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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I'm a Health Editor who tests running trainers for a living: this is officially my pick of the best
Don't be confused by the jargon - we've tried 100's of trainers and these are the ones worth investing in
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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As a top personal trainer, I guarantee these are the best summer workouts for boosting tone in no time
To feel good in both body and mind.
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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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
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This is exactly how to get fit - and stay fit - in your 50s, according to a top expert who trains clients every day
Your ultimate guide.
By Ally Head
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As a seasoned runner, I can’t even begin to tell you everything that’s wrong with the Nike US Olympic kit
Once again, women are being set up for failure in sport. Here’s where it all went wrong
By Ally Head
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The experts have spoken - these are the 12 best sex toys for couples
Tried and tested.
By Ally Head
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I totally avoid fad diets as a Health Editor - but this spring reset made me feel the best I've felt in months
Keen to give your mind and body a boost?
By Ally Head
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I used to hate running - but this type of training just helped me to run my second sub 1.30 half marathon
Keen to improve your speed?
By Ally Head
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8 best healthy meal delivery services for tasty, nutrient-dense food, as tested by team MC UK
Keen to scroll the best companies prepping healthy, tasty meals ready to deliver to your door? Look no further.
By Ally Head
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I'm an ultramarathoner - here's why Jasmin Paris becoming the first female to ever finish the Barkley Marathon needs to be on your radar
History-making and record-breaking.
By Ally Head
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As a Fitness Editor who runs most days, I'm buying these 12 products in the Amazon spring sale
Top picks from a certified runner girly.
By Ally Head
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Our fourth annual Marie Claire UK Sustainability Awards are here - and we can't wait to welcome your entries
It's time to celebrate businesses that are a force for good.
By Ally Head
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Forget traditional meditation - Gwyneth Paltrow swears by eyes-open meditation for daily calm
Never managed to make meditation stick? Give this one a try.
By Ally Head
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Considering working out this Ramadan? Three athletes share 8 invaluable lessons they've learnt over the years
80% of young Muslims report being apprehensive about working out during their fast.
By Ally Head
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As a Health Editor, I'm cynical about nutrition fads - but the changes I've seen after drinking apple cider vinegar daily are hard to ignore
As a new study finds ACV significantly reduces body mass index, weight, and more.
By Ally Head
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Joanna Dai: "I always believed in the power of brands to influence change"
This B Corp month, we chat to a dynamic changemaker about building businesses that are a genuine force for good.
By Ally Head
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Wellness Escapes: Why W Costa Navarino will forever be one of my go-to holiday destinations
Already dreaming of a summer getaway? Bookmark this one for later.
By Ally Head