I Was Told to Look Unattractive at Work: From Prison to Finding My Paradise in Phuket

Babes, How Did You Get Here? | Katie: From UK Makeup Artist to Male Prison Worker to Solo Fitness Entrepreneur in Thailand What happens when a 21-year-old British-Indian makeup artist gets tired of playing it safe, calls every MAC store in Australia until someone gives her a job, and ends up building a life that defies every cultural expectation her family ever had for her? In this inspiring and deeply honest episode, host April Jackson sits down with Katie—a British-Indian fitness coach, former male prison worker, and solo traveler who traded the traditional path of marriage and settling down for a life of adventure, independence, and unapologetic authenticity in Phuket, Thailand. From crying on a plane to London, to coaching fitness classes on Australia's Bondi Beach, to working in a Category B male prison during COVID, to finally finding home on "Fitness Street" in Phuket—Katie's story is one of courage, cultural defiance, and choosing yourself even when it feels like the world (and your family) wants something different. In this episode, we discuss: The Australian Dream: How she harassed a MAC regional director until she got a job in Sydney—and moved halfway across the world alone. Crying on the Plane: The fear of leaving everything familiar behind and nearly turning back at London. Three and a Half Years in Australia: Living in Bondi, discovering fitness, and realizing she didn't want the life waiting for her back home. Working in a Male Prison: Why she chose a Category B prison over a charity job—and what her boss told her about dressing "mumsy." COVID and Career Pivot: Getting furloughed, launching free Instagram Live workouts, and building an online fitness business from her attic. Finding Phuket: How two weeks on "Fitness Street" turned into two months—and eventually, permanent residency. Cultural Expectations: Growing up Sikh and Punjabi, the pressure to marry and settle down, and the guilt of living abroad as an Indian woman. Her Dad's Acceptance: The moment her father sent her the link to Thailand's Digital Nomad Visa—and what that meant after years of "when are you coming home?" Solo Travel and Independence: Why she loves being alone, why it's made dating harder, and why she wouldn't trade it for anything. Life at 42: No marriage, no kids, no house—and why she's finally okay with that. Vietnam, Bangkok, and What's Next: Her dream of visiting 50 countries by 50 and where she might move next. Advice for South Asian Women: Why she wants more women from her culture to take risks, travel, and live life on their own terms. Why This Story Matters This isn't just a story about moving to Thailand or building a fitness business. It's about: Defying cultural expectations without losing respect for your roots. Choosing yourself even when it feels selfish or scary. Building a life that looks nothing like the plan—and being proud of it. Solo travel as an act of self-love and independence. The courage it takes to disappoint people you love in order to live authentically. Whether you're from a traditional cultural background, considering a big move, or just need permission to live life on your own terms—this episode will inspire you, challenge you, and remind you that your path doesn't have to look like anyone else's. About the Show – "Babes, How Did You Get Here?" Hosted by entrepreneur and former Miss Jamaica April Jackson, this podcast dives into the real, unfiltered stories of people who left the script—swapping comfort for courage and choosing a life "elsewhere." #HowDidYouGetHere #AprilJackson #ThailandLiving #PhuketLife #SoloTravel #IndianWomen #SikhCulture #CulturalExpectations #DigitalNomad #FitnessEntrepreneur #ExpatLife #SouthAsianWomen #BreakingStereotypes #LivingAbroad #SoloFemaleTravel #FindingHome #Reinvention #courageovercomfort 00:00 Introduction: Living as a Single Woman in Thailand 00:18 Discovering Fitness Street: From Two Weeks to Two Months 01:16 The Bold Move: From UK to Australia 02:03 Breaking Barriers: An Indian Girl's Dream 02:40 Persistence Pays Off: Calling Every Mac Store 03:38 First Flight: Tears and Transformation 04:13 Australia Years and Family Duty 05:00 Finding Home: Why Phuket Has Everything 06:45 The Fitness Journey: From Beach Skeptic to Coach 08:37 The Prison Chapter: Working in a Category B Male Prison 11:46 Lockdown Pivot: Building an Online Business 13:10 Cultural Expectations: The South Asian Experience 15:54 The 11-Year Relationship and Choosing Yourself 16:39 Independence vs. Partnership: The Solo Travel Life 17:02 Exploring Thailand and Beyond: Vietnam Dreams 18:44 Parental Acceptance: The DTV Visa Moment 19:50 Safety and Community: Why Thailand Works 21:09 Father-Daughter Reflections: Breaking Generational Patterns 21:55 Guilt and Growth: Living Away from Family 22:59 Final Wisdom: Taking Risks and Living Without Regrets