
Ally Head
Ally Head is Marie Claire UK's Senior Health and Sustainability Editor, a nine-time marathoner, and a Boston Qualifying runner. With nine 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 effortlessly sustaining growth. She spearheads MC UK's yearly Women in Sport covers, interviewing and shooting athletes including Mary Earps, Millie Bright, Daryll Neita, and Lavaia Nielsen, and also oversees the brand's Start The Year Strong anti-fad January health campaign. 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. Shortlisted for three BSME awards, she won one in 2022 for her work in the sustainability sphere and scooped a Future Editorial Excellence award in 2025, 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 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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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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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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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 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 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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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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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 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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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