About Helena
Helena is the creator of GrandmaZeal, a Slovak-born fitness and Pilates instructor exploring midlife through movement, food, and life experience.
Meet Helena
Hi, I’m Helena, 61 the creator, voice, and energy behind GrandmaZeal.
I moved to the UK after my 40th birthday. What started as a temporary move after my divorce gradually became a new life when my sons joined me.
Along the way, I learned English and built a completely new life from the ground up. These days, I divide my time between Europe and Dubai. It’s simply how life has unfolded for now.
I write everything you see on this website. My English is not perfect and probably never will be, but the thoughts are mine and the intention behind them is real.
I’m a mother of three grown sons, a wife of 19 years, and a proud grandma. I’m also a woman in her sixties exploring how to stay strong, active, and curious about life.
Most of the time, I prefer being outdoors. If the weather allows, you’ll probably find me in the garden, walking, hiking, or skiing. I never get tired of the beautiful countryside, the sea, the mountain greenery, and spectacular sunrises or sunsets. I’m the one who will stop the car to watch the colours and take photos.
But I’m not only an outdoor person. I love going to the cinema (not watching films at home), reading, sewing, and spending time in the kitchen cooking or baking.
In many ways, I’m the kind of person who is comfortable almost anywhere, equally happy in hiking boots or dressed up for a nice evening out.
How GrandmaZeal Was Born
GrandmaZeal began in 2021 as a quiet dream.
At the time, I had already spent years educating myself about nutrition, learning what works and what doesn’t work for my own body, and helping friends and family make small changes to eat better and feel healthier.
I wanted to share recipes that fuel your body, keep your blood sugar in check, and still make your taste buds dance.
But when I mentioned the idea of starting a blog, people had plenty of advice.
“You can’t just start a blog like that.”
“Your English isn’t good enough.”
“You need professional photography skills.”
So… I waited. For almost three years.
Then in 2024, I stopped waiting.
I started writing. Learning. Creating.
And slowly, GrandmaZeal became something more, a place where I could share not just food but stories, tips, experiences, and encouragement for anyone navigating midlife and beyond.
Built from Scratch
Most things in my life didn’t begin with a perfect plan.
GrandmaZeal didn’t either.
It began with an idea that quietly sat in my mind for years. By then, I had already spent years experimenting with food, learning about nutrition, teaching fitness classes, and helping friends and family find better ways to eat and move.
I saw how easily life can slip into routine. Energy drops, curiosity fades, and people start accepting that getting old “is what it is”. Somewhere along the way, I realised I didn’t want to drift into that kind of ageing. So I started building something of my own.
Not everyone understood it.
Some people told me directly that it wouldn’t work. Others just watched from the sidelines, politely quiet but clearly doubtful. There wasn’t much encouragement, feedback, or cheering from the crowd.
But sometimes that’s exactly what forces you to rely on your own voice.
So I stopped listening.
GrandmaZeal began to grow slowly from there, piece by piece, out of curiosity, stubbornness, a few mistakes, and the quiet satisfaction of creating something meaningful.
What began as a place to share recipes gradually became something bigger — a place where food, movement, life experience, and midlife reflections all meet.
Because the truth is simple, life doesn’t stop after forty or fifty. If anything, those years can bring a different kind of freedom — the kind where you stop waiting for permission and start building things your own way.
GrandmaZeal is one small example of that.
Why GrandmaZeal
Are you getting older? Of course, we all are.
But you can still look good, move well, and feel strong.
I created GrandmaZeal to share what I discovered on my own journey of ageing. The myths about “old age”, the idea that you have to surrender to what lies ahead because your great-grandmother lived like that too, are simply not true.
Everything begins when you realise you can do much more than society has led you to believe.
You can rebuild strength at any age once you start believing that you can. You can improve, reshape habits, and change far more than you might think.
Explore More on GrandmaZeal
Start Here
New here? Start with simple ideas to help you move more, build strength, and feel better in everyday life.
Mind & Energy
Thoughts, reflections, and small mindset shifts to help you navigate midlife with more clarity, confidence, and energy.
Eat Well
Food and nutrition articles, with recipes from my kitchen to help you eat better, feel stronger, and enjoy cooking again.
A Few Things About Me
- I got married on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean.
- I once stood on stage at a fitness competition at age 50.
- I taught myself to cook after getting married at 21, and now I create all my own recipes.
- I’ve recently rebuilt this website, finally letting go of my doubts. I hope you’ll find it easier to explore and more inspiring than before.
- I used to dress up for the Jane Austen Festival in Bath; bonnet, corset, the whole lot…
- I prefer the cinema to TV, never cared much for binge-watching, and believe every day is too precious to waste on autopilot.
- I still mess up commas and spelling in English, but that won’t stop me from telling my story.
Kind Words From Real People
Every message and story shared here means more to me than you know. Whether you’ve walked beside me for years or only recently found GrandmaZeal, thank you. Your words stay with me.
Jenny, 57
Southampton, UK
“I first met Helena when she was a Zumba instructor. We very quickly became firm friends, but what really inspired me was when she decided to do Miss Galaxy Universe and started lifting weights. I wanted to do it, too! And I did! I joined the gym, and before I knew it, I was a Fitness Instructor and following my dream, thank you, Helena. You are an inspiration. “
Daniela S., 72
KOŠICE, SK
“GrandmaZeal a Helena – dve mená pre jednu autentickú osobnosť. Je stelesnením pravdivosti a inšpirácie vo všetkých oblastiach života. Nepredstiera – každé svoje prežitie premieňa na skutočnú hodnotu, ktorú s otvoreným srdcom odovzdáva ďalej. “
Emi, 46
LONDON, UK
“Helena is an incredibly loyal and supportive friend, someone you can always count on. She has been there for me through some of the most challenging moments in my life, offering unwavering support as I found my way again. Her enthusiasm for embracing life and taking on new adventures is truly contagious, inspiring everyone around her.”
M.C., 36
LONDON, UK
“Helena has been a close friend for a number of years now. She has been caring, supportive and kind. She is a strong woman on many levels. Helena is bold enough to always dive into a new project! It’s always something fresh and interesting that you wish to be a part of”
Ella Doney, 50
Sculptor/Artist/Stonemason
England, “I’ve
“I’ve known Helena for over 20 years, and she remains one of the most consistent and positive people I’ve ever met. Regardless of the circumstances, she always finds a way to keep moving forward. She’s not someone who just talks about ideas; she acts on them with clarity and determination. If I ever had to choose a survival team, Helena would be one of the first people I would want by my side.”
