Known as Two Raw Sisters, they may be the country’s most adored foodie siblings right now, but until recently, fresh-faced Christchurch duo Margo and Rosa Flanagan were arch-enemies!
“Rosa and I hated each other until about four years ago,” laughs a glowing Margo, 22. “We were very competitive. Rosa was an elite athlete running for New Zealand and I felt like I had to be like her, but I physically couldn’t because I was bedridden with chronic fatigue syndrome.”
While Rosa, 24, trained for her middle-distance running, aiming for the now-postponed 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, her younger sister was battling five years of the debilitating sleep disorder.
“I literally spent two years of my teens in bed,” says Margo, chatting to Woman’s Day ahead of the nationwide tour for their second raw cookbook, All Eaters Welcome. “I had the whole last year of school off because I’d pretty much walk 50 metres to the kitchen and was exhausted for the rest of the day.”
But while big sister Rosa seemed to be smashing her athletic goals, she was also in the depths of an exercise obsession and eating disorder. “I was on the cycle of training way too much and eating as little as I could for about eight years,” Rosa shares.
“Nearing the Olympics, I all of a sudden started getting lots of stress fractures, including six in my tibia and two in both of my hips. I had a lot of time out recovering and was told that if I didn’t do anything to repair my health, then they didn’t know what my future would look like.”
This story is from the November 16, 2020 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 16, 2020 edition of Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Jaden's Paraly mpic dream LOWE IT TO MYSELF'
The record-breaking wheelchair racer isn't letting his disability hold him back
Peak PERFECTION
Fiona Connolly discovers California's winter wonderland Mammoth Lakes is just as magical in summer
HOW TO BUDGET LIKE A LEGEND
Business specialist Cameron Wislang offers his five top tips for managing your money
JUDGE JAY-JAY
More FM radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
JJ'S DREAM COME TRUE 'GETTING MARRIED BROUGHT US CLOSER!'
The Friends Like Her actress and her cinematographer husband are a perfect match
MARGOT'S SWEET MISSION
Her act of kindness has brightened up lives
SECRET CANCER BATTLE
The reality TV stars are ready for anything now Emily's survived a terrifying health crisis
SHORTY STARS MARRIAGE DRAMA
After six months of wedded bliss, these acting talents are mixing business with pleasure
SURI'S READY TO TELL ALL!
As his daughter turns 18, Tom Cruise is worried she's about to spill his family secrets
MICHELLE & MARTY'S MAGIC ENGAGEMENT
After a surprise proposal, the Highlanders rugby star and the TVNZ reporter share their romantic love story