Rachel Purcell: I'm very open with people. I probably give too much away
![Rachel Purcell: I'm very open with people. I probably give too much away Rachel Purcell: I'm very open with people. I probably give too much away](/cms_media/module_img/7743/3871906_1_articlesmall_Rachel_20Purcell_1_.jpg)
Rachel Purcell at the launch of Get Ireland Active, Sport Ireland’s National Digital Database. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
TIPPERARY native Rachel Purcell moved back to her home country during the pandemic to set up her business, Fetch Coffee.
Like her influencer sister Roz, Rachel has long been interested in the outdoors, describing the farm on the foot of Slievenamon where she grew up as idyllic.
“Now, on mornings when the coffee truck isn’t open, I always start my day with a walk in the woods or the mountain,” she says.
It was on one of those mountains where Rachel’s boyfriend Kevin asked him to marry her just a few weeks ago. “It was such a lovely surprise,” she says, especially coming so soon after the news of Roz’s engagement to her fiancé Zach.
Rachel has also just celebrated five years in remission from chronic myeloid leukemia.
At the moment, I keep fit by walking. My days are quite busy, but I do prioritise walking the dogs. I’ve also just started trail running. I love the outdoors.
My morning routine normally consists of fresh air and a coffee. They’re my non-negotiables.
I have a coffee, of course.
Luckily, I have a very balanced diet, so eating well has become a habit.
I have a serious sweet tooth. I love chocolate.
I’m very lucky in that I am a great sleeper. It usually takes me less than a couple of minutes to fall asleep every night.
Baking, cleaning, or walking helps me to relax. I find all of them very therapeutic. I struggle to sit still - if anything, that makes me less likely to feel at ease.
I grew up watching Sonia O’Sullivan and to me, she is one of the greatest Irish sportspeople ever. I also love Venus and Serena Williams. I loved watching them play and cheering for them.
I love anything that resembles the outdoors. I currently have a candle burning beside me called ‘wild winter forest’. I love that and I also love the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning.
Sadly, it was when my auntie, Mary, passed away nearly two months ago. She was very dear to me and taught me so much. I was very lucky to have her in my life.
To begin with something positive. Starting your day with something positive can really set you up for a good day.
Rudeness or being mean-spirited. I have very little time for that.
I can be stubborn at times.
I don’t pray in the conventional way but I do pray to close relatives who have passed away, like my gran and grandad and most recently my aunt Mary.
Being surrounded by my dogs, Nell, Toff and Omar. Also, spending time with my nephews, Finn and Sam.
Tom Hardy, for obvious reasons, Serena Williams, David Attenborough, and Will Ferrell.
Has climate change impacted how you live your life?
It has made me more conscious of my decisions.
When you give joy to other people, you get more joy in return. My favourite thing is seeing my friends and family happy. Anything I can do to add to that happiness, I will.
Slievenamon. For me, that’s home and where I’m most at ease.
I’m very open with people about things - I probably give too much away.
- Rachel Purcell is an ambassador for Get Ireland Active, Sport Ireland’s National Digital Database. Get Ireland Active is a one-stop resource for information, advice, directions, and tips for people of all ages and abilities anywhere in the country to get active