From Luxury Spa to Motherhood, Football, and Resilience

It’s hard to believe that after 35 years in the luxury spa industry, I’ve learned as much about resilience, balance, and patience from motherhood and football as I have from the treatment rooms. Yes, football. Now, you might be wondering how a spa consultant and a professional footballer make it work. The short answer is this: with a lot of grit, love, and a bit of humour. Let me give you a deeper look into my life with a man who’s not just a footballer, but the father of our children and my partner in everything.

The Rollercoaster of Football: The Highs, Lows, and Everything In Between

Being married to a professional footballer is like living in a world of constant highs and lows—the emotional rollercoaster that comes with the territory. I’ve been there through it all: the joy of promotions into the Premier League, the crushing lows of relegation, and the unimaginable pride of seeing my husband play for his country. It’s a life of extremes, no doubt.

One of the standout moments in our journey together was when he saved a penalty against Jaunt Matt. The roar of the crowd, the fans chanting his name—it was nothing short of magical. Those moments of pure pride and admiration are ones I will never forget. But on the flip side, I’ve also felt the sting of criticism. I’ve had to listen to people tell me how my husband’s “crap at his job”, and those moments? They’re harder than you think. But that’s the thing about football; it’s a game of extremes. One moment, you're on top of the world, and the next, you're hit with doubt and negativity.

And then there’s the time when people hear that he played against Mbappé the year France won the World Cup. The gasps in people’s faces when they find out. Honestly, we forgot that Ireland lost to them that game. But who cares? The memory of those moments? Priceless.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

The Reality: Why I Don’t Always Go to the Games

People often ask me, “Do you go to the games?” and the answer might shock you: Not all the time. I know, it’s not the response they expect, especially given that my husband’s career is in the spotlight. But here’s the thing—I don’t ask him to come to work with me and cheer when I make a fantastic sale or finish a project. His work is his, and mine is mine. That’s how we make it work. He’s my rock, and I’m his biggest supporter—but we don’t need to be attached at the hip, particularly when it comes to the football field.

Of course, there are games I wouldn’t miss, but let’s be real—I’ve learned to find joy in the quieter moments. Watching him score a goal on TV while I’m at home with the kids? Perfect. It’s our dynamic. And to be honest, it works.

My Husband’s Career: A Life of Learning and Adaptability

Here’s the funny thing. There were times when my husband learned more in a week than I did in an entire year—full-time. And it never stopped me. Not once. I’m constantly in awe of his resilience, dedication, and his willingness to learn and adapt on the fly. But here’s the truth: just because he’s had those moments of rapid growth doesn’t mean I’ve stood still. I’ve built my own empire, step by step, and it’s been worth every minute.

In our house, it’s not about who’s learning more or who’s achieving more. It’s about growth—together. He’s been through the ups and downs of football, and I’ve navigated the chaos of building a business, raising three kids, and being a supportive partner. It’s about knowing that no matter what life throws our way, we’ve got each other’s backs.

The Time My Life Changed Forever: A Heart-Stopping Phone Call

But not all of our story has been about the highs of football and success. Some moments in life knock you to your knees, and we’ve had our share of those. There was a day I’ll never forget, a day that changed everything.

Imagine getting a phone call that no parent ever wants to receive. It was one of those days where the world seemed to stop. Our youngest son, Liam, had been diagnosed with meningitis. It was serious, and the doctors told me he was fighting for his life. The words I heard from the doctor still haunt me: "He needs you to get your husband home."

My husband was in China at the time, in the middle of pre-season training. So, there I was, having to call him halfway around the world to tell him that our son was critically ill. I can still feel the weight of that moment—the words caught in my throat as I told him what was happening. The doctors weren’t sure if Liam would make it, and I had no idea when or if my husband would make it home in time.

But my husband, being who he is, boarded a flight that day, with a crew who knew the gravity of the situation. The hardest part was that he wouldn't know if Liam would survive until he touched down. That feeling—the unknown—was unbearable. But the moment he landed, we were lucky. Liam pulled through. After three months in intensive care, he came home. Those were the toughest months of our lives, but they also taught me the true meaning of resilience.

Thick Skin: Building Resilience Together

Being married to someone in the public eye has certainly built my thick skin. I’ve had to deal with people making judgments, questioning my husband’s worth, and dealing with public scrutiny—all while keeping a smile on my face and focusing on what matters: our family, my work, and the quiet moments we share. And let’s not forget those moments of complete humour that come with it all. We laugh at the absurdity, roll with the punches, and keep moving forward.

The fact is, resilience runs deep in both of us. We’ve learned how to stay grounded, even when the world around us feels chaotic. There were days when I felt overwhelmed, especially during those years when he was playing at the highest level. But instead of letting it defeat me, I embraced the challenge. Because that’s what we do in our family—we rise together, no matter what.

The Takeaway: Life, Football, and Balance

Here’s the thing: life’s a rollercoaster. Football’s a rollercoaster. Motherhood’s a rollercoaster. But it’s these ups and downs that make us stronger, more resilient, and ultimately more appreciative of the small wins. Whether it’s supporting my husband through the emotional whirlwind of football or tackling the daily chaos of running my business and raising three kids, I’ve learned that the key is balance—and a thick skin.

We may not have all the answers, but together, we’ve figured out how to make it work. And it’s that resilience, love, and mutual support that keeps us going. So yes, while football might have its highs and lows, our life together is built on the steady, beautiful rhythm of working as a team.

Here’s to the chaos, the laughter, and the many years ahead of navigating it all—together.