Scott Thomas and Eden Thomas didn’t seem like the obvious choices to head up a health brand. Especially in the middle of a pandemic.
Scott was putting on parties for a living and running a PR agency – becoming a TV star in his own right via Love Island and Mancs in Mumbai – whilst Eden was jet-setting across the world in the cockpit of an airplane.
But after the world went into lockdown, the pair became the faces of fitness in Manchester.
In August 2020, Scott and Eden launched a movement called ‘Food4Thoughts’ – building a membership community that’s now 600-strong.
In the space of eight months, the company has hired 15 full-time members of staff, taken over a tannery in Stockport as an office space, and transformed the physical and mental wellbeing of hundreds of local people beyond recognition.
ADVERTISEMENT
Food4Thoughts results
The rapid progress has come as a surprise – even to the owners. But with a bespoke diet plan allowing members to enjoy their favourite guilt foods in moderation – it’s easy to understand how Food4Thoughts achieved instant popularity.
Not only do members get their own mentor, nutritionist and fitness guru supporting them every step of the way – they also enjoy access to their own bespoke plan, which flexibly fits around whatever they want to eat.
ADVERTISEMENT
“If you want a glass of wine every night – we’ll make it work,” Scott explains.
“Want a Maccies on the weekend? We’ll make it work.
“It’s all about finding the balance and the best plan for you.”
ADVERTISEMENT
After acquiring a reputation as something of a party boy in his younger days, Scott decided to go teetotal – committing himself to eating better and finding other enjoyments outside of tearing it up on the weekends.
He began streaming his fitness journey online, but was stopped in his tracks when his lifelong friend Eden spotted him tucking into ‘rabbit food’ day after day.
Eden carefully explained to Scott that a boring diet wasn’t necessarily the best way to get fitter – and the duo began working closely together on a tailored plan.
The results surpassed Scott’s expectations, and he realised they could turn it into a brand – a support service giving people a means to count calories, make smarter choices and see better results in a shorter space of time.
An idea that began in Scott’s kitchen in summer 2020 has now blossomed into a community of likeminded people who want to get themselves fitter, faster – whilst making fewer diet sacrifices.
ADVERTISEMENT
“With Food4Thoughts you can achieve your goals by having the foods you love,” Scott explains.
“The fad diets – keto, whatever it is – all basically bundle up same thing in a different way: Calorie deficit.
“What we do is give people the tools they need. It’s about breaking down myths and preconceptions in the diet world.
“Some of the transformations we’ve seen have been remarkable – both physically and mentally.”
With more firepower behind the brand, fresh focus will be placed on marketing planning and software in the months ahead, with Food4Thoughts preparing to move away from pure Zoom calls and set up outdoor sessions for members such as bootcamp and retreats.
ADVERTISEMENT
The company is also looking at building a coaching academy and getting nutritionists on board in the future.
“We’ve already a got a strong team of powerful, knowledgeable and supportive people,” Scott explains.
Watch co-founder Scott Thomas talk about Food4Thoughts on The Manc Podcast.
Style
Best dressed at Parklife 2024 as heavens open for day two
Daisy Jackson
The weather has well and truly turned on Parklife, but that’s not stopped the best-dressed in the city pulling out all the stops.
As the festival enters its second day and the sunshine is replaced by classic Mancunian drizzle, the most common accessory is the classic plastic poncho.
But beneath that you’ll spot trends like crochet two-pieces, hot pink skirts, football shirts, paisley-print mini skirts, fishnets, and plenty of cowboy hats.
Outfits seem to get brighter, bolder and more creative every year and this year is no different.
Brands that dominate include the affordable fast fashion retailers like Shein, BooHoo and PrettyLittleThing, among a few vintage finds.
Parklife is now entering its Sunday line-up, with headliners like Doja Cat, Kaytranada and TSHA performing today.
Let’s just hope the rain clears up enough for all of these gorgeous festival-goers to be able to whip their coats off again.
The best-dressed at Parklife 2024 – day two
Love these neon tassels, shaggy jacket and cowboy hatA sheer camo two-piece and cute butterfly crop topCrochet sets and cowboy hatsThis pink-and-orange combo with the blue hair is divineThe best-dressed couple at Parklife 2024These gorgeous girls nailed the Parklife briefObsessed with the holographic pink pants and sports jersey with mini skirtThese tiny ruffle skirts with chunky leather boots and jackets were a 10/10 lookHere come the ponchos…Now THIS is how you do uninhibited festival fashionTop-to-toe paisley paired with some very sensible walking shoesEasy guy to spot in the crowd hereAll-over denim made our list of the best-dressed at ParklifeHot pink fits at Parklife 2024A small shout-out for our new The Manc Group hoodies…
Everything inside the Sephora VIP goodie bags worth more than £1,000
Daisy Jackson
Sephora opening in Manchester has been causing a bit of a stir, with more than 2,000 people queueing up this week to try and nab a free goodie bag.
And while the presents being handed out to the public are pretty impressive, it’s nothing compared to the VIP goodie bags given out at the store’s official launch on Wednesday.
A number of celebrities, influencers, press and other special guests were invited to have a sneak peek of the huge new shop at the Trafford Centre before its official opening to the public.
At the glittering celebration, VIPs were given a glimpse at the huge range of products on offer inside Sephora’s first UK store outside of London.
Those in attendance included actor and TV presenter actor Katie Mcglynn, TV personality Caroline Thomas, actress Alex Fletcher and radio one presenter Natalie O’Leary, Real Housewives of Cheshire, Love Island personalities, and professional footballer Courtney Duffus.
Special guests of Sephora were then sent home with the goodie bag to end all goodie bags, stuffed full of full-sized cult products.
And having totted up the value of everything inside, we can confirm that each goodie bag is worth more than a grand (£1092.93, to be exact). Wowsers.
Olaplex No.3Viral hair product minisBrazilian Bum Bum CreamJust a few of the cult items inside the Sephora VIP goodie bags. Credit: The Manc Group
Viral products inside include Makeup By Mario lipstick, Olaplex, Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, Glossier You perfume, and MorrocanOil hair treatments.
There are also TikTok sensations like the Dr Jart Tiger Grass treatment, which comes out of its tub green but magically turns beige on the skin, cancelling out redness.
And Tarte’s take on the revolutionary tubing mascara, which comes off your lashes with only water and a wipe, was also chucked in.
The most high-value items in the Sephora goodie bags were an Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream worth £64, Caudalie’s brightening serum at £52, and a Neom candle for £38.