What does a typical magazine editor’s day really look like? I mean really? Is it nine to five glam or just plain hard work?
One of my favourite publications (print and online) is Australian Natural Health magazine, a Melbourne-based must-read. I asked editor—the very inspiring Tianna Nadalin—to share her typical day, as well as her top natural beauty recommendations and she happily obliged.
Tianna Nadalin, Australian Natural Health magazine editor
When did your passion for natural health and beauty begin?
I know it sounds clichéd, but I’ve been interested in natural health ever since I can remember. I grew up in an Italian family, so I think it started out as a passion for wholesome food that has, over the years, blossomed into a fully-fledged love affair with all things health and wellbeing.
I still remember the first natural remedy I ever tried. I was in high school, maybe 13 or 14 years old, and woke up with a massive sty under my eye. My nonno (similar to in My Big Fat Greek Wedding), believed olive oil could cure just about anything, and advised me to stick my eye in a bottle of it for five minutes to help it go down. At the time, I remember thinking he was a crazy old Italian man, but lo-and-behold; within a couple of days the sty was gone. I don’t know if it was the olive oil, or if it would have healed anyway, but I like to think of it as my introduction to the world of natural therapies. Then in my mid-20s, I was diagnosed with endometriosis and PCOS and told the only treatments options were to have a baby or continue taking the pill, neither of which I wanted to do. That was when I started seeking alternative options and fell back in love with natural health.
What is the history of Australian Natural Health? How long has it been around and how has it grown?
ANH has been keeping readers up to date with the latest trends in health and wellness for more than 15 years, and is one of the leading natural health magazines on the market. Over the journey, we have had the pleasure of connecting with some incredibly inspiring women – with the likes of Lola Berry, Janella Purcell and Adele McConnell (Vegie Head) gracing the front cover. Our mission is to be the go-to resource for readers on all things health, wellbeing, beauty and food.
Tianna with nutritionist superstar, Lola Berry
What is your career highlight?
Most recently, we had the incredible honour of securing an exclusive interview with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, who we featured on the front cover of our recent Happiness issue, for which I was lucky enough to submit a couple of questions to him (via email). This will definitely go down as a massive highlight.
How does your day start?
No matter how much I try, I am definitely not a morning person so my day generally starts off with me snoozing to the absolute last second, then scrambling to get out the door. I generally prepare breakfast the night before – like a smoothie, overnight oats or savoury muffins – to take with me on the run. My day doesn’t really start until after my am caffeine hit – so my morning ritual is stopping in at my favourite local café on the way to work and enjoying my morning coffee while reading the paper.
A food flat lay styled by Tianna
What does a typical day in the office look like?
We’ll pretend a typical day in the office doesn’t look like me sitting at a computer for nine hours planning content, writing stories, commissions features for the magazines and replying to emails, and that it actually involves super, awesome fun activities like checking out trendy new yoga studios, ranking the best superfood salads at cool cafes and schmoozing with advertising clients over cups of tea.
Oh wait, sometimes it does involve those things too. But generally I’m just hunched over a computer cursing my brain’s lack of creativity.
What do readers expect from Australian Natural Health in regards to product recommendations?
All the products we feature in the magazine have to meet strict requirements – they have to be natural, ethical and above all – they have to work! If they haven’t been tried and tested by us, or one of our trusted contributors, they don’t make the cut.
What are your all-time favourite natural health and beauty products and why?
Perhaps it’s my nonno’s influence, but I am a huge fan of olive leaf extract. It has excellent antioxidant capacity (as much as 400 per cent more than the equivalent amount of vitamin C) so I take a tablet every day to keep my immune system in check.
My beauty indulgence product is my Jurlique Purely White Skin Brightening Day Cream SPF30 – a lightweight moisturiser with the added benefit of sun protection, and I also love Inika Cosmetics Certified Organic Pure Primer. There’s always a stick of Singing Dog’s luscious organic vanilla coconut lip balm in my handbag. It’s deeply moisturising and smells seriously divine. And I always have Qsilica’s Naturally CLEAR Spot Gel on hand in case of emergency breakouts – it’s a pimple-clearing lifesaver.
How do you keep check of your stress levels in such a high-demanding job?
I enjoy Pilates, going for runs and love a good steam sesh in the gym sauna. I also find cooking to be a form of therapy, so after a super stressful day at the office, you’ll often find me in the kitchen experimenting with raw desserts or baking gluten-free goodies. It’s my happy place.
What are some of the most fun parts of heading up Australian Natural Health?
Meeting, connecting and working with some of the most inspiring and intelligent women on the planet is probably the biggest perk of the job. I also love being able to empower women to make more informed choices about their health, and what they put in their bodies. But most of all, I love being part of an industry that celebrates and applauds the achievements of other women.
With Masterchef Australia judge, Gary Mehigan
Can you give a sneak peek into the current issue of Australian Natural Health?
This issue of Australian Natural Health is a cracking one. We chat to health goddess Jessica Sepel (who, by the way, is just as lovely in real life as she seems on social media) about the cookie-cutter diet mentality and why one-size-fits-all food regimes don’t work.
She also opens up about her own struggles with self-esteem and body image, and how she hopes to change the cycle of self-loathing among women. We also help you get gorgeous, glowing skin at any age, help you pick the right supplements for you and feature lots of delicious recipes – including how to ferment your own foods.
Magazine is on sale now at all good news agencies and online here.
