This lovely lady, Mart-Mari, is just incredible.
I am so honoured to have met her and had the privilege of photographing her as part of my 40 over 40 campaign.
Like with my other 40 over 40 participants, I will share some of her own responses a bit further down in this blog. But I feel like I need to write a bit more about her to do her justice. I meet a lot of people in my job. A lot of incredible people. A lot of incredible women. But Mart Mari is just something else. Her drive, her self discipline. Her self awareness. And how after all she has been through her mission to help others with what she has learnt – while all missioning on to keep learning more.
Mart-Mari is just an incredible human being!
You can follow her blog here and she has also written two books you can see and purchase them here.
Read more from Mart-Mari
What drew you to this 40 over 40 campaign?
A friend forwarded the campaign details to me. The photo used caught my attention and I thought: “Why not?”
Do you have a story / experience you want to share?
I would love to share my weight loss, therapy, book writing and running journeys. There is too much “story” to share in such a short space, so I’ll summarise it like this: I lost 80 kg (it took me almost three years). I didn’t exercise when I started dieting, but about a year in, I started walking, and another year later, I started running. I went for therapy to understand why I am an emotional eater and wrote a book about what I’ve discovered and learned about emotional weight. I ran my first marathon in October 2022 and published my second book on my marathon training.
What are you post proud of yourself for?
I am incredibly proud of my books. I never thought of myself as a writer and I cannot believe that I did it.
What are some goals or things you still want to do?
I want to write a fictional novel and run the Two Oceans marathon. I also want to travel with my husband when all my kids are independent.
Has there/is there anyone in your life who has made a massive impact, if so, how?
My therapist opened my eyes to issues that had been bothering me for years and helped me work through them. My husband has been a pillar of support for what seems like forever. Him loving me makes me the best me I can be.
Thoughts on aging?
I hope I can age without needing to interfere. I don’t want to colour my hair. I don’t want to botox. Menopause scares me, but I hope to go through that without any side effects or hormone replacement therapy.
I want to still run when I am old and I hope that I will never be a burden on others.
What do you think some of your best qualities are?
Hard working, Always willing to help (even when I get hurt in the process)
What advice do you have for other women 40+ out there?
It is true when they say: “Life begins at forty” Embrace turning older.
This is the age when your responsibilities start to become a bit less and you are able to live more for yourself. Be your own person. Work towards your own goals and don’t depend on anyone to make you happy.
Accept your body and how it looks. Embrace being female and, for crying out loud, have more orgasms!
What has gotten easier for you since turning 40?
Mum-guilt has gotten a whole lot easier to handle or disappeared altogether.
What do you currently love about yourself?
I love my grey hair and my body. I love that I keep setting new goals for myself and I love reaching them. I love that I have not stopped growing or learning.
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