SAS Australia’s Dan Ewing hasn’t seen his son in months due to lockdown

SAS Australia recruit Dan Ewing is missing a special loved one most in lockdown, with the NSW actor separated from his Queensland-based little boy Archie by border closures.

The Sunday Telegraph has spoken to public figures about their life in lockdown, including Antonia Kidman (below), Gogglebox couple Sarah Marie and Matty, singer Samantha Jade, stage performer Zoe Gertz, media personality Sami Lukis or former cricketer Michael Clarke.

How are you coping through lockdown?

I’m doing really well actually. My heart goes out to anyone who might be doing it tough in this unparalleled time in our history. I like to remember that “this too shall pass”.

What has been your biggest challenge?

The border closures. My little boy lives in Queensland and I am based in NSW, so like many Aussie families that aspect has been the most challenging. I am grateful however that every day at 7.30am we do a gratitude journal together.

It’s important in times like this to focus on what we have, rather than what’s missing. Safe to say I’m like a kid on Christmas morning when I see his cheeky smile every morning. He probably thinks I’m a dork!

SAS Australia recruit Dan Ewing has not seen his seven-year-old son for months due to lockdown. Picture: Scott Powick Daily News

Your silver lining(s)?

A real silver lining for me has been the thing we always complain about. TIME. We’ve all done it.

“I’m so busy, I haven’t got time, I’ll do it tomorrow …”

Well now we have nothing but time, so the question is what are we going to do with it? I have committed to a minimum two hours study every day on my chosen craft of acting and also on personal development material. I’m totally obsessed with how our brains work and how neurological pathways are formed.

What are you reading?

Change Your Paradigm, Change Your Life by Bob Proctor

What are you bingeing?

SAS Australia on Channel 7 of course – what a show! Recruit #9 is such a dreamboat, haha! He does talk about himself in the third person though – must be an actor thing!

I am currently obsessed with Nine Perfect Strangers on Amazon Prime. I love supporting Home And Away alumni and Samara Weaving is crushing it on this show. And for those who have kids or would like a fun action-adventure thrill ride, give Love and Monsters a whirl on Netflix.

What are you listening to? Any podcasts, songs or playlists that lift your mood?

The Imperfectly Perfect Podcast with Glenn Marsden, The Relentless Podcast with Andy Anderson, The School Of Greatness with Lewis Howes, and On Purpose with Jay Shetty are absolute musts. They really remove the stigma from self-development and having a growth mindset.

Dan Ewing fishing with his partner Kat Risteska.

What is your favourite walk?

My partner Kat and I do two 60-minute walks a day. We have a lovely 6km path along the Georges River. It’s truly stunning.

We really get a kick out of saying G’day to everyone we pass which is something I got from my grandfather Ray and have now passed it on to my son.

I’m a connection person, I don’t like burying my head in my phone. I have certainly got some hilarious looks from people who were obviously not expecting a stranger to say hello in passing. But that little moment of eye contact, that gesture of kindness and connection can really make someone’s day.

Have you done anything new? Any new hobbies to fill in the time?

I’m about to start a coaching course with Ben Harvey and Authentic Education. I’m certainly nobody’s guru but what I do have is some great experience in the self-development space and a really passionate fanbase who often ask me for guidance on a range of different aspects in their lives.

While I am an open book and always share my personal experience, I feel I can serve those people who ask for advice better by becoming a certified coach and then give them strategies and tools to implement moving forward.

This won’t affect my film and television career at all, however as my platform and fanbase grows I will be better equipped to be of service to those who reach out.

What are you missing most in Sydney’s lockdown?

I really miss road trips and camping. There is a little place called Manning Point I go to as much as I can to escape, reset and unwind. The reception isn’t great out there so there is nothing to do but read, fish and hit the beach.

Dan Ewing and his partner Kat enjoying a meal during lockdown.

Are you eating your way through lockdown?

I can’t cook – I’m the cleaner of the house! I used to cook eggs on a plate in the microwave (true story). My favourite dish to eat is homemade pizzas with super spicy chorizo, olives, cheese and barbecue sauce as the base, made on thin Lebanese bread.

What has been the biggest change to your life in the last 12 weeks?

I have really adopted the mindset of what German physicist Max Planck said and that’s “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change”.

For example, my son turned seven on Father’s Day and we are separated by a border. I could have very easily been all about myself and slid into depression but I know that we are in control of our thoughts, perspective and actions.

I chose to focus on how lucky I am to be Archie’s dad, that he is safe in Queensland with his loving mother, and because of that he gets to have a great birthday and celebrate with all his friends.

Does it suck I couldn’t be with my baby for Father’s Day and his birthday? Absolutely. However looking at it through a different lens genuinely gave me so much joy. Change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

When we can travel again – where is the first place you’ll go?

Straight to the Gold Coast to see my little boy and look for a house up there – mainly so that our fishing trips aren’t interrupted by border closures, should it happen again.

Antonia Kidman’s biggest challenge in lockdown

For Antonia Kidman, family is everything. Being separated from her older children Lucia and Hamish during lockdown has been tough, as has not celebrating big birthday milestones but her new hobbies like painting and tending to her garden are keeping her busy.

And, as a family lawyer, her message to single parents is clear. Be kinder to yourself now, more than ever.

How are you all coping through lockdown?

The weather is making it much easier. I am also very conscious of the fact that because we’re a large family, we’re not suffering from loneliness.

I am busy with gardening and home tasks. There is always so much to do. The kids ride their bikes all the time and have also reverted to exploring and creating things either at home or around the area. They’re building bases and bike ramps.

What has been your biggest challenge?

The closure of the swimming pools. I usually swim every day. It’s a huge part of my life, so I really miss that.

In terms of day-to-day there have been moments when I have had that suffocating feeling that comes from feeling hemmed in. I’ve dealt with it by surrendering to it. Because there is no certainty about when it will finish, I’ve approached it by accepting it.

Antonia Kidman does some gardening during lockdown.

Your silver lining(s)?

The simplicity. There is no rush to be anywhere and no traffic!

How is it being separated from your older children?

I talk to Lucia almost every second day on the phone. Hamish I talk to weekly. They are both working and living with a couple of university friends, so they have social interaction at home.

It’s hard to not see them, missing their birthdays – James turned 18 and it was a bit of a fizzer. I think it’s harder for the younger age group because their lives are so geared to socialising and travelling and connecting with others.

For them, we’re in a bit of a holding pattern.

You must have a busy house! How are you managing home schooling, your own work in family law and keeping the household running and happy?

That is a bit tricky. The homeschooling for the primary-age kids is quite something. Sybella is in Year 9 and James is in Year 12, they are pretty independent.

On the one hand, it’s nice to have them around and we have certainly found our rhythm, but I know they really are missing their friends.

What are your go-to exercises?

I have a spin bike and some weights set up at home. I’m also walking regularly and bike riding.

What are you bingeing?

We’ve just finished Dead Waterfell and we’ve started Bad Banks. Nine Perfect Strangers and we love RFDS.

Antonia Kidman’s spin bike and home workout area. Picture: Instagram

What are you reading?

Always some mystery: Garry Disher Consolation.

How do you distinguish between weekdays and weekends?

The homeschooling does it for us. Weekends there is none of that, and that’s when I’ll garden or do something like that.

What are you listening to? Any podcasts, songs or playlists that lift your mood?

I’m an avid podcast listener. I loved The Sure Thing; Powerful Stories with Tory Archbold and The Elements.

Your favourite walk?

Greenwich to Berry Island.

Your favourite beach?

Gosh that is hard. Depends on the wind – either Whale Beach or Palm Beach.

What (or who) are you missing most in lockdown?

The swimming at Lane Cove or the Boy Charlton pool. Shopping. Dinner. Parties.

What is the one thing your family can’t live without?

Being active.

What are your family’s comfort recipes?

Banana bread, prawn pasta, chicken curry.

Antonia Kidman painting the house.

Antonia Kidman gets homeschooling sorted.

Favourite indulgence through lockdown?

Getting a bit more sleep because I do not have to get up so early – no need to be anywhere.

What is the key to staying positive and surviving lockdown (mostly) smiling?

I am pretending we live on a farm or in some remote place where not seeing people is normal.

When we can travel again where is the first place you’ll go?

Domestically – a horseriding place we go to in NSW. Internationally – Singapore to see old friends.

As someone who specialises in family law, do you have any advice for couples who may be in the process of separating, or not know how to navigate the challenges of lockdown through a relationship breakdown?

Take care of yourself. These are unusual times and can trigger many fears and anxieties in people. It’s important to take care of yourself – physically and mentally.

Also, take steps to be informed about the options and resources that are available. This can help a person feel more in control of their situation.