ABOUT ME

I’m Fran, mum of 6-year-old twins Bailey and Blake. I’ve lived in Dubai for 14 years. I moved here single, not knowing anyone and somewhat naïve; I’d barely heard of Dubai before I applied to come and help my company set up an office.

Dubai has given me so much, a husband, kids and my doggie, Merlot. But also, opportunity at every turn, I started here as a Recruitment Consultant before breaking free from the corporate grind to become a Personal Trainer and two years ago I morphed again into a Nutrition Coach. I see all my past roles and experiences as essential training for what I do now.

I absolutely love everything about my business, (well not the accounting bit). Someone asked me this week if I had to start over would I do what I’m doing now and the answer is an unquestionable yes.

WHERE IS HOME?

Home really is Dubai, I’ve been here most of my adult life. I grew up in Hertfordshire, and have a flat in a market town called Hitchin which I adore, and if I was to head back to the UK, this is where I’d go.

WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE YOUNGER? 

Just about everything I could think of! I went through a phase of wanting to join the Army as I was a corporal in the Army Cadets, which I loved. But I wasn’t keen on the actual war part and shooting people and getting shot at.

WHAT DO YOU DO?

I’m a nutrition coach, I help women change the way they think and feel about food. In reality the women I work with tend to have a pretty good understanding about nutrition and what they should be doing to achieve their goals they just don’t seem to be able to get there.

I coach women through one to one coaching, my course ‘Healthy Habits Project’ and my membership.

I’m a true diet industry drop out and the realisation that diets where so damaging and unsuccessful was a revelation to me. I now help other women break away from diet culture and change their relationship with food and their body. We dig deep into the psychology of change and work on forming habits that serve long term and really dig into mindset. It’s so much more than just nutrition.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE ACTIVITY TO DO WITH YOUR CHILDREN?

Anything active, this weekend we went out on a boat went on the donut off the back of the boat and just generally had fun on the ocean. As they get older, I am enjoying going on long walks with them and we love to go for child friendly hikes. I’m also a fan of Air Maniacs, as you can get a good workout in yourself whist trying to beat the children around the obstacle course.

HOW DO YOU SPEND YOUR WEEKENDS?

As above, but we do love to go out for food and the odd cheeky brunch. We have Privilee so we spend many weekends camped out at Sofitel on the Palm, in the pool and lounging in the sun.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?

Honestly, I am not sure I even have one. I’m not a huge movie buff anymore. Frozen II was good! When I was a kid I watched ‘Annie’ and ‘Dirty Dancing’ hundreds of times.

IF YOU COULD EAT ONE MEAL FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

That is super tough… baked sweet potato with mushrooms, black beans onions and avocado. I will probably change my mind next week though.

WHO’S YOUR CELEBRITY CRUSH?

Gabriel Swann Macht – Harvey Specter in Suits.

WHICH DESTINATION IS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST TO VISIT?

Canada. I often toy with the idea of moving there but I’ve never been. I like the idea of getting the seasons back and I always find Canadians so friendly. I’m just not entirely sure I could deal with the winter.

WHAT’S YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE?

Wine and Chocolate, although I’m not guilty about either!

IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

The ability to freeze time and time travel. Does that count as two? I don’t know about you, but to me a lifespan of 80 years doesn’t seem anywhere near enough. I’d love to be able to freeze time to get everything done and then unfreeze it to spend time with people. I would also love to be able to go back in time to spend more time with people who are not with us today.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT LIVING IN DUBAI?

I love that your new best friend could be around every corner. Each year I try to have a word of the year, this year I think it is going to be (Human) Connection. Expats are always open to making new friends but on the flip side being an expat can also be super isolating with the transient nature of our community. You have to make an effort to benefit from this beautiful tapestry of people we have in Dubai and this is a priority for me this year.

As well as continuing to grow my own community of like minded women in my Facebook group Healthy Life ME – The Weight Loss Tribe.