Rural Life Q+A with Kate, Em and Nic! 🚜
Get to know Kate, Em and Nic!
We know first hand the challenges rural and regional women face, because we've experienced it! Get to know DediKate CEO and Founder Kate, DediKate Pilates and Yoga Instructor Em, and DediKate HIIT and Strength Trainer Nic and their experience with rural life, both in Australia and New Zealand!
Kate Ivey, DediKate CEO and Founder
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: "The first 8 years of my life on a farm on the outskirts of Christchurch, and then on a farm in Cheviot, North Canterbury."
Q: Where do you live now?
"A: Yip on a farm. 😂 For the first 7 years of my married life we lived on a high country sheep station near Aoraki, Mount Cook. Now we live 25 mins down the road near Twizel, South Canterbury."
Q: How far is the nearest town?
"A: It’s now only 10 minutes away. Twizel is a town of around 1600 people. The closest city or place to buy kids shoes (IYKYK) is 2 hours."
Q: What type of farm do you live on?
"A: It’s rolling hills, partly irrigated with cropping, sheep, beef and deer. Don’t ask me too many in depth questions about it though 😂 the farm is very much my Hubby’s department!"
Q: Have you always lived rurally?
"A: Apart from when I was at boarding school, University, post University and travelling. I enjoyed my years in the city but can’t imagine living there now."
Q: What do you love the most about rural life?
"A: The freedom, wide open spaces, no traffic jams, car parks are easy to find. But mostly it’s the people and the sense of community."
Q: What do you find the most challenging about rural life?
"A: Buying stuff! Yip online is great, but sometimes you need stuff right away. And getting kids shoes as I mentioned. I also miss my old friends, why can’t we all live in the same place?"
Q: What did growing up on a farm teach you?
"A: Work ethic, respect and love for the land and animals and how to get on with a wide variety of people."
Em Herbert, DediKate Pilates and Yoga Instructor
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: "I was born in the UK before moving to NZ and then to Australia as a little girl. We moved a lot with dad’s work as a professional polo player - I went to four different primary schools and was homeschooled for a little while when living overseas."
Q: Where do you live now?
"A: On a small farm just outside Tamworth, NSW."
Q: Would you describe yourself as a country girl?
"A: Definitely. I love visiting the city for a couple of days, and love leaving more. I love the space, the freedom, and all our animals."
Q: How much time do you spend on the farm?
"A: I work from home as a journalist as well as a Pilates teacher, so I’m home on the farm all day every day."
Q: Tell us a bit about your love of horse riding?
"A: As a kid, if we didn’t ride horses we would never have seen the family! Both of my parents ride and to call it an obsession is probably an understatement. It’s our leisure time, our passion and our competitive pursuit."
Q: What do you love the most about the rural lifestyle?
"A: Everything. The community, the landscape, the energy, the space. Being connected to something so elemental and bigger than myself is a precious thing."
Q: What do you find the most challenging about a rural lifestyle?
"A: Nothing really. I’m close to a big centre so have a lot of privilege and convenience that those who are more remotely based perhaps don’t enjoy. But we have everything we need, we just have to drive to get it. And I like it like that!"
Nic Sandland, DediKate HIIT and Strength Trainer
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: "I grew up in Gawler, South Australia. Gawler was considered a country town by everyone that lived in Adelaide (the capital city of South Australia). We still had three high schools, three football/netball clubs playing in the same association and an extremely busy main street with plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes… so definitely not a small country town. 😉"
Q: Where do you live now?
"A: I currently live in Jamestown, which is a small rural town in the Mid-North region of South Australia."
Q: What brought you to the bush?
"A: Love! Basically the story for a lot of women that live in Jamestown who didn’t grow up here. I moved to Jamestown for and with my husband, Luke. His Dad owns a sheep property nearby and Luke wanted to move back and work on the land."
Q: Were you nervous about being a city girl in a small rural town?
"A: I was very nervous that people were going to judge and stereotype me as being more of a “stuck up, city girl” which I am totally not! I gave it a red hot crack when I first moved here and got myself involved in the community. I will never forget how supportive everyone was of my business from when I first opened until the present time."
Q: What have you learned about rural people?
"A: They are beautiful, incredible, strong, down-to-earth, kind, genuine and just absolute legends!"
Q: What do you find the most challenging about living in a small rural town?
"A: My biggest challenge would be living so far from other fitness studios, the beach, restaurants (different cuisines), cafes with smoothie bowls, further education that isn’t online. Basically all things that you just make the drive for when you can as all people living in rural areas do.
Those times in life when you are absolutely exhausted or in a hurry and just want to race into the shops... it doesn’t happen in a rural town as you end up seeing and talking to everyone hahaha."
Q: What do you love the most about living in a small rural town?
"A: Having a community of cheerleaders that live all around you! If I ever need anything at all there is an endless list of selfless people I could call and they would be there. Everyone is part of a big team and we all come together, especially in tough times!"
Want to workout with us?
Join DediKate today and register for the DediKate Rural Challenge. This is an 8-week fitness challenge designed for rural and regional women, mums and those who don't have time for or access to the gym. Everyone is welcome!
It’s for rural and regional women, and all those who love our down-to-earth approach to fitness (city girls welcome of course!).
We know first hand the challenges rural and regional women face, so this challenge is all about empowering you to prioritise yourself amongst your busy life.
Our down-to-earth and relatable trainers will motivate and inspire you, every step of the way!
Start your 7-day free trial to register for DediKate Rural! We start Monday, March 20!
