The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast

Episode 159: Can Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) Improve Capacity in ME/CFS?

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00:00 / 00:32:14

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A recently published study investigating Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) in people living with ME/CFS has generated considerable interest within the chronic illness community. But what did the research actually find? In this episode, Anna takes a balanced look at the study, exploring both the encouraging findings and the important limitations. Whilst the results suggest that HBOT may improve physical functioning, fatigue, pain and cognitive performance in a subset of people with ME/CFS, the study was observational and should be interpreted with appropriate caution.

The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast

Episode 158: What Happened After My Longest Hike Since Illness 

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00:00 / 00:42:49

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A personal and practical episode exploring the 72 hours after Anna’s longest hike since illness, and what late-stage recovery really involves when rebuilding physical capacity safely and sustainably.

The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast

Episode 157: Could Creatine Support Energy and Cognitive Function in Long Covid?

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00:00 / 00:29:45

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Creatine is often associated with the fitness industry and sports performance — but emerging research is now exploring whether it may have relevance far beyond the gym. In this episode, Anna explores the current evidence surrounding creatine supplementation in Long Covid and fatigue-related conditions, including its potential role in energy metabolism, muscle function, cognitive symptoms, […]

The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast

Episode 156: Recovery, Recalibration & Learning to Feel Safely Again 

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00:00 / 00:38:45

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A personal and reflective episode exploring nervous system recalibration, Somatic Experiencing concepts, and what happens when recovery allows emotions and sensations to become more accessible again.

The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast

Episode 155: What This New Research on Glutamate Might Mean for Long COVID & ME/CFS 

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00:00 / 00:36:00

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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 […]

The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast

Episode 154: Breakups, Dating & Recovery: Navigating Life After Long Covid with Lexi Boreham

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00:00 / 01:01:48

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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.

The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast

Episode 153: COMT - Why Some Nervous Systems Feel Everything More Intensely

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00:00 / 00:13:00

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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.

The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast

Episode 152: When You’re Mostly Better… But Not Fully Stable Yet

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00:00 / 00:22:47

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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.

The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast

Episode 151: Why Gentle Movement Can Calm the Nervous System (Even With Chronic Fatigue)

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00:00 / 00:27:50

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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.

The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast

Episode 150: Relapse or Recalibration? Why Symptoms Can Return After Years of Stability

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00:00 / 00:56:01

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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.