Guest Post: Welcome Sophie!!

It’s always a special honour to introduce people to a new-to-them blog and I suspect many of you have not yet “met” Sophie.

Ironically, even though she is literally from the other side of the world – Australia – Sophie is the first blogger I met in real life!! We shared a delightful few hours together when she was visiting Canada for a work conference earlier this year.

Sophie is an academic researcher living in Queensland with her husband and their two young kiddos. You may recall her fame as the Cool Blogger who was able to submit pictures of LIVE kangaroos spotted on her daily walks during October’s walking challenge.

Welcome, Sophie!

Q. What aspect of your current life/career would most surprise 20-year-old Sophie?

That I am an academic! As a 20 year old, I thought I might be an aid worker or diplomat (I was studying International Studies at university). Even when I decided at age 22 to study psychology, it was to qualify for a clinical career, DEFINITELY not to get a PhD and enter academia – I never thought that career would appeal to me. I did work clinically as a psychologist, which I enjoyed, but turns out I LOVE being an academic (I could have stayed as a clinician, but chose this career path). 

When it comes to other aspects of life, I hoped I’d be married with two kids, which is how it turned out. I also hoped I’d be living somewhere warm, and I live in Queensland Australia, which is subtropical, so 20 year old me would approve (I grew up in Melbourne, Australia, which has cold grey winters and unpredictable weather all year round and I always struggled). [Queensland weather sounds like sheer perfection to someone currently facing the prospect of another winter in Canada.]

Q. Do you have a go-to reset when you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling to stay focused?

Walk outside. Basically anything is better after a walk in the fresh air. Or after a nap, or after a coffee. Or after a combination of all three if I’m really struggling! [That is the trifecta of a good Saturday or Sunday afternoon for me: coffee, nap, walk.]

Q. If you could add (or subtract) one habitual behaviour in your life, what would it be?

I’d add a strength training habit in – this one has been a goal for a while, and I have not put the energy into it I should. As an early 40s woman, I’m aware how important it is to build and maintain strength as I age. Hoping I can make this a habit in 2025!

Q. What’s one piece of advice you wish you had heard (or understood) at an earlier age?

You never know what is good luck or bad luck. I used to worry a lot about things that happened (or hadn’t yet happened) – but things have a way of turning out ok, (and sometimes better). [Sage advice. Sometimes the things that go “wrong” can be life-changing in a good way!]

Q. What was your favourite purchase (under $200) so far in 2024?

My new carry on luggage (I think it was $198!). I’d been using an old carry on I’d had at least 15 years, and it had been a great purchase, but the handle stopped sliding up and down properly, and the zip started catching. Even the fabric had started to fray. My new carry on looks great, wheels SO well, and the handle slides like a dream. I felt like a new woman using it on a recent interstate trip! [Isn’t it amazing how the right tool for a job can make all the difference; a nice suitcase really does make travel more seamless – especially when you’d been living with a sub-par option for a while.]

Q. If you could eat only one meal on repeat for a week, what would you choose?

Ooh this is tough – I love a lot of cuisines, but what would I be happy to eat for a week straight… Maybe soft tacos? With a whole lot of fillings including fish, prawns, and chicken, guacamole, sour cream, hot sauce, and lots of fresh salads. Yes please!

Q. What international destination – that you’ve never visited – do you most want to see?

Japan! I wasn’t as interested earlier in life, in my 20s it was more the South East Asian beach destinations, or European countries, that was my focus and I did A LOT of travel in those regions of the world. But now I’m a bit older, I would LOVE to visit Japan. The culture. The food. The countryside. The onsens (hot springs). And it even has Disney. I think in a few years, perhaps when my son is 8 and my daughter 11 or so, would be a good time to visit. (And gives us time to save because it would be a big trip!). 

Q. Describe your job in 100 words or less.

I am a senior researcher working at a university, with expertise in cognitive neuroscience and psychology. I lead a team which investigates how the brain changes as it ages, and how changes to lifestyle, like exercise and eating well, can boost brain health as we age. I spend my days writing papers and grants, supervising PhD students, managing projects, and university admin/leadership. I enjoy collaborating with people from different fields, interacting with our lovely participants, and travelling a few times a year to conferences and events. I’m lucky that I have a great team and I honestly look forward to work most days.

Q. If you could snap your fingers and have all the capabilities necessary to excel in any career or hobby (e.g. if your wish was to be a famous rockstar, you’d magically have the necessary vocal/instrumental skills), what would you choose and why?

Definitely sing and play guitar – I love acoustic, folk type music, and I’d love to have the skills and vocal talents to perform my favourite songs. My best friend has these talents and I love listening to her perform (and even just entertain around a campfire). 

Q. List five things that would happen as part of your idealized “perfect day”.

Ooh this is fun. Early morning solo coffee in a nice cafe (doing some planning or writing a blog post). A long walk in the rainforest. A massage. Lunch with a good friend. And maybe dinner with hubby and the kids by the beach (at our favourite Mexican restaurant – probably ordering soft shell tacos with a beer to go with it 🙂).

Q. Share a weird/random/true fact – any odd skills or unusual experiences?

Jeg snakker Norsk! (I speak Norwegian!) I lived in Norway for 11 months on student exchange when I was in high school, and I learnt Norwegian fluently (this was a mission of mine when there and I REALLY practiced). I went on exchange with AFS (American Field Service – they are still operating for anyone with kids who might want to try this) who offer exchange to 50 countries around the world. I put my preference as somewhere in Scandinavia because it would be so different from Australia, I wanted to experience snow, and heard of some students ice skating to school (I never did get to do this, but I did get to ski and also ride a snow mobile). I had some AMAZING experiences, my host family were wonderful, and took me moose and deer hunting (such an experience for a “city slicker” like me), for holidays in their cabin, as well as looking after me well in our home town of Fredrikstad in Southern Norway. Was it difficult at time and did I miss my family? YES! Was it totally worth it? Also yes. And I speak (rusty) Norwegian to this day.  It never completely leaves, and I’ve traveled back to Norway in the past and picked it up again within couple of days, which blows my mind. [This is so cool, Sophie!!! I had absolutely no idea you spoke Norwegian!! It sounds like the exchange was an incredible experience.]

Q. Did you have any pets as a child?

Cats! Burmese cats to be exact – my parents favourite breed (they are very friendly, affectionate cats), and at one point we had 3! Also a feral rabbit (named Easter) we got asked to temporarily look after, and then the owners tried to leave it with us! Turned out their son had spotted the rabbit on their property and asked if he caught it, could they keep it? They said yes, thinking he’ll never catch it – and then he did. It chewed through electrical cords, dug under its hutch and out of the yard, and would randomly bite and scratch! We eventually insisted on the owners taking Easter back, and never were tempted to get a rabbit after that! [Easter sounds like he’d be a good match for Yoda! I think you were wise to stick with cats after your rabbit experience.]

Q. If you were doing it for fun – and money was no object/didn’t factor into your decision – what would your dream job be?

A novelist. I have written fiction for fun a fair bit over the last decade, and have drafted a novel at one point, but that’s as far as I’ve gotten. [I’m rooting for you!]

Q. If you could give new parents one piece of advice, what would you say?

Survive til 5! I’m not someone who finds parenting small children easy. I think its reassuring that if you DO find it challenging, it gets easier over time. And yes, I know, bigger kids, bigger problems – BUT I am a more intellectual person, so those bigger problems are more mental and than physical, so I feel more equipped to help with them. [Ditto this. 100%.]

Q. How and when did you meet your husband?

At my friend’s 29th birthday drinks at a bar in Melbourne. I’d been single 6 months after a long term relationship, and was just thinking how fun it was to be single. I was also thinking that I’d like to move to the UK the following year. But life takes you in different directions 🙂 

We got married in 2015. [That dress! Your hair! Those flowers! I need more exclamation points!!]

Q. What is your favourite time of day?

EARLY morning – like 5.30 am. Before the kids are up, sitting with my feet up on the couch, sipping coffee, looking out at the birds, and catching up on blogs.

Q. Tell us something about your personality you think might surprise readers! 

That I love a good debate, and can be quite passionate (and possibly annoying!) when I think I’m right – I find it hard to let it go! 

Q. What is the first thing you do in the morning/last thing you do at night?

First thing in the morning – boil the kettle for my coffee. Last thing at night, drink a glass of water. 

Q. What words would your friends use to describe you/your personality? 

Friendly, caring, smart, serious, messy (my physical space!), organised (my time!), talkative, loud. 

Q. If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

Warning: Keep caffeinated at regular intervals.

Q. Favourite book/song/movie of all time?

Very hard to narrow these down to one! So many good books, songs and movies, but I’ll pick a few that I’ve consumed over and over again.

• Book: 4000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman – I listened to this originally on audiobook and now when I re-read the paperback I hear his voice in my head.
• Song: The whole Hamilton the musical soundtrack – Lin Manuel Miranda you are so talented!
• Movie: Notting Hill – funny, heartwarming, Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant at their best.

Q. Introvert or extrovert?

I think I’m an ambivert! I do get energy from the right group settings with great people, BUT I also need alone time to process and recharge. 

Q. Savoury or sweet?

Savoury all the way! I have a weakness for anything salty and fried.

Thank you, Sophie! Don’t forget to click on over to her blog and say hello. I’m curious if – based on the results of your research – you can suggest the top three things the average person can do to optimize brain health as we age? Which lifestyle decisions seem to have the biggest impact? Diet, exercise, deep relational connections?

Your turn. Any questions for Sophie. Who reading here has seen a live kangaroo? Does anyone else like to debate and hate to back down? Are there any positive pet bunny stories to be had? Michelle and Sophie aren’t inspiring much confidence!