Steph Claire Smith says failure made her better

Model and fitness entrepreneur Steph Claire Smith says failure has been her biggest teacher. Smith spoke to Women’s Health about the importance of communication and trusting your instincts.

Steph Claire Smith is the cover of the February issue of Women's Health magazine. Picture: Lauren Shultz for Women’s Health

Model and fitness entrepreneur Steph Claire Smith says failure has been her biggest teacher.

Smith, who with Laura Henshaw owns and operates the Keep It Cleaner health and wellness empire, says she and Henshaw have learned to trust their instincts.

“Every time we’ve failed, we’ve learnt a lot from it,” Smith has told the latest issue of Women’s Health magazine which is on sale Monday.

“Something that Laura and I have finally come to terms with is that we can trust our gut.

Steph Claire Smith with Laura Henshaw owns and operates the Keep It Cleaner health and wellness empire. Picture: Lauren Shultz for Women’s Health, out Monday

“It’s so incredible to have mentors and to reach out, get advice and ask questions – I definitely don’t want to scare anyone away from doing that because we’ve learnt so much from doing so – but I think sometimes we’ve put really large decisions in other people’s hands because we haven’t had enough confidence in ourselves.

“And we’ve later realised that if we’d just trusted our gut and went with what we thought, things might have turned out a little differently and a little better. If it is your baby, your passion, you probably do know best.”

Smith said she had learnt the value of communication after having her son, Harvey, nine months, with her husband Josh Miller.

Steph Claire Smith is photographed with her son Harvey. Picture: Lauren Shultz for Women’s Health, out Monday

“[Parenthood] is a whole new thing for your relationship for sure, and it is a challenge,” she said.

“One of the biggest things we’ve learnt – which I think is a lesson in so many facets of life, whether it’s work or relationships – is [the value of] open communication, and being really honest with each other.

“Being open about when we’re struggling, and when we need to tap out and the other person needs to tap in, because when you’re sleep-deprived, it’s hard to think straight and maybe

make the best decisions or react in the best way.”

Steph Claire Smith is the cover of the February issue of Women's Health magazine, out Monday. Picture: Lauren Shultz for Women’s Health

Read Steph Claire Smith’s full interview here.