Megan Gale has grown up on the world’s stage. After winning a modelling competition at age 18 in her hometown of Perth, Australia, she was thrown into the world of high-end fashion and her life changed forever. Megan moved to Italy and took up professional modelling, walking the runways of fashion houses such as Mariella Burani, Angelo Marani and Gianfranco Ferre at Milan Fashion Week, acting in Mad Max: Fury Road and creating her own swimwear label, Isola. Recently, we sat down with Megan to discuss life since moving home to Australia, meeting her husband Shaun, starting her beautiful family and of course, her latest feat, starting her all-natural, ethically sourced and cruelty-free skincare range, Mindful Life.
How are you today?
I’m doing very well, thank you. We’ve got River ready and off to school and I’ve spent some time with Rosie before jumping into work.
How have the first 3 months of the new decade treated you so far?
They have been great but super busy! We’ve been sharing more content on The Journal, our hub on the Mindful Life website for people who are looking for advice and tips around wellbeing, parenting and mindful living. We’ve chatted to Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw, the powerhouses behind Keep It Cleaner, Boost founder Janine Ellis and restorative yoga coach and psychotherapist, Linda Franke. I’m also developing some new exciting products to expand the range which will be available to everyone in a few months’ time.
Tell us a little bit about some memorable moments of the 2010’s.
I started off the past decade pretty well – I met my partner Shaun and after a few years of being together we started our family and I became a mum, first to River in 2014 and then to Rosie in 2017. Another highlight has been creating and launching Mindful Life. Seeing it start from an initial idea in 2014 and evolve over 5 years to become a reality in the form of its launch in 2019 was quite incredible.
Congratulations on the launch of your new brand, “Mindful Life”. What inspired you to start this project?
The inspiration initially came from my own need to have a range of fully functional, natural skincare products. I felt the need to expand on that space and offer other like-minded parents more options. I found there were lots of products from different brands that I could buy but not really any that had a full range whose promises I could 100% trust. The idea evolved over time and Mindful Life became more than just a range of products, it’s a way of living. I see our products as tools for people to use to create these little moments and rituals through the day but especially during bed and bath time.
“I hope it encourages parents to slow down and enjoy making time for those special moments with their children and not to rush through them – which is easy to do at times, especially with the fast-paced lives we lead these days.”
What was the most challenging part of creating this new brand?
I think having full control over the brand is empowering but can also be daunting. Working on this brand solo for over five years meant I didn’t have a team to share in the highs or the lows. However, I have had support from friends, family and other mentors along the way. This really taught me confidence and how to have a thicker skin as well as how to navigate through hurdles, big and small.
What makes your products “stand out” in terms of other skin care ranges for kids?
I’m proud to say that Mindful Life Child is a range parents can trust. All the products in the range are made using sustainable packaging wherever possible and ethically sourced ingredients. They are cruelty free, Australian made, dermatologically tested and use naturally derived and organic ingredients that are gentle and safe for babies and small children. It’s the message behind the Mindful Life Child range that makes it so unique to other skincare lines as it encourages parents to be more present in the everyday routine we often fall into. Each product has been purposefully created to allow parents to cherish the special moments they have with their child. The Relaxing Massage Oil encourages parents to connect with their child through massage whilst the Gentle Hair + Body Wash reminds them to enjoy and see bath-time as an opportunity to bond. The Restorative Balm in particular is a special product that’s perfect for mum and bub. I used it to help with Rosie’s cradle cap and use it myself as a cuticle oil, lip balm, heel cream and nipple ointment for when I was breastfeeding.
What importance do you place on sustainability for your brand?
It’s incredibly important to me from a brand perspective, particularly as I am a conscious consumer myself and trying to instil this practice in my kids. I also want to help my customers understand that the smallest of decisions can make a big impact. All Mindful Life products are sourced sustainably and produced ethically. We ensure the Mindful Life experience is eco-friendly from start to finish. From sourcing ethical and sustainable ingredients that go into all products to offering packaging that is recyclable and reusable with no need to add any unnecessary plastic wraps! As the world moves towards more planet-friendly initiatives, we’re always on the lookout for the best way we can deliver our range in a conscious and more purposeful way.
Obviously your two little ones are a big inspiration, what do you love most about being a mum?
They are so inspiring to me and I learn from them constantly. They have truly taught me about mindfulness – small children are often considered the most mindful beings on the planet. I often sit and observe my children and just marvel at how they sit in the moment with things and keep their focus in the present. My son is almost six, so he is starting to fall out of that headspace and has been focusing on the past and present, which is of course normal but I always remind him the importance of being in the now. I know this precious time will go quickly and one day I want to look back and say that, I too, was present for it – as much as I could be. It really has given me a different perspective on what’s important. Sometimes I find myself slipping out of this headspace when things become overwhelming or challenging but the great thing about this business is that it is a constant reminder of mindfulness and it brings me back.
We know you have spent a lot of time in Italy in the past, did you always know you wanted to come home to Australia to raise your family?
I really enjoyed my time in Italy and all the amazing experiences that I got to enjoy while I was there. I knew though that I would never live in Italy permanently and that there would be a time when I would move back to Australia. I’ve always considered it my home. It’s where my family is and best friends are, so I definitely knew this is where I wanted to raise my little ones.
What are your tricks for balancing work life with family life?
I’m still a keen learner on all things related to mindfulness – I’m no expert and I’m constantly sourcing new ways to apply it to suit my day to day routine and have a positive impact. I try and ensure that I’m being the most present I can be as a mother and businesswoman and try to strike that balance as much as I can. A big lesson I’ve learnt is to set up a dedicated workspace to help separate work from family time. This space is light and airy, and it sounds a bit hippy, but I have a morning ritual where I do an energy cleanse of the room – I burn sage, light candles, spritz a room spray and sound some Tibetan chimes. Call me crazy but it works for me, to set up my headspace for the day, which can get a little crowded running a start-up business! I also try and make time to step away from my devices throughout the course of the day and go for a walk or do some stretching exercises. If I can fit in some yoga, then that is a bonus too and in moments of high stress, I practice various breathing exercises to bring my heart rate down, reset and tackle the challenge ahead. When I’m done working, it’s tools down and I try and focus on my family as much as I can and really sink into time with the children. Little things like turning the TV off during dinner or giving Rosie a soothing massage, allows me to enjoy the little moments and be as present as possible. At the end of each day and just before I sleep, I do a small meditation which is gratitude based. I list ten things I am grateful for that day and I often never get to number 10 which is a great way to drift off to sleep and a lovely headspace to sit in.
Your eldest son, River, started in Prep this year. How are you coping with the new change?
Shaun and I were a little emotional on his first day (no crying from any of us though) but we were bursting with pride. He was so great – just super excited and ready to get into it. We’ve been so impressed with how River has transitioned through such a big milestone. We feel very grateful to be a part of a school community that is very supportive of parents who are starting school with their little ones for the first time and guiding us all through it together.
What message do you want to pass onto other mums who also want to get out there and chase a personal goal or dream?
Just take the first step, have that courage and the rest will follow. Whether it be a business venture or a new hobby, the first step can be the most overwhelming but it’s worth it. If you don’t know where to start, then just ask (and Google!). Reach out to friends, family or websites that can help direct you to where you need to begin. There are so many platforms for support out there, including The Mindful Life Journal for inspiration, to help you along your journey.