Interview with: Maeve Madden

Maeve Madden is a well known health blogger and best selling author of 'Beat Your Bloat.'

What first inspired you to start blogging? Describe your career/lifestyle beforehand? Before I started blogging I had been a professional Irish dancer, touring with Michael Flatley around the world. I had gone to university and I was working full time as a model. I had started to post pictures of myself at the gym and my campaign shots from modeling with brands like Adidas, Women’s Fitness etc.. I had many requests to share videos of my routines. In the beginning I was shy as I wasn’t a qualified personal trainer, but when I shared my videos and people loved copying them I was so happy.. from there I went on to qualify as a Personal Trainer and i now have a diploma in nutrition. I wanted to expand my knowledge and be able to give fully qualified, professional advice to my followers. What is the premis behind your blog and how does it differ from other popular health blogs/vlogs? My page is very much who I am in every aspect of my life, I don’t sugar coat anything, you get the good the bad and the bloat... I was diagnosed with IBS when I was very young and PCOS 8 years ago. I had a really bad few weeks where I couldn’t work or post my fitness videos, I kept telling everyone I was sick but in reality I looked like I was expecting triplets! I finally plucked up the courage and shared what was really happening, I knew I wasn’t going to be the only one with this issue and if I want my blog to be a reality for everyone, then I had to share what was really happening... What is your current following? My current following is very highly female skewed, from 18-35.. I know that these girls and women go through what I go through with their bodies, being newly diagnosed with conditions I have, or just struggling to manage them. I believe that many of my followers both male and female love to read the advice on my page that they will then share. This is why i am so excited about the release of my book 'Beat Your Bloat’ in May 2018. Sharing my story and journey i hope will inspire those who are desperately seeking hope and healing.

I would like to believe we have a great community of women supporting women, when I post a picture regarding issues I will always encourage them To share their tips...it’s so beneficial not only to those reading but to me too .. I have learned as much from them as they have learned from me.. How do you work running the blog alongside your other commitments? It’s very busy, my days are hectic but I wouldn’t change it for the world.. I believe that when you’re really passionate about something it doesnt feel like work at all, my passion is my purpose .. I still PT clients in london but I do take two or three days per week where I mainly focus on my blog and my social media and of course I take one day to myself.. What do you enjoy most about what you do? Are there any perks/downsides? Your work is a huge part of your life, it’s what I do every single day, and the only way I am truly satisfied is to work hard and share what people love ... This is why I am so excited about releasing my book. Every day I share content on dealing with our bodies and issues and I am so happy to finally have everything I know and how I personally deal with living my lifestyle in one book .. There is only so much you can share on social media, I would love to be able to answer every single question in depth and help everyone who DMs me and now I finally can with “ Beat Your Bloat” What would be your one piece of advice to any budding health and fitness bloggers? Believe in yourself even when no one else does.. Stop doubting yourself and wondering if you're good enough, know that you are. Good things don’t happen in comfort zones, I know this to be true. Each and every single one of us is flawsome so embrace it and share it with the world ..