The British expat is currently marketing manager of the Bodytree Studio
Say hello to the charming Emily Musharbash, who moved to Abu Dhabi 17 years ago. She’s helping people in the capital reach their wellbeing goals through her association with the Bodytree Studio
Tell us a little bit of yourself
I am a 37 year old British expat, living in Abu Dhabi for the past five years currently working as the Marketing Manager at Bodytree Studio. Before moving to Abu Dhabi, I worked in EMI Music/Universal Music, and local entertainment and event agencies. I was a specialist in music, event, and entertainment Marketing Communications, winning multiple industry awards and commendations for the companies I have been attached to. I’ve worked with all sorts of famous artists like Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, David Guetta and more.
Now I get to enjoy bridging the gap between entertainment and creativity and serving the public to become well again. I’ve honed in on my passion for being creative, whilst developing and managing the strategies to help Bodytree Studio grow to the next level, reaching new customers far and wide so they too can seek their wellbeing path like I have.
How and when did you move here, and what inspired the move?
I moved to the UAE almost 17 years ago, living in Dubai for 12 years, and now in Abu Dhabi for five years. I was fresh out of university when I came to the UAE searching for a new life in the sun. I had my family here at the time, so it was a very easy transition to get away from the rain! We moved to Abu Dhabi for my husband’s work initially as we had just had our baby girl at the time, so I wasn’t working.
My husband was supporting Emirates School of Dance, Bodytree’s children’s dance programme, and he had been made aware that there was a need for someone to support the school and Marketing within Bodytree. In I walked one month later and the rest is history!
How has living in Abu Dhabi shaped your sense of belonging and community?
Abu Dhabi very quickly felt like home – and that is primarily thanks to Bodytree Studio and the community it has fostered there, and everyone I work with. One of the studio’s biggest values and goals is to nurture community and everyone that walks through those doors becomes part of an extended family.
I was welcomed warmly, as was my little girl and everything just clicked. I felt like I had a support network as a mother, as an employee, and eventually as friends. It had been a long time since I had that feeling since my family had left the UAE about five years prior. I live and breathe the ethos that Bodytree strives for and it seems that all of our clients do as well.
Can you tell us about a particular person in Abu Dhabi who has had a significant impact on your life and why?
Nadia and Sharifa Sehweil – by far! The co-founders of Bodytree have not only been incredible in helping me settle into Abu Dhabi, but have been a beacon of love and support, helping me nurture my career in a positive and progressive work environment which has been completely unheard of in my career before that.
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What is your favourite thing about the emirate and why?
The calm! The ability to see the sky daily, not stress about traffic and the slightly slower pace. I love that they are becoming more progressive and supporting inclusivity and wellness into their agendas.
A myth about Abu Dhabi that you would like to bust
That it’s quiet and nothing to do. There’s alot to do, you just gotta find it.
Could you share a memorable moment when you felt the genuine warmth and hospitality of the Abu Dhabi community in your own life?
Whenever I bring my daughter to Bodytree and clients and staff love to play with her, feed her, and just be with her. It’s like they are happy to take a load off of my back and spoil her like she is their own daughter. I love that everyone gets involved to help each other, and I do the same back. We are all part of a loving team that look after each other whenever we can.
Also, one Ramadan a lady I didn’t even know helped me pay for my daughter’s medical treatment as she had overheard me at reception that my insurance didn’t cover that clinic and was paying cash. It was just so lovely and just completely unexpected.
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