You’re NOT what you eat – here’s why that matters for your energy, aging, and vitality (especially if you’re always on the go)

If someone had told me six months ago that I’d be working in five countries, treating horses and coaching riders while living out of a suitcase, I’d have laughed and said, “With what energy?”

But here I am.

From the UK to Bali, now in Australia — still riding, still lifting, still guiding women like you through body transformations while trying to stay regulated myself.
One thing has kept me steady, strong, and surprisingly calm despite all the chaos: my gut.

Not in a "cleanse" or “green juice” kind of way…
I’m talking real gut health — the kind that impacts everything from your mood and motivation to how quickly your body ages.

Let me break this down, because if you’re a horsewoman juggling a full plate, always doing "one more thing" before eating, or skipping meals on competition day — this might be the most important thing you hear today:

You are not what you eat.
You are what your bacteria do with what you eat.

Inside you is an ecosystem. A living, adapting microbial world that dictates how much energy you can produce, how inflamed you are, and how clearly you can think.
And when it’s off? No amount of protein powder, meal prep, or macros can fix the fatigue, bloat, or emotional crashes.

Here’s what most women don’t realise (especially active riders over 30):
As we age, our gut diversity naturally shrinks. That means:

• Slower recovery

• More cravings

• Brain fog

• Fat around your belly that won’t shift

• And yep… accelerated aging

But this isn’t bad news. Because unlike your DNA, your gut is trainable.
And just like schooling a young horse, small daily inputs shape long-term resilience.

The Rider’s Gut Reset (aka what’s actually working for me across 5 countries)

I’ve had to simplify. I don’t have a fridge most days. Sometimes I don’t know what I’ll eat until 9pm. But these 6 simple habits have kept my gut happy, my brain clear, and my energy surprisingly consistent:

1. Add one new plant per day

Think herbs, spices, seeds, veggies, teas. Variety = microbial diversity = slower aging.

1. Fast 12–16 hours overnight

This helps your gut repair and boosts a powerful bacteria called Akkermansia that’s linked to leaner body fat and better blood sugar.

1. Fermented foods 3–5x a week

I travel with sauerkraut sachets. Don’t judge me. But science says: more fermented = more microbiome diversity = lower inflammation.

1. Fibre with a purpose (aka the 4Ms):

• Mucilaginous fibres – oats, chia, pumpkin, cooked root veg

• Micro-polyphenols – cacao, berries, rosemary, green tea

• Minerals – magnesium-rich foods = calm gut, better mood

• Movement – even 10 mins of walking after meals supports digestion and blood sugar

1. Bedtime buffer

90 minutes tech-free, plus a calming tea (chamomile + lemon balm = magic). Sleep is when your gut and brain actually repair.

1. Breathwork before meals or before bed

Even 2 minutes of deep nasal breathing (I teach a “physiological sigh”) resets your gut-brain axis and improves energy without caffeine.

Why does this matter for you?

Because your body isn’t failing you.
It’s adapting to the stress, under-eating, and over-exerting that horsewomen normalize.
The fix isn’t another diet, supplement, or workout.

It starts in your gut.

If your energy is dipping, your sleep is shallow, or your recovery feels slower than your horse’s winter coat shedding — this is your sign to pay attention.

So here’s your 7-day challenge:

👉 Add one gut-loving habit this week.
It could be as simple as:

• Trying a new veggie.

• Sipping on a calming tea before bed.

• Taking a walk after dinner.

• Or finally committing to eating breakfast before your first ride.

Because when your gut is happy, everything else becomes easier — from your mood to your metabolism to how strong you feel in the saddle.

Let’s make this real: What’s your biggest struggle right now — energy, sleep, or digestion?
Drop it in the comments or DM me. I read every message.

If this post helped shift something for you, share it with another rider who needs to hear this too.

We’re not just training horses — we’re training our biology to support the life we actually want to live.