Gemma McCaw There is a difference between surviving & thriving

Ahead of International Women's Day, the former Olympic athlete turned health advocate talks to writer Kelly Bertrand about how her passion for female wellness and empowerment has given her new purpose, and why she is driven to help others prioritise their own well-being journey.

- Kelly Bertrand

Beaming through the computer screen for a Zoom interview ahead of our exclusive photoshoot, former athlete and current wellness guru Gemma McCaw has that kind of vitality you only get from a whole lot of green food - you know, the healthy aura most of us try to get through vitamins, the odd jog and even the occasional prayer.

Stark white walls frame her as she settles back into a desk chair. There's no make-up, her hair is undone and she's in a plain black t-shirt, having come straight from Pilates. There are no knick-knacks or framed photographs of the family in sight - just Gemma, her big grin and her glow. Oh, and a 36-week baby bump.

She's protective of her privacy, having been thrown into a harsh, sometimes-unforgiving spotlight when her relationship with New Zealand's beloved All Black captain Richie became public almost 10 years ago.

But times have changed. She won't be holding back in this interview. "In the past, I probably wouldn't have said the things I do now or been so upfront," Gemma tells. "But now I'm trying to lean into it more."

In the past few years, she's founded businesses, hung up her hockey shoes, put them back on again, moved cities, got married and had babies - she's mum to Charlotte, four, and Grace, two, with one more on the way.

Her passion these days is health and wellness, particularly her new project, The Sunday Series, where she helps women reset their wellbeing by taking time out to pause, reflect and recharge.

When The Weekly first met Gemma Flynn, as she was then, she was a 22-year-old hockey star preparing for her first Olympic Games. Living in a flat in central Auckland with eight other girls, she was vivacious, lively and even a little wild, as you're supposed to be in your twenties!