You know that one friend who seems to have everything together? We all have one. She works; she parents; she contributes to her community or church. And we all want to know: What’s your secret? We asked three successful St. Louis women who have more than a little on their plates to share their tips, tricks, and hacks. Consider implementing some of their advice to better balance your responsibilities with the same kind of grace and strength.
Lona Luo
Born in China, Luo learned how to cook at her mother’s elbow, training she brings to Lona’s Lil Eats in the Fox Park neighborhood. “When I grew up, I looked at my mom, and she liked to take things to sell at the market, so I learned early to harvest fruit and sugarcane and sell it at school, so I could have money to buy a notebook and pencil,” she recalls. By dedicating herself to the freshness and quality of the cuisine she grew up with in southwestern China, Luo became a James Beard Award semifinalist. It has also sustained a legion of customers who’ve been loyal to her restaurant since it opened in 2014, momentum which has led Luo to expand the business with a second location in Kirkwood later this year. “I don’t tell them the food is good,” she says. “Their bodies tell them it’s good.”
Morning routine: “I wake up slowly and stretch, get dressed, and then go into the garden.”
Favorite activity: “Gardening. I like to touch the dirt, and it is a positive, calming time. Watering and watching my plants grow is like meditating.”
Fitness routine: “I love weight-lifting, especially squats and dead lifts. I use heavy weights, I walk every day, and I like to do TacFit (tacfit.com) a couple times a week.”
Nutrition strategy: “Lots of veggies—at least two with every meal. And I stop eating when I’m about 70 percent full.”
Words of encouragement: “Don’t be negative. Open your eyes and tell yourself that challenges are lessons. You can be grateful for both the good and the bad things that happen to you.”
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Laura Hettiger
Hettiger helps St. Louis wake up each morning on KMOV’s Great Day St. Louis and My St. Louis Live! But her broadcast career might never have happened without a life-changing incident. A cheerleader for the Fighting Illini, Hettiger sustained a serious knee injury during a halftime routine. “I hobbled into the newspaper office at the University of Illinois and begged the editors to make me a sports reporter. That opened the door to the path of journalism for me,” she says. In 2011, she walked into KMOV to drop off a résumé. “I knew I was meant to report in my home television market of St. Louis,” she recalls. “Now, 13 years, a marriage, and two children later, I’m so glad Channel 4 took a chance on me.”
Fitness routine: “A walking pad at my desk allows me to get about 20,000 steps per day. Also, I do high-intensity interval training classes on weekends that include lots of running, sprinting, lifting, and sweating.”
Healthy-living tip: “Prioritize sleep! I do best with eight, nine hours per night by going to bed early. I also intentionally put down my phone and limit nighttime scrolling.”
Nutrition strategy: “Intermittent fasting. My first meal is around 12:15 p.m. as I’m walking at my desk. Then dinner with my family at 6 p.m.”
Self-care treat: “I love a massage!”
Time-management tip: “Schedule, schedule, schedule!”
Words of encouragement: “Try to see yourself how others see you. Most of us struggle with self-doubt and fail to realize our own strengths, talents, kindness, or impact.”
Michelle Tucker
Seven years ago, Tucker transitioned from her two decades of corporate executive work—which culminated in being the senior vice president of Bank of America—to her current role as president and CEO of the United Way of Greater St. Louis and Epworth Children & Family Services. The East St. Louis native uses her skills in fundraising, grant-making, and collaboration to lead the United Way’s efforts across 16 counties, helping more than 1 million people annually. “I had the privilege of connecting with strong mentors, particularly women in the corporate office, who guided me in making informed career decisions and navigating the unwritten rules of the corporate world,” she says. “In my second chapter in the nonprofit sector, I’ve learned to embrace the personal side of life and business. This experience has further opened my eyes to the opportunities available to care for and assist others on their journeys.”
Time-management tip: “Take control of your day instead of letting it control you. I’m definitely an early riser, waking up around 5 a.m. each day to refine my schedule. I review my day’s agenda and catch up on any late evening or overnight emails and messages. I also take this time to pre-schedule personal notes and texts for family, friends, and colleagues celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, or special occasions.”
Fitness routine: “Walking around a track at a rec center in my neighborhood. It allows me to think and unwind.”
Nutrition strategy: “Indulge in moderation. I feed my cravings in small doses to shift my focus away from them and surround that with healthier meals for the rest of the day.”
Healthy-living tip: “Carve out time for yourself to reflect and listen to your thoughts. I make it a point to do this at least twice a week for a few hours. It’s incredibly helpful, especially since we often get so busy that we neglect to check in on our own well-being.”
Words of encouragement: “Cherish special moments with loved ones by staying true to your core values. Prioritize what truly deserves your time and attention, even during busy days. Be present in the moments you choose to invest in, and if attending an event, make your presence felt. Consider leaving your phone in the car. Show that being there means a lot, and always stay true to yourself and your loved ones.”
