Health Scan: Monica Loughman

Do you think you have a healthy lifestyle? Yes, I suppose I do. I train every day, apart from Monday. I don’t drink too much, I don’t smoke and I eat pretty healthily. I don’t eat fish, though. I know it’s good for me, but I hate it.

How often do you exercise? Every day bar Monday. I like to swim and run but primarily I do ballet for about three or five hours a day. What’s great about my job is that exercising is ingrained in my daily routine. If I’m teaching a class, or practising for an upcoming show, it all adds up. Do you get your five fruit and vegetables a day? I try, but I don’t always because I’m really into cheese. Cheese is definitely one of my vices. I love cherry tomatoes though; I could eat them all day. I would happily bring a box to the cinema to eat instead of popcorn.

Do you worry? All the time. Well, 50 per cent of the time. I worry about whether I am doing the best job that I can do for myself, for my family and for my dancers. When my dancers are performing on a big stage and I can tell that they are worried, I’m like a mother hen, I just want them to enjoy themselves.

What do you do to relax? I read a book, listen to music, watch TV or go to the movies. My favourite TV shows for winding down after a long day are Father Ted and The Tudors. I love classical music but I can’t listen to it when I want to relax because I will immediately start thinking of choreography.

What’s your worst habit? Not checking my emails. I prefer to live in the moment. I’m not one of those people who is glued to their phone.

Giselle, by Monica Loughman Ballet, is taking place in the National Concert Hall on June 28th and 29th. See nch.ie.