CAROLINE LABOUCHERE

A. Who am I? That is a big question! I’m not any one thing and nor are you. We are all many things. Labelling is like putting ourselves in a box and I’m not particularly comfortable being hemmed in. But these are some of the labels: ‘Model’. I started modelling when I was 53.

Modelling lead me to being an Instagram ‘influencer’ (a label that is portrayed as lazy/unworthy by the popular press). But I do influence. It is not a noun but a verb. It is the effect that my existence on Instagram and other channels have on those who follow me.

And people do follow, which means that I must (?) be a ‘leader’. My definition of leader is ‘getting people to want to do what must be done’. I am an ‘ultra-runner’. I am a qualified, accredited, performance ‘coach’. I ask questions but the solutions are yours. I am and have been for nearly three decades, a ‘mother’ of two fantastic, now adult offspring. I am and have been the ‘wife’ of a truly inspirational man for more than thirty years.

Finally, I am an ‘ambassador’ for a local hospital. This reflects my reach on social media and my value as a marketeer. I only represent brands that I trust and use. This is a principle.

Now we could also delve into ‘Who was I?’ And that is a very different thing. It is all in the rear view mirror now and there is a reason that the rear-view mirror is small while the windscreen is a huge panoply of opportunity!! If what I was is of interest, I have been a ‘receptionist’, a ‘manicurist,’ an ‘upholsterer’, a ‘portrait artist’ and a ‘dog-trainer’.

A. This life started when I was already 53. I was asked to cast for a modelling job in London (I had never modelled before). I got the job and became the face of a campaign that put me, full page, in British Vogue eight times in that year. It didn’t immediately change my life, but it did change my mindset. I felt beautiful for the first time in my life. I felt that I had value. I started to respond to people with how I felt, and sharing my feelings led to the following that I now enjoy on Social Media.

A. I connect people with like-minded people. Happiness for humankind is embedded in ‘connection’. I must enable others; creating a tribe of women that can become themselves in their middle years. I must show the younger generation that there is always life ahead of them; that there is potential to be a better person at any age. If I can help one person, I’m happy. While I have no real expertise in any specialty (apart from being me) I feel that I can use my platform to share appropriate knowledge dished out by qualified, clever, learned, professional people.

A. I cover empowerment: knowing you can be what you want to be, believing in yourself. I cover worry, and excitement. I deal in trust as reliability, credibility and intimacy and I seek out optimism. Above all, I encourage consistent, considered, decisive, positive ACTION.

A. In 2016 I was invited, out of the blue, to take part in a televised talent show in China. As I had always wanted to visit China, I really wanted this ‘too good to be true’ opportunity to be real. Indeed, I ignored the good advice of many that said there must be some underlying

crime in progress for me to be invited, unsolicited to fly to a totally different environment. Should I have set off alone on the basis of a phone call from a stranger?

But I went. I leapt into the dark with excitement not fear. And it turned out to be completely above board and safe! I rehearsed, filmed and competed in heats for one week against 20 others with a slightly manufactured ‘talent’ as an agegroup ultra-runner. They took me to the Great Wall of China and I ran on that amazing, iconic feat of defensive ambition. I had had a picture of the Great Wall on my mood board. It was meant to be.

And I won. I used the prize money to upgrade to business class to fly home. Excitement.

A. My husband served his Country for nearly 30 years, and I think that for the serving time that I was married to him, so did I. I was categorized not as ‘Caroline Labouchere’ but ‘wife of Colonel Labouchere’. I had a number (his). My sense of self was subordinated to his existence. I was a camp follower and an enabler of his career. I was left at home to raise children and to worry as he went to war after war, operation after operation. I love him and the worry was almost toxic. I have always been a touch rebellious and being surrounded by at worst archaic and at best traditional rules did make me fight back a bit. Some battles I won, most I lost.

A. I’d love to see Brazil and Mexico, I think. They seem to be big fans on Instagram, which probably means lots of people that I might be able to help. I’d love to learn more about those cultures and the people. I have a romantic Hollywood inspired idea of beautiful people, fiery Latin characters, sun, sand and horses. It is a simplistic and possibly childish impression, but why not dream?

A. It is event season in Dubai. After five hotter, often stifling months, the weather is cooling, and we are getting outside more often. I’m excited to be able to wear a sweater soon. All the family will be here for Christmas and we are organizing our housewarming party. Work and opportunity happens at a moment’s notice these days so nobody knows what tomorrow will bring. I believe that ‘luck’ is the conflation of preparedness and opportunity, so I always start a conversation with Yes! This sometimes leads to disappointment, but generally it’s an approach that serves me very well. I am averaging four or five engagements a week at the moment!

A. Have a plan. Don’t be swayed if you believe it’s the right thing to do. Deviate from the plan when necessary but come back to it when you can. Make/Accept mistakes as that’s how we learn. Cry if you want to.

Listen to understand before you speak to be understood. Listening (not just waiting for your turn to speak) is pure respect. It’s not about you. Think empathy, not sympathy, and be kind.

A. I’m most active on Instagram (@carolinelabouchere): I have a list of menopause and other specialists on my page. I also have a YouTube channel (@carolinelabouchere) and a website (Caroline Labouchere).