The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast

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/