Ever wondered what a typical day looks like for our founder Gemma Atkinson? Same!
As many of you will know, Gemma started her career in acting (appearing in Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and Casualty). She is now a podcast host on the Women’s Health ‘Just as Well’ podcast as well as her own ‘Lost in Translation’ podcast, an author, a wellness and fitness influencer, a drive time host on Hits Radio, and a hands-on founder of our very own Gem & Tonic.
So we asked her to share a typical day…
Rise & Shine: Gemma’s Morning RItual
My day usually starts around 6am when I wake up. When Gorka is away I have an alarm for 4.30am as from then until 6am is my window to train before Mia and Thiago wake.
When Gorka is home, it’s a 6am alarm and then downstairs with Benji. I open all the blinds and let Benji out while I have my symprove shot, my Artah Cellular Hydration, and a coffee with Vital Collagen.
I love being up first and just sitting with my coffee and Benji. Especially in the summer when it’s light really early. If it’s sunny I’ll sit outside to get some vitamin D.
Thiago wakes around 6.40 so I get him up and bring him downstairs. Mia and Gorka usually get up a little later around 7.15am and when they come down we all commute in the kitchen over breakfast.
Around 8am I get in my gym kit and take Thiago to nursery for around 8.30ish. Benji jumps in the car with us as I walk him straight after. Gorka takes Mia to school for 8.50.
Gym, Skincare and Getting Stuff Done
I arrive back home usually around 10am and head straight to the gym. If I don’t train in the morning it’s likely I won’t do it as I hate doing it after work. I always set aside that time in the morning to get it done. After my session I apply my Gem & Tonic Cleanser and I leave it on as a mask while I shower. After my shower I use my Gua Sha tool for a few minutes (which is great for lymphatic drainage) wash off the cleanser then apply my Gem & Tonic Moisturiser and get dressed.
I usually have at least 2 morning zooms for Gem & Tonic, from finance meetings and strategy meetings to my regular catchups with the team and prep for any upcoming shoots or other events. I also catch up on any general admin and I prepare my food to take to the radio in the afternoon with me.
I leave for the radio mid afternoon to be in for 3pm and we’re live on air for the radio from 4pm until 7pm. I eat my meals throughout the show as I hate eating too late.
I’m usually home about 7.40pm by which time Gorka or my mum has done the school run and given Mia and Thiago their tea. I walk Benji again to have a little wind down and flush my legs after work (as we’re sat in the radio for a long time) and then I put both Mia & Thiago to bed for around 8.15.
I always feel really lucky that I’m able to do both mornings and bedtime routines with them. I genuinely look forward to putting them to bed with a book and rocking Thiago on his chair.
Winding Down: Magnesium, Stretching, and Blissful Early Nights
When the kids are asleep I shower again and put on my Gem & Tonic Body Moisturiser. I know lots love it in the day but I love it in the evening as the magnesium-rich Olivine in it is so relaxing on my muscles at the end of a busy day, plus it smells lovely and cosy.
Myself and Gorka catch up on our day usually over a herbal tea (how rock & roll!) then we head up to bed usually around 9pm. We genuinely love an early night! I do my GOWOD stretch app for either 8 or 15 mins depending on how I feel.
I’m currently watching Yellowstone so I pop on my red light hair mask, blue light blocker glasses and watch an episode while Gorka watches his Spanish series next to me on his laptop and Benji lays between us snoring away. The episode is about an hour so I’m asleep for around 10pm ensuring 8hrs until wake up.
It sounds mundane but for us it’s bliss. Sleep is so important so whenever I get the chance to be in bed by 9pm I feel like I’m winning! Although any parent will know it’s very much child dependent on how well we sleep! (Luckily on the days I’m exhausted, I have my Gem & Tonic products to save the day!)
