Connection means a lot to us, and we believe that lots of little stories create big connection. The #Inu8women series is how we share little stories about women who inspire us through their active lives. Learning from and sharing wisdom with like-minded women helps us to feel stronger, to feel supported and to be free to follow our joy. We believe we are better together.
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Cas brings the Yang energy to Inu8, she is enthusiastic and laser focused in her approach to bringing designs and concepts to life, she is fastidious in her approach to technical fabrication, form and fit and with her lawyerly detail leaves no stone unturned. Cas is the Queen of elegance, appreciates all the good things in life, and knows how to channel the joy. And no, she hasn't lost her chiseled abs from years of school and university gymnastics!
Cas is a former high-flying corporate lawyer-turned high performance sportswear designer. Previously, she launched the Aussie Grit sportswear brand in collaboration with ex-Formula One driver Mark Webber. She is now using that experience to create high performance yet luxe activewear for a new audience she feels extremely passionate about. She believes ageing is not lost youth, but a new stage of opportunity, growth and strength.
“As we age, we need our activewear to change with us. Now in my fifties, I want to feel supported, stylish and comfortable. I want products that truly fit, hold me in where I need it and flatter where I still have it!”
Can you use just a few words to describe how you live your life?
In the pursuit of fun, great food, travel and adventure, believing in a past life I must have been Italian! I love to ignite energy in the house with my frivolous antics. I am passionate and curious, I love to learn, and to challenge myself, now more than ever.
What is the work you do in the world?
First, I am a mother and a wife, a sister, and a daughter. I am privileged to be surrounded by incredibly strong women and the unfailing bond we have is a testament to my beautiful Dad, who we lost this year. He was our foundation, and now I am working to be my part of his legacy.
I am revelling in my children moving through their teenage years, it is pure joy to foster the Sunday round table discussions on just about anything. To see the energy and to hear the opinions. I am so proud to see them embrace challenges and supporting them is something I take pride in.
I had a long career as a corporate lawyer and I truly loved it, but there came a time when the drive to create and own something surpassed my first passion. My attention to detail obsession had to be useful for something else….
Aussie Grit was a baptism of fire into the world of apparel for me – and I fell in love. As the world changed, and with it the business, I felt this is where I wanted to focus my passion. With guidance from my wonderful mentor Megan Morton, I invested in Julia Cameron’s, the Artists Way and discovered maybe I do, maybe I can, find that hidden creative.
Inu8 was born and today, together with Karen, we are working to build a beautifully simple activewear solution for women embracing their older and wiser selves.
What does a typical day look like for you – are you able to walk us through it?
I am an early riser, and first thing I love to do is move, so a run or walk with the puppy. Harley is a springer spaniel with an enormous amount of energy and it is fair to say he actually walks me.
Interestingly, it used to be a daily run but lately I am finding that allowing myself to walk more often. This has been incredibly grounding and has become my time to indulge in listening. I am currently immersing myself in all that is longevity and what that means, so many a morning is spent with Tim Ferris, Rich Roll, Matthew Walker and the band of experts in the longevity field.
Breakfast is with hubby, a catch up on the papers, and a chat to Mum, this is the time I love to sit outside with the sun on my back.
Then into the workday. Inu8 is new, so the to do list is endless in our attempts to introduce our baby to the world. I have loved creating the products, and I spend time everyday refining processes, working with our suppliers and partners on perfecting what we bring to the market. Recent times have certainly taught me there is always more than one way to do everything!
I am an enthusiastic cook, and nutrition is important to me. Dinner is a family affair whenever possible, and I will hold onto that for as long as I can. I love a new cookbook the latest is Around the Table by Julia Busuttil Nishimura, recommended by my ever so chic friend Alex. I have to admit, recipes are a rousing success in this household.
Even with my longevity lessons fresh to hand, I am still challenged not to enjoy a glass of wine with a great film, documentary, or let face it, an episode of The Crown. Where I can, I am inspired by people just achieving great things, and the latest two recommendations are The Dawn Wall and Seven Peaks. Truly incredible feats of both athleticism and pure mental strength.
What is your favourite way to exercise/move your body?
Exercise has always been part of my day. Most days I exercise first thing in the morning before there are too many competing priorities. I will choose a run or a walk, and a couple of times a week, a Pilates or Yoga class.
Exercise is my time – a time to focus on one thing. I feel a sense of energy and confidence that comes from keeping a routine to my exercise.
During my 40’s I started to notice that my body responded in a very different way. No longer did the HITT class do for me what an hour of Pilates or a hike did. My need to exercise every day has not changed but the form of exercise I am choosing has.
I spent a number of years living in Hong Kong, and as surprising as it may seem, the city is wrapped in lush verdant hills. There were incredible hiking and running trails and I developed a real loved for trail running and hiking. Now a hike with friends in nature is my favourite way to exercise.
Staying strong and agile is important to me. I want to be sure I can live a long and energetic life for myself and for my family. We all need our whys to keep our motivation to move, for me; be well, be calm, be happy, live fulfilled and nurture others.
What is your favourite activewear piece/s? Is there something that you currently own that you cannot do without?
I cannot do without my puffer vest. There always seems to be a time where this one little layer adds comfort, and convenience allowing me to head out when I might have otherwise chosen not too. Great over tights for school sport, but light enough to wear it to run.
It goes without saying I also have my stable of “LBT’s” long black tights….and now there are also some in navy blue. 😊
Is taking time for rest and rejuvenation important to you?
I know taking time to rest and rejuvenate is important and I don’t think I dedicate as much time as I should.
That said, I do ensure I do at least one yoga session a week, and I never regret it. I do love a bath before bed with magnesium and essentials oils. I have been known to spend quite some time with my feet up the wall.
I have started to use the Breathe app – I love to travel, so I listen to travel bedtime stories and dream of exploring.
After completing the Artists Way, I have kept my commitment to daily journalling, and I think this has been one of the most powerful habits I have found. I am not sure how to explain it but there is an incredible sense of focus that comes from downloading my brain over my morning coffee.
In 2023 I would really like to focus some time and energy on creating a meditation practice. I have taken baby steps this year starting to educate myself and so I would like to explore this further.
What have you learnt from the last 2 years that you did not expect?
I have learned that if you have a real passion for something, and you believe enough, regardless of the hurdles, you will find a way to make it happen.
The last 2 years have bought endless challenges as we worked to develop the concept of Inu8. We had planned to launch in May, and here we are in November having launched the business only weeks ago and with 5 of our 8 garments. I know the sentiment is as a small business you are agile and at no time has that resonated more strongly with me. We truly believe we have something unique to offer women and we have been so incredibly humbled by the community of women who have supported us through these early days.
What are the features that are critical to your needs when it comes to activewear?
I must have pockets – I have children, so I always have a phone and it needs to be easy to take with me. I love to run off the beaten track so there are always some bits I need to have with me.
Breathability is critical for me – I tend to overheat so I need to know that my pieces will wick moisture and keep me dry.
I want to put my activewear on and feel good in it, so the sculpted fit of my tights is a must have.
The styling is key for me as I often wear my activewear pieces for the day – they need to take me from exercise to the office. Simple classic designs that are versatile.
What does simplicity mean to you? Is it important to you?
Simplicity is an interesting concept – I feel there is a journey to travel to make any product or concept simple. Often simplicity is only delivered once the most complex of journeys have been completed, and that is the beauty.
Simplicity to me is an intentional ease. I think I can be prone to overcomplicating and overthinking things so I try to remind myself that slowing down and focussing on my values will bring a clearer focus.
Simplicity brings a sense of calm, requires us to make fewer but better choices, quality over quantity.
Take a breath and remember simple is beautiful.
What does a feeling of being connected mean to you?
Only recently have I have been blessed with a reminder of the power and importance of connection - connection to self, to others and to the land. I have shared this journey recently with friends, and I think the best way to give a sense of what connection means to me is the share it again here with you.
After losing Dad earlier this year, I had lost my sense of self and had started to feel disconnected from those around me. My adventure to hike the Larapinta trail with Her Trails was divine timing.
Over the week I hardly recognised myself…my week was filled with meaning, magic, and wonder. Guided by Samantha Gash and Jo Jo Nevin, my gorgeous friend Karen and an incredible group of inspirational women, I quietly let my heart open. On a hilltop on a Tuesday, an enormous weight of sadness and grief was lifted, and I was filled with a sense of strength and connection.
With the incredible support around me, I found a way out of my head and into my heart that I had never experienced. The rhythmic nature of the hike gifting me hours of time to just be and think.
I will be forever grateful for my time spent on country. I will treasure the new relationships we formed, and I come home with a deep sense of connection to country, to myself and to those around me. Dad’s values and spirit live on with me in a way I now think I understand.
In general, do you seek out new products that are created sustainably? Is this important to you when purchasing activewear?
For me a focus on sustainability is a must have.
No one is expecting perfection – but I am committed to supporting brands that have formulated a plan and are pushing to always improve.
I think of sustainability as fulfilling the needs of our current generation without compromising the needs of future generations, and whilst ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental care, and social well-being.
These are incredibly complex challenges, but we have a planet of incredibly intelligent people and great science, I believe we will find that balance. At Inu, Karen and I placed sustainability at the core of what we do.
Is there a phrase or a word that you live by?
Stay humble and dream big and always ask questions.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt
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Discover The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron
Read Around the Table - Julia Busuttil Nishimura
Learn more about Her Trails - Samantha Gash and Jo Jo Nevin
Larapinta Images - Liz Barnes Photos
