The holiday season means that we're doing a lot more than we usually do. In the midst of those activities is hanging out with friends, family, and colleagues whether we're hosting them in our homes, going out for dinner, or enjoying copious parties! We caught up with Netflix Sweet Magnolia's Joanna Garcia Swisher to find out how she makes sure that she's not only being healthy, but keeping others safe while being out and about. She also lets us in on when we can expect to see her on our screens again!
ATHLEISURE MAG: The holiday season is upon us which means we're juggling a really full schedule! What are you doing this holiday season with you and your family?
JOANNA GARCIA SWISHER: Well, we’re trying to enjoy it as much as possible. The holiday season feels like it’s already here, it’s breezing by and it’s been a wild couple of weeks but we’re really excited to spend time with family. My brother in-law and sister in-law have a new baby and they’re bringing her to Florida for her first Christmas here. So, we have bouncers and baby toys all over the place and it’s really bringing me back. My husband is a little nervous, he’s like “What does this mean for us?" But yeah, after the holiday we’re going to head to the lake and get a little cozy winter feel in Georgia and have lots of wood burning fires and all of that.
AM: What traditions do you enjoy during this season?
JGS: We do Christmas Eve really big in our house, we have a house full of kids and people and we do a huge Minute to Win It game with 10-15 events and it gets the whole family involved, from parents to grandparents to the youngest members of our family. We have all of our Cuban traditions with pork and all of the things that we’ve eaten growing up and it's a really nostalgic time for our family. Traditions are huge for me so it’s something I really look forward to.
AM: When people in your family are feeling sick, what do you do?
JGS: Well, aside from panicking, I have all the essential elements so whenever me, my husband or kids - I was actually sick a few weeks ago - show any symptoms, I have a checklist. It usually starts with trying to figure out what it is so I always have my Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Self Tests and they are the first thing we do because as a Mom, you want to know what you’re working with and how best to approach what we’re about to be getting into. So really it’s about being prepared and having the essentials on hand, and the BinaxNOW COVID tests are our first plan of attack.
AM: How do you take time for yourself as a busy mom just so that you get the self-care that you need?
JGS: You know I always say, it doesn’t have to be an hour. Gosh, if we had an hour to ourselves everyday that would be so nice. But even just sneaking in 15 minutes of something you enjoy - a podcast and I love to read. Taking the time to really decompress because the running checklist in our heads as mothers is always on and going, this time of year especially. I was just talking to one of my girl friends about it and she was like, “I’ve just got the teacher’s gifts done, and this and that,” it adds to the list. So I think just really taking time even if it's just a 15 minute breather or lunch with a girl friend. Something to just - take a break - and it’s ok, if you have time for a nap, take a nap!
AM: You're someone who enjoys traveling, what are some of the things that you do to make the experience smooth and effortless?
JGS: I am married to a man that really likes a plan, he is not a free spirit in any way, he is like “I need to know what we are doing.” So what I’ve learned after 13 years of marriage is that having an itinerary really helps him, while I'm the one who wants to explore and see where the day takes us. But I also got a little feedback when we went to London this summer, my family had a little bit of an intervention with me and basically said that I over-scheduled us. So, now we plan one big adventure a day and my husband knows what we’re doing and then carving out time to relax. They’re more of a beach vacation family, and I like to sight see, so we have to kind of figure that out but it’s a work in progress and a good plan for our family.
AM: We've been fans of your work since Are Your Afraid of the Dark, Astronaut Wives Club, Sweet Magnolia, and The Ultimatum: Queer Love! Do you have any upcoming projects that you would like to share with us that we should keep an eye out for?
JGS: Well yea, we’re starting the new year off with a bang, we’re starting to film Season 4 of Sweet Magnolias which I’m so excited about. We’re also doing a second season of Ultimatum Queer Love. I don’t know if I can reveal where we’re shooting it but where we are shooting it is a city that I love so I’m super excited about that. So the new year’s gonna start off pretty busy but with two shows that I’m so excited for and proud of.
PHOTO CREDITS | PG 70 Abbott | PG 72 Netflix/Sweet Magnolia
Read the DEC ISSUE #96 of Athleisure Mag and see THIS HOLIDAY SEASON | JoAnna Garcia Swisher in mag.
