This year (2026) I’ve run a 100km ultra, a 50km ultra, two marathons and around six half marathons at official events, plus hundreds and hundreds of kilometres in training.
I absolutely love running, but what I’m probably most proud of is how well my body now handles it.
My fuelling is spot on. I have the energy to train, recover and go again. I understand what my body needs and, most importantly, I trust it.
That wasn’t always the case.
My health used to look very different.
For years I silently struggled with IBS.
I had constant bloating, unpredictable digestion and sudden urges to find a toilet. I avoided certain outings because I was worried about what my stomach might do. My energy, mood and patience were affected too.
I saw doctors and nutritionists. I removed dairy. I had blood tests. Nothing really changed.
Eventually a GP gave me a prescription for what she described as a little gold pill that would make everything better. I took it, felt completely disconnected, looked it up and discovered it was an antidepressant.
That was a turning point for me.
I didn’t want to mask what was happening. I wanted to understand why my gut was behaving this way and what I could do about it.
So I made myself my first participant.
By then I was studying nutrition and had access to scientific research through university.
I started digging deeply into the gut microbiome, food, fibre, inflammation and the enormous role our gut plays in our overall health.
Then I created a structured food based reset for myself.
I stripped my diet back to whole foods and gradually rebuilt it, focusing on feeding and supporting a healthier, more diverse gut microbiome.
No cupboard full of supplements. No shakes. No highly processed diet foods.
Just real food, structure, movement, sleep, hydration and consistency.
I followed my original version for 90 days.
What happened changed the direction of my life.
My IBS symptoms settled. My digestion became predictable. I slept better. My energy became more consistent, my moods steadied and I lost weight without setting out to.
And I started running long distances again.
That part means so much to me now.
I can head out for hours of training without my gut dictating where I can go. I can fuel my body properly.
For me, gut health isn’t about eating perfectly.
It’s about having a body that lets you get on with living your life.
And that became Saskia Angel Gut Health.
Friends and family saw what had happened to me and started asking questions.
Eventually I took the structure I’d created for myself and developed it into the 6 Week Gut Reboot.
Today, I guide people through three structured phases, teaching them not just what to eat, but why we’re doing it. Food lists, daily education, accountability, movement and support all work together.
And I’ve now watched hundreds of people go through my programs with completely different reasons for starting.
Some come because of bloating or unpredictable digestion. Some want more energy. Some want to lose weight. Others are concerned about inflammation, cravings, menopause weight gain or simply know their eating has drifted and they want some structure again.
That experience also led me to create the 4 Week Weight Waster, for people whose main goal is weight loss but who want to approach it through real food, satiety, fibre, protein and better understanding how their body stores and uses energy.
And for people who want the Gut Reboot structure without the group coaching, there is now a Do It Solo option too.
I’m still studying. I’m still learning. And I’m still doing it myself.
I’m completing my Dietetics degree, with a particular interest in gut health.
But I’m also living what I teach.
I eat this way. I prioritise fibre and plant diversity. I eat fermented foods. I move every day. I also go out, have fun and enjoy foods and drinks that aren’t necessarily doing wonderful things for my microbiome.
It’s not about perfection.
It’s about what you do most of the time.
And if looking after my body means I can still be lining up for running events, hiking, diving and having adventures for decades to come, I’ll take that.
