Monica Woolridge on hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc, functional fitness, and a dog who was a cat in a previous life
An integrative nutrition health coach, founder of The Art of Undieting, and international bestselling author writes about little things we miss completely, a rebellious streak, rebuilding her health while lying on her back, and earning the Salad Queen crown.
1 You once described yourself as “wild at heart.” What did you mean?
I’ve always felt deeply connected to nature. The mountains, the wind, the stars, the moon, the trees, even the rain. When I’m in nature, I feel free, wild, and completely content, as though I’m not simply surrounded by the natural world but part of it. When I see a beautiful mountain, every part of me wants to stop whatever I’m doing and climb it. It feels as though it’s calling me. But being wild at heart is also about my rebellious streak. I question things and don’t automatically accept the status quo simply because “that’s how it’s always been done.” If something doesn’t make sense to me, I explore it, challenge it, and find my own way.
2 Is it correct to assume that you were born curious?
Not really. In fact, my mom might smile at that suggestion. When I was younger, she was always trying to encourage me to be more curious about science, nature, and the world around me. I didn’t have many strong interests back then. My curiosity arrived a little later in life. As an adult, I’ve become fascinated by human nature and behaviour, spirituality, happiness, and life itself. I want to understand what makes us who we are, why we do the things we do, and what helps us feel truly alive.
3 Which adventurous experience or experiences remain with you?
I’m happiest when adventure puts the wind in my face and makes my heart pump a little faster. Give me a mountain to climb, a rock face to scale, or something to jump off, and I’m in my element. That’s when I feel truly alive. My favourite adventure so far was hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc on my own in 2023. I spent 11 days walking 170 kilometers around Mont Blanc, crossing through France, Italy, and Switzerland. It was one of the most extraordinary experiences of my life.
4 How did you start meditating, and what does meditation do for you?
I’m not exactly sure when I started meditating, but I guess it first entered my life when I walked away from a 15-year career in corporate insurance. At the time, I was searching for a deeper, more meaningful way to live, and meditation was one of the things I began to dabble in. But I didn’t truly understand its power until I started struggling with my health. A significant part of rebuilding my health happened while I was lying on my back or sitting quietly on the floor, meditating. Meditation helps me quiet the noise and reconnect with who I really am. It gives me the space to simply be, to breathe, and to notice what is already good in my life.
People often ask me why I’m so happy or what I believe the key to happiness is. For me, it’s gratitude. Gratitude for the good things in my life, for the opportunities to learn, for the beauty that surrounds us, and for all the little things we miss completely if we aren’t paying attention. Meditation always brings me back to that awareness.
5 Tell us about your family.
I have a small family, and they mean everything to me. My husband is my gentle, steady giant and the rock I can always rely on. Our daughter is incredibly smart, wise, kind, and funny. She is remarkably grounded and emotionally mature, completely her own person, and loves to question and challenge things, including me. My mom is a true nature child, soft-hearted and kind, and quite literally wouldn’t harm a fly. I also have one brother who, like me, is wild at heart. My dad is sadly no longer with us. They're all very different, but each of them grounds me in their own way.
6 Your family would not be complete without those “two very spoiled fur babies,” right?
Absolutely. And they know it. Lily is our 15-year-old Jack Russell–Beagle cross: sassy, stubborn, sensitive, and permanently hungry. I’m fairly certain she was a cat in a previous life. She manipulates us into meeting her every need, then largely ignores us until dinner. Brandy, our young rescue Border Collie, is the newer addition and my best friend. Coordination is not his strong suit, but he makes up for it with boundless love, cuddles, paw-holding, and eye contact that looks straight into your soul.
You can also listen to Monica unpacking a sustainable, enjoyable(!) alternative to dieting culture: The Art of Undieting.
7 You admit to doing functional fitness. What does that involve?
For me, functional fitness means training my body for life. I lift weights and do CrossFit-style workouts that help me feel strong, capable, and ready for my next adventure. I’m training for who I am today, but also for the active 80-year-old I hope to become.
8 Friends describe you as the Salad Queen. How did you earn this title?
If you ask me what my favourite food is, I’ll say salad without hesitation. Yes, really. I get ridiculously excited about a good salad. But I’m not talking about your aunt’s “throw everything you can find in the fridge into one bowl and hope for the best” salad. A great salad is built in layers, with flavour combinations that make your taste buds sing.
Start with crisp leafy greens and generous handfuls of your favourite fresh herbs. Add vegetables that are fresh and crunchy, slowly roasted until their edges caramelise, or pan-fried until golden. If you like, add a protein: juicy roasted chicken or beef, crispy-skinned salmon, or warm, crunchy chickpeas. Bring in healthy fats with creamy avocado, toasted nuts, or seeds, and perhaps add a soft, creamy cheese. Ripe seasonal fruit adds an irresistible burst of sweetness. Finish it with the right dressing: something zesty and garlicky, a fresh herb vinaigrette, honey-Dijon, or perhaps something salty and sharp with capers or olives.
Some of my favourite flavour combinations include crisp apple, walnuts, and celery; roasted butternut, earthy beetroot, and creamy goat’s cheese; avocado, mango, and cucumber; ripe tomato, basil, mozzarella, and balsamic; juicy pear, blue cheese, and fresh herbs; or boiled baby potatoes, green beans, fresh dill, capers, and a zesty dressing.
A great salad plays with flavour, colour, texture, and temperature. It should be a feast for the senses and leave both your tummy and your heart very happy. That’s how I earned the crown.
More about Monica Woolridge
Integrative nutrition health coach, founder of The Art of Undieting, and international bestselling author Monica Woolridge studied law and spent 15 years working in corporate insurance. She proceeded to study nutrition at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in the US.
Monica has created The Art of Undieting, a way of living that has grown into a global movement of women rediscovering true vitality. Through her programs, personal coaching, group challenges, and her book The Art of Undieting, she continues to share her message with the world. Monica is based in Centurion.
Website: https://www.theartofundieting.com
Website specially for South Africans: https://www.theartofundieting.com/za
Email: monica@theartofundieting.com
Instagram: @theartofundieting
Facebook: The Art of Undieting
Thumbnail image: Pexels
Photographs of Monica Woolridge: supplied