Shape I’m In: Sheana Keane, TV presenter

Sheana Keane made a brief return to TV presenting last week, filling in for TV3’s Lucy Kennedy.

Though the last time she worked in a studio was in 2010, on The Afternoon Show, she quickly found her groove.

“I’ve had such a great time working on Late Lunch Live.

It was an honour to fill in for Lucy as I’m a big fan of hers, and also a fan of the show,” she says.

“Everyone really made me feel at home as well as cracking me up every day.Once I got over the initial nerves, it was a joy from start to finish.”

Aged 42 and married to Jonathan Forrest, MD of Cybercom, they have two children Isabelle, 10, and Arthur, eight.

What shape are you in?

I do spurts of everything. Yoga for a while, then I get bored, running for a while and train really well towards a 10k race, then I just stop and start something else for a while.

The only constant in my life is walking.We have a dog Alfie, and he needs to be walked so I walk every day and I get in touch with nature everyday. That’s my head and my body sorted.

Do you have any health concerns?

I should. My family has a strong history of heart disease. My parents are outrageously healthy and eat only fish and steamed vegetables. I’ve already tested high for cholesterol. I managed to get it down with a temporary strict diet and I do try to eat things like Benecol and porridge, but in truth I should be much more conscious.

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Made in Chelsea and chocolate just before bed time.

What would keep you awake at night?

A full moon — it makes me want to party.

How do you relax?

A walk in the woods or by the sea. It rejuvenates my energy.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Bill Murray, Russell Brand, Richard Branson, Joanna Lumley and many more. I love those who see the comedy in life and the follies of human nature and society.

What’s your favourite smell?

Roast chicken.

What would you change about your appearance.

I am what I am. My bits that don’t fit media’s idea of perfection are a miracle. My short legs allow me to walk, my bingo wings allow me to hug my kids. Now in my 40s, I stick two fingers up at the critic in my own head sponsored by the critic in magazines and I’m proud of my body the way it is, wobbly bits and all.

When did you last cry?

I’m a softy, I cry at everything: TV ads, films, beautiful life stories. I last cried at the ending of the film Calvery (I hope I haven’t ruined it for others), before that it was at War Horse. !

What trait do you least like in others?

Putting other people down in order to prop up one’s own sense of self-worth. It is usually unconscious behaviour and always originates in a fear of not being good enough — but it is destructive.

I believe it is important to work hard at uncovering what makes us feel insecure or afraid and ensure that we do not infect others with our own unconscious behaviour patterns. That’s what growing up or maturing is all about.

What trait do you least like in yourself?

I’m much more compassionate with myself: my strengths as well as my failings.

And I have found that the more compassionate I am with myself the more I am free to wholly enjoy the good parts of life and take care of myself in harder times.

Do you pray?

I meditate, I practice mindfulness regularly and I know there is something bigger than me that I can tap into and ask for courage and help to be a positive conscious human being.

What would cheer up your day?

My kids telling me the same knock-knock joke over and over again cracking up laughing every time.

The team on Late Lunch Live are constantly coming up with hilarious ideas to work into the show.

I marvel at their consistent creative comedy – they simply make me laugh. All creativity be it art, film, music – always makes my day.