HOW JENNA FOUND LASTING BLADDER RELIEF, OVERCAME FOOD FEAR, AND RAN A HALF MARATHON IN JUST SIX MONTHS
FROM BLADDER PAIN AND FEAR TO FREEDOM AND FULFILMENT
After two years of living with constant bladder pain, flare-ups, and restrictive diets, Jenna Pogue felt trapped and exhausted. In just six months on the Heal Your Bladder programme, she found long lasting relief, healed her relationship with food, and even ran a half marathon. This is her story of frustration and fear, to freedom, transformation and control.
When Jenna Pogue joined the Heal Your Bladder programme, she had been living with bladder pain, urinary burning, and frequency for over two years, following a UTI that never fully went away. Constant bladder flare-ups left her exhausted, fearful, and overwhelmed. She had sought help from five different urologists, tried countless private tests, diets, and treatments, but nothing seemed to work. Despite her efforts, all her medical tests, including urine cultures, showed no issues. She felt stuck, frustrated, and running out of hope.
Jenna’s goals were clear from the beginning. She wanted to:
Reduce flare-ups and experience more symptom-free days.
Understand and address the factors contributing to her IC.
Repair her relationship with food, which had been damaged by the restrictive IC diet. (More on the IC diet myth, here)
Let’s dive into Jenna’s journey to healing from IC and bladder pain.
WHAT HESITATIONS DID JENNA HAVE BEFORE JOINING THE HEAL YOUR BLADDER PROGRAMME?
Jenna notes: “Before deciding to work with Mary, I’d already spent a lot of money on private tests, diets, medicines, etc., to no avail. This would be the biggest cost by far, so I was worried it might not work and I’d be even more out of pocket.
But after so many failed attempts with other treatment options, I decided to take the leap and with hindsight, I wouldn’t even question the cost. I now know the value was absolutely worth it. I feel like a different person, facing a different future!”
FROM FEAR TO FREEDOM. WHAT JENNA ACHIEVED IN SIX MONTHS
Before starting the programme, Jenna avoided entire food groups: dairy, soy, tomatoes, peppers, and all fruit except pears. She felt trapped in pain and fear.
By the end of six months, her progress was remarkable:
1. Flare-ups became rare:
She says: “Weeks now go by when I feel comfortable and symptom-free. Before we started this process, I felt like I was facing a life of never feeling comfortable again.
For example, I couldn’t enjoy just lying in bed because I always felt like I needed to pee or I was burning.
My partner would get into bed at the end of a long day and say, ‘Ah, it’s good to get into bed and relax,’ and I’d feel jealous that he could enjoy something so simple while I was lying there in discomfort.
Now, I can relax and enjoy simple things like that again.”
2. Freedom from food fear:
Jenna reintroduced foods she thought she’d never eat again.
“Working with Mary taught me that I could eat tomatoes again, (and all the other foods that had been "banned"). I had spiralled into confusion, listening to advice from Facebook groups, hospitals, and random sources online. I felt like I was on the verge of an eating disorder and had no direction to go in. There were very little nutrients going into my body. I started to feel like I just didn’t want to bother eating.
From call one, I knew I could trust Mary. And although there was a little bit of apprehension bringing certain foods back in, I believed it would be "safe”.
Now, six months on, I still think, ‘I can’t believe I’m eating this again!’ It makes me so happy”, she notes.
3. Restful nights:
Gone were the restless nights and frequent wake-ups. Now, she wakes just once, better than even before her symptoms began!
4. Joyful exercise:
Jenna went from running twice weekly in pain, (needing a hot water bottle afterwards), to completing a half marathon in four months, alongside strength training that made her feel stronger than ever.
5. Improved gut health:
She went from trapped wind and bloating to daily, easy bowel movements.
6. Improved intimate health:
Jenna went from experiencing frequent vaginal irritation and soreness to feeling “completely fine”, which significantly enhanced her comfort and quality of life.
7. Her diet became a source of joy and happiness:
Jenna’s diet transformed into a colourful, whole-food approach with lots of protein, nuts, seeds, fruit, and veggies. She tried fermented foods for the first time, enjoyed bladder friendly smoothies, and her spice jar went from a jar of dusty old chilli flakes to the most it's ever been. Turmeric, cumin, rosemary, thyme, cinnamon, curry leaves - all foods she thought she’d never eat again.
8. Beyond bladder improvements, Jenna noticed “positive add-ons”:
These included: healthier skin and hair, better nutrition for running and strength training, weight loss, and overall control of her health. “I secretly love seeing my trolley full of fresh veggies, herbs, and spices. It feels so good to fuel my body this way now,” she says. “I feel generally better and more in control, on top of the bladder improvements.”
“I have no doubt it was the best choice I’ve made. I’d recommend it to anyone in a position to sign up!”
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE HER?
Jenna’s progress didn’t happen overnight, it was a steady journey of transformation. Each month brought new milestones, demonstrating why the programme’s six-month commitment is essential for achieving long-lasting results.
This was her timeline:
Month 1: Urethral burning reduced, and bowel movements became regular and comfortable.
Month 2: No more trapped wind or bloating, and flare-ups were less intense.
Month 3: She couldn’t remember the last time she felt urgency.
Month 4: Weeks passed with minimal bladder symptoms. Nights were restful, with only one wake-up. She increased her running distance to 7.5 miles and felt ready for a half marathon.
Month 5: She confidently came off Hiprex, her final medication, and continued to feel great. She ran a half marathon, no hot water bottle or pain meds needed!
Month 6: Her pain score dropped from 8/10 to 3/10 in just six months - a testament to her commitment and the programme’s effectiveness.
“I wouldn’t even question the cost. I now know the value was absolutely worth it. I feel like a different person, facing a different future.”
WHAT JENNA LOVED ABOUT THE HEAL YOUR BLADDER PROGRAMME
“I really enjoyed having the app to log and track my food. It was so satisfying to see in black and white that I’d had a healthy, nutritious day.
I also liked the way the monthly protocols were set up in the app. They were easy to read, accessible, and gave me a new focus each month. It felt great to build on those steps as I went.”
WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE PROGRAMME ENDED?
When asked about her experience, Jenna shared:
“I don’t think there is anything I didn’t particularly enjoy. It went by so fast, and I’ve been wary about it ending, but that’s not a criticism! I am planning to stay on the Legacy Package as I don’t quite feel ready to go it alone just yet.”
The Legacy Package offers continued support for those who want guidance beyond the six months, ensuring they feel confident in maintaining their progress.
From call one, I knew I could trust Mary. I still think, ‘I can’t believe I’m eating this again!’ It makes me so happy.
WHY JENNA’S IC SUCCESS STORY MATTERS
Jenna’s journey demonstrates that healing is possible with time, commitment, and the right guidance. She faced many of the same hurdles you might feel now.
She wasn’t a confident cook when she started the programme, relying on jarred pasta sauces and she felt there were many foods that were “banned”. But Jenna embraced the process, learning to cook simple, nourishing meals using herbs, spices, and whole ingredients using the recipe collections included in the programme. What started as a challenge became something she enjoyed.
“I secretly love seeing my trolley full of fresh veggies, herbs, and spices. It feels so good to fuel my body this way now,” she says.
Jenna also made peace with her relationship with food. As a self-confessed emotional eater, she swapped sugary snacks for protein-based options and discovered how delicious and energising bladder friendly food choices could be.
If Jenna can make these changes, so can you. This programme isn’t about being a gourmet chef. It’s about making small, manageable shifts that add up to BIG results over time. Healing takes patience and persistence, but with the right expert support, it can be a truly rewarding outcome.
WHY WAIT? THIS IS POSSIBLE FOR YOU TOO.
It’s easy to think, “I’ll start after my holiday” or “once life calms down” or “once I’ve tried this next round of antibiotics or instillations”... But the truth is, there will always be something that seems more pressing. Holidays, busy schedules, and life’s unpredictable moments don’t have to derail your healing. In fact, they’re part of the journey.
Jenna didn’t wait for the “perfect time” because she knew it might never come. Instead, she leaned into the process, step by step, finding ways to adapt her healing plan to her daily life and having access to me via direct message between sessions for extra support when she needed it.
If you’re thinking of putting it off, consider this: how much longer do you want to wait to feel relief, to reclaim your energy, and to enjoy your sex life again? Starting now doesn’t mean you have to do it all at once. It simply means taking the first step toward feeling better using an integrative approach. And that step can start today.
I’M READY! WHAT’S THE NEXT STEP?
Are you finally ready to leave bladder pain, food fears, and sleepless nights behind? The Heal your Bladder programme could be your turning point just like Jenna.
Book a clarity call with Mary now.
Explore the Heal Your Bladder programme, here.
Read more client success stories, here
Your future is waiting. Let’s make it a comfortable, joyful one.
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