From villa icon to full-throttle fitness entrepreneur, Gabby Allen has never been one to stand still. First capturing the nation’s attention on Love Island, and later returning to claim victory on Love Island: All Stars, she’s steadily carved out a career that goes far beyond reality TV.
Today, Gabby is a certified personal trainer, the founder of the Shape Up fitness app, and a fierce advocate for strength – both physical and mental.
Her resilience was pushed to its limits on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, where she proved she’s as tough as she is disciplined, winning the shows eight series alongside fellow warrior Queens Dani Dyer, and 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 taken from life in the spotlight…
Gabby, your app Shape Up is all about female empowerment, which I LOVE! Can you tell me a little bit about what inspired you to create it?
Okay, so I’ve always been really active and into doing regular exercise. I was a professional dancer before getting into the fitness industry, so looking after my body and staying in good shape was just something I had to do. Luckily for me, working out was never something I dreaded – it was actually something I enjoyed, and it never it never felt like a chore… which I know isn’t the case for everyone! After completing my musical theatre degree and graduating from college, I did a personal training course and then started teaching dance fitness which I LOVED! During my classes I was able to see first hand what training methods people liked and didn’t, and because of that I was able to 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 the Shape Up & Reset six-week challenge to help people start 2026 feeling “strong, energised and accountable” – how’s it been going so far?
It’s been really good thanks! I always like to give people the first week of January off, so that they can have a rest and find their feet after all of the madness that goes on over Christmas and New Year’s. Having that little bit of a break makes such a difference to people’s mental health, and I actually think that’s part of the reason why my January challenges always do so well, because when you’ve have had a minute to reset and refocus, you feel fully charged up and raring to go again! We offer intimate and advanced programmes, so anyone can take part regardless of their ability or levels of fitness, and we’re there every step of the way to make sure everyone reaches their goals and targets.
You more than anyone will know, social media is a minefield to manage, but I would imagine getting direct feedback from followers and seeing them engage with what you’re doing must be a real buzz?
Oh it’s the best! The community element of Shape Up is literally the driving force behind everything I do! I get so inspired by seeing how dedicated, and focused people are… especially all of the Mums! Honestly, when I see that a busy, hard-working Mum has managed to find the time to get their workout in, on top of everything else they have to do… I just think, if they can do it, I’ve got no excuse (laughs).
You’ve been so open and honest when discussing the relationship you have with your own body, and 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 of one single person on this planet who hasn’t at one time or another struggled looking at their own reflection in the mirror. It’s hard sometimes to adopt a positive mindset about your body and appearance, but, and I hate to say this, that’s normal… it feels rubbish, but it is normal, I promise you! Personally, I think it’s really important that I let people know that even though I train regularly, and try my best to eat healthily, there are still days when I feel like shit and don’t like how 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 within ourselves. 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 supposed flaws.
What would you like to achieve this year with the Shape Up app?
I’m all about building momentum and spreading the word right now – I want our community to get bigger and bigger! There’s 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’re all able to get together, so I’m working on organising more fitness retreats and live workouts – they’re always fun too!
Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins 2026 | Official Trailer
You’ve recently wowed viewers as a contestant on the latest series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. What made you say yes to doing 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 in it was an instant yes! What did I hope to prove to myself? Maybe just the fact that I could actually go there and do it! Like a lot of people, I’ve sat at home, watching previous seasons from the comfort of my sofa and thought: “I could do that!” And it’s easy to make those statements as a viewer, but when you’re there, actually doing it, it’s a totally different thing… trust me! Taking myself out of the equation, there was also something in me that wanted to prove to other women that they don’t need to limit themselves or think they can’t do certain things simply because they’re female. Us girls on the show were doing exactly the same as all the men – the challenges weren’t modified in any way, we just had to do as we were told, and find the strength within to make it to the finish line as best we could.
You’ve already touched on the fact that watching a TV show is one thing, but actually being part of it is a whole different experience. Was there anything about the SAS process that surprised you, or that you maybe underestimated before going in?
I think I pretty much underestimated every single part of this process to be honest with you (laughs). Obviously, Celebrity SAS a TV show, so you know, I thought in-between all of the tasks, or whilst we were climbing up a mountain or abseiling down god knows what, we’d have little breaks where we’d get given a cup of tea, or a nice bit of chocolate… but no, it was not like that AT ALL! From the moment the cameras started rolling on the first day of filming, it became like this immersive experience that took over your mind, body and soul. It was so intense, and I definitely underestimated how challenging it was going to be. Even at night, when you’re trying to go to sleep, the anxiety and tension doesn’t stop, it’s brutal! Some days were 18 hours long, and they felt like they were never going to 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, it’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 because of that I have the upmost respect for them now, and always.
Did your dance and fitness background help you at all whilst competing on the show?
Definitely! Dance teaches you such discipline. I always say if I had children I would 100% put them into dance classes, because it’s a great way to build resilience in a young person. From the age of three, I was dancing, four sometimes fives 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’ve really done that! Have you found strength in being so vulnerable?
I really have! This is the first time I’ve spoken publicly about some of the things that have happened to me in my life, and it’s been tough but also liberating. I have such respect for people who continually 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 that way until now. Why? I’m not sure. Fear of judgement maybe? Not feeling ready to accept certain things that have happened? I don’t know why, but I do know that now feels like the right time to open up, and I’m glad I have, because doing so has really helped me to understand who I am, and why I do some of the things I do.
The interrogation room scene was a particularly hard 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. That was hard, but again, totally worth it. I’m interested to see what people think of that part…
You lived the Celeb SAS experience first hand – what’s it been like watching it back?
Do you know what? When you’re in there, you really don’t have the mental capacity to take in, or think about, anything 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’ve been 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’s 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 stepping back into a familiar environment with so much more life experience behind you?
Do you know what, that’s a very, very good way of describing my whole All Stars experience! And you’re right, it’s not often that you’re able to go back and relieve an experience like that. So when they offered it to me, I said yes pretty much right 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 daunting. I’d never done anything like it before, I’d never been on TV so it was a major thing for me to be a part of. Afterwards you’re thrust into the public eye, and there are a lot of adjustments you need to make to deal with that – you can’t go back to the life you lived before because it simply doesn’t exist. The second time around I was a lot more grounded… and I should hope so as I was nearly 10 years older (laughs). But I still grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
What do you think Gabby from Love Island Series 3 would make of where you’re at in your life today?
Oh she’d be so happy! Love Island has given me the life I have now, and it’s enabled me to do what I love on a level I never thought possible. It’s the best feeling in the world working with all of these incredible women, and seeing them grow into a more confident, evolved version of themselves. I know most people will know me from the TV, and from various brand work I’ve done, but whenever anyone ask me what I do for a living I say I’m a personal trainer. That’s my purpose in life, and it’s what I see myself doing for many, many years to come.
Follow Gabby at @gabbydawnallen on Instagram here
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