Meet the very inspiring and wonderful Andrea Hayes, a woman who embodies the combined definitions of strength and beauty.  Andrea has an impressive and extensive career in Media, firstly well known for her presenting on immensely successful series ‘Ireland’s Animal A&E, ‘ Coming Home For Christmas and ‘Life Stories In Dublin Airport’.

Andrea is also the friendly familiar voice on Dublin’s Sunshine 106.8 since 2009, and has also presented across various Radio shows such as ‘Mellow Moments’, ‘The Sunday Stress Busters’, ‘Here Comes The Weekend’ and ‘Saturday Live’, and now is a regular current presenter of ‘Sunshine Meets’.

[caption id="attachment_1748" align="aligncenter" width="809"]image 5 (Rom Left to Right) Andrea's interview first with Irish Mirror with Siobhan O'Connor, (Right) interviewing UTV presenter Jenny Buckley for Sunshine 106.8[/caption]

Andrea’s most recent success is the publication for her book ‘Pain-Free Life: My Journey to Wellness’ with Mercier Press, and is also an Editor to for the Irish ‘Wedding Dairy Magazine’. Her natural talent in writing has seen her articles also appear in several other publications such as Woman’s Way, Slainte Heath Magazine, Chronic Pain Ireland, Oh Baby Magazine, and The Waiting Room Magazine.

With such an extensive and fascinating body of work, Andrea is also a busy mum to her beautiful daughter Brooke and wife to Husband David. Her most impressive quality is through all of Andrea’s accomplishments she has managed to create her successes whilst in Chronic Pain. It’s almost unimaginable to believe that since the age of 15 to present days Andrea has suffered behind her beautiful smile due to a Spinal Stenosis and disk degeneration, as well as a rare brain disorder called Chiari Malformation 1

[caption id="attachment_1745" align="aligncenter" width="809"]image 3 (From Left to Right) Andrea at a Fashion show with stylist Roxanne Parker, (Right) Andrea having a busy day at the Irish Wedding Dairy Magazine office.[/caption]

Today we are so honored to interview as well as get to know more about the lovely Andrea Hayes ( a Fan of Onjenu also)…

So Andrea tell us what influenced your career as a TV and Radio presenter and producer as well as an Editor on Ireland’s Bridal Magazine Irish Wedding Diary?

The secret to success is always hard work and being open to trying new things and taking a chance. I studied TV and film in college and have worked in TV in some form all through my career, initially behind the camera in post production in the famous Windmill Lane studios. When I moved to TV3 as the stations continuity announcer a decision was made to put it in-vision so that was my first experience being on Television. Since then I have presented and have been involved in the production side of a number of television shows including TV3’s hugely successful series Animal A&E which also aired on Channel 5 UK and the Discovery Channel across Europe. I also worked on a 6 part series Dublin Airport: Life Stories which includes several Christmas specials; plus a lot of guest presenting on the all female talk show Midday. I have also been so fortunate to have my on radio show on Dublin's Sunshine 106.8 for a number of years. In the last year I have been focussed mainly on writing my book and from that an opportunity opened up for me to work on The Irish Wedding Diary, I have worked with the team for many years during The Bride and Honeymoon show at the RDS and when they asked me if I would be interested in taking on the role as Editor, I didn't hesitate, and accepted the challenge.

You are happily married with a beautiful daughter, so give us your one top tip as a working mother?

I think organization and preparation go hand in hand, I like to get lunches ready the night before, clothes for the next day are chosen and any extra items needed for after school activities are all packed in the car so we are stress free in the morning and ready to start the day prepared.

In 2014 you took a sabbatical for 3 months to focus on your family as well as health due to your chronic back condition, and since then you have catapulted your career even further? 

I had a very busy 2013 and spread myself very finely, so I decided to take some time off to focus on my health and restore balance into my life. What began as a short break evolved into a journey of self discovery and wellness and I went with it. I was offered a book deal to write about my experience living with a chronic pain. I had recently been diagnosed with a rare brain disorder and like anyone faced with any illness people often reflect on what is important in life and I began to explore the power of our minds to heal and how this could help me manage my chronic pain. I delved into the world of alternative therapies, began studying Reiki and then took the big decision to go back to college to study Clinical Hypnotherapy. My gut instinct served me well as I wrote my own pain management plan, which features in my new book and it includes my own tailor made healing hypnosis relaxation, which I do myself every day as part of my routine and I can really feel the benefits to my over all health.

[caption id="attachment_1744" align="aligncenter" width="809"]image 2 (From Left to Right) Andrea is on a her Dublin hike with Daughter Brooke, (Right) Andrea with her beloved dog Dash[/caption]

So what are your thoughts on taking time out to be a Mum, with all the pressures apposed on working mothers in today society?

I really feel it is so hard to have it all, when I was at home with Brooke I did feel a little anxious incase I was missing out on work opportunities and then when I was working very hard I felt desperartly guilty I was missing out on Brookes milestones. So I am not sure there is a perfect solution. I feel you have to go with what feels right for you and your family. At the moment I dip in and out of work and spend a lot of time with Brooke too, I have really enjoyed collecting her from Montessori, begin at the gate when the door opens, seeing her little face just lights me up and I feel blessed to have this precious time with her.

You’re on screen popularity is growing every day, so where would you like to see yourself in the next 5 years?

I love what I do, I have always been able to work on TV programs that mean a lot to me personally. I am currently on the governing body of the Irish Charity Chronic Pain Ireland and I want to continue highlighting the issue of invisible illness. I would love to look back in 5 years with pride knowing that through my work on television or radio, a series of programs where produced to highlight this issue and maybe challenge public perceptions on the realities of life living in chronic pain. I have really enjoyed the process of writing so I wouldn't discount writing another book, I know whatever I do I will continue to evolve and grow and enjoy every moment of the process.

We know you just released your own book, so tell us more about this?

My book Pain Free Life; My journey to Wellness, was released this Spring 2016, which is very exciting, I hadn't planned on becoming an author.

The book is my journey, I think it will be both insightful and thought provoking. I reveal what life is like for me and many others who live with chronic pain from an invisible illness, in my case a rare brain disorder called Chiari Malformation. I hope it will be enlightening and inspiring for readers, I outline my step by step personal pain management plan and explore the power of the mind and the language of pain. As a clinical hypnotherapist, I devised my own curative healing relaxation to accompany the book and I think it will be an excellent mechanism for self healing and wellness.

[caption id="attachment_1746" align="aligncenter" width="809"]image 4 Andrea behind the scenes on 'Midday'.[/caption]

Describe your personal style, is it entirely different to when you are on or off screen?

I would say the word to describe my style is versatile!

When I am presenting for TV or Hosting an event I tend to go for form fitting bold block colours which work well on camera. Off camera I love to mix and match, I am always open to stepping out of my comfort zones and trying new looks. Often how I dress can reflect how I am feeling on a particular day so I love wearing bright colors and try to bring an outfit together using a splash of vibrancy. I have a weakness for Hats and have a big collection and love wearing hats in every season. For me fashion should be fun, I try to be a little fearless and hope in the end the look is always flattering.

[caption id="attachment_1749" align="aligncenter" width="809"]image 6 (From Left to Right) Andrea with family having afternoon Tea, (Right) Andrea in Dubai.[/caption]

For more on Andrea visit her website: http://www.andreahayes.ie/