Owner of TV production company Guts Entertainment Poruethai Narongdej, who prefers to be called Dao, is the daughter of the late Pol Gen Pote Boonya-chinda. With the viewing public’s insatiable appetite for distraction heightened in recent stay-at-home times, she has never been busier professionally. Which is why in the coming year she will be focusing on her physical and mental well-being with greater acuity.
While modern medical advancements have eradicated illnesses thought incurable a century ago and technology has changed the face of healthcare, the roots of good health and longevity remain anchored in a lifestyle that minimises the chance of serious illness in the first place. And such preventive care begins at home with the individual says Dao. “Looking after your health—reinforcing your immune system—has never been more important. It is your personal shield against all sorts of illnesses. You must be mindful of the habits you form and how they impact your health.”
Not a huge fan of working out in the gym, the 47-year-old nevertheless takes a long daily walk after dinner to bolster her immune system, ensure a healthy lifestyle and maintain a great figure that is often clothed in attire by Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Dior matched with Jimmy Choo shoes. She also practices yoga. “I try to fit in three sessions a week,” she says. “The walking and the yoga individually are low impact but in combination they have strengthened me. I don’t get colds or infections easily. Getting enough quality sleep is very important too.”
A regular diet and meal schedule is something Dao is strict about. “I don’t eat anything between meals. It can be hard not to snack during the festive season or when you’re stuck at home and bored, but you must be disciplined. It is as important for your mind as your body not to become enslaved to unhealthy eating. In terms of stress mitigation I find meditation and yoga work for me and this year I intend to take up Pilates.”
Tipanan Srifuengfung, or Tui, is the founder of Tu’i Accessories. Happily married to Thawin and the mother of sons Wynn (6) and Fyn (approaching 2), she says time management and finding the right work-life balance can be tricky. But she is keen to live a healthier life, one that integrates physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. “Finding balance in all parts of your life is key to living properly,” says the 40-year-old, who admits that as she has aged she has become more mindful of her diet and the need to give herself the chance to switch off and recharge.
“To de-stress I take advantage of the wonderful spas and clinics we have in this country. Medical check-ups have also become increasingly regular—it is very important to listen to what your body is telling you. Drinking lots of water and getting a good night’s sleep have become mild obsessions with me,” she laughs, then adds in a more sombre tone, “I think our country has one of the world’s best health and wellness industries but we cannot promote health and wellness if we are living in a toxic environment. Just look at the air quality here. It does make me worry for my children’s future.”
It is imperative, says Tui that the wellness industry and society as a whole refocus on better ways of preserving the environment. “Our health is ultimately dependent on the health of the planet, so adopting cleaner technologies, reducing waste, recycling and so on is vital. It takes discipline to maintain healthy habits and a positive mind-set.”
Speaking of which, the fashion industry professional, who admires the designs of Dries van Noten, Helmut Lang, Givenchy, Pucci and Jimmy Choo, says her New Year resolution is to work out more often.
CEO of PTS Group Holdings, the operator of Tiffany’s Show Pattaya, Woodlands Hotel & Resorts and Le Baguette café, Alisa Phanthusak Kunpalin is into yoga, Pilates and cycling as her ways of keeping fit. “I think yoga really helps to increase concentration and focus, as well as emotional control,” she says. “Life is often complicated, so inner peace is as valuable as good physical health.”
Food choices make a huge impact on maintaining good health and Alisa always watches what she eats. “I make sure to get enough protein and nutrients,” she explains. “I think people are becoming more aware of the importance of inner wellness—in both the physical and mental senses—but I truly believe it should be taught and promoted in schools. It’s one thing to have a robust wellness industry and another to change people’s thinking on how to live healthily. I mean, just look at how much sugar we put in food here.”
We all seek happiness, often falling for a false happiness fed by the immediacy of media-driven consumerism. It is a trap Alisa is wary of dropping into. “There is contentment in simply being healthy and secure,” the 46-year-old says. “More stuff just complicates life. Give me simplicity.”
Which pretty much describes her sense of style, which tends towards the elegantly comfortable. “My one indulgence is clothes,” she admits. “They must be well made and practical, as well as en vogue. I particularly like apparel by Gucci, Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen.” She also goes for Jimmy Choo shoes.
The ulterior motive for keeping fit and healthy is also straightforward for Alisa—she wants to see her toddler son Paul grow to adulthood and start a family of his own. Along the way she says it is important not to lose sight of the things that really matter. “However busy life gets, make time to exercise, make time to relax and laugh and make time for loved ones. Try to live mindfully so that you are around to experience them for a long time.”
See also: The Sisterhood Of Success: 5 Thai Sibling Business Duos To Know
