MY FIT LIFE

The 30-year-old British founder of luxury activewear brand Varley talks expat wellness in LA – and missing London’s pubs

Varley founder Lara Mead

SWEAT

When I was younger, I ran competitively, so I’ve always been drawn to highintensity workouts. But two years ago, when I was expanding the Varley business in London, looking after my newborn son and trying to maintain my hardcore exercise regimen, my personal trainer Lee Mullins explained that I’d burn out if I didn’t balance my training with lower-intensity options. Now I’m based in Los Angeles, I offset my boxing classes at Gloveworx (gloveworx.com) with grounding hot yoga classes at Tantris on Sunset Boulevard (tantris.com).

EAT

I’m a pescetarian and I love taking advantage of all the fresh seafood on the California coast. Few things beat eating a large grilled sea bass cooked in turmeric and garnished with mint and coriander, overlooking the Pacific Ocean at Soho House’s Malibu outpost Little Beach House. On the side, I’ll have taro chips. They’re massive in LA. They taste like a potato/parsnip hybrid and they’re thinly sliced and then roasted. When I have sweet cravings, they’re usually settled back at home with a couple of squares of 90% dark chocolate or some coconut yoghurt.

UNWIND

Nothing clears my head and feeds my soul like a good hike. I make it out for two hours once a week, using an app called Alltrails. My favourite route takes me through Temescal Canyon – at the highest point you have a view from Malibu all the way down to Venice. That said, I do miss pulling on my parka and taking my dog, Wispa, for a blustery walk down by the Thames in Chiswick, West London, where I used to live.

TREAT

When I need to zen out, I go to Tikkun Holistic Spa in Santa Monica (tikkunspa. com). I soak in the hot springs and sweat it out in the infrared sauna before one of the therapists teases out tension with an intense massage. It’s like nothing I’ve experienced in the UK – everyone’s naked for a start. Being British, I squirmed with awkwardness the first time I went, but now I’m quite into it. Wearing no clothes makes you feel like you’re being taken care of, just like a baby. Hopefully it’ll make its way to Britain soon!

LISTEN

I struggle with reading as it requires my full attention, which, with a toddler, a business and a dog, I don’t have vast reserves of. I prefer podcasts, which I can listen to while fulfilling my type A urge to get shit done. Tuning into How I Made It to hear about how other companies built their success really relaxes and inspires me.

GO

I get so excited for our biannual trips back to the UK. In LA, culture is wellness or restaurant openings, which I love, but it’s just not the same. I miss going to the theatre on a whim, and the British pub culture. Popping down to a cosy local with my husband for our standard half pint (him), glass of red (me) and a packet of crisps is always high up on the to-do list when we’re back home.

WEAR

I spend a lot of time in activewear. My top tip for making your kit look slick is: choose leggings that fit properly, flatter your body and you feel comfortable in. Then you can wear them with confidence, which is the key to pulling off anything. I love our Kingman tights. (Biased, me?) The mesh panelling is ultra-flattering. [Turn to page 91 to check out some of Lara’s designs.]

DO

After my son was born, I exhausted myself trying to make sure he went to every play date, dance class and baby massage session. Things got so much easier when I accepted that I didn’t have to do all the things the other West London mums did. I realised I had to be strict with myself about taking time out to get my hair or nails done – I’m always a better mum when I come back.