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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Micro shorts are every runner's must-wear RN - 6 top picks you'll wear on repeat
Trust me on this one.
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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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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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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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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You’ve heard of greenwashing, but do you know how to spot - and stop - it happening?
This Earth Month, educate yourself on the most obvious red flags.
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