It started with a diagnosis and a bleak proclamation in a GP’s office. Claire Thomas, a paediatric intensive care nurse, had finally found a name for the debilitating exhaustion and recurring illnesses she’d been battling for over a year: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).
What came next, though, shook her to the core. “The GP told me that I would never recover,” Claire recalls. “I was advised to read a book on stress and anxiety and was told that my career as a paediatric intensive care nurse was effectively over. That moment was a shock to my system.”
Faced with the prospect of losing her career, Claire could have given up. Instead, she channelled her frustration and determination into redefining her life. Her journey would lead her to a new calling: helping others find hope and healing through holistic health practices.
For Claire, life with CFS was a series of uphill struggles. “It was a constant cycle of two steps forward, one step back,” she says. “My energy levels were unpredictable, fluctuating from day to day.”
Claire Thomas
Everyday tasks became monumental challenges. “Simple things like walking ten minutes to the local supermarket required me to take breaks every few minutes just to keep going. I could seem fine while out with friends, but as soon as I got home, I’d crash—sometimes unable to get off the sofa for the rest of the day.”
Her career, which she had dedicated years to building, was another casualty of her illness. “I took six months off work, but when I tried to return after three months, I quickly realised it was too soon, and that significantly set my recovery back.” Realising that she could no longer manage the demands of shift work, Claire transitioned to children’s community nursing. Although it allowed her to stay in the field, the adjustment was bittersweet.
“I had to grieve the future I had envisioned for myself and reimagine what my life could now look like,” she says. “Staying resilient was tough, but my Christian faith, along with the support of my friends and family, helped me through the hardest moments.”
A pivotal moment in Claire’s recovery came when a friend gave her a book that focused on the interplay between nutrition, mindset, and faith. The ideas resonated deeply. “As I began incorporating these principles into my life, I noticed gradual improvements,” she recalls. This spark of hope drove her to explore further, leading her to practices like the Lightning Process, kinesiology, and counselling. By 2018, after years of persistence and self-discovery, Claire could finally see a positive way forward.
Her experiences opened her eyes to the body’s innate ability to heal when given the right support. “The book sparked my interest in the power of taking care of both our bodies and minds,” she explains. “That’s when I became interested in nutrition.”
This fascination led her to explore a new career in nutritional therapy, which combines science with a holistic approach to health. “I looked at various ways to study nutrition, but none of them felt quite right until 2019, when I discovered what a nutritional therapist was. The holistic approach really resonated with me because I believe that supporting both the body and the mind is essential when working with individuals who live with fatigue.”
Claire’s training also included neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), a method that played a significant role in her own recovery. “NLP was a crucial part of my journey, so I knew it would be an important tool in helping others on their health journeys as well.”
Claire Thomas
Claire’s background in paediatric intensive care nursing continues to inform her work. “As a nurse, I was trained to see the bigger picture, interpreting symptoms and test results using evidence-based research,” she explains.
This analytical approach now complements her practice as a nutritional therapist and phlebotomy practitioner. “I take the time to sit with clients, ask questions, and get to know their personal stories so I can create tailored plans that support both their body and mind,” she says.
Her ability to bridge conventional and functional medicine is particularly valuable. “Through testing, I can gain deeper insight into what the body is signalling, identifying potential deficiencies where clients might need additional support with their nutrition or lifestyle.”
The addition of phlebotomy to her practice has proven transformative. “I frequently referred clients to their GP for blood tests, but the process often became challenging. By offering phlebotomy directly, clients can have their tests done during consultations, and I typically receive results within a few days.” This seamless integration allows Claire to create more targeted action plans quickly, accelerating her clients’ progress while reducing the burden on GP services.
Building the first nutritional therapy and phlebotomy clinic in Mid Devon was not without its challenges. “One of the main hurdles has been helping people understand the value of investing in their health,” Claire admits. Nutritional therapy, though established for decades, is still relatively new to many in her area.
To overcome this, Claire has focused on education and outreach. “I’ve delivered talks, engaged on social media, and networked within the community to raise awareness about the benefits of a holistic approach to health.”
A grant from the Mid Devon Prosperity Programme has been instrumental in her efforts. “The grant allowed me to have a marketing audit and receive business strategy support. It’s given me clarity on my messaging and ensured that the services I offer are aligned with my clients’ needs.”
Claire’s vision extends beyond her current practice. “My larger goal is to establish a holistic centre for individuals with chronic illness,” she shares. “This centre would go beyond traditional approaches, offering not only counselling, exercise, and nutritional therapy but also services like financial advice to support all aspects of health and wellbeing.”
At the heart of Claire’s work are her clients—individuals grappling with chronic fatigue, hormonal imbalances, brain fog, and other health challenges. “I take a comprehensive approach, starting with their health history, food diary, symptoms, and life challenges,” she explains. “This helps me build a complete picture and identify the potential root causes of their symptoms and ill health.”
Claire’s combination of testing and tailored advice empowers her clients to make meaningful changes. “Phlebotomy allows me to quickly identify nutrient deficiencies and develop personalised action plans. It’s like using diagnostic tools to understand what’s happening behind the scenes.”
Her advice for those beginning their health journey is simple but powerful. “Progress may not always be linear—it’s common to experience two steps forward and one step back,” she says. “Be kind and patient with yourself. Improvement is possible, but it may take longer than you expect. Remember, each step you take is a step toward better health.”
Claire sees a growing role for personalised health services, particularly in rural areas like Mid Devon. “With increasing pressures on the NHS, it’s clear that the system, while excellent in areas like emergency care, often struggles to meet the needs of those with chronic illnesses,” she observes.
This gap highlights the importance of services like nutritional therapy, which empower individuals to take control of their health. “Since coronavirus, more people are interested in managing their own wellbeing. Ensuring these services are accessible is vital, especially with the population in rural areas growing.”
Balancing her clinic with continuous professional development, Claire measures success through client outcomes and her own progress. “At the start of our work, we establish goals and conduct regular reviews to track progress. Client feedback is crucial—it reminds me of the positive outcomes we’ve achieved together.”
Reflecting on her journey, Claire adds, “If you’d told me 12 years ago that I’d be running a clinic and helping others achieve better health, I wouldn’t have believed it. It’s been a privilege to turn my experience into a mission to support others.”