Meaghan Marsters needs no introduction in Kentville
To say that Meaghan Marsters is a familiar face in the Town of Kentville pretty well goes without saying.
For her recent 40th birthday, the letter-board sign in front of the local Kings Arms Pub read “Happy Birthday Meaghan Marsters.”
The self-described extrovert hailing from Hantsport says she came into this world quickly and fiercely, and one could easily assume not much has changed after seeing her in action on the soccer field as a twinkle-toed forward for Acadia Roofing.
But there’s more to “Marsters” than what meets the eye.
She covers everything from a life-changing experience to things people would find surprising about her in this question-and-answer session with the SaltWire Network. Q: What is your full name? A: Meaghan Elizabeth Marsters.
Q: Where and when were you born?
A: Hantsport, Nova Scotia. I arrived four weeks early, at home, quickly, and fiercely. When I tell the story, I describe how my dad delivered me, my mom will quickly remind me that she actually did the delivering.
Q: Where do you live today?
A: Happy to call Kentville my home for the past 20 years. It’s a great community that has really developed over the past decade. Even as a teenager, I was drawn to Kentville, and now that I live here, I’m proud to be an active member of the community, and raise my children here.
Q: What’s your favourite place in the world?
A: Nova Scotia – I’d never leave. We are surrounded by beauty from the view of the Annapolis Valley, lakes, oceans, and the Bay of Fundy. We are privileged to have a true sense of community.
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
A: People that don’t know me closely, may be surprised to learn about my love for writing. I have co-authored an article that was published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health. The article shares a story of my experiences as a front line provider, working with families who face barriers. The article encourages practitioners to engage in story sharing as a form of reflection and to inform public policy regarding social risk factors associated to health. I strive to make time for reflection and writing and am launching a blog website as a strategy to hold me more accountable to write more.
Q: What is the hardest thing you’ve ever done?
A: Accepting that people come and go into your life, and although it can be hard to let them go, it’s important to understand why they were in your life, and what footprint that made for you.
Q: Can you describe one experience that changed your life?
A: Becoming a mother at a young age has taught me how to love someone unconditionally. How to put someone else’s needs before my own. Learning how to parent at 20 years old, I quickly realized that support networks were crucial as I embarked on the journey. I learned so much about myself, my values, who I wanted to be, and it changed my entire path in life.
Q: What’s your greatest indulgence?
A: Saying yes – I can sometimes be a people pleaser, and one of my greatest indulgences is to make others happy, which sometimes means, I spread myself too thin. I also enjoy dips with salty snacks.
Q: What is your greatest fear?
A: The unknown. It really can play tricks on your mind. However, it does encourage me to live in the moment and be present, so there’s that.
Q: What is your most treasured possession?
A: My children for sure, I mean, they aren’t my possession, but I certainly am raising them. They have taught me so much about myself, and life in general. Other than that, I’d have to say my cell phone, it keeps me connected with friends and family when life seems too busy to physically be together. However, I’d much rather be in the same room with someone than using technology.
Q: What physical or personality trait are you most grateful to a parent for?
A: I’d have to spread the love, and be grateful for my dad’s sense of humor and my mother’s stubbornness and determination. My parents showed me how to be me, and work hard for what I wanted.
Q: What is your best quality, and what is your worst quality?
A: Tough one. My best quality, I’m going to have to say my ability to form and maintain connections with people. My worst quality, maybe that I like to think that everyone has to like me, and therefore I go out of my way to try to make that happen. I’m gradually learning that I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s okay.
Q: What’s your biggest regret?
A: No regrets, any mistakes and choices I have made, I’ve learned from in one way or another. Anything that I didn’t do, I still have the opportunity to make that happen if I really want it.