Episode #74
Ep74 - "Running Saved Me from Eating Issues" With Ella Grace Grows
This episode follows Ella Grace Grows, a local runner and marketer whose story moves from childhood pressure and food anxiety to marathon training, entrepreneurship, and landing in a role that actually fits her personality. It is a conversation about health anxiety, self-image, consistency, and learning how to build a life around what matters most.We discuss Ella’s early school years, how running became the thing she could be good at, and how her relationship with food and exercise shifted over time. We also get into her career path, her move away from restrictive fitness culture, and why people and purpose matter more to her than labels or job titles. Key topics Ella’s early identity as a high achiever Why year 7 felt like a shock How running started Strength training, aesthetics, and the start of disordered eating What her eating disorder looked like in real life Orthorexia and the obsession with “healthy” eating Health anxiety and emetophobia The thyroid scare and a broader perspective on health Why she’s careful with online fitness advice Career pivots that actually made sense Why she left corporate environments Where she is now If you are struggling with food, exercise, or health anxiety, look at the patterns behind the behaviour, not just the behaviour itself. Be cautious of fitness content that promises dramatic results in unrealistic timeframes. If you feel yourself spiralling on symptoms, reduce the Googling and give yourself time to wait for proper answers. Timestamps 00:00 - Catching up, breathwork, and welcoming Ella 02:17 - Introducing Ella Grace Grows and her local connection 04:06 - Who Ella is beyond the online content 05:57 - Why her content feels real and unfiltered 07:25 - Going back to childhood and school pressure 08:15 - Losing out on grammar school and the impact on year 7 12:10 - How running entered her life at 14 13:08 - The mile run leaderboard that changed everything 14:32 - Parkrun, first 5K, and building a running habit 15:29 - Strength training, lockdown, and the start of food issues 16:14 - Being referred into eating disorder support 18:38 - Lunch anxiety and feeling judged around food 20:00 - Calorie tracking and the 1500 calorie ceiling 21:59 - Online advice, dieting culture, and why less is not always better 22:28 - CAMHS, dietitian calls, and family support 24:24 - Why running ended up helping more than stopping movement 25:22 - Advice to younger Ella and trusting her mum more 26:18 - Why quick-fix fitness content is harmful 29:10 - Naming orthorexia and understanding the disorder 31:07 - Why prescriptive nutrition needs careful handling 32:06 - Health anxiety, emetophobia, and panic spirals 33:31 - The caffeine, HIIT, and heart rate scare 35:22 - Thyroid issues, lump discovery, and radioactive treatment 36:50 - Chest lump, biopsy, and waiting for results 38:17 - Messaging another Ella Grace going through cancer treatment 39:42 - Memento mori and learning what actually matters 40:36 - How health anxiety affects friendships too 42:29 - A&E, anxiety, and how thoughts can drive physical symptoms 43:57 - Triathlon dabbling and keeping running as the priority 46:16 - Why endurance challenges are hard for her body type 47:15 - First marathon at Leeds and raising money for family 48:40 - Why sub-four became a target and Chester Marathon at 3:33 49:42 - Knowing when to keep going and when to stop 52:34 - Likely next races and Valencia being on the horizon 54:11 - Choosing marketing over sports science 58:29 - Why transformation culture can go too far 60:51 - Landing at OTA and building confidence in a new niche 62:19 - Quitting at the right time and pivoting without guilt 63:16 - How she joined UMA and what made it feel right 65:08 - Building side projects with Connor and staying in fitness 66:32 - Loving the new role and being closer to home
