Kathryn Thomas has credited her husband for being her ‘rock’ as she opened up about a difficult year personally watching someone close to her battle a serious illness.
Looking back on 2022 and ahead to the rest of this year, the mother-of-three admits she has found herself counting her blessings, including the support of her husband Padraig McLoughlin during a tough time.
She said: "I am so grateful for my health and my wellness and my family."
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“In my social circle, we have dealt with a serious illness, and I think the older you get the more you appreciate being well and having your physical and mental health.
“We experienced sickness and we are all still dealing with it.
“Something like that just stops you in your tracks and you go, Jesus, we really do need to mind each other and appreciate the importance of our well being.”
“It has been a tough time,” she added, speaking to RTE Guide, “but Padraig has been through that with me.
“He has been my rock.
“When you come through a rollercoaster year where ill health visits the people that you love, you can't help but go into 2023 with hope and positivity and energy.
“I keep using this word grateful, but I do feel so grateful. I have great family and friends. I am very fortunate."
It comes as the RTE has returned to a busy work schedule again, with Operation Transformation back on screens.
Returning to the helm for the 12th season, Kathryn, 43, says she is in the rhythm of the routine.
“I would be fairly good in terms of bringing food with me when l am on the road,” the fitness enthusiast said.
But the host, who also runs fitness retreat company Pure Results in 2016 said she isn’t the ‘health nut’ that people may assume her to be, noting she enjoys treats in her life too.
“I would be good at getting meals prepped, stuff that when I am gone, Padraig can just whip out of the freezer, so yeah, we would be quite disciplined with that.
"On Friday, Saturday or Sunday, there will be pizza and takeaways or out for dinner with the girls.
“I think there is maybe this perception that 1 am a total health nut and that is just not the case. I love food, I am married to someone who loves food.
Because I love my grub, I get out for my run and I do my Pilates and just enjoy both."
