The art of mindful living!

We interviewed Mark Pierce , our head of talent, as part of Men's Health Week, and he explained how mindful living and making healthy food choices can promote overall wellness.

Many people struggle with work-life balance. How do you schedule your hobbies around your busy life as a Senior Director at DT??

?As I’m sure is the case for many people, juggling work and life isn’t always easy. I try to find 20-30 minutes a few days a week to do some basic fitness work at home, but evenings and weekends are mainly when I can spend time with my children and get to do non-work things, such as seeing friends, hiking or playing golf. Fortunately, DT provides a generous holiday entitlement, which helps me to get that important time away.

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Have you ever picked up an injury from your sporting activities? If so, how did you handle recovery, and what did it teach you??

?I’ve been very fortunate in that I haven’t really had any injuries recently, unlike many of my friends of a similar age that have had knee or back problems. I did have a collapsed lung when I was a teenager, which took a while to recover from. Looking back on it, I handled the recovery quite badly if I’m honest. I was a sports fanatic and very impatient to return to playing football, cricket, tennis, etc. I shouldn’t have rushed things and now know that you should listen to professional advice and to what your body is telling you.?

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Diet plays a huge role in our health. How do you adjust your nutrition to support your active lifestyle??

?I enjoy cooking (and eating) and living in the South of France helps ensure I have a pretty well-balanced diet. Mediterranean cuisine is very healthy, with olive oil, local fruit and vegetables, and fresh meat and fish. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!

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Preventative care is one of the focus areas for Men's Health Week, how do you try to avert future health issues??

?At the wrong end of 40 years old, I do now go for annual check-ups with my GP, just to keep an eye on those silent problems, such as cholesterol and blood pressure. I was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (the most common form of skin cancer) 18 months ago, so I now have regular appointments for that too. Along with medical prevention, taking time to relax, such as holidays, is an important way to stay healthy and I’m very much looking forward to two weeks in Greece with my children in July.?

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How has being active improved your productivity and decision-making throughout your career??

?Spending time playing sports or hiking has definitely helped me to relax, reflect, and focus on my career and current role. I have had some of my best ideas whilst being 500m up on a cliff edge! Work can be stressful, so getting that time away is essential to you being the best that you can when you are at work.

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