Dr Becca Salmon MBChB

from medical school to burnout… PART 2 a bit more of an update of my current career and what has happened since I quit my job as a doctor due to burnout… I never thought quitting my job as a doctor would lead to so many questions around my identity, self worth and purpose. But I have had to fully recreate myself and do some huge soul searching since I left. I did not realise how much myself and other healthcare workers really attribute a lot of their self worth to the job and it’s been a whole learning curve of knowing we are so much more than our job or what we do! I still haven’t got a clue what I am going to be doing in the future. I want to find a way to help other healthcare workers and prevent burnout in others… I am no where near where I want to be but I am definitely closer than where I was two years ago when I quit and I guess that progress is all I can ask for. Each day is one step at a time. I hope this helps anyone who is going through a similar journey and I am very grateful to have you all here with me! Dr B #burnout #burnoutrecovery #doctor #nhs #medicalstudent #grief

33.3kms in open water? LET’S GOOOOOOO 🏊‍♀️🌊🐠 @ultraswim333 🙌 When someone asked if I wanted to go to Croatia for a week in the sun, of course I said yes - turns out I didn’t hear the part where I had to swim an ultra swim?? Good thing I like a challenge 👀 wetsuit @zoggsuk #swimming #openwater #openwaterswimming #swim #triathlon

#ad ☀️ Our top skincare product to reduce signs of ageing? Of course it has to be SPF!!! How sun causese ageing: ☀️UVA long rays penetrate beyond the surface into deeper layers of the skin. They are the primary cause of premature signs of skin ageing such as loss of elasticity, wrinkles, sagging and can create abnormal pigmentation patterns, which show up on the skin as dark patches, known as age spots or sunspots. ☀️UVA rays are present all year round, and, unlike UVB rays which cause the skin to visibly change colour, you don’t get a signal to let you know that they’re causing invisible damage. So, by the time you see the results of that damage in the form of wrinkles and pigmentation, it’s too late. Our favourite SPF is the @larocheposay Anthelios UVMune400 SPF50+! Why choose La Roche-Posay? ☀️Frequently recommended by dermatologists ☀️contains Mexoryl 400, the most efficient UV filter against the most penetrative UV rays.* We love that the brand makes awareness and protection from these rays a priority So remember, no matter the weather, wear your SPF! Dr B and DrA *Ultra-long UVA Rays (380 - 400nm), UVA causes premature ageing #suncream #spf #skincare #larocheposay

and of course it was bright blue skies 10 minutes later 🙄 kit is @pedalmafia #uksummer #cycling #girlswhocycle #cycle #triathlon

“what a privilege it is to grow old” This month marks 9 years since my older brother passed away, when he was only 25 years old. This month is also when I will turn 30. A time in my life when he should have been 34. Nothing quite prepares you to grow older whilst your siblings age is stuck in time. Can I even still call myself the little sister anymore? And I think this is where my fear of turning 30 is… Not because I am scared of growing older, because what a privilege it is to grow old. A privilege that so many do not get. But more the fear that I know life is too short, and what if I am not living it to its full potential. What if I should be doing more? Doing better? And I am not quite sure where I am going with this, or how to navigate these feelings… But what I do know is that life is too short, so go do what makes you happy, live a life that younger you would be so proud of, and remember to tell your loved ones that you care x #youngerself #growingup #grief #thirties #twenties

👙HOW TO GET BETTER AT SWIMMING🏊‍♀️ As someone who a year ago could barely swim and ngl, low key hated it… here is how I have got better at swimming, now training for an ultra swim, and absolutely have fallen in love with the sport! ⭐️My Top 10 Tips⭐️ 1️⃣Follow a training programme ⭐️Just like you would with your running programme, a swimming programme is super beneficial to hold you accountable, give technique advice, mix up your training and teach you pacing ⭐️I have been using @catch.swim which has been incredible for getting me from beginner swimmer to ready for my ultra swim! - code BECCA26 gets you 1 month free too! 2️⃣Get a swim analysis / film yourself ⭐️There is no point doing hours and hours of swimming if your technique is rubbish as swimming is such a technical sport. And although an online programme helps, nothing quite beats just even one session of someone assessing you face to face and often getting video analysis for you to see yourself. I went to the @swimstation_london and they were super helpful, friendly and a massive confidence boost! 3️⃣Do Drills ⭐️Once you have seen where you are going wrong, there are specific drills which can help which each part of the swim, ⭐️I either dedicate a session a week to technique or I just do a few drills at the start of a session 4️⃣Be consistent 2-4 times a week ⭐️I found then swimming 1-2x a week didn’t make much progress for me, since swimming 3-4x a week I have noticed huge changes, it allows more time to focus a session on speed, one on longer swim, one on technique and then maybe a fun one. But even if you do just do one a week, this is huge and staying consistent with this is the main thing. 5️⃣Swim with Friends ⭐️Swimming can feel very lonely and very much an individual sport, with everyone doing their own session. But trust me when I say swimming with friends makes the world of difference. Friends can keep you accountable for turning up to sessions but also great to chat to in between sets or even chase each other round the pool trying to catch each other is always fun if you have that competitive side to you! *continued in the comments !!! #swimmer #beginnerswimmer #swimming #swim

I turn 30 in 3 weeks… 💛 and I have nothing figured out? Younger me thought by now I would be a consultant GP in the NHS, maybe with a partner, maybe even with a kid. But instead I quit my job as a doctor 2 years ago, and now I am single self employed doctor, living in a house share in London, and still trying to navigate what the hell I am doing with my life… But after reaching out to so many people about this, it feels like no matter what circumstances we are in, most people feel the same… but why? #thirties #twenties #growingup #singlegirl #london

✨what I eat in a day✨as a doctor and runner recovering from a stress fracture and RED-S…. does not matter as our bodies are so different and we should not compare what we eat to someone else! however here are some evidence based principles which could actually help you fuel your training or recover from RED-S! ⭐️avoid fasted training ⭐️eat within 30-60 minutes of waking up ⭐️avoid caffeine before fuelling ⭐️eat a mix of protein and carbs within 60 minutes after training ⭐️eat regular carbs throughout the day ⭐️eat if you’re hungry ⭐️3-4 servings a day of calcium for bone health one of the main things with RED-S recovery is reminding your body that is will get regular fuel, making it feel safe and therefore reducing the stress on the body! it’s hard to give specific advice over the internet so if you are struggling, please reach out to a healthcare professional! reaching out to a dietician and RED-S specialist has been one of the best things I’ve ever done! *this video also does even not show everything I ate in the day, i ate more than this just hadn’t captured!!!! Dr B #reds #relativeenergydeficiencyinsport #stressfracture #running #wieiad

life is about to get good again 🌱🌸☀️🌿☀️🪴💕 recent incredible things in life: 🍀endless coffee walks with the girls 💍watching my best friend get married 👙trips to the lido and cold water swims 🩵doctor events with my podcast co-host 🍺non alcoholic drinkies at the pub in the sun 👗having fun wearing non workout clothes 🏋🏼‍♀️getting strong af in the gym 🏃‍♀️supporting my run club for sunset runs 5 months of no running isn’t the easiest… but for sure I am grateful for the other beautiful things I have in my life and the growth I am going through as a person, and determined to come out of this period of life stronger than ever, as surely this must be all happening for a reason 💛💛💛💛 Hope you all had a lovely bank holiday weekend! Dr B #bankholiday #london #londonlife #singlegirl #running

the highlight of my month ☀️💛⭐️🌻🌼 each period is one step closer to being back running and I CANNOT WAITTTTTT !!!!! so go get me those tampons !!!! Been 4 months since I got my IUD removed and 4 periods in now - so we are well on our way back to normality 🥹🥹🥹 In RED-S (relative energy deficiency in sport) regular periods are evidence that your hormones (especially oestrogen) are functioning well. Oestrogen is important for bone strength, recovery, and injury prevention (like stress fractures). So this is a key marker for returning to the sport in women! Dr B #reds #relativeenergydeficiencyinsport #stressfracture #running #womenshealth

my year has not gone to plan ❤️‍🩹 Depression, a stress response injury and RED-S was not how I saw my 2026 year planning out… but if it means I can help others not go through a similar thing, then it will be worth it. 🙋🏼‍♀️What is RED-S? RED-S occurs when your body doesn’t have enough energy available to support normal physiological function. Often it is an imbalance of over training and under fuelling and can be completely unintentional. It affects any gender and any body size, not just elite athletes. 😓Symptoms of LEA/RED-S: - In women - menstrual dysfunction - In men - reduced libido and testosterone - Impaired bone health leading to stress response injuries and stress fractures - Fatigue - Frequent illness or injuries - Gastrointestinal disturbances - Recurrent injuries - Decline in performance - Low mood - Poor recovery from training 👩🏼‍⚕️Potential further complications - Osteoporosis - Increased injury risk - Hormonal disruption and infertility - Cardiovascular health risks - Mental health issues If you think you could be experiencing this or you’re at risk: - please speak to a healthcare professional - consider getting your blood tests done - there are also great online resources on pages like @project_reds_ or @r_mcgregor or @runfreephysio Remember your health is the most important thing here 🤍 look after yourself now so you can still live life when you are older! Dr B #REDS #relativeenergydeficiency #stressfracture #womenshealth #running

I have gained weight… but I have also gained: - A regular menstrual cycle - More energy and confidence - Improved mood - Better sleep - Strength in the gym - Reduced anxiety and body dysmorphia - Improved relationship with food - Better recovery with training - Improved respect for my body - Bone mineral density - A body that trusts me again - Less injuries - Stronger immune system - Better digestion So although sk*nnytok is back, remember all the benefits that gaining weight can give you! It’s not easy, and it’s still a process, but so proud of myself for every day making the choice to look after my body for me now and for me in 50 years. Every time I struggle, I just think of future me. Fuel for today, fuel for tomorrow, fuel for 50 year old you who still wants to live their life. You only have one body. Dr B #reds #relativeenergydeficiencyinsport #injury #runner #stressfracture