My passion for nutrition began with a simple love of food. As a child, I enjoyed cooking and creating plant-based recipes, and I was always fascinated by science — particularly how it relates to health and the human body.

This interest led me to study Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Surrey. While there, I discovered a love for strength training — quite unusual for women in the 1980s — and began lifting weights at the university gym. Combining my academic knowledge with a growing interest in sport, I spent the next decade training and eventually achieved the title of British Bodybuilding Champion in 1991.

After working in the NHS and at the Dairy Council, I established my own nutrition consultancy in 1990, specialising in sports and exercise nutrition as well as health writing. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with the British Olympic Association, London Marathon, Swim England, Ride London, and many other teams, clubs, and individuals across a wide range of sports including swimming, running and cycling.

I’m passionate about making nutrition accessible, evidence-based and practical — and I’ve shared this message through over 20 books and hundreds of articles. My goal is to empower people to fuel their performance and health through smart, sustainable nutrition.

What sets me apart is my ability to cut through complex scientific jargon and turn it into clear, practical advice that people can understand and apply. I’ve authored 30 books on nutrition and fitness, including the best-selling The Complete Guide to Sports Nutrition, first published in 1993 and now in its 9th edition. It’s widely used as a key resource on many nutrition courses.

Recent titles include The Vegan Athlete’s Cookbook, The Vegetarian Athlete’s Cookbook, and The Runner’s Cookbook — all designed to help active individuals fuel their performance with confidence and clarity.

Although my competitive days are behind me, I continue to stay active through cycling, strength training, yoga and walking. I’m also proud to be a mum to two wonderful daughters who’ve both competed at national level in swimming — and who continue to inspire me every day.