Life coach, nutritionist and all-round mad scientist, Victoria Tipper helps the people of Dubai (and beyond) become better versions of themselves.  Where do we sign?

#1. So, what’s your favourite word?

Self-compassion.

#2. What gets you up in the morning?

I’m lucky to wake up to birds singing in the Dubai sunshine. My morning rituals start the day in a peaceful way; meditation, visualisations, exercising.

#3. Ommmm. What do you truly, honestly think of social media?

For me, honestly, I’m only just starting to embrace it. I think I was slightly scared of it previously. Being of a certain age, I kept thinking, “Am I out of the loop?” I was more of a voyeur, I suppose. I have educated myself in social media now and see it as an amazing tool for my business. However, there is one caveat – in my business, I see lots of addiction to social media. It’s really important not to use it as validation. Be as authentic as possible and definitely don’t beat yourself up. Also, try to lose the FOMO*

#4. Kindles or books?

Books every day of the week. I like lining my books up and then going back to them. The way I see it, Kindles are the microwave and books, an oven. No comparison.

#5. What do you think is the biggest challenge to your industry right now?

From the coaching perspective, a lot of people don’t understand what it is. They think you might need to have something wrong with you. Actually, coaches help people move beyond stagnation to become better versions of themselves. There’s a lot of misunderstanding that needs to be addressed. With nutrition, social media has given people a lot of info but those coaches might not be qualified. It’s not about having a one size fits all programme. People need to know what to trust and what not to trust.

#6. What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Oh. I loved making potions, creating carnage in the kitchen. I was a mad scientist really. I’ve kept a bit of that.

#7. What led you to your current career?

I was into sports and fitness. Growing up, I had bad acne, was fatigued and my staple diet consisted of chocolate and sweets. Finding out more about nutrition changed my energy and my skin. It was a complete turnaround.

#8. Can you use your favourite word in a sentence?

One of the most important things is to practice self-compassion.

#9. Now can you make it rhyme?

Self-compassion is so in fashion.

#10. What advice would you give to your younger self?

I would say, don’t focus on what’s going wrong. Focus on what you want, not what you don’t want and then put some actions towards that. The unconscious mind is a powerful tool – use it positively. Also, show more gratitude.

#11. What’s the best thing anyone’s ever done for you?

A lady in Dubai (Stephanie) became my mentor. She got me my first job. She is very experienced and very very good at what she did. She believes that you can’t take knowledge to the grave and that people should leave a legacy. I want to be a Stephanie when I grow up.

#12. So do we. Tell us, what’s been your ‘career-defining’ moment?

I would say working on Fighting Fit Dubai, a reality TV boxing show. Such a cool thing to see so many transformations through better nutrition.

#13. So you wanna be a boxer…. If you won a big award of some kind, who would you thank?

My mum who is the person who, when I was growing up, was my biggest cheerleader. She pushes me on. She’s the rock.

#14. Can you give us a timesaver of the day?

Schedule your internet time, don’t automatically respond to emails and social media. Do it in a block format instead, otherwise you can’t focus on other tasks. That’s a major factor of procrastination.

#15. Where do you see your industry in 24 months?

Nutrition becoming more and more digital, with apps catering for individual meal plans, food intolerance and activity levels. Also apps that look at the role of your specific genes. And if anyone is thinking, oh, but it’s my genes’ fault – your genes are the bullet in a loaded gun, but your environment pulls the trigger.

#16. There’s hope for us yet. Where were you 24 months ago?

I’d just started working for a coaching company in Dubai. I was working for other people but starting to feel like I could do it on my own.

#17. And so you did. What’s an interesting fact about your company?

The company is a baby really; it’s taking its first steps.

#18. Mazel tov. If you could have a 24-minute Skype chat with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?

Definitely my Auntie Teresa who was a bit of a second mum to me. She’s the funniest woman I have ever met so the 24 mins would just be me, laughing.

#19. What’s one word you’d want people to describe you with?

Fun.

#20. Funny girl. Would you mind taking a selfie for us?

Here you go.

#21. What’s your favourite Twitter handle or social media campaign?

Mind Body Green is one I like to look at.

#22. What’s one quote that defines your work ethic?

Do a job you love and you never have to work a day in your life

#23. What’s been the best part of your day?

Just about to pick up a friend who’s flown over to Dubai for a girly weekend.

#24. Can we come? Finally, anything to plug?

Sure, book your Skype consultation at Victoria Tipper Nutrition & Life Coaching, follow me on Insta and you can like me on Facebook.

*Fear of missing out.

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