Sophie Benbow is one very inspirational lady. With one look at her Instagram @sophieluxe you can see that she is super fit (girl look at that bod), loves to share her creative healthy recipes and has an absolutely amazing wardrobe of activewear and she knows how to style it! 

I met Sophie at the Rising Social Star finalist party, she was very welcoming and humble. She gave me some great tips on how to explore are home city, Sydney. I love going on a journey with her on her instsgram feed and snap chat, she welcomes you into snipets of her daily rituals and health an fitness lifestyle. I just know you will all love her too. She inspires me to work hard and chase my dreams no matter how big they are. Thank you Sophie.

I am so honoured to have the gorgeous Sophie answer some questions for us all for this weeks #showtherealyou segment. Sit back, sip on a macha latte and take 5 to read her interview.

Can you tell us a little bit about who the real Sophie Benbow is?

Deep down I am a complete tomboy at heart! I grew up in the Welsh countryside generally having quite an active/outdoorsy upbringing! I was in every sports team at school except for Netball (hated Netball) and I even used to compete in rifle shooting in my teens!

I moved to Sydney 8 years ago and started my Law degree, which I completed nearly 2 years ago. At the start of my degree I met my husband Trevor and now we have been married for just over 4 years.

I’ve got two older brothers one lives in Spain and the other in the UK along with my parents and the rest of my extended family. I LOVE living in Australia but of course I miss my family in the UK, I try and get over to see them around every 18 months!

I love living and breathing a healthy, active lifestyle and I really enjoy other people feeding off my passion. I try my best to come across as genuine and honest on all of my social channels but I’ve learnt that regardless of your true motivation and intention you will always get the occasional critic. There is nothing I can do about that other than just to know deep down who I am and what I am trying to achieve.

I could not live without my blender and recently I’ve been making the most epic frothy matcha lattes.

What inspired you to become a blogger?

After my Law degree obviously the expectation was that I became a lawyer. I really struggled with the reality of this after working in a law firm and experiencing the daily grind and stress. That’s not to say it’s not for everyone, I know many people who revel in this kind of work, I guess it’s just not for me right NOW!

In my final year I had really upped my fitness and healthy food regime and started my own Instagram to help myself stay on track and stay accountable for my goals. Before long I was getting followers asking me for recipes and where I bought my activewear from and so on. So my blog was a way for me to take my Instagram to the next level, to have a deeper connection with my followers and give myself a greater identity that (hopefully) people can relate to.

I notice that you love to stay fit and try new workouts, what inspires you to move your body?

I love trying new things and learning new ways to stay fit! I just really enjoy challenging my mind and my body and I think I’m addicted to the endorphins..haha! Also it’s such a great way to have a laugh and to meet new people. I’ve found the health and wellness community on the whole such an awesome, friendly and welcoming bunch who are all thriving on the same thing…health and fitness! I just don’t think you can beat it!

Favourite natural beauty product on the market?

So…since I launched my blog I’ve been able to work with Swisse Skincare. I don’t want you to think I am obliged to say any of this but their skincare range is so nice. I love their sea salt body polish, micellar make-up remover and their Rose Hip Oil. Incidentally Rose Hip Oil is something that really helped with my Rosacea so I just think it is the most miraculous stuff!

 

Your favourite active wear piece in your current wardrobe? 

Bonds have just sent me their Swimwear range which they are launching this summer. It’s not really ‘active’ but they have got a few rash vests and tops in there which I love and will be perfect for stand up paddle boarding! Also the prints are amazing and they have done styles to suit everyone.

You go to hot drink?

Oh this is constantly changing. Currently I’ve been making hot Turmeric milk. You just pop some nut milk, ground turmeric, cinnamon, grated ginger, star anise and a cinnamon stick in a pan. Heat and enjoy!

 

What do you think draws people to your social media platforms?

Haha…it’s funny I sometimes get so caught up in my website, producing content and so on I forget what it’s all about. I guess I just really enjoy what I am doing and I hope that resonates with all of my followers. As I said before I try and come across as a ‘real’ person and I want my followers to feel like they are coming on a journey with me. I am constantly falling down, picking myself back up again and growing with health and wellness. I’m no expert and nor do I profess to be so I hope that my platforms come across as down to earth and approachable. I want us all to be healthy, fit and grow together.

 

Congratulations on winning the Rising Social Star “Fashion” award, where to now for you?

Thankyou!! It was so overwhelming to be recognised as an influencer in such a short space of time so I guess I’ve had to roll with it a little bit. I don’t think I can just do what I’m doing forever so I’d like to add another element to my ‘brand’. Possibly start a business channeling all of my health and wellness dreams.

Dream job?

To have a successful business in health and wellness doing something I LOVE! OR I am a BIG animal lover…I would love to work with and help the baby Pandas in China!

Favourite mantra?

“The greatest wealth is health”

Want to get to know Sophie more? Check out her platforms here…  

Instagram here (https://www.instagram.com/sophieluxe/),

Website here (http://sophiebenbow.com),

Facebook here (https://www.facebook.com/sophiebenbowblog/)

Twitter here (https://twitter.com/Sophieluxe)

Youtube here: (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaKL8NhkecGAoiBNUY8zEFQ)