From villa icon to full-throttle fitness entrepreneur, Gabby Allen has never been one to stand still. First grab the nation’s attention Love Islandand later returns to claim victory on Love Island: All Starsshe has steadily carved out a career that goes far beyond reality television.
Today, Gabby is a certified personal trainer, the founder of Shape up fitness app and a fierce advocate of strength – both physical and mental.
Her resilience was pushed to its limits Celebrity SAS: Who dares winswhere she proved she is as tough as she is disciplined, winning the eight series alongside fellow warrior Queens Dani Dyerand Emily Seebohm.
In our exclusive interview, Gabby opens up about redefining success after fame, building a wellness brand with purpose and the lessons she’s learned from life in the spotlight…
Gabby, your app Shape up is about female empowerment, which I LOVE! Can you tell us a little bit about what inspired you to create it?
Okay, so I’ve always been really active and engaged in regular exercise. I was a professional dancer before I got into the fitness business, so taking care of my body and staying in good shape was just something I had to do. Luckily for me, exercise was never something I dreaded – it was actually something I enjoyed, and it never felt like a chore… which I know isn’t the case for everyone! After completing my musical theater degree and graduating from college, I took a personal training class and then began teaching dance fitness which I LOVED! During my classes, I could see what exercise methods people liked and didn’t like, and because of that I could tailor my sessions to suit them and their needs. So the Shape Up app is almost a continuation of that – it’s a platform that helps women transform their bodies through tailored and encouraging workouts.
You recently launched Shape up and restore six week challenge to help people start feeling 2026 “strong, energetic and responsible” – how has it gone so far?
It’s been really good thanks! I always like to give people the first week of January off, so they can rest and find their feet after all the craziness that goes on over Christmas and New Years. Having that little break makes such a difference to people’s mental health, and I actually think it’s part of the reason my January challenges always go so well, because once you’ve had a minute to reset and refocus, you feel recharged and raring to go! We offer intimate and advanced programs, so everyone can participate regardless of ability or fitness level, and we’re there every step of the way to make sure everyone reaches their goals and objectives.
You more than anyone will know, social media is a minefield to deal with, but I’d imagine getting direct feedback from followers and seeing them engage with what you do must be a real buzz?
Oh that’s the best! The community element of Shape Up is literally the driving force behind everything I do! I get so inspired to see how dedicated and focused people are… especially all the moms! Honestly, when I see that a busy, hard-working mom has managed to find time to exercise, on top of everything else they have to do… I just think if they can do it, I have no excuse (laughs).
You have been so open and honest when discussing the relationship you have with your own bodyand like all of us, you admit, you have your off days. What advice would you give to someone who doesn’t always love what they see in the mirror?
I don’t think I know a single person on this planet who hasn’t at one point or another struggled with looking at their own reflection in the mirror. It’s sometimes hard to adopt a positive mindset about your body and your appearance, but, and I hate to say this, it’s normal… it feels rubbish, but it’s normal, I promise you! I think it’s really important to let people know that even though I exercise regularly and try to eat healthy, there are days when I feel like crap and I don’t like the way I look. The ethos I like to live by, and what I tell my girls, is that happiness isn’t about how we look aesthetically – it’s about how we feel inside. And I know that sounds really cliche, but it’s honestly the truth. Our long-term goal should always be to become comfortable in our own skin, regardless of our perceived shortcomings.
What would you like to achieve this year with Shape up app?
I want to build momentum and spread the word right now – I want our community to grow bigger and bigger! There is strength in numbers, and we can all learn so much from each other. Some of the women we work with have been with us for years – they love what we do, and we love them! I love it when we can all get together so I’m working on putting together some more fitness retreats and live workouts – they’re always fun!
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins 2026 | Official trailer
You recently wowed viewers as a contestant on the latest series of Celebrity SAS: Who dares wins. What made you agree to do the show, and what were you hoping to prove to yourself?
It’s a show I’ve always wanted to do, so when the offer came it was an immediate yes! What was I hoping to prove to myself? Maybe just the fact that I could actually go there and do it! Like many others, I’ve sat at home watching past seasons from the comfort of my couch and thought, “I can do that!” And it’s easy to make these statements as a viewer, but when you’re there and actually doing it, it’s a whole other thing… believe me! When I took myself out of the equation, there was something in me that wanted to prove to other women that they don’t have to limit themselves or think they can’t do certain things just because they are women. We girls on the show did exactly the same thing as all the men – the challenges didn’t change in any way, we just had to do as we were told and find the strength within to finish as best we could.
You’ve already touched on the fact that watching a TV show is one thing, but actually being a part of it is a completely different experience. Was there anything about the SAS process that surprised you, or that you perhaps underestimated before entering?
I think I pretty much underestimated every single part of this process to be honest with you (laughs). Obviously Celebrity SAS is a TV show, so you know, I thought in between all the tasks, or when we were climbing a mountain or celebrating god knows what, we have little breaks where we would have a cup of tea or a nice piece of chocolate… but no, it wasn’t like that AT ALL! From the moment the cameras started rolling on the first day, it was like this immersive experience that took over your mind, body and soul. It was so intense, and I definitely underestimated how challenging it would be. Even at night, when you try to sleep, the anxiety and tension does not stop, it is brutal! Some days were 18 hours long and felt like they would never end. The show was filmed over the course of 8 days, which in a lifetime isn’t a long time, but when you’re in the thick of it… wow, that’s a lot! But I honestly wouldn’t have had it any other way – it was an incredible experience. It gives you a true insight into what the Special Forces go through, and for that I have the utmost respect for them now and always.
Did your dance and fitness background help you at all while competing on the show?
Definitely! Dance teaches you such discipline. I always say that if I had kids I would 100% put them in dance classes because it’s a great way to build resilience in a young person. From the age of three I danced, four sometimes five times a week, it gave me drive, focus and a fantastic work ethic.
It’s often said that the mark of a well-rounded person is being able to show all sides of themselves – and wow, you really have! Have you found strength in being so vulnerable?
I really have! This is the first time I have spoken publicly about much of what has happened in my life, and it has been tough but also liberating. I have such respect for people who constantly use their platform to share some of the struggles they’ve faced – I’ve always wanted to be like that but never felt confident enough to be like that until now. Why? I’m not sure. Fear of judgment perhaps? Don’t you feel ready to accept some things that have happened? I don’t know why, but I know it feels like the right time to open up now, and I’m glad I did, because doing so has really helped me understand who I am and why I do some of the things I do.
The scene in the interrogation room was a particularly tough watch…
Oh, that was crazy! As soon as you walk in there, it’s like something takes over your whole body and you fall to pieces. It was hard, but again, totally worth it. I’m interested to see what people think about that part…
You experienced the Celeb SAS experience first hand – what was it like to see it back?
You know what? When you’re in there, you really don’t have the mental capacity to take in, or think about, everything that’s going on around you. You’re just in survival mode, trying to get through each day as best you can. So watching it back, I’m blown away by the production element of the show! It’s crazy to see the scenery, the mountains we climbed, how high up in the air we were during certain challenges… I can’t believe any of it is me (laughs). We did some crazy, amazing things!
Can you believe it’s been 12 months since you won Love Island: All Stars?
I actually can’t! Isn’t it crazy to think it’s been a year?!
We don’t often get the chance to revisit past experiences. How did it feel to step back into a familiar environment with so much more life experience behind you?
You know what, that’s a very, very good way to describe my entire All Stars experience! And you’re right, it’s not often you can go back and alleviate an experience like that. So when they offered it to me, I said yes pretty much straight away. I felt so lucky to be asked to go back. Love Island changed my life all those years ago. It was a very positive experience, but it was also very scary. I had never done anything like this before, I had never been on television so it was a big thing for me to be a part of. Afterwards, you’re in the public eye, and there’s a lot of adjustment you have to make to deal with it – you can’t go back to the life you lived before because it just doesn’t exist. The second time I was much more grounded… and I should hope so because I was almost 10 years older (laughs). But I still grabbed the chance with both hands.
What do you think Gabby from Love Island Series 3 would show where you are in your life today?
Oh, she would be so happy!Love Island gave me the life I have now, and it has allowed me to do what I love on a level I never thought possible. It is the best feeling in the world to work with women and to see them develop into a more confident, evolved version of themselves. I know most people know me from TV and from various branding work I’ve done, but when someone asks me what I do for a living, I say I’m a personal trainer. It’s my purpose in life, and it’s what I see myself doing for many, many years to come.
Follow Gabby at @gabbydawnallen on here
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