Inspiring women - Aisling D'Hooghe
AISLING D’HOOGHE
KEEPER FOR THE NATIONAL HOCKEY TEAM & COUNCILLOR IN WATERLOO
She trains six days out of seven at the Red Panthers and Waterloo Ducks as a goalkeeper, works as a councillor in Waterloo and is mum to son Cali at home. We can only imagine what Aisling D'Hooghe's (29) to-do list is like. Yet she always gives 100% in everything she does, and with that attitude, she is now starting her last season as a professional hockey player. With a ticket to the Paris Olympics in hand, she is getting ready to represent our country one last time this summer with her team.
SHOP AISLING'S FAVOURITES
‘YOU GET 24 HOURS AS A GIFT EVERY DAY. I ALWAYS MAKE FULL USE OF THOSE.’
- Aisling
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
She can cross the Olympics off her bucket list for the second time this summer, but that scenario once seemed very remote. When she was six, Aisling was told she had MS; not a diagnosis you mention in the same breath as top-level sport. Yet she started playing hockey four years later, turning her illness into a fighter's mentality. Through years of giving it her all, she now plays at the highest level in Belgium.
‘I’M NOT ENDING MY SPORTS CAREER WITH A BAD FEELING. ON THE CONTRARY, I EXPERIENCE EVERY MOMENT TWICE AS INTENSELY NOW.’
- Aisling
From the summer, Aisling can focus fully on her duties as a councillor. ‘My whole life has taken place in Waterloo. Whatever I can do for the other residents here means a lot to me.’
SPILLING THE TEA
BEST CHARACTERISTIC: ‘ My cheerfulness.’
PRE-GAME RITUAL: ‘Playing music as loudly as possible and singing and dancing out all the stress with the whole team.’
SATURDAY-NIGHT-OUT OR SUNDAY-MORNING-IN: ‘Sunday-morning-in! With my busy training schedule, a moment of relaxation is very welcome.’
THE FUTURE: ‘Travelling with my family for several months.’
With Inspiring Women, Xandres pays tribute to leading women every season, highlighting their personalities, style and inspiring stories. This time, they inspire with their active lifestyles, a nod to the upcoming Olympic Games.
AISLING D’HOOGHE
FOR THE NATIONAL HOCKEY TEAM & COUNCILLOR IN WATERLOO
She trains as a goalkeeper six days out of seven at the Red Panthers and Waterloo Ducks, works as a councillor in Waterloo and is mum to son Cali at home. We can only imagine what Aisling D'Hooghe's (29) to-do list is like. With a ticket to the Paris Olympics in hand, she is getting ready to represent our country one last time this summer with her team.
SHOP AISLING'S FAVOURITES
‘YOU GET 24 HOURS AS A GIFT EVERY DAY. I ALWAYS MAKE FULL USE OF THOSE.’
- Aisling
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
‘Fashion is very important to me’, says Aisling. As soon as I can take off my sportswear, I want my outfit to be as fashionable as possible. Preferably classy and simple, with trainers.'
She can cross the Olympics off her bucket list for the second time this summer, but that scenario once seemed very remote. When she was six, Aisling was told she had MS; not a diagnosis you mention in the same breath as top-level sport. Yet she started playing hockey four years later, turning her illness into a fighter's mentality. Through years of giving it her all, she now plays at the highest level in Belgium.
‘I’M NOT ENDING MY SPORTS CAREER WITH A BAD FEELING. ON THE CONTRARY, I EXPERIENCE EVERY MOMENT TWICE AS INTENSELY NOW.’
- Aisling
From the summer, Aisling can focus fully on her duties as a councillor. ‘My whole life has taken place in Waterloo. Whatever I can do for the other residents here means a lot to me.’
SPILLING THE TEA
BEST CHARACTERISTIC: ‘ My cheerfulness.’
PRE-GAME RITUAL: ‘Playing music as loudly as possible and singing and dancing out all the stress with the whole team.’
SATURDAY-NIGHT-OUT OR SUNDAY-MORNING-IN: ‘Sunday-morning-in! With my busy training schedule, a moment of relaxation is very welcome.’
THE FUTURE: ‘Travelling with my family for several months.’
With Inspiring Women, Xandres pays tribute to leading women every season, highlighting their personalities, style and inspiring stories. This time, they inspire with their active lifestyles, a nod to the upcoming Olympic Games.