People are always saying to trust your gut, but when you’re facing anxiety, brain fog and insomnia – just some of the symptoms commonly associated with gut issues – that feels impossible. Atlanta Fowler, co-founder of Gold Coast-based bone broth powerhouse Gevity Rx, knows this all too well.
Since these symptoms took over her life almost 15 years ago, she’s become something of a gut health guru.
She’d also be the first to admit that her wellness journey has led her down some interesting paths.
“I’ve just finished a 72-hour fast,” she says casually at the beginning of our call. “I used to do them all the time. It’s a metabolic reset, especially when you struggle with gut health like I do.”
Atlanta’s gut health story (and, as a result, Gevity Rx’s) started in Brisbane 14 years ago. Atlanta was sick, but not the ‘tummy ache’ kind.
“I had crippling anxiety, brain fog, insomnia, crying all the time,” she says. “I remember running out of a ‘party’ of eight people because there was one person I didn’t know. You wouldn’t attribute that to gut health. I saw so many doctors, and they told me it was all in my head.”
Spoiler: it wasn’t.
Atlanta first heard the term ‘leaky gut’ on a podcast, and something about it clicked for her – she started digging. She quickly learned how the gut lining can become permeable, allowing toxins and bacteria to sneak into the bloodstream.
In her research, bone broth came up time and time again as a gut-healing hero. This ‘magic’ liquid (made from boiling animal bones and connective tissue) is said to reduce inflammation, improve sleep and boost collagen, among other things – but the stuff Atlanta found locally only made her feel worse.
“The first thing they tell you to do for gut issues is cut out high FODMAP foods,” she says. “And here was this broth packed with them!”
That’s when her now-husband, Mark, decided to whip up a batch himself – served to her in a specimen cup, no less.
“It was horrendous at first, but then magic happened,” Atlanta says. “We were already in the food business at the time, so we had a bit of intel, but we had no idea then that that product was the origin of Body Glue.”
And of Gevity Rx, which is stocked nationwide. This Gold Coast-based brand has become a go-to for those serious about gut health.
“It’s way more normal now, but back when my issues were at their worst, gut health wasn’t mainstream,” Atlanta says. “My first stool test had to be sent to the US!”
Nowadays, there’s no shortage of breath tests and stool tests (yes, poo chat is common at Gevity HQ) on the market – or of Aussies suddenly realising their skin issues, energy crashes or food intolerances might all trace back to their gut.
“A lot of people think poor gut health is just bloating or reflux, but it’s linked to so much more – skin problems, mood swings, immunity, even sleep,” Atlanta says. “It’s the root cause of so many issues. People think taking a probiotic alone will fix it, but if your gut lining is damaged, you need to repair that first.”
So, what’s messing with our guts?
The usual suspects: stress, poor sleep, sedentary lifestyles – and our modern food system.
“Additives, seed oils and ultra-processed foods are a big one,” Atlanta says. “Even ‘healthy’ products can be packed with junk. People don’t know because labels are designed to mislead.”
But Atlanta isn’t about food shaming.
“Look, no one’s perfect,” she says. “Sometimes it’s a packet of chips and a Roll-Up – I get it, parenting is hard. It’s about balance and knowing what’s really going into your body.”
And if you fall off the wagon? Don’t sweat it.
“It’s a journey,” she says. “I now know that if I go to, say, Vegas and eat all the wrong things, I’ll go backwards – but I also know how to get back on track.
“Knowing your triggers is empowering. It’s not about being perfect it’s about making better choices most of the time.”
Atlanta’s top gut health tips
- Avoid seed oils and ultra-processed foods when you can
- Cook at home as much as possible with whole, real ingredients
- Incorporate bone broth into your daily routine – it’s rich in collagen and gut-healing nutrients
- Don’t rely solely on probiotics – work on repairing your gut lining too
- Manage stress and prioritise quality sleep
- Be kind to yourself – it’s about balance, not perfection
