My own journey with gut health began shortly after puberty. I remember living with a swollen tummy, bloating, wind and constant discomfort, never really understanding why. At seventeen, I started taking the contraceptive pill, and my symptoms became even worse.

After years of struggling, I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) at the age of twenty one. I left my GP appointment with a prescription for Fybogel and very little guidance about why my symptoms were happening or what I could do to improve them. Like so many people, I was told I simply had IBS and that it was something I would have to learn to live with.

Then, when I was thirty five, I reached a turning point. I felt so unwell that I knew something had to change. Desperate for answers, I booked an appointment with a private consultant. Within minutes of hearing my history, he suggested I have a coeliac blood test. It came back positive.

Despite my sister having been diagnosed with coeliac disease in 1973, it had never been considered during my own investigations. At the time, awareness of coeliac disease was far lower than it is today.

Going gluten-free brought significant improvements, but it wasn't the complete answer. Although some symptoms eased, I still experienced digestive problems and continued to struggle with IBS.

Fast forward to my late forties and the onset of perimenopause. Once again, I found myself exhausted, overwhelmed and battling persistent gut symptoms. My body no longer felt like my own. I was doing everything I thought I should be doing, yet I still didn't feel well. It became clear that there was far more going on than simply what I was eating.

I began working with a variety of holistic practitioners. Some approaches helped more than others, and each experience taught me something valuable. Working with a nutritionist sparked my interest in learning more about nutrition and my yoga studies have been invaluable in connecting to my body, listening to its signals and what it is communicating to me.