Wilmslow’s Sophie Hughes is becoming the go-to person to help women feel comfortable in their own skin. The model talks about launching a podcast, courses and welcoming a cat into her home
When Absolutely Cheshire launched back in October 2023, we were honoured to have Sophie Hughes as our first lead profile. Her story is an inspiring one, to us and to the nigh on 90k followers she has on Instagram (up from 50k the first time we met her), and back in that first issue she talked about being at ease modelling in underwear and proudly showing off her belly scar, the result of an operation to help out her nephew, Oscar, who needed a new liver.
In late 2023, she had only been back in the UK – in Cheshire, of course – for just over a year after almost a decade of living in Australia and she looked ready to take on the world. And, a new podcast and the launch of body confidence courses later, that prediction is proving to be spot on. It was time, then, for Absolutely to head back to Wilmslow and catch up with Sophie to find out exactly what has been happening.
Sophie Hughes on Body Confidence, Podcasting and Life in Cheshire
It’s 15 months since we last interviewed you for the launch issue of Absolutely Cheshire. How has life been since then?
Life has been an absolute whirlwind. There has been so much happening, I’ve been travelling all over the world working on really exciting projects. My speaking career has gone from strength to strength and I’ve been able to reach thousands of women and support them with self acceptance. I launched an online body confidence course, which has had the most incredible response and I’m fully settled back into Cheshire life. I’m still modelling for lots of incredible clients and working with beautiful brands across socials too. I am so grateful for all the abundance right now.
Where are you living at the moment?
I am still in my cosy house in Wilmslow, I’ve added a kitten into the mix and I’m absolutely loving it. Gail’s in Wilmslow is my new favourite hang out and I spend so much time in Carrs Park enjoying the beautiful walks and all that Cheshire has to offer. I’ve also discovered The Bull’s Head Mottram for a roast dinner and absolutely have not looked back.
Launching the Curveball Podcast
Looking at what’s new with you, what inspired you and Kayleigh to launch the Curveball podcast?
Kayleigh approached me with the idea for a real, raw, authentic podcast. Two northern women in our 30s chatting about life and all the lessons we’ve learnt along the way. It felt like the perfect fit and the perfect complement to everything I was already doing. It’s been a really lovely way to show my audience a more stripped back version of me and really let them in.
Why do you think you two work well together?
Believe it or not we’d never actually met when we started the podcast – we are in lots of the same circles, but the first time we met our energy was absolutely magnetic. It felt like we’d been friends for years, we have so many shared experiences and we balance each other really well. We’re also both really hard working and I admire that so much. Our audience seems to absolutely love the energy between us as well so I’m so glad that is translating.
What have been the highlights for you during the first season?
We’ve learnt so many lessons and it’s been a lot of hard work. We’ve self produced the pod and so getting to grips with the tech, the edits, the creative has been a really positive challenge. Filming the first season has honestly felt like therapy. Sitting down with Kayleigh, who has fast become one of my best friends, having a cup of tea and chatting in a raw vulnerable way has been so healing. My number one highlight honestly has to be the response, it has been so overwhelming how much women are resonating with it.
You mention the response, what has it been like?
It’s been incredible! Women all over the world laughing with us, crying with us, cheering us on as we grow this new business. The overwhelming feedback has been how relatable it is. When we launched our goal was that the podcast would feel like a big hug, a safe space and I really think we’ve achieved that.
Do you have certain ambitions for where the podcast can go?
We have huge goals for the podcast. We’re both really busy in our careers, so as fun as it’s been, it was never just a passion project it was always a business. We know we can connect with incredible brands for sponsorship deals and we would love to do a tour and bring the pod to stages all over the world. The sky feels like our absolute limit and we’re both incredibly driven and determined to make it happen.
Helping Women Embrace Their Bodies Through Online Courses
When did you launch your Body Confidence courses and, again, what inspired you to go down that path?
The course launched in January 2024 and it came from a place of massive demand. I was getting multiple messages a day from women who loved my content, but needed more hands on support. I don’t have the capacity for one to one coaching, but with my degree in psychology I knew I could build a course that really digs deep on helping women rewire their thinking and see their bodies in a more positive light. I’m also launching a mini summer course aimed at helping women feel confident in their bikini in 2025, which is really exciting.
What kind of things do you cover with the courses?
It’s a very hands on approach to self acceptance, I find lots of the advice online is quite fluffy. So the course uses positive psychology hacks. You’ll learn how to accept compliments with grace, speak more positively about your body, dress for confidence, heal your relationship with exercise, stop crash dieting, feel more confident in all areas of your life and so much more.
Have you had all manner of people sign up, and what has given you the most pleasure with how the courses have gone?
Absolutely, women from all walks of life, all over the world from ages 13-75. It’s beautiful to see so many women commit to healing their relationship with themselves and knowing it is never too late. My favourite message to receive is women telling me they are on holiday wearing a bikini for the first time in 10 years thanks to my course and feeling fab. It makes me burst every single time, I’ll never get tired of that feeling.
Do you feel a certain degree of responsibility when people look to you when they are struggling mentally with how they look?
Absolutely. I think because I care so deeply I do feel a sense of pressure. I understand how good it feels to learn to accept yourself and I truly want that for all women. My mindset is that if I can just help one person every day feel a little better about themselves, then I’ve added value to the world that day.
Modelling, Mindset, and What’s Next for Sophie
How is your fashion career going?
It’s truly going from strength to strength. Having been back in the UK (after living in Australia for nine years) for almost three years now I’ve networked really well and built up my client base. I quite often model five days a week now, so it’s busy, busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I am really blessed to be regularly working with clients from Simply Be, In the Style, Knickerbox and so many more
Podcast-aside, what else do you have lined up in 2025?
I will be travelling almost every month in 2025 for pleasure and for business! Podcast, modelling, lots of public speaking and continuing to build my presence on social media. It’s going to be absolutely non stop and full of abundance. My word of the year for 2025 is elevate, and I’m off to a positive start.
See more of Sophie @sophwithlove, as well as more details of her Body Confidence Courses @bodyconfidencecourse and her podcast @curveballthepodcast
