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In this episode of Midlife Sparkle, I sit down with Dr Filipa Bellette, or “Philly” as she prefers to be known. She’s the co-founder of the multi-award-winning health practice Chris & Filly Functional Medicine, an author, accredited clinical nutritionist, functional medicine practitioner, coach and trauma therapist. Alongside her husband, Chris, she has helped more than two and a half thousand clients overcome chronic burnout, fatigue and overwhelm through a deep root-cause approach.

Filly’s passion for this work stems from her own experience with severe burnout. From fainting and fitting as a teenager to complete body shutdown after having children, her story is both relatable and eye-opening. She talks candidly about what it felt like to juggle motherhood, business and study while her body was breaking down - how she tried everything from nutrition and supplements to lab testing - and how none of it truly worked until she addressed the deep-seated belief that she was weak and incapable.

Our conversation goes far beyond the usual wellness chat. Filly explains what body burnout actually is, how it differs from workplace burnout, and how chronic stress literally rewires our nervous system and physiology. She shares how stress hormones such as cortisol keep us stuck in fight-or-flight mode, and how that affects our mood, energy, hormones and gut health.

We also unpack the root-cause approach she uses in her clinic - combining functional medicine with trauma-informed therapy. She outlines how every habit and coping mechanism (from overworking and perfectionism to alcohol or sugar) is linked to a deep-rooted belief about ourselves. Healing happens, she says, when we finally listen to what the body is trying to tell us.

One of my favourite parts of our chat is when Filly describes how true recovery often comes from the simplest things - rest, grounding, sunlight and reconnecting with nature. She shares a beautiful practice: taking off your shoes, sitting on the grass, placing your hand on your heart and asking your body what it needs.

Filly’s story is a powerful reminder that burnout isn’t a badge of honour - it’s a message. A message to slow down, listen, and rebuild from the inside out.

Key takeaways and actions:
If you’re feeling tired, irritable or unmotivated, don’t dismiss it as “just midlife” or “too many responsibilities”. It might be your body’s way of asking for help. Start by slowing down, even for five minutes a day. Step outside, breathe fresh air and tune into what your body is saying. Look beyond surface fixes - better sleep, nutrition and supplements are important, but the deeper work lies in changing the beliefs that drive your busyness and stress. Healing begins when you decide you are worthy of rest, health and ease.