitting everything in gets easier as the kids grow up. Pete and I do a quiz almost every day, especially when he’s travelling. It gives us time to chat about unimportant things – it’s like a mini date every day. I still put the kids first and would drop everything for them, so I probably haven’t mastered the work/mum/partner balance. But I’m lucky all my work can be done at home or around their needs.

Who is in your village?

My parents – I couldn’t have survived the early years without Mum and Dad. Also Pete’s parents, all our siblings and my besties, they’re our village. We have the best family and friends. I know I could call any of them and they’d be there for me. I’m so lucky to have such wonderful people around me.

1. Dita Gold Aviator Sunglasses – I can’t go anywhere without sunnies and I’ve had these for years. They’re light and look great.
2. Chap Stick Conditioner Lip Balm – Not a fancy gloss, but my go-to. It really works and holds up in the sun or snow.
3. Giorgio Armani Si – I’ve tried so many scents but this is the only one I consistently get compliments on.
4. Rosken Skin Repair Hand Cream – From the supermarket! I wash my hands constantly and this is the ultimate.
5. My Navy Elk Wallet – I love Elk’s leather, and their coin compartments always work. A winner.

Your favourite holiday spot?

This is hard, we’ve travelled so much and love it! Can I say everywhere? If I had to choose, I’d say anywhere in France, especially the south. Villefranche-sur-Mer is a small resort town near Nice, everything is wonderful there: the food, the streets, the vibe. And Paris is my favourite city in Europe. If I’m choosing somewhere in Victoria, it’s the Mornington Peninsula – not the Sorrento end – but the wineries around Merricks and Red Hill, and the beaches on Western Port Bay.

Why do you love It?

In France, I love the people, the food, the culture. It feels like home away from home.
Mornington Peninsula has so much to offer, some wineries are world-class, the beaches are beautiful, and the food is great. It’s relaxing… if you stay away from the super busy bits.

Next spot on your travel wishlist?

South America. We were lucky to visit Argentina on The Amazing Race and it was such fun. We’d love to explore more of Argentina and visit Chile. Another place we loved visiting on the show was Namibia, everyone who went said they’d go back. It truly feels like being in a screensaver.

Your favourite brand and why?

I don’t really have a favourite, I’d live in a tracksuit if I could! I do love Cable for their knitwear. A jumper and jeans is my go-to when I’m not in track pants.

The trend you’re loving?

Wide-leg pants! I look horrible in them (so frumpy!), but I don’t care. I’m done with skinny jeans.

The trend you can’t get on board with?

Crop tops, jumpers and jackets. Apart from them not suiting me, I need my kidneys warm. I don’t want a breeze near my vital organs!

Latest Brand Discovery?

I’m late to it, but Ena Pelly. If you bring out an oversized tee that looks good, I’m sold.

Where do you do most of your shopping?

Local boutiques. They’ve got everything and the staff take time with you. If I can’t find something there, I shop online. The older I get, the less I want to go to big shopping centres, I don’t think they’re really aimed at my age group.

A healthy lifestyle means…

Balance! It’s not one or the other. It’s just a little bit of everything. I like to exercise most days, it’s good for my brain and mental space. I also love enjoying a glass of wine with friends and great food.

What does a healthy lifestyle mean to you?

Mental health has become the priority in recent years.

My anxiety wasn’t in check, and I started to struggle with even the smallest things. I worked hard with a therapist and I’m so glad I did.

Biggest challenge of The Amazing Race?

There weren’t many, but I remember one morning telling Pete I was homesick and missed the kids. Then we went to a music school where the kids ran up and hugged us, that was a tough day. I didn’t cry until we finished the task, but when a producer asked if I was OK, I bawled! Pete couldn’t do much to help, and I couldn’t shake the homesickness, it was complicated, but we got through it.

What surprised you most about doing the show together?

How long have we got! All we wanted was not to be out on day one. We knew we wouldn’t fight and could handle the hard moments. We worked really well as a team, even at our lowest, one of us always knew when to stay calm and not overdo the advice.