Lady Gaga (aka Stefani Germanotta) is possibly one of the busiest women on the planet.
As a multi-award-winning singer, songwriter – selling tens of millions of albums – actor, philanthropist and entrepreneur with health and beauty brand Haus Labs, Gaga has amassed enormous success, wealth, and fame. In April 2023 Rolling Stone magazine reported that US president Joe Biden appointed Lady Gaga as co-chair of the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities.
Her awards collection includes 13 Grammys, an Oscar, two Golden Globes, a BAFTA, and three Brit Awards, among a plethora of others. But none of this has come without mental and physical investment and cost.
In a 2020 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Gaga detailed her long-term travails with PTSD – arising from being raped as a teenager – a “psychotic break” and the ongoing struggle with chronic pain after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia.
Describing her psychotic episode to Oprah, Gaga said: “My whole body started tingling and I started screaming. I was in a hospital. It’s very difficult to describe what it feels like other than that you first start to tingle from head to toe and then you go numb.”
So, how does this amazingly talented and courageously committed woman keep doing what she does?
Over the years, Lady Gaga has perfected her diet and workout routine into one that works well for her lifestyle and health needs. She prioritizes working out consistently, and has worked with celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak for many years. She works out at least five times a week, sometimes more if she’s preparing to go on tour. Harley says Lady Gaga has never needed to lose weight. Instead, they focus on keeping her strong and able to perform well.
Her regime includes cardio work – she likes to swim, Harley says, which can be “a great source of cardio”. She wrote on Instagram that she will even swim laps before some of her shows. Gaga is also a yoga practitioner and has spent years studying Pilates with trainers Sloan-Taylor Rabin and Lisa Marie Goodwin. She used Pilates in 2017 to help her improve some chronic pain that she was experiencing.
What you are what you eat
Lady Gaga’s food choices are, at times, eclectic, according to her long-time friend and personal chef Bo O’Connor.
Bo says that Gaga is healthy on tour, which is essential to help fuel successful performances. “She usually puts on an intense show, so she can’t be eating Doritos, clearly,” O’Connor told The Feast. “But in general, she tries to stay away from anything that was super processed or made with white flour,” Bo says, noting the singer opted for whole-wheat and whole-grain
products, instead.
As Bo told Australian Women’s Health: “The Mother Monster gets off to a healthy start first thing in the morning. It would usually involve some type of eggs or egg whites, vegetables – a lot of vegetables – and sometimes Greek yogurt or different types of fruit, or healthy granola.
“If [Gaga] is in the mood for French toast or something sweeter, we would make a healthier version of that for her. Think: whole-wheat bread instead of white.” This is an example of what Bo O’Conner calls a “half-cheat meal”; or a slightly more nutritious version of a traditionally not-so-healthy dish.”
Bo says Gaga hasn’t strayed far from her roots when it comes to her favorite meals. “She’s definitely an Italian girl at heart, so she loves the red sauce, or gravy as they call it. For a slightly healthier version, she’ll opt for gluten-free or quinoa pasta, served with veggies, and grilled shrimp for protein.
“At home though, with her hair down, whether I’m cooking or we’re going out, she’ll usually pick Italian.”
. . . or is it?
Burnout, Baby
Burnout is a common phenomenon in the workplace, affecting employees across various industries and roles. It is characterized by emotional exhaustion, a sense of depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Burnout can be caused by a variety of factors, including workload, lack of control, and a lack of support from co-workers and supervisors.
In recent years, there has been a growing focus on the role of nutrition in combating burnout and promoting overall well-being. A healthy and balanced diet can help individuals manage stress, increase energy levels, and improve mental clarity. For female entrepreneurs, who often juggle multiple responsibilities and face unique challenges, a healthy diet can be especially important.
An author who has written extensively on the subject of burnout and nutrition is Patricia Bannan – a dietitian and nutritionist. In her book, From Burnout to Balance, Bannan emphasizes the importance of a balanced and varied diet in combating burnout. She notes that a diet rich in whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats, can help to reduce inflammation, support the immune system, and promote overall health.
Bannan also emphasizes the importance of regular meals and snacks throughout the day, noting that skipping meals or going too long without eating can contribute to feelings of stress and fatigue. She recommends planning ahead and keeping healthy snacks on hand, such as nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit.
In addition to Bannan, several other authors have written about the role of nutrition in combating burnout and promoting overall well-being.
Dr Josh Axe is a doctor of natural medicine, clinical nutritionist, and author of several books on nutrition and wellness. In his book Eat Dirt he explores the role of gut health in overall health and well-being, noting that a healthy gut can help to reduce inflammation, support the immune system, and promote mental clarity.
He recommends incorporating gut-friendly foods into the diet, such as fermented vegetables, bone broth, and probiotic-rich foods. He also notes the importance of avoiding processed foods and sugar, which can contribute to inflammation and other health issues.
Dr Rangan Chatterjee is a physician and author of several books on health and wellness, including The Stress Solution. In his book, Dr Chatterjee explores the connection between stress and health, and offers practical strategies for managing stress and improving overall health.
One of the strategies Chatterjee recommends is incorporating stress-busting foods into the diet, such as blueberries, almonds, and dark chocolate. He also emphasizes the importance of eating regular meals and snacks throughout the day, noting that this can help to stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce feelings of stress and fatigue.
In addition to incorporating these key nutrients into their diets, female entrepreneurs can also benefit from reducing or eliminating certain foods that can contribute to burnout and stress. This includes foods high in refined sugar and processed carbohydrates, which can cause blood sugar crashes and lead to fatigue and mood swings. Excess caffeine and alcohol should also be avoided, as they can disrupt sleep and contribute to anxiety and irritability.
Authors and experts in the field of nutrition and burnout stress the importance of mindful eating practices, which involves paying attention to the sensory experience of eating, such as the taste, texture, and smell of food. This practice can help female entrepreneurs better connect with their food and make healthier choices, rather than mindlessly consuming food as a means of coping with stress.
It’s Not All About Food
A mindful revolution is sweeping the world, with Bobbi Vargas and her ground-breaking company, Bodela, at the helm. Their potent philosophy revolves around health, beauty solutions, self-love, and self-care, promoting a balanced and joyful life.
Bodela distinguishes itself by emphasizing comprehensive wellness and ethical practices. It offers an extensive array of products and services designed to foster self-care in daily life. Bobbi’s entrepreneurial journey led her to recognize the necessity approach to health beyond exercise and meditation. Driven by a desire to break stereotypes in natural beauty, Bobbi’s leadership in holistic healing inspires a harmonious lifestyle.
With unwavering determination, passion, and hard work, she embodies the notion that “I’m possible,” encouraging others to embrace the same mindset in their ventures.
“Your best strategy for creating work life balance lies in prioritization and mindfulness,” she says. “Begin by setting clear objectives for both your personal and professional life. Rank these goals and ensure that the top priorities receive the attention they deserve.”
This clarity helps in recognizing which tasks are essential and which ones can be postponed or delegated without compromising either sphere, she says. “As an entrepreneur, it’s necessary to establish boundaries between work and personal time,” says Bobbi. “Dedicate specific hours to your business, but also commit to reserving time for yourself, your family, and your hobbies.”
This intentional time allocation fosters a well-rounded lifestyle and a sense of fulfillment. Mindfulness plays a crucial role in maintaining balance too. “Continuously evaluate your emotional and physical well-being, ensuring that you aren’t leaning too heavily into one domain at the expense of the other. Regularly practice self-care, nurturing your body and mind through meditation, exercise, or simple leisurely activities,” she says.
Over The Moon
Moon Maison is an artist, entrepreneur, and soon to be author. “I am creating a brand that inspires others to become their fully expressed selves,” she says. “Your best strategy for creating work life balance is that when you feel stress, it means you are out of a creative flow, and it’s time to pause for a couple hours or a day if possible.”
Moon, who writes a blog for a “non-toxic life with style”, says we shouldn’t overlook the obvious: water.
“Water is essential to everything we do; it’s what keeps us alive and nourished. It may sound obvious, but many people overlook this simple fact: without enough water, we can’t operate at our full capacity.”
Even such a simple act of drinking should also be recognised as mindful, she adds
“So, if you haven’t been talking to your water, it’s time to start!” she says. “Tell it, ‘thank you for hydrating me and keeping me healthy and beautiful. I love you.’ Hey, it’s worth a try… everything with intention…”
Her other great passion in understanding how what we consume affects how we perform is in recognising that even simple everyday products can be harmful to us.
“Take toothpaste, for example,” she says. “Many mainstream toothpastes and dental flosses are super bad for you. The ingredients are kept very discreet as they don’t even really mention them. I mean what are those white crystals on dental floss anyway? I’ve never seen the ingredients listed anywhere. Do yourself a favor and throw out your crappy toothpaste and promise yourself that you will not use toxic substances to brush your teeth. Repeat through your entire bathroom cabinet, then move on to the fridge and try to better treat your body –
and what you put into it – as a temple.”
