Self care comes in waves
Repa co-founder Zac Robinson’s key to beating stress is to spot the warning signs early then take care of himself, writes Rebecca Wadey.
Zac Robinson, the co-founder and co-chief executive of repa, a ‘‘brainfood’’ technology company known for its brain drink, knows it is important he and business partner Angus Brown walk the talk in looking after their personal health as much as the health of their business, which exports its New Zealand-made products globally. This has been easier said than done since the arrival of Robinson’s first child five months ago. ‘‘I’m sure other new parents will understand the struggle.’’
Robinson was working as a junior designer in Sydney when Brown suggested starting the business. ‘‘I was dealing with [the] anxiety of the job, the pressures and stress. I was like, that’s something I need. And if I need it, there’s going to be other people out there [who] need it too’’.
Robinson says there was huge opportunity for brain nootropics in the market. ‘‘When we started 10 years ago, people didn’t think about their brains. It was more about hair, skin, nails. Heart health, maybe, but the brain was the most neglected organ.’’ He shares his wellbeing insight.
More like guidelines than rigid rules. The big goal of my day is to make sure I am home in time for the evening/bedtime routine for my 5-month-old son.
Most days at 7am, but these days it is dictated by the little one.
Normally avocado toast at the office. Yes, I am a millennial (but I do get the avocados for free).
I used to have a more diverse exercise routine prebaby life, but now my latest weekly routine is to run 2-3 times a week when I get a chance, usually at lunchtime with my dog Bronte, who I bring to the office, and sometimes¯othera repa team members join too. I find it is great to clear the head and break up the day. I try tōouragoto repa x FAT HIIT classes on Thursday mornings, which the public is welcome to come to.
repa capsules and our brain drinks most days. They help keep me calm and focused, and I know they are also helping my long-term brain health, which is really important to me.
There is no guru or any one person I follow, but there is a network of friends – people I know who are living or have gone through a similar path I am going down, having a family and running a highgrowth start-up business. People who have been there, done that, often have the best advice.
The tension between work and family. Having to work when I would rather be with family.
I do things such as turn the lights down low, try to stay off my phone and journal to keep my brain sane. And I know it is not the best solution, but sometimes I do watch some light-hearted TV to help switch off. You have to have your vices.
Very little at the moment, except for the equipment needed, such as running shoes. I will have to get a gym membership again soon.
Last year I had the privilege of joining other like-minded young business people at the Aro Hā retreat in Queenstown.
I admit it was expensive, but if anyone has the opportunity to go, I highly recommend it. It changed my perspective on health and wellbeing, and I came back completely refreshed.
After a week of hiking, yoga, a plant-based diet with no caffeine and no sugar, hot-cold therapy and some inward focus, I was able to prioritise what is important¯ato me, and make changes to the way I live that I still live by, and I don’t drink caffeine to this day.
I come from a product design background, so I remind myself when something fails, I know I am closer to getting it right.
Mental health is No 1 for our company, as supporting mental health is a core offering of our products, so we can’t talk the talk without walking the walk ourselves.
We often remind the team that if they feel stressed or overwhelmed, to speak up so we can help manage workloads, and we will encourage them to take an afternoon off or a few mental health days.
Anything in nature. Surfing – when you are surfing along the wave, you can’t think about anything else but that wave. It is the most present you can be.
I used to do a lot of rock climbing as well, and it is the same thing – you can’t think about work while you are hanging upside down and focusing on not falling.
I like longer trail runs in the bush, in particular. I run on the road a lot, but I am happier running up a muddy hill.
It is about focusing on those single moments, so you are not focusing on everything else going on in your day.
Identifying warning signs early. If I have had a hectic few weeks, I ensure I am still exercising and eating well, and schedule some time away.