Our ambassador Izzi Phillips tells us about netball, gut health and life after low FODMAP

How did you first get into netball?

I first got into netball when I was about 10. Growing up, I was that kid who wanted to play absolutely every sport - I was on all the mixed teams at school and spent most of my lunchtimes playing football, just running around burning off excess energy.

My best friend played netball and, honestly, I'd never even heard of it! I remember my mum saying, "I think I played that at school," but neither of us really knew much about it. I turned up to my first session not knowing a single rule, but I loved it from the moment I stepped on court. I was hooked straight away and I've never really looked back.

It's funny looking back now, because saying yes to that one training session has taken me all the way to representing the Roses.

What does a typical day of training look like for you?

A typical training day starts pretty early. I'll have breakfast and head in for a 9am team meeting - we'll review clips, talk through the opposition and set specific goals for the session. Our court session is usually short and sharp, anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half, working on the technical and tactical parts of our game and how we want to break down the opposition.

After that it's straight into the gym for strength and conditioning, then lunch. Depending on the day, I'll head back to university in the afternoon or evening to catch up on lectures and assignments, or spend time with friends. It can be busy, but coming into my second year I've formed a better routine, which makes everything feel much more manageable.

How do you balance training with studying?

People are always shocked that I play professionally for the London Mavericks while studying at the University of Nottingham. There are times where I'm more of an athlete who happens to be studying, and other times where I prioritise being a student - the balance is constantly changing.

The best strategy has been creating systems rather than relying on motivation. I'm naturally quite a chaotic person, so instead of trying to be perfectly organised every day, I've built routines that don't require loads of decision-making. When life gets busy, I don't have to think - I just follow the system I've set up.

I've also learned to use the little pockets of time. On a coach journey I'll either have a nap if I need one or watch a lecture. It doesn't always have to be hours of studying, but those small moments add up.

I used to think I had to manage everything on my own, but being open with my lecturers, tutors and coaches has made such a difference. They understand the demands I'm juggling, so instead of waiting until everything feels overwhelming, we can plan ahead together. It's not about being perfect - it's about building a support system that helps you succeed.

Nutrition is such a big part of performance sport. How do you fuel for training and match days?

Nutrition is something I'm intentional about because I've realised just how much it affects my performance. Around training, and especially on match days, I'm conscious of getting enough carbohydrates to fuel what I'm asking my body to do, then prioritising protein afterwards for recovery.

Taking away the stress is key. On a match day I want my focus to be on sleeping well, preparing mentally and getting ready to perform - not worrying about what I'm going to cook or whether I've got the right nutrition. That's where Field Doctor has genuinely made a difference. I know I'm eating meals that work for my gut and support my training, which means it's one less thing to think about. It lets me put my energy into performing rather than planning food.

Are there any nutrition mistakes you've made, or misconceptions about eating for netball you'd love to bust?

I've stopped comparing myself to other people. We're surrounded by social media telling us what we should look like, how much we should eat, what the "perfect" athlete looks like. When I was younger, I definitely compared my nutrition to people living completely different lifestyles.

Now I realise that comparison just doesn't make sense — and it was stopping me from reaching my full potential. My body has to sprint, jump, change direction, lift weights and perform at a high level almost every day. It deserves to be fuelled for that. Earlier in my career I probably underestimated how much I actually needed to eat to support my training. Once I started fuelling properly, the difference in my energy, recovery and performance was huge.

My body allows me to do incredible things every day, and I've learned to see fuelling it well as an act of gratitude rather than something to feel guilty about.

You've been following a low FODMAP diet. Can you tell us about that journey?

It all started while I was away at the World Youth Cup. I'd begun having ongoing stomach issues and knew something wasn't quite right. At first I tried to brush it off — thinking it might be the stress of competing or travelling — but when it kept happening, I knew I needed answers. After lots of appointments and tests, I was advised to follow a low-FODMAP diet.

If I'm honest, I found it incredibly overwhelming. Almost overnight, food became another full-time job. Every meal needed planning. I was constantly checking ingredients, meal prepping around training, worrying about what I'd eat when I travelled and wondering whether something I'd eaten was going to leave me in pain and unable to train. I remember thinking, "How am I actually supposed to make this work?" I was juggling being a professional athlete, studying and having a social life, and suddenly all my headspace was taken up by food.

Thankfully, my mum stepped in. She spent time researching and eventually came across Field Doctor and their low-FODMAP range. For me, that was the first time I felt like I'd truly found something to fit my lifestyle.

What difference have you noticed since finding meals that work for your gut?

It's given me my life back! Before, so much of my mental energy went on worrying about food. Would this upset my stomach? Have I packed something safe? Will I be okay for training later? It got to the point where I reached complete burnout. With Field Doctor, food has gone from something I worry about to something that supports me.

Physically, I've noticed such a difference too. I've kept progressing in the gym and hit strength PBs I never imagined, because I'm finally fuelling consistently instead of just trying to get through the day.

But the biggest change isn't even physical — it's getting my freedom back. I can spend more time with friends, focus on my degree, enjoy travelling with the team and just be a normal 20-year-old without feeling like everything revolves around food. As an athlete there are already so many things to think about, so having confidence that my nutrition is sorted means I can put my energy into the things that really matter. That's probably been the biggest difference of all.

What are your favourite Field Doctor meals?

My number one has to be the Teriyaki Salmon. It's definitely not something I have the skills to make at home, so it always feels like a bit of a treat — it honestly tastes like something you'd order in a restaurant, but it's sitting in my freezer ready whenever I need it.

I also love the variety. I never get bored because there are so many different cuisines to choose from, and as a student it's cost-effective because everything is already portioned and ready to go — no buying loads of ingredients that end up sitting in the fridge going to waste.

What are the hardest and best bits of being a professional athlete?

I love training — if you asked me to go to court every day, I'd be there in a heartbeat. The real challenge is having that same commitment to all the one-percenters away from the court: recovery, nutrition, sleep, strength and conditioning, all the little things nobody else sees.

When I was younger, I was probably guilty of letting some of those slide, because you don't see the reward straight away — you don't come out of one gym session suddenly jumping higher or running faster. But as I've progressed into the England Roses programme, I've realised those tiny margins are often what separate good athletes from great ones. Everyone at that level is talented; the difference is who can consistently do the things that aren't always exciting.

The best part, without a doubt, is the people. Some of my closest friends have come through netball — there are girls I've played with who'll genuinely be bridesmaids at my wedding one day. It's also taken me to places I'd never imagined, from Australia to New Zealand to Trinidad & Tobago, meeting people from completely different cultures along the way. More than anything, I love being surrounded by ambitious people, constantly pushing each other to improve and celebrating each other's successes. That environment is so special, and I feel really lucky to be part of it.

What advice would you give to anyone dealing with gut issues or injury setbacks?

One of the biggest things I've learned is that it's okay to slow down. As athletes, we're wired to push through discomfort — we almost wear resilience as a badge of honour. But sometimes the hardest thing you can do is recognise that your body needs time to heal.

I've experienced that in two very different ways. When I broke my leg, everyone could see I was injured. My gut issues were completely different — from the outside I looked fine, but internally I knew something wasn't right. Both taught me that just because someone can't see what you're going through doesn't make it any less real.

I'd really encourage people not to go through it alone. Speak to your teammates, coaches, family or a professional if you're struggling. You don't have to carry everything by yourself, and asking for help is never a sign of weakness.

My final piece of advice would be to celebrate the small wins. Recovery can feel overwhelming if you're only looking at the finish line, so focus on the next milestone — whether that's straightening your leg, running again or getting through a session pain-free. Those small moments build confidence and remind you you're moving forwards, even when it doesn't feel like it.

It's easy to judge recovery by whether you're playing again, but my biggest progress happened away from the court. Injury gave me the chance to learn more about myself, try things I never would have otherwise, and realise I'm more than just a netballer. It wasn't always enjoyable at the time, but I honestly think how you come through those difficult moments is what shapes you — not just as an athlete, but as a person.