Balance is at the heart of IMAGE staffer Ellen Ince’s wellness routine

Event manager Ellen Ince knows a thing or two about discipline. As a third degree black belt and three World and two times European Champion in Taekwon-Do, she spent six years competing on the Irish Taekwon-Do Team before stepping away from competing on the international stage. But the lessons she learned in sport – self-belief, resilience, and the power of routine still shape her everyday life. She shares the daily rituals that give her not just physical strength, but the mental clarity to thrive in a busy life.

These days, I’m fully in my running era – yes, I’ve joined the trend! but for me it’s much more than that. I’ve been channelling energy into half marathons and fundraising for charities and organisations, one being the Her Sport Foundation, which champions female inclusion and engagement in sport. It’s a cause that means a lot to me as research shows that 94% of women in executive managerial positions have a background in sport, and I like to think my own journey shows how skills developed and lessons learnt through sport can translate into all areas of life.

My wellness routine is a mix of small rituals and bigger goals. Evening runs, gym sessions, box fit classes, padwork sessions, reading a book or magazine with a coffee aren’t just hobbies, they’re tools I use to manage the fast pace of work and life.

Taekwon-Do has always been a huge part of my family life. My three siblings and dad are all black belts too. Growing up, it was woven into our everyday routine, and that sense of discipline and community has stayed with me ever since. While I don’t compete anymore, I still love a good padwork session at Sutton Cross Taekwon-Do Club. It’s a brilliant high-intensity cardio workout and a lovely way to stay connected to the sport that I dedicated so much to.

Quiet evenings spent recharging are just as important to me as the distance I’m clocking on my running app. 2025 was an exciting and very fast paced year for me, so finding balance became more important than ever. I’ve tried reformer pilates and ride classes at SAINT Studios and loved them. I’m definitely looking to incorporate more of their classes into my routine. The workouts are intense, but I always leave feeling energised thanks to their fabulous coaches and recovery options. Being able to book time in the sauna or take a cold plunge makes the whole experience feel like wellness in its truest form. It’s the perfect combination of pushing yourself in training, then giving your body the space to restore.

For me, wellness isn’t about extremes. It’s about choosing consistency over intensity, listening to my body, and recognising that rest can be just as productive as training. I’ve learned to embrace the mental side of sport as much as the physical, reminding myself that self-improvement happens at your own pace and that sometimes (I laugh as I write this, because I’m naturally so competitive) it really is ok to simply to take part.

Entering into the new year, I’ve already set myself some challenges. I’ve signed up for half marathons in both Paris and Cork, and I’d love to do my first HYROX towards the end of the year. I’m equally focused on rest and recovery, seeing wellness as a whole lifestyle rather than a checklist of goals to complete.

My top tips

Consistency over intensity: small, steady progress beats burnout.

Listen to your body: Rest is part of the process.

Balance matters: know when to push and when to pause.

Sport has taught me to trust myself and go all in. It’s shown me that I’m far stronger than I often give myself credit for, and that with hard work and determination, possibilities open up that once felt out of reach.

The IMAGE Wellness Project is sponsored by Activia and Irish Life Health. Visit our IMAGE Wellness Project Hub to follow weekly updates, including interviews, videos and podcast episodes with leading wellbeing experts.