Introducing our latest Wow Woman, the beautiful blogger, Niomi Smart.
Whether she is sharing her favourite health and wellness tips, practicing yoga, trying out new healthy dishes or travelling the world, Niomi is one to watch for her fabulous style and feel-good content. We sat down with Niomi to find out more about one of the UK’s favourite bloggers...
For those who have not yet read your blog what can they expect to find there in your own words?My blog has evolved over the years into what I am most interested about; wellbeing. Everything I write about or talk about in my YouTube channel comes under this umbrella, whether it’s a plant-based recipe, discussing natural beauty products, or environmentally friendly fashion.
What gave you the idea for starting your blog and can you share a little more about your story?I started my blog in 2013 after I graduated from university. A few of my friends at the time had blogs and YouTube channels, and it was them that convinced me to start my own. It was a way for me to gain my creativity back after studying law for so many years, and I loved being able to write about my passions and share my experiences with other people. I’ve always set out to talk about topics I believe can help others.
What is the most important thing you have learned in your career so far?To stay true to myself and not follow the lead of others. It sounds obvious, but it’s something I have learnt over the years and I always live by. It’s good to be different, especially in this line of work it pays off to be unique. No one would pay any interest in Instagram or YouTube if everyone’s content was the same!
The highlight of my career is most definitely publishing my first cookbook, Eat Smart. Having put so much time and effort into the book, it was by far the most proud I have ever felt seeing it on a bookshelf for the first time.
What was your dream job when you were younger?I actually never had a clear vision of what I wanted to be when I grew up. I was always so envious of my friends that knew exactly where they wanted to go in life and had a clear path of how to get there, it always made me worry about my own future because I just hadn’t figured it out yet. Now I look back and realise I had absolutely nothing to worry about. In a way I’m glad in a way I had such an open mind back then about what I wanted to do, because it meant I didn’t feel restricted to stick to a dream I had as a child. I certainly never dreamed of being a social media content creator, because it didn’t exist! Even when I started creating content online, I didn’t ever imagine it would take me to where it has now, but when the opportunity arose I just went with it and gave it my all.
What do you love most about your job and why?The most rewarding part of my job is sharing my own experiences with others to positively guide them with their own lifestyles. Many people have even told me they have run marathons since watching my videos about when I ran the London Marathon!
''We’ve got this! Generations before us have put so much work into reaching gender equality to have our voices heard, and we need to make the most of this. There’s of course still a long way to go, but now is a time to feel proud to be a woman.''What is your single piece of advice to the next generation of women?
Considering my job is online, I enjoy taking time offline and find it surprisingly easy to put my phone away. I am very conscious of being more present when I’m away on holiday or at the weekends, rather than being on my phone constantly. I think for anyone that spends a lot of time online (which lets face it is most of us!) it’s important to take breaks from it every now and again. This enables us to come back to it with a fresh perspective, and realise we don’t have to be reliant on it because our lives still go on.
What would you say to the younger generation of women who look up to you and want to follow in your footsteps?It’s such a compliment to hear that other women want to do what I do. I would say to them absolutely go for it, it’s one of the most rewarding jobs to be able to have a voice and use it to do good. But I would also say be prepared to graft and work hard, it’s not easy, and it can become a 24/7 demanding job. However, I personally think the benefits outweigh this, because when you do something you love, you don’t mind putting in all the hours.
What does ‘wellness’ mean to you?Wellness to me is about keeping the mind and body happy. It’s about keeping fit, cooking delicious wholesome meals with fresh ingredients, being mindful of your body and others around you, opening your heart up to the world, feeling in tune with your body, and most importantly enjoying life.
We know you love beauty products, what is the one natural product everyone should have in their bathroom and why?My current favourite beauty product is the Caudalie 100% natural cleansing oil. It is such a beautiful cleanser that removes all makeup (including stubborn mascara!) and leaves the skin feeling so clean and fresh.
As you know we are all about sustainable fashion, what are your favourite tips for helping to transition to a more sustainable wardrobe?First of all, have a clear out of your wardrobe to really get to know what you love and what you don’t. Above anything, our clothes should bring us happiness and make us feel confident. Anything that doesn’t make you feel like this should be donated to charity. When it comes to purchasing new clothes, get to know the fibres that clothes contain. Many are toxic to the environment, and they should be avoided if possible. There are so many brilliant brands out there now, including Asquith, that use sustainable fibres, and look gorgeous too.
There has been a massive increase in people talking about sustainability, and become more aware of the impact we have on the planet, and it’s brilliant that it’s being spoken about in mainstream media. However, many people find sustainable fashion an overwhelming idea, myself included when I first started researching into it, and in their mind they believe it is too much of a lifestyle transformation, but actually it can be easily accessible and any effort to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle can have huge impacts on the environment. I honesty believe the planet will benefit far more from many people making small changes, rather than a small amount of people doing things perfectly.
What does living a sustainable life mean to you?Living a sustainable life is about being mindful of the environment. I am by no means an eco-warrior, totally zero waste, or completely carbon neutral because for me it’s unrealistic. I have so much respect for people that are able to be and do all those things, because it is not an easy task in modern society, especially living in a city! However, I don’t beat myself up about the fact I’m not perfect. I am aware of the damage we are causing our planet so I am mindful of doing my bit to help and I am a conscious shopper. I speak openly about my journey into sustainability on my social media platforms, and hope others will join me in discovering ways we can all play a part in saving the planet.
Everyone practices yoga for different reasons. When did you start and why?I originally started practicing yoga for physical reasons to stretch out my muscles as a counter exercise while I was training for the Marathon a few years ago. I immediately fell in love with it, and realised how beneficial it is at calming the mind as well as the body.
“Know it’s good when it’s good”.What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Mermaid pose. I recently learnt it, and it’s one of the best stretches! It always makes me laugh trying to get into it.
Mindfulness or Meditation?Mindfulness because you can practice this throughout the day at any time, with no rules, equipment, or a special place.
What do you do in your downtime?I love exercise, so I’ll often go on a run, practice yoga, or find a great fitness class around me. I also read a lot, especially before bed. At the weekends I love going for brunch, long walks, bike rides, and spending time with friends and family.
Where do you go to ground yourself?Yoga grounds me, and I try to practice it a few times throughout the week. It makes me relax and clear my mind, but also enables me to focus well for the rest of the day.
Who is your ‘Wow Woman’?I’ve always hugely admired Audrey Hepburn. I used to have images of her from Vogue on my bedroom wall! I think she was (and still is) one of the most inspiring women. .
If you could only live in one item of Asquith clothing what would it be and why?I have been living in the Be Grace Batwing top. It is made of the softest material and I wear it with jeans and trainers, or when I’m lounging around at home with joggers.
You can find out more about Niomi and read her fabulous blog here…