Dragons' Den star Sara Davies shares two simple changes behind dramatic weight loss amid health shock
As a Dragon on Dragons’ Den, the founder of Crafter’s Companion and a mum-of-two, it goes without saying that Sara Davies certainly has her hands full - but at 40 years old she has more energy for life than ever before. “It’s been a big year for me - turning 40 was a huge health driver more than anything else. I set myself a big goal, which was doing the Great North Run, and I trained so hard and really pushed myself. I’m doing things that I never thought I’d be able to do and in a few weeks’ time I’m going to be trekking in the Himalayas. Hitting that milestone gave the impetus to change my life and now I’m reaping the rewards,” Sara smiles when we catch-up.
It’s no secret that the entrepreneur is looking - and most importantly, feeling - better than ever as she’s been wowing fans with her incredible fitness journey that has helped to completely transform her figure. “I hate the gym,” the former Strictly Come Dancing star laughs when we ask if she’s a ‘gym buff’ now. “I love running though. What’s interesting is people keep saying, ‘Oh my God, you’ve lost so much weight’ but I actually weigh exactly the same. In fact, when I got on the scales a couple of days ago, I was two pounds heavier than I was in January. I’ve toned up, I’ve lost inches and I’ve gone down a few dress sizes.”
But it’s not just changes to fitness that have helped the dynamic business woman transform her lifestyle, it’s also been a shift in mindset too.
READ MORE: Strictly's Claudia Winkleman shares rare look inside stunning family home
“So many people put pressure on themselves about what the number on the scale is. I’ve been guilty of that in the past too, but I’m trying to focus on feeling great and being healthy,” Sara says as she opens up about receiving the news that her glucose levels were high, prompting her to cut out sugar.
“I was at high risk of developing type two diabetes and I thought to myself ‘I really need to get a handle on things’. I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant and they say within 10 years you’re then likely to develop type two. My eldest son is now 10 so I knew this was the year that I could be borderline. It was a real kick up the bum to do something about it.”
Despite long days filming in the studio for Dragon’s Den - a show Sara has been at a part of for over five years, when she became the youngest Dragon ever at the age of 35, she’s never tempted to fall off the wagon. In fact, her love for exercise and cutting out booze has even brought her and co-star Deborah Meaden closer together.
“We go into the studio at 7am and probably don’t see daylight again until 8pm, and quite often we’ll go straight for dinner. I used to have a big heavy meal but I realised how tired it was making me, and I’ve also cut out drinking after filming.
“Deborah loves exercise too so instead of getting a car back to the hotel, we’re walking back now. We film in Manchester and I think Deborah and I have walked up and down every canal now [laughs]. It’s been lovely [spending time together]. I’ve always been close with Deb, but it’s been really lovely.”
The world of business is undoubtedly a tough one and, Sara agrees, can typically be a male-dominated one, which is why it’s so important to have a ‘cheerleader’ by her side.
“Deborah has got more experience than me and what’s been brilliant is that she is a woman who loves to support other women. I’ve been able to talk to her about my various businesses and she’s able to draw on her experiences and share them with me. She wants me to learn from her, and that’s just been absolutely wonderful.”
With the crafting queen’s career going from strength to strength, Sara explains that she has always been taught that there’s endless possibilities to what she can achieve. After founding Crafter’s Companion in 2005, while she was still a student at the University of York, the entrepreneur extraordinaire really is an example of turning passion into work.
But one thing Sara does credit is her loved ones for allowing her to navigate both being a parent and her career. With her sons - Charlie, eight, and 10 year old Oliver - who she shares with husband of 17 years, Simon - on half term from school when we catch up, Sara reveals how she’s managed to navigate motherhood with none of the ‘guilt’.
“My big thing is, and I always preach about it, is being present. Today, for example, I know what I’m doing and that’s focusing on work, so I’m not worried about the kids. They’re actually at my mum’s house today, and she’ll send me pictures or I’ll call them to keep in touch.
“Then for Charlie’s birthday, he wanted to go to Flamingo Land with his friends, so that’s what I did. I bundled eight kids into the car and we had an amazing time. I don’t ever let ‘mum guilt’ creep in or feel guilty for working and I’m the biggest advocate of that.”
While work is never far off her mind, down-time is just as important for the powerhouse business leader, who is ‘obsessed’ with this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
“Every week I’m living vicariously through them,” Sara, who appeared on series 19 of the show and partnered with Aljaž Škorjanec before finishing in 8th place, says.
“A few weeks ago, I was in the audience with Helen Skelton [who competed in 2022]. She rang me to say she’d got two tickets and asked if I wanted to go. We had an absolute whale of a time. Then the following Saturday, Janette [Manrara, Aljaž’s wife] came to mine for the night and brought little Lyra [their daughter]. Aljaž and I became really good friends when I was on the show and now that Janette’s on her own on a Saturday night with him performing, we had a little Strictly party.”
In her newest role - one to add to her ever-expanding resume - Sara is championing T-levels as a game-changing qualification. Helping to enable under 18s across England with real industry experience and build a network of contacts, the TV star, who tells us “Crafting is my world” is raising awareness of the Craft and Design qualification.
“It’s been such a privilege to be involved. It’s something I feel really passionate about and the craft and design qualification obviously spoke to my heart. For every person that’s studying a T-level, we’re supporting them by offering a 45-day work placement. It acts sort of as a stepping stone - I think it’s really important we help equip young adults for the workforce.
“I’m looking at it from the experience of someone who’s been a student and done a work placement, also from a business and employer’s point of view, and also a parent. I’ve got to think about the employability of my kids one day too.”
For more information and free resources, visit the T-level info website at: https://tlevelinfo.org.uk
