ANNA LAHEY

Founder of Vida Glow

ANNA LAHEY

Founder of Vida Glow

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF.

I’m Anna Lahey, mother of four children and two Pomeranians, and the founder of science-backed ingestible beauty brand Vida Glow. My own introduction to ingestible beauty was completely transformative. After suffering from hair loss and trying every supplement available, I only achieved tangible results from marine collagen. I invested into the research to understand the science behind the results I was seeing. The evidence was clear, and I knew I had to share this with more people.

Sometimes we're all BAD MUTHAs (as we should be). When have you gone against traditional advice?

At seven weeks postpartum with my last baby, I attended the launch event for a new Vida Glow range. It was a minefield in deciding if I should go or not: I didn’t want to portray the message to other women that it’s normal or commendable to be back at work only seven weeks postpartum, but it was so important for me to be there to launch a range I was incredibly passionate about and had worked on for two years. I attended the event and missed a feed by an hour which resulted in a bout of mastitis. The traditional advice would have been to prioritize my baby and health, but I needed to do this for me and my other baby—my brand.

What does the word Selfish mean to you?

Selfish is a dirty word, but I believe mothers need to be selfish. The mental load of motherhood is so large that if you don’t put some time aside for yourself to be selfish, it can be quite destructive. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

What was a defining moment in your life when you realized that being selfish can be a good thing?

I don’t know that there was a defining moment or just an accumulation of circumstances and feelings that led me to understand just how needed selfcare is. The identity crisis that women go through in becoming mothers is so underestimated. I advocate for carving out time for yourself to have a massage, a facial, a bath or just a few minutes alone.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF.

I’m Anna Lahey, mother of four children and two Pomeranians, and the founder of science-backed ingestible beauty brand Vida Glow. My own introduction to ingestible beauty was completely transformative. After suffering from hair loss and trying every supplement available, I only achieved tangible results from marine collagen. I invested into the research to understand the science behind the results I was seeing. The evidence was clear, and I knew I had to share this with more people.

Sometimes we're all BAD MUTHAs (as we should be). When have you gone against traditional advice?

At seven weeks postpartum with my last baby, I attended the launch event for a new Vida Glow range. It was a minefield in deciding if I should go or not: I didn’t want to portray the message to other women that it’s normal or commendable to be back at work only seven weeks postpartum, but it was so important for me to be there to launch a range I was incredibly passionate about and had worked on for two years. I attended the event and missed a feed by an hour which resulted in a bout of mastitis. The traditional advice would have been to prioritize my baby and health, but I needed to do this for me and my other baby—my brand.

What does the word Selfish mean to you?

Selfish is a dirty word, but I believe mothers need to be selfish. The mental load of motherhood is so large that if you don’t put some time aside for yourself to be selfish, it can be quite destructive. You can’t pour from an empty cup.

What was a defining moment in your life when you realized that being selfish can be a good thing?

I don’t know that there was a defining moment or just an accumulation of circumstances and feelings that led me to understand just how needed selfcare is. The identity crisis that women go through in becoming mothers is so underestimated. I advocate for carving out time for yourself to have a massage, a facial, a bath or just a few minutes alone.

"You can't pour from an empty cup."

What selfish acts help you be your best self?

I go for a walk every day, even if it's only 20 minutes. I will also book appointments for a massage and a facial—I book these in advance so that I know I have something to look forward to. I cannot wait for those appointments to come around. The anticipation is almost as good as the hour-long appointment.

Rewind. What is the best advice you’ve received throughout your life?

One day at a time. I don’t think parenting gets any easier. It just becomes different. There are days when you just want to give your kids an ice cream because you’re just exhausted. And then there are days when you’ll spend hours making a beautiful meal for them. But in either scenario you’re trying your best. And your best is different on different days. Just take it one day at a time.