Wonder Woman Wednesday - Nia Maynard

Meet Bodhi Babes Wonder Woman, Nia Maynard.

Nia is a play leader at a Ty Hapus Children's Center, owner of Simply Sweet Carts & Mum to two gorgeous children.

When you were a little girl, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be an athlete or a PE teacher. I loved sport, athletics was something I lived and breathed, and I even made it to the Welsh team and was Welsh champion in the hurdles when I was 14. Something that im proud of to this day. I remember being so alive and forgetting all my troubles when I was out on the track and competing. I wanted to be like that forever.

What do you do now? For work? For fun?

I can’t really say I work as I love my job and don’t really see it as work! But I’m employed by a charity, Ty Hapus. For them I run a children’s center as a play leader that is funded by the welsh assembly. I work with a fantastic team of people and get to spend my days with the most amazing children. My job role is a very different one every day and so rewarding. I’m a massive advocate in the importance of play and that every child has a right to play, this is how they learn and problem solve. It’s the fundamental step to the beginning in making sense of the world around them.

For fun I love to spend time with my daughter and son, socialse with friends and family, my boyfriend Curtis who I don’t get to see very often at the moment as he currently lives in Liverpool.

Charity fund raising currently taking on the three peaks with one inspirational 10-year-old girl; Alana and team members to raise funds for Bobath Wales, a therapy center for children with Cerebral palsy.

I also love to spend time on my side project that my mum and I have just set up. We do sweet buffets for weddings and other events. I love being able to be creative and coming up with new ideas. It’s not something that I will be doing forever but enjoy it and it’s helping me get the funds together to achieve my dream goal!

How did you get into your area of expertise?

It was by complete accident, after coming out of the army at 20 and becoming a single mum with very few qualifications and no idea how to care for a baby, I decided to go back to college, not knowing what I wanted to do I enrolled on a childcare course, thinking I could use it to help me get to know how to care for my daughter, using it for a career didn’t even cross my mind. A few years later I saw an add for a nursery nurse and decided to put my qualification to more use than just using it as a mum. I worked my way up through the company that I was with at the time gaining a degree in early years education and then went on to gain an assessors qualification.

What obstacles have you faced in following your dreams and how have you overcome them?

I went through a few things that I found difficult, and it affected my health that led to me being diagnosed with clinical depression a few years ago. It had a huge impact on how people perceived me and also an impact on my job; people didn’t see me as me they just saw a label.

I hit a brick wall and must admit there were a few times where I just wanted to give up completely! I questioned everything including my capability within my job role and as a mother; I began to believe the negative comments of others about myself. But something within me kept me going, telling me I had more to offer, what others thought of me was none of my business it was what I thought of myself that mattered. I decided I could dwell on the illness and the negative comments and let it consume me or I could use it to strengthen me and show others and most importantly myself that I was not my illness, just because I had an illness did not mean I was incapable. So out of my struggles and as hard as it was I wouldn’t change it! It’s made me who I am today; more compassionate understanding of others, caring and loving. Something that has certainty helped within my role. I’ve learnt that everyone is facing a struggle of his or her own so don’t be too quick to judge!

What’s the best part of what you do?

Seeing the children when their time is up with me and going off to school, seeing how much they have developed and grown as little individuals Knowing that I’ve had a part to play in seeing them learn, grow and develop into confident happy children is very rewarding and makes what I do so worth it.

What advice do you have for other women who might want to follow suit?

No matter how hard it may be, if you want it bad enough you will make it work no matter what. Always ask questions listen to the little people, and by this I mean the children, because they are the ones that matter and the very reason why we do what we do. Their opinions, feelings are what you should be working towards in making a difference. Invest in them, as they are our future. Be a reflection of what you want to see in others.

What’s your morning routine?

Before I even get out of bed I visualize how I intend the day to go this puts me in a positive frame of mind. I start the morning by blasting out some feel good tunes in the house; my children are not morning people so this helps get them into gear.

Once the children have left for school then I get dressed have a strong coffee and listen to some motivational things on YouTube I cant get enough of Lisa Nichols at the moment, she’s so inspiring., then it’s off to have fun with the children and my staff team in my setting and every day is different.

3 things that are on your ‘to do’ list today?

Well today I’m setting off to a course to gain another qualification, so I am able to deliver training. Another tick in the box to reach my goal. Then spending some quality time with my children once they are home and doing whatever homework I have been set from today's session.

What are you working on at the moment? Next project?

Once I have achieved my qualification I am hoping to put it to use within My Fathers Training Company and also within the Family center to deliver training to staff and parents.

I’m also currently working towards a long-term goal that I’m really excited about! All will be revealed when the time is right, lets just say its something that will help others who find themselves in a similar situation to what I was in and get out of that stuck rut!

One woman you admire and why?

Other than my mother, who goes without saying, as she is my rock! I would have to say my Mamgu (that’s welsh for grandmother). She always sees the good in everyone and goes out of her way to help others without asking for anything in return. She’s nearly 80, she still drives, goes out with friends, volunteers and travels. She loves life and lives it to the fullest!

Also my other grandmother, mam, who sadly passed recently... She was a kind caring lady who put her family first, she never judged others and always put her family before herself. Many nights she would stay up and listen to my ideas and encourage me to go after my dreams. She was a very dear lady, she was a mum of 7, one of her children was autistic and she fostered children as well.

Three wishes?

1 For my children to chase their dreams and achieve everything they set out for in life.

2 For my family and friends to be happy and healthy,

3 To know I have made a difference in other peoples lives.

Who do you turn to for advice?

I try to ask my self what advice would I give to a friend if this were their situation? I use to always turn to others hoping that they would solve my problems but I came to learn if you quiet your mind long enough then the answers will come, that’s not to say I no longer turn to others for advice, I do; and they are my close friends Kirsten from the food remedy and also my best friend Kirsty. But before I burden them I always turn to myself, more often than not I have solved the problem and calling them becomes an exciting story to what I have manifested and achieved.

Who do you turn to for a shoulder to cry on?

My Mum. You’re never too old to need your mum.

Favourite book?

Chicken soup for the soul. By Jack Canfield. It’s a real feel good book jammed packed with inspirational stories from people who have achieved amazing things in their life. I’ve just bought Chicken soup for the preteen soul for my daughter as she keeps questioning her worth and her own ability. I’m hoping it will inspire her.

Favourite movie?

It has to be the notebook! Love a good chick flick. Gets me every time. Also the shift by Dr Wayne Dyer I have to say this film completely changed my way of thinking and was very helpful in my recovery with my illness.

Favourite childhood game?

Mob. I always remember having loads of fun on my estate with the other kids. They could never find me. I had awesome hiding places

Fantasy career?

To be a judge on the X factor, I think it would be loads of fun and I would love to be able to have some banter with Simon

Words for Monday motivation?

Start of the week! A chance for a fresh start, embrace it!! Todays a good day to have a good day!

#FeelGoodFriday song?

Oh so many! At the moment probably Glow by Ella Hendorson its my wake up alarm and always puts me in a good mood.

Favourite quote?

“A belief is just a thought you keep thinking!’ Abraham Hicks!

Thanks Nia!

x Louise