WHILE MOST WOMEN STRIVE TO KEEP A healthy balance between family life and work life, Cris Viaplana Cone needs to juggle the demands of home, work and sports, being the avid athlete that she is. That she is successful in all three aspects is a result of her discipline, a quality that allows her to manage her time and priorities wisely.

Cris graduated from De La Salle University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She then became a flight attendant for Philippine Airlines, staying on in the job for 12 years, after which she tried her hand at becoming a wedding planner. She then invested in a business, Essensuals Salon, which she continues to manage. Five years later, she is managing three Toni and Guy Essensuals branches.

Cris oversees the human resources department, customer service training, marketing and sales deposits. She believes her degree in Psychology gives her an edge in understanding her staff and relating to them better. Her airline experience has given her exposure to people from all walks of life and has equipped her with skills in customer service. Her background in special events, on the other hand, has taught her how to organize the system of operations.

For her, the client is the priority; and she always emphasizes punctuality, professionalism, and proper decorum to her staff. Communicating well with her team, she declares, is key to inspiring them.

Rigorous schedule

Cris starts her day at 6 a.m., when she brings her three kids to school, and then begins her rigid training. Because she runs races, as well as duathlons and triathlons, she swims on Mondays; bikes and runs on Wednesdays; and runs at least 10K on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. On weekends, she goes on two-hour runs with the South Tri Team, a group she helped organized.

But when there is an approaching race, she increases the distance to 25K a day, relying on her Ipod to keep her going. Regular training and keeping her heart rate at a steady pace of 150 beats are what keep her in top shape.

Doing all these at age 46, she admits, is a lot more difficult; and, therefore, it is very important to listen to your body and know when you are pushing yourself too much.

Cris is also disciplined when it comes to her diet, which is mostly chicken, fish and pasta. Of course, sweets are always taken in moderation.

It helps that her husband Tim, a professional basketball coach, is athletic and sports-minded, as well. Hence, this active family enjoys outdoor activities, such as wakeboarding.

Cris needs a wardrobe that takes her from training mode to work mode. Being in the glamour business, she is partial to elegant, classic lines, but with a trendy twist. A splash of color spruces up her professional jacket.

Shorts with wide-collar safari top flatter her figure and show her femininity. Her taste in jewelry is definitely modern, leaning toward big rings that make a style statement.

Despite what seems like a punishing and rigorous schedule, Cris is at the top of her game, as a wife and mother, businesswoman, and athlete.