Q&A

NATALIE Coia, 36, is a Slimming World Consultant for the only group in Lisburn. Since the class opened last year, the members have so far lost over 165 stones to date. The group meets every Thursday at 5.30pm and 7pm at Trinity Methodist Church.

What do you like doing on your day off?
Reading, chilling out, swimming

If you were to choose your favourite meal what would it be, where and why?
Home made rich Chicken Dopiaza. with freshly boiled rice and a large glass of red wine - eaten under an open sky on a beautiful warm, sandy beach by moonlight - truly a meal to savour.

What has been your proudest moment?
When I eventually got my Aeronautical Engingeering degree at University after a few false starts - I finally felt that all my hard work had been worth the effort.

What was the most frightening moment of your life?
Thinking a shark was swimming under me whilst taking a dip in the ocean - I am mentally scarred by `Jaws' the movie and any shadow in the water scares me to death.

How would you describe your taste in clothes? What's the most you ever spent on a single item?
I would say I usually wear smart office style through necessity. but I like to give it the odd twist now and then. I love anything inspired by the Forties and Fifties.
I bought a jacket for my 21st birthday party that cost over a months wages - that was a lot to me as I was a student at the time. I only wore it twice as it was too good to wear out after the party. and then it went out of fashion.

What would you do if you won a million pounds?
Give some away to my family, have a great luxury holiday and invest the rest in a business that my husband and I could run together.

What was your most embarrassing moment?
See shark incident above - I was out of the water in Olympic time and practically hyperventilating - only to be told that it was the shadow of the boat that I had just climbed back onto - major cringe factor.

What music do you like?
Anything that involves musicals.

What sports person do you most admire?
Ellen MacArthur � her sheer determination to succeed no matter what the odds amazes and inspires me

Describe your best ever holiday. What would your dream holiday be?
My best ever holiday was when I learned to sail on a 32ft yacht in Greece. That was magical, as I was on holiday and relaxing but at the same time travelling around Greece and the islands and seeing new things every day. as well as learning something new. Every day was different, and I felt such a sense of achievement at the end of it. My dream holiday would be to sail around the Caribbean indefinitely in a 50ft yacht with a crew and a cook on board (just in case).

What is your greatest remaining ambition?
To star in a West End Musical or win The X Factor - could still happen.

Ulster Star
26/01/2007

Goto Top