Date Posted: Monday 19th June 2017
DIARY directory recently caught up with fitness and wellness blogger Zanna van Dijk. Personal trainer Zanna co-founded the #girlgains movement, has designed a range of activewear for Sports Philosophy and tank tops in collaboration with Active in Style, published her first book Strong in December 2016. She has also been on magazine covers including the The Sunday Times Style magazine, Womens Fitness and Healthy magazine and headlined Balance Festival, as well as working with brands including Tommy Hilfiger, Nissan and Fitness First.
UK Fitness Blogger
adidas brand ambassador
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard."
| Date of birth: | 31/8/1992 - age 24 |
| County & country of residence: | London, United Kingdom |
| Biggest Readership Locations (list top 3): | UK, US, Australia |
| 3 main areas of focus: | Fitness, Food, Travel |
| 5 specific areas of interest: | Lifting weights, self-love, balance, brunch, active travel |
| Skin type: | Combination |
| Hair colour: | Blonde |
| Hair type: | Fine |
Listed in DIARY directory in the digital influencers subsection, along with 1500+ categorised influencers for PRs to work with, Zanna discusses how she earns her income as a blogger, dream collaborations and her advice for budding bloggers.
How did you get into the fitness industry?
I studied speech and language therapy at the University of Sheffield for four years. During this time, I started a fitness Instagram account to try and keep myself motivated to stay healthy. This soon turned into a passion and eventually by the time I finished uni, a career! I then studied to be a personal trainer, moved to London, and the rest is history I guess!
Who are your core readers/followers?
My average age of my reader is 26-28 across the majority of my platforms. My audience is 85% female and mostly based in the UK!
How do you balance your time?
I try and allocate 1-2 days a week to purely content creation, a day or two to meetings, a day or two for projects/shoots, a day of teaching at the gym and then one day off! I spend time every single day handling social media and emails though :)
How do you earn your income now you’re an established influencer?
A mix of different ways, brand affiliates, sponsored content, hosting events, writing articles, etc. Then, of course, my own products like my book, my activewear, my jumpers, etc!
You have a love for beauty & skincare particularly, what are your favourite products to use at the moment?
I certainly do! I am currently loving. Neal's Yard Rose Cleanser, Caudalie Vinosource Serum and La Roche Posay Sun Care.
What would be a dream collaboration that hasn’t yet presented itself?
My dream collaboration was adidas, so I feel extremely blessed to be a global ambassador for them! However, I would also love to work with another brand which I use on a daily basis such as NutriBullet. I use mine every day! I also own an account called @londonbrunchguide so I dream designing a brunch menu for a hotel or restaurant and I am obsessed with nut butter so would love to create my own one day!
What has been a career highlight?
Definitely releasing my book, as it is my pride and joy! The feedback I have received has been overwhelming. It makes all the hard work totally worth it!
"Make sure that you have a message you're passionate about sharing,
because people will feed off that passion."
… and biggest struggle so far?
I have failed so many times. So so many times. Ideas have fallen through, plans have gone to pieces, products that have never been released. I think its the nature of the industry though, you work as hard as you can but not everything can go swimmingly.
What are your top social media tips for growing a following?
Make sure that you have a message you're passionate about sharing, because people will feed off that passion.
What is one piece of advice you would give to budding influencers?
Do it for the right reasons. Not for the freebies. Because you care about your audience and the topic you talk about.
I stay motivated by…
Thinking about why I am doing this, for my health! Nothing motivates me more than looking after my body.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard. I don't think I am necessarily the most intelligent or entrepreneurial woman out there, but I sure as hell work hard. It's done alright for me so far!
What’s one thing people may not know about you?
I have 3 tattoos and 9 piercings! I never really show them or talk about them.
My guilty pleasure is…
Peanut butter out the jar... although i don't feel guilty about it at all!
What’s coming up next for you & Is there something else you’d like to branch into?
I am currently expanding my own clothing range. I started with the sell-out burpees and brunch jumpers but so much more is to come! I also have some huge exciting plans with adidas (keep your eyes peeled!).
What other bloggers/influencers do you follow and why?
I follow so many! Here are my three favourites right now: @emmagannon - a girl boss. @thestrengthtemple - a proliferator of good vibes. @wheresmollie - my favourite travel inspiration.