The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast

Episode 155: What This New Research on Glutamate Might Mean for Long COVID & ME/CFS 24.07.2026 36min

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/

Episode 154: Breakups, Dating & Recovery: Navigating Life After Long Covid with Lexi Boreham 10.07.2026 1h 1min

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/

Episode 153: COMT - Why Some Nervous Systems Feel Everything More Intensely 25.06.2026 13min

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/

Episode 152: When You’re Mostly Better… But Not Fully Stable Yet 11.06.2026 22min

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/

Episode 151: Why Gentle Movement Can Calm the Nervous System (Even With Chronic Fatigue) 29.05.2026 27min

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/

Episode 150: Relapse or Recalibration? Why Symptoms Can Return After Years of Stability 15.05.2026 56min

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/

Episode 149: Not all Post-Exertional Malaise (PEM) is the same 30.04.2026 33min

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. Complimentary Episode: Episode 146: Research Review - The PEM puzzle Resources 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/

Episode 148: Protein, Pacing & Physical Capacity: A Nurturing Resilience Membership Conversation 17.04.2026 54min

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/

Episode 147: Processing, Purpose & Stability: A Membership Conversation on Nervous System Healing 03.04.2026 1h

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/

Episode 146 - Research Review: The PEM Puzzle 20.03.2026 24min

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/

Episode 145 – Oxaloacetate and Chronic Fatigue: Could this compound support your energy? 05.03.2026 20min

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/

Episode 144: How to manage unsolicited advice about your chronic illness 20.02.2026 40min

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/

Episode 143: What I wouldn’t do if I had to recover from Chronic Fatigue all over again 06.02.2026 31min

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/

Episode 142: Cycle syncing when you have Chronic Fatigue 23.01.2026 29min

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

Episode 141: How long is long enough to stick with something if you don’t feel any better? 09.01.2026 34min

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/

Episode 140: How can I help? Ways to work with me 26.12.2025 35min

***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

Episode 139: The Top 3 Things That Stop People From Recovering Energy Limiting Conditions 12.12.2025 27min

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/

Episode 138: How I Built My Exercise Capacity with Chronic Fatigue 28.11.2025 47min

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/

Episode 137: Struggling with Motivation? It could be your nervous system. 14.11.2025 23min

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/

Episode 136: Expansion and Contraction As You Build Capacity with Chronic Fatigue 31.10.2025 36min

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/

The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast

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