What inspired you to create We Free Women? 

“It was born during a retreat in Italy, when I received shamanic healing that was a monumental point in my own healing journey and personal evolution. I shared a post on Instagram thanking Healing Holidays alongside a photo taken in the Dolomites. I must have looked so peaceful because the response was overwhelming, with women saying how much they needed something like this but couldn’t afford it. From NHS workers to women going through menopause, so many were crying out for rest, connection, and healing.”

What came next?

“I realised we needed to create a free, full- funded space for women to access self-care therapies like meditation, mindfulness, yoga, breathwork, walking in nature, and cold-water therapy. From there, myself, two close friends and three women I met online became the six co-founders. From that same Instagram post, therapists also began reaching out, offering to help for free. Within six weeks, we held our first retreat at my home in the Cotswolds and since then, we’ve run eight more.”

What makes a retreat truly ethical?

“It begins with the people who run it – the therapists and those who hold the space. If they create a calm, open, and comfortable environment people feel safe enough to share, and that goes both ways. When I think back to the most memorable retreats I’ve attended, it’s always the people who made me feel seen and never judged who stayed with me. Privacy is also essential, creating a retreat where women feel protected and can truly relax. That’s the foundation of an ethical experience.”

Are there any retreats you’ve visited that really changed things for you? 

“I’ve become a bit of a retreat connoisseur!. One that really stands out is The Body Holiday in St Lucia. It’s not technically a retreat, but more of a wellness resort, but their motto is ‘Give us your body for a week, and we’ll give you back your mind’. It taught me the art of being able to enjoy life while taking care of yourself. You could take part in yoga, meditation, and every kind of exercise during the day, then relax with a sauna, steam, or spa treatment, knowing you could still have a glass of rosé in the evening if you wanted.”

What do you do in your spare time to wind down? 

“I’ve invested in a tiny two-person sauna that lives in my spare room! Once I learned about how it supports detoxification, reduces stress, and lowers the risk of strokes and heart disease, I became slightly obsessed! I’ll do a sauna session, then a cold shower, then back in again. Otherwise, I walk: dog walks, stairs over lifts, and I’ll even choose the broken escalator just to get the steps in.”

How do you balance theatre life with general life? 

“Because acting work comes in such fits and starts, my schedule is never steady. You can be working eight shows a weekend, then suddenly have a stretch of downtime. I’ve learned to just go with the flow rather than trying to force a strict wellness routine during a run. My current production in Entertaining Mr Sloane finishes on 8 November, and I know I’ll reconnect with my spirituality when it ends.”

You’ve spoken about navigating perimenopause. What advice can you pass on you wish you known?

“We are sold that it’s the end of your fun and your life, and it’s all downhill from there. You have to look to the beginning of a new chapter, opposed to it seeming like the end. It’s not. I’ve never felt more in my own power, more authentic and to be honest, never felt happier!”

So what’s the next chapter for We Free Women?

“To own a property that becomes the permanent home for the retreats. That way, instead of constantly raising money to rent venues, we could simply cover travel costs for women coming from across the UK and hopefully, one day, from abroad. Whatever happens, the retreats will always remain fully funded: keeping them accessible to all women is central to what we do. 

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What did you do before indoor cycling?

“I started out in radio and then in TV, producing shows like This Morning. I moved into Quiz and Gameshow Development, and my last job before leaving was coming up with catchphrases for Catchphrase! I can still remember a four-hour meeting about Bananas in Pyjamas!”

What happened next?

“I was hit by a car while cycling to work, which left me with serious injuries and a very long rehab. Indoor cycling was recommended as part of my recovery, and it changed everything. I fell in love with how controlled and adaptable it could be when taught properly. Eventually, that curiosity pulled me out of TV and into fitness full time.”

You came up with the term ‘spin-timidation’. What does that mean?

“One of the most common things I hear when people find out I’m a spin instructor is, ‘I hate spin’. The thing is, I don’t necessarily disagree. There is, sadly, a lot of bad spin out there, and it has a reputation for being gimmicky, competitive, cliquey and, probably worst of all, dangerous. That’s why I coined ‘Spin-timidation’. I’m challenging this because when indoor cycling is taught correctly, with evidence-led programming, and empathy, it is one of the safest, most effective workouts there is.”

What needs to change?

“The attitude – less theatre, more coaching, without an instructor getting up in front of everyone and basically put on a show, regardless of who’s in the room. You wouldn’t get that in any other exercise class. Can you imagine if I went to my first ever boxing workout and spent the session watching the coach work the punchbag while a room full of people struggled to keep up? It has to change.”

What makes Cadence’s approach different?

“Our classes are designed for longevity. Every session balances rhythm and strength training, so riders leave feeling worked but not wrecked. We focus on safe ranges, joint health, and proper technique, and we build confidence first, then intensity second. We don’t jump on trends. We programme first and ensure the rider is at the heart of everything we do.”

What advice would you give someone walking into their first spin class?

“Don’t chase anyone else. Find your rhythm, focus on form, and remember resistance is your friend. You’re better off doing less but doing it well and building up gradually. You know you’re in a good class if you have an instructor that sets you up, clips you in, gives you options as a newbie, and tells you to go at your own pace.”

Do you think the fitness industry is doing enough to be inclusive?

“Too much still sells perfection, when most people just want to feel better and stay mobile. I’m very much over these ‘how to get abs’ tripe, and I’d like to think the public are, too. If you scroll though Instagram it would have you believe everyone is prepping for their next Body Building competition, whereas most of us just want to be healthier and have enough energy to run around the park with our kids.”

Who inspires you outside of the fitness world?

“Claudia Winkleman: she’s a fantastic broadcaster who makes everyone feel comfortable but does so while staying sharp and unpredictable. That’s a very rare mix. I’d also put Alison Hammond and Sue Perkins in that bracket. I’ve a lot of respect for people that are so good at their job it looks like they’re making it up as they go along, when the reality is they’re knowledgeable and meticulously well prepared. That’s what I look for in my instructors. It’s absolute gold dust.”

It’s the end of the day: how do you relax?

“We have an 18-month-old, so while peace isn’t on the menu I do totally switch off as my focus is entirely on her. Just regular toddler things like trying to stop her launching herself downstairs or licking plugs! When she’s in bed, I spend time relaxing with my partner. Nothing fancy, just the things that make life feel normal. When your job is loud and high-energy and you’re talking all day, sitting quietly with a book or watching something on TV I find is the best way to unwind.”

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