AMBASSADOR STORY - SAAM FOWLER

This week's ambassador story is from Saam Fowler, @lifewithsaam on Instagram. We chatted all things Mum life, her motivation behind exercise, how she came to be a Real Active ambassador and more. 

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOU?

I am a 25 year old Mum to my four year old daughter, Layla and my almost four month old son, Memphis. Last year even though the world turned upside down, we had a few things happen to us that were so incredible, which included us falling pregnant with our rainbow baby, and getting engaged to my partner of 6 years, Brodie.

I am currently on maternity leave from my retail job, so until I return I have been spending as much quality time with my kids as I can. I also love posting and creating content on my Instagram and Youtube channel. I love sharing about my raw moments of motherhood and my life journey to help other women, in particular Mums, feel less alone!

WHY DID YOU WANT TO BECOME A REAL ACTIVE AMBASSADOR?

As soon as I heard Carlie was looking for more Real Active Ambassadors, I contacted her straight away because I have been a long time fan of the company. I have been purchasing from Real Active for a few years, and even have photos of my daughter with the older style bottles when she was practically a baby! Not only did I already love the products, but I also LOVED everything the company was about. I love that Carlie and Real Active are so passionate about helping those who are suffering with mental health. So I thought, why not put my hand up to help spread awareness about this amazing company and their mission!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE REAL ACTIVE PRODUCT?

It’s so hard to choose! I’ve had different ones throughout different stages of my life. I loved the soft shirts for my growing bump while I was pregnant, and now once again the workout towels when I go to the gym. However, my all time fave that has stuck with me all these years has to be the 2.2L bottle. I love that it helps me keep on track with my water intake throughout the day, and it is now attached to my hip as I am a breastfeeding mama.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HEALTH AND FITNESS JOURNEY, AND WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO YOU AND YOUR MENTAL HEALTH?

I am back at the gym, and an ambassador for Fernwood Fitness Penrith. At the moment I am working out, or going for a walk 5-6 days a week. I know this may sound like a lot when I am a Mum, and also after my second c-section - but I have been loving it, and it has been amazing for my mental health for a few reasons.

 For a long time, especially throughout high school and after having my first baby, I wasn’t happy with my body. My main reason for working out and changing my eating habits was purely because I wanted to lose weight, and how I looked. I viewed exercise like a chore I had to get done, or a way to punish myself for eating “bad” food. But a quote that really stuck with me was “workout because you love your body, not because you hate it”. It made me realise that I should be working out to feel good on the inside, work on my health, and be fit enough to run around with my kids.

I also love heading to the gym, or out for a walk each day because it is the one hour a day I get to myself. Being a Mum to two kids can be crazy at times. I am constantly cleaning up, trying to entertain my daughter, making sure dinner is on the table, breastfeeding my son, on top of the million other things that come with being a Mum and partner. I think self care is so important, and for me, self care isn’t doing a face mask, or getting my nails done (even though those things are soooo nice), self care for me is making time to look after myself, my needs and acknowledging that I am important too. Each day when I go to the gym, I get an hour of focusing on me and what I want. That way at the end of a hectic day with the kids, I can go to bed knowing I did something for me. It honestly helps my mental health so much!

YOU SHARE RAW MOMENTS OF MOTHERHOOD THROUGH YOUR SOCIAL CHANNELS. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST LEARNING SINCE BECOMING A MUM?

Wow, the list could honestly be endless. I have learnt SO much since becoming a Mum, that it is so hard to pick just one thing. I think perhaps lately especially I have realised how important it is to be kind to your body, and to be mindful about how you speak to it. I know that what our children hear us say, can eventually become their inner voice. I noticed this a lot when my four year old daughter began to ask questions about my stretch marks, my postpartum belly and my c-section scar. I could have answered in regards to them in a negative way, and thought that it wouldn’t mean much at all. But I remember growing up, whatever I heard about things like gaining weight, and stretch marks, severely affected the way I viewed my body later on. I remember being a teenager and thinking I had to look a certain way to be beautiful. I never want my daughter to grow up doubting her beauty and worth!

The other thing I have learnt since becoming a Mum is that you are never alone. It may feel like it at times, especially late at night when you have a baby that won’t stop crying, or a toddler that is throwing a tantrum in the shops, or when you’re looking at a house that looks like a bomb hit it - but you are never alone. I think it is so important to reach out if you are feeling like it is all too much, and you need help. It doesn’t mean you are weak, or less of a Mum if you need it. There is always another mama willing to listen and nine times out of ten, I can guarantee they have also felt the same. And if you’re nervous to reach out to someone you know, there are great hotlines and services that can help also!

WHAT ARE YOUR PASSIONS?

I have always been unsure about my passion career wise. For the moment, I really love being at home with my kids. However, since sharing my motherhood journey on Instagram, I have found a passion for making other women feel less alone! I love sharing my hard days, my good days, and all the days in-between because that is real life. It needs to be shared more on social media so that people don’t compare their own lives to someone else’s highlight reel. I think I realised this when I shared my TTC and loss journey on YouTube, and realised how many people I could help. I love being there for people even if it is in little ways. Even if it is just me sharing a product I’ve found and loved for my kids/myself, because there might be a new Mum watching who doesn’t have other Mum friends to turn to for advice.

WHAT IS ONE OF YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTES?

My favourite quote of all time has to be “One day you will tell your story of how you’ve overcome what you’re going through right now, and it will be part of someone else’s survival guide”.

Thank you so much Saam for sharing your story. It was so great to learn more about you and what makes you tick. There were so many pieces of wisdom and life lessons shared through your story that I know will become moments of strength and motivation for many others. You can follow Saam's journey via her Instagram page.