A role model is someone others respect and look to as a good example. They try to make good decisions, put others first and often imitated by those around them. They “think before they act….not act before they think.” They are the people we want our children to be around, whether it is a teacher, coach or family member. Your Health Journal wanted to highlight some special individuals who are good role models and allow them to share their stories here. Enjoy!
1. Your name, title, and age? What do you do (or did you do) for a living?
Tara L. Skubella: Wilderness Survivalist, Public Speaker and Founder/ Guide of Earth Tantra. Age 46
My living passion is helping people with personal growth through nature based healing, mediation, breathwork and other well being practices. I also teach wilderness survival on the side.
2. Who was the person that inspired you as a child to eat healthy and stay fit? What was their relationship to you?
Two people in my life always inspired me to be healthy. These are my parents.
3. What did they do to inspire you?
My father, Lawrence, was a cross country runner as a teenager and college student. I picked up his love for running. Once, he even gave me his original stopwatch timer. I still have it to this day. He encouraged me to follow my passions and to be tenacious about staying fit and reaching goals.
My mother, Catherine, has persevered through raising 5 children! Her ability to balance work, studies and family gave me the role model of a positive powerful female figure in my life. When it comes to body health, as a child she grew a garden and made many of our foods at home, including homemade yogurt. She always made sure we had healthy food choices, even when money was tight. It was important for her to provide the family with wholefoods. Her care, mental strength and the importance of being healthy is still instilled within me today.
Both my parents also taught me to trust the voice within. “Do what makes you happy and healthy” were words I heard often as I entered my late teen to early adult years. It’s these words that provide me a more mental sense of well-being.
4. How did their lesson change your life?
There lesson of “Do what makes you happy and healthy” has created so much more opportunity in my life. I tend to look at the positives and I’m not afraid to make mistakes. As a result, I’ve made it through 21 days of an intense wilderness survival challenge, tour the world, life in a tiny house on the side of a mountain and raised a beautiful intelligent daughter adopted from China at age 10 1/2. Not much gets in my way of focus.
5. Do you convey their message to kids in your life presently?
I continue to share the words of “Do what makes you happy and healthy” is passed along verbally to my daughter, nieces/ nephews, youth I work with and shared on social media. These words are so simple, yet so powerful.
6. What would be your main message to children today to lead healthy lifestyles?
My message for youth today is the same as my parent’s message, but to also add on connect with nature. I believe nature heals and resets our mind, body and soul. Newer generations are spending less time with mother earth.
7. Do you have a web site you would like to promote….web address only?