Media, Business, and Wellbeing: How I Balance It All Without Burning Out

People often ask how I balance a career in broadcasting, along with running a supplements business, being a mum, and somehow still finding time to run marathons. I'll be honest: it's not always smooth, but one thing I have learned over the years: consistency matters way more than trying to be perfect. 

The Early Mornings (and the Non-Negotiables) 

My alarm goes off at 4:15 am Monday-Friday for my Smooth Radio breakfast show. It is a shock to the system when the alarm goes, but to be honest, once you are out of bed, you learn to embrace those early starts and take advantage of the quiet to get ready for the day ahead… and my mornings are sacred. I jump in the shower, get ready, and without fail, pop some Kollo Health Creatine in a glass of water and take my Kollo Health liquid marine collagen.

Both have genuinely been transformative for me. I have taken collagen for years, but being able to take it in liquid form is so convenient, and even if I am running a little late in the morning, I can just pop a sachet in my pocket and take it on the way to the radio studio. Together with the creatine, they help me feel clear of mind, focused, and ready to take on the day… That consistency matters especially with a busy day of radio, podcasts, meetings and fitness!! 

Building a Business Around Your Values 

Co-founding Kollo Health wasn't some big master plan that was years in the making - rather, it just came from something I already genuinely believed in. I'd been using collagen supplements for years to support my joints whilst marathon training and noticed it really helped; not just in recovery, and protecting my joints, but also in my skin, hair, everything really. 

So when the chance came to create something even better - a premium liquid collagen that tasted good and actually works, it felt right! 

Big lessons I have learned since: don’t try to do it all yourself, delegate the tasks. I'm deeply involved in the big picture stuff, the strategic direction of Kollo Health - product development, messaging, community engagement - but we have built a brilliant team handling the day-to-day. That's how we've grown into one of the UK's leading collagen supplement brands without me completely losing my mind and feeling a tad overwhelmed!

The Wellness Non-Negotiables 

I often find I am running on very little sleep, so these are the things that keep me functioning at my best: 

Collagen - daily, no excuses 

I genuinely rate taking collagen daily. The research around collagen peptides is solid - for skin elasticity and joint health, and even the studies around gut lining support are compelling, and by the way, I've experienced these benefits first-hand. I have just turned 50, I’m constantly juggling multiple commitments, and when your body and mind have a lot to keep up with, well, you need to support it properly. 

Movement, not punishment 

I run, go to the gym, play golf and generally move and stay active daily - not because I feel I have to, but rather because I absolutely love it. Some weeks it’s serious training; other weeks it's a chilled 5k. The mental health boost I experience - that runner’s big, is a non-negotiable boost for me, and it works wonders on my mental health. I do not use exercise as a way to ‘earn food’, and I don’t see fitness as a punishment. 

Boundaries with technology 

Generally, I don't check emails after 8 pm (usually because I am already going to bed!). I’d love to say I switch my phone off and have hours tech-free, but that would be an untruth - however, I do try to limit the amount I use my phone in the evenings. 

Quality nutrition and smart supplementation 

It’s so easy to grab junk food, that is not offer any nutritional value, when you’re busy. This is the one area I do struggle to find a routine because every day is different, and sometimes I am on the go for hours on end. However, I have learned the hard way that good nutrition isn’t really optional, it’s fuel. I need to fuel my running, fuel my days, and so I do try to eat as clean as possible with a goal of 2g of protein per kg of body weight - it’s tough, but that’s the overall daily aim. 

The Business of Wellbeing 

The brilliant part of building Kollo Health is that it constantly reminds me to practice what I preach. I'm not looking for hacks or shortcuts. We're not selling a quick fix or a magic pill – we're selling sustainable, science-backed supplements that actually work long term when you're consistent.

Our customers often tell me they've tried collagen supplements before but never stuck with them – usually because they didn’t taste great or maybe the powders were gritty, the tablets were enormous, it felt like a chore, or simply the results weren't clear enough. That's why we 

developed Kollo as a liquid marine collagen with 10,000mg of hydrolysed collagen peptides per serving, added vitamins B and C, and a taste that doesn't make you wince; in fact, it’s pretty delicious! If something's a hassle, a faff or unpleasant to take, you won't take it consistently. And consistency is key. 

When Burnout Creeps In Anyway 

I'd love to say I've cracked the code and figured it all out, but that's not necessarily true. Some weeks are manic…But I know the signs… 

- Irritability over small things 

- Loss of enthusiasm for things I normally love 

- Decision fatigue (even choosing what to have for dinner feels impossible) 

When I spot those red flags, I pull back immediately. I'll cancel non-essential commitments, ask for help, head out for a run, which always makes me feel better, or I simply take a day off. The world doesn't end. The business doesn't collapse. And I come back sharper. 

The Privilege of Choice 

I know I am lucky to have flexibility - not everyone can switch things up, go for a run or take a day off and I don't take that for granted. 

But I do think there are principles here that apply to everyone: 

• Protect your non-negotiables 

• Set a routine or make a plan instead of relying on willpower 

• Remember, steady is better than extreme 

Looking Forward 

Right now, I need to remember to slow down from time to time - it’s not failure. I'm so conditioned to be "productive" that rest still feels strange. But I'm working on it. 

I'm also excited about where Kollo Health is heading – we've built something genuinely valuable, and I love watching people enjoy the benefits of taking collagen consistently.I also get a buzz when people stop me in the street to tell me what a difference it has made to their lives! 

Balance isn't something you nail once and then simply maintain forever. It's consistently shifting. Some weeks I feel like I have got it spot on; other weeks I absolutely don't. But you learn to be kind to yourself in the process and honestly, that part is probably what’s most important.

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Jenni Falconer is a broadcaster, marathon runner, and co-founder of Kollo Health, the UK's premium liquid marine collagen supplement. You can follow her on Instagram @jennifalconer.