For Kate Ferdinand, mental health is something she actively tends to, through habits that help her stay grounded amid a busy family life.
‘Speaking and communication is a big [health value] for me,’ she tells Women’s Health. ‘Exercise. Drink lots of water. Have your device outside your bedroom at night. But most of all: communicate. Speaking about how you feel and getting it out, without any fear of judgment.’
That openness has shaped how she navigates difficult periods. ‘I feel a huge power in being vulnerable,’ she explains. ‘I might find it difficult when I’m sharing, but I know that my vulnerability can ultimately be helpful to others. I also think sharing takes a pressure away from me personally, away from people thinking you’ve got this perfect life.’
Movement plays a central role, too – not just physically but emotionally. Kate has trained consistently for years, but she’s clear about why it matters to her now. ‘I would always choose to exercise because I work out for my mental health, too,’ she says. ‘I also want to be a healthy role model for my children: they see me working hard in the gym and that makes a difference.’
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Walking, in particular, has become part of how she processes stress. ‘If I’m struggling, I’ll go outside and go for a walk, I’ll talk to people,’ she says.
That sense of balance runs through the way she approaches health more broadly. ‘I don’t want to live forever – I want to enjoy my life,’ she says. ‘I want to eat chocolate and have a cocktail. And I refuse to put too many boundaries in place to stop that. I also have young children, so I do what I can – and I try not to put too much pressure on myself.’
Underlying it all is an understanding of what helps her feel steady. ‘I’m quite aware of how I feel and what I need to do in order to make myself feel better,’ Kate explains. ‘If I need help, I’ll have therapy. If I’m struggling, I’ll go outside and go for a walk, I’ll talk to people.’
Isaac Williams is Multiplatform Editor for both Women’s Health UK and Men’s Health UK, guiding and supporting the content teams to create content across all platforms. Isaac’s love of health and fitness began at Loughborough University, where he graduated with a History and English degree in 2014. His first job was at Men’s Running magazine, where he progressed from Staff Writer to Editor. Among his highlights of those four years include completing a 24-hour track race (never again), just about finishing a multi-day ultramarathon in the Azores, and chugging his way around a ‘beer mile’. Isaac ventured into the world of freelance journalism in 2018, interviewing some of the biggest names in sport – like Anthony Joshua and Ben Stokes – and writing features for the likes of The Guardian, Red Bull, ShortList and BBC Countryfile. He was also a regular contributor to an adventure series called ‘The Man Who’: speaking to some of the world’s most extreme explorers from the wilds of Caffè Nero. In late-2019, Isaac became Editor of Men’s Fitness UK. In his five years there, Isaac was responsible for editing the monthly magazine and managing website content, ultimately helping the brand transition to a ‘digital-first’ approach. He joined Hearst UK as Multiplatform Editor in December 2024, where he manages day-to-day digital output, edits content and writes articles on all things health and fitness. When he’s not hammering at his keyboard, Isaac enjoys exercise and trying – unsuccessfully, so far – to teach his baby son to kick a football. You can follow Isaac on Instagram @isaacw1993.
