Healthy Hangouts: 5 Minutes with Dan Churchill, The Healthy Chef

I caught up with Dan to find out a little more about life after Masterchef, and how it all began...

1. HOW DID YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH JOURNEY BEGIN?

I grew up in a house being the middle of three boys (four if you include dad) and we were always active in the backyard. We grew up on sport particularly rugby and being on the Northern Beaches of Sydney we were always in the water. Going through high school I was doing something every night of the week and so when I finished and wanted to go to Uni but didn’t know what i wanted to do. So i decided to do something I love, thus completed my Bachelor in Sports and Exercise. I loved it so much I went and did a Masters in Exercise Science. In this time I loved inspiriting people to feel happy and did so through my own personal training business. Since then I have worked with Professional sporting teams, individual athletes, the awesome general public and rehabilitation situations when it came to cooking I began when i was 12 watching Jamie Oliver do his thing on TV with the family. It was the highlight of my week! Dad set up a roster and got us cooking once a week and then I realised my love so I kept shotgunning the extra nights available. What started as a few somewhat par meals turned into some super tasty dishes and my love for creating wickedly tastiness grew and grew.

2. WHO OR WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I said this at my book launch last year that… every day i found someone who inspires me in some way. Jamie Oliver obviously plays a big part, my mum is amazing in the love she provides us, my dad for his simplicity and drive. Last week I met a little girl in NY who had the courage to approach clearly a complete stranger and ask if they are ok. Hearing stories of people's business journey both successful and hardship is also so amazing to hear. I can’t tell you how much every time I eat I get inspired. There is always a story behind those flavours and I plan on telling them somehow!

3. YOUR DAY ON A PLATE?

Ahhhh well now that I am in NY its a bit different, but we will see how it goes…

1st breaky around 6am, then gym session or run along the Hudson. Come back for a quality feed before going to one of the local cafes to read the paper and catch up on the world. By 10 I am usually with the web designers on online programming, then off to a meeting around 12. Most of the time I prepare a sexy colourful lunch and devour that, before either recipe testing, interviews, or more meetings in the afternoon… oh and blogging. Then depending on the day 2nd gym session then home for dinner or out to explore one of the 42 000 restaurants on offer in the Big Apple.

4: FAVOURITE WAY TO GET MOVING?

Wow that's a tough one… well it depends as I kind of treat my body like a roller coaster. I love stand up paddling as a way of play, I guess boxing, the gym and crossfit are probably a bit more intense. I do love a good run to explore and I always pack some runners when every I am going somewhere new. But then again I find myself getting really moving in the kitchen and of course I love that too 🙂

5. THREE THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT

1. I guess it would be rude not to say mum right?! I'll say family.
2. Food
3. Sport

6. YOUR SECRET VICE

Roasted cashews… I know most people say chocolate or similar, but I find it harder to say no if they are out on the table compared to a bit of 85% Cacoa.

7. TOP SONG ON YOUR PLAYLIST

Cosby Sweater by the Hiltop Hoods

8. YOUR MANTRA

Do what you do because you want to… and “Nothing is Impossible”

FINALLY…YOUR FAVOURITE RECIPE

At the moment it has to be my simple Vegan Paleo Ice Cream. Just 3 ingredients and 20 seconds is all you need to make a legendary dessert!