Charles Mills Beyond MIC And Into Wellness

Charles Mills’ name still lingers in the cultural memory from his time on Made in Chelsea, a world of champagne-fuelled nights and front-row notoriety. But to define him by that chapter is to miss the reinvention that followed. Today, Mills is carving out a new legacy in wellness, bridging the once-disparate worlds of fitness, skincare and technology through his brand, GELIDA. With candour about his struggles and a clarity of purpose sharpened by experience, he’s shifting the conversation from quick fixes to lasting transformation, body, brain, and brand.

Curtis Hinton sat down with Mills for Hinton Magazine to talk life beyond the reality TV lens, building a business with purpose, and his vision for the future of holistic self-care.

When people think of you, many still picture the days of Made in Chelsea. How has life shifted for you since then, and what feels most different about who you are now compared to that time on screen?

Many will remember me as the guy from Made in Chelsea, but that version of myself no longer defines or aligns with who I am! I’ve stepped away from that fast-paced party lifestyle, faced personal struggles, including a long-term battle with drugs and alcohol and also depression. I think what’s most different today is my sense of purpose, I'm no longer chasing the attention, but building something that matters and is making a difference in not only peoples confidence, but in peoples lives!

You are now leading businesses in two very different but connected spaces, fitness and skincare. What first drew you into that world and when did you realise this was where you wanted to build your future?

My entry into the wellness space felt more like a calling than a career decision. It started with my mother, Susan. Her vision of combining long-established clinical knowledge with forward-thinking aesthetic outcomes gave birth to an idea that quickly grew into GELIDA. We founded it not just as a beauty and fitness company, but as a holistic brand that bridges these worlds, offering non-invasive solutions that address both external appearance and internal well-being. We’re pioneering holistic, integrative technologies that range from fitness, rehabilitation, and beauty to aesthetics, skincare and bio-health. Whether it’s helping with muscle recovery, pain relief, or non-invasive aesthetics procedures, GELIDA technologies work across all dimensions of physical health and appearance! I think it was this blend of wellness, technology, and innovation that convinced me quite early on that building my future here would be both meaningful and impactful and was a journey I wanted to undertake!

Health is often spoken about in silos, yet your brands seem to blur those lines. How do you see fitness, beauty and skincare complementing each other in the way people feel and present themselves?

At GELIDA, we view wellness as an integrated experience. Our approach combines fitness, beauty, and skincare to promote overall well-being. By addressing both the body and mind, we aim to help individuals feel confident and balanced, not just look their best!

GELIDA has positioned itself around cutting-edge non-invasive technology. For someone unfamiliar with what you do, how would you explain the experience and the results in a way that feels both accessible and aspirational?

Imagine yourself in a Spa or Clinic, now imagine a treatment that feels calm, gentle, and rejuvenating, like a cool wave gliding over your skin, with no downtime that seamlessly delivers exceptional, long-lasting results! That’s GELIDA! Grounded in clinical science but feels luxurious and intuitive. The results are real, visible outcomes like firmer skin and of course, more confidence. There will be no unrealistic promises, just an honest, sustainable and above all, enjoyable transformation!

The fitness industry can be noisy and the skincare market even more so. How do you approach building credibility in spaces that are crowded with trends, quick fixes, and bold claims?

Our strategy? Trust over hype, every single time! GELIDA is rooted in trust, not trends. We prioritise honest communication, education, and proven results. We don’t chase the noise, we make it! We’re here, building a community of believers who became brand advocates because our tech works, and so does our integrity… I think that’s what sets us apart in an industry often dominated by fleeting trends!

You work closely with your mother in developing GELIDA. What has that family collaboration been like, and how do you balance the personal with the professional when making big business decisions?

Working with family members brings both incredible strengths and unique challenges. I want to be candid, it's not always smooth sailing.

There are moments when personal and professional worlds collide. We’ve had to learn how to separate the Mother/ Son dynamic from business. What makes it work are defined areas of expertise, my Mother, Susan brings both deep business and clinical expertise, and I focus on brand, culture, and innovation. We both believe in integrity, holistic wellness, and doing right by our work. I think our shared purpose keeps us united, even when tensions arise! So yes, it can be hard. But also rewarding. Our connection gives GELIDA its soul!

The phrase you often use is building body, brain and brand. What does that actually look like in practice for you and how does it shape the way you design products or programmes?

For me, it's a journey of rebuilding from the ground up. My past has seen the struggles, the depression, the substance use, leading me to a place where I felt disconnected from myself and others. Overcoming those challenges was the first step toward transformation. Body, for me is regularly going to the gym to reconnect my physical self. It isn’t only about appearance; it is about feeling strong, capable, and in control again. Brain: As I focused on my physical health, I also worked on my mental well-being. Learning, growing and developing empowered me to take on challenges with a clearer mind and a much more positive outlook. Brand: Building GELIDA was more than creating a company, it was about creating something that reflected my journey and could help others on theirs. It's a manifestation of commitment to wellness, integrity, and making a positive impact and something to be proud of!

Each aspect, body, brain, and brand is interconnected. Together, they represent an ongoing process of healing, growth, and leadership. Through GELIDA, I aim to inspire others to embark on their own paths of transformation, showing that it's possible to rise from difficult times and build something meaningful! So “body, brain, brand” is more than a mantra, it’s a journey of becoming: a stronger body, a sharper mind, a brand with heart. Together, they don’t just sculpt a character or a persona, they shape the kind of leader I want to be!

Many people chase quick results, whether it is in the gym or through products on their skin. How do you encourage a more sustainable mindset, where progress is seen as long term and part of everyday life rather than a short fix?

The most important thing to remember is that lasting change doesn't happen overnight. Whether you're aiming to build muscle, lose fat, or improve your overall health, the body (and the mind) needs time to adapt to new routines!

When we give the body the ability to play its own part in achieving results, those results are enhanced and adopted longer term. This means allowing time for the body to adjust and respond to the changes you're making. Consistency is key. Small, sustainable changes over time lead to lasting results. It's about building habits that support your goals and sticking with them, even when progress feels slow.

You have placed GELIDA within high end spaces like luxury spas and clinics. What does being in that environment mean for the brand and how important is it for you to align with that level of experience?

Placing GELIDA in luxury spas and clinics isn't about creating any sort of exclusivity, it's about setting a standard of excellence. These environments reflect our commitment to offering a high-end, holistic experience that combines advanced technology with an exceptional experience.

Above all, we believe in inclusivity and accessibility. While our treatments are available in premium settings, we strive to make the benefits of GELIDA accessible to a broader audience. It's about ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, can experience the transformative effects of an award-winning, holistic wellness approach…

Looking ahead, how do you see the relationship between technology, fitness, and skincare evolving, and what role do you hope to play in shaping the way people take care of themselves in the next decade?

The future of wellness isn't just about looking better… it's about feeling better, inside and out! As technology continues to advance, it's enabling us to personalise and enhance our routines in ways we've never imagined before. We're moving towards a more integrated approach where the boundaries between physical health, mental well-being, and aesthetic care are increasingly blurred.

We envision a future where our technologies don't just treat the body, they empower it! By harnessing the power of ancient modalities and next-gen innovation, we're integrating tools that support natural processes, helping individuals achieve sustainable, long-lasting results! It's about giving people the means to take control of their wellness journey, their confidence, resilience and a creating a deeper connection to self!

Looking ahead, our goal is to be at the forefront of this evolution, leading the way in holistic, technology-driven wellness solutions! We aim to inspire a movement where holistic self-care is not a luxury, but a fundamental part of daily life and a practice that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit to be the best possible version of ourselves, for ourselves, inside and out!

This isn’t the story of a reality star pivoting into business for appearances. It’s the story of a man who confronted his own battles, rebuilt himself, and then set out to build something bigger, a company at the intersection of health, beauty, and science. Charles Mills’ vision for GELIDA is less about hype and more about trust, less about surface and more about substance. In an industry that thrives on fleeting trends, he’s quietly laying the groundwork for a new kind of wellness: integrated, credible, and enduring.