#mumchat - Learn about the life of mum of 2 natalie hobbs

NAME:  Natalie Hobbs

AGE: 50

NATIONALITY: Australian

LOCATION: Dubai

NUMBER OF YEARS BEING A MUM: 14

TELL US ABOUT YOUR KIDS: Two girls, aged 14 and 11

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: https://www.instagram.com/mysahara_me/ 

https://www.instagram.com/nataliemhobbs/ 

SHORT SUMMARY ABOUT YOU SO WE CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT YOU. 

Natalie moved from Sydney to Dubai with her family nine years ago. She is the founder of Sahara Period Underwear & Swimwear, helping girls and women change their world by changing their underwear. Travel and fitness are her big passions. At the age of 50, she completed her first Hyrox and two sprint triathlons, and now has her sights set on an Ironman.

1.    What’s one thing you wish you’d known before becoming a parent?

I wish I’d known how important my pelvic floor was. It wasn't something that was ever discussed when I became a mum, or even for years after. It’s one of those things we often ignore until it becomes a problem, and even then, many of us feel reluctant to talk about it or seek help. A strong pelvic floor is so vital; it makes a massive difference to your confidence, your quality of life, and your long-term health.

2.    What’s something you swore you’d never do as a parent—but do now?

I swore I’d always be a light traveler - a habit from my backpacking days that I was determined to keep. But once you have two children, traveling light feels almost impossible. No matter how much I plan (and pack), we still seem to leave something behind!

I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel, though. On a recent trip, we actually managed with just a carry-on each. It feels like those backpacking days might be just around the corner again.

3.    What was the BEST piece of parenting advice you’ve received?

If you don't listen to the little stuff when they are little, they won't tell you the big stuff when they are big, because to them all of it has always been big stuff"

4.    Share with us your biggest “parenting fail” – we promise no judgement here!

Does forgetting about school photos count?

5.    How do you balance life?

I’ve come to accept that life is rarely perfectly balanced. Instead, I look at it in seasons. There are periods where I feel like I’m winning as a wife and mum and smashing my fitness goals and other seasons where the business is booming but my fitness isn’t where I’d like it to be and I’m tired, with a little less patience than I’d like.

I am very clear on my values. My health is my number one priority, followed closely by my family, and then my career. By focusing my time and energy in that specific order (most of the time), I find a sense of balance that works for me.

6.    One parenting hack you’d like to share with us.

Prepare as much as possible the night before. Whether it is school bags, gym kits, or even just setting the table for breakfast, it saves so much stress in the morning. When we aren't rushing, we are all much kinder to each other, and it’s a much calmer start to the day.

7.    What do you hope your kids say about you when they’re older?

I hope they say, "Mum was always there for us, but she also worked hard for something she believed in." I want them to be proud of what I’ve built with Sahara and the example I set by staying active and taking on new challenges. Most of all, I hope they say they still genuinely enjoy my company. It would be the best feeling in the world to know that, as adults, they still want to hang out with me just because they like being around me.

8.    3 words that describe #MumLife to you

Can I give a quote instead? "You're raising the one thing you can't live without, to be able to live without you"