Yes SHE Can Project- Stories of amazing women doing amazing things

Come and join the conversation with the gorgeous Nadia Alibhai!

An Osteopath for 23 years, Director of Back2Wellbeing, Columnist for HELLO! Magazine, and regular expert on ITV's This Morning, Nadia is the go to for celebrities and private clients alike. Helping people to look after themselves and make sure they are functioning at their best, Nadia cites wellness as her forte. The passion she has for her work absolutely radiates from her as we chat!

We delve into her journey, which has been far from straightforward, she has encountered multiple challenges along the way both personally and professionally. We start at the beginning, being fresh out of graduating and full of enthusiasm ready to make her mark on the industry, Nadia was met with resistance as she tried to secure herself a role. Encountering people that remarked that she "didn't look like an Osteopath", she was too petite and even comments that she belonged more in the fashion industry, it took a toll on her confidence and left her deflated. But Nadia tells me that instead of waiting around for a role, she took matters into her own hands and make it for herself, and what happened next was nothing short of entrepreneurial grit and determination!

Taking me on a journey into her 20's and having to navigate some difficult personal circumstances, she picked herself up, dusted herself down and pivoted in a slightly different direction. Working on sets like Downtown Abbey and theatre productions, Nadia started to notice how intrigued people were about the power of Osteopathy, and found herself fully booked once again!In true female founder spirit, Nadia moved to Canada for a year, and continued to reach more clients with the most incredible feedback.

Coming back to London, Nadia was now a mother and wife and decided she wanted to revisit her dream with Back2Wellbeing and set about a fresh launch for the business. Passionate about creating a team of practitioners offering the very best in complete wellbeing, Nadia worked her magic and hit the ground running!

Nadia and I chat about her practice, how our bodies hold trauma, the manifestation into physical symptoms, and tells me all about the common issues that she sees with her clients. Such fascinating insights into the correlation between things we are holding within us and the way it makes us feel physically was honestly such a revelation! She shares some amazing tips that people can try at home, and the small things we can do to introduce new habits into our day to improve our wellbeing. 

Nadia openly shares her journey of burnout, not just the physical symptoms she experienced, but the toll that it took on her mental health too. We share our stories, chat about the red flags to look out for, and how we can be aware of the early signs within ourselves before overwhelm takes hold.

We delve into the pressure that is on our shoulders as female founders to feel like we are "on it" all the time and the crucial need for us to make time for ourselves to rest and reset. We talk about the battle of our internal thoughts, the guilt that we feel as women, those lightbulb moments that come along when we know things need to change, and taking back control over our lives.

Such an insightful and beautifully honest episode, and full of topics that will resonate with so many of us.

Thankyou Nadia, you are a gorgeous human inside and out, a true definition of Yes SHE Can!

To find out more about Nadia and her work, visit her website here: 

https://www.nadiatheosteopath.com/ 

and you can also connect with her on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/nadiatheosteopath/ 

Come and join the conversation with the gorgeous Victoria Stokes!

In this inspiring episode of The Yes SHE Can Project Podcast, I’m joined by the incredibly talented Victoria Stokes, a health and wellness copywriter with a rich background in journalism. If you're a business owner in the wellness space or simply love hearing real, honest stories of pivoting careers and following your passion, this is one for you!

Victoria takes us through her remarkable journey, from being a teenager in rural Northern Ireland dreaming of writing for Cosmopolitan, to becoming Deputy Editor of STELLAR Magazine in Dublin, a role that she tells me truly was a dream come true. She shares how a single comment from a schoolteacher set the trajectory for her career and how she followed that spark all the way to the top of the magazine world.

But success isn’t always straightforward, and Victoria opens up about the reality of what happened when things took a difficult turn. After finding herself in a toxic work environment that was impacting her mental health, she made the brave decision to walk away and start her own business. And not just that, she launched it on the Monday after quitting her job on the Friday!

Now, Victoria supports personal trainers, therapists, nutritionists, dietitians, and other health-driven entrepreneurs by writing standout website and email copy that reflects who they are and how they want to be heard. Her tone is rooted in empathy, authenticity, and connection, helping clients build trust and attract dream clients by nailing their tone of voice. Something which runs so powerfully through her own work, she has such a distinctive style of writing, which is EXACTLY why she's so good at helping others with theirs!

We also talk about:

-How her journalism experience gave her a solid foundation in storytelling and empathy led writing

-Why tone of voice is essential in the health and wellness space

-The services she offers, from done-for-you copy to her innovative Content Clinic and email writing course

-The emotional high of launching her first digital product and why you don’t need 20K followers to make an impact

-What happens when her clients start getting dream results, and why those wins mean so much to her!

This conversation is full of heartfelt advice, practical insight, and encouragement for anyone thinking about making a career leap or wanting to communicate more clearly in their business.

Such a pleasure to chat to such a genuinely lovely, inspiring and talented lady!

You can connect with Victoria below:

Website: ⁠https://thewellnesscopywriter.co/⁠Instagram: @thewellnesscopywriter

Course Info: https://thewellnesscopywriter.co/the-copy-shop

Come and join the conversation with award winning actress, writer and producer AND Director of Soho London Independent Film Festival (Soho LIFF)- Liz Farahadi!

Liz talks me through her journey from the very beginning, becoming an actress and the inspiration behind starting SohoLIFF. Such an interesting and colourful life she had led, and started to notice that as an actress, the scripts she was being sent didn't really fit the narrative of the reality that she was living, and it was then that she knew that something had to change.

Spurred on by the lack of representation of women like herself on our screens, Liz started writing her own material, however quickly came up against a number of stumbling blocks... The glaring ageism that she was facing really stopped her in her tracks.

Not one to back down from a challenge, Liz tells me that if anything this lit even more of a fire under her and she set about creating a safe space for all voices to be heard and stories to be told. Determined to pave the way for creatives that may have been overlooked, may have not been in a financial position to enter the industry, Liz's work on this passion project soon became the beginnings of SohoLIFF. Offering mentoring for people, support, access to opportunities, SohoLIFF began to gain momentum. We chat about the inspiring ways in which it's helping creatives no matter what background they have or previous experience.

We talk about her brand new film- "Keep Young & Beautiful", delving into the darker world of beauty, and the pressure on women to keep looking young at all costs. Liz excitedly tells me about the process of getting the crew together, and the instant bond they had over their shared experiences of the script. And whilst it's hard hitting in terms of subject matter, she wanted to give it a humourous edge, to allow for education and for it to resonate in a positive way!

With a super impressive cast and crew for "Keep Young & Beautiful" , from an Emmy nominated Director who worked on Game Of Thrones, stars of TV shows like Eastenders, Law & Order and Dr Who, the list is amazing!We both share our thoughts on the enormous pressure for our younger generation of girls, the struggles they face, dilemmas on us as mothers and how important it is for us to make a change to allow for the next generation to benefit.

Liz is passionate about also highlighting even deeper rooted issues in the beauty industry such as testing on animals, child labour, and the dark underbelly of what really goes into some of our beauty products.

We chat about the lack of representation of older women on TV, how age is actually a massive advantage, having had more life experience, space to grow as a woman, and actually to be able to bring so much to the table in roles, and especially in terms of stories to tell!

With the film freshly finished and the cast and crew private screening imminent, Liz has had so much support for Keep Young & Beautiful. With a shared sense of camaraderie and lived experience, she is keen to really get the message out there in the most beautifully creative way, knowing that so many others can resonate with the story.

Liz hopes that people feel empowered after watching the film, and that it's the start of a huge catalyst for change.

What an amazing lady, doing amazing things!

You can follow Liz's journey here on her Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/lizfarahadi/

Find out more about the Soho London Independent Film Festival Here:

https://www.soholiff.co.uk

Come and join the conversation with the amazingly talented and gorgeously hilarious Siobhan Phillips!

Gracing our screens on the final of Britain's Got Talent, Siobhan captivated the nation with her witty ditties and sailed through the live shows. Currently on her 10 week tour with Rita Sue & Bob Too, Siobhan Sat down with me to chat all things career so far!

We delve into her journey into performing, starting at the tender age of 16, fond memories of her Dad driving her to gigs and supporting her in her dream of becoming a singer. 

Music and entertainment certainly runs in the family, with her great grandfather an opera singer, guitarist father, singing mother and a brother who is also a lead singer, Siobhan definitely has music in her genes!

She gives me all the gossip from behind the scenes at Britain's Got Talent, her having no expectations of her audition- treating it rather like a day out with butties and a flask in hand, Siobhan hilariously tells me about the process.

We talk about the realities of being in such a competitive industry, the highs and also the real low points where Siobhan did a lot of soul searching, coming out the other side stronger and more determined than ever. We chat about the importance of experience, the ability to choose the work that fits around your family, citing age as a source of her wisdom and ability to take things in her stride.

The biggest love of Siobhan's life is her daughter, and she tells me of the gratitude of her career longevity, allowing her to spend precious moments with the people she loves the most, whilst doing a job she adores.

Siobhan tells me about meeting her comedy hero Bob Mortimer after they were appearing on Loose Women on the same day, after a fan girl moment and quick selfie they had a normal chat like old pals! We chat aspirations for the future, her dream of being cast in Corrie, and with her recent theatre tour she would love to do more acting. Siobhan is a real lover of stories, hearing people's journey and would love a show of her own interviewing people, hearing all about their lives- she would be fabulous at this right?!! Attention TV stations, In Conversation with Siobhan could be your next big ratings hit!

Honestly, an utter joy to speak to this amazing lady, had me laughing from start to finish, as they say in the business she really does have funny bones! A gorgeous human being, insanely talented and truly deserving of success.

There's still time to go and see Rita Sue & Bob too, head on over here for tickets!

https://www.ents24.com/uk/tour-dates/rita-sue-and-bob-too-1 

Thankyou Siobhan, what an absolute pleasure ❤️

Come and join the conversation with the gorgeous Deborah Mitchell!

Fresh from her recent appearance on Lorraine, Deborah excitedly tells me about being awarded The Royal Warrant! A centuries old endorsement that shows that not only do the Royal Family use her products, but they have used them for many years previously.

After beginning her career over 30 years ago as a beautician, Deborah built her own skincare company, attracting many a celebrity fan along the way. With her royally cemented status as a leading skincare brand, not just for the products themselves, Deborah's range actually improves skin issues instead of masking them like many out there on the market.

We chat about the challenging times she's had in her business journey, people jumping on her success and creating copycat products in a bid to emulate her skincare line, even appearing in high street stores. The beauty of her Royal Warrant however, is that this is the official stamp of approval to show that it is in fact Heaven Skincare and no substitutes!

We delve into Deborah's background, her humble beginnings and never in her wildest dreams did she imagine the success she has experienced to date. From starting out in training, coming from having little money, to now regularly travelling to the Palace, Deborah honestly tells me about the massive change in the path that her life has taken. (She was actually in the car travelling back from the Palace as we recorded the episode!)

We chat developing product ranges that work instantly, making people look visibly younger, her own journey with acne and identifying a need to help her own skin which then birthed her lifelong passion to help others with theirs.

For Deborah, it goes far deeper than developing a product and getting it retail ready, she actually goes one step further and delivers training to salon owners and spa directors. What this serves to do is not just help them to offer amazing products that really work for their own clients and customers, but it enables them to educate them in how best to look after their skin, delivering a real 360 approach to her offering.

Passionate about educating others and busting those beauty myths, her desire to actually help people absolutely shines through when she talks!

We talk about the importance of taking care of your skin, and Deborah tells me about the disgusting bugs that may appear if you don't! My goodness it scared me into submission to adopt and brand new cleansing routine FAST!

We chat the future of Heaven, stinging nettles, celebrities, royalty and how a dream one night made her discover bee venom and acquired her nickname of The Bee Venom Queen!

Deborah is very open about her dyslexia diagnosis, the challenges she's faced along the way with it, but also her gratitude for how her brain works. Sparking ideas and creating incredible products has been a rollercoaster journey for her and is fascinating to hear about.

Talking about going to events with the likes of Cillian Murphy doesn't faze Deborah, it's almost become second nature to her, she's so down to earth and loves nothing more than to share her success with others! She's so grounded and remains true to her roots, often reminding herself of the struggles she has had to get to this point which keeps her feet firmly on the ground.

Such an incredibly inspiring, knowledgeable, kind and amazing woman, and such a pleasure to chat to!

You can find out more about Deborah's incredible Royal Approved products on her website here:

https://heavenskincare.com/

Come and join the conversation with Alina Timofeeva , an expert in her field working all over the world with AI, data and technology!Delving straight in Alina tells me about her background growing up in Russia under the care of her grandmother, whose hopes were for her to become a housewife which is traditional in her home country.But Alina had other ideas, she became the first woman in her family to work, her simple background gave her the drive to help better not only her own life but the lives of her family too.Deciding to go to Moscow State University to study Mathematics, Alina's aspirations were high, however found herself as a graduate and seemingly the bottom of the pile when it came to securing a job. Being the resilient woman she is, Alina applied for over 1000 jobs, vying for a role in the ever competitive corporate world, and landed herself a placement in the UK.Clearly gifted in her knowledge and determined to climb her way up the corporate ladder, Alina bravely took the plunge and moved to the UK despite not knowing a single soul!We chat about the challenges she faced in an industry that is heavily male dominated, her creative side from her experience of modelling and photography, and the burning passion she has to help others to see the potential within themselves.We talk about cultural differences, the difficulties she experienced settling into a new country, sponsorship opportunities she wished she'd have known sooner and the beauty of mentoring!Alina shares with me her journey of being an introvert, and having to put yourself out there and be seen and heard when it feels alien to do so. We chat about the work she has done on her own personal branding, and cementing herself as an expert in technology conversations across the globe.This lady is a POWERHOUSE! An example of sheer resilience, determination and tenacity! Her mission is to inspire 50 million people to see that failure is an opportunity to grow, and to allow the future generations a place to get their stories seen and heard.What an absolute pleasure to speak to such an incredible woman, a woman who is breaking down barriers in her industry and a true advocate for paving the way for the younger generation.Alina is a Top Voice on LinkedIn, go and connect with her to watch her inspiring journey! ⭐linkedin.com/in/atimofeeva

YES SHE CAN!

Come and join the conversation with the incredible Marie Morice, Senior Women's Health Adviser. Marie is passionate about helping women in multiple areas of their lives!

With a background in the corporate world for the past 25 years, Marie started her career in Sustainability, specifically finance and was eco centered in her approach, with an ethos to help businesses and corporations to be sustainability focused and drive change.

Previously working at the United Nations (UN), Marie began to realise her own need for wanting to make an impact on a more personal level aside from the global one! Retraining as a life coach, Marie tells me how her business evolved, and she started to notice a common theme appearing with her coaching clients. It was then that she realised she wanted to niche down even further and went back to training with an intensive course at Master Level in intimacy and womens wellness.

Fuelled by both her passions to help on a one to one basis and to be making a difference, Marie tells me how her focus for 2025 is to concentrate on the corporate space. Helping organisations to be providing their workforces with safe spaces to have open conversations and really help their employees.

Marie gives me a fascinating insight into how she works, not only with private clients, but designing programmes for corporates that are all centered around womens wellness.

A seasoned speaker, she has spoken about topics from global issues such a climate change, right through to menopause issues at work. Now bringing her expertise into the workplace, Marie is the perfect choice for corporations when it comes to having their finger on the pulse surrounding womens issues and how they can make sure that their female workforce feels supported.

Determined to be at the forefront of changing the narrative when it comes to having previously taboo conversations, Marie tells me about her drive to make changes for women in their working lives.

Whether that be through lunch and learn sessions, undertaking training programmes for managers, or offering long term support for private sector organisations, Marie is poised to deliver much needed support and fresh and exciting perspective!

She opens up about the well known existing gap, whether that's pay related or lack of support in the UK, there's a shocking statistic that she shares, it will blow your mind!

Drawing on her corporate experience, Marie can not only provide support for the employees, she is also able to see the impact on the business itself if these issues aren't addressed. Talking to me about productivity, it's clear that there's a glaring correlation between workplace wellness and company standing, no wonder she is so passionate about plugging that gap for organisations!

Extremely well versed on her subject, we chat about the impact of our new government and what that means in terms of responsibility with womens wellness. We talk about the new policy changes that are coming into force soon and how she is working with leaders in order to make sure that they are compliant in implementing the new policies, and most importantly how they are going to make them sustainable and viable in the long term.

Marie is extremely honest and opens up about her own experiences of the stigma attached to certain workplace conversations. She bravely tells me about an incident that happened to her in the boardroom, and only wishes that the work that she is now doing was available for her at that time. I think that's why she is so determined to make a difference, she has been on the receiving end of this stigma, has had her own struggles, and is steadfast in her mission to make womens health and wellness a key priority in the workplace.

We chat about midlife, the importance of women not being overlooked and the impact that it has on businesses when this does happen.

Marie is at the forefront of such important conversations right now! A true Yes SHE Can guest!

Come and join the conversation with Jess Parkinson! Jess is a certified Breathwork & Wellbeing Coach and Head of Holistic + Mind at renowned chain Gymbox.

With a background as an actress and performer, Jess found her true calling in a really organic way, having looked for things to help her along her own personal journey. Her mantra is to help people feel better everyday, ad she certainly does just that!

Inherently passionate about her work, Jess talks me through the beginnings of her journey into the industry. Working as a performer in West End shows such as the epic School of Rock, prompted Jess to really zone in on the importance of looking after herself in an industry that is so unpredictable.

Like many performers and creatives, the nature of the work needs something on the side, often emotionally and financially to provide support and a sense of grounding as the work can be sporadic.

A chance conversation and a truth bomb from a friend steered her into becoming a personal trainer in the first instance. Jess also found yoga as a way of keeping herself grounded, and fell in love with the practice.

Feeling the benefits not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually too, Jess knew that it was a lifestyle she wanted to explore and delve deeper into.

Citing it as life changing for her Jess continued on the path of discovering the whole system, and how it becomes the epicentre of how you live your life. She tells me about the science behind it, the ancient and historical importance, it was so fascinating!

We discuss the difficulties of being a newcomer to yoga in particular, especially as a female, and Jess debunks the myths surrounding this, proving that it's actually one of the most beautiful and inclusive practices around.

Not only has Jess got decades of experience in a professional capacity, taking her work extremely seriously with her certifications, she's not a stranger to the limelight either. Talking me through her incredible appearance on This Morning (WOWZERS!) to discuss Eye Yoga (I won't spoil it by telling you what it is!) we delve into the small changes that you can make that will impact your health for the better.

Talking about the importance of looking after ourselves, especially as women in business, Jess & I discuss self-awareness, the temptation to work ourselves into the ground and the damage that can arise from failing to put ourselves first.

Jess has the most wonderful, calming, positive energy about her, and is clearly so passionate about her work. What a truly lovely soul, who really is living by her mantra- Helping People To Feel Better Everyday.

You can find out more about Jess here:

https://www.happyhealthywithjess.com

And book onto her next workshop coming up soon here:

https://happyhealthywithjess.com/eventbooking

Get ready for a massive dose of feel good with the incredible Cynthia Green!

The eagle eyed of you may recognise her from the hit shows Married At First Sight UK & Netflix's Love Is Blind. A Registrar & Wedding Celebrant for nearly three decades, Cynthia takes me on a heartfelt and humourous journey of how she got to where she is today!

We start by chatting about how a random job advert in the job section of the paper catapulted her into the career that she adores so much to this day. Juggling a family, a job in a cake factory AND studying for a degree, Cynthia's determination, tenacity and authentic personality shone through in her interview, with the interviewer citing it as the best one they'd ever conducted!

Born and raised in Bolton, Cynthia tells me her personal circumstances at the time prompted an epic move to London, to be closer to her twin sister and she continued her role in Lambeth. The beginning of an exciting new chapter for her, she hit the ground running and quickly got her first taste of the limelight being a part of the live wedding on the London Eye on GMTV! That wasn't to be the end of her TV experiences, in fact ONLY the beginning! What followed was Channel 4's Wedding House, where she married 46 couples over 26 days, Married at First Sight UK and Netflix's Love Is Blind!

Often when we think of "celebrant" and "registrar" we immediately think of weddings and joy, as much as that is a big part of Cynthia's job, the reality is that the other pillars of the work are births and deaths, something which I myself hadn't considered until having the conversation with her. We chat about the pride she felt being able to conduct her own twins' wedding ceremony, to the bittersweet responsibility of registering her own parents' deaths. The eloquency in which Cynthia describes the honour that she felt being able to see her name on those certificates is so moving, and the emotions that must go along with this are huge, especially when it's your loved ones.

We chat about the ways in which she navigates her life, filled with laughter and positivity with her fiancee Milo, citing him as one of her biggest sources of smiles and fun, especially in times when the nature of her role can be heavy. The importance of finding little gems of joy in every day is a big part of the way in which Cynthia combats the negativity in the world too.

Such an interesting insight into the industry, not only the behind the scenes gossip (love this part!!) but the emotions that go along with it and the complexities in which the role is filled with.

There are some hilarious moments in this episode! From a bride repeating her vows in a Bolton accent when English wasn't her first language, clown shoes and red noses, themed weddings, to the dreaded question "Does anyone believe there is a lawful impediment..." and the time when the answer was a YES, my jaw nearly hit the floor, I was on the edge of my seat!

Being at the forefront of so many weddings over the past 27 years, Cynthia excitedly tells me about her very own upcoming wedding in Japan! Still under wraps in terms of the exact location, Cynthia and her husband to be share a mutual passion for everything Japanese and knew that it would be special for them to marry there. It's set to be a spectacular day (and a day off for her, I'm sure it will feel strange being at a wedding and not standing at the front!)

Such an privilege to interview such an amazing woman, to get a glimpse into her world, and I would challenge ANYONE to have a conversation with her without coming away with a smile on their face! Radiating fun and a deep rooted passion for her work, Cynthia's essence is one of infectious happiness!

Cannot wait to see what the future holds for you Cynthia, what a powerhouse of positivity you are!

You can find out more about Cynthia here:

www.cynthiagreen.co.uk

YES SHE CAN!!!

What does Kim Kardashian, dog training, Sarah Jessica Parker, fringes & J-Lo's password all have in common? This episode with the gorgeous Jo Hoare!!!!!

Editorial Lead at Boots, celebrity journalist, multi author and former Beauty Editor at heat Magazine, Jo has some incredible stories to tell!

Such a brilliant conversation, Jo begins by telling me about how she always knew she wanted to write, it was something that came so naturally for her, although she wasn't sure which direction it would take her. A chance meeting at a party was to change the course of her career, catapulting her into the world of Heat Magazine 20 years ago.

An initial short term role turned into over a decade as the Fashion & Beauty Editor of the publication, citing it as a time for her that she wished she could bottle!

Jo's life was hectic, fast paced and fun, at the height of when we as a society would live for the weekly gossip that was crammed into the glossy pages of our favourite magazine. We reminiscence about the days when we would wait all week to sit and devour a copy, and the nostalgia of the everchanging landscape of the media industry. Gone are the times when we would all huddle together at the same time every week to watch the likes of Pop Idol & X Factor, an excuse for family and friends to get together and so often the thread that bound communities in gossip!

Jo takes me on a journey, having left Heat 7 years ago, as the rise of |Instagram was taking hold, she tells me that it took a while to get used to, as her life was so all consumed by her work for such a long time, being in that full on environment, leaving it was a transitional period for her.

We chat celebrities, social media, and the age in which we now live where people can become overnight sensations. Also the drawbacks to this when talent is often getting overshadowed in favour of the people who are constantly showing their face online.

We explore the rise in TikTok when it comes to the fashion and beauty industry, Jo says although she was reluctant to join at first, she's so glad she did as it's a wealth of information and being able to keep your finger on the pulse (and also not wanting to feel old she says!) when it comes to trends, it is a "revolution"! We talk about the dangers of the platform, and the ease of which people can cement themselves as "experts" which can make for a dangerous outlet.

In her role as Fashion & Beauty Editor at Boots, she is driven by the passion to educate their audience, by giving them the correct information which is always backed up by the science and the best industry expertise. More recently she has hosted The Skin Clinic, which covers a wide range of health and beauty topics, again featuring industry professionals and experts to make sure that women know that it's information they can trust and rely upon. You can watch the series here:

Jo is also a Multi-Author, we delve into her journey from her very first publishing offer, starting off with a light-hearted, cultural trend publication, Jo's authenticity and unique style of writing is what brought the publishers to her!

Jo dishes the gossip on celebrities, her favourite interviewee being Sarah Jessica Parker, we get the inside scoop on the celebs that have turned up drunk and even having their make up done on the floor!!!

Such a jam packed episode, so insightful, and just like having a cuppa with a friend! Jo is absolutely fantastic, so much fun and insanely talented at what she does (have a Google and read some of her work, she is AMAZING! Like your BFF is writing to you!)

You can follow her here:

https://www.instagram.com/jojolizzy