Sheena McStravick: ‘After my first taste of journalism at Tyrone Times I knew reporting was for me.’

The boss is buying you a drink, what are you having? 

Ooh, I'm a cocktail girl so he may dig deep, mine's a Mojito.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? 

I always wanted to be a teacher or a journalist, it was a weighing up of options when I was doing A-Levels in school but after my first taste of journalism with some work experience in the Tyrone Times, I knew reporting was for me.

Social media platform of choice? 

A tough one, probably Instagram but I do love Twitter too. I probably spend too much time on all of them to be honest but with my line of work you feel out of the loop if you try and take any sort of social media break.

Favourite writer? 

Roald Dahl, I adored his books as a child and am looking forward to reading them to my son when he's old enough.

Currently reading? 

The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena, I love a good mystery book with lots of twists.

Someone you might be starstruck to meet? 

Another tough one, I could name loads, but as a huge Liverpool FC fan Steven Gerrard is definitely up there, one of my favourite players of all time. 

What do you consider your greatest achievement to date? 

Aside from my son who is my world, probably becoming editor of Be. Lifestyle writing has long been a passion of mine and to see Belfast Live evolve with a whole new section dedicated to that sort of content that I get to head up, fills me with pride.

Hidden talent? 

I do love singing but not in public since my school days, now it's reserved for the shower, or a sing-song after a night out when I've had some dutch courage! I'm also double-jointed, that was always my party piece as a child.

What is your guiltiest pleasure? 

Cheesy pop, old school RnB and dance music, if I'm ever feeling a bit down, you'll find me blasting a random mix of S Club 7, Boyzone, J-LO, Westlife and Clubland Classics...I have a very random and broad range of music I love!

Biggest life lesson to date? 

Perspective is a beautiful thing, having my son really put my whole life into perspective and I learned what's really important in life.

What would your superpower be?

If there was one where you could eat and drink what you like and never gain a pound, that sounds ideal to me! 

Favourite blogger/influencer?

I love following Mrs Hinch, she's got some great cleaning tips as well as being one of the most honest bloggers/influencers out there. 

If you could go back in time, where would you go? 

At this moment, I'd like to go back and stop Coronavirus in its tracks before it got out of hand and became a worldwide pandemic.

What is the worst job you’ve done? 

I've been very lucky to only have worked in a local shop when I was at school and then in Debenhams after I graduated before getting my first journalism job, so I've been fortunate not to have had any bad jobs. Retail was tough but I still enjoyed it as I was working with my favourite things, clothes, shoes and cosmetics!

What’s the most expensive thing you’ve bought (excluding property)?

For myself...probably my Christian Louboutin wedding shoes.

Most overused word or phrase? 

It's not even a word and that is more frustrating, but 'mm-hmm' for yes, I didn't realise how much I said it until my toddler started saying it instead of yes!

What is top of your bucket list? 

I'd love to see more of USA, I went to New York before Christmas a few years ago and loved it. My next trip would ideally be down the West Coast to San Francisco and finishing in LA.

Describe your 2020 using emoji only: 🤯

To the audience: You should make Be a part of your day because…Be is a platform where we champion local women, local stories, so don't be afraid to get involved, we want to be your voice as well as having a bit of fun while we do it.