WHO IS // CLIO WOOD

April 16, 2016 Cat Sims

This week's WHO IS feature is dedicated to a Clio Wood - founder of &Breathe post natal retreat - a post-natal getaway joint in a beautiful corner of France dedicated to helping the whole family reboot after project procreation. Now, if that's not a kick-ass idea, I don't know what is. With ample childcare options, a focus on mindfulness and a dedication to helping you physically and mentally recover, this is one place I wish I'd known about the first time around. Clio is a mama, a Cambridge graduate, a designer and an all round super human. Here's a little more...

Clio is mama to 18 month old Delphi

WHAT IS // &Breathe?:

&Breathe runs family postnatal retreats in France, with events and day retreats launching this year in London. We help new parents get fit, eat well and feel good with little ones in tow. A re-boot and family holiday all in one!

HOW DID // &Breathe COME TO BE?

I had my daughter, Delphi, in August 2014 and after many weeks of eating rubbish and not being able to go to the gym, coupled with sleepless nights, worrying about how to keep her alive and all the other things that come with new parenthood, I really needed to come up for air! I couldn't find anything which would kickstart my wellbeing and lead to a sustainably healthy routine, so I decided to create it. We have a beautiful manoir in France which is the perfect setting for it.

BEST THING // ABOUT BEING &Breathe?

Working on something I really care about and getting to help other parents going through the same thing, the response has been amazing, which hopefully means we've really found something special!

WHO WHAT // INSPIRES YOU?

All the other mothers out there, doing our best and muddling through; the fab community of mumpreneurs creating their own businesses and niches - we're such a powerful group! And gorgeous feminist icons like Emmeline Pankhurst, Caitlin Moran and Malala Yousafzai.

DESCRIBE //

YOUR FASHION STYLE: Fashion has evolved into a capsule type affair for me - good pieces and all pieces that match. Which means I can switch something out for a clean version when I get food thrown at me.

YOUR PARENTING STYLE: Parenting style, hmmm...laissez-faire sounds better in French right?

FAVOURITE //

BRANDS: Lululemon, Sweaty Betty, Olive, Comptoir des Cottoniers BEAUTY PRODUCT: Sorry, what? BOOK / FILM: My book and film taste is eclectic, but realistically, anything that's easy to watch and feelgood. I can't waste my limited time on traumatic dark things, I'm afraid. WAY TO RELAX: I could DIE for a good massage. HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Of course our wonderful manoir in France, but really anywhere that's warm, interesting to explore but with a nice pool to relax by.

THE LAST //

TEXT YOU SENT: Asking for a friends address to send a present...a year late. THING YOU ATE: Homemade #healthyyummy sweet potato and kale laksa curry CALL YOU RECEIVED: From my husband about meeting schedules...glamorous. THING YOU BOUGHT: The Gruffalo!

WHAT // CAN'T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?

Apart from my wonderful baby girl, and my patient husband, leggings of all kinds and colours, oats & chia seeds.

WHAT IS // THE BEST ADVICE YOU RECEIVED?

Take time to take care of yourself and you'll be able to care for others so much better.

PARENTING //

FAIL: Tipping my daughter out of her buggy by accident after forgetting to strap her in.

FABULOUS: Giving my daughter her first haircut with a pair of office scissors over her bowl of cheerios at breakfast last week.

GUILTY PLEASURE //

Ice cream!

INSTAGRAM: @andbreathepostnatal www.andbreathpostnatal.com