1. Up and at it - what is your morning routine?
I’m an early riser. Morning is my favourite time of day, as I enjoy having time to myself to do things I enjoy before starting work. Most mornings I’ll be up and ready for the gym by 6.15am. However, every Friday I’ll do a sea swim – there’s really nothing like swimming in the sea to connect with the great outdoors and get the blood flowing. Probably like a lot of people, I start the day by checking and responding to urgent emails. I manage any staffing issues and then I’m ready for breakfast around eight o’clock.
2. What might you eat in a typical working day for...
Breakfast? Porridge or some fruit.
Lunch? This can vary, depending on what I have on each day.
Evening meal? I love soup and will sometimes batch-cook when I’m busy to make the evenings a little easier.
3. Is nutrition important to you – do you take health supplements?
Absolutely, nutrition is important to me. It can be hard to stay healthy when you are busy, so I find meal prep and having snacks on hand helps. I try to get my vitamins from my diet, so only take vitamin D during the winter.
4. Ever been on a diet – if so, how did it go?
I always try to be healthy, but like most people, I enjoy the odd treat. I find diets can be counterproductive, especially if they mean a complete change to my lifestyle and tastes. Making small changes over time works best, as - usually – these changes tend to stick.
- ‘Sleep? When I was in Thin Lizzy, I was lucky if I got to bed at all’ - Eric BellOpens in new window
- ‘I can polish off a jar of pickles in one sitting’ - Miss Northern Ireland, Hannah JohnsOpens in new window
- ‘Whoever invented the beep test should be tried for war crimes’ - comedian Dave ElliottOpens in new window
5. Weekend treat?
My Friday morning sea swim at Helen’s Bay is my happy place. Other than that, I enjoy eating out with family and friends or going to an event and enjoying a few drinks.
6. How do you keep physically and mentally fit?
I frequent the gym three times a week, mixing it up between spin, boxing or Hyrox. In addition to sea swimming, I get outdoors any chance I can - whether it’s walking the dog each day or a going on a hike. If I feel myself getting overwhelmed or stressed, I’ll go for a walk. It goes without saying that mental health is as important as our physical health and, unfortunately, at Advice NI we see the detriment that debt can have on wellbeing - which is why we encourage anyone struggling to reach out for support right away.
7. Best tip for everyday fitness?
Keep moving, even if it’s only a small bit of moving at a time. Drink water regularly and only do what you enjoy - otherwise it will become a chore.
8. Were you a fan of schools sports/PE or do you have a memory from those days that you would rather forget?
I used to love tennis and really wish I had of appreciated PE more. I enjoy exercise now a lot more than I did back when I was at school.
9. Teetotal or tipple?
Tipple.
10. Stairs or lift?
Stairs - depending on how far up I have to go up…
11. What book are you currently reading?
I love a good book. I’m currently reading Liar’s Poker by Michael Lewis and haven’t been able to put it down.
12. Best Netflix/streaming TV?
There are way too many to list – I do love a good documentary, but I recently watched The Gentleman on Netflix which I enjoyed.
13. Any new skills or hobbies?
I got into Hyrox a few weeks ago – it’s tough but I love a good challenge, so it’s right up my street. It combines running and functional exercises and is usually done in sets of twos, so it’s all about working as a team.
14. How do you relax?
I have a pretty busy working day which includes lots of meetings with key stakeholders like the Money and Pensions Service, banking institutions, the Consumer Council, the Utility Regulator or the Financial Conduct Authority. This ensures Advice NI is represented in discussions related to deb, and how legislative changes could impact people in Northern Ireland. When it’s time to switch off, I like to catch up with friends, go to a spa or even take a road trip somewhere.
15. What would you tell your younger self?
Don’t stress so much and enjoy the journey, as the tough times make you stronger.
16. What are your goals for 2024?
I love to travel, so going on more holidays, visiting new places and seeing new things were goals for this year.
I find diets can be counterproductive, especially if they mean a complete change to my lifestyle and tastes
— Sinead Campbell
17. What time do you get to bed and do you think you get enough sleep?
During the week, it’s around 10am. I make sleep a priority, as I find I don’t function too well when I am overly tired. During the weekend, it will be a later bedtime, depending on what the plans are.
18. Biggest gripe or regret?
Paying for parking.
19. Have your priorities in life or perspectives changed?
Throughout my time working with Advice NI and the debt service, I’ve learned not to take anything for granted. We’re living in unprecedented times and people that have never faced debt or financial hardship before have been struggling. One thing I have learned is that ignoring things won’t make the problem go away and there’s no shame or stigma around reaching out for help. In fact, the feedback we receive from clients is that they only wish they had done that sooner.
20. Has coronavirus – or any health epiphany or life event - changed your attitude towards your own mortality?
Seeing my parents and others getting older has made me re-evaluate what really is important. We only get one chance in this one life, so it’s important to make it a good one.
