London


<p>Tracey Woodward&#8217;s worked with some of the biggest brands in the beauty industry, from Aveda to running Urban Retreat at Harrods, all while raising two kids and coming to terms with her dysfunctional childhood &#8211; living in squats, shoplifting with her mum and only learning to read at 14. </p>



<p>It&#8217;s safe to say there&#8217;s little this doyenne of beauty doesn&#8217;t know about climbing the career ladder and working wellbeing into real life (school run, deadlines, stress), so who better to catch up with during Muddy&#8217;s <a href="https://muddystilettos.co.uk/wellbeing/happy-and-healthy-a-year-of-putting-yourself-first/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Happy + Healthy</a> year of putting yourself first? </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-drove-you-to-conquer-the-wellbeing-industry">What drove you to conquer the wellbeing industry?</h2>



<p>I always wanted to be a beauty consultant on the counter of a department store when I was little. I used to tell my mum that was my plan &#8211; my mum was very beautiful but led a crazy life that would have squashed most people. She was 18 when she had me and moved around London constantly, often living on rough estates where crime and drugs were rife, shoplifting to survive. I was dragged into the chaos and my way out was to focus on getting into beauty. A friend of my mum&#8217;s, who was eight years older, took me for an interview and is still a leading light in my life. My life would have been very different if she hadn&#8217;t intervened.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-did-you-climb-the-career-ladder-in-beauty-and-wellbeing-so-successfully-nbsp">How did you climb the career ladder in beauty and wellbeing so successfully?&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="751" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-4-751x1024.jpeg" alt="Tracey Woodward " class="wp-image-18761" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-4-751x1024.jpeg 751w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-4-220x300.jpeg 220w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-4-768x1047.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-4-1127x1536.jpeg 1127w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-4.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 751px) 100vw, 751px" /></figure>



<p>With no qualifications and being illiterate until I was fourteen, I just worked <em>really </em>hard selling products with lots of energy and a positive mindset. In the early days I learnt about other people&#8217;s lives through listening &#8211; once you become a good listener you are on the first base for continuous learning. Because I was open to opportunities, I kept landing new positions, each bigger than the last. I also sought help through mentors, and learned through every role I took, I&#8217;ve never been afraid to say &#8216;I don&#8217;t understand&#8217; or &#8216;can you teach me&#8217;. We&#8217;re all constant learners and I&#8217;ve never berated myself for not knowing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-life-lessons-have-you-learnt-along-the-way">What life lessons have you learnt along the way? </h2>



<p>Shame is the greatest killer of joy. The first 35 years of my life I struggled to talk about my childhood because I was always in fear of being judged for not going to school or having any qualifications, which I suppose is why I always got behind the new and different because in that space everyone is figuring stuff out. I have a lot of common sense, and love a challenge. I&#8217;ve spent my whole life trying to be an athlete in survival.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-it-s-an-inspiring-story-we-hear-you-ve-been-asked-to-write-a-book-about-it-how-s-that-going-nbsp">It&#8217;s an inspiring story, we hear you&#8217;ve been asked to write a book about it. How&#8217;s that going?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Yes, I&#8217;m in the process of writing a trilogy, which is exciting. To be on a new career trajectory after four decades in beauty and wellness is truly life enhancing, as well as terrifyingly wonderful. I love new adventures! It&#8217;s difficult at it&#8217;s an emotional journey, but also one I want to highlight. The lives of women in crime haven&#8217;t change in hundreds of years &#8211; we&#8217;ve seen great changes with our careers and how we work, but in that world women are trapped, often subjected to abuse, violence and so much more. My books are set in London from the 1960-90s, drawing on my experiences and observations. Music, sex, fashion and women coming together to fight for a better life.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-you-re-a-wellbeing-advocate-but-also-a-busy-businesswoman-how-do-you-balance-the-two-nbsp">You&#8217;re a wellbeing advocate but also a busy businesswoman &#8211; how do you balance the two?&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="866" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-3-1024x866.jpeg" alt="Tracey Woodward " class="wp-image-18771" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-3-1024x866.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-3-300x254.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-3-768x650.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Unknown-3.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Time out with friends </figcaption></figure>



<p>Fitness, food, fun and feeling good. I eat really well, build muscle and dance for seven minutes and meditate for 20 minutes every morning. I am truly blessed to have really amazing friends, life requires an open heart and mind and I work on that a lot. Mindset is everything &#8211; growing up all I had were hopes and dreams and they spurred me on. I always say to my children there are two things you need in life to survive &#8211; learn how to bounce (building resilience allows you to  bounce back when things go wrong), and learn how to jump, theoretically. Every day you need to bounce and jump, some days it will be easy and others hard, and that&#8217;s OK. </p>



<p>Every year I also choose a word to live by, for example in 2023 my word was &#8216;betterment&#8217;. That was the year I was diagnosed with cancer of the womb while staying at health retreat Palazzo Fiuggi &#8211; that early diagnosis probably saved my life. I can only do better when I know better, so I make that my mission in life. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-the-best-brands-you-ve-worked-with-and-why">What are the best brands you&#8217;ve worked with and why?</h2>



<p>I&#8217;ve loved every single one of them as they&#8217;ve all been at the sharp end of innovation and vision, great brands with great people. <a href="https://www.aveda.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aveda</a> was a wonderful journey, and redesigning and developing <a href="https://www.marksandspencer.com/c/beauty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marks &amp; Spencer&#8217;s</a> beauty offering was equally as exciting. Becoming CEO of <a href="https://www.aromatherapyassociates.com/collections/bath-oils?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=brand&amp;utm_content=evergreen&amp;gad_source=5&amp;gad_campaignid=20991537256&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMI57zIuLzikgMVS6iDBx0KNiKoEAAYASAAEgKHFfD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Aromatherapy Associates</a> and running <a href="https://www.harrods.com/en-gb/c/services/harrods-hair-and-beauty-salon/services?srsltid=AfmBOorqMP4vhn9d2PULnUr3DUcpoVbaSXMSWxzciFSn8Eb3tE5tuT0H" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Urban Retreat</a> at Harrods both pushed me to explore wellness in more depth. All the brands and people I have worked with have truly enriched my life and I&#8217;ve also had the privilege to work with some amazing charities too, including <a href="https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/about-us/?gclsrc=aw.ds&amp;gad_source=5&amp;gad_campaignid=23522334408&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMIka_93LvikgMVXKiDBx0qyCN0EAAYAiAAEgJ4KPD_BwE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Action for Children</a> and as a mentor for The Prince&#8217;s Trust (now <a href="https://www.kingstrust.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The King&#8217;s Trust</a>).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-changes-would-you-like-to-see-in-the-wellbeing-industry">What changes would you like to see in the wellbeing industry? </h2>



<p>Self-care is healthcare. It doesn&#8217;t need to be complex, you just need to start putting yourself first sometimes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-your-skin-s-amazing-what-s-your-secret-nbsp">Your skin&#8217;s amazing, what&#8217;s your secret?&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="681" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Dr-LEVY-Skin-reset-treatments-5-1024x681.jpg" alt="Dr Levy " class="wp-image-18733" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Dr-LEVY-Skin-reset-treatments-5-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Dr-LEVY-Skin-reset-treatments-5-300x199.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Dr-LEVY-Skin-reset-treatments-5-768x510.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Dr-LEVY-Skin-reset-treatments-5.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Too kind! I&#8217;ve been working with Swiss brand <a href="https://www.drlevy.swiss" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr Levy</a> since the day they launched and I enjoy using the products because I see a significant difference in my skin. It&#8217;s restorative skincare and there really is nothing else like it on the market. I also have regular topical Cryotherapy facials and body treatments, I brush my face and body daily and I only wash and shower in cold water. My skincare regime is all Dr Levy &#8211; the Contour Pro, around my eyes and lips, is unbeatable for reducing fine lines and puffiness. I also have several <a href="https://www.drpawpaw.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopEhPl-zlJOWAdJSt4g3hDfqogVdwi5HqDnFQVUYEckfEIusmpm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dr Paw Paw</a> lip products in every handbag.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-are-there-any-nbsp-london-based-beauty-secrets-you-can-let-us-in-on">Are there any&nbsp;London-based beauty secrets you can let us in on?</h2>



<p>My musts are Ice health Cryotherapy by <a href="https://rejuvice.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RejuvICE</a>, <a href="https://shavata.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOopSyz9sK3Ps-3450c_44ZJ5-XfE9O0vAVRqNngr1rIQ9QWZt6UM" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shavata</a> for brows, hair by <a href="https://www.vanclarke.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorOAebN1YODc7dA6wEZL7oZiv2wlas49F1ZIH3J8FhTJ6jHN8se" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Van Clarke</a> and I love<a href="https://ruuby.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> RUUBY</a>, a beauty concierge service in London. I&#8217;m also a big fan of longevity circuit <a href="https://vidavii.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Vidavii</a>, plus I always use my <a href="https://faceliteglobal.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">facelite</a> at home.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-and-how-do-you-stay-fit-nbsp">And how do you stay fit?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>I train every day, lift weights and I&#8217;m working towards hanging for 90 seconds at the moment. I also walk every day (I live on a hill, so it&#8217;s an easy win for me), and I dance. Movement is motion and it releases emotions. It&#8217;s essential. But so is rest, so I try to do nothing too. I also love to get lost in gardening, which isn&#8217;t so easy in winter!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-anything-else-in-your-wellbeing-took-kit-you-d-like-to-share">Anything else in your wellbeing took kit you&#8217;d like to share?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Palazzo-Fiuggi-Oxygenation-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Palazzo Fiuggi " class="wp-image-18732" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Palazzo-Fiuggi-Oxygenation-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Palazzo-Fiuggi-Oxygenation-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Palazzo-Fiuggi-Oxygenation-1-768x513.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2026/02/Palazzo-Fiuggi-Oxygenation-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Palazzo Fiuggi</figcaption></figure>



<p>Taking ownership starts with understanding what&#8217;s going on in our bodies. We all have a duty of care to ourselves and I find I&#8217;m a better women, mum, friend and lover, with more self respect and self esteem, when I&#8217;m looking after myself. For this reason I go on retreats, my favourite places for this are medical spa <a href="https://www.palazzofiuggi.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Palazzo Fiuggi</a> in Italy, which is my spiritual home, and annual fasting at <a href="https://www.buchinger-wilhelmi.com/en/buchinger-wilhelmi-lake-constance/arrangements-packages/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buchinger Wilhelmi</a> in Germany. I&#8217;ve made so many friends through retreats.</p>



<p>I&#8217;m a shareholder in <a href="https://moodymonth.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Moody Month</a>, a daily health and wellness tracker that provides you with support tailored to your body and mind, which I&#8217;m mad about.  Women&#8217;s hormones fluctuate all the time due to things like menstruation and perimenopause and that can have a huge impact on our mental health. I&#8217;m also a fan of <a href="https://neurovizr.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooQOL8vpIARJrYFIK0CrpUCCg5a5s98ubHQ-Fo6Ce_2ZYN5Qtog" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Neurovizr</a>, which helps clear your mind for better focus.  </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-next-on-the-horizon-nbsp">What&#8217;s next on the horizon?&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Just to get up every day and jump or bounce a little higher. As I&#8217;m in my seventh decade, I&#8217;m reminded every day is another day and to try again, to learn to inspire and to have gratitude for all I have and all I&#8217;ve achieved. As a premature baby born at 26 weeks in 1966, I will always celebrate how far I&#8217;ve come because from day one I&#8217;ve been a survivor.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-advice-would-you-give-to-your-younger-self">What advice would you give to your younger self?</h2>



<p> You&#8217;re gonna be all right!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tracey-s-london-nbsp">TRACEY&#8217;S LONDON&nbsp;</h2>



<p><strong>Favourite restaurant</strong>: <a href="https://www.langansbrasserie.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Langans</a></p>



<p><strong>Favourite bar: </strong><a href="https://www.theparkrestaurant.com/the-bar-at-the-park/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Park</a></p>



<p><strong>Best museum</strong>: <a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-britain" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tate Britain</a></p>



<p><strong>Best gallery</strong>: <a href="https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The National Gallery </a></p>



<p><strong>Best free thing to do</strong>: Walk around (don&#8217;t forget to look up!)</p>



<p><strong>Best place to live</strong>:&nbsp;Dulwich</p>



<p><strong>Favourite hotel</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.blakeshotels.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Blakes</a></p>



<p><strong>Favourite cafe</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/theteapotforesthill/?hl=en-gb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tea pot</a> in Forest Hill</p>



<p><strong>Favourite shop</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.libertylondon.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Liberty London </a></p>



<p><strong>Best spa: </strong>My bathroom!</p>



<p><strong>Best place for beauty treatments</strong>:&nbsp;<a href="https://ruuby.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">RUUBY</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://london.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/michelin-stars-2025-revealed-discover-londons-winners/">Michelin stars 2026 revealed&nbsp;</a></li>



<li><a href="https://london.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/art-culture/fashion-exhibitions/">Unmissable fashion exhibitions in 2026</a></li>



<li><a href="https://london.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/art-culture/a-listers-on-stage-top-must-see-london-theatre-this-autumn/">Stars on stage: Celeb theatre to book now</a></li>
</ul>


Muddy meets: Wellbeing entrepreneur Tracey Woodward

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