Fabienne Liechti is a multiple award-winning professional ballroom dancer, choreographer, runway coach, and author.
With decades of experience in dance, entertainment, acting, and fashion, Fabienne has performed and taught all over the world, worked for top TV shows, including American Idol and Dancing with the Stars USA, was featured in various media outlets across Europe, Asia and the United States, lectured at Elementary Schools and Universities in Asia, and collaborated with renowned celebrities, such as Gloria Estefan, Sheila E., Carrie Ann Inaba, Nigel Lythgoe, Flii Stylz, and Lionel Deluy, as well as TV show contestants (American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance USA).
Join us in a candid chat with Fabienne Liechti and Namita Nayyar, President Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You are recognized as one of the world’s best professional ballroom dancers being the multiple-times Swiss National Champion in Ballroom Dancing, a two-times Finalist at the French Open, Finalist at the German Open (World Super Series), Romanian Open, etc. You are now a runway coach and author. Walk us through your incredible journey and tell us how it all began?
Ms. Fabienne Liechti:
Born in Zurich, Switzerland, I began my performing career at four years old. Starting in a children’s dance group and as an equilibrist at the circus, my talents soon expanded to include ice skating, ballet, ballroom dancing, piano, and singing. By age 15, I had won numerous awards and reached the National Dancesport Championship final in the Adult League as the youngest finalist in history.
With an IT diploma, a business management education and fashion design training under my belt, at 18, I moved to London to pursue my professional ballroom dance career. Then I earned the title of the multiple Swiss National Latin Dancesport Champion, became a multi-finalist at the French Open, German Open World Super Series, Romanian Open, Holland Masters, Belgium Open, Swiss Dancesport Festival, and much more.
After retiring from my competitive dance career, I moved to Los Angeles and underwent training in voice and acting while working in Hollywood’s entertainment industry.
Yet, with all my life spent traveling, I realized that a location dependent life wasn’t right for me. Instead, I digitized my classes and training programs with a portion of profits going toward girls’ education funds. Today, I run my business venture location independent, traveling the world as a digital nomad while working as a Runway Coach, teaching dance and following my passion for dance, singing and songwriting.
All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in your life.
Ms. Fabienne Liechti:
Since I’m doing different kinds of things (runway coaching, dance teaching, Flamenco dance, online business, writing books, traveling as a digital nomad), every day is different and really depends on where I am in the world for which project and for how long.
- F.e. when I’m traveling for teaching, runway coaching, or TV work, I have a strict schedule given by the client, so I’m working all day in that specific project.
- When I’m working on my dancing as a Flamenco dancer, I’m mostly in Spain where I dedicate two-thirds of the day to my Flamenco practice and one-third of the day to my online business. That means, I work in the morning from either a co-working space, coffee shop or my apartment (if the internet speed is good enough) and then, practice the afternoon and evening, take lessons, all as long as I can, depending on how my feet sustain the pain. 😉
- If I’m not traveling for runway coaching, TV work, or dance teaching, as well as I have a break from Flamenco dance, I solely focus on my online business. Then, I just travel as a digital nomad to wherever I feel like going to and stay in a place/city mostly between 1-3 month. I divide my day into 4 different blocks, like approx. the following:
1. Morning Routine
– 9.00 – 9.15: Wakeup and 15min meditation
– 9.15 – 10.00: 45min Drink water with lemon and ginger and read
– 10.00 – 12:00: 60min Running/swimming/spinning, 60min Fabylis® Dance Fitness
– 12:00 – 14.00 Breakfast/lunch = Breaklunch 😉 and relax
2. Work
– 14.00 – 18:00 4h of Online Business work (sometimes longer work hours)
3. Free Time
– 18.00 – 22.00 Dinner, friends, family, etc.
4. Evening Routing
– 22.00 – 23.00 Shower, bath, relax, read, beauty
– 23.00 – 23.30 Stretching, meditate
– 24.00 Sleep minimum 8, better 9 hours!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You are world leading media personality, professional dancer and choreographer. How do you manage such a remarkable multi-dimensional lifestyle?
Ms. Fabienne Liechti:
Oh, that’s a challenge, indeed. Being multi-passionate and doing different things has always been a big challenge in my life. Sometimes I wish I could be passionate about only one thing. I get side-tracked easily by my multiple passions and ideas, however, I have learned to better channel and focus my creativity and ideas.
I love runway coaching, teach.. my heart bleeds for dance, music, singing, and songwriting, and performing, being on stage… I love writing books, being an author, fiction, non-fiction. But on the other side, I also love technology, creating websites, search engine optimization, digital marketing, social media, graphic design, being an entrepreneur, having my own empire, being a digital nomad, traveling the world, teach and perform here and there…
The past years I’ve tried to bring everything or almost everything under one umbrella and create, or rather say, “design” a lifestyle where all my passions and skills fit into. Like that, I don’t need to leave one passion on the side anymore where my heart feels ripped apart. I could manage to define the time giving for each passion…
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine?
Ms. Fabienne Liechti:
Honestly, and that might surprise you but I’m quite lazy when it comes to workout. I think it’s because I have been an athlete all my life and now I’m just tired of working out. 😉
So, a few years ago, I created my own dance fitness, the Fabylis® Dance Fitness which is very intense but a great success among my students. It’s only 1 hour of workout and all you need is a tiny space and earbuds. That’s it. It really tones your muscles, that I can tell you. 😉 I can do it from anywhere, from the smallest hotel room and its fun! It’s like having a big party with yourself. It also includes an intense stretching part in the end, which is so essential to feel good. Especially stretching before sleeping.. your sleep is so different.
In addition and for more cardio, I alternate between running and swimming and sometimes I go to spinning classes. So, total, I’d say I workout 3 – 5 times week, doing both, Fabylis® Dance Fitness plus either running, swimming, or spinning.
Important for me is that I can do these workouts everywhere, also when I’m traveling. Almost everywhere is a park or a gym for running. Ok, swimming is not possible everywhere, so I stick to running or going to spinning class.
However, I try to keep my time spent on workout compact with not a lot of time lost and to the minimum, so I have time for what I enjoy the most. Dance, singing, songwriting, and writing books. I also try to combine my workout time with learning so I can improve in something, f.e. by listening to a podcast, vocal exercises, etc.
However, when I’m in an intense Flamenco practice period, I’m almost not doing any additional workout because this dance itself is the biggest exercise ever. After 5min I’m all done in pure sweat from head to toe. It’s incredible, it’s even more exhausting than ballroom dancing. 😉
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What kind of diet do you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ms. Fabienne Liechti:
Diet has always been a big subject in my entire life. Having a fit good looking body is essential as a professional dancer. My weight has not always been stable, even when I was competing. I like to eat, I always loved chocolate in excess unfortunately. My biggest issue.
During my career, I have tried all kinds of diets to maintain my weight. As of the pressure to look good on the dance floor, I began struggling from an eating disorder for multiple years, resulting in an oversensitive stomach. Even though I’m cured from my eating disorder today, my sensitive stomach got worse over the years, so I went from doctor and doctor in different countries but nobody could help.
Only about five years ago, when I was researching the internet, I found people online with the same problem. Most of them got cured on a high carb, low fat vegan plant-based diet, so I tried that and it worked.
So, I have kept this diet until today as for me, it simply suits best. That means, I became vegan 5 years ago and I eat around 90% carbs, 5% protein, 5% fat. Mostly carbs from lots of fruits during the day, mixed with cooked vegan meals in the evening, sometimes also during the day. Rice, potatoes, etc. just all plant-based.
Also, I realized that in the past I overate a lot. I noticed that if I eat less but still good portions from fruits and vegetables, I feel at my best. I drink lots of still water, tea and pure fruit juices. And, I wait at least one hour after I woke up to have breakfast. Sometimes I even work out before I eat. Also, I try to never be hungry.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Share with us your haircare & skincare regime.
Ms. Fabienne Liechti:
FACE
Since I’m a convinced minimalist and a digital nomad who travels a lot, my first priority when it comes to material things is that I can maintain good skin and hair care with as less products as possible but with products that are available in every country in case they run out.
So, I only have a very few for simplification. I use coconut oil for removing my makeup. After I cleanse my face with a glove and water, then use a Neutrogena wipe and as a last step, add a small layer of coconut oil as a face cream. This process I do EVERY night, regardless of how tired I am.
FACE MASK
Sometimes, I use Laneige Hydrating mask to sleep overnight. Or, I buy some random mask in the country I am. I’m also using all of these products in airplanes except for the coconut oil. Depending on the temperature it can get to complete liquid and that can get messy. I also do facials and body scrubs from time to time. Spa, wellness, etc. are some of my favorite things to do in my spare time. 😉
BODY
I have one favorite body cream that I have been using since about 10 years. It’s “Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant” for dry skin. I just love the feeling on my skin, the scent.. and it reminds me of a special time I want to carry with me every day.
I use a good sisal hand glove for body scrub in the shower and another one for when I’m out of the shower.
HAIR
I don’t really have a hair regime as I just use whatever Shampoo I can get in the country I am. But, I wash my hair maybe every second day with Shampoo, use a wooden comb, small foldable travel hair dryer with not too much blow power and a round brush.
I use Baptiste dry shampoo to give more volume and strength to the hair scalp. And, I have a set from Numee Hair tools with different wands to curl my hair from time to time.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You were awarded six-times by the Swiss Olympic Association for international high-ranked front achievements, how has this boosted your confidence and career?
Ms. Fabienne Liechti:
Of course, with every good result, title and award, your confidence gets boosted, your good dance performance confirmed and your hard work awarded. Especially the Swiss Olympic awards were wonderful rewards for all the hard work I’ve put in, so they meant a lot to me and I’m very thankful. The Swiss Olympic Association has always been very supportive and a big help in my dance career.
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Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What would be your advice for young girls who look up to you and aspire to become ballroom dancers one day?
Ms. Fabienne Liechti:
I would recommend starting at a young age. Start with ballet for a few years to get a good physical base, like f.e. for developing a nice shape of your feet, a high instep, great body flexibility… Definitely, learn English, it’s the world dance language.
Of course, it all depends what level you want to reach. So, if someone is really serious about becoming a world-class professional competitive ballroom dancer with big goals, my number one advice is: be fully committed, be fully dedicated, put all in. But also, be prepared for the dark sides. Ballroom dancesport is an incredibly beautiful and rewarding art and sport merged in one. I’m grateful for every minute I have dedicated to ballroom dancesport. However, there are also quite a few downsides.
You’ll need to practice every day, travel a lot, be away from your family and friends and probably be homesick and lonely at times. You have to work super hard, spend all your money on travel, lessons, dresses, shoes, makeup, etc. with no cashback for your hard work for a veeeery long time. 😉 You will have to make uncomfortable decisions, sacrifices that hurt, live on a breadline… You might need to move to a foreign country at a young age as this is where your dance partner lives. A country that you don’t know and where you don’t speak the language. You will fight with your dance partner, that’s for sure but with time, you will become a good communicator as that’s what you will really learn. You will be with your dance partner almost 24/7, and at times you will feel glued together. So, developing a good relationship with good communication is key.
Ballroom dancesport is subjective and can’t be measured. Be prepared that your results can be like this one day, different the other day… Depending on who is judging and if the judges are “good” or “bad” for you. You need to be able to deal with bad results, maybe losing quickly and instead put your energy into practicing and focusing on your goals. Don’t blame it on your partner and split up. Instead, be a team. In general, as longer you stay together, the better.
You will be judged not only for your performance but also for the way you look. From your body to your dress, your face expression on the floor, just for everything, the entire package. Also make sure, you have good manners, behave politely, communicate nicely with teachers, judges, organizers…
I guess, if you keep all that in mind, you’re all set. 😉
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You are best known for your appearances with singer Gloria Estefan, drummer and percussionist Sheila E and So You Think You Can Dance dancer Dmitry Chaplin on the American live fundraiser show American Idol, Idol gives back on Fox Television. How has your experience been working with these stars?
Ms. Fabienne Liechti:
It’s always wonderful and valuable to work with celebrities. They are always very professional and know exactly what they are doing. Working with Gloria, Sheila and Dmitry were wonderful experiences and I enjoyed their talent and professionalism a lot. It all worked seamlessly, everybody knew what they were doing. Just professional in every way. Their success is so much deserved and I have the biggest respect for their work.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for our visitors?
Ms. Fabienne Liechti:
Ah, I love Womenfitness! This team brings so much in-depth knowledge from nutrition, beauty, to exercise, celebrities and so much more.. Could spend all day reading through all these informative articles! What great reads, just all in one place, love it!
Follow her on:
- Website: http://fabylis.com
- New Website: http://fabienneliechti.com (coming soon!)
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/fabienneliechti
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/fabienneliechti
- My Fabylis® Online Programs: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCObUc9FpGyZEKhTale9H-MA/playlists
- YouTube Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCObUc9FpGyZEKhTale9H-MA/videos
- YouTube Dance: https://www.youtube.com/c/FabienneLiechtiDance
- YouTube Digital Nomad: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFY1SvZvNHgyisLykGd9l9Q/videos
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All content on this site is copyright of Women Fitness and no part of any article found on this site may be reproduced without an express permission and highlighted, do follow link crediting http://www.womenfitness.net/ or preferably the original page as the source. This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2018 Women Fitness.