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Strictly Come Dancing‘s Katya Jones and her finest buddy, snowboarder Aimee Fuller, could be two of probably the most uplifting women HELLO! has ever met, and after we sit down to talk about their friendship, they’re radiating happiness.

How are they doing, we ask them. “I am nice!” Aimee beams. “I’ve simply bought off an E-Bike so I am completely freezing however feeling energised from the chilly.” Katya is equally optimistic, “I am superior, as at all times.”

The nice mates are simply again from a three-week journey to Australia collectively the place they travelled across the nation making implausible recollections. They first met in 2021 and have been inseparable ever since, bonding over their related life paths, ardour for health and sharing many enjoyable occasions, in addition to being their for one another through the lows.

Aimee and Katya went travelling collectively

Katya, 33, is understood for being knowledgeable dancer on BBC1’s Strictly, which she received in 2017 together with her celeb associate Joe McFadden.

Aimee, 31, is a two-time Group GB Winter Olympian and broadcaster who presents on Ski Sunday and hosts her weekly podcast Monday Mile. Her e book Worry Much less Reside Extra is out now. Katya and Aimee are additionally making their TV debut collectively on C4’s Superstar Hunted on 28 March.

Right here, they speak in confidence to HELLO! about their friendship and reveal why their shut bond makes them so completely satisfied

Aimee and Katya, inform us the way you met

Aimee: There are literally two tales of how we met the faux story and the true story!

Katya: We have been rolling with it for some time however let’s give them the reality now.

Aimee: I competed in South Korea in 2018 and Katya is half Korean. We have been telling people who Katya’s nan was invited to sit down within the grandstand as a result of she’s native to the world. I mentioned my nan was there together with her British flag, and Katya’s nan was subsequent to my nan and she or he mentioned, ‘Oh are you supporting Nice Britain? My granddaughter lives in London, are you aware the present Strictly?’ And my nan was like, ‘In fact,’ after which our two nans launched us and ever since we have been mates.

Katya: I do not actually have a nan in Korea! It is a good story although, proper? We truly met by Neil, my ex-husband. I went to his birthday celebration in 2021 and Aimee was an enormous a part of it as a result of she launched him to wake browsing; we spent his birthday wake browsing with a bunch of individuals, and Aimee was considered one of them and we bought on so effectively. That was it, the beginning of the journey.

Aimee: The grandma story happened as a result of so many individuals ask us how we met and why, saying ‘Why are you guys mates?’ We did not know why we needed to justify it so we discovered it humorous to make up a narrative.

Katya: Individuals see us collectively they usually cannot join why we could possibly be mates. There was no connection of mutual mates other than Neil now we’ve masses as a result of we have built-in in one another’s worlds, however at first it was actually random. Neil is the hyperlink!

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Katya and Aimee hit the slopes Photograph credit score:Max Howard

Why do you suppose you get on so effectively?

Katya: There’s just a few issues. We’re in the same stage in life, the same age, we have lived that top depth profession working exhausting to realize our desires and now we have come to a spot the place we’re each single we bond over so much. We love a very good chat and share the identical morals and values in life. These items are actually vital to us.

Aimee: I might say we’re one another’s greatest supporters, each out and in of labor. I really feel so grateful that I’ve had Katya there for the final 18 months it does not matter what it’s, she’s there. I am so excited for her success and seeing her rise, and that is reciprocated, which is basically particular in a friendship.

Katya: 100 per cent, she’s my primary cheerleader, at all times. Even over little issues. She’ll be operating within the morning and I will be like, ‘Go on! How for much longer are you able to go?!’ It is highs and lows; in a brief period of time, we have been there for one another, by robust occasions as effectively and that is the place you actually get examined.

The women have numerous enjoyable

How does your friendship make you cheerful?

Aimee: For me, it is having somebody there who I can belief with something. Belief is a extremely massive factor. There’s zero judgment in our friendship; I really feel like I am at all times probably the most open, sincere model of myself, and if considered one of us is down, we carry a lot positivity into one another’s lives. We assist one another out of that gap. And we’ve a hell of numerous enjoyable. It is such a robust bond, I do not suppose we have ever gone a day with out talking. Every little thing is reported!

Katya: Once we say the whole lot, we imply the whole lot [laughs].

Katya and Aimee on an evening out

Aimee: London’s an enormous metropolis and we each have household exterior of London. Katya is the closest factor to that for me, she is my London household, and I am so grateful for a buddy I can name on at any given second, with something.

Katya: It is one of many the explanation why we bonded a lot, as a result of we do not have household right here. It is a massive security web. I do know that if both of us is having a low day, we all know flip it round for one another, and we at all times have issues to look ahead to collectively. It does not must be an enormous factor; it may be so simple as ‘let’s go for a stroll and watch the sundown’.

We discuss this so much two females who’re profitable in our personal proper in several areas. We take delight in supporting one another. It is a massive deal for us and we’re hopefully main by instance and spreading that vitality round. It is a optimistic factor. Aimee conjures up me by what she does; it provides me that kick up the ar*e generally if she’s doing one thing superb.

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Are you aggressive with one another?

Katya: No, not likely.

Aimee: The one time was lately as Katya’s bought considerably higher at operating and I am the runner out of the 2 of us. It was after our Australia journey and I might dragged her although 5 – 6 runs in 30degree warmth, then after we bought again, she was smashing it. It simply impressed me and pushed me on to be higher, so we are able to utilise our friendship in that method as effectively.

When Katya’s doing Strictly and she or he’s working 1617-hour days and she or he’s up on the daybreak barely sleeping, working her bottom off creating magic that for me is inspiring to see. I am like ‘Wow! How does she handle to suit the whole lot in, nonetheless flip up, nonetheless have a smile on her face and proceed to make folks completely satisfied?’

That work ethic and professionalism, I take a lot from that, and I channel it into what I am doing. That is what’s so nice about friendship, there is a transaction of vitality, however it’s additionally uplifting one another and making one another higher.

The women even skateboard collectively Photograph credit score:Max Howard

Why do you suppose making time for mates is vital for our wellbeing?

Katya: It is a very easy excuse is not it, ‘Oh I haven’t got time’. It is effort and selection. Belief me, I am actually unhealthy at telephone calls. Anybody who is aware of me is aware of how a lot I keep away from talking on the telephone, so I attempt to overcome that concern Aimee will simply ring me out of the blue.

Making time for mates is nice on your wellbeing. I at all times really feel completely satisfied to know that good issues are occurring of their lives. By giving, you are getting. It is good on your head and earlier than you recognize it, you have turned your day round.

The women took half in a river clear up venture Photograph credit score:Brett Cove

Aimee: It is also accountability. Generally we e book probably the most ridiculous early exercises, however it’s nice as a result of I get to see my finest mate, we do one thing collectively and thru that dedication we additionally do one thing for ourselves. We do numerous that. It is taken us to so many alternative locations and bought us attempting various things. Whether or not it is scorching yoga, whether or not it is Barry’s fitness center class, a power coaching class and even partnership stuff like acro yoga I do this with Katya and numerous that’s belief.

Katya: You are proper. When you’re dedicated it’s important to ship. It is an effective way of getting issues achieved.

Aimee, what’s it like for you when Strictly is on and also you see much less of Katya?

Aimee: It is like having my left arm minimize off! However I get to see my finest buddy do what she loves and see her shine. It makes me completely satisfied seeing how completely satisfied it makes her. What she does is actually unimaginable. I’ve a lot respect for ballroom dancing. I want I may transfer like that.

HELLO!: Would you go on Strictly?

Katya: That is why I am holding again on instructing her as a result of she’d have an unfair benefit. Once I’m doing Strictly, Sundays are my solely day without work, which is not actually a day without work as a result of I do prep work and choreographing, however I nonetheless see Aimee so much. We’ll be there in her lounge attempting out a few of my dance concepts for the present, and she or he’ll be there lifting me the wrong way up to see if my celeb can do it!

Aimee and Katya sporting the denim jackets made by Katya

Photograph credit score:Brett Cove

How do you suppose friendship could make us completely satisfied in a method a relationship cannot?

Katya: I will be fairly daring right here. We snicker about it so much and we name one another ‘wives’ however I genuinely suppose our friendship is the whole lot, with out the sexual half and connection. Is it too far to say that Aimee? That is the best way I really feel.

Aimee: I might say I really feel precisely the identical. It is like one of the best type of relationship, simply with out that half. We do joke about ‘It is my spouse!’ If we flip up someplace and Katya’s not with me, everybody’s like ‘The place’s your spouse?!’ It is honest to say and clearly life adjustments however it’s an inseparable bond and a friendship that I am so proud to be part of. Katya makes me completely satisfied. It is so simple as that.

Katya: And also you make me completely satisfied! Going a bit deeper into it, we discover it fairly shocking how many individuals discover our friendship unusually tight. I do not perceive why. Is not it what you count on from friendship? Do not you need to have a buddy who brings you happiness while you see them?

Some folks discover it uncommon how a lot time we spend collectively, however we’re each single who am I meant to spend my time with? I want for everybody to have a buddy like that of their life.

You latterly travelled round Australia and Bali collectively for 3 weeks. Inform us about it

Katya: We do not just like the touristy sort of issues we like to expertise locations how the locals would. We now have mates in Western Australia which allowed us to see the native way of life. We went abseiling, went to the rainforest, and rode a bike due to Aimee’s ability.

What we observed so much there may be that individuals aren’t on their telephones a lot. They’re you, they see you, they hear you and are open and work together with you. Earlier than you recognize it, you possibly can be hanging out in somebody’s again backyard. They are not in that rat race that we see in London so much.

Aimee: A lot of Australia is about human interplay, folks, having coffees, strolling, and that is one thing we actually worth in our friendship. If we exit for dinner, we’ll sit there and chat. We can’t sit there our telephones.

Aimee and Katya on their Bali bike journey

Katya: We have roles in our friendship. I do the analysis and planning after which Aimee will get a bike, and we trip for 3 hours to the opposite facet of the island up the facet of a volcano, like we did in Bali.

Aimee: It was probably the most savage journey we have been by collectively. It was chilly, wet, extraordinarily steep and we have been the one vacationers for about 20-30 miles. It was loopy. We have been huddled collectively on that scooter.

Do you check out one another’s sports activities and hobbies?

Aimee: Katya learnt snowboard, and I am so proud. When folks ask if she skis, she says, ‘No I am a snowboarder’. I am like ‘Go on my lady!’ I am so proud.

Katya: Aimee was engaged on Ski Sunday, so I went to Austria then Switzerland, which was superior as a result of it was my first time in a ski resort. It was sensible to be there when Aimee was doing her factor, and we went to LAAX the place she used to compete.

In the meantime, my bum was black and blue and my knees have been smashed from studying to snowboard, however I carried on. On day six, I used to be shattered. At one level I felt like I could not keep on, so Aimee put me on her shoulders and piggy backed me to the tip.

Aimee: I am fairly strong, I am not going to lie. I did used to throw myself off jumps for a residing so that you do must be fairly bulletproof.

Katya shares in Aimee’s ardour for snowboarding Photograph credit score:Max Howard

Katya: I’ve heard numerous tales from Aimee’s earlier life and it wasn’t till I did it together with her that I understood what she meant. It is gnarly, it is exhausting, it is freezing and also you simply get exhausted from the coldness of it and carrying this big snowboard bag in all places in these boots. As thrilling as it’d look, it takes a toll in your physique. What Aimee’s been doing for years deserves huge respect. It’s extremely completely different bodily from dancing.

Aimee: Katya is a inventive genius when its involves reusing and recycling actually something; shes taught me so much about sustainability and shared her ardour. From maintain cups to creating small adjustments with purchases within the grocery store, its made me extra conscious.

I even have numerous garments! In terms of trend, Katyas ardour for turning an previous denim jacket into an announcement piece from a charity store is a present in itself. She made me one! After which helped me make one for my mum for Moms Day. I really like the thought behind it and private particulars; I undoubtedly take a look at my wardrobe a bit in another way now.

What does the phrase ‘happiness’ imply to you?

Aimee: An abundance of affection and sharing of positivity. I actually consider happiness is one thing that is shared it is just like the mixed vitality of individuals round you and that is why friendship is so vital. You are nothing by yourself with out folks in your life. It is all about sharing experiences; it isn’t about sharing objects or issues that we personal. For me, happiness if about sharing life with unimaginable folks, and considered one of them if Katya.

Katya: We should not search happiness externally as a result of that may by no means fulfill you. You must be completely satisfied inside your self first to share that with others. When folks say, ‘Oh you are at all times so completely satisfied’, I believe it is as a result of we share it with one another and others. Happiness is available in a number of shapes and types.

Aimee: It is the straightforward issues. Simply being grateful for having legs and with the ability to stroll. Waking up and having the chance to dwell one other day, as a result of not everybody has that. It is being grateful that we’ve the fortune to dwell and for the little issues: a espresso with your folks, a bit of snicker, smiling at a stranger on the street. If you happen to radiate happiness, then you definately’ll obtain it.

Aimee Fuller’s e book Worry Much less Reside Extra is out now, 7.99, revealed by Hachette.Comply with Aimee on Instagram and Twitter.You’ll be able to comply with Katya Jones on Instagram.

Watch Aimee and Katya on Superstar Hunted SU2C, Tuesday 28 March at9pm, Channel 4