Longevity is booming. With it comes a cascade of new titles: longevity doctors, longevity consultants, longevity coaches. But what do these labels actually mean? Who defines them, who controls them, and who verifies the standards behind them? In this episode of The Longevity Playbook, we start at the beginning with the emergence of the longevity coach.
Jennifer Halsall is joined by Darren Morris, a former CMO turned longevity coach, and Sarah Edmonds, an international expert in education and professional standards. Together, they explore what credibility in this space should really look like.
Summary
This episode explores the emerging field of longevity coaching. Darren and Sarah share their personal journeys into health and wellness, highlighting how coaching can help people maximize healthy years rather than simply extend lifespan. The discussion covers the growing demand for longevity coaching, the types of clients seeking support, and the need for collaboration with healthcare professionals. They also examine the challenges of defining the role of a longevity coach and the importance of making these services more accessible to a wider audience.
Key Takeaways
Darren transitioned from corporate marketing to longevity coaching
Sarah brings deep expertise from fitness education and quality assurance
Longevity coaching focuses on maximizing healthy years, not just extending lifespan
Demand is driven by aging populations and lifestyle-related diseases
Many clients seek vitality, energy, and clarity rather than longevity alone
Collaboration with healthcare professionals is essential
The profession lacks a clear definition and standards
Democratizing access is critical for broader impact
Clients often report “not feeling well” despite no clinical diagnosis
The future requires a stronger professional framework
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Longevity Coaching
09:10 Darren's Journey from Corporate to Coaching
13:48 Sarah's Transition into Fitness and Education
18:50 The Emergence of Longevity Coaching
25:58 The Need for Longevity Solutions
30:47 Democratizing Longevity Coaching
35:05 The Foundation of Healthy Living
37:11 The Need for Discipline in a Distracted World
37:41 Understanding Longevity Coaching
38:01 Client Profiles: Who Seeks Longevity Coaching?
38:53 Identifying Common Complaints Among Clients
40:09 The Disconnect Between Health and Feeling Well
41:51 Restoring Vitality and Energy
43:15 Building Sustainable Habits for Longevity
46:00 Collaboration with Healthcare Professionals
50:18 The Evolving Role of Personal Trainers
53:12 Defining Longevity in the Health Ecosystem
01:01:55 The Future of Longevity Coaching
01:07:54 Closing Remarks
In this episode of Connecting the Dots: The Longevity Playbook, Jennifer Halsall sits down with Maaike Dorsteen, founder of Furrow and one of Europe’s best-known skinfluencers. Known as “the Wrinkle Queen of the Netherlands,” Maaike has spent the last 15 years making aesthetics transparent, accessible, and evidence-based. Together we explore how skin and appearance can be more than vanity. Done responsibly, aesthetics can be an entry point into deeper health behaviors and longevity practices.
This conversation goes beyond Botox to look at how medical aesthetics and lifestyle medicine can collaborate, giving people the best of both worlds: confidence in how they look and strength in how they feel.
About Maaike:
Maaike Dorsteen is the founder of Furrow.nl and creator of @furrownl. She is a trusted voice in Europe’s aesthetics community, translating complex medical treatments into clear, science-backed information for the public and helping clinics connect with patients through education and transparency.
Treatments Discussed in This Episode:
Botox: An injectable protein that relaxes muscles to reduce wrinkles caused by movement.
Fillers: Gel-like injections that restore lost volume and smooth deeper lines.
Vitamin A creams (retinoids): Topical treatments that speed up cell turnover to improve texture, pigmentation, and acne.
Collagen supplements: Powders or capsules designed to support skin, hair, nails, and joints with subtle results.
Radio-frequency treatments: Heat-based energy treatments that stimulate collagen for firmer skin.
Radio-frequency microneedling (e.g. Morpheus8): Combines microneedling with heat to remodel deeper layers of skin, reducing wrinkles, scars, and laxity.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light): Light therapy that reduces redness, pigmentation, and sun damage.
OPL (Optical Pulsed Light): A variant of IPL that targets pigmentation and vascular issues.
Ignite (subdermal radio-frequency): Tightening treatment applied beneath the skin, often used for abdomen or knees.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Restores estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone to ease menopause and andropause symptoms while supporting skin, bone, and sleep health.
NAD (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide): A molecule linked to energy and repair, offered as injections or supplements. Evidence is early.
Skin boosters: Injectable treatments that hydrate and improve elasticity without changing facial volume.
Hyaluronic acid: A molecule that binds water, available in creams or injections for hydration and skin quality.
GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy): Originally for diabetes, now widely used for weight management and obesity-related health risks.
Breast augmentation: Surgery to restore or enhance breast volume.
Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): Surgery to remove excess skin and tighten abdominal muscles.
Mommy makeover: A combination of procedures such as tummy tuck, breast surgery, and liposuction after pregnancy.
Sunscreen: Daily skin protection that prevents 80 percent of visible aging and reduces risk of skin cancer.
Listen now and see why aesthetics, done right, can be the on-ramp to better health.
This episode is different.
No outside guests, no case studies, just Grace McNamara and Jennifer Halsall sitting down to talk openly about something we’ve been building behind the scenes: The Collective Beta.
It’s our new sandbox, a space where ideas, frameworks, and collaborations can be pressure-tested with real businesses in the longevity sector. The first thing we’re putting under the microscope is our Customer Targeting Longevity Framework.
Here’s the question we’re asking: How do clinics and companies in longevity truly identify and reach the right customers? This is about sustainability, scalability, and ultimately making longevity services accessible to more people, in more markets.
We’re opening up this beta to the first cohort of clinics and companies and we’re offering our expertise for free. The offer is synergistic- to help you sharpen your targeting, grow more effectively, and, in return, to help us refine a framework that can raise the game for the entire sector.
We also took this opportunity to reflect on the remarkable voices that have already joined us on the podcast, the leaders and innovators shaping what longevity means today:
Dr. Dorsa Jaleai (Zova Life, UK) – Making longevity care accessible through telehealth and personalised protocols.
Anna Milani (Spark Fitness & Longevity, Singapore) – Building brain-body programmes to keep cognitive health as strong as physical health.
Davitt Meenaghan (ReWell, Ireland) – Bridging ancestral wisdom with biohacking modalities like infrared, hyperbaric oxygen, and cold therapy.
Susan Turner (Precision Health, Dubai) & Christian Kruse (Stay Young Media, Germany) – Exploring cultural and regional shifts in longevity adoption.
Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon (One Percent Better Academy, Canada/Global) – Redefining stress management and behavioural design for healthspan.
Mikkel Christiansen (Ventraject, Denmark) – Positioning VO₂ max as a key metric for long-term health.
Across these conversations, two themes keep resurfacing:
A need for caution around the unregulated supplement industry.
A universal desire for a consolidated health data platform, something like Elfie , that can bring all personal health information together in one place.
We close this episode, as always, with shout-outs to those pushing the field forward, from Brian Johnson’s radical self-experimentation, to Dr. Stacey Sims’ groundbreaking research on female physiology, to authors like Dr. Jen Gunter, and entrepreneurs like Ariel Belgrave Harris and Kelly Taphouse, who are rewriting what midlife and women’s health can look like.
This isn’t a one-off reflection. It’s the start of a bigger collaboration. If you’re a clinic, founder, or operator in the longevity space, consider this your invitation to join our Collective Beta.
https://www.wearethecollective.world/longevity-customer-segmentation-pilot
What does it really mean to live longer — and live better?
In this episode, I sit down with Davitt Meenaghan, founder of ReWell, whose journey into longevity began in his grandmother’s garden and has taken him to the cutting edge of biohacking. We explore the powerful intersection between ancestral wisdom and modern science, uncovering why the real keys to healthspan aren’t found in a “magic pill” but in the simple, consistent habits we too often overlook.
Davitt shares deeply personal insights, from near-blackouts on the hockey pitch to helping clients reverse years of ill health and challenges our obsession with staying young at all costs. Together, we examine how culture, technology, and community shape our approach to aging, and why purpose might be the most overlooked longevity hack of all.
This is a conversation about reconnection: to nature, to ourselves, and to what really matters.
Find out more about ReWell here:https://rewell.ie/
Takeaways
Davitt's journey into nutrition began with his grandmother's influence.
The importance of understanding the medicinal value of everyday herbs.
Biohacking is about merging ancestral wisdom with modern technology.
Longevity is driven by a quest for youth and health.
Cultural attitudes towards aging vary significantly across societies.
Community connection is vital for well-being in later years.
Personalized health programs are the future of wellness.
Success stories often stem from simple lifestyle changes.
Preventative health measures should be prioritized in society.
A revolution in wellness is underway, focusing on holistic approaches.
Chapters
00:00 Journey into Longevity: A Personal Story
07:55 The Rise of Longevity: Cultural and Technological Influences
14:10 Reconnecting with Nature: The Philosophy of Wellness
19:48 Personalized Health: The Future of Longevity Programs
26:18 The Joy of Trying New Activities
27:11 Experimentation and Self-Discovery
28:10 Success Stories in Biohacking
30:30 The Power of Combined Modalities
31:53 Fundamentals of Health and Longevity
33:35 Personalized Health Insights
35:28 Future of Health with AI
39:48 Investing in Healthspan Innovations
42:47 Shoutouts to Influencers in Health
44:48 CONNECTING THE DOTS copy.mp4
In this episode, Dr. Renee Rogers joins Dr. Lou Atkinson to explore the evolving impact of GLP-1s , not just on weight loss, but on the systems that surround it: research, muscle health, behaviour change, and stigma.
They explore how the rise of GLP-1s is reshaping expectations in the fitness and wellness space , and why many current responses risk missing the mark. From resistance training prescriptions to protein pushes, there’s a gap between what’s being offered and what people actually need. Together, they discuss how new research is shifting focus from surface-level outcomes to what really matters: lived experience, muscle quality, sustainable behaviour change, and personalised long-term support.
It’s a conversation about human-centred design in a market chasing quick fixes. Because people don’t just need new medications, they need new mindsets.
💡 As McKinsey noted in The $2 Trillion Global Wellness Market Gets a Millennial and Gen Z Glow-Up (May 2025), over a third of Gen Z and millennials in the US and UK say managing their weight is “very difficult.” With GLP-1s accelerating momentum, the real opportunity isn’t in the drugs , it’s in what we build around them.
📄 Don’t forget to check out our white paper for a deeper dive: Supporting the GLP-1 Consumer Beyond the Prescription.
Too many GLP-1 users face stigma not only for their weight, but for choosing evidence-based medical care. In a world where even high performers are chained to their desks for 8+ hours a day, we can’t out-exercise the systems we live in. It’s time to stop blaming individuals and start designing better support.
https://www.wearethecollective.world/tools-to-transform
Shout Outs:
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to GLP-1 Agonist Medications
03:12 Renee Rogers' Journey and Background
05:50 Understanding GLP-1 Medications: History and Development
11:56 The Evolving Landscape of Obesity Treatment
14:49 Personalised Approaches to Obesity Management
17:44 Research Insights on Lifestyle Modifications
24:07 Behavioural Insights and Patient Experiences
27:57 Market Opportunities in the GLP-1 Space
31:58 Understanding Consumer Behaviour in Health Supplements
34:40 The Importance of Language in Health Claims
36:51 Shifting the Focus from Weight to Well-being
39:56 Personalisation in Health and Fitness Programs
43:13 The Role of Relevance in Behaviour Change
48:34 Exploring GLP-1 Medications and Preventive Health
55:28 Navigating the Wild West of Health Interventions
58:56 Advocating for Access and Equity in HealthcareShout Outs:
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to GLP-1 Agonist Medications
03:12 Renee Rogers' Journey and Background
05:50 Understanding GLP-1 Medications: History and Development
11:56 The Evolving Landscape of Obesity Treatment
14:49 Personalised Approaches to Obesity Management
17:44 Research Insights on Lifestyle Modifications
24:07 Behavioural Insights and Patient Experiences
27:57 Market Opportunities in the GLP-1 Space
31:58 Understanding Consumer Behaviour in Health Supplements
34:40 The Importance of Language in Health Claims
36:51 Shifting the Focus from Weight to Well-being
39:56 Personalisation in Health and Fitness Programs
43:13 The Role of Relevance in Behaviour Change
48:34 Exploring GLP-1 Medications and Preventive Health
55:28 Navigating the Wild West of Health Interventions
58:56 Advocating for Access and Equity in Healthcare
We’re not just living longer, we’re learning how to live better. In this episode of The Longevity Playbook, Jennifer Halsall is joined by Susan Turner and Christian Kruse to unpack one of the fastest-growing global movements: longevity and regenerative health.
Susan, a fitness industry powerhouse who brought 23 Pure Gyms to the Middle East, shares how a frozen shoulder and a Saudi princess, changed the course of her career. Christian, a former German military officer turned digital health strategist, reveals what it takes to bring personalised wellness to the mainstream through tech, media, and trust.
From the UAE’s booming biohacking scene to Germany’s cautious but growing appetite for preventive care, this conversation dives into:
Why longevity is more than a buzzword it’s a global shift
The role of health span, supplements, and personalised medicine
How COVID-19 and ageing populations reshaped public awareness
What’s working, what’s hype, and what’s next in health technology
The business opportunity in helping people stay well, not just get treated
This isn’t about miracle pills or red light masks. It’s about system-level change—and the people bold enough to build it.
00:00Introduction to Longevity and Regenerative Health
03:05Susan Turner's Journey in Fitness and Health
09:57Christian Kruse's Path to Health and Longevity
19:54The Evolution of Longevity Awareness
29:43Longevity Services in Different Markets
38:19Trends in Longevity Solutions
46:30Future of Longevity and Health Data Management
Summary
In this engaging conversation, Joe O'Connor and Dr. Lou Atkinson share their personal journeys and professional insights into the intersection of physical activity, cognitive performance, and health. They discuss the importance of behavior change, motivation, and the role of nutrition and sleep in enhancing cognitive function. The conversation also highlights the need for research in corporate wellness, particularly focusing on the beliefs and values of business leaders regarding health and fitness. They envision a future where basic health principles are prioritized, and the importance of creating supportive environments for healthy lifestyles is emphasized. Additionally, they spotlight influential leaders in women's health and fitness, advocating for more representation and research in this area.
Takeaways
Physical activity is crucial for cognitive performance.
Understanding individual motivations is key to behavior change.
Nutrition and sleep significantly impact cognitive function.
We need to prioritize basic health principles.
Creating supportive environments is essential for healthy lifestyles.
Research on women's health is critically needed.
Comparison can hinder personal progress and joy.
Simple, evidence-based recommendations are more effective.
Corporate wellness programs should address the needs of executives.
Celebrating physical activity can foster community engagement.
Chapters
00:00 Connecting Personal and Professional Dots
03:51 The Journey into High Performance Sport
07:57 Contrasting Paths: Academic and Athletic Journeys
11:56 Research Genesis: Health and Performance
16:04 Exploring Cognitive Performance and Physical Activity
20:03 Understanding Motivations: Health vs. Performance
23:57 The Role of Gender in Health and Fitness
27:53 Creating Active Learning Environments
29:59 Nutrition, Sleep, and Lifestyle Factors
30:58 Nutrition and Cognitive Performance
36:27 The Importance of Sleep
38:57 Balancing Work and Health
43:54 Future of Health and Wellness
51:19 Spotlighting Female Leaders in Health
hronic stress is quietly eroding individual wellbeing and organizational performance.
In this episode, we explore why it’s time to rethink stress, not just as a personal issue, but as a systemic business risk.
Host Jennifer Halsall is joined by Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon, founder of the 1% Better Academy, and Dr. Lou Atkinson, behavioral scientist and health psychologist. Together, they unpack the science behind chronic stress, its impact on healthspan, and what leaders can do to build more resilient teams and cultures.
We cover:
Why small, consistent habits outperform big, unsustainable changes
The link between stress, longevity, and productivity
How to design environments- like gyms, workplaces, and digital tools that people actually want to use
Why the 1% Better approach works for individuals and organizations
Whether you're a leader, operator, or innovator, this conversation will reframe how you think about wellbeing—and what it really takes to support lasting change.
Vivian Szterling’s story isn’t linear, it’s layered, intentional, and quietly radical.
She started in tourism, moved through pharmacy and neuroscience, and landed in nutrition. But nothing truly clicked until she discovered mindfulness. That’s when the dots connected, and her purpose became clear.
Today, she’s not just a registered dietitian or mindfulness instructor, she’s a global voice shaping health content at Elfie, a fast-growing health tech platform. Her mission? To bring calm, science, and cultural relevance into people’s everyday choices, from food to thought patterns.
What makes Vivian different is her refusal to oversimplify complexity. She takes rigorous science, decodes it with compassion, and delivers it in a way that anyone, in Brazil, Vietnam, Egypt, or Ireland, can understand and use.
This episode explores:
Why your career doesn’t have to make sense until it suddenly does
How to build global impact from a small town near Rio
What real nourishment means (hint: it’s more than what’s on your plate)
The myth of the “magic pill” in health and behavior change
Why simplicity is the highest form of mastery
Vivian doesn’t shout, she listens, reflects, and nudges change from the inside out. If you're feeling overwhelmed, misaligned, or unsure how your own dots connect, this episode is your pause and your permission.
“Everything around us nourishes us. It's not only the food.” – Vivian Szterling
Episode Shout Outs
Emilie Cristini
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Vivian Sterling and Her Journey
06:42 Connecting the Dots: Career Evolution and Mindfulness
12:53 Cultural Context: Working in a Global Health Tech Environment
20:47 Balancing Professional and Personal Life
28:44 The Importance of Nourishment Beyond Food
35:42 Key Takeaways for Health Professionals
39:54 Spotlighting Female Leaders in Health Tech
Until recently, measuring your VO2Max required a lab setting, a mask, and a max-effort treadmill test. This made it inaccessible for most people. But VO2Max is one of the most powerful indicators of health we have. It measures how efficiently your body uses oxygen during exercise and is directly linked to heart strength, disease prevention, and even lifespan.
In this episode, Jennifer talks with Mikkel Kristiansen, CEO of Ventriject, about how their breakthrough technology is making VO2Max testing fast, affordable, and accessible with no exercise required.
They explore how small improvements in VO2Max can reduce your risk of cardiovascular events, certain cancers, and depression. Increasing your score can even add days to your life, with research showing up to 45 days gained per VO2Max point.
🎯 For businesses, this is a unique opportunity to bring measurable, evidence-based health insights to your customers and expand the value you deliver through prevention-focused care.
Want to truly level the playing field in leadership and sport? Host Grace McNamara talks with system-thinkers Eran and Carolyn about the hidden forces shaping our world: bias, diverse role models, and crucial male allies.
Eran shares how his Value Sports initiative uses sport to tackle prejudice and empower youth, revealing how early biases can push girls out of the game. Carolyn uncovers challenges in health tech's "tech bro" culture, advocating for women's health innovation and honest talks about menopause.
They confront unconscious bias head-on, showing why diverse boards aren't just better, but more successful. Eran offers a powerful male perspective: increased female leadership doesn't shrink the pie; it makes it bigger and more valuable for everyone.
This episode is about systemic change: embedding equality into organisations' core DNA, not just through workshops. The next generation, with their broad thinking and embrace of feminism, offers immense hope.
Tune in to rethink assumptions and join the movement where we're all playing for the win!
A big shout-out to the incredible female leaders mentioned in this episode:
Poppy McDonald (CEO, USAFacts) – for fighting for non-partisan knowledge.
Connie Henry (Creator, Sport Gives Back Awards) – for transforming lives through sport.
Emily Robinson (CEO, London Sport) – for leading sport as a role model.
🤝 Meet Our Guests:
Rosanna Tucker – Co-Founder, CoverMe
Isabel van de Keere – Founder, Immersive Rehab
Rosanna was dismissed in a business meeting as “just a little girl from Brighton.” Isabel was told her company must be a side project.
Neither of them listened.
This episode is a conversation about what happens when you build something because no one else will. It’s about how sport and injury can both be starting points for change. It’s about immersive tech being used not to escape reality, but to rebuild it.
Rosanna started her journey on a running track at age seven. She ended up co-founding a company that's redefining how we manage gig economy talent across fitness, sport, and now health. Isabel survived a traumatic brain injury, recovered, and then built a company to change how stroke and spinal patients experience rehab, because she lived through a system that didn’t work.
We spoke about bias, and about how it feels to pitch for funding in a room full of people who don’t believe you belong there. We spoke about confidence, leadership, invisible labour, and what real innovation looks like when it's grounded in lived experience.
This conversation moved me. And I think it might change how you think about leadership, tech, and the future of care.
– Grace
🔗 Spotify: Connecting the Dots by The Collective
🔗 Apple Podcasts: Connecting the Dots by The Collective
🔗 YouTube: We Are The Collective_world
Episode Shout outs:
📣 Episode Shoutouts:
Emma Barry
John Treharne
Beverlee Brinkworth
Debra Babalola
Shefali Bohra
💼 Key Takeaways:
The hidden infrastructure powering the gig economy – and what happens when it fails.
How immersive environments are helping stroke survivors and spinal injury patients regain independence.
Why innovation often starts with trying to fix your own broken day.
What the fitness sector can learn from clinical rehab—and vice versa.
The realities of being underestimated as a female founder, and why that might be your unfair advantage.
This week on Connecting the Dots, I’m sharing my personal journey with Zova Life, a hyper-personalised longevity service that transforms the overwhelming noise of health advice into clear, actionable, and evidence-based strategies. I was so intrigued by Zova’s service after our first podcast that I wanted to know how it truly worked. So, I decided to test the service out myself.
Approaching 49 and navigating perimenopause, I’ve always been health-conscious, consistent with my diet, exercise, and fasting, but often felt like I was guessing what truly worked for me. That changed with Zova Life and Dr. Dorsa Jalaei.
Zova Life is not just another generic health report. It’s a deep dive into my blood work, lifestyle, and symptoms, creating a personalised longevity roadmap designed specifically for my body. They work with me based on my budget and the information I have available. I can have follow-up appointments with the medical team on demand, and I’ll check back in to review progress and adjust my plan as needed. This ongoing support makes the journey practical and sustainable.
This journey uncovered unexpected insights, like my elevated Vitamin B6 levels from supplement stacking, and simple adjustments, such as changing my fasting window, which improved my sleep almost immediately.
What stood out most is how Zova integrates diet, exercise, sleep, supplementation, and diagnostics into one holistic, personalised plan. It’s precision medicine combined with practical coaching, tailored for real-life application.
Beyond my personal experience, I’m excited about the broader potential of Zova Life in women’s health. Their focused approach addresses women’s unique health phases, from menstrual cycles through menopause, with ongoing, evidence-based support and a strong community.
You can explore my full longevity report linked in the show notes. It’s a transparent look at how personalised data can guide better health decisions.
And here’s the exciting part for businesses. Collaborating with Zova means you can offer your customers the power of hyper-personalised, preventative care and guidance that takes the guesswork out of their health and wellness efforts. By integrating evidence-based, bespoke advice, you can dramatically enhance your clients’ experience and outcomes.
Zova Life is actively seeking partnerships with supplement companies, fitness coaches, clinics, and wellness tech providers who want to elevate their service offering with this scientifically backed, personalised longevity approach. Partnering with Zova closes the gaps many health providers miss, builds trust, and fosters lasting loyalty.
If you’re looking to add a precision-driven, scalable health service that meets the evolving needs of women today, Zova Life could be the perfect addition to your business strategy.
I’ll be sharing updates on my journey in three months. For now, I’m equipped with clarity and confidence, and that feels like a true game changer.
Connect with Zova here: https://www.zovalife.co.uk/
Check out my full report here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gQ3loUzswJ4NwCLD9xVtcXkJbWuNCtfi/view?usp=sharing
In this episode, Gav Baxter opens up about his unconventional career path, from struggling gym instructor in the UK to leading one of the biggest fitness events in Dubai. We talk honestly about what it’s like to live and work as an expat in two very different but rapidly evolving markets: the fast-paced, international business hub of Dubai and the traditionally conservative yet transforming Saudi Arabia.
Gav shares the challenges, surprises, and personal growth that come with navigating cultural nuances, shifting gender roles, and leadership expectations in the Middle East. It’s a raw conversation about the highs and lows of building a business and a life abroad, the importance of mentorship and community, and what true leadership looks like in a place where change is happening at lightning speed.
If you’re curious about what it takes to thrive in new markets, the power of diverse leadership, or simply want an honest look behind the scenes of the active leisure industry in the Middle East, this episode is for you.
🤝 Meet Our Guests:
Guest: Gav Baxter, Commercial Director, Dubai Active
Guest: Grace McNamara, Host
💼 Key Takeaways:
Gav shares his authentic journey from a gym instructor in the UK to leading fitness industry growth in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
The realities and nuances of working and living as an expat in two very different Middle Eastern markets.
How cultural shifts, especially around gender dynamics and leadership, are shaping new opportunities in the region.
The critical role of mentorship, diverse leadership styles, and embracing personal growth through challenge.
Practical insights for those considering career or business moves to the UAE or Saudi, including costs and community support.
Behind-the-scenes of the Dubai Active event, its rapid growth, and plans for the future.
📣 Quotes To Remember (with timestamps):
“It doesn’t take long to set up a business in Dubai — it was done for me within a week.” (24:51)
“Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision is clear — everyone knows the direction, and female leadership is growing fast.” (22:17)
“The purpose of a leader is to create more leaders.” (53:27)
📣 Episode Shoutouts:
Jenny Patrickson, MD Active IQ — inspiring mentorship and leadership
Rachel Young — unrivaled networking and relentless curiosity
Rachel Chatham and Tom Reese, Dubai Active — passionate, resilient leaders shaping the sector
Lisa Skelton, Lisa Jenkins, Tilly Westill, Samma Osama — emerging leaders driving impact
🧠 Cognitive fitness is one of the biggest untapped opportunities in health, performance, and longevity.
It boosts retention, enhances engagement, and drives outcomes — not just in sport or fitness, but in clinical care, workplace wellbeing, and active ageing.
In Episode 31 of Connecting the Dots: The Longevity Playbook, I sat down with two pioneers who are putting brain health at the centre of business strategy:
🗣️ Anna Milani – Founder of Sparkd and Head of Physical & Cognitive Performance at a leading Longevity Clinic in Singapore
🗣️ Tarek Michael Chouja – Founder of the Functional Training Institute and global educator in movement, mindset, and motor control
We explored:
✔️ Why dual tasking is more than a training tool — it’s a pathway to better outcomes
✔️ How operators are embedding cognitive fitness into their value proposition
✔️ What metrics matter when measuring brain-based progress
✔️ Where the biggest commercial opportunities are across sectors
✔️ And what this means for the future of ageing well
This episode is for executives and decision-makers who want to stay ahead of the curve — and build models that serve both people and performance.
Inside the Power Struggles, Silent Barriers, and Missed Opportunities in Fitness Sector Leadership.
In this episode, we bring together two voices who rarely sit at the same table - Steffie Bryant, COO of Keepme , and Herman Rutgers, a veteran of the fitness industry with decades of boardroom experience.
What unfolds is an unfiltered conversation about the fitness sector and its diversity challenges, why most leadership teams look the same, and what it’s really like to try to change it from the inside.
We talk about the uncomfortable truths:
– Why women are still the minority in decision-making roles.
– What’s happening at our industry events and who decides who gets the mic.
– Why mentorship alone isn’t enough and what real sponsorship looks like.
– The quiet crisis of inactivity among women, and what needs to happen now.
– How fear and fitness often go hand in hand for fitness beginners.
– The data we have, but still ignore.
Steffie shares how she risked everything to start over in a new country and rise to the boardroom. Herman reflects on over 30 years in the industry and why he believes legislation, not good intentions, is what it will take to drive change.
This is not a feel-good episode. It’s a call to action. For leaders, for investors, for anyone serious about growing an industry that works for everyone.
Shout Outs
Michelle Thavasi- https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-thavasi/
Hilary McGuckin https://www.linkedin.com/in/hmcguckin/
Tash Porter https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashporter/
Steph Nicholson https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanie-nicholson-44363353/
Julie Allen https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-allen-593a33216/
Rebecca Passmore
Francine Davis https://www.linkedin.com/in/francine-davis-17b42459/
Susan Turner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-turner-8b4978a/
Listen if you care about leadership. Share if you want it to change
Elfie isn’t just another health app.
It’s medically endorsed, ad-free, gamified, and already helping over 650,000 people manage chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
Emilie Cristini and Professor Otavio Baranger join Grace McNamara to explore how Elfie is scaling globally, the science behind its clinical trials, and why it could change how the world manages chronic illness.
🎧 Tap play to discover why this platform is turning heads in digital health.
Emilie shares her global journey from launching L’Oréal’s Makeup Genius to leading Elfie’s international growth across more than 20 countries. Professor Baranger offers an insider’s view into the rigorous science behind Elfie, from real-world data to large-scale randomised controlled trials currently underway.
What sets Elfie apart?
🧠 Medically endorsed
🎮 Gamified
📱 Ad-free
💡 Evidence-backed
🌍 Inclusive by design
Grace, Emilie, and Otavio dive into the platform’s real impact: improving adherence, changing health behaviours, and delivering tangible outcomes, particularly for underserved populations. They discuss Elfie’s unique AI-powered features, its commitment to equity in research, and its goal to become the world’s leading Super Health Hub.
With over 650,000 users and 900 participants in clinical trials, Elfie is more than an app. It’s a movement focused on access, personalisation, and trust.
🤝 Meet Our Guests
Emilie Cristini – Global Pharma Partnership Director, Elfie
Professor Otavio Baranger – Executive Director, The George Institute UK and Professor of Clinical Trials, Imperial College London
💼 Key Takeaways
Elfie is a free, gamified, medically endorsed digital health app tackling chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes. It is now available in more than 20 countries and languages.
Global partnerships with leading academic institutions are reinforcing Elfie’s scientific credibility, including a 900-participant RCT across Brazil and Vietnam.
Unlike typical health apps, Elfie does not run ads or sell user data. Access is free, rewards are real, and the focus is impact.
Elfie supports underserved communities worldwide through personalised health plans, education, and AI-powered tools.
📣 Quotes to Remember
"Elfie isn’t just another app. It’s a movement toward global health equity." – Grace McNamara (00:55)
"We want to drive impact, not just for patients, but to change how chronic conditions are managed." – Emilie Cristini (58:45)
"Research belongs to society. Diversity, sex, gender, and access all matter in science." – Professor Otavio Baranger (1:04:10)
📣 Episode Shoutouts
Vesna Akozic – Braise
Jane Hurst – Professor and Global Director of Women's Health, Imperial College
She Left Pharmacy to Reinvent Longevity - This Is Her Mission Now
Dr. Dorsa Jalaei walked away from a traditional career in pharmacy to tackle one of the biggest challenges in healthcare: how to make longevity science both affordable and actionable. In this episode, she shares the turning points that led her to found Zova Life, a company built on the belief that everyone deserves access to personalised health insights, not just the elite few.
From PCOS to preventative care, we dive into the real issues people face navigating today’s health landscape. Dorsa gets brutally honest about the barriers, outdated systems, influencer-driven misinformation, and the overwhelming flood of ‘wellness’ content, and what it takes to break through.
She unpacks how Zova’s data-driven assessments are changing the game, what she’s learned from her customers, and why collaboration with healthcare providers isn’t optional- it’s essential. This is a story of purpose, innovation, and a mission to give people control over their own health, one lifestyle change at a time.
Here are some of the powerful insights she shared:
The pharmaceutical industry is slow to change, but people don’t have time to wait. That’s why Dorsa moved into the more innovative world of in vitro diagnostics (IVD), where change happens in real-time.
Longevity isn't about luxury, it’s about accessibility. Zova Life delivers personalised health assessments and lifestyle plans that target real issues for real people.
One in ten women in the UK has PCOS. For them, generic advice doesn’t work. Lifestyle changes are key, and these changes must be supported by evidence, data, and a strong community.
Influencers are shaping health decisions, whether we like it or not. Dorsa explains why it’s critical to meet people where they are, without compromising scientific integrity.
Preventable diseases still account for 80% of deaths. Zova is designed to intercept those outcomes, with joy, not guilt, at the heart of every health change.
Her focus? Women aged 30–45. The group most underserved—and most ready to take control of their health when given the right tools.
The big takeaway? Personalised data is powerful, but the community makes it sustainable. Zova Life is not just a product. It’s a support system.
In this engaging conversation, Grace McNamara hosts Pinky Ghadiali and David Stalker to discuss their career journeys, the importance of mentorship and sponsorship, and the challenges women face in leadership roles, particularly in the sports and fitness industry. They explore how sports can foster leadership skills, the need for gender balance in leadership positions, and the significance of visibility for women leaders. The discussion emphasises collaboration over competition in achieving gender equality and highlights the importance of coaching and support for career development.
🤝 Meet Our Guests:
Pinky Ghadiali: Founder of Netwomen and Inclusive Leadership Coach
David Stalker: Board Member, Advisor, and Longstanding Industry Leader
💼 Key Takeaways:
Why mentorship, sponsorship, and coaching must be clearly defined and equally valued
How sport builds resilience, confidence, and leadership—especially for women
The value of mixed-gender support networks and breaking the “Golden Girls” board quota trap
Why inclusive leadership is not a zero-sum game and how Gen Z perceptions are shifting
The challenges of moving from green-flag enthusiasm to real budget commitments in DEI
📣 Quotes To Remember:
“You get away with saying a lot of the wrong things when you go past 60. I’m trying not to, but I still do.” David Stalker (07:44)
“It’s not competition. It’s collaboration. Getting more women to the top doesn’t mean men lose out.” Pinky Ghadiali (41:49)
“Leadership coaching should happen before you reach the top. Not after.” — Grace McNamara (28:41)
Shout-outs:
Jessica Yarmey – https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicayarmey/
Chloe Kitsch – https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-stone/
Tara Dillon – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-dillon-fcimspa-ch-8706925/
Sarah Watts – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-watts-248b931/
Claire Rollins – https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-rollins-70513918/
Rebecca Passmore – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccapassmore/
Rachel Young – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-young-bsc-0b89053/
Shadan Alsagri- https://www.linkedin.com/in/shadanalsagri/
🎙️ We're Dropping Episode 28 – Playing Catch-Up: The Rise of Female Athletics & the Future of Ageing in Fitness 🌐
This pop-up podcast reimagines business through the lens of sport and a gender-balanced perspective.
Each episode pairs guests from diverse sectors and geographies to uncover insights that address challenges, unlock opportunities, and deliver game-changing results.
Our latest episode, Playing Catch-Up: The Rise of Female Athletics & the Future of Ageing in Fitness, is live!
🤝 Meet Our Guests:
Simon Rowe – SVP Sports Marketing & Sponsorship, Pentland Brands
Paul Ferris – CEO, Speedflex UK & Ireland Ltd, author of The Boy in the Shed
🏉 From boot sponsorship in elite women’s rugby to the barriers ageing adults face in traditional gyms, this conversation tackles the future of inclusion in sport and fitness.
We explore shifting visibility in women’s sport, the cost of inactivity, and what it means to build spaces where everyone belongs, regardless of gender, age, or ability.
💼 Life Lessons, Reflections & Connections:
– Why visibility in women’s sport matters more than ever
– The quiet crisis of inactivity, especially among adolescent girls
– How ageing athletes are being left out—and what needs to change
– Reimagining fitness as inclusive, not intimidating
– Real talk on prostate cancer, identity, and getting back up again
📣 Quotes To Remember:
"30% of rugby players globally are women. The only reason people doubt that is because they can't see it." – Simon Rowe (11:45)
"If you're watching women's football and getting angry about it—just turn it off. Let the rest of us enjoy it and let it grow." – Paul Ferris (20:35)
"We say fitness is inclusive, but then we design spaces that make people like me—60, injured, recovering—feel like they don't belong." – Paul Ferris (41:10)
"Exercise makes me feel like I'm not done yet. It keeps me in the game when so much else says I shouldn’t be." – Paul Ferris (46:15)
📣 Episode Shoutouts:
Cheryl Hersey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherylhersey/
Gabby Logan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabby-logan-496a4421b/
Kelly Cates: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-cates-294626291/
Charlotte Cox: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-cox-77836919/
Joe Wright
Emma Zwiebler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-p-mason-zwiebler/
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