‘Lockdown forced me to focus on my relationship’
Louise Thompson opens up about her passion for fitness and why it’s a case of opposites attract with her fiancé Ryan Libbey
From reality TV star to fitness guru, Louise Thompson’s career is going from strength to strength. The 30-year-old, who enjoyed an eight-year run on Made In Chelsea, launched her exercise empire Live Like Louise with her personal trainer fiancé Ryan Libbey in 2018, and when we chat to the former party girl, she tells us she’s happy that work is now the focal point of her life.
“Lots of things make me happy, but I have to say I love my work so much. Being able to share my love of fitness with others and having the same dedication to it as Ryan is great,” says the star, who lives in London with Ryan, 30, and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Koji.
Here, Louise opens up about her public and private life, her relationship with social media and her love of home-cooking…
Louise, you’re constantly on the go and still manage to look amazing. How do you do it?
I’m always on the go and never seem to stop working, talking or moving. All my family are known for chatting a lot, so I’m probably glowing from just being so busy. I think having permanent distractions has actually helped me cope with lockdown as it’s meant there has been little time to dwell on what is going on in the world.
As someone used to being in numerous different places, have you got fed up with spending so much time at home?
No, not at all! Even before lockdown, I’d moved my office back to the house and the best thing is, being indoors has forced me to slow down. I’m always so manic and being at home has meant I have my work but I can also indulge in other things, like cooking. I’ve been trying out all sorts of recipes and Ryan and my neighbours love me even more as they get to eat well!
Does Ryan cook as well?
Whatever Ryan does, all he needs is a little encouragement. So I tell him he’s a good cook and he puts his hands to it and between us we can stir up a great meal. Lockdown forced me to focus on my relationship with Ryan. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions these past few months, but there’s no drama. We’re happy and positive together.
Most couples don’t live and work together, so how do you guys make it happen?
It sounds silly but honestly, we see each other less now than we did before lockdown, even though we’re living under the same roof. Ryan is so involved in his fitness programme, he has around 30 women he coaches, and I love that about him. He is just so generous with his time. So when both of us finish work we’re aware not to put any drama on the table and just try to be really happy. Of course we have our ups and downs in the relationship like everyone else, but we’re fine. I can have a bad week where I feel disconnected from him and then it’s all good again.
How important has it been to communicate with each other during lockdown?
I’m a very happygo-lucky person and am just so grateful for everything in my life and like to talk about the good and the bad. I think it also helps that we’re quite opposite in the fact I’m a very sociable girl and Ryan is quite private, so we complement each other in that way. In fact, I have a life coach now who I talk to once a week and she has helped me in many ways when it comes to opening up.
What made you decide to see a life coach?
I think when I left Made In Chelsea it had been such a crazy journey for me and everything that went with it, like being in the public eye, meant I needed to stop and ask for help. I talk so much and think it was time someone was actually there in a professional manner to guide me and help me find direction. The life coach has helped me hugely. Taking an hour every week just to focus on talking through everything going on in my mind has been vital for me. Being in the moment has really helped calm me down.
With an army of more than 1 million followers on Instagram, do you ever feel pressured to act a certain way?
I’ve grown up so much over the years. Social media used to be a place where I’d post pictures just for the likes, but now I honestly don’t care about that. My relationship with it was so unhealthy and now I use it to focus on my work, but also to post nice photos of landscapes, my dog walks or food. Pictures to uplift me and my followers. I don’t even have the time or need to look through other people’s stories. In fact, a break from social media does wonders for my mental health. That’s why I absolutely love to take a shower. No gadgets allowed so absolutely nothing to distract me from living in the moment, which I’m learning to do more.
Louise is working with Promise Gluten Free
We’re going away for a few days soon as I’m shooting a fashion range. It’ll be so exciting to be abroad and somewhere hot. A nice change of scenery will be good.