Biography
Gurdeep Hundal was born in West Yorkshire, Leeds on October 9th, 1987. By the age of eleven, she had already decided that she wanted to pursue a career in writing and began to write personal memoirs.
At the age of 14, Gurdeep had already produced her first TV report at School when she was encouraged to turn her back on sugary snacks, and test trial a new healthy vending machine – the first of its kind in the UK. In just a few years, she was commended for her documentary on leading a double life as a Brit-Asian person and was awarded an outstanding Media Student Award in 2006.
Joining a friend on a broadcasting tour led Gurdeep to experience her first taste of groundbreaking journalism – in front of the camera and behind the scenes – at Bradford’s Photography Museum in West Yorkshire. Since then, she has not looked back.
In 2009, Gurdeep graduated with a degree in Journalism from the University of Leeds and regularly interned at several print, radio and TV stations, including BBC Radio Leicester, ITV Calendar, MATV, Leicester Mercury and Asiana magazine.
Her biggest challenge came in Summer 2009, when she was selected to study a Masters in Broadcast Journalism at the University of Westminster in London. This saw her on regular deadlines, with front news page articles on Westminster News Online. She then interned at Five News, where she had the opportunity to stand outside 10 Downing Street and adapt her communication style to different types of people and situations. She also worked as a Healthcare Advisor at Boots the Chemist on the weekends and it was here – she decided that Health Journalism was the job for her.
In 2010, Gurdeep signed on to a module in Medical Journalism and was mentored by John Illlmann, the previous Health Editor of The London Guardian. She also produced a series of radio documentaries, where she interviewed real life patients on the causes and misconceptions of hepatitis C in Scotland; the rise of binge drinking, where she spent the night on board a ‘booze bus’ (an alternative ambulance for intoxicated patients) in London, and the reasons behind male eating disorders, which was commended by the charity Body Gossip.
At 22, Gurdeep left the UK and emigrated to Toronto in Canada. On arrival, she was asked by CTV National News to be an Editorial Assistant for their evening news programme. Within a month, she began to arrange interviews in six time zones across Canada and the globe, and became a regular Editing Assistant where she edited the footage of the Chilean Miners Strike, and Colonel Russell William’s case. After three months, she decided it was time to return back to Britain.
Within four months, she was offered interviews with BBC Blue Peter, BBC Radio Derby, Sunrise Radio and was selected to participate in ITV’s News Journalism Scheme for 2011; making it from 609 applicants to the last 20. Gurdeep declined these roles and carried on interning at BBC Radio 1, BBC Asian Network, ITV London Tonight and ITV National News, where she shadowed the Health Correspondent, Sue Saville before settling down within journalism. Gurdeep also vocally trained at BBC World Service and was mentored by Alec Sabin, a voice and presentation trainer for the BBC.
Her biggest challenge by far came in 2012, when she was asked by Fantasia Advertising to write a wedding script for a new bridal TV show. This saw her developing characters, designing flat plans and organising video shoots. She also set up interviews on behalf of two charities, The Care Trust and Body Gossip with ITV London Tonight and edited short stories for an up and coming author, Benjamin David.
The Winter of 2012 saw the launch of Gurdeep’s biggest career project. On the 8th September 2012, she was selected as one of the finalists for the Miss India UK London competition in 2013. But after much consideration, she decided to spend more time pursing her media career.
At 25, Gurdeep realised her true passion lies within health journalism and since then, she has been interning and freelancing at several national magazines, including Women’s Health, The Nursing Times, Pulse Today and Heart Matters (British Heart Foundation). She also works as a Healthcare Advisor and Trainee Dispenser at Boots the Chemist on the weekends, where she is increasing her pharmaceutical knowledge and combining this with her journalistic experience – to produce health and wellbeing articles.
During the summer of 2103, Gurdeep taught more than 190 secondary students (aged 16 to 17) how to work at a local level and connect with people from all walks of life. She inspired them to follow their dreams by working as a media practitioner, where she engaged them to record, edit and produce community films in the space of three days. Later to be showcased in front of their parents. She also worked as a community mentor where she helped the youth to focus on specific tasks given by the charity, The Challenge.
In October, Gurdeep joined forces with a colleague whom she met at The Challenge and together, they are currently producing an investigative documentary, which will change a law in the British Judicial System. They also have a health radio programme with UK Health Radio and Europe TV coming soon. They are also passionate about inspiring youth and will be providing health and nutrition speeches to secondary schools across the UK.
Gurdeep’s ambitious streak, has also enabled her to start up a health and wellbeing business which has changed her life dramatically. Her business income stems from Arbonne, a Swiss botanical based skincare company which is completely pure, safe and beneficial products. She is able to offer ultra premium quality products at high street prices and has found a way to cut out the middle-men in the product distribution system.
Gurdeep’s earlier career was spent training to be an Olympian gymnast; playing the harmonium, singing hymns, participating in local TV adverts, performing at the West Yorkshire Playhouse and helping in a family travel agency. She is now a freelance health journalist, motivational speaker, network marketing consultant, health advisor and life coach.
gurdeephundal 