The people I look up to most are… My children. I have great admiration for both of them. They are both very athletic. [Liam, aged 20, is a professional ice hockey player and Renee, 23, is studying at the London Contemporary School of Dance.] Pushing your body and your mind at the same time, like they do, is very challenging.
The key advice I’ve passed on to my kids is… Listen to your intuition; it is usually right.
The one thing in my house which never fails to make me smile is… My four dogs. I have a Pomeranian, a French bulldog and two long-haired chihuahuas, which are Renee’s. They all have crazy personalities; it’s like coming home to four children.
The quote that always motivates me is… “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” – Albert Einstein.
When I need time in nature I go to… My back garden in Los Angeles. it has a vege garden and an eclectic mix of plants and trees. Or I go to a bush or forest area for a walk.
The childhood memory I’ll always treasure is… Our family picnics. On Sundays we would go up to Wenderholm, north of Auckland, for the day and finish with a barbecue at night.
A perfect evening with my best friends is spent… At my house, cooking, relaxing and talking until the early hours of the morning. On the menu would be a collection of what everybody brings – cheeseboards, salads, meats and seafood. I would much rather graze than have a definite meal.
When I’m working hard I unwind by… Meditating. I’ve learnt Transcendental Meditation, which I do for at least 20 minutes a day.
If I could invite any five people to a party I would have… Albert Einstein, the Dalai Lama, [American psychiatrist and hypnotherapist] Brian Weiss, a really good female psychic and Rowan Atkinson in character as Mr Bean.
The three things I always take with me when I travel are… My pillow – when you are sleeping in different beds and hotels it is nice to have something you are really familiar with; rose water for my face; and probiotics to help with new foods – particularly in the past year when we have been filming in so many different countries.
The most inspiring place I’ve visited is… Each country has its own special qualities and it is very hard to choose. The countries I’d like to return to most are India and Morocco. India is just so ancient and has an incredible depth to its spirituality and culture. Morocco is interesting, diverse and colourful; a melting pot at the top of Africa.
The guilty pleasure that makes me feel better is… Cheese and prosciutto.
Photographs by: Getty Images
