#LifeLessons - The Biggest Life Learnings Of Nadine Walters

NAME:  Nadine Walters

AGE: 36

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: Thetalkuae

JOB TITLE:  Founder of The Talk

Nadine is an experienced, British-trained primary school teacher who has lived and taught in Dubai for almost a decade. Inspired by her belief in empowering young people to take charge of their physical and mental well-being, Nadine founded The Talk, which provides puberty and menstrual health education programmes for UAE schools and communities.

The concept is designed to empower boys and girls in Years 5 to 8 with age-appropriate, culturally sensitive information, creating a safe space for them to learn and ask questions. Content is based on the UK curriculum and delivered by experienced teachers who bring professionalism, empathy, and experience to every session.

The team also offers in-school parent workshops and supports families at home, as well as through community partnerships. In addition to sharing knowledge, The Talk offers curated period boxes that include a range of essentials and self-care products to help girls feel positive and prepared every month.

Today Nadine shares with us her biggest life learnings to-date:

#LIFELESSON – 1 Balance is Built, Not Found

I have been a primary school teacher for ten years, and absolutely love my job. I am also passionate about creating something that can add value for many more children and families than I have the opportunity to work with every day, which is where The Talk came from. Juggling a full-time job and running a business isn’t about ‘finding balance’ it’s about building it. Some days, that’s means saying no to distractions and focussing only on what truly matters. Other days, it means working late but knowing it’s moving you closer to your purpose. Balance is never perfect. It’s intentional. I’ve learned that seasons look different: sometimes work takes more, sometimes life does. The key is giving yourself grace and recognising that balance isn’t about doing it all at once, its about pacing yourself so you can keep going for the long run.

#LIFELESSON – 2 Purpose Fuels Perseverance

Starting ‘The Talk’ was never just about lessons in Puberty and Periods. It was about giving students confidence and normalising conversations they’ll carry for life. My purpose was sparked when I realised how many young people felt unprepared and embarrassed by the changes of puberty. I will also never forget one of the first parent–student workshops that we delivered. Parents and their children began opening up to each other, asking questions, and starting conversations that many had been avoiding. Afterwards, a parent shared how relieved they felt to finally have the tools and confidence to speak to their child about puberty without fear or awkwardness. That feedback was powerful. It showed me that these sessions weren’t just about education in the classroom; they were about strengthening connections at home.

That moment, along with my own experience of growing up in an environment where these conversations were often avoided, shaped my drive to do this work. I saw first-hand the confusion that silence can create, and I wanted to make sure today’s young people had better support.

That purpose fuels me daily; to ensure every child leaves my sessions feeling informed, confident, and empowered to carry these conversations into their lives and homes. On the hard days, that purpose keeps me going. When you know your “why”, you’ll always find the energy to keep moving forward. Purpose is what reminds me that even if one session only impacts a single student, that’s still a life changed. It’s the belief that what you’re doing matters, and even if it doesn’t always feel easy, that belief will carry you further than motivation ever will.

#LIFELESSON – 3 Small Steps Create Big Shifts

Progress doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it’s one email, one school booking, one conversation with a parent. But over time, those small, consistent actions build something bigger than you imagined. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, it’s the daily steps that compound into longer-term impact. Looking back, I can see how the small wins stacked up to create opportunities I never could have planned. For example, what started as one workshop in a single school soon led to a teacher recommending The Talk to a friend who works in another school, then a parent reaching out for a session which led to a coffee meet up with other parents. Those early, seemingly small sessions became the foundation for building trust and creating a ripple effect. Each connection opened the door to the next and before I knew it, the talks were extending to other schools. It taught me that momentum is built quietly and steadily, and that real change often happens in the background before anyone else notices.