Dr. Sheila Li is a multi-award-winning cosmetic dentist and aesthetic clinician celebrated for her mastery of full-face harmonisation and natural, understated rejuvenation. A graduate of King’s College London with a dental degree and a first-class honours in Biomedical Sciences, she went on to earn a Master’s in Aesthetic Medicine with distinction from Queen Mary University of London. With more than 19,000 patients treated, Dr. Sheila blends scientific precision with an artistic eye to deliver results that are both transformative and deeply respectful of individuality.
With over a decade of clinical and educational experience, she has become a defining voice for safe, ethical aesthetic practice. As a UK trainer for Ellanse, Julaine collagen-stimulating injectables, and Maili hyaluronic acid fillers, and as the founder of Mediject, she has trained and mentored over 900 medical professionals, helping shape the next generation of aesthetic practitioners. Her role as a guest lecturer on the Aesthetic Medicine MSc at Queen Mary University further reflects her dedication to elevating standards within the industry.
At the heart of her work is highly personalised, patient-centred care. Every treatment plan is crafted around the individual — thoughtful, balanced, and grounded in natural beauty. A full member of the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and its Communications Director, Dr. Sheila continues to champion excellence across both cosmetic dentistry and aesthetic medicine.
Her commitment to education, integrity, and human-centric aesthetics makes her not only a trusted clinician, but a powerful voice in the future of beauty — and a perfect feature for our Siren Grounds Coffee Unfiltered Series.
How do you usually start your mornings, and what role does coffee or your favorite fuel play in setting the tone for your day?
With three young daughters, my mornings are rarely quiet, but they are full of life. I’ve learned not to chase serenity, but to find stillness within the noise. I wake before they do, feet bare on the floor, or the earth if it’s warm enough, and begin with breathwork. A few moments of silence, of conscious gratitude, before the day unfolds.
Then, I ritualise my coffee. It’s deliberate. I weigh and grind the beans, listen to the hum of the pressure of the water through the machine, and steam the oat milk with care. I take a long inhale before the first sip, and for that moment, I think of nothing else. Just presence. Just gratitude. Just coffee.
It’s only 20 minutes, but it anchors me. The second part of the morning belongs fully to my girls, not rushed, not polished, just present. After that, I step into clinic, or into teaching, bringing the same presence with me. Because the truth is, it’s not about a perfect morning, it’s about meeting yourself in it, and choosing how you show up.
Women often juggle so many roles—career, family, self-care. How do you personally manage your energy levels to keep up with the demands of your lifestyle?
“Energy, for me, is something I manage with the same respect I give to my time. It has limits, so I protect it. Between motherhood, clinic, and mentorship, I’ve stopped chasing perfect balance day-to-day, and instead focus on intentional rhythm across the week. Some days work asks for more, other days it’s my family, I pour into each where I’m most needed, trusting that over time, it evens out.
What keeps me steady is self-permission. Permission not to do everything. Permission not to get it perfect. Permission not to know all the answers. Permission to put myself first, without guilt. I’ve learned that how I feel matters, how I show up matters, and if I don’t honour that, no one gets the best of me. So I make space to refill, with quiet, with care, and with boundaries that honour both my ambition and my wellbeing.”
When you hit those days where motivation feels low, what’s your go-to ritual, mindset shift, or daily practice that helps you power through?
When motivation dips, I don’t push harder, I pause. I return to my ‘why’ the deeper purpose that sits beneath everything I’m building. I remember that my children are watching me, learning not just from what I do, but from how I do it. Their nervous systems mirror mine, so my energy matters more than my output.
On low days, I slow down and turn inwards. I ask myself gently, ‘Who can help?’ and, ‘What would make my boat go faster?’ Sometimes it’s support, sometimes it’s space, sometimes it’s saying no. I listen to my body, to what she wants to lean into, and what she wants to avoid. And I honour that.
I’ve learned that consistency isn’t about pushing through, it’s about protecting your nervous system. The power is in knowing when to soften, when to seek stillness, and when to re-centre, because from that place, the next step becomes clear.
Fuel Beyond the Cup: Outside of coffee, what other habits, foods, or wellness practices do you swear by to stay energized and grounded throughout the day?
Beyond coffee, it’s the small, human rituals that ground me, laughter, restorative hugs, meaningful conversation, or simply being around people who bring me back to myself.
With three young daughters, my routines change more often than I’d like to admit. I can’t always rely on the pre-children wellness habits I once had, and I’ve learned not to chase perfection in this space. Some days I forget to hydrate properly, or I’m too tired to exercise and that’s okay.
What’s non-negotiable is how I respond to my body. I no longer ignore the quiet signals, the tightness in my chest, the fogginess, the irritability that comes from pushing through. I listen to my nervous system now, not just my to-do list. Sometimes that means 30 seconds of breathwork between the demands of work and life, or simply pausing long enough to ask myself what I really need.
Energy isn’t always about doing more, sometimes it’s about noticing sooner, and softening faster.
If you could share one piece of advice with women about how to fuel not just their bodies but also their ambition and spirit, what would it be?
Protect your energy as fiercely as you protect your ambition. There’s a narrative that glorifies relentless drive, but true success isn’t built on depletion, it’s built on presence, purpose, and sustainability.
Give yourself permission to lead from softness as well as strength. You don’t need to harden to succeed. Gentleness can be powerful, and ambition can be nourished without sacrificing yourself or your family in the process.
Define success for yourself, not by someone else’s metrics, but by what brings you meaning, peace, and joy. When you’re clear on that, the noise fades. You stop striving for someone else’s version of achievement, and you begin to flourish in your own.
And whatever you do, don’t do it alone. Ask for help sooner. Let others hold you, cheer for you, support you. You’re not meant to carry it all.