Ally Head
Ally Head is Marie Claire UK's Senior Health, Sustainability, and Relationships Editor, eight-time marathoner, and Boston Qualifying runner. Day-to-day, she works across site strategy, features, and e-commerce, reporting on the latest health updates, writing the must-read health and wellness content, and rounding up the genuinely sustainable and squat-proof gym leggings worth *adding to basket*. She regularly hosts panels and presents for things like the MC Sustainability Awards, has an Optimum Nutrition qualification, and saw nine million total impressions on the January 2023 Wellness Issue she oversaw, with health page views up 98% year on year, too. Two of her pillars - Relationships and Health - are consistently top performers for MC UK month on month. She has two regular MC franchises. Tried and Tested sees her test and report on the latest health and wellness trends, and Decoded 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. 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 or get in touch.
Latest articles 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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When it comes to workout tops for women, we're super fussy - but these 10 come MCUK editor-approved
High quality and chic
By Ally Head
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I've run nine marathons - 15 things you need to know before running your first 26.2
Let the running experts impart their wisdom.
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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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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On the hunt for the best protein powder for women? 10 a Health Editor uses to boost satiety and build muscle
Let the gains, begin.
By Ally Head
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20 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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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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Fitness trackers can look good, too - 10 that our MC UK Editors genuinely wear day in, day out
Tried and tested by team Marie Claire UK.
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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These are, hands down, the best petite gym leggings that money can buy according to our 5ft 1 Editors
No slouchy ankles here, thank you
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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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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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 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