My Journey from Illness to Thriving

From Crisis to Clarity

My life was a study in extremes: a demanding corporate career balanced with the intense training required for long-distance triathlons, including the Ironman World Championships. I was pushing myself constantly, completely oblivious to how my behaviors were draining my reserves.

The breaking point arrived first in 2014 with the crippling onset of chronic fatigue syndrome, followed by the unimaginable: a breast cancer diagnosis in September 2016 while I was pregnant. My world collapsed.

Frustrated by the conventional approach that offered no answers for the root causes or proactive steps for recurrence prevention, I embarked on a decade-long quest to reclaim my health. This personal crisis became my greatest teacher. It forced me to look beyond mere survival and commit to true holistic health and wellness. This is my story of transformation—a journey that required profound change, unwavering commitment, and a deep dive into the 5 Pillars of Health that now form the foundation of Eglin Health.

Where the Journey Began: Chronic Illness and a Diagnosis

My life irrevocably changed in December 2014 when the Epstein-Barr virus struck, leading to debilitating chronic fatigue. Though it seemed sudden, I now recognize I had likely ignored many warning signs.

The ultimate low came in September 2016, at 41 weeks pregnant, with a devastating breast cancer diagnosis. I initially followed the conventional path, undergoing a mastectomy and four rounds of chemotherapy. The side effects were severe and prolonged: relentless fatigue, immune dysfunction, nerve damage, and later, a sacral stress fracture. After careful consideration, I decided to discontinue conventional treatment.

This period was incredibly challenging, but it led to a profound transformation. I realized that mere survival was inadequate; my goal was to fully regain my health, vitality, and optimism, free from anxiety and the fear of relapse—I was determined to truly thrive.

Life Before the Fall: The Recipe for Disaster

For 20 years, I pushed myself to the extreme, both in my high-pressure corporate career and in my personal life, competing in marathons, ultra-marathons, and long-distance triathlons. My emotional life was equally turbulent. In hindsight, it's clear this was a recipe for disaster. Lacking effective coping mechanisms for stress, I literally ran, cycled, and swam myself into the ground, contributing directly to my health crisis in 2014.

Sarah Eglin - Registered Nutritional Therapy and Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner chopping berrie, smiling and wearing a yellow and white striped top.

What I Learned: Rebuilding Health from the Ground Up

My extended period of illness allowed for deep reflection on how my behaviours contributed to my declining health. I learned the paramount importance of nourishing both body and mind through:

Appropriate and sufficient nutrient dense foods.
Appropriate levels of exercise (balanced with rest).
Plentiful and restful sleep.
Healthful, positive relationships.
Prioritising rest and recovery.
Processing and releasing repressed emotions.
Cultivating strong reasons for living.

“We fall, we break, we fail... But then we rise, we heal, we overcome.”

Practical Actions for Recovery

To regain my health, I made significant, life-altering changes. My recovery involved nourishing my mind and body, releasing toxins and repressed emotions, and finding balance:

Nutrition

I switched to a wholefood, plant-based diet (early 2015), ensuring sufficient calorie intake, and using quality supplements, herbs, and medicinal mushrooms.

Detoxification

I switched to organic produce, natural household products, and cosmetics. Used regular infrared saunas to purge toxins, incorporated juicing, intermittent fasting, and carbon-filtered water, and abstained from alcohol.

Mind & Emotion

I underwent two years of psychotherapy to process repressed emotions and harmful beliefs. I began mindfulness meditation in 2014 for stress reduction.

Two years of therapy helped me process and release repressed emotions and harmful beliefs.
I developed tools to manage future emotional challenges.
Therapy was essential for both physical and emotional recovery and personal growth.

Community

I cultivated positive relationships and distanced myself from those causing chronic stress.

Other Therapies

I explored various therapies, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), high-dose intravenous vitamin C, B12 injections, and coffee enemas.

Life Beyond: The New Chapter

Through optimised nutrition, addressing emotional baggage, and embracing rest and recovery, my health is finally back on track.

I am a dedicated triathlete once more, prioritising nutrition, recovery, and balance alongside training. I recently achieved a significant milestone by completing my first post-recovery long-distance triathlon, the Barcelona Ironman 2025, in an amazing time of 12 hours and 6 minutes. This is my second-best time ever, demonstrating the power of my multi-faceted approach to wellness and vitality.