Aviva Ireland and the FAI have launched a new virtual Aviva Soccer Sisters programme specially designed for girls to take part in during the upcoming October mid-term. The online skills series will be rolled out daily at 10am through the week of October 26 and can be viewed at aviva.ie/soccersisters. Here, Irish football star, Áine O’Gorman, who has teamed up with Aviva FAI to launch the Soccer Sisters virtual camps, answers our health questions.

1. Have you always had an interest in health and wellbeing?

Yes I think I’ve always being very interested in fitness especially when I started to progress through my football career and therefore looking after my own health and well being. 

 

2. How important is health and fitness to you?

 So important and it’s something I’m very passionate about looking after my own mind and body as well as being a personal trainer at the Glenview Health and Leisure Club helping others to achieve their health and fitness goals. 

 

3. Would you say that you enjoy working out and eating well?

Yep I love it and the feel good factor. I thrive on a tough workout and eating good grub.

 

4. What’s your go-to healthy dish? 

Hmmmm I’m not a vegetarian but probably the Happy Pears Vegetable Pad Thai it’s quick to make, healthy and tastes delicious too. With maybe some of the Body Coaches Chicken Satay skewers on the side. 

 

5. What’s your go-to guilty pleasure food?

CHOCOLATE - dark orange/ mint choc. 

 

6. What’s your favourite type of exercise and why?

It’s a tough one to nail down my favourite I obviously love playing football but sometimes it’s nice to do something differnt like boxing or switching off and going for a cycle through the Dublin/Wicklow mountains. 

 

7. Do you think it’s important to have a good balance when it comes to healthy eating and staying fit?

 Balance and consistency are key to success. As the old saying goes “a little bit of everything and not too much of anything”

 

8. Do you ever have days where you struggle to make health a priority?

In general football keeps me very focused but we all have bad days when life gets in the way but I think the main thing is not to be too hard on yourself and just get back on track. 

 

9. How do you motivate yourself to exercise?

I want to be the best version of myself on and off the pitch and on the tough days try to remember they are the moments that count and how good I’ll feel when I’m finished “your only one workout away from a good mood”. 

 

10. How important is it to factor in time to look after your mental health?

It’s most important to make time for you even 30minutes a day to do some yoga, go for a walk or run. In general it make me a better person to be around. 

 

11. What’s your favourite way to mind your mental health?

 I clearly enjoy exercising as an outlet and when I have time cooking/baking helps me to relax. 

 

12. Do you ever feel under pressure to look a certain way?

Maybe when I was younger I would of felt pressured to look athletic but now I’m more educated I think the most important thing is how you feel. 

 

13. What’s the secret to feeling comfortable in your skin?

Not one size fits all here. Find the balance that works for you! 

 

14. Do you drink alcohol?

Very rarely when we’re training and playing but occasionally enjoy a nice G&T. 

 

15. Has your approach to health and fitness changed in recent years?

Ye I think so obviously I’ve learned a lot threw my football career and working in the industry. Personally being more balanced and when I’m working with clients the best way to achieve gold is by taking small steps creating/ changing habits. 

 

16. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received? 

Your happiness is a reflection of your day to day actions. Surround yourself with good people that will help you grow.