As a loving mother to Flynn (27) and Cy (22), WelleCo founder Elle Macpherson has spent decades nurturing the next generation of healthy, wise and heart-connected men.

This Mother’s Day, Elle reflects on her journey through motherhood – and shares the three hearty words her sons use to describe her.

What’s the one piece of advice you wish someone had told you about balancing motherhood and self-care?

“I learned this lesson, perhaps the hard way, when I had my second son, Cy and quickly ended up in rehab. It was very much an ‘oxygen mask on’ moment. They always say you need to secure your own mask before you help others and this was made profoundly clear to me. It was then I learned the all-important, ‘God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference.’ I knew I had to change — and could change — and so I did. That learning made me a better mum to my two beautiful sons.”

What is one lesson in life you have carried through to motherhood?

“Everything in your life is a reflection of a lesson you are ready to learn. My book ‘elle’ reveals many such personal life lessons.”

If your children could describe you in three words what would they say?

“My boys have a wicked sense of humour and so when I asked them how they would describe me, I expected a tongue-in-cheek response. Instead, they came back with something that brought me to tears of appreciation. Their key words were ‘loving, wise, courageous and kind’. What a gift to know that my aim to be a loving and wise guide for them was received.”

Apart from your own mother who has your biggest inspiration been?

“I would say not so much ‘who’ but ‘what’. Life itself has been my biggest teacher, inspiration and loving friend.”

What’s been the most rewarding part of motherhood for you?

“Having children is my greatest joy. It has been the most profound catalyst to change and it has given me the deep understanding of unconditional love. My experience of motherhood opened my heart, revealing my capacity to truly love in ways that have been matched by no other. My children are gifts; they remind me of what's important.”

What values have you tried to instil in your sons?

“I don’t believe in micromanaging my sons or force-feeding them, but I have tried to guide them with traditional Aussie values of courage, authenticity, and trust (in themselves and their inner voice, as well as in the power of their own uniqueness). A love and connection to nature has also been important for all of us, keeping us inspired and grounded. I’ve also given them the tools to choose how to care for their bodies, valuing health and wellbeing on all levels. I always say, ‘Find what you love and do it – this way your work doesn’t feel like work’."

Motherhood is often about giving — what would your gift recommendation include for mothers this Mother’s Day?

“Being together is always the best gift. My boys now make up the most important and saved dates in my calendar. But for all mums, WelleCo has a Mother’s Day bundle with some Mixed Berry greens and an Elixir Mixer – both highly coveted items in my household!”

Read elle  (Penguin Books), our founder’s book of reflections on parenting, balance and the life lessons in between.