They told me I would never run again when I was in my twenties. My knees were so painful they felt like they would implode, my ankles were unstable, it hurt to walk, to sit, to lie in bed.
I saw orthopaedic surgeons and rheumatologists one of them practically accused me of lying, I will never forget her!
The advice? “Get a sedentary job.” “Take painkillers.” “Accept it.” great!
As a 20-something who loved being active, that felt like a life sentence, I ignored them - (“doctors what do they know” and as I am now a doctor I can say we don’t have all the answers!) 3 years later I ran the London Marathon in 4 hours and 15 minutes. I couldn’t run for many years after that but when my dog Treacle had to retire from flyball we switched to canicross and slowly I started running again. Running trails of 5k to 10k sometimes more - competing with my spaniels in different events and getting podium places too.
I swore I would never run another marathon and yet… here I am. Training for one. I was so motivated after watching the runners last year cheering people on with Maz & Bambi watching from their stroller and so I decided to enter the Manchester Marathon. I was a bit worried not about motivation, I knew I could achieve it, I have before - although that was 25 years ago.
I was worried my body wouldn’t cope. More miles and more impact from road running not trails, more stress to my now much older joints. I genuinely wondered if marathon training would break me before I even got to the start line.
After the worst year of my life. Losing Maz, losing Evie, losing Rowan, losing three of my beautiful dogs in one year.
Running without Evie felt unbearable at first but Rowan helped me and Seren through it. Maz was always there after races like a little mascot. Evie just loved to run. Even when the others retired from canicross events, she still wanted to go. Then Rowan was not able to run and Seren no longer could either, suddenly it was quiet, no happy spaniel energy beside me.
But something surprising has happened. I’m not in pain and I’m getting stronger.
A few weeks ago at parkrun, I knocked 40 seconds off my rtroller running PB, running with Bambi in the stroller. A year ago I was at 35–36 minutes. Now as of writing I’m running 26 minutes & 22 seconds.
And for the first time, I stopped and thought…Blimey. I’m actually stronger.
Here’s what’s changed, not my determination, I’ve always had that but my fuel.
I made a few simple tweaks to what I’m putting into my body, extra protein a high-quality greens supplement, supporting recovery properly instead of just hoping for the best.
Nothing dramatic just intentional fuelling I guess.
Grief hasn’t broken my body, in many ways, it’s made me more aware of it.
As a Doctor and dog mum, I talk a lot about "both ends of the leash," but of course this applies to anyone caring for children or relatives too.
We spend so much time making sure our dogs have the right food, the right gear, and the right "calm." But we often treat our own bodies like an afterthought.
We fill their lick-mats with high-quality nutrients, we research their gut health, and we spend hours looking for the perfect harness. But then we head out for a walk fueled by nothing but three cups of coffee and a night of interrupted sleep. We’re asking ourselves to perform at our best while our own "check engine" light has been blinking for months. As a Doctor, I see this burnout everywhere—we are trying to lead our dogs through high-stress environments while our own biological battery is sitting at 5%.
Whilst I'm currently training for the Manchester Marathon, good fuelling isn't just for marathon runners: It’s for the person trying to hit their 10k steps. It’s for the owner who wants to feel less "creaky" on the morning walk. It's for anyone who is ready to step up their activity but feels like their engine is knocking.
If you are physically "run down," you are biologically unable to be the steady, resilient presence your household needs. Here is why looking after your body is actually a behaviour strategy: When your body is depleted, your brain shifts into "Survival Mode." It stops prioritizing patience and starts prioritizing its own survival. To be the anchor for your dog, we have to stabilize your internal chemistry first.
To fix the environment, we have to fix the chemistry first. These three products are my clinical "support crew":because they address the three main things that shorten our fuse: Pain, Brain-Fog, and Burnout.
Pain = A Short Fuse (The Deep Blue Strategy). It’s simple science. When your body hurts—even just a dull ache in your shoulders from a pulling dog—your brain is on "high alert." It perceives pain as a threat, which means your "smoke alarm" (the amygdala) is already buzzing. You react faster to a bark or a lunge because your system is already stressed. Using the Deep Blue Stick to soothe those aches isn't a luxury for "athletes"; it’s a way to silence the background noise of physical discomfort so you can stay calm for them.
Starved Brains Make Bad Choices (The VMG & Protein Strategy) - Your brain uses 20% of your body's energy. If you aren't giving it the vitamins and protein it needs, your "logic center" (the prefrontal cortex) literally dims its lights to save power.
This is when you start "walking and praying" instead of triaging the situation. VMG Greens act as your "Internal Insurance Policy" to clear the fog, while Protein keeps your blood sugar steady so you don't hit that 3 PM "hangry" irritability that ruins your patience. Together, they keep your "Thinking Brain" in the driver's seat. Read more about
VMG+ in my blog post.
Get the lowdown on this awesome
protein powder in my deepdive blog which also contains 7g of fibre - just what the doctor ordered!
Dehydration is "Brain Noise" (The MetaPWR Strategy) - Ever notice how much more "snappy" you are when you’re thirsty? Your brain literally struggles to function when you're dehydrated—it’s like trying to run a computer with a dusty cooling fan. MetaPWR Recharge is the "software update" your energy levels need. It provides the clinical-grade hydration that water alone can’t match, keeping your internal battery charged so you don't crash before the evening walk. Get all the details on
MetaPWR in my blog post
The Doctor’s Verdict: You wouldn't drive your car with the "Oil" light on for a month. Don't do it to your body. Whether you are tackling a 26-mile marathon or simply surviving 26 minutes of a high-pressure meeting or a school run—you need the right fuel.
When you feel better, you have the capacity to show up for everyone else.
For March 2026 only - when you buy the
Daily Body Reset Kit you get MetaPWR Recharge absolutely FREE
Getting the Reset Right
When you start your
Daily Body Reset this month, you aren't just getting a box of products—you're getting a seat at my desk.
Along with your kit, you’ll receive a 1:1 Clinical Clarity Call with me to fine-tune your protocol, your Daily Fuel Tracker to keep you on track, and full access to my Membership Area. This is where we do the real work together: weekly live Q&As and specialized courses designed to make sure you actually fulfill your goals this year.
As a medical doctor specializing in integrative health, essential oils, and animal behaviour, I offer tailored
consultations designed to empower you and your beloved pets.
Discover the transformative power of essential oils and explore my
doctor-curated kits and bonuses to support your journey.
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Please remember: Information shared is for educational purposes and not a substitute for medical or veterinary advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for specific health concerns.