Explore every episode of the podcast The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast

In this episode, Anna shares a personal update on her own health and some of the things that have shifted over the past 6 months or so. 

Having spoken in previous episodes about some of the challenges she has been navigating, this episode is about coming full circle, sharing what has been implemented and the outcomes experiences. In particular, she shares her personal experience of starting HRT and the changes she has noticed in her cyclical stability, energy and capacity for exercise. 

She also touches on digestive health, histamine, iron supplementation and fuelling for activity and daily life!

As always, this isn't about suggesting that what works for one person, works for everyone. Our physiology, health histories and circumstances are individual. This is about sharing experiences that may help you think more about your own situation, what matters and what could be a supportive next step (or not!). 

In this episode, we cover: 

• Coming full circle on some of the health challenges Anna experiences this year
• Anna’s personal experience of introducing HRT
• Changes she noticed in energy and exercise tolerance
• What this experience has made her reflect on in relation to chronic fatigue
• An update on her digestive health
• Why our understanding of our health can continue to evolve
• The importance of remaining curious rather than becoming attached to one explanation

This podcast is for educational purposes only and isn't a substitute for individual medical advice. If you're considering HRT or have concerns about your health, please discuss these with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Useful Links

Research Article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42399727/

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: https://annamarsh.co.uk/

Iron Supplement: https://naturaldispensary.co.uk/1417_quattroferrin-21-60s

(use discount code AMARSH10)

In this episode, Anna explores a newly published study investigating the relationship between light exposure patterns and symptom severity in people living with ME/CFS. 

Rather than focusing on light as a treatment, the research highlights the potential role of circadian rhythm and how consistent daytime light, alongside reduced evening light exposure, may be associated with better sleep, lower fatigue and improved quality of life.

Anna explains why light is much more than something that helps us see—it acts as one of the body's most important biological signals, helping to regulate sleep, hormones, nervous system function and energy metabolism. She also discusses the limitations of the research, why these findings should be interpreted with caution, and how they fit within a whole-person, systems biology approach to ME/CFS.

If you've ever wondered whether your environment can influence your physiology, this episode offers a balanced, science-led discussion of what this emerging research may—and may not—tell us.

In this episode you'll learn:

• Why light plays a vital role in regulating circadian rhythm and overall physiology.
• What this new ME/CFS study investigated and what the researchers found.
• Why the timing and consistency of light exposure may matter more than simply spending more time outdoors.
• The limitations of the current evidence and why association does not equal causation.
• Anna's clinical perspective on supporting circadian health as one part of a comprehensive, individualised approach to ME/CFS recovery.

Useful Links

Research Article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42399727/

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: https://annamarsh.co.uk/

What does recovery look like when life doesn’t stop around you?

In this episode, Anna is joined by Charlotte Wightman for an honest conversation about chronic illness, motherhood, recovery and what it means to build a life that feels sustainable — rather than constantly trying to do recovery “perfectly.”

Charlotte shares what it was like navigating her own health while also being a mum, including the inevitable tension between what she felt she should be doing for her recovery and what family life actually allowed.

They also explore some of the different pieces that became important along the way. Charlotte talks about discovering sleep apnoea, the work she did with Anna on her digestive health which allowed her to come off her adrenal support she had for a long time been dependent on. 

They also talk about yoga beyond the physical practice: how its wider philosophy has influenced Charlotte’s relationship with illness, motherhood and recovery, and ultimately inspired the creation of The Held Collective.

In this episode, they explore:

• The reality of supporting your own recovery while parenting
• Letting go of the pressure to do recovery “perfectly”
• The unexpected ways illness can change the way we live and parent
• Charlotte’s experience of discovering sleep apnoea
• Why symptoms can sometimes have multiple contributing factors
• What functional testing added to Charlotte’s understanding of her health
• Why progress rarely comes down to one single intervention
• Yoga as a philosophy rather than simply a physical practice
• Creating movement and wellbeing practices that fit around real life
• How Charlotte’s experiences shaped The Held Collective
• What “recovery” means to Charlotte now
• The importance of balance, flexibility and building a meaningful life alongside health

This is a thoughtful conversation about moving away from rigid ideas of what recovery should look like and towards something much more individual, flexible and sustainable.

This podcast is for educational purposes only and isn’t a substitute for individual medical advice. If you have concerns about symptoms such as persistent fatigue or possible sleep apnoea, please speak with an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

Useful Links

Charlotte’s Website: https://www.gentleyogawithcharlotte.com/

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: https://annamarsh.co.uk/

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.

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the research wasn't the treatment itself, but what it revealed about the brain.

Using MRI technology, researchers observed changes in communication involving the thalamus—a key brain region involved in filtering sensory information and coordinating communication between different brain networks. These findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that ME/CFS is associated with measurable physiological changes across multiple interconnected systems.

In this episode, Anna explores what these findings may mean, why they matter, and how they fit into the bigger picture of our evolving understanding of ME/CFS and Long COVID.

• What Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is and why researchers are interested in it
• The design of the recent ME/CFS study and its key findings
• Improvements observed in fatigue, pain, cognitive performance and physical function
• Why the brain imaging findings were particularly interesting
• Why this research does not prove that HBOT is an effective treatment for ME/CFS
• Important study limitations and why they matter
• My clinical perspective on who HBOT may (and may not) be appropriate for

As always, my goal isn't to chase headlines or promote individual interventions, but to help you better understand the emerging science behind ME/CFS and Long COVID.

Every well-conducted study adds another piece to the puzzle. Whilst we still have many unanswered questions, research like this continues to deepen our understanding of the complex interactions between the nervous system, immune system, energy metabolism and brain function.

If you found this episode helpful, I'd be so grateful if you could subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone who may benefit from a more balanced interpretation of the latest research.

Useful Links

Research Article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42249466/

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: https://annamarsh.co.uk/

In this episode, Anna shares the experience of completing her longest hike since chronic illness — a 21km hike lasting almost 6 hours — and reflects on what the following 72 hours revealed about recovery, capacity, and nervous system regulation.

This is not an episode about pushing harder.

It’s a conversation about what late-stage recovery often really involves:

• understanding load distribution
• preparing the body appropriately
• supporting recovery intentionally
• and learning how to take on bigger physical challenges without overwhelming the system.

Anna explores:

• training and pacing considerations
• planning around wider life stress and menstrual cycle timing
• fuelling and post-exertion recovery
• sleep and nervous system support
• active recovery tools such as restorative movement, heat, cold and body work.

Blending personal reflection with clinical insight, this episode offers a realistic and grounded look at what rebuilding capacity can look like in the later stages of recovery.

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: https://annamarsh.co.uk/

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, nervous system health, and recovery capacity.

This conversation also looks at:

• Why creatine is being investigated in Long Covid
• The link between ATP production and fatigue
• Potential neuroprotective and antioxidant mechanisms
• Brain fog and cognitive symptoms
• Muscle weakness, PEM, and pacing considerations
• Why individual responses to supplements can vary
• Considerations around dosage, safety, and supplement sensitivity
• Creatine and the menstrual cycle

Importantly, this episode takes a balanced and non-dogmatic approach. While early research is promising, creatine is not presented as a “magic bullet” or standalone solution for Long Covid.

As always, recovery is complex, individual, and multifactorial.

This episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace personalised medical advice.

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: https://annamarsh.co.uk/

Referenced Articles

Effects of six-month creatine supplementation on patient- and clinician-reported outcomes, and tissue creatine levels in patients with post-COVID-19 fatigue syndrome

Reduced tissue creatine levels in patients with long COVID-19: A cross-sectional study

Creatine Supplementation in Women’s Health: A Lifespan Perspective

Creatine Supplementation and Brain Health

Diagnostic and Pharmacological Potency of Creatine in Post-Viral Fatigue Syndrome

Role of Creatine Supplementation in Conditions Involving Mitochondrial Dysfunction: A Narrative Review

In this episode, Anna explores a side of recovery that is rarely discussed:

What happens when the nervous system begins to reconnect with emotions, sensations, and internal experiences that were previously difficult to fully feel.

As the body becomes safer and more regulated, many people notice unexpected shifts:

• emotions feeling stronger or more accessible
• increased sensory awareness
• old feelings resurfacing
• a changing relationship with capacity, vulnerability, and self-protection.

Drawing from both personal experience and Somatic Experiencing concepts such as undercoupling and energy wells, Anna explores why these changes can emerge during recovery — and why they are often part of the nervous system recalibrating rather than “going backwards.”

This episode is a gentle conversation about the emotional and physiological complexity of healing, and the process of learning how to feel safely again.

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: https://annamarsh.co.uk/

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 fits into the wider picture of nervous system regulation, inflammation, and energy metabolism — and why these conditions can’t be understood through a single lens.

Anna talks about where targeted approaches like diet, supplements, or medication may have a role, and why addressing underlying drivers is often key to more meaningful, sustainable progress.

This episode is designed to help you make sense of the science — without oversimplifying it — and to offer a more integrated way of understanding your symptoms.

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: https://annamarsh.co.uk/

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.

Useful Links

Find Lexi: https://www.instagram.com/_lexisophie/

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

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.

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

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.

At this stage the work often shifts away from major repair and toward calibrating how the body distributes load across daily life.

Understanding this phase can help reduce frustration and provide a clearer framework for navigating the final stages of recovery.

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Movement can feel like a complicated topic for people living with chronic fatigue conditions.

Many people have been told to exercise more. Others have experienced crashes after pushing too hard. And over time, movement itself can start to feel risky.

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.

This episode also introduces the idea that movement can support the body in discharging and organising sympathetic activation, which can reduce internal agitation and support nervous system balance.

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

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.

In this episode, Anna explores why symptom waves can occur even after months or years of improvement, and why these experiences often don’t mean that progress has been lost.

Understanding the difference between a true relapse and a temporary recalibration can reduce a huge amount of fear and help people respond more calmly when fluctuations occur.

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

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 is not about avoiding movement or labelling yourself as fragile. It’s about understanding your physiology well enough to work with it.

If you’ve ever felt confused by your crashes — or wondered why generic pacing advice hasn’t quite worked for you — this episode will offer clarity.

Episode 146: Research Review - The PEM puzzle

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

We’re back again this week sharing a recording from one of our Nurturing Resilience Group Calls. Each month we have one call dedicated to the nervous system and one call dedicated to what I call the more “practical” elements of recovery. In this recording you will hear some of our members asking their questions and we cover topics such as protein consumption, building up physical capacity and endurance, rehabilitation for deconditioning that happens when you have been ill a long time, migraines, delayed recovery after infections, what to do when you have more energy and how to manage guilt around not “doing enough”. This is a varied conversation that covers a range of useful topics. If you want to take part yourself, you are very welcome to join the Membership and get involved. 

Join Nurturing Resilience: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

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. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

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.

Anna explains how PEM differs from everyday fatigue, explores emerging insights into energy production, inflammation, and stress responses, and discusses why “pushing through” can be harmful. She also reflects on what this research means in real life, and how it can support safer pacing, validation, and more compassionate approaches to recovery.

This episode is a helpful listen if you want to better understand PEM, feel more validated in your experience, or learn how research can guide gentler, more supportive ways of managing energy.

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Article Link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12408823/

Oxaloacetate is a compound that plays an important role in cellular energy production and mitochondrial function. In this episode, Anna explores the emerging interest in oxaloacetate as a potential support for people with Chronic Fatigue and other energy-limiting conditions.

Anna explains what oxaloacetate is, why it has gained attention in the chronic fatigue space, and how it may influence metabolism, inflammation, and energy production. She also discusses who may benefit, important considerations around dosing and sensitivity, and where oxaloacetate fits within a broader, foundations-first approach to recovery.

This episode is a helpful listen if you’re curious about oxaloacetate, considering supplementation, or wanting to understand how targeted interventions can support energy when used thoughtfully and in the right context.

Supplement: https://uk.iherb.com/pr/advanced-orthomolecular-research-aor-benagene-30-capsules/3308

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

We’ve all been there. You share some details about your chronic illness with a friend, family member or colleague and instead of empathy, you receive a prescription for yoga, meditation or a B12 injection. Although the unsolicited advice is well meaning, often it can be another load that we have to manage. Chronic illness is complex and nuanced and it is exhausting to explain the physiological complexity as well as the dramatic impact it is having on your life. This episode is here to help you waste less energy with some ideas about how you can respond in situations of unsolicited advice or when someone challenges how you are caring for your health. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Mistakes are how we learn and grow and the same is true for Chronic Fatigue Recovery. In this episode Anna shares what she wouldn’t do if she had to recover from Chronic Fatigue all over again. She shares lessons and learnings from her own experience and experience working with clients. She weaves in guidance on what she would do instead so that you can learn to build strong health foundations from the ground up. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Cycle syncing is a practice whereby you align your diet, lifestyle and energy management around your menstrual cycle. In this episode Anna answers the question: can this be helpful if you have Chronic Fatigue? Anna gives an overview of the menstrual cycle and explains how imbalances at certain points in the cycle can make us feel a certain way. She shares her own experience with cyclical fluctuations in energy and how she managed them, things that have worked clients and how to manage your cycle if you have histamine intolerance or MCAS. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Additional Resources:

How to have better periods, Part 1

How to have better periods, Part 2

How to have better periods, Part 3

Perimenopause

Prompted by a question from a Nurturing Resilience Member, Anna answers the question about how long to keep going with things when you aren’t seeing progress. She talks about the importance of laying life long foundations, getting overwhelmed by healing gadgets, supplement grave yards, the importance of context, strategy and structure, testing and retesting and how giving yourself a break can be the best thing at times!

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Healing On A Budget Episode: https://annamarsh.co.uk/podcast/healing-on-a-budget/

***PLEASE NOTE*** Prices quote in this episode have increased since recording AND we have also added a selection of Pay As You Go Services to help people manage their budgets.

Each week I get enquiries from people who are experiencing energy limiting conditions such as CFS/ME, Long Covid, Post Viral Fatigue and Mould Illness. Your health is the most important thing and you want to make sure that whoever you work with is the right fit for your needs and your budget. Which is why I wanted to create a podcast episode where I talk about how I work and the different options - to help you decide if it could be the right thing for you. In this episode I cover my qualifications, scope of practice and break down the different ways I work with clients in my business. If you have been thinking about working with a practitioner to support your health and are considering working with me, this episode is for you. 

Useful Links

6 Month Package: https://annamarsh.co.uk/1-1/

Road Map: https://annamarsh.co.uk/fatigue-recovery-roadmap/

Nurturing Resilience Membership: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Pay as You Go Services: https://go.annamarsh.co.uk/booking/anna-marsh-services

Prompted by a question on Instagram Anna shares 3 things that she feels stop people from recovering from Energy Limiting Conditions. She talks about how embodied safety is essential for change, some of the mistakes she made in her own journey recovering from Chronic Fatigue and insights into what can be supportive if you resonate with any of these 3 areas.

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Healing On A Budget Episode: https://annamarsh.co.uk/podcast/healing-on-a-budget/

One of the things that people with Chronic Fatigue struggle with the most is exercise. In this episode Anna shares her exercise journey and how she approached building her capacity from heart rate controlled walking to returning back to the gym and swimming 4km! She shares her step by step process, failures, strategies to mitigate PEM and the 3 most important considerations for anyone who wants to be able to exercise more as they recover their health. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Functional Patterns: https://www.rawmotionfitness.com/

Actively Autoimmune: https://www.activelyautoimmune.com/

Episode 89: Exercise Well with Autoimmunity: https://annamarsh.co.uk/podcast/episode-89-exercise-well-with-autoimmunity-and-zoe-mckenzie/

Episode 50: Functional Patterns For Chronic Pain: https://annamarsh.co.uk/podcast/episode-50-functional-patterns-for-chronic-pain-with-brendan-turner/

If you find yourself struggling to do things you know you should be doing to support your health, this episode of the Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast is for you. Anna does a brief recap on the nervous system and explains how certain nervous system states may contribute to feeling stuck, frozen or general apathy when it comes to making diet and lifestyle changes and being consistent with them. She offers guidance on how we can better attune to the needs of our nervous system so that we can take small steps forward in the direction of health.

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

In this episode Anna speaks to the natural expansion and contraction which is an essential part of life. Often in fatigue recovery there can be periods of being able to do more and expand into life as well as periods where symptoms pop up, we feel more tired and able to do less i.e. contracted. We often celebrate the expansions and resist the contractions but both are an important part of the process. This episode will hopefully help you embrace, accept and plan for the natural ebb and flow of fatigue recovery and life in general. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Recently someone asked me if they thought there was a connection between being an empath and Chronic Fatigue. My answer: Absolutely! In this episode we unpack why. We talk about what it means to be an empath and importantly, how many of the qualities of being an empath could actually be learned survival patterns of the nervous system. We may still be sensitive, but we can learn to regulate through our sensitivity to live a beautiful  and energised life!

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Travel can have pro’s and con’s when you have a chronic illness like Chronic Fatigue. Travel can be stressful, energy demanding and destabilising to a sensitive nervous system. However, travel can also take us out of our comfort zone in a healthy way and break stuck cycles of fear. 

In this episode Anna talks about the pro’s and con’s of travel, how to titrate the experience of travel back into your life as you start to be in the world more, important things to consider when travelling, how to prepare before, recover afterwards and the bits in between. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Repowr Electrolytes: https://getrepowr.co.uk/ (Use the code ANNAMARSH)

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between Burnout and Chronic Fatigue? Are they different or the same thing? In this episode Anna explains burnout from a nervous system perspective and how this can relate to symptoms of Chronic Fatigue. She talks about how we can support ourselves to move forward after a burnout. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

There are some schools of thought that suggest poorly functioning adrenal glands could be an underlying cause in chronic fatigue. Although imbalanced adrenal function could be part of the complex web of fatigue, it is more likely to be a piece of the puzzle than the whole puzzle itself. 

That being said, when it comes to recovering energy and vitality, there is seldom one magic solution. Instead, improvements happen when we support the body as a whole. Part of that support may include supporting the adrenal glands. In this latest episode of the Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast Anna talks about adrenal function, how to identify dysfunction with testing and symptoms and most importantly how to support both high and low adrenal output. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Nervous System Work: https://annamarsh.co.uk/workshop/

Electrolytes: https://getrepowr.co.uk/discount/ANNAMARSH

Adrenal AM Supplement: https://trueperformance-supplements.co.uk/supplement/adrenal-am/

Adaptocrine: https://www.amritanutrition.co.uk/products/adaptocrine-xl-k-124-120-capsules (practitioner code 9C5WFV)

Glucagon-Like-Peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) are a class of medications originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, but have since gained widespread attention for their effects on weight loss and metabolic health. Emerging research suggests that GLP1-Receptor Agonists could be supportive in managing inflammatory symptoms associated with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Although research is currently limited, Anna talks about what we know so far and her experience with clients taking these drugs in clinical practice. 

Useful Links

Research Paper: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002962925011061

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

This is a chatty "behind the scenes” episode where Anna shares some personal stories regarding her own healing and some exciting business updates. She covers topics such as rest, regulation, core wounds and grief. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

This is part 4 of a 4 part series on what to focus on in the different stages of Chronic Fatigue and other energy limiting illnesses. In this episode Anna talks about the most important things to focus on when you are high functioning but not thriving. Anna reflects on what she would have done differently if she could go back in time and advise her younger self. You can enjoy a diverse conversation about pacing, the nervous system, boundaries, hormetic stressors and much more!

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

This is part 3 of a 4 part series on what to focus on in the different stages of Chronic Fatigue and other energy limiting illnesses. In this episode Anna talks about the most important things to focus on as you navigate a transition back to work. This includes knowing when the time is right, things to consider and how you can support yourself, the importance of giving space for the transition and increasing self care. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

This is part 2 of a 4 part series on what to focus on in the different stages of Chronic Fatigue and other energy limiting illnesses. In this episode Anna talks about the most important things to focus on as you navigate being housebound with Chronic Fatigue.  This includes things that you may be able to introduce now that you have transitioned from being bed bound, tips on how to gently build capacity and create routine and physical supports that may be useful if accessible. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

This is part 1 of a 4 part series on what to focus on in the different stages of Chronic Fatigue and other energy limiting illnesses. In this episode Anna talks about the most important things to focus on as you navigate being bedbound. This includes an understanding of what is happening in the nervous system, tips on how to gently build capacity and create routine and physical supports that may be useful if accessible. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Join the Nurturing Resilience Subscription: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a complex and often misunderstood condition that leaves many people struggling with persistent exhaustion, brain fog, and muscle aches.

Although there are multiple different factors that contribute to symptoms and every case is different, diet can play a significant role in symptom management. 

There are many different dietary approaches and different things will work for different people depending on the mechanisms contributing to their specific case. One dietary component that has gained attention in this context is oxalates—naturally occurring compounds found in many healthy foods such as spinach, nuts, and berries. For some individuals with chronic fatigue, high oxalate consumption could potentially contribute to and worsen symptoms. 

In this episode Anna explores the relationship between oxalates and chronic fatigue, possible causes of oxalate intolerance, and how adjusting oxalate intake might help alleviate some of the challenging symptoms of this condition.

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Low Oxalate Blog: https://annamarsh.co.uk/https://annamarsh.co.uk/chronic-fatigue-are-oxalates-impacting-your-energy/

Not everything we do to support our bodies will have an immediate or noticeable impact. However, often these interventions work in synergy with one another. 

In this episode Anna talks about the importance of layering interventions in an intentional and consistent way to move the needle of health forward over time. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Mood disorders refer to significant changes in mood that have a negative impact on daily life. It goes without saying that when someone experiences a chronic illness such as Chronic Fatigue, they may feel low at times. 

However, this is different to someone who may be experiencing an ongoing low mood that feels unrelated to their current state of health or someone who is experiencing a low mood disorder that is perhaps mechanistically entangled with some of the mechanisms of chronic fatigue. 

In this episode Anna talks about different types of low-mood disorders and how we can approach them alongside the journey of improving health and energy as a whole. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

What does life look like at the end stages of recovery? In this episode Anna shares “a day in her life” and compares this to how far she has come. She reflects on lessons that she is still learning and things that still feel important. This includes a discussion around friendships and building community after recovery.

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Candida overgrowth can contribute to chronic fatigue through a combination of immune system suppression, toxin production, gut dysfunction, and inflammation. When Candida proliferates beyond its normal levels, it can lead to various symptoms that resemble chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or contribute to ongoing fatigue. 

In this episode Anna talks about how Candida can be a driving factor in Chronic Fatigue, how you can assess if it is something impacting you and what you can do to address it. 

She covers common mistakes that people make when addressing infections such as Candida and why taking the time to go slowly and build foundations is actually what will help you get there faster. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

The Gut Health Mini Course and Detox and Drainage Mini Course have been consolidated into the Nurturing Resilience Membership: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Contrary to what many people think about Chronic Fatigue Recovery, we are not supposed to be calm all the time. Rest matters and we definitely need periods of the day and night where we feel calm, relaxed and at peace. However, Chronic Fatigue Recovery is ultimately about building capacity which means that we also have to come into contact with more challenging experiences so that we can rebuild. 

In this episode Anna discusses some of the patterns and trends she is noticing with clients which is preventing them from growing their capacity and accessing better quality states of true rest. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Mornings with Chronic Fatigue can be tough. Some people experience difficulty waking, feeling flat, slow and sluggish first thing in the morning and it takes ages to get up and even feel a little bit functional for the day. 

Others with Chronic Fatigue may feel very wired, hyperactivated and symptomatic first thing in the morning. This can cause a negative spiral of worrying about symptoms and how the rest of the day will unfold. 

Finally, others may not be overly flat or overly activated, but just have a general experience of not feeling refreshed after their sleep, which is common in Chronic Fatigue. 

In this episode Anna discusses each of these challenges, underlying causes from both a physiological and nervous system perspective and, most importantly, what you can do to support your body better so that you can get more from your mornings!

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Supplement sensitivity can be common in the Chronic Illness and Chronic Fatigue community. After recently posting on instagram on the topic of supplement sensitivity, I had some comments that no one is talking about this and often those who are sensitive are made to feel like they are being difficult or overly anxious. In some cases, clients get abandoned by practitioners who feel overwhelmed by their reactions. 

So I wanted to create an episode where I talk about how to supplement when you are supplement sensitive. This includes a brief overview of why you may be experiencing supplement reactions, things that can be helpful that do not include supplementation and then a short practical guide on how to take supplements if you know you are sensitive. 

I hope this episode will bring you some practical guidance on how to manage your sensitivity and also some validation that what you are experiencing is actually quite common.

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

In Chronic Fatigue Recovery, healing happens from a regulated place and yet our nervous system state also influences how we approach healing. This creates a chicken or egg situation where, approaching healing from a dysregulated place, can breed further dysregulation but approaching healing from a place of more regulation, enables more successful self-care. 

In this episode Anna describes four different ways in which we can approach our healing and how this shows up practically. 

You may recognise yourself in one or all of these states, but probably spend more time in one compared to others. Through recognition of our patterns and tendencies we can learn what support we need to offer ourselves to work towards a more regulated approach on our healing journey. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

The final stage of supporting Mold illness and Chronic fatigue is introducing Binders, Antimicrobials and Biofilm Disruptors. 

In this episode Anna talks recaps on the previous 3 episodes in this 4 part series. She then talk about introducing binders, including, what are binders and why do we take them? Possible side effects and things to watch out for. The importance of dosing slowly, especially if you are sensitive. What to do if you have a reaction and how long to take them for. 

She talks about antimicrobial support for the sinuses, gut and vaginal canal, including how to approach dosing for those that are sensitive.  She ends the episode with a discussion about retesting and detox maintenance. 

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Supporting Detoxification and Drainage is the second step when dealing with mold illness and chronic fatigue. This is the third episode in a series on Mold Illness and Chronic Fatigue. 

In this episode Anna talks about the importance of addressing digestive health and supporting healthy bowel movements, adding in sauna or sweating, lymphatic drainage and the importance of protein for liver support!

Other Episodes of Interest

https://annamarsh.co.uk/podcast/episode-79-the-gallbladder-and-chronic-fatigue/

https://annamarsh.co.uk/podcast/episode-100-heat-stress-cold-stress-and-fatigue-recovery/

Complimentary Mini Courses

The Gut Health Mini Course, Blood Sugar Mini Course, Detox Mini Course have been consolidated into the Nurturing Resilience Membership: https://annamarsh.co.uk/nurturing-resilience/

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

Mould avoidance is the first step when it comes to dealing with mold illness and chronic fatigue. This is the second part in a series on Mold Illness and Chronic Fatigue. In this episode Anna talks about the importance of avoidance of mold. This includes how to test your home for mold and what to do if you are living in mold and you cannot get out immediately. 

Anna talks about dietary changes that can be supportive to reduce mycotoxin exposure from foods and generally increase resilience of organs such as the liver and kidneys. 

Testing and Remediation

ERMI: https://www.mouldlab.co.uk/products/dust-analysis-for-mould-species-environmental-relative-mouldiness-index-ermi-including-free-hertsmi-2

Pure Maintenance:

https://www.puremaintenanceuk.com

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/

In this episode Anna discusses mold illness and chronic fatigue. She answers questions such as: What is mold illness? How are we exposed? What are the symptoms? How do I test for mold illness? What do I do if I get a positive test result?

Mold illness or sickness is a constellation of symptoms that result from a combination of the mold spore colonisation in the body and toxic load due to the mycotoxins they produce. The mycotoxins can be particularly damaging to every body system and this is what can make mould illness difficult to identify and why it often gets missed. 

Some people may be more affected by mould and mycotoxins which is why two people can live in the same home and one person has symptoms and the other person doesn’t. 

If you have been wondering if mold illness is playing a part in your Chronic Fatigue and would like to learn more, this episode is a great starting point. 

Testing

Mycotoxin Urine Testing (Mosaic Laboratories): https://regeneruslabs.com/products/mycotoxin-1

OAT+Mycotoxin (Mosaic Laboratories): https://regeneruslabs.com/products/oat-mycotox

Other episodes of interest:

https://annamarsh.co.uk/podcast/episode-42-mcas-histamine-intolerance-and-fatigue/

Useful Links

Take the Chronic Fatigue Quiz: https://app.annamarsh.co.uk/quiz-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna__marsh_

Work with me: https://annamarsh.co.uk/work-together/

Website: http://annamarsh.co.uk/