AS a personal trainer for 15 years, Kerryann Hayes was struck by the number of women she saw who were unsure of their abilities – beyond that of providing for their family in some kind of mothering role.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
According to Kerryann much of this uncertainty is perpetuated by mainstream media.
“When we are kept quiet, kept small, kept powerless by the constant fear that our body isn’t right, which is what mainstream media does, we put our life off. We wait, we stay quiet, we sit back and we watch,” she explained.
But what she has also observed is a clear change in these women as they reach their 40s.
“They begin to feel more confident in their own skin, are more willing to look for more for themselves - more excitement, experiences and more adventure outside their comfort zone. They also care deeply about their environment and their world and the issues that affect women worldwide.”
READ MORE: Mid North Coast Now: Gift of Life with Love...click here
It was for this ‘new breed of women’ that she and business partner Amy Heague created the Travel Play Live magazine.
“Through adventure we believed we could empower and inspire, and via this, help create change,” Kerryann explained.
Amy and Kerryann both share this passion for creating change in the world and describe a cycling trip to Cambodia as a lightbulb moment in the creation of Travel Play Live. The cycle was part awareness raising/part fundraiser to help combat child sexual slavery in Cambodia.
“We were already connected via our careers in media and fitness but we also both took part in a cycling trip to Cambodia raising awareness of human trafficking with a large group of women. Pretty much after that, seeing the differences in the women we travelled with and the women and girls we met, we were pretty much driven to continue wherever this idea took us.”
The quarterly magazine was launched in September 2015 and is described as a magazine for the woman who loves all things travel, craves adventure and yet still enjoy some of life's finer things - great coffee, fine food, wine and great looking fashion. The summer edition has just ‘hit the shelves’ although the majority of copies are sold via subscription.
The response has been so positive that the magazine was launched entirely via crowdfunding and investment.
With the print media facing increasing competition with the proliferation of online publications the concept of launching a new magazine could be seen as a risky venture but any doubts they may have had in this regard have been put to rest.
“Pretty much after the release of the first edition we knew we had created something special, something 'women like us’ wanted to read. When our followers began to instagram our magazine in various places around the world with them; commenting they were spending approximately 45 mins actually sitting down with it, reading it, smelling it and touching it and it had a special place in their house where it didn’t get creased or crumpled.”
The process has been far from smooth sailing and for Kerryann some of the challenges have included juggling two jobs and family and negotiating the financial aspects.
“But the biggest hurdle has always been believing in the idea, but every time we reconnect with the pillars behind the movement, our belief in the product grows. After two years we have learnt we are really being carried along. One door closes - one door opens, so to speak.”
So for two strong, independent women publishing an adventure magazine for women the final question is obvious and it’s all about the ‘f-word’.
“My favourite question. Last week I probably would have answered it differently but I’m continually surrounded by amazing women, so I’m becoming more confident in answering that question as I’m encouraged to use my voice.
“By not speaking our truth, we are saying to ourselves 'we don't matter' and what we have to say is of little value, which further contributes to the breakdown of our individual self-worth and the strength of women as a whole.
“We must remember we have a unique God-given responsibility as women to speak up and not stay silent in conversations that truly matter. So if that makes me a feminist I guess ….Yes I am.”
This story first appeared in the January edition of Mid North Coast Now magazine. Copies of the magazine are available at the Great Lakes Advocate office at 41 Helen Street, Forster or follow this link
