I worked in a Design Studio for a Publishing Company based in the United Kingdom, I loved my job. In my spare time, I was a sponsored athlete, training before and after work, travelling at weekends to cross-country Mountain Biking and Multi-Sport Adventure race events. My life was all about nutrition, training, rest and recovery and being the best I could be for my team and sponsors. To help my body and mind, I was a huge fan of complementary health, including Massage Therapy, Naturopathy, Acupuncture, and Aromatherapy.
New Horizons
The opportunity to relocate from the United Kingdom to France, followed by a permanent move to Australia, was both exciting and challenging, with no friends or family in either country.
My passion for natural therapies took me back to full-time education, eventually becoming qualified as a Holistic Remedial Therapist. It was during this time that I was hit by a car while out cycling.
Meet The Founder
I eventually ‘retired’ from competitive sports, but still took part in triathlons for fun. One day, while training on my road bike,
I was hit by a car.
OUR STORY
For a long time after this accident, I was in crisis, my joy and passion in life of being able to exercise had gone, while I recovered from my physical injuries, little did I realise it was the ongoing mental trauma that was my biggest challenge.
I worked in day spas, with a Football Team, an Alcohol and Drug Rehab Centre, a Spinal Unit Recovery Centre and eventually ran my successful clinic incorporating Lymphatic Drainage, Myofascial Release, DORN Therapy and the full spectrum of massage therapies from sport rehab to facial, full-body and scalp treatments.
During my practice, I came across all types of issues and conditions, I enjoyed incorporating aromatherapy (essential oils and plant oils) into my practice and developing my own blends and balms to help soothe and calm clients’ bodies and minds. My curious brain started to research plant-based skincare, and I began to make some of my first formulations for my own reactive skin.
My drive to start my own holistic plant-based skin care brand began after I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). From that moment, I knew I had to overhaul every single aspect of my life to recover both my physical and mental health and my quality of life. This diagnosis followed on from having Adrenal Fatigue and Glandular Fever, both of which are often precursors to full-blown CFS.
It has been a roller coaster journey back to health. CFS is not unlike grieving the death of a loved one; in a way, I had died, I was not me anymore, or not the self I had identified so strongly with! I could no longer trail run, go to the gym, swim, kayak, cycle, enjoy pilates or yoga. I had zero energy for friends or being social; I had hit the wall at high speed, and my entire identity as a happy, bouncy, active person died.
I had lost my way in this world, strayed from my truth and my connection to nature, and I worked only on what I could put into myself rather than what I could get out of myself. I started eating only organic, locally grown, seasonal food, cutting out wheat and dairy and slowly restoring my gut-health.
I learned to practice self-care and self-love. As a stubborn empath, I was great at caring for others, but did not ask for help. Creating FIFTY7KIND provided mental stimulation and helped alleviate the frustration from not being able to exercise for the joy, but also for the stress-relieving effects.
By the end of 2019, I was about 90% back to full health and able to exercise again. Daily 5-10k walks and short trail runs were back in my life, along with gentle yoga and mountain biking. November 2019 was the launch of FIFTY7KIND'S first product, 'TANU Skin Affinity Coactive Serum'.
In March 2021 with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disorder. Currently, there is no pharmaceutical cure, medications are available to help lessen disease progression and reduce systemic inflammation.
Rebuilding Gabrielle-again
much love Gabrielle
" I understand the profound toll chronic stress can take on the mind, body, and skin. Through years of navigating my own health challenges, I’ve drawn on my foundation in Holistic Remedial Therapy and continued to deepen my expertise, creating an award-winning collection of formulations elevated by high-performance, clinically proven actives. Each product is intentionally designed to address the visible impact of stress — calming, nurturing, rejuvenating, and restoring optimal skin health."
FLOURISH blog →
Read our Blog Flourish, where I share all things 'well-being' for skin, body and mind.
professional Qualifications
- Diploma in Remedial Therapies
- Certified in Anti-Aging Skincare
- Diploma in Natural Skincare Formulation
- Certified in Natural Facial Masque Therapy
- Certified in Natural Cosmetic Formulation
- Certified in Natural Cosmetic Preservation
- Certified in Entrepreneurship and Business (IV)
I have found that radical self-acceptance, challenging my 'life narrative' (and changing my story and beliefs) along lifestyle tweaks have had more of a profound effect on my health than any pharmaceutical drug.
I practice intermittent fasting, eat fresh in-season vegetables and fruits, wild-caught fish, and avoid processed food, wheat and cow’s milk and limit sugar, which means cooking my food from scratch. I choose not to drink alcohol, meditate, and get outside into nature daily. Sound Therapy in the form of listening to specific frequencies, binaural beats and incorporating Himalayan Singing Bowls and Tuning Forks into my selfcare practice have made a massive difference.
I am now officially in 'Clinical Remission'. I believe in a holistic approach to my skincare formulations and lifestyle choices. Chronic stress causes disease, and self-care is not selfish; it is a critical part of our well-being and ongoing health. This I know for sure.
AT A GLANCE
You should probably know
I am a Guinness World Record holder
EVERY DAY BEGINS WITH
ORGANIC BLACK TEA
10-MINUTE MEDITATION AND JOURNAL
Largest Simultaneous Massage (2010)
SUSHI IS MY
FAVOURITE FOOD
HAPPIEST OUTside
SOMEWHERE in NATURE
JAPANESE MATCHA TEA IS MY AFTERNOON "POWER-UP"
All About
Tea, daily time in nature, exceptional skincare, podcasts, deep and meaningful conversations, books you can hold, trekking in the mountains, swimming in the ocean, laughing until it hurts, real food, love and kindness.
NOT ABOUT
Hustle culture, unconscious consumerism, racism, gender inequality, discrimination, plastic-pollution, deforestation, lifeless skincare, greenwashing, small-talk, fast-fashion, and mosquitos.
agree? we are probably a great fit
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