Claire Agius Ordway | 'I deplore those who sit there trying to put down others who work hard'

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Religiously wake up at 5am, have coffee and send out some emails or put up planned social posts before everyone wakes up. I’m most productive at this hour.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

To be happy for others – it is the key to happiness. My parents brainwashed us into believing this and I am doing the same with my kids.

What do you never leave the house without?

My mobile.

Pick three words that describe yourself

Bad loser, observer, ‘cheerer’ (if the word exists…).

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

How I changed my mind-set towards fitness. I was the total opposite, very lazy. And I never thought I would come to a point where I wake up looking forward to train every day and always thinking on how to motivate others.

What is your guiltiest pleasure?

Bingeing on a good TV series on Sundays.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

To enjoy and be grateful of every minute. My dad died unexpectedly and that taught me how fragile we are. And I do remind myself about that numerous times during the day.

Property aside, what’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?

I am not into designer clothes and bags, but I love gadgets. I save to get the newest mobile on the market if possible. I do like sports gadgets too.

What is one thing you wish you knew when you were younger?

I wish I would have known how sports gives you all the confidence and mental power to overcome tough challenges in life. I would have minimised some of the pain of the challenges I had.

Who’s your inspiration?

People who voluntarily help others without letting anyone know, because the best gift you can give to others is your time.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Parenting. Now that my kids are older I feel I am going into a new phase in which I have to research, ask and learn just as much or even more than when they were born.

Do you believe in God?

Yes.

If you could have dinner with any person, dead or alive, who would it be?

My husband but I get to have dinners with him on a regular basis… so next in line is Idris Elba.

What’s your worst habit?

Picking my nose in traffic.

What are you like when you’re drunk?

This rarely happens, but when it does I’m the last to leave the dancefloor.

Who would you have play you in a film?

Cate Blanchett (I wish…) - my daughter Lyla is the exact image of me…

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

I hate it when people put others down. I deplore people who have no enthusiasm and will to do anything and just sit there trying to put down others who work hard.

What music would you have played at your funeral?

Definitely not ‘You Raise Me Up’ – I hate it.

What is your most treasured material possession?

Photos with my kids when they were young.

What is your earliest memory?

My father throwing me into the sea to learn how to swim at three years old.

When did you last cry, and why?

The last funeral I attended of somebody I did not know (I knew the relatives)… they played ‘You Raise Me Up’.

Who would you most like to meet?

Right now – Trevor Noah, I like the way he turns episodes of how his family suffered into funny instances. I really love his positivity.

What’s your favourite food?

Anything healthy, salads – the more colourful and adventurous the better – and chocolate.

Who’s your favourite person on social media right now?

I like all Maltese influencers – they are all my friends so I cannot mention just one.

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

Meet Jesus to interview him directly… it would take hours.

What book are you reading right now?

Eight Pointed Cross, by Marthese Fenech.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Flying. I would visit everywhere in the world.

What’s one thing you want to do before you die?

Backpack for a year outside Europe.

What music are you listening to at the moment?

Right now, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Peter Gabriel.

In the shower or when you’re working out, what do you sing/listen to?

When I’m working out it’s a top hits playlist on Spotify, or I go for the best of some particular year.

Tell Us...

As a producer and presenter, what shows are you currently working on?

I work on Dak li Jghodd – a programme about parenting and childbirth. It is aired every Tuesday at 5.15pm on ONE. I produce and present Ilsien in-Nisa with my colleagues Pauline Agius and Clare Agius. Besides that there is my fitness blog www.claireagiusordway.com which is taking a lot of my time but I love every minute.

What advice would you give anyone interested in getting involved in Malta’s TV industry?

Definitely to go for it. I love this world in which you get to dream about a project, make it happen and share it with your followers. Just be ready to start from the very bottom and be humble all the way.