Bibi's baskin' in new life

By Aisling Meath

THE only constant is change and former RTE presenter Bibi Baskin has never been afraid to embrace it. 

From being the first woman to host her own live TV chat show ‘Bibi’ on RTE, to running a hotel in Kerala India for 15 years, her path brought her home again to Ireland where she is now enjoying life in Crosshaven.

Her current focus is on many different aspects of health and wellbeing. She regularly presents motivational talks on life, wellness and stress management.  She is also a public speaking trainer, a podcaster and a blogger.

And as well as all of this she still manages to find time to do absolutely nothing.

‘People are suffering way too much from high anxiety levels,’ she said. 

‘I am a firm believer that we should take time each day to do nothing, just still the mind and relax. I think we should all factor that into the diary. Leave that space,’ she said.

She often rises early to enjoy the sunrise and the stillness and has also recently written a pocket style book ‘Bibi’s Inspirational Quotes’ due to be published in November.

‘I hope it will encourage people to pause and see the wonder of the world all around them,’ she said. 

In her motivational talks she encourages people not to be afraid of change, giving examples of how it unfolded in her own adventurous life.

Bibi’s previous experience of many years as a television presenter both in Ireland and the UK, gave her skills which she now shares with others in her classes on public speaking. 

‘Having presented over 1,000 live TV shows I decided to share my techniques of how to overcome nervousness, and to equip people with tools to deliver a presentation or speech in public with confidence. 

‘It’s natural to be nervous before speaking in public, but it’s not worth letting the nerves get you to a point where you are stressed out. In the greater scheme of things it’s not the end of the world,’ she said.

At the end of her classes she always enjoys having a question and answer session and a chance to talk informally about life in general. 

She has a life-long passion for Ayurveda, the ancient system of wellness that originated in India. 

‘It’s a different system from the ‘pill for every ill’ approach of Western medicine. Ayurveda treats both mind and body, and I like the holistic system which it provides,’ she said

On a visit to India right in the heart of where Ayurveda originated, she discovered a building in Kerala, which she bought and set about renovating back to its former glory. 

She added a swimming pool, an Ayurveda spa and provided yoga tuition. By the time she had finished it was oficially recognised as a Heritage hotel of India – the equivalent to a four star rating in Ireland.

 Bibi’s popular ‘Wellness Wisdom Podcasts’ are a massage for the mind and the ears as they are delivered in her beautifully modulated and melodic tone of voice which has traces of her native Donegal.  

Next up she’s really looking forward to exploring Courtmacsherry during the October bank holiday weekend as part of the The Máire Ní Síthigh Autumn School. 

Máire Ní Síthigh was a local writer, playwright and poet, and a member of Conradh Na Gailge during its early years.

Bibi is also a fluent Irish speaker and former teacher of the language, and will be joined by journalists Kitty Holland and Fergus Finlay on the panel at a seminar on the 27th of October.

Barry Holland Chairman of the Autumn School said: ‘The seminar will explore whether Ireland can regard itself as truly independent nation. We are also giving a nod to Brexit as the deadline will be a mere few days away from then.

‘Myself and fellow organiser Harold Kingston are really looking forward to welcoming Bibi and showing her the best parts of the Seven heads Peninsula, not least the fantastic local food and beautiful scenery.'

Bibi added: ‘I’m so looking forward to getting to know Courtmacsherry as I have only been there once before and it was breathtakingly beautiful.’

*On October 5th at the Imperial Hotel Cork, Bibi will host an event called ‘Public Speaking for beginners & Intermediate Levels.' Tickets are available through Eventbrite.