‘I don’t want to have regrets about things I didn’t do’
Presenter Emer Maguire (29) is a musical comedian, event host and science communicator, who is preparing for her new solo comedy show, ‘Emer Maguire
— In Her Element’, at the Ulster Hall in October. Originally from Strabane, she lives in Belfast with her partner Laura and dog Alby: “I’m a fully fledged member of the Ormeau Road massive and I love it!”
Do you take regular exercise and if so, what?
I play football for a brilliant team called Belfast Ravens, so pre-lockdown I was always at training and matches. I love the team and the game so it makes exercise fun! I’m also a gym fan — pre-lockdown, it helped me get up early and start the day off well. I’m missing football and the gym, but I’m trying to get out for walks to keep moving.
What is the worst illness you’ve had?
A couple of Christmases ago I was very ill. I had gone to donate blood before heading home for the holidays. They do a little finger prick test before you actually donate just to check everything is all good. They did mine and let me know I couldn’t donate and asked if I was feeling unwell. I felt grand, but about halfway home I became really unwell and had issues breathing. I quickly got pretty delirious and felt like I was suffocating. I was back and forth to the doctors and A&E, and the doctor let me know I had tracheitis, and felt the breathing issues were because of swelling in the airway. It’s very rare, can be very serious, and usually affects children, so I have no idea how I got it. Apart from that, my only health issue is that I get severe migraines which I’m on twice daily preventative medication for. Otherwise, I’m 100%!
How healthy is your diet?
Not very! In recent years I’ve tried to be much healthier but I’m still definitely not ‘healthy’. I was a very fussy eater as a child… all I ever wanted was plain chicken with nothing else — I’m pretty sure I was devoid of any and all nutrients! As I’ve gotten older I’ve tried to expand what I eat. I try and include at least one veg with dinner as a way of getting a little bit of healthy food in. So in the grand scheme of things I’d say I’m average.
Any bad habits?
Ordering takeout too often (although I only really go for takeout that is marketed as ‘healthy’ so I don’t really feel it’s THAT bad!) And I do have a love of fizzy drinks — that’s definitely a habit. I gave up Coke Zero five years ago as a New Year’s resolution because I was so addicted and haven’t touched it since!
Do you drink/smoke? And if so, how often?
I don’t smoke. I do drink but very infrequently. If I was doing a casual event for friends or on a Zoom night with my football teammates, I’d maybe have a gin or two, but that’s very far and few between.
Do you take any supplements?
Nope! I probably should.
How do you take time out?
You should probably ask my partner and the answer will be that I don’t! Because I enjoy my work so much, I feel that I don’t really want to take time out. I’m pretty highly motivated to work hard.
How well do you sleep?
I’m a night owl and while I LOVE to sleep, I don’t feel I need very much sleep. I function just as well on three or four hours sleep as I do on eight.
Do you worry about getting old?
Yes. More so in terms of wanting to achieve everything I want to achieve in good time, if that makes sense. I am very work-oriented and don’t want to have any regrets about things I didn’t do… I want to fit everything in!
What is your go-to product that keeps you feeling healthy?
Honestly? I don’t have one. I’m not even sure what kind of thing you’re supposed to say here. Supplements? Fancy face washes? Magical skin creams? None of that for me. What keeps me feeling healthy is getting out of bed, working on what I love, staying active, and walking my dog. Can that be my all in one product?
‘Ienjoy my work so I don’t want to take time out’
Emer brings her brand new solo comedy show, ‘Emer Maguire
— In Her Element’, to the Ulster Hall on October 16. Follow Emer on Facebook, @Emermofficial on Twitter and @emermaguireofficial on Instagram