Quick fire with Charlene

1. Work or play?

Play. One of my biggest goals in life is to ‘have fun along the way’. If you join The Elita La Vie Approach you’ll work hard, but you’ll find plenty of opportunities for play. Create your own big picture goal.

2. What skill would you love to master?

I would love to have a calisthenics routine I could confidently crack out at the park.

3. If you had a superpower what would it be

To be able to speak every language

4. Do you watch shows one episode at a time or binge whole seasons?

I’m a binge watcher, but wish I had more self control to watch one at a time - maybe something for me to add to my Elita La Vie goals.

5. Tea or coffee?

Neither - I’m not a fan of hot drinks. 

6. Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?

Growing up I was told I was an extrovert so that’s what I always believed, but I’m starting to think my energy and big plans were mistaken and I’m actually an introvert.

7. Would you travel to space?

Never say never, but right now it’s a no from me. I don’t have the pull others do to explore beyond planet earth. I do enjoy learning about the advancements being made and the stories of astronauts. I think people who dedicate their lives to space travel are incredible people. 

8. Dream car

Nissan Figaro

Here she is - my dream car

9. What do you think the meaning of life is?

Contentment

I wrote more about what I think the meaning of life is here.

10. What motivates you the most?

Deadlines. Anytime I set myself a goal there has to be a hard deadline I need to meet. When I wanted to get into open water swimming I signed up for a triathlon. When I wanted to train for a 10k swim, I signed up for a race. It took me years to launch Elita La Vie because there was no hard deadline. Deadlines are how I work best!

11. What quote resonates with you?

‘One day you’ll be dead’. I first heard it on a podcast and it definitely woke me up. I have it close to my desk because for me, it reminds me to live my best life. Read why here.

12. What do you wish you learned sooner?

Financial responsibility. We are not taught young enough. I wish I’d been taught about investing much younger. I have an idea bubbling for an Elita La Vie take on finances…watch this space. 

13. Are you where you want to be in life?

Yes, thanks to my Elita La Vie journey, I know the direction I am taking and I’m enjoying each moment. I can honestly say I love my little life.

14. What is your most strongly held belief?

Be your biggest advocate, because no one else will. Topic 3 of the Elita La Vie Approach ‘Future you is a superhero’ is all about advocating for yourself and visualising your future.

Learn more about The Elita La Vie Approach.

15. If you were to devote the rest of your life to philanthropy, what cause would you choose?

Girl’s education and healthcare. When we provide girls with access to education they make more informed choices about their health, family planning and careers, which in turn reduces inequality and strengthens economies. By choosing The Elita La Vie Approach you are also supporting charities helping women and girl’s lead safer and more empowered lives. 

16. Do you think that people can change?

Yes

17. Do you believe in second chances?

Yes

18. What is your favourite sport?

Swimming

19. Do you have a holiday tradition?

Yes, I love to jump on the bed when I arrive

20. Do you have a bucket list?

Yes. Creating a bucket list can be part of The Elita La Vie Approach. I love ticking things of mine. Some of the stand out experiences have been, swimming the channel, paragliding and travelling around South America. 

Swimming across the English Channel (La Manche) as the sun rises

21. Are you a spender or a saver?

I’m a spender. I can save, but it has to be for something. I can’t just save for the sake of saving because they’ll always be something I ‘need’. Saving for travel I can do. I find it very easy to say no to other things when there are travel plans in the near future. 

22. What would 10 year old you have said they were going to do when they grew up?

A firefighter, a vet or an interior designer. 

23. Cannonball into the pool or dip a toe in first?

Toe in. I love to swim, but I need to know the temperature. I’m always in awe of those who jump straight in. A metaphor for life I suppose. I look at those who just go for it and am inspired, but I know myself well enough to know I’ll do it, but at my own pace

24. What advice would you have given your younger self

Don’t be a sheep. One of my biggest regrets is not breaking away from my friends to do a BTEC course in fashion rather than A Levels. 

25. Favourite clothing item

My patagonia playsuit

26. One thing you can’t be without

Lip balm and sunglasses - I know that’s two things!

27. Biggest superficial regret

Buying sensible Louboutin’s and not fun ones. I saved up enough to buy a pair of Christian Louboutin’s from the New York store. It was a bucket list item at the time. I wanted a fun, loud pair, but I was worried I might not love them forever. I shared the thought with my Mum who agreed with me and influenced my decision to go for a black court shoe. This is a common theme with me - I am easily influenced and find it hard to trust myself.

28. Best thing you’ve ever done

Swam the English channel 

29. Hardest thing you’ve ever done

Quit smoking

30. Proudest thing you’ve ever done

Started over

31. Biggest personal hope for the future

I’ll be a Mum

32. Worst advice you have been given

You can be anything you want to be. It seems the next bit was missed…providing you work hard for it. This has been a life lesson for me. Having had a privileged start where most things landed in my lap, I struggled to understand why this didn’t continue as I got older.

33. Best advice you’ve been given

Enjoy the journey - cheesy, but it's so fricking true. The best stuff happens when we are present and surrender. 

34. Dream travel destination

It was South America, but now it’s Antarctica. 

Want to find out what I didn’t like about travelling? Read here.

35. Which sport would you like to try?

Freediving 

36. Biggest fear

Adult fear

I have opened about this here.

37. Item you’d rescue in a fire

My grey jumper

Me in my favourite jumper

38. Something you want to learn

Spanish

39. Words to live by?

What would Dad do

I have written about this in more depth here.

40. Are you a morning person?

Yes - although circus life is late so I am adjusting to being more of a mid morning person. I am still chipper as soon as I wake up. My favourite thing to do as soon as I wake up is get up and open the curtains while singing a little made up song about it being a new day - much to my husband’s disgust (he is not a morning person).