press launch

Double gold athlete says weekend exhibition will help millions of women like her

Speaking at the launch of the So Beautiful Show, a wellness and beauty weekend exhibition taking place at Excel London later this month, Dame Kelly said while she was a ‘fitness freak’, she never paid attention to her external beauty: ‘Being an international athlete makes people say I’m a healthy, fitness freak and everything else. Maybe when I was an athlete that was true, but as an athlete I never wore make-up, I didn’t really think about my clothes; it was all trainers, tracksuits and high heels I could not walk in at all!’ Kelly said.

‘Since I’ve retired from athletics, I totally understand how manic people’s lives are; trying to look after themselves, trying to be healthy, continuing to be fit, coping with the stresses of a long day, and looking after family – everything that goes with life.

According to experts, if women take time out to recharge, reflect and relax, it will add years to their life. Nutritionist Dr Marilyn Glenville, who specializes in women’s health and owns two Natural Health Practices in London and Kent, said: ‘There’s a new syndrome 75 per cent of women are suffering from, it’s called hurried woman syndrome – they don’t spend time on themselves.

‘A show like So Beautiful is a place for them to find things that can help them be as beautiful on the outside as possible, but also to learn some things about what to do on the inside. It’s the small things that make a real difference to daily life, but it also helps against the potential of illnesses later; like diabetes and high blood pressure. ‘Although we can’t actually stop the clock, there are things we can do to look better on the outside and feel better on the inside.’

Organiser of the So Beautiful Show, Stella Ken-Adams, says: ‘There tends to be a lot of focus on external beauty these days, but the So Beautiful Show is here to prove that beauty is not just skin deep. This event gives women a unique opportunity to improve their all round wellness, and maintain their beauty. We’re honoured to have the support of Dame Kelly Holmes in launching our debut show

‘Of course, men are more than welcome too!’ Stella adds.