Why STAIT has become a part of Firefighter Georgina Gilbert's daily routine for energy and recovery.
"For most people, recovery is something that happens after exercise. For me, recovery has become something much bigger.
I've served as a firefighter for 28 years and, during that time, I've learnt that the job demands far more than physical fitness. One moment you can be carrying out routine work, the next you're responding to a life-threatening incident that requires immediate action, rapid decision-making and intense physical effort. The body and mind are constantly adapting to periods of calm followed by sudden spikes of stress.
Over the years, I've come to realise that resilience isn't just about what happens in those intense moments. It's about how well you recover afterwards.
That lesson became even more apparent when, alongside my expedition partner Bex, I skied 1,230km to the South Pole. Over 52 days, 10 hours and 30 minutes, we became the first emergency services team to ski to the South Pole, pioneering a new route from Union Glacier to Constellation Inlet before joining the Hercules Inlet route to the Pole. It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, but it came at a cost.
The expedition pushed my body harder than anything I had ever experienced. The physical effort was relentless, but what surprised me most was the recovery afterwards. When I was younger, I could push through fatigue and bounce back relatively quickly. These days, recovery takes longer. Energy is more precious. If I neglect either, I feel it immediately. For a long time, I felt as though I was constantly trying to catch up.
That was one of the reasons I was interested when I was offered the opportunity to try STAIT.
The first thing I noticed after introducing STAIT Recover into my daily routine was my sleep. It improved considerably. I noticed a consistent shift towards better sleep which led to better recovery, and better recovery led to more consistent energy throughout the day. What I appreciate most is feeling stable, no peaks and crashes. Just a more consistent level of energy that helps me perform at work, train effectively and recover properly. I also take the daily tablets and have noticed positive changes there too. Like many women, I've experienced some peri-menopause symptoms over recent years, particularly the dreaded sweats. Looking back, I honestly can't remember the last time I had one. Whether that's down to improved nutrition, better sleep, better recovery or a combination of all three, I've noticed a real difference in how I feel day to day.
Away from the fire service, I compete in rowing and spend much of my free time sculling in a double. We have some big competitions ahead this year and training can be demanding. Recovery has become just as important as the sessions themselves. It's no longer about how hard I can push myself once. It's about how well I can recover so that I can keep going day after day.
Over the years, I've realised that endurance isn't really about physical strength. But when things become difficult, and they always do, it's rarely your muscles that keep you moving forward. It's your mindset, your purpose and the people around you. The South Pole taught me that resilience isn't about being fearless or never struggling. It's about continuing despite the struggle. It's about taking the next step when you're tired, uncomfortable or uncertain, consistent actions eventually become something much bigger.
I've also learnt that none of us achieve anything meaningful alone.
Throughout my career in the fire service, during the expedition to the South Pole, and now through the Fire Angel Leadership Foundation, I've been fortunate to be surrounded by people who encourage, challenge and support one another. For me, that's what leadership looks like. Not titles or rank. It's creating opportunities for others, helping people believe in themselves and showing them what's possible when they step outside their comfort zone. It's also why supporting women has become such an important part of my life.
When I first joined the fire service, there were very few women around me in operational roles. Things are changing, but there is still work to do. I want young women to see that they belong in these spaces, whether that's in emergency services, sport, adventure or leadership. Not because someone gives them permission, but because they already belong there. If my experiences can help another woman take her first step towards something she never thought possible, then every challenge has been worthwhile.
And that brings me to the next challenge ...
In 2027, Bex and I plan to walk from Land's End to John O'Groats wearing firefighting kit and breathing apparatus, inviting firefighters, fire services, cadets and young people to join us along the way. The challenge doesn't even have a name yet, but the purpose is already clear. This isn't simply about covering the distance, it's about visibility, showing women what is possible and most of all, it's about creating space for conversations that don't always happen. The South Pole taught me that big challenges are never really about a finish line. They're about what happens along the way. The people you meet, the support you receive and the impact you have on others.
The miles will be demanding, especially carrying firefighting equipment day after day, but recovery, consistency and resilience will once again be the foundations that make the journey possible.
STAIT will be a key part of that, helping me maintain the energy and recovery needed to keep putting one foot in front of the other every single day.
And while the STAIT Recover and STAIT for Women capsules have become part of my daily routine, there is one other product that has earned a permanent place in my kit bag. After long training sessions, rowing races or demanding days at work, the STAIT Muscle Balm is often the final part of my recovery routine before bed. It's become one of those small habits that helps me wake up feeling ready to go again the next day.
After 28 years in the fire service, a South Pole expedition and another major challenge on the horizon, I've learnt that success isn't always about pushing harder. Sometimes it's about recovering better, because resilience isn't built in the big moments, it's built in the habits that allow us to keep going long after the excitement has faded and the real work begins."
