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In Dubai, there are lymphatic drainage massages, and then there is Leda Fagundes. With more than 23 years of experience, the Brazilian-born wellness expert, educator and founder of Leda Fagundes Beauty has become the name women trust when they want to feel lighter, more sculpted and more connected to themselves.
But Leda’s work has never been just about the body. Before building one of Dubai’s most sought-after wellness names, she spent years working in healthcare – an experience that shaped the way she understands care, confidence and the power of human touch. Today, that same philosophy runs through everything she does, from the way she trains her team to the way she speaks about purpose, resilience and giving back.
As part of GRAZIA’s Career Edit, Leda Fagundes shares with us the journey that brought her to Dubai, the life lessons that shaped her career and why she believes true success is about so much more than building a brand.
My current role is…
I’m a lymphatic drainage expert and educator with over 23 years of experience, a wellness coach and the founder of Leda Fagundes Beauty. My days are split between running my business and volunteering at Majlis Al Amal by the Al Jalila Foundation, where I support breast cancer survivors when I can. My work is never just about skin or body treatments. It is a space and moment for women to pause and reconnect with themselves. I truly believe that everything in life is about energy. The love, empathy and positive energy we give out always come back to us. When a woman leaves my studio feeling lighter and happier in her own body, that confidence changes her whole world.
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
Believe it or not, I wanted to be a flight attendant. Looking back, I realise it was never really about the aeroplanes. I was born in Brazil, where part of my family’s heritage traces back to the Tapuia Indigenous people. Although my career has been built on science, anatomy and decades of experience, I have always carried with me a profound respect for nature, human connection and the wisdom of caring for the whole person, not just the symptoms. Looking back, I realise those values have quietly influenced every decision I have made, shaping not only the way I work, but the way I choose to live. Today, I do exactly the same thing in my wellness studios. I did not change my dream; I just changed where it happens.
My favourite subject at school was…
Mathematics. I loved the clear logic of solving problems and seeing how pieces fit together perfectly. Later, at university, that love for structure led me to human anatomy. I was completely amazed by how beautiful, strong and resilient the human body is. Today, both worlds live together in my work: the exact precision of science mixed with the pure intuition of human care.
My first job was…
I started working when I was only fourteen years old in a clothing store. That was my very first school of life. It taught me how to talk to people, understand their needs and connect with people from all walks of life. Shortly after, I worked in a hospital typing medical reports for doctors. Every day, I read stories of hope, struggle and recovery. Without knowing it then, that experience shaped who I am. It made me deeply curious about health and taught me a beautiful lesson: behind every medical paper, there is a real human being who just wants to be seen, heard, and cared for. I am proud to say we carry this philosophy throughout our teams at the company.
My career path so far has been…
When I look back, every single step connects beautifully to the next. I spent seven years working with cardiology patients and another eleven years in oncology. Working so close to the fragility of life taught me real empathy, patience and what it truly means to care for another human being. Lymphatic drainage actually entered my life by accident. I needed a second job to help pay for my MBA, so I started doing treatments. What started as a temporary plan became my life’s true calling. For over twenty years, I have seen that our hands can do so much more than treat a body. They can share good energy, bring back lost confidence and remind someone that they matter. Because real health is not just physical, I also became a wellness and life coach. Sometimes, a heartfelt conversation during a treatment changes a client’s life just as much as the treatment itself.
The role the UAE has played in my career is…
The UAE changed everything for me. It gave me the perfect, safe place to focus on my passion, build my own brand and train an amazing team with the highest standards. But beyond business, Dubai gave me the most beautiful gift of my life: the chance to give my time and energy to breast cancer survivors at Majlis Al Amal by the Al Jalila Foundation. Dubai is not just the place where I built a company. It is the place where my heart found its real purpose.
I was inspired to enter the luxury wellness space because…
To be very honest, I never chased luxury or status. I only chased excellence. From day one, I became obsessed with giving the absolute best. Best hygiene, best training for my team, best results and a real, loving welcome for every client. Luxury was just the natural result of that hard work. When you choose excellence every single day and do your work with true love, the right people will always find you.
My daily routine consists of…
I believe in a balanced life, so I wake up at 5:30 every morning and divide my day into three parts. The first part is for me and my health. Running, training, stretching and meditation keep me grounded. I know I cannot pour love or energy into others if my own cup is empty. The second part is for my business, my team and my beautiful clients. The third part, which is closest to my heart, belongs to my family. As a wife and a mother, I believe true success is about making a life where everyone can bloom.
The biggest hurdle I have experienced in my career…
In business, my biggest challenge so far has been expanding Leda Fagundes Beauty into Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, while keeping the same high standards and warm care we created in Dubai. On a personal level, my biggest test was eight years ago when I faced breast cancer. During my treatment, I chose to keep working. I slowed down and respected my body, but I never stopped taking care of my women. I didn’t do it for money or obligation; I did it for pure joy and love. Taking care of others was my own medicine. It was a beautiful exchange of healing energy. That experience changed me forever. Today, I know that hope and a positive mind heal just as much as medical treatments.
The biggest milestone I have achieved is…
More than opening international studios or growing a famous brand, my greatest milestone is building a career made of pure love, truth and respect. Being truly honest and positive is my biggest superpower. Waking up every single morning genuinely excited and happy to do my work is my real wealth. To me, success is creating something that makes people’s lives better while staying 100% true to who you are. That is what I am most proud of.
A quote I live by is…
Many people spend their lives worrying or comparing themselves to others, but I choose to live with a peaceful heart and a clear certainty: “For me, the best is always happening, because I know the universe is always working in my favour.” This is my deep faith. It taught me that not every good thing looks like a blessing at first. Sometimes, the most beautiful gifts and the biggest lessons in life arrive disguised as our hardest challenges. It’s all a matter of how you choose to see it.
What I hope for the year ahead is…
In the coming year, I want to keep growing Leda Fagundes Beauty across Saudi Arabia, making sure we stay true to the loving, human values that started this company. I also want to expand my volunteer work to help even more women find hope and strength during their cancer treatments. Finally, I hope to start writing my very first book. I see life with so much joy, gratitude and happiness, and I know my perspective is unique. I want to share this way of thinking with the world. If my story can help even one person face a difficult time with a little more courage and a smile, then every single chapter of my journey will have been worth it.
