4th place finisher on the 2017 season of the hit reality series Love Island, Gabby Allen is a well-known name in the reality TV circuits.
Before becoming a national television personality, she has been a professionally trained dancer and fitness instructor, that finally led her to launching her own fitness app, Shape Up With Gabby Allen.
Let’s get to know her more up-close in an exclusive interview with Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You suffered from scoliosis and had a major operation done on your back. After which you had to relearn how to walk. 6 months later, you won a ballet championship. You are also a professionally trained dancer and fitness instructor and have now become everyone’s favorite ever since you joined the 2017 season of the hit reality series Love Island. Share with us your journey that you have traveled to make a mark for yourself?
Ms. Gabby Allen:
I began dancing very young and had an unconditional love for ballet! I had wanted to be a prima ballerina but unfortunately my spine started to curve and we knew that after the correctional operation I wouldn’t be able to pursue a career in ballet alone so I focused more on musical theatre and other kinds of dance. As I was still in love with performing arts, I decided to try and live my life as a performer and after my a levels I moved to London to train. I have now been in London for 8 years and I still LOVE dance but after spending a lot of time working as a waitress, like most graduate performers, & then travelling for a year, I found a new love in fitness. And to be honest, I’ve never looked back. I didn’t ever think I would feel as passionate about any other work other than being on stage but I fell in love with fitness and wellness. I have a couple of favorite ways of training but the main one, unsurprisingly, is dance based fitness.
When I was younger, I was very conscious and embarrassed of my scar after my operation but now I am proud and to be honest, thankful. I believe everything happens for a reason and has a domino effect on your life so without a wonky spine, I wouldn’t be where I am today!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Gabby, you appeared on the 2017 season of the reality series Love Island and finished 4th. What was instrumental to make you join the show?
Ms. Gabby Allen:
I had been approached about the show before 2017 but had a boyfriend so when the opportunity arose again and I was single I thought, why not? I was at my most body confident, my career was blooming so taking a chance of having time out whilst I was comfortable enough, in the sun with potential of meeting a boy that would actually treat me well was very inviting! And I did it! 😀
All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You are a world-leading media personality, fitness trainer, businesswoman and reality TV star. Provide us a glimpse into a day of your remarkable multi-dimensional lifestyle?
Ms. Gabby Allen:
World leading! Wow. That’s a title and a half!
A normal day for me would be, get up and go to a class or to a training session. I believe getting it done earlier sets you up for a more productive day! Go to the amazing fruit and veg shop in newington green, Come home, make breakfast. Usually, eggs and a mound of veg on sourdough toast. Respond to emails, admin & work on brand ideas.. & respond as much as I can to people asking for work out advice through social media on my app “Shape Up with Gabby”! I try and get back to as many as possible! At least once a week there’s an event on so I would pop into town to see the pop pr team I work with to get something fabulous to wear. I like wearing things a little different. Grab a sandwich from joe and the juice. Spicy tuna with avocado on rye & a juice. Then I look at the clock and rush home as I am ALWAYS short on time to get ready. Get home, and glam up for whatever event is on. The latest one was the NME awards that I attended with Marce. It was insane. We were sat amongst Skepta, Naomi Campbell, Liam and Noel Gallagher, Kasabian, and many more. That’s when I have to pinch myself, never did I think I’d be so privileged!
Then Marce and I normally go for food afterwards, often Japanese because I love the stuff!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
In an interview, you said that you were the only girl to work out on Love Island, which shows that staying fit is a part of your lifestyle. Unfold the exercises that comprise your fitness regime on a daily basis?
Ms. Gabby Allen:
I love the underlying competitiveness of classes at certain studios so I try and get to class around 3 times a week. I also find classes fun and accessible. I try and vary with which style I do but it’s usually HIIT: dance cardio, total body, kettle bell classes or barre.
I then try and weight train twice a week. Lower body and abs. Upper body and abs. I always try and fit an ab blast in.
Since I’ve launched my app, I do Home work outs More than I used to! When I’m strapped for time, I get my mat out at home and squeeze in a 15 min Shape Up sesh.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Adequate nutrition is an integral part of staying healthy. What diet do you follow to stay healthy and physically fit? Share with our viewers your favourite foods?
Ms. Gabby Allen:
I LOVE eggs.
After training I used to live on for my dinner:
Grilled salmon or tuna with chilli and herbs, white basmati rice and asparagus, brocolli, spinach and kale.
I love shakes made of all the berries, I LOVE raspberries
I have tomatoes and mushrooms with as many meals as possible because I LOVE them.
Japanese cuisine.
Peppers dipped in humus.
Stilton in celery sticks.
Pink lady apples with unsweetened crunchy peanut butter.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You launched your own health & fitness app, Shape Up With Gabby Allen. Tell us more about the app and how it has helped people transform their body?
Ms. Gabby Allen:
The app is designed to be like a taking a class but at home. You can build your work out choosing one exercise from each section or choosing to do a specific area of the body to work on. Each exercise is body part focused and lasts around 5 minutes, focusing on challenging the muscles differently than before, working on endurance and the time under tension method to target into areas we don’t tend to reach with just the usual gym based 3×8-12reps basis.
The feedback I’ve had has been incredible! People have been sending me before and after photos of their new found definition on their bodies. Along with a healthy, balanced diet, over a couple of months, users of the app should find a change not only in the appearance of their bodies, but stamina and overall feeling better about themselves! I’m a strong believer in being the best version of yourself!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Healthy skin lies in a healthy body. You have glowing skin and beautiful, healthy hair – what skincare and hair care tips do you advocate in general?
Ms. Gabby Allen:
There have been times where my skin and hair haven’t been in the best condition and I believe it’s lifestyle and diet that cause and can fix that! When my hair was damaged from travelling I made a conscious effort to eat better: more fruit and veg and more iron. I’m lucky I’ve always had good skin but I preach that at least 2 liters of water a day will help to nourish your skin and hair. And I minimise dairy products and refined sugar. I also try and have as many red skinned fruits and veg in my diet as I believe it helps with healthy skin tone!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You once suffered from scoliosis and had a major operation on your back, which pushed you to relearn how to walk. 6 months later, you won a ballet championship! This shows your determination towards staying fit. Share with us your top 5 tips to cope & recover with such a problem?
Ms. Gabby Allen:
One question I’m asked often is “how do I find the motivation to stay fit and healthy and go to the gym?” And it’s very similar to this. As I child I was very disciplined with my dance training and having the operation was a hindrance and I couldn’t wait to get back. The main ways I stay motivated are :
1. Setting myself goals. Whether it be a job I have to be prepared for or a physical goal I want to reach within my training, I know it’s not going to happen without the work going into it. Keeping track of progress is important.
2. Looking forward to the rewards! When you’ve worked hard on reaching your goals and you finally reap the rewards that’s something in itself to remember. Pride and success.
3. Endorphins. The same as everyone, there have been many a time when I can’t find the energy to go to the gym but knowing that I will feel a hell of a lot better about myself after class or a session, most of the time, gives me the kick up the bum to get there.
4. Body confidence. I’m sure every person I know has done an intense ab session then looked in the mirror and wondered why they don’t have a six pack yet? After all that Work!? Feeling good about your body is so important. So if you put the time and effort and love into your own body, it’ll repay you by looking better over time= body confidence = happier minds!
5. Health. This day and age, a lot of people don’t really care about the health benefits of fitness but just the aesthetics. When I was recovering from my back operation, I felt so weak, helpless and unable and I hated it. I couldn’t wait to get back into the studio to regain my strength. Not only looking strong, but feeling strong, physically and mentally is enough in itself to be motivated to work out.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
With a massive following of over 1 million followers on your Instagram account @gabbydawnallen you’re a social media sensation and an internet leading star. How does it feel to be a role model & an inspiration in influencing a healthy lifestyle of so many individuals?
Ms. Gabby Allen:
This is exactly why I chose to stay true to my roots, after luckily gaining my platform. It’s so rewarding whenever I receive feedback from a follower who is on the journey with me. I loved my job fitness before and I love it now, I just don’t teach 10 classes a day anymore! I’m lucky to be able to use the position I’m now in to still continue to train and help people achieve their goals, just on a different scale.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Being a qualified fitness instructor, what would be your tips for an aspiring model who wishes to join the entertainment industry?
Ms. Gabby Allen:
The industry is fast changing, for the better, but most of all I would say, find what you’re interested in, what you’re good at and work your ass off! You need to have a niche and a USP. Find it and do it to the best of your ability and stand out. It’s a constant work in progress, but always aspire to be the best version of yourself, not someone else, you.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
WF team would love to have your views on our website Womenfitness.net and message for our visitors?
Ms. Gabby Allen:
Women fitness website offers not only fitness advice and information but so much more! Life hacks, nutrition, and inside info and secrets into some of the most well known names and how they keep their lives on point! Well worth a regular visit… You’ll learn something new every day! 😉
Follow her on:
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https://youtube.com/watch?v=XnVigfdCg-U
All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness