Glow Together: How Go&Glow is Redefining Womens’ Connection in Edinburgh
- Erin-Louise
- Aug 29, 2025
- 8 min read
From yoga to pizza nights, Go&Glow is all about connection. Founder Alexa shares how she’s building a safe, empowering space for women.
By Erin
1st Sept 2025
Community can be a slippery word. It gets thrown around a lot — usually by brands selling you a £70 water bottle and a matching tote. But in Edinburgh, one woman has taken it back to what it really means: women showing up for each other, no strings attached.
From beach yoga sessions to pizza nights, Go&Glow has quickly become the kind of group you wish you’d stumbled into sooner. It’s not about networking, or pretending you’ve got it all together — it’s about movement, creativity, and connection woven into the fabric of everyday life.
At the centre of it all is founder Alexa. When we met her, it all clicked: the warm smile, the welcoming hug, the refusal to let anyone cover the cost of her iced latte. She’s the kind of girl who makes you feel instantly at ease — and the exact reason Go&Glow feels less like “joining an event” and more like finding a group of women who get it.
We sat down with Alexa to talk about the journey behind Go&Glow, the realities of starting something from scratch, and why building a space for women to connect matters now more than ever.
Q&A with Alexa
Founder of Go&Glow
Can you take us back to the moment Go&Glow was born? What inspired you to create a community like this in Edinburgh?
Originally, we were known as Girls Who Walk, a walking group for women. It started in Manchester, and branches popped up around the UK to support women’s wellbeing and help with the loneliness pandemic, which still continues today. It can be really difficult to make new friends as an adult, so the idea was to create spaces for like-minded women to connect.
I soon realised we were more than just a walking group. We were also hosting pottery painting, beach yoga, book swaps, coffee mornings and other social events, so it felt right to rebrand with a name that better represented us and was more inclusive.
I started it because I struggled to connect with people myself, and I don’t think there are enough spaces for women to meet outside of forced environments. I wanted to create something I wish I had — a safe space to show up authentically, try something new, and hopefully make new friends.
How would you describe the heart of Go&Glow to someone who’s never been to one of your events?
I’d say it’s just community. It’s a wellness brand, but I believe that community is wellness. We promote connection and community through events that are centred around creativity and movement.
What kind of feeling do you hope people walk away with after attending?
Because it’s a group that helps people make new friends, some expect to walk away with best friends for life, but we can’t control that. The more events you attend, the more likely you’ll meet someone you really click with.
For me, the bigger hope is building self-confidence. The number one feedback we get is how much more confident people feel after events. It can be daunting to go out and try something new alone, but people tell us that every time they leave, they feel proud that they showed up without friends or support — they proved to themselves they can do it. That’s what it’s really about: self-empowerment and creating the space for that.
Erin: But also, you making the events welcoming is such a big part of why women feel that way.
I think that’s true — the reason people feel so confident is because the space is welcoming and inclusive, which is really important to me.
You’ve built a space that’s equal parts uplifting and empowering — how intentional was that balance from the start?
I’d say it’s very intentional. I’m not sure there was a strict order to it, but those were always the things I wanted to include and represent. Honestly, I don’t really know how I went about doing it — I think it came down to setting clear boundaries within the group. When you’re building a community that’s so people-focused, you can’t control everything. In the end, the ones I really have to thank for creating that space are the people who show up.
What have you learned about the women in your community through hosting these events?
I think everyone craves connection, but sometimes we don’t know how to find it. That’s one of the main reasons I wanted to create this space. I’ve also realised that even as an introvert, you can still want company without necessarily wanting to socialise — and that’s perfectly acceptable and valid.
That’s something I only recently learned myself. I know it can be really scary to show up to an in-person event, so I wanted to introduce some online socials to make things more inclusive. They give another option for women who are more introverted, or for those who are neurodivergent or have disabilities that make it difficult to attend certain events.
It’s been a big learning curve for me. Often, you get carried away with what feels normal for you, but in reality, there are so many people who struggle with showing up in person. I want to make sure this community creates space for them too.
Everyone deserves connection.
Can you share a story or moment that made you realise, “Yes, this is why I do this”?
I wouldn’t say there’s been one single moment — more an accumulation of them. I find it so rewarding when women come up to me and say how empowering the experience was. Often, it’s as simple as showing up. That’s when I think, okay, this is why I do this. I’m helping others.
I’ve always been drawn to roles where I can support people, and every time I get that kind of feedback it motivates me to keep going and find new ways to grow the community. I genuinely have a passion for bringing people together — even with my own friends, I’ve always loved hosting dinners and gatherings.
Erin: I can’t cook, so… unless they want to come round for pizza.
That’s fine too!
Erin: I think it’s great because you’ve recognised how introverts work, yet what you’re doing is such an extroverted thing. It’s a real talent to bring strangers together, understand what they need, and create a space they feel both safe and encouraged. That’s something really special.
But what’s been the hardest part behind the scenes?
I love this question and the transparency — it’s so important! Running this completely solo, and now making it my full-time job, is tough. People love the idea of community and what it brings, but I don’t think they always see the time and effort behind the scenes. You’re essentially combining a number of full-time jobs into one. It’s 24/7 — your brain never really switches off, especially when you’re passionate about it.
Sometimes you even feel guilty for not being productive, and I think a lot of people can relate to that when their passions become all-consuming. Ironically, the hardest part for me is that it can feel quite lonely without a team. Hopefully that will change in the near future, but for now I’m really grateful to be able to socialise at the events themselves.
How do you go about curating event topics and experiences that feel both fun and meaningful?
I really thought about the values I wanted the group to be centred around, and for me, it’s creativity, movement, and connection. When I plan events, I ask myself what activities include one, two, or even all three of those things, so there’s always variety. I want there to be something for everyone — not everyone loves yoga, but they might love scrapbooking.
At the end of the month, for example, we’re combining all three for our rebrand to remind people what Go&Glow is about and share our values. We’ll do beach yoga, letter writing, and then coffee together — a little bit of everything.
Erin: I love this idea. When I first moved to Melbourne, I was introduced to a beautiful group of women through a friend, and we spent New Year’s Day on the beach sharing what we were proud of from the previous year. It was so beautiful and comforting.
Honestly, women are so rejuvenating. I mean, it’s scientifically proven — we live longer, for goodness’ sake! It’s such an empowering experience to be around like-minded women, and I’m thrilled we can make space for that.
Erin: It’s needed — science says so.
What do you see as the next chapter for Go&Glow?
Right now, I’ve been working a lot with local businesses, which can be difficult because it’s hard to keep costs down. But I never want my events to become too expensive for people to attend. We’re focused on keeping everything accessible, and hopefully that will include sponsorships with businesses in the future — it’s definitely something we’re working on.
Erin: And all of that just takes time! But the next big thing really is the rebrand event?
Yeah! It’s already launched, but absolutely — the event is about reminding people we’re here, sharing our values, and celebrating together.
What’s been the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through this journey?
I think the most rewarding part is how much I thrive off people’s happiness — oh my gosh, that sounds like I’m a people pleaser. Actually, I’ve learned that I am a people pleaser. You know what, I’ll be completely honest: that’s the biggest thing I’ve realised. It’s a good thing and a bad thing — but it’s definitely a great thing for event organising and community building. It’s great, but it’s also quite consuming.
Erin: Because you can’t please everyone.
No! You really can’t please everyone — and when you try, it gets really upsetting. You end up fixating on it, and I have to remind myself, “Alexa, this is unhealthy.” But at the same time, I genuinely thrive off people’s positivity — to the point where I’d honestly do it for free… if not for this economy.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone dreaming of scaling their passion project, what would it be?
I think you really need to be certain this is the life you want, because it can become all-consuming — and you have to want that. If you’re unsure, don’t do it. For me, I knew I wanted to help people, so taking this step made sense.
A lot of people say, “If you’re not sure, just go for it,” but I think that’s risky advice. It’s a big commitment. If you’re going to do something, do it with your whole heart.
It also depends on what you value. If it’s money, I don’t think that’s the right reason. Your achievements don’t define you — you should do it because, deep down, you know it’s your calling.
Go&Glow isn’t just a wellness brand — it’s a living example of what happens when women come together to create space for each other. It’s about feeling seen, supported, and celebrated, whether that’s through yoga on the beach, a cosy coffee morning, or simply showing up solo and leaving a little braver. At its heart, this community is all about connection. And in a world that can sometimes feel lonely, Go&Glow is a gentle reminder that none of us have to do it alone — we get to grow, walk, and glow through it together.
FIND GO&GLOW ON SOCIALS
Instagram: @goxglow.co
TikTok: @goxglow
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