Brendan sat down with model Nyawargak Gatluak to talk about home, movement, faith, family, beauty and the rituals that keep her grounded.
With a modelling career that takes her between cities, cultures and time zones, Nyawargak has learned that wellbeing is often found in the simplest things: sleep, movement, nourishing routines, meaningful relationships and knowing when to retreat from the noise.
From her South Sudanese heritage and Australian upbringing to life in Milano and London, hers is a perspective shaped by movement but anchored in community, connection and a strong sense of self.
“When my spirit is at peace, my body is relaxed and I’m not anxious, and my mind is calm rather than overwhelmed.”
You’ve built a life that takes you between cities, cultures and extraordinary places. When someone asks you where home is, what comes to mind first: a country, a landscape, a person or a feeling?
I get asked this question quite often, and my answer is always the same: home is Australia. But I also feel safe and at home when I’m in either Milano or London. Perhaps it’s because Milano is one of my absolute favourite cities, and London has so much culture that it reminds me of Australia in some ways. But my soul will always belong in South Sudan.
Modelling requires you to be constantly seen. Away from the camera, what parts of yourself and your life do you protect and keep just for you?
My personal life, my family, relationships, and anything I’m working on that isn’t finished yet. I like to keep those things private until I’m ready to share them.
Your work involves airports, hotels, changing time zones and unfamiliar routines. What have you learned about maintaining your wellbeing wherever you happen to be?
Great question. People assume modelling is just standing in front of the camera looking fabulous, but they often disregard the behind-the-scenes, as you mentioned.
I’ve had to adapt quickly, especially when I’ve worked a whole day and then gone straight to the airport to work again the next morning. My skincare routine stays the same, morning and evening, and I always make sure I’m comfortable when travelling — airport outfits are a must.
I’d love to say I pack days in advance, but I’m definitely a procrastinator when it comes to travelling. I’ll probably be packing a few hours before my flight!
Hotels can also feel a little unsettling the first night, so sometimes I find it difficult to sleep. If that happens, I’ll put on some gentle music to help me relax.
Time zones are probably the hardest part, especially after a long trip. I usually prepare myself in advance by looking at my schedule, allowing myself extra time to sleep and incorporating some exercise.
But generally, having an iPhone helps — it automatically changes the time, so at least I don’t have to worry about that!
“I usually prepare myself in advance by looking at my schedule, allowing myself extra time to sleep and incorporating some exercise.”
Sleep can become complicated when you travel so much. What helps you sleep well, and have you developed any rituals that signal to your body that it’s time to rest?
I’m someone who can literally sleep anywhere, at any time. However, when I’m completely exhausted and overstimulated, I actually find it difficult to sleep.
When that happens, I’ll either scroll through social media until I fall asleep, read a book, or put on some rain sounds. And if none of those work, I’ll put on a motivational podcast or a crime documentary, which probably isn’t the most relaxing thing, but somehow it works for me!
In a world full of movement, noise and distraction, how do you find focus? Are there particular environments, routines or habits that help you feel mentally clear?
Absolutely. My faith in God, first of all, keeps me grounded. Secondly, I love to read, but I don’t just read; I meditate on the Word and treat it almost like I’m studying the book.
I also love to journal and write down the things I want to achieve in life and what I’m working towards. If I’m having a bad day, I talk to God, ask for guidance and ask Him to calm the stress and anxiety.
I also love going for walks. There’s something about being outside and moving that helps me calm down and recentre mentally.
“There’s something about being outside and moving that helps me calm down and recentre mentally.”
Of all the landscapes and places you’ve encountered through your work and life, where have you felt most alive or most at peace?
Milano, London, Oman and South Africa.
What was it about those places?
Milano is essentially the food, the culture and the friends I’ve made there. London is amazing because there are so many different activities you can take part in, and the nightlife is absolutely incredible.
Oman was completely different. We were in the desert, and for the first time in a long time, I was able to properly observe the stars. I tried to count them and even made a wish upon them. It was so peaceful because there was an absence of noise — just me and the night sky.
South Africa was the first African country I visited, and when I stepped off the plane and set foot on the ground, I felt this immediate sense of belonging. It was like, “I’m home. I’m in Africa, and no one can tell me anything.” There was just something about being there that felt so familiar and comforting, even though it was my first time.
“It was so peaceful because there was an absence of noise
— just me and the night sky.”
Family feels like an important part of identity. What has your family taught you about how to live, and what qualities from the women in your family do you recognise in yourself today?
My mother is the strongest woman I know and treasure. She raised seven children on her own, and I’m the firstborn. She taught me the importance of education, having a dream to focus on, being independent, never giving up and knocking on doors for opportunities through the power of faith.
She’s Christian, so faith has always been a very important part of her life. She always says, “God is always with you, and nothing is impossible. Even when you’re going through difficult times, He still hears you. When I’m not there, He is, so you’re never alone.”
That is very precious to me because when I’m constantly travelling without my family or friends, it can get lonely. When things happen in life and there’s no one physically there to comfort me, I know the Lord is.
Because of my mother, I’ve recognised that I’m stronger than I ever knew I was. I’m wise like her, resilient, have a strong work ethic and am faithful in everything I do. I also try to carry that positive energy wherever I go.
And I always remember where I started or, more importantly, where my mother started and where I am now.
“Because of my mother, I’ve recognised that I’m stronger than I ever knew I was.”
What does sisterhood mean to you? As you’ve grown older, how have those relationships shaped the woman you are becoming?
Sisterhood, to me, is about the like-minded, ambitious women and friends I’ve met along my journey. It’s about having genuine connections and protecting their energy as well as mine.
It’s the friends who are selfless, who are there no matter what and without judgement. The ones who go above and beyond without expecting anything in return.
But sisterhood is also about holding each other accountable and helping one another redirect when we need to. Sometimes you need someone who loves you enough to tell you when you’re going down the wrong path — and that’s sisterhood to me.
“It’s about having genuine connections and protecting their energy as well as mine.”
Your South Sudanese heritage, Australian life and international career bring together different worlds. What have you carried from your heritage into the way you live today — through family, food, storytelling, values or ways of caring for one another?
My South Sudanese features tell a story before I even open my mouth. People often say, “You’re South Sudanese,” and that in itself makes me proud. In fact, it’s because of these features that I became a model.
South Sudan has amazing cuisine, so when I’m craving a good home-cooked meal, that’s what I make. I’ll also put on some Sudanese music.
As South Sudanese people, we’re very calm in the way we speak and interact with people. We’re respectful and vibrant, and we operate as a community rather than as individuals. Back in South Sudan, the community does everything together — helping raise children, farming and simply being there for one another.
“My soul will always belong in South Sudan.”
I think that shows a lot in my personality. I’m always there for the people who need me without expecting anything in return.
On the other hand, I’m very Australian too. I’m quite nonchalant about things, I don’t take everything personally, I’m very outgoing and adventurous, and I love a good BBQ or fish and chips.
“We operate as a community rather than as individuals.”
Fashion celebrates beauty but can also create very particular expectations around appearance. After working within that world, what does beauty mean to you now?
Beauty, for me, is confidence, personality, charm and respect. It’s so much more than just how someone looks.
“Beauty, for me, is confidence, personality, charm and respect.”
What does being genuinely well feel like to you — not what wellness looks like from the outside, but the signs that tell you, “I’m good, I feel like myself”?
When my spirit is at peace, my body is relaxed and I’m not anxious, and my mind is calm rather than overwhelmed.
It’s when I’m happy without constantly fearing tomorrow, and when I physically feel healthy from within. That’s my definition of being genuinely well.
“When my spirit is at peace, my body is relaxed and I’m not anxious, and my mind is calm rather than overwhelmed.”
What does your ideal Sunday look like when nobody needs anything from you? Where do you wake up, what do you eat, who do you spend time with, and what do you deliberately not do?
Sundays are rest days for me. I genuinely sleep in, and let me just say, if sleeping was a competition, I would participate!
I love slow mornings. I’ll usually have oats, banana, yoghurt and tea for breakfast, then get on a call with my best friend from Australia. We’ll talk for hours, and mind you, I’m still in bed, nice and cosy.
I’ll do my laundry, go for a walk, meet up with friends or stay inside, read a book, journal and scroll through social media. Just relaxing, really.
Then I’ll do my groceries for the week, and if I’m feeling motivated, I’ll cook dinner.
Deliberately, I try to do nothing. If I’m being completely honest, I just want to be in bed!
“Sundays are rest days for me.”
Travel exposes us to other ways of living. Is there a habit, philosophy, food, ritual or perspective you discovered somewhere else and quietly brought into your own life?
When I lived in Italy, it really taught me how to enjoy food. I’m not a foodie at all; I honestly think I just eat for the mere reason of surviving, lol. But living there made me appreciate food in a completely different way. I really enjoyed trying different types of Italian food, cooking and eating healthier.
“Living there made me appreciate food in a completely different way.”
When life becomes demanding — work, travel, expectations or being far from people you love — what brings you back to yourself?
Always remembering who I am, why I started this journey and why I’m not in Australia but in a different country. I’m here because I have a dream to chase, and remembering that always centres me.
“I’m here because I have a dream to chase, and remembering that always centres me.”
And looking ahead, what would make you feel that you had lived your life well?
Definitely the people I’ve met, the impact I’ve had on them and the way people describe my personality and character. That alone is enough of a signal to me that I’ve lived well.
I’ve also accomplished a lot of the goals I’ve set for myself, but beyond all of that, it’s really about my interactions with people and the person I’ve become.
The fact that I’ve not only made my mother proud of who I’ve become, but that I’ve also been a good role model to my siblings and the people around me — that means more to me than anything.
“Beyond all of that, it’s really about my interactions with people and the person I’ve become.”
