Nikola Howard
@nikolahoward.bsky.social
From the UK, where "Irony and Sarcasm" is a love language
Assisting women in business redefine success - without burnout, overwhelm, or sacrificing their health
"Find your Confidence Saboteur" quiz here: https://nikolahoward.uk/securitysix
Assisting women in business redefine success - without burnout, overwhelm, or sacrificing their health
"Find your Confidence Saboteur" quiz here: https://nikolahoward.uk/securitysix
Pinned
Nikola Howard
@nikolahoward.bsky.social
· Nov 29
Your bloodwork says 'normal.'
But normal for a 65-year-old man isn't normal for a 42-year-old woman.
Most reference ranges are built on male baselines.
I've got four chronic conditions and taught myself to read my own results because the system wouldn't.
Ever been told 'you're fine'? Tell me.
But normal for a 65-year-old man isn't normal for a 42-year-old woman.
Most reference ranges are built on male baselines.
I've got four chronic conditions and taught myself to read my own results because the system wouldn't.
Ever been told 'you're fine'? Tell me.
September 16, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Your bloodwork says 'normal.'
But normal for a 65-year-old man isn't normal for a 42-year-old woman.
Most reference ranges are built on male baselines.
I've got four chronic conditions and taught myself to read my own results because the system wouldn't.
Ever been told 'you're fine'? Tell me.
But normal for a 65-year-old man isn't normal for a 42-year-old woman.
Most reference ranges are built on male baselines.
I've got four chronic conditions and taught myself to read my own results because the system wouldn't.
Ever been told 'you're fine'? Tell me.
23 years of 'your bloods are fine.' Thyroid subclinical. A1C borderline. Ferritin a bit high. Turns out it was haemochromatosis loading iron into my liver, joints and pancreas.
My story isn't special but it is typical. If you're being told you're fine, keep asking questions. Keep talking. Louder.
My story isn't special but it is typical. If you're being told you're fine, keep asking questions. Keep talking. Louder.
September 14, 2026 at 4:06 PM
23 years of 'your bloods are fine.' Thyroid subclinical. A1C borderline. Ferritin a bit high. Turns out it was haemochromatosis loading iron into my liver, joints and pancreas.
My story isn't special but it is typical. If you're being told you're fine, keep asking questions. Keep talking. Louder.
My story isn't special but it is typical. If you're being told you're fine, keep asking questions. Keep talking. Louder.
I haven't been fully here for 3 weeks. Been busy talking on Stages about Blueprint for Success & launching my 5th book, "Eat Your Lunch"
I debug metabolisms, same skillset as my old IT job, on different hardware
My belief: Stabilise your health, fix your business
-> nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
I debug metabolisms, same skillset as my old IT job, on different hardware
My belief: Stabilise your health, fix your business
-> nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
September 11, 2026 at 4:02 PM
I haven't been fully here for 3 weeks. Been busy talking on Stages about Blueprint for Success & launching my 5th book, "Eat Your Lunch"
I debug metabolisms, same skillset as my old IT job, on different hardware
My belief: Stabilise your health, fix your business
-> nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
I debug metabolisms, same skillset as my old IT job, on different hardware
My belief: Stabilise your health, fix your business
-> nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
Your HbA1C is normal. Your fasting insulin is could be evaluated at 10 μIU/mL or above.
It's also a test that the NHS thinks is irrelevant.
Perimenopause can trigger insulin resistance with zero diet change. Oestrogen decline alters your receptors, not your willpower.
nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
It's also a test that the NHS thinks is irrelevant.
Perimenopause can trigger insulin resistance with zero diet change. Oestrogen decline alters your receptors, not your willpower.
nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
August 26, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Your HbA1C is normal. Your fasting insulin is could be evaluated at 10 μIU/mL or above.
It's also a test that the NHS thinks is irrelevant.
Perimenopause can trigger insulin resistance with zero diet change. Oestrogen decline alters your receptors, not your willpower.
nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
It's also a test that the NHS thinks is irrelevant.
Perimenopause can trigger insulin resistance with zero diet change. Oestrogen decline alters your receptors, not your willpower.
nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
As I'm hoping you know by now, I'm speaking at Be You Now next Friday (SQUEE!), and even though my ticket giveaway is done, there are still a few Standard tickets available 🙂
If you fancy it, details are here:
thequeenofreinvention.com/be-you-now
#nikolahoward #speaking #events #identity
If you fancy it, details are here:
thequeenofreinvention.com/be-you-now
#nikolahoward #speaking #events #identity
August 26, 2026 at 3:14 PM
As I'm hoping you know by now, I'm speaking at Be You Now next Friday (SQUEE!), and even though my ticket giveaway is done, there are still a few Standard tickets available 🙂
If you fancy it, details are here:
thequeenofreinvention.com/be-you-now
#nikolahoward #speaking #events #identity
If you fancy it, details are here:
thequeenofreinvention.com/be-you-now
#nikolahoward #speaking #events #identity
Last day. Entries for the Be You Now giveaway close tonight at 23:59. Six tickets, one form. Whichever one you land, you're in a room built to challenge how you're running your business, plus first copies of my book Eat Your Lunch on launch day
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
August 23, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Last day. Entries for the Be You Now giveaway close tonight at 23:59. Six tickets, one form. Whichever one you land, you're in a room built to challenge how you're running your business, plus first copies of my book Eat Your Lunch on launch day
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
One day left to enter the Be You Now giveaway. Quick answer to the one I keep getting asked: yes, you need to be in London on the day. It's in person only, no livestream, no recording. If that works for you, entries close tomorrow 23:59
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
August 22, 2026 at 4:02 PM
One day left to enter the Be You Now giveaway. Quick answer to the one I keep getting asked: yes, you need to be in London on the day. It's in person only, no livestream, no recording. If that works for you, entries close tomorrow 23:59
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
If I were entering this giveaway myself, I know exactly which prize I'd want. The VIP dinner. The real value in a room like Be You Now happens after the formal bit ends. That's where you ask the question you didn't want to ask in front of 99 other people
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
August 21, 2026 at 4:01 PM
If I were entering this giveaway myself, I know exactly which prize I'd want. The VIP dinner. The real value in a room like Be You Now happens after the formal bit ends. That's where you ask the question you didn't want to ask in front of 99 other people
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
Entries are open! 6 free tickets to Be You Now, 4 Sept, London. 3 VIP, 3 Standard. No skill, no essay, just fill in the form.
Bonus: it's also launch day for my book, Eat Your Lunch, not available anywhere before then.
Entries close Wed 23:59:59
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
Bonus: it's also launch day for my book, Eat Your Lunch, not available anywhere before then.
Entries close Wed 23:59:59
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
August 21, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Entries are open! 6 free tickets to Be You Now, 4 Sept, London. 3 VIP, 3 Standard. No skill, no essay, just fill in the form.
Bonus: it's also launch day for my book, Eat Your Lunch, not available anywhere before then.
Entries close Wed 23:59:59
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
Bonus: it's also launch day for my book, Eat Your Lunch, not available anywhere before then.
Entries close Wed 23:59:59
https://lp.nikolahoward.uk/bynticketgiveaway
New Book Reveal! Will be available after Sept 4th 2026
#books #allthebooks #authors #authorlife #hustleculture #booksky 📚💙
#books #allthebooks #authors #authorlife #hustleculture #booksky 📚💙
August 20, 2026 at 10:38 AM
New Book Reveal! Will be available after Sept 4th 2026
#books #allthebooks #authors #authorlife #hustleculture #booksky 📚💙
#books #allthebooks #authors #authorlife #hustleculture #booksky 📚💙
I've six tickets to give away for Be You Now, 4 Sept, London. 3 VIP (£247), 3 Standard (£147). Only 100 chairs in the room, you could be in one for free.
Entries open Friday, I'll send the link the second it's live.
There's also a second reason to want in the room that day... New book launch!
Entries open Friday, I'll send the link the second it's live.
There's also a second reason to want in the room that day... New book launch!
August 19, 2026 at 4:02 PM
I've six tickets to give away for Be You Now, 4 Sept, London. 3 VIP (£247), 3 Standard (£147). Only 100 chairs in the room, you could be in one for free.
Entries open Friday, I'll send the link the second it's live.
There's also a second reason to want in the room that day... New book launch!
Entries open Friday, I'll send the link the second it's live.
There's also a second reason to want in the room that day... New book launch!
Told you I'd be back. On 4th September I'm speaking at Be You Now in London, on why eating lunch is your best business decision.
As part of my speaker package, I've been given tickets to give away. Full reveal Wednesday, entries open Friday. There's a second reason to want in that room too...
As part of my speaker package, I've been given tickets to give away. Full reveal Wednesday, entries open Friday. There's a second reason to want in that room too...
August 17, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Told you I'd be back. On 4th September I'm speaking at Be You Now in London, on why eating lunch is your best business decision.
As part of my speaker package, I've been given tickets to give away. Full reveal Wednesday, entries open Friday. There's a second reason to want in that room too...
As part of my speaker package, I've been given tickets to give away. Full reveal Wednesday, entries open Friday. There's a second reason to want in that room too...
I skipped lunch more times than I can count in my early career
Not too busy to eat, more that stopping just felt like losing
Turns out that wasn't the flex I thought it was
Talking about this from an actual stage next month (squee!) More soon
When did you last eat lunch without multitasking?
Not too busy to eat, more that stopping just felt like losing
Turns out that wasn't the flex I thought it was
Talking about this from an actual stage next month (squee!) More soon
When did you last eat lunch without multitasking?
August 14, 2026 at 4:04 PM
I skipped lunch more times than I can count in my early career
Not too busy to eat, more that stopping just felt like losing
Turns out that wasn't the flex I thought it was
Talking about this from an actual stage next month (squee!) More soon
When did you last eat lunch without multitasking?
Not too busy to eat, more that stopping just felt like losing
Turns out that wasn't the flex I thought it was
Talking about this from an actual stage next month (squee!) More soon
When did you last eat lunch without multitasking?
Two peer-reviewed papers. One says support women through menopause at work. One says that support can backfire into discrimination.
Both true. Nobody wants to sit with that.
I write about the hard stuff. If that's you, you're in the right place.
Both true. Nobody wants to sit with that.
I write about the hard stuff. If that's you, you're in the right place.
August 10, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Two peer-reviewed papers. One says support women through menopause at work. One says that support can backfire into discrimination.
Both true. Nobody wants to sit with that.
I write about the hard stuff. If that's you, you're in the right place.
Both true. Nobody wants to sit with that.
I write about the hard stuff. If that's you, you're in the right place.
Menopause costs women 20% of their earnings. Not a wellness stat. That's the BMJ.
Hot flushes, brain fog, broken sleep. Not a phase. A tax on your income.
Nobody's adding it up for you.
If that hits a nerve, stick around.
Hot flushes, brain fog, broken sleep. Not a phase. A tax on your income.
Nobody's adding it up for you.
If that hits a nerve, stick around.
August 5, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Menopause costs women 20% of their earnings. Not a wellness stat. That's the BMJ.
Hot flushes, brain fog, broken sleep. Not a phase. A tax on your income.
Nobody's adding it up for you.
If that hits a nerve, stick around.
Hot flushes, brain fog, broken sleep. Not a phase. A tax on your income.
Nobody's adding it up for you.
If that hits a nerve, stick around.
Brain is 2% of your body weight, takes 20% of the fuel.
That 3pm meeting where the slide won't land? Not laziness. Your neocortex just went offline because your blood sugar tanked.
Insulin resistance runs 10-15 years ahead of diabetes, standard tests miss it every time.
Come find me, kettle's on
That 3pm meeting where the slide won't land? Not laziness. Your neocortex just went offline because your blood sugar tanked.
Insulin resistance runs 10-15 years ahead of diabetes, standard tests miss it every time.
Come find me, kettle's on
August 3, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Brain is 2% of your body weight, takes 20% of the fuel.
That 3pm meeting where the slide won't land? Not laziness. Your neocortex just went offline because your blood sugar tanked.
Insulin resistance runs 10-15 years ahead of diabetes, standard tests miss it every time.
Come find me, kettle's on
That 3pm meeting where the slide won't land? Not laziness. Your neocortex just went offline because your blood sugar tanked.
Insulin resistance runs 10-15 years ahead of diabetes, standard tests miss it every time.
Come find me, kettle's on
My mum died in 2022. My business shrank for 3 years, not from bad strategy, but because I couldn't show up. When your body crashes, your business crashes. You ARE the business.
Swiss Re, a £30bn reinsurer, just proved it with claims data. I've said it for 26 years.
nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
Swiss Re, a £30bn reinsurer, just proved it with claims data. I've said it for 26 years.
nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
July 31, 2026 at 4:18 PM
My mum died in 2022. My business shrank for 3 years, not from bad strategy, but because I couldn't show up. When your body crashes, your business crashes. You ARE the business.
Swiss Re, a £30bn reinsurer, just proved it with claims data. I've said it for 26 years.
nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
Swiss Re, a £30bn reinsurer, just proved it with claims data. I've said it for 26 years.
nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
I'm not anti-GLP-1. I'm not pro-GLP-1. I'm anti no-exit-plan.
The pen "works" and your body reads famine.
Stop with no plan and the fat comes racing back.
Not failure. Physiology.
26 years teaching this. The missing piece has always been the exit plan.
Ask me how I know.
The pen "works" and your body reads famine.
Stop with no plan and the fat comes racing back.
Not failure. Physiology.
26 years teaching this. The missing piece has always been the exit plan.
Ask me how I know.
July 29, 2026 at 4:04 PM
I'm not anti-GLP-1. I'm not pro-GLP-1. I'm anti no-exit-plan.
The pen "works" and your body reads famine.
Stop with no plan and the fat comes racing back.
Not failure. Physiology.
26 years teaching this. The missing piece has always been the exit plan.
Ask me how I know.
The pen "works" and your body reads famine.
Stop with no plan and the fat comes racing back.
Not failure. Physiology.
26 years teaching this. The missing piece has always been the exit plan.
Ask me how I know.
In 2004, I didn't change my bedsheets for 6 months. Not laziness. Gold-standard treatment for endometriosis left me with depression and a year-long period.
The NHS is set up to expect you to ask for follow-up. I wasn't in any place to ask.
You're not mad.
Come find me. Kettle's on.
The NHS is set up to expect you to ask for follow-up. I wasn't in any place to ask.
You're not mad.
Come find me. Kettle's on.
July 27, 2026 at 4:02 PM
In 2004, I didn't change my bedsheets for 6 months. Not laziness. Gold-standard treatment for endometriosis left me with depression and a year-long period.
The NHS is set up to expect you to ask for follow-up. I wasn't in any place to ask.
You're not mad.
Come find me. Kettle's on.
The NHS is set up to expect you to ask for follow-up. I wasn't in any place to ask.
You're not mad.
Come find me. Kettle's on.
PCOS is now PMOS. Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome.
Diagnosed with PCOS in 2003, no treatment offered to me, because I didn't want kids.
NICE published draft PMOS guidance this week. Further thoughts on Substack:
https://open.substack.com/pub/nikolaanne/p/the-body-was-never-too-much-the-map
Diagnosed with PCOS in 2003, no treatment offered to me, because I didn't want kids.
NICE published draft PMOS guidance this week. Further thoughts on Substack:
https://open.substack.com/pub/nikolaanne/p/the-body-was-never-too-much-the-map
July 24, 2026 at 4:01 PM
PCOS is now PMOS. Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome.
Diagnosed with PCOS in 2003, no treatment offered to me, because I didn't want kids.
NICE published draft PMOS guidance this week. Further thoughts on Substack:
https://open.substack.com/pub/nikolaanne/p/the-body-was-never-too-much-the-map
Diagnosed with PCOS in 2003, no treatment offered to me, because I didn't want kids.
NICE published draft PMOS guidance this week. Further thoughts on Substack:
https://open.substack.com/pub/nikolaanne/p/the-body-was-never-too-much-the-map
73% of women founders are stressed. 78% have anxiety. 54% burn out. 43% manage a chronic condition running their business.
That's not individual failure. It's system failure.
I debugged IT infrastructure for years. Now I debug the infrastructure underneath women's bodies.
Ask me how I know.
That's not individual failure. It's system failure.
I debugged IT infrastructure for years. Now I debug the infrastructure underneath women's bodies.
Ask me how I know.
July 22, 2026 at 4:03 PM
73% of women founders are stressed. 78% have anxiety. 54% burn out. 43% manage a chronic condition running their business.
That's not individual failure. It's system failure.
I debugged IT infrastructure for years. Now I debug the infrastructure underneath women's bodies.
Ask me how I know.
That's not individual failure. It's system failure.
I debugged IT infrastructure for years. Now I debug the infrastructure underneath women's bodies.
Ask me how I know.
Spent the first 3 months of this year obsessing over true mid-purple wall tiles for my kitchen
So happy with the result!
I'm Nikola. 35 years debugging council IT systems. Now I debug metabolisms instead
26 years, 500+ transformations, 4 chronic conditions of my own.
Come find me. Kettle's on 🫖
So happy with the result!
I'm Nikola. 35 years debugging council IT systems. Now I debug metabolisms instead
26 years, 500+ transformations, 4 chronic conditions of my own.
Come find me. Kettle's on 🫖
July 20, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Spent the first 3 months of this year obsessing over true mid-purple wall tiles for my kitchen
So happy with the result!
I'm Nikola. 35 years debugging council IT systems. Now I debug metabolisms instead
26 years, 500+ transformations, 4 chronic conditions of my own.
Come find me. Kettle's on 🫖
So happy with the result!
I'm Nikola. 35 years debugging council IT systems. Now I debug metabolisms instead
26 years, 500+ transformations, 4 chronic conditions of my own.
Come find me. Kettle's on 🫖
NHS England says tirzepatide can affect how you absorb oral HRT and the pill in your gut. You know, the "boring" leaflet bit everyone skips
Ask about patches, gels, extra contraception instead
Read the guidance. Ask the boring questions
Share this with a friend on this combo. Keep her safe too
Ask about patches, gels, extra contraception instead
Read the guidance. Ask the boring questions
Share this with a friend on this combo. Keep her safe too
July 13, 2026 at 4:03 PM
NHS England says tirzepatide can affect how you absorb oral HRT and the pill in your gut. You know, the "boring" leaflet bit everyone skips
Ask about patches, gels, extra contraception instead
Read the guidance. Ask the boring questions
Share this with a friend on this combo. Keep her safe too
Ask about patches, gels, extra contraception instead
Read the guidance. Ask the boring questions
Share this with a friend on this combo. Keep her safe too
Wimbledon has a heat rule. Hit 30.1C and players get a 10-minute break.
Not weakness. Operating conditions.
Meanwhile we power through everything and call the inevitable crash-it that causes laziness.
Your body is not a moral exam. It is infrastructure to care for.
👉 nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
Not weakness. Operating conditions.
Meanwhile we power through everything and call the inevitable crash-it that causes laziness.
Your body is not a moral exam. It is infrastructure to care for.
👉 nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
July 10, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Wimbledon has a heat rule. Hit 30.1C and players get a 10-minute break.
Not weakness. Operating conditions.
Meanwhile we power through everything and call the inevitable crash-it that causes laziness.
Your body is not a moral exam. It is infrastructure to care for.
👉 nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
Not weakness. Operating conditions.
Meanwhile we power through everything and call the inevitable crash-it that causes laziness.
Your body is not a moral exam. It is infrastructure to care for.
👉 nikolahoward.uk/wcftm
June '26. Launch of a pill, a muscle drug, & a gut procedure, all to patch the same weight-loss drug. I wrote 1,059 words on why the sequence is the real story & what fixing a body instead of patching it actually means
https://nikolaanne.substack.com/p/a-pill-a-muscle-drug-and-a-gut-procedure
https://nikolaanne.substack.com/p/a-pill-a-muscle-drug-and-a-gut-procedure
A pill, a muscle drug and a gut procedure walked into June
In thirty-five years of IT infrastructure, I learned to be far more frightened of a tidy patch than of an honest crash.
nikolaanne.substack.com
July 8, 2026 at 5:02 PM
June '26. Launch of a pill, a muscle drug, & a gut procedure, all to patch the same weight-loss drug. I wrote 1,059 words on why the sequence is the real story & what fixing a body instead of patching it actually means
https://nikolaanne.substack.com/p/a-pill-a-muscle-drug-and-a-gut-procedure
https://nikolaanne.substack.com/p/a-pill-a-muscle-drug-and-a-gut-procedure