Decoding Your Health: Nicola Vaughan on Rewiring Your Metabolism and Conquering Chronic Fatigue

In this landmark episode of the Beyond the Boardroom podcast, host Aleksandra King sits down with Nicola Vaughan, a registered Nutritional Therapist and scientist with a unique background. Nicola, who holds a first-class degree and Masters in Physics and previously worked as an aerospace engineer, now applies that same scientific precision to human physiology- acting as a "health detective" to solve chronic issues like metabolic dysfunction and crushing fatigue.

This episode cuts through the "lot of noise" in the nutrition world, providing evidence-based, scientifically proven facts for immediate health improvements.

1. The Real Reason You’re Exhausted All the Time

The number one question people type into Google- “Why am I exhausted all the time?” -is often answered by food. Nicola confirms that food, stress, and lack of sleep are involved, but proper nutrition is absolutely essential for energy production and steady supply throughout the day.

"You're running on probably quite a lot of adrenaline as well. You know, adrenaline, cortisol. So, your stress hormones are keeping you going... Whereas, we need to have steady supply of energy over the course of day. And the best way we're going to do that is making sure we're incorporating good quality protein with every meal."

Key Takeaways to Combat Fatigue:

• Prioritise Protein: Start every day with a protein-rich meal (like eggs) to ensure steady energy. Breakfast is often neglected or lacking in this crucial macronutrient.

• Practice Fasting: Aim for a 12 to 14-hour fasting window overnight. This period of rest is vital for "internal housekeeping actions," including cellular repair and resting the microbiome.

• Avoid Evening Snacking: Late-night snacking (crisps, popcorn) sends constant signals to the body to break down food, disrupting essential overnight repair processes.

2. Detecting Metabolic Chaos (Even if Your Blood Tests are “Normal”)

Nicola warns that "normal is not optimal." Standard blood tests reflect average population data, not necessarily peak health. You can be outwardly healthy but metabolically unwell—a phenotype known as TOFI (Thin on the Outside, Fat on the Inside), where fat accumulates around vital organs.

The clearest sign of potential metabolic dysfunction? Feeling tired after eating.

"If you have a meal and you need a bit of a nap after a meal, that's the classic sign really that you're not that you're verging towards insulin resistance, verging towards metabolic dysfunction."

The Weight-Around-the-Middle Myth: Accumulating fat around the waist is often attributed to aging, but Nicola insists it's a sign of unaddressed hormonal changes tied to metabolic health, which can be fixed through the right support.

3. The Shocking Impact of Mycotoxins and Mould

One of the most powerful insights of the episode was the hidden danger of mould and mycotoxins, which Nicola sees as a major contributor to chronic illness.

• What Mycotoxins Do: Mould originates from water damage (often hidden) and releases microscopic spores and mycotoxins that we inhale, ingest, and absorb through the skin.

• Health Impact: These toxins can be stored in the body's fat tissue for years and are linked to chronic fatigue, mental health issues (ADHD, suicidal ideation), and autoimmune conditions.

• Actionable Solution: If you suspect exposure, a non-invasive urinary test can confirm mycotoxin levels. Nicola stresses the importance of eliminating exposure first, then supporting detoxification pathways with the right nutrition (like quality fats and natural binders like kale and flax seeds).

Interested? Watch the full podcast on the Aleksandra King Youtube Channel or discover more about Nicola's company NV Health.