Jill Martin wears many hats. She’s a sports reporter, an Emmy-award winning television presenter, a regular contributor to the Today Show, fashion maven and, once again, best-selling author. Jill spoke with Head-to-toe Wellness about her new book “The Weekend Makeover” and how she finds time to do it all!
Head to Toe Wellness: Can you describe a ‘typical’ day in the life of Jill Martin? How would you define your job – fashionista/sportscaster/journalist?
Jill Martin: Ha! A typical day is VERY long. I wake up at 5am to workout then go to the Today Show by 7am. Many nights I have a Knicks game as well…so sometimes my day starts at five and goes to midnight. People wonder why I‘m single!
Head to Toe Wellness: Which part of your job do you enjoy the most?
Jill Martin: I love the medium of television. I love being able to tell stories…whether it is finding out the scoop from the NBA’s top athletes or letting women in on the latest trends …I always marvel at the power of television and being able to reach so many people at once.
Head to Toe Wellness: Can you give us a brief summary of the book? What was the inspiration behind this latest book?
Jill Martin: My co-author Dana Ravich and I had written two books previously “Fashion for Dummies” and “I Have Nothing to Wear!” Our second book was so powerful as so many women shared the fact that they utter those five dreaded words almost every day---I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR! That book only concentrated on making over a woman’s closet so we decided to branch out to every other aspect of life.
Head to Toe Wellness: The book focuses on 12 ‘weekend chapters’ where each chapter concentrates on reorganizing a different aspect of your life. Which was the hardest chapter to write and why?
Jill Martin: For me it was the Diet chapter. I am an eater and love my snacks and “junky” food. Dana is a vegan and a very healthy eater. You know what? I actually learned as we wrote that chapter and now practice what we preached.
Head to Toe Wellness: In your experience, what are the most common mistakes women make trying to keep their lives organized? How can they be resolved?
Jill Martin: I think women try to tackle too many things at once. You can’t clean your closet, clear your mind and plan your future all in one weekend! That’s why it was important for us to break this book up into chapters…each one is something women can actually do without being overwhelmed.
Head to Toe Wellness: Do you think our generation is more ‘stressed’ than previous generations? Or, do we just complain more?
Jill Martin: I think social media and the obsession with our cellphones and computers causes more confusion than convenience. I think it is harder now because there is so much more room for misinterpretation. Sometimes when things are simple there is less stress. Over-stimulation causes stress.
Head to Toe Wellness: Could you share a few of the absolute must-do tips in the book?
Jill Martin: Go into your closet right now and start cleaning! A good start is to fill up one garment bag. Start with those items you haven’t worn in a year after the first bag you will be on your way!
Head to Toe Wellness: Do you follow your own advice?! When does Jill Martin have ‘me time’?
Jill Martin: YES. I am taking most of July off to travel and relax. I am either totally on or totally off. I plan on being totally off soon…you can’t function at full speed all the time…need to SLOW DOWN.
Photo Credit: Edward Caruso Head to Toe Wellness: Can you describe a ‘typical’ day in the life of Jill Martin? How would you define your job – fashionista/sportscaster/journalist?
Jill Martin: Ha! A typical day is VERY long. I wake up at 5am to workout then go to the Today Show by 7am. Many nights I have a Knicks game as well…so sometimes my day starts at five and goes to midnight. People wonder why I‘m single!
Head to Toe Wellness: Which part of your job do you enjoy the most?
Jill Martin: I love the medium of television. I love being able to tell stories…whether it is finding out the scoop from the NBA’s top athletes or letting women in on the latest trends …I always marvel at the power of television and being able to reach so many people at once.
Head to Toe Wellness: Can you give us a brief summary of the book? What was the inspiration behind this latest book?
Jill Martin: My co-author Dana Ravich and I had written two books previously “Fashion for Dummies” and “I Have Nothing to Wear!” Our second book was so powerful as so many women shared the fact that they utter those five dreaded words almost every day---I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR! That book only concentrated on making over a woman’s closet so we decided to branch out to every other aspect of life.
Head to Toe Wellness: The book focuses on 12 ‘weekend chapters’ where each chapter concentrates on reorganizing a different aspect of your life. Which was the hardest chapter to write and why?
Jill Martin: For me it was the Diet chapter. I am an eater and love my snacks and “junky” food. Dana is a vegan and a very healthy eater. You know what? I actually learned as we wrote that chapter and now practice what we preached.
Head to Toe Wellness: In your experience, what are the most common mistakes women make trying to keep their lives organized? How can they be resolved?
Jill Martin: I think women try to tackle too many things at once. You can’t clean your closet, clear your mind and plan your future all in one weekend! That’s why it was important for us to break this book up into chapters…each one is something women can actually do without being overwhelmed.
Head to Toe Wellness: Do you think our generation is more ‘stressed’ than previous generations? Or, do we just complain more?
Jill Martin: I think social media and the obsession with our cellphones and computers causes more confusion than convenience. I think it is harder now because there is so much more room for misinterpretation. Sometimes when things are simple there is less stress. Over-stimulation causes stress.
Head to Toe Wellness: Could you share a few of the absolute must-do tips in the book?
Jill Martin: Go into your closet right now and start cleaning! A good start is to fill up one garment bag. Start with those items you haven’t worn in a year after the first bag you will be on your way!
Head to Toe Wellness: Do you follow your own advice?! When does Jill Martin have ‘me time’?
Jill Martin: YES. I am taking most of July off to travel and relax. I am either totally on or totally off. I plan on being totally off soon…you can’t function at full speed all the time…need to SLOW DOWN.
Head to Toe Wellness: What is your idea of the perfect weekend?
Jill Martin: No makeup, jeans and a tee shirt and delicious sushi. I am pretty easy to please!
Head to Toe Wellness: Is this book just focused on women or would you recommend it for men too?
Jill Martin: The Relaxation chapter and the Brain Makeover section has really resonated with men. I think there is something from each chapter that could pertain to anyone at any age.
Head to Toe Wellness: Can you tell us a bit about your latest endeavor- the ‘Martin Project?’
Jill Martin: After we wrote, “I Have Nothing to Wear!” we went on a book tour around the country and I wanted to give people the actual tools to use once they cleansed their closet and I couldn’t find anything that was fashionable AND functional…so I invented them! The products are on QVC.com and we have had such an amazing response to everything. I really feel like I am helping women around the country get their lives in order, in style.
Head to Toe Wellness: What have you got lined up over the next few months?
Jill Martin: REST…but—I launch the next part of my line on QVC in September so stay tuned!
To buy a copy of Jill’s new book visit - http://www.amazon.com/The-Weekend-Makeover-Monday-Morning/dp/160961495X
To learn more about Jill - http://jillmartin.com/
Jill Martin: No makeup, jeans and a tee shirt and delicious sushi. I am pretty easy to please!
Head to Toe Wellness: Is this book just focused on women or would you recommend it for men too?
Jill Martin: The Relaxation chapter and the Brain Makeover section has really resonated with men. I think there is something from each chapter that could pertain to anyone at any age.
Head to Toe Wellness: Can you tell us a bit about your latest endeavor- the ‘Martin Project?’
Jill Martin: After we wrote, “I Have Nothing to Wear!” we went on a book tour around the country and I wanted to give people the actual tools to use once they cleansed their closet and I couldn’t find anything that was fashionable AND functional…so I invented them! The products are on QVC.com and we have had such an amazing response to everything. I really feel like I am helping women around the country get their lives in order, in style.
Head to Toe Wellness: What have you got lined up over the next few months?
Jill Martin: REST…but—I launch the next part of my line on QVC in September so stay tuned!
To buy a copy of Jill’s new book visit - http://www.amazon.com/The-Weekend-Makeover-Monday-Morning/dp/160961495X
To learn more about Jill - http://jillmartin.com/