I got diagnosed with ulcerative colitis aged 14. I’ve been in and out of hospital ever since, with progressively stronger medications and increasingly serious rounds of surgery including a total colectomy and several rounds of having a stoma and having it reversed.

During this process I came to find the Low FODMAP diet. Navigating this complicated diet was a lonely and confusing process, but ultimately once I got the hang of it it was really helpful for me for a while, giving me my confidence back in being able to eat at a time when otherwise I was feeling hopeless.

This finding of hope through mastering the Low FODMAP diet was what prompted me to set up Fodpod. I wanted to help other people in my situation not to feel alone, to comfort and guide them and show them that while it is daunting it can be done and it is worth it. So many of you have shown your appreciation, and I thank you for your custom, your glowing Trustpilot reviews, and your individual messages of appreciation and support. I set out to help people, and I am very proud and privileged to have been able to achieve my goal.

Sadly, my disease is very aggressive and continued to progress; my diagnosis was upgraded to Crohn’s, plus a nice little side helping of arthritis (as if the journey wasn’t hard enough already - misdiagnosis is such a faff to go through!), and I had to come to terms with the fact that I must have a permanent stoma. That surgery (my eighth major bowel surgery) was completed in October 2025. This life-changing decision has been emotionally challenging for me to process and accept, but I’m happy to say that I’m doing better physically now than I have been for a long time, and ultimately it was the right decision for me.

Now I must decide what I want the next chapter of my life to look like. It is with a very heavy heart that I have decided to close my business to give me time and space to heal, and to pursue other passions. This was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make, but if there’s anything I’ve learned from accepting my stoma it’s that sometimes letting go is a painful but necessary step to allow you to grow and move forwards.

I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all the love and support you have shown me over the years, for sharing this little dream of mine with me, and I wish each of you health and happiness on your onward journey.

James @ Fodpod