S2, Ep6 – In conversation with Nathalie Schyllert
28 October 2022
In the global lifestyle industry Nathalie Schyllert is the name to know.
Having successfully established her reputation within fashion and health circles combined, as the CEO of international wellness brand Bodyism, Nathalie joins Dr Reena in conversation on Harley Street.
Having been signed to Models1 since aged 17 and starting out as a former ballerina with the Swedish Royal Ballet, during this highly inspiring episode, Nathalie provides us with an insider insight of how she developed the mindset and drive to achieve the role of CEO and reveals how she effortlessly juggles a fast-paced career with city living and family life.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
Blending fashion, wellness, health, and luxury with a true lifestyle approach, Dr. Reena kicked off the conversation with the iconic first question: How did it all begin for Nathalie? How did she get involved in the industry, and what led her to become Co-Owner of Bodyism?
Nathalie explained that growing up in Sweden had a profound influence on her natural inclination toward a healthy lifestyle. From the start, healthy, home-cooked meals were the norm, with no need for low-fat diets or restrictive eating plans—everything was simply natural and wholesome. As a ballerina, Nathalie was expected to maintain a certain body type, but there was never any pressure to obsess over weight or follow a rigid diet.
When she transitioned into modelling, her focus remained on health and strength. Nathalie emphasised that, as a “sporty” model rather than a traditional catwalk model, she was always athletic and well-built, which allowed her to maintain a balanced lifestyle. This foundation helped her pivot towards personal training as she advanced in her career.
Nathalie’s successful modelling career served as a stepping stone, enabling her to pursue personal training in 2007. That’s when she first encountered Bodyism. Starting as an intern while completing her personal training degree, Nathalie quickly learned the ropes in a small team of just three people working from a mews house. Her hands-on approach to learning, combined with her passion for math and business, eventually saw her overseeing membership sales. From there, she progressed to General Manager, overseeing what had grown into four studios. Soon after, at that stage she took full ownership of the business and became CEO, where her rise to the top was a truly organic journey. Nathalie’s comprehensive experience in every facet of the business has made her exceptionally well-suited to lead the team.
Nathalie shared how Bodyism takes a holistic approach, emphasising not just aesthetics, but overall lifestyle factors like diet, sleep, and well-being. The philosophy isn’t about quick fixes but about making sustainable lifestyle changes. She mentioned that new members often require re-education, as they may not have the correct information about health, fitness, or diet. With a gentle approach, Bodyism helps members reshape their understanding of wellness.
As for the growth of Bodyism, Nathalie noted that media and social media have played significant roles in its rapid expansion. Collaborating with high-profile influencers and seeing a rise in membership numbers has been instrumental. However, the one thing that hasn’t changed is the power of word-of-mouth recommendations. When members achieve great results, they share their success with friends, which keeps the Bodyism community strong and vibrant. Despite the company’s growth, Nathalie stressed that Bodyism will always maintain its small, exclusive feel, setting it apart from larger competitors and making it all the more desirable.
The conversation turned to how Nathalie manages her career alongside her family life, and she revealed that multitasking is key. Navigating a fast-paced lifestyle in the city has made Nathalie an expert at helping people make small but impactful.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
Continuous Learning & Hands-On Experience: A strong desire to learn and the opportunity to be hands-on can accelerate career growth quickly.
Gain Broad Experience: Seek out as much experience as possible across all facets of a business to broaden your skill set.
Focus on the Core of Your Business: When building a brand or a global business, focus your energy on the core aspects. Recognise when you’re taking on more than you can handle.
Word-of-Mouth is Powerful: Recommendations from others will always be the most effective form of marketing and trust-building.
Master Multitasking: Balancing family life with international travel requires strong multitasking skills. Learning this is key to staying efficient.
Building Relationships is Vital: One of the most valuable assets you can develop is the ability to build meaningful relationships. Supporting others and offering help creates a mutually beneficial dynamic.
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S1, Ep2 – In conversation with Harpz Kaur
Many of you will instantly recognise Harpz for being the voice of BBC Asian Network on her weekday breakfast show and of course on our weekend screens on CBBC Saturday Mash Up.
S5, Ep10 – In conversation with Luke Hersheson
In our final episode of season five, join Dr Reena in conversation with Luke Hersheson himself, where they throw it back to talk about those early years of starting out, right through to working on international shoots and with the biggest fashion designers in the game.
