In this episode, Anna breaks down a recent study exploring brain neurochemicals in Long COVID and ME/CFS — with a particular focus on glutamate and its potential role in symptoms, particularly physical capacity. Rather than simply summarising the research, Anna walks you through what these findings may actually mean in practice. We’ll explore how glutamate […]
In this episode, Anna is joined by Lexi Boreham, who shares her experience of living with and recovering from Long Covid.
This conversation gently explores the reality of rebuilding a life alongside ongoing symptoms — from the early confusion of becoming unwell, to navigating setbacks, identity shifts, and the emotional impact of recovery.
Together, they talk about the often-unspoken parts of the journey, including loneliness, the role of community, learning to set boundaries, and what it means to move forward when life looks very different to before.
They also explore the complexities of breakups and dating during recovery — how illness can shape identity, relationships, and self-perception, and the process of learning to trust yourself and others again.
This is an honest, grounded conversation about the messy middle of recovery — and the gradual, often quiet process of rebuilding a life that feels meaningful, supportive, and your own.
Some people notice that they seem to experience stimulation and stress more intensely than others.
They may feel overwhelmed in busy environments, react strongly to caffeine, or find it difficult to switch off mentally after a demanding day.
Sometimes people encounter the term COMT when exploring genetic testing and begin to wonder whether this might explain their nervous system sensitivity.
But conversations about COMT online can quickly become confusing — and sometimes unnecessarily alarming.
In this episode, Anna explores what COMT actually does in the body, how it influences the way we process certain stress-related brain chemicals, and why some nervous systems naturally experience stimulation more strongly than others.
Most importantly, we discuss why COMT is not a defect, but rather a pattern of biological sensitivity that can have both challenges and strengths.
There is a stage of recovery that many people reach where life has largely returned to normal.
You may be working again.
Socialising more.
Exercising gently.
Participating in daily life in ways that once felt impossible.
And yet, your system may still experience occasional fluctuations.
Energy might dip after a busy week.
Sleep may become more fragile during stressful periods.
Your nervous system might still feel sensitive to certain types of load.
This stage can feel confusing, because you’re no longer severely ill — but things don’t always feel completely stable yet.
In this episode, Anna explores what she often describes as the fine-tuning phase of recovery.
Movement can feel like a complicated topic for people.
But something interesting often emerges during recovery.
Certain types of gentle, rhythmic movement can actually help the nervous system settle.
In this episode, Anna explores why the body sometimes responds positively to movement — not because it improves fitness, but because it can help the nervous system process activation and return toward regulation.
One of the most frightening moments in recovery can be when symptoms suddenly return after a long period of stability.
And many people immediately think:
"I’m back where I started."
But in many cases, what looks like a relapse is actually something quite different.
Sometimes the body is simply going through a temporary recalibration.
Not all post-exertional malaise (PEM) is driven by the same physiology — and understanding the difference can completely change how you approach pacing and recovery.
In this episode, Anna breaks down the three most common patterns of post-exertional crashes seen in clinical practice: autonomic “hit the wall” crashes, metabolic “wired but exhausted” responses, and delayed immune-driven flares.
You’ll learn why timing matters, how different symptom patterns reflect different underlying mechanisms, and why applying the wrong strategy can stall progress.
This week’s episode offers a behind-the-scenes recording from one of our practical recovery calls inside the Membership. We explore protein intake, rebuilding physical capacity, managing post-illness deconditioning, and navigating guilt when energy fluctuates. A varied and thoughtful conversation about strengthening gently — without tipping into overdoing.
This week on the podcast we do something a little different. We share a recording from the Nurturing Resilience Membership where we focus on supporting your Nervous System as you navigate recovering from Chronic Fatigue and other Energy Limiting Illness. This is your opportunity to be a fly on the wall of one of our group calls and if you want to take part yourself, you are very welcome to join the Membership and get involved. We cover topics such as using yin yoga for emotional processing, discharging survival energy, finding purpose in life while navigating recovery and how to create stability as you navigate the inevitable ups and downs.
Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is more than just feeling tired after activity — it’s a delayed and often severe worsening of symptoms that affects many people with ME/CFS and other energy-limiting conditions. In this episode, Anna unpacks what PEM is, why it happens, and what current research is beginning to reveal.
Online business owner since 2014, cat mum of two, ocean, food and chocolate lover, half mermaid, and CFS survivor!
I have more than 15 years experience in the health industry, a Masters Degree in Personalised Nutrition, and I am a fully certified and Trauma-Informed Functional Medicine Practitioner with the Institute of Functional Medicine.
Despite a lifelong interest in health, in 2016 CFS and mold illness turned my life upside down.
Always the achiever, being unwell was not an option I was prepared to settle for. I committed myself to finding out what I needed to be well. It changed me as a person and as a practitioner, and it changed how I run my business.
The fruits of my learnings are a combination of science, somatics, and neural-reprogramming used to help other high achieving entrepreneurial women find their spark again!
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Nurturing Resilience offers you the opportunity to address both, to whatever degree you need. By supporting your nervous system and physical health, you can build more resilience in your system. And with more resilience comes greater capacity to live life with less crashes, flares and setbacks!
