Episode show notes
Lisa & Alana MacFarlane are identical mirror twins, have reached dizzying heights as DJs on Love Island and Virgin Radio, and since 2017 have been transforming our relationship with gut health.
It seems like there’s very little that the Co-Founders of The Gut Stuff can’t do when they set their mind to it. Join us on ‘It Runs In The Family’ to discover the unexpected inception of the business, their apparent telepathy, the source of their fearlessness, and why they have regular WhatsApp messages from a ‘Positive Polly’…
This episode covers:
- ‘The Mac Twins’ journey from Radio 1Xtra to Virgin Radio and Love Island
- How gut research revealed startling differences in bacteria, despite identical DNA
- Highlights, challenges, and celebrating the ‘bra-swinging moments’
- Perspective and fearlessness in the wake of losing a parent young
Episode highlights
“We were DJs. So we actually started on 1Xtra, Virgin Radio, we were the official DJs on Love Island, travelling all around the world DJ-ing. As we were doing that we were volunteering for twin research, a research facility at Kings, and we were actually some of the first people in Europe to have our guts analysed.” – 2:35 – Alana MacFarlane
“We found out that, even though we have 100% the same DNA, we only have 30% the same gut bacteria, which is basically the same as strangers. With foods, diet and nutrition, we’re sold the one-size-fits-all model. If we as identical twins can’t be sold the same diet or given the same advice, then no one can.” – 11:05 – Lisa MacFarlane
“There’s loads of small wins day to day with the team. We have a ‘sips and successes’ drinks event with the team once a month where everyone’s got to only present good news. We all say ‘swing your bras when we get good news’!” – 17:55 – Lisa MacFarlane
“The beauty of having a business beforehand together was that we really worked out what each other’s strengths and weaknesses were and what annoys the other, and I think we’ve got a good working relationship now. ” – 23:00 – Alana MacFarlane
“We could not do it without each other, the highs and the lows alike. Every time we have a low we’ve got our imaginary friend called Positive Polly, who messages us when times get tough.” – 31:15 – Alana MacFarlane
“Losing a parent can give you perspective and fearlessness, because the worst that could possibly happen to you has happened.” – 33:25 – Lisa MacFarlane
“We see the end mission as gut health being as habitual as brushing your teeth, for everyone to know what their gut is and how important it is, that’ll be mission complete for us. In a purpose driven business, it’s difficult because you don’t get to ‘x’ revenue, it’s definitely mission and purpose-led.” – 41:40 – Alana MacFarlane
“Family member or otherwise, set boundaries for yourself, for your time, for your family, for your sanity, for everything.” – 49:15 – Lisa MacFarlane