So excited to feature the lovely Dan Churchill on the blog today! One of my favourite Aussie foodies, Dan is currently cooking up a storm in NYC and travelling the world working on a bunch of incredible new projects. So what does Dan’s Day on a Plate look like? You’ll have to keep reading to find out!
- Tell us a little bit about yourself – who you are and what you do.
Hey lovely followers of JS Health! I am a Chef & Author with a Masters Degree in Exercise Science. I am an active creator of simple, health driven and relatable plates and get up every day to make the world happier through food. I am fortunate to now live between Australia and NYC creating tastiness on TV and digital platforms. I have a website & youtube channel that dishes out regular content and have a number of key projects that take me all over the world.
A big part of what I do is built around my understanding of health and I live by the simple notion that your happiness is a true indicator of your wellness. (hands up who agrees). All you amazing people are a part of this health driven movement and can relate to the love of being active. When I am not cooking up colour, I am getting my sweat on, going for a wave, run, playing sport or doing functional exercise to keep my mind ticking.
For the more formal biography you can read below 😉
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLgzORaDy1w/?taken-by=dan_churchill
- What was the ‘uh ha’ moment that inspired you to get in to health and wellbeing?
I grew in a house where I was the middle of three boys and considering we lived on the Northern Beaches, a truly remarkable area of the world, we were always outside, down by the beach or playing rugby or other team sports. It was through this love of setting my mind to something and feeling great that I grew fond of the amazing feeling that is being supremely happy & healthy. No doubt we have all experienced the endorphin release after some sort of exercise… so you can definitely high 5 me on that one.
It was when I was about 16 when I had begun learning more in my spare time about the human body and taking mates through training sessions that I really wanted to help people further. At this time I was cooking a lot at home, but when I finished high school for some reason I felt like I wanted to study more about the body and how to look after it. After completing a Bachelor in Exercise Science I went onto a Masters and it was after being a Health Coach and having a PT business that made me realize my true passion for cooking and educating people on its simplicity towards feeling better.
- Talk us through a typical day in your life…
Ok well this will definitely depend on where I am. If it is Australia its gym, surf, coffee and breakfast but considering I am currently in NYC we will go with that.
At the moment I am starting my day with a 8km run down the east side of Manhattan at 6 30am I then go home and make breakfast which is usually savory derived but always colorful. This morning I had a zucchini & Turkey Bacon Frittata… such a win (sending you breakfast love Jess). I then leave to a cafe in the east village to get there by 8 15am and after reading the news, posting something to social I hit the emails for about and hour
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLzDVcCAlsS/?taken-by=dan_churchill
By 10am I usually have my first appointment or I have a shoot or upcoming projects to complete . Eg. working out recipes for Good Morning America, working with food stylist and kitchen staff to make sure that 5 minutes works like clockwork (standing desk at a cafe is one I always look out for 😉 ).
If I am feeling like a little pick me up I have a slice of my Vegan Protein Bar, Nuts or some sort of whole seeded fruit.
https://www.instagram.com/p/9U0hT9KK6f/?taken-by=dan_churchill
By 12 30 my stomach is kicking me in the mouth so I have a massive colourful bowl of textures and flavours also known as a salad haha. But when I mean massive I am talking those mixing bowls that you usually serve 3-4 people out of, thats my lunch. Lately it has been the rocket, quinoa, sweet potato, chickpeas, chicken and pepita combinations finished with the ever amazing tahini. You all know what I’m talking about with that number.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLUTIelAy8Q/?taken-by=dan_churchill
Either finishing the shoot, going back and forth with video approval, writing a post or editing still shots in the afternoon with the sometimes espresso before a gym session around 5:30pm. (Yesterday was hectic I decided to do 4 circuits and within each circuit were 3 exercises. 4 sets on each no break until a circuit is completed and they were generally big muscle movements too) Natural protein shake to finish and then in NYC you generally work a little later so I head back to my mates cafe to finish a few things before cooking up some deliciousness at home. Last night I took my Vegan Sweet Potato Jacket and slow cooked chicken, shredded it and it through the tomato sauce.. super tasty!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BL_9gWyAnn6/?taken-by=dan_churchill
- Coffee or tea?
I do love my green tea but I am definitely a coffee man. In fact I am proud to call myself a coffee snob hahaha. Anyone else want to own up? 😀
https://www.instagram.com/p/BGg8UKuKK7j/?taken-by=dan_churchill
- What is your indulgence of choice?
Ok I get a lot of stick for this, I do love dark chocolate, but honestly for me its roasted cashews. I could smash a whole bag without looking. I am like most people and of course love gelato, but these little guys are always calling haha That and my spaghetti Bolognese 😀
- Three foods you can’t live without?
Well we definitely admitted to Roasted Cashews and the Spaghetti, the other would be Dark Chocolate or Peanut Butter Nice Cream (coconut milk base).
- What’s your go-to snack for those days on the run?
I keep making this Vegan Protein Bars. I am not Vegan but they just so happen to be. Comprised of Almond butter and only a few other things they are just super simple to make!
- … And any last words of advice or tips for those starting out on their health journey?
I always say that you know your body better than anyone else. You know when you truly need to rest and push it further. You also know how your body digest things. You should always look at yourself as an individual and never compare yourself to anyone else. Purely speaking the way my body reacts to certain foods is different to yourself, so you must found out whether being Vegan, Paleo, Gluten Free, Carbo-holic or even vegetable specific works for you. As the way your body absorbs and uses nutrients is different to anyone else.
Never restrict yourself entirely. The purpose for you to set out on this journey is for you to be involved in a happier healthier life and that means enjoying that ice cream to as we get so much happiness from it. Avoiding it completely removes the amazing serotonin (happy) hormonal responses we get with every lick.
I always like to say it takes 21 days to create a habit and the first week is always the hardest, just keep working towards what it is you want to achieve and it gets easier as time goes on. Last but not least, “Nothing is impossible” and “the number one rule is it must taste delicious”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHCRyPajlZt/?taken-by=dan_churchill
To keep up with Dan and his awesome travels, follow him on Instagram or visit his website!
