When thinking about how to celebrate a decade of Hip & Healthy, as a team, we’ve all had the opportunity to look back on our time here and recall funny memories, amazing milestones and look back on the growth we had as a company but also as individuals. It must be the same for everyone, but when you’re in the thick of life, you often forget to stop and smell the roses. Little moments get lost and just blur into one. But what we’ve realised is that it’s so important for anyone, no matter what you do, to take time to reflect on your accomplishments, your struggles, your little wins etc. It’s easy to put all the emphasis on figuring out what’s next in life, and that has its place (we must all dare to dream!), but we also need to make time to express gratitude for our past as well… curveballs and all!

Below, is a little insight into the H&H team where we share our best memories and our own little black book of wellness.

Sadie

How long have you been working at Hip & Healthy?

10 Years!

What do you do at Hip & Healthy?

I am the Founder of Hip & Healthy, my remit covers just about everything and anything, but mainly I focus on growth.

Best memory of your time so far?

I really loved it when we opened our little pop-up wellness store on Elizabeth Street, London at Christmas time. The whole team got stuck in and there was one particular day when we were moving everything into the shop – I was about 5 months pregnant – my mum was helping, my mum’s best friends were helping, my husband got involved, and all the amazing girls I work with who still work with me today were just all rushing about trying to make the store as amazing as possible and the result was incredible. It was such a fun time, filled with a lot of Christmas spirit and Chai lattes.

What do you do for self-care?

I prioritise working out. Going for a run or doing a Peloton class is essential for my mental health – I learned this about 10 years ago and have put it to the top of my “to do” list every day.

What’s a funny/awkward/embarrassing memory that sticks in your mind? OR A quirky wellness experience that sticks in your mind? (you choose whichever relates to you)

As a wellness journalist, you do get invited to some weird experiences, but the weirdest for me has to be when I was invited to what I thought was a spa but in fact, was a Russian banyan where I was taken to a hotter-than-hot room, asked to strip off and whipped with branches of leaves whilst lying face down on a table with my head literally buried in leaves, then plunged into a pool of ice water. Remarkably, even though the whole thing was undeniably odd – I did feel amazing afterwards!

Your favourite place to work out near you?

The never-ending countryside outside my house, and my utility room where my Peloton is. But also I am a member of Silver Linings – an online workout platform that has an array of different exercise disciplines – I especially love the HIIT workouts and the meditation with Catherine Turner.

A wellness destination you want to visit?

Ananda in the Himalayas has been on my bucket list for 15 years! 

Your go-to weekend brunch spot?

It has always been Daylesford, any location will do!

Name 3 wellness essentials you can’t live without?

Pollen CBD gummies which I am totally addicted to! They really help my anxiety and are so yummy! Luxe + Hardy Candles… always have candles burning in my house. I’m also loving the Oskia Massage Candle at the moment.

Molly

How long have you been working at Hip & Healthy?

9 years! So ALMOST a decade!

What do you do at Hip & Healthy?

I’m the Content Editor. I write and curate the content you see on the site!

Best memory of your time so far?

There are a lot of memories in 9 years, it’s hard to highlight one! I do remember being at our Elizabeth Street shop (when we had our wellness store) and a couple of lovely girls came in and just adored everything we sold. It was just me and Sadie alone in the shop one Saturday afternoon and they were quite literally running around the shop picking up one thing after the other and piling it on the checkout counter. We could hardly keep up! Tissue paper was flying everywhere as we frantically tried to keep on top of packaging up each item, making sure we didn’t miss anything. Safe to say they dropped a bomb on their credit cards and merrily off they went, leaving both Sadie and I beaming with pride, excitement, and gratitude and we both said to each other, WFT just happened?!! It was by far the biggest sale we had ever made. 

What do you do for self-care?

I bathe. There is nothing I love more than a soak in the bath with my favourite Cowshed bubble bath or some sort of salts concoction after a workout. That and getting my nails done (my go-to is Diana from Gel Bottle at my fave nail bar). Skincare is also a really big part of my self-care. Having quite sensitive skin, I choose very carefully the products I use. I’m a long-standing fan girl of all things Pai Skincare and I honestly don’t use anything else. Totally obsessed with their rosehip oil and light work rosehip cleansing oil. *chefs kiss*

A funny/awkward/embarrassing memory that sticks in your mind?

I’m not sure there are any embarrassing memories per se (apart from when a very well-known nut milk brand sent an April fools press release about a new “mylk” they were launching and I almost announced it without realising it was a joke. Luckily one of the other girls stopped me before I pressed publish! What a plonker) but I’d say the number of times we all were crippled with giggles in the office about something silly are probably the funniest of memories.

Your favourite place to work out near you?

I’ve been a long-standing fan of Heartcore. Their reformer pilates is just such an amazing workout. If I’m at home, I really enjoy whacking on a Joe Wicks on YouTube. That’s got to be the fastest way to work out, I couldn’t recommend him enough. I have a whole workout playlist of his videos saved so I don’t even need to think twice. I often do his 15-minute videos if I’m short on time.

A wellness destination you want to visit?

Any Aman hotel. I’ve been to Amanzoe before and it was spectacular (review here!). They really integrate their ethos of wellness with super luxe, high-end service. On my list are Amanjena, Morocco, Amanyara, Turks & Caicos and Aman New York which is set to open this August bringing wellness and signature Aman-style tranquillity into one of the world’s most bustling cities.

Your go-to weekend brunch spot?

For somewhere smart, it’s got to be The LaLee inside the Belmond Cadogan Hotel on Sloane Street and for something more casual I’d say Flotsam & Jetsam in Wandsworth.

Name 3 wellness essentials you can’t live without?

Being the curator of a wellness platform, I am lucky to try lots of different wellness products. One I’m enjoying right now is Lumity’s Morning & Night supplement which is just fantastic for boosting skin health and hair growth but also for increasing energy and helping with sleep quality. I’m also on a bit of a mission to improve my gut health and I think Symprove offer one of the best probiotics on the market. They’ve just launched a new Strawberry & Raspberry flavour which I’m enjoying! I put it in my smoothie, porridge etc. I’ve recently got into running (I know, I’m way late to the party, but I’m really not a natural and it’s something I find challenging) and having had the same pair of trainers for yonks, I invested in the Veja Condors and they are insanely cushioning and bouncy. 

Lou

How long have you been working at Hip & Healthy?

7 years … although I don’t remember life before Hip and Healthy. 

What do you do at Hip & Healthy?

I am the Commercial Director for Hip and Healthy and it is honestly my dream job! I love working with all our incredible brand partners on various different campaigns, covering various and all aspects of commercial activity. 

Best memory of your time so far?

Gosh, there are so many lovely memories at Hip and Healthy with how the company has evolved and changed and how well we get on as a team (always supporting each other and always laughing together… these girls have become my most treasured people) but some highlights have to be from our little pop-ups on Elizabeth Street. More recently it would have to be the most amazing press trip to Andronis Concept in Santorini which i reviewed for our travel section. Santorini has always been on my bucket list of places to visit and Andronis Concept is the most amazing luxury wellness destination which is also family-friendly so I could bring my little one and husband. 

What do you do for self-care?

Having a little 1-year-old and working from home it can be tricky to find time for self-care but I always try to prioritise something for myself each day, whether that’s a workout at Body Society, this would be my first choice to set me up for the day, otherwise a nice long bath with essential oils and a face mask to unwind. 

A funny/awkward/embarrassing memory that sticks in your mind?

It would have to be Sadie and I flying and driving all the way to Verbier for a meeting in one day… We were so exhausted and overtired (resulting in us behaving like we did as children.. Sadie and I have known eachother since we were little). Our flights were delayed and we just burst into a mixture of tears and uncontrollable giggles… 

Your favourite place to work out near you?

Body Society on the Wandsworth Bridge Road.. They do the best Hit and Strength Training classes called SAS and Beast..

A wellness destination you want to visit? 

I have always wanted to go to Positano and Le Sirenuse ticks all the boxes! It sits on a cliffside location boasting spectacular views of the sea and its surrounding village houses. Combining the gorgeous surroundings of Italy with Italian food and a spa is my idea of the perfect holiday. 

Your go-to weekend brunch spot?

It would have to be Megan’s or Gails in Parsons Green… and always avocado toast with an oat milk latte!!

Name 3 beauty essentials you can’t live without?

de Mamiel everything!!! But if I had to pick one it would be their Restorative cleansing balm. It is the most amazing luxurious balm which is so hydrating. The smell is amazing and relaxing and the perfect way to create a ritual out of every evening. Oskia Super C for the most amazing glowing skin and instant results. Lisa Franklin No4. Serum Calm and Heal. For days when your skin needs a little extra tlc this serum instantly calms and leaves skin feeling healthy and more radiant. 

Issy

How long have you been working at Hip & Healthy?

I’ve been at H&H since officially since 2018 but I also interned back in 2017 so all in all its been about 5 years. 

What do you do at Hip & Healthy?

I am the Content & Creative Designer. I wear many different hats at H&H, from managing our Instagram account, doing all our graphic design for editorial and commercial content and our email marketing. I also run our New & Now section and contribute to fitness articles as H&H’s in-house personal trainer.

Best memory of your time so far?

The travel element is a real highlight, at the beginning of 2022 I got to visit St. Moritz to stay at The Carlton Hotel which was just incredible from start to finish. Plunged into an ice bath in the mountains was a surreal moment where it dawned on me I may just have the coolest job ever! Two other noteworthy moments were when I interviewed Jessica Ennis Hill in the flesh at the Adidas Studio and when I was invited to the Nike event for the launch of the SuperRep trainers.

What do you do for self-care?

Exercise is my therapy, there is no better feeling than finishing a workout. My top self-care tip that is guaranteed to make me feel better when I’m feeling a bit meh is a fresh layer of self-tan, Bare by Vogue Williams Ultra Dark is the absolute best! It may sound vain but I always feel better with a healthy glow especially since I’m in activewear all the time. Other forms of self-care that I love to indulge in are facials and massages. Some of my favourites to date are the Signature Himalayan Salt Ritual at Aire Anicent Baths and the de Mamiel Signature Facial at the NoMad hotel.

A funny/awkward/embarrassing memory that sticks in your mind?

When I was interning at H&H way back in 2017, a younger, more naive version of Issy…game for anything, headed off the launch of Alice Liveing’s book. I clearly didn’t get the dress code memo and turned up to a swanky rooftop (of which I can’t remember) in officewear attire…think tailored trousers, a shirt and a pair of loafers. Much to my surprise, everybody else was in full glam…glitzy dresses, sky-high heels and bouncy blowdries to match. I now always make sure to check the dress code as I learnt my lesson with this one.

Your favourite place to work out near you?

I can’t choose just one as I’m mad about fitness and different studios fill different voids, so in no particular order, F45 is just amazing (especially the newly opened Teddington branch where I teach & High Street Kensington, owned by David Beckham). My other favourite is Barry’s, the energy in these studios is on fire. Honourable mention to BXR, I’ve been loving training there recently and their VersaClimber class is literally like clubbing while you workout (my kinda fun)!

A wellness destination you want to visit?

I’ve only visited once but Bali is my favourite place on earth! I went when I was a student and the budget was low so I’m dying to return and stay at the COMO Shambhala Estate. This state-of-the-art holistic wellness hotel is what dreams are made of.

Your go-to weekend brunch spot?

Eggbreak in Notting Hill is my favourite brunch spot, you can’t book which is a bit of a bummer but it’s worth the wait! 

Name 3 wellness essentials you can’t live without?

I’ve got iron deficiency and I don’t eat red meat so supplementing iron/B21 is essential for me! Blue Iron is what I’ve been taking recently. Everyday single day following my morning workout I make a protein shake to refuel. I genuinely love them and anybody that says they don’t like protein shakes isn’t making them right! My current faves are Innermost’s Vanilla Fit Protein and NUA Health’s Chocolate Whey Protein. Taking a pre-workout supplement has been a game-changer for my workouts. I always exercise early in the morning so the energy hit really wakes me up and I’ve found my workouts to be much more effective. The only one I trust is Innermost’s ‘Energy Boost’, it has added BCAA’s and the caffeine content is low so you won’t be bouncing off the wall, just focused, energised and ready to take on the world!