Ally Head
Ally Head is Marie Claire UK's Senior Health and Sustainability Editor, a nine-time marathoner, and a Boston Qualifying runner. With eight years of editorial experience under her belt, she has a keen eye for a story, a passion for digital journalism, and is always innovating and pushing boundaries with how online content should be delivered to ensure her pillars are consistent top performers. Day-to-day, she manages a team of freelancers and works across site strategy, features, and e-commerce, overseeing all health and sustainability content, commissioning strategy, and reporting, and managing MC UK's yearly Women in Sport campaign and shoots, too. She regularly hosts panels and presents for events such as the MC Sustainability Awards alongside presenting for her two regular franchises, Decoded and Wellness Wins. The first is an Instagram franchise where she interviews fitness royalty including the likes of Kayla Itsines, Jillian Michaels, and Doctor Julie Smith in front of millions of followers, and her newest addition, Wellness Wins, shines a spotlight on the latest must-try wellness products that she's genuinely tried and loved. Before joining MC, she freelanced for the likes of Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Grazia, The Telegraph, Refinery29, Stylist, Good Housekeeping, and more. Prior to that, she was headhunted to lead digital strategy at Foodism. Her first ever journalism job was at Women's Health, where she worked for three years and headed up their nutrition content, cutting through the clean eating noise and enlisting qualified dieticians and nutritionists to give their take on everything from protein shakes, to probiotic gut health supplements. She's won a BSME award for her work on Sustainability and scooped a Spirit of Hearst award in 2018, too. She has an MA in Magazine Journalism from City University and a BA in English Language from the University of Birmingham. While at Birmingham, she was Head of Marketing for student radio station Burn FM and Travel Editor at the student newspaper, Redbrick, winning Article of the Year for a long read about living in New York in 2015. When she's not writing, she's training for her next race or hunting down a good pastry. Follow Ally on Instagram for more.
Latest articles by Ally Head
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Trust me, I'm a Health Editor - WUKA’s period swimwear is the best investment you'll make all summer
Functional, fashionable swimwear from a genuinely sustainable brand? It’s a yes from us.
By Ally Head
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I'm a top personal trainer - trust me when I say, these are the only 5 holiday workouts worth your time
You're welcome.
By Ally Head
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16 things you didn’t know about Team GB sprinters Daryll Neita and Laviai Nielsen
Meet our cover stars and two of the athletes representing the UK on the world stage.
By Ally Head
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B Corp brands: 35 to have on your radar to help you shop more sustainably
Shop smart this B Corp month and help save our planet.
By Ally Head
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I asked people on X for their take on Bob Ballard's dismissal after sexist "joke" - and the replies I got were eye-opening
The Olympic commentator has been dropped for his remarks just days into the event.
By Ally Head
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The Women in Sport Issue
By Ally Head
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Women in Sport
By Ally Head
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We're Health Editors who test products day in, day out - and were blown away by the viral Whoop fitness tracker
Here's why.
By Ally Head
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As a nine-time marathon runner, trust me: these are the most handy bits of kit for any distance
You'll use these for years to come.
By Ally Head
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23 running shorts that don't ride up, chafe, or sag, sweat tested by a Health Editor who runs most days
Looking for new fit kit? You're in the right place.
By Ally Head
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As extremely fussy Health Editors, trust us - these 11 workout tops for women are the best money can buy
Chic, comfy and high-performance buys.
By Ally Head
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I'm going on holiday this month - 6 fitness essentials I swear by for keeping me on track while I'm away
You're welcome.
By Ally Head
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These tricks for building a simple yet effective morning workout routine have drastically improved my fitness
It doesn't need to be all 5am starts and ten miles for breakfast.
By Ally Head
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I'm a Health Editor who sceptically said yes to my first retreat - and these 5 health tips I learnt from a nutritionist were truly game-changing
They're obvious, but absolutely worth giving a go.
By Ally Head
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I ignore health hacks that promise the world - but, after six months, am impressed by the changes I've noticed since drinking electrolytes
Trust me on this one.
By Ally Head
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As a diehard adidas Ultraboost fan, here's why I was wrong to be sceptical about their lightest shoe ever
Your need-to-knows, if you're thinking about investing.
By Ally Head
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"I never worked out - now, at 46, I'm in my best shape ever and proof that it's never too late to find your fitness"
Lavina Mehta MBE built a body for life later in life - and reckons you can, too.
By Ally Head
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Battling with thigh rub? These are the 14 chafing cream products our Editors swear by
Glide your way through the summer.
By Ally Head
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We're hard to impress - but these 10 cycling shorts are, hands down, the best for sweaty summer workouts
Tried and tested.
By Ally Head
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We tested the entire new Sweaty Betty range - and reckon it's the perfect summer kit for any type of workout
Tried and tested by Team MC UK.
By Ally Head
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Emily English has taken over the internet with her feel-good, nourishing recipes - 7 health hacks the nutritionist swears by
Bookmark this one for later.
By Ally Head
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Nearly a million people entered the London Marathon 2025 ballot - why comments saying "slow" runners shouldn't be allowed are not okay
Running is never just about the time.
By Ally Head
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One in five new mums experience mental health issues. A psychotherapist's top tips for safeguarding yours
Plus, this Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week, MC UK Editors share their own experiences.
By Ally Head
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I’m a Health Editor who regularly runs marathons - 7 mental endurance tips that have changed my life
Plus, how building mental resilience can boost all aspects of your life.
By Ally Head
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Keen to celebrate Earth Day? 5 simple ways you can inspire change and build a better tomorrow
Living sustainably doesn't need to feel unattainable or overwhelming.
By Ally Head
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"I started running in lockdown for my mental health - four years on, I'm one of the fastest female marathon runners in the UK"
Here's how Anya did it.
By Ally Head
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As Fitness Editors who've spent eight years testing for the perfect sports bra - these 12 get our vote
Trust me on this one.
By Ally Head