Vashti Whitfield and Stormie
Vashti Whitfield and Stormie
Vashti was fresh off the plane from the UK when we bumped into her and Stormie (who was feeling a little camera shy) on the promenade (looking much fresher than us when get off a long haul flight).
Among other things Vashti is a speaker, coach, documentary maker and published author. She is a woman who lives her life with authenticity and passion. Her life and work have been covered by Good Morning America, Elle and Vogue. Her award winning documentary Be Here Now, addressing the subject of loss and grief as inspired by the death of her own husband Andy, appeared on Netflix in 2017. Her book, Spartacus and Me was published by Simon and Schuster in 2016.
Please tell us your Bondi story:
“Ah, the year was 1998, and I arrived on the shores of Bondi with my beautiful man. Three months into our relationship, it was either a testament to our love or an irrational burst of wanderlust. From the UK, we embarked on the 389 bus and were greeted by the kind of view that makes you question if you're still on Earth. Bondi, you glorious mirage! A stark contrast to the gray and cold English winter and the never-ending monotony of the M25.
Naturally, we couldn't resist the urge to scurry down to South Bondi's sandy embrace and scrunch our toes in that golden goodness. It was like finding a treasure chest at the end of a particularly long and dreary rainbow.
In the midst of Bondi's enchantment, we stumbled upon love, that unexpected trickster. It brought with it wild and unforeseen changes in every nook and cranny of our lives. Who knew that a mere three months of dating could lead to such an adventure?
Fast forward to one of those plot twists that screenwriters dream about. We narrowly missed the 9/11 attacks by a mere five minutes during a brief New York City escapade en route to our wonderfully tacky Vegas drive-through wedding. After the most extraordinary week of waiting and wondering, grounded in New Y,ork we finally high-tailed it back to our beloved Bondi with hearts pounding and heads spinning.
Back then, Hall Street in Bondi wasn't exactly a bustling boulevard, but we decided to tie the knot at the newly arrived and now indispensable Gertrude and Alice bookstore. With the help of Bondi's fairy godmother, Jane (Turner), we conjured up a magnificent Tuscan feast. And there, in front of a small gathering of dear friends, we took turns professing the ten things we adored most about each other. Voilà, Mr. and Mrs. Whitfield were born, exactly ten years after 9/11. Tears flowed, except for our darling friend James Houston, who'd indulged in a few too many Portuguese tarts and giggled with reddened eyes throughout the ceremony. Oh, James!
Life carried us on a rollercoaster ride from there – two beautiful babies, a fleeting taste of red carpet fame, wild adventures, documentary making, a foray into book writing.
But it wasn't all glitz and glamour; we faced chemo wards and the tumultuous ups and downs of the big "C."
Then exactly 10 years later after the unimaginable moment of narrowly escaping 9/11, we said goodbye to our children’s beautiful dad, my best friend, and my first true love.
In the quiet, starry south end of the beach, a place that had seen the circle of life, we released his ashes into Bondi's ocean.
Under the gentle caress of the moonlight, the three of us – me, we, and Bondi herself – bore witness to another ending and the gentle dawn of a new beginning. And, of course, just to keep us on our toes, those ashes decided to wash back up between my toes, sparking laughter amidst the tears. Life, you unpredictable beast, you.”
And how do you spend the first hour of your day?
“I wake naturally, without the need for an alarm, a mixed blessing that allows me to witness the graceful transition from night to day. My vantage point on Francis Street offers a daily front-row seat to a captivating light show, a privilege I never take for granted.
The morning routine unfolds like a well-rehearsed dance: warm cuddles, gentle stretches, a refreshing sip of water, and a quick trip outside with the dog to tend to essential business. Then, with unwavering purpose, I make my way to the only 5 am oasis I know – Tin Pin. There, I indulge in my most cherished ritual, savouring the one and only cup of coffee that will grace my day. It's a moment of simple joy and motivation.
The climax of my daily dedication, a choice between immersing myself in the ocean's embrace or embarking on a rigorous workout at the gym. It's a non-negotiable commitment, one that extends throughout every single day of the week, every week of the year.
These daily practices, serve as the foundation of my existence. They sculpt and shape me into the person I aspire to be, infusing meaning and purpose into everything that follows.
Of course, my kids serve as diligent guardians of my morning routine. They're the ones who will, without hesitation, inform me if I've neglected that sacred first hour. Their choice words? Well, let's just say "total 'twat'" is their preferred phrase, delivered with a knowing grin and a gentle reminder that I haven't had my Bondi fix. In my world, there's no greater motivation than that.”
Is there something you’d like people to know about you?
“If there's one thing I'd like anyone to know about me, it's that I relish every chance to engage in a lively, unfiltered conversation. So, don't be shy—be sure to greet me when our paths cross.”
Vashti was interviewed by Nigel Marsh for his brilliant podcast Five of My Life. To listen go HERE.
