Hi. We’re Liz & Lucy, founders of Carnelias.

At the beginning of 2020, completely independently of each other, we had the realisation that our lives were a bit shit. At opposite ends of the country, and unknown to each other, we both decided to quit drinking to see if that helped. We met through an online forum and built a great friendship based on our tendency to be somewhat more frank and forthright than others. From there we started lifting weights together via video calling at 5.30am and then Lucy packed up almost her entire extended family and travelled from Yorkshire to the sunny Isle of Wight to meet Liz in real life in August 2021.

Through our early morning conversations between reps, and when we met face to face, we discussed Liz’s idea of setting up an online forum for women in midlife who are facing the same issues we did back in early 2020 (and continue to explore today). Lucy was very happy in her career as a secondary school leader, but Liz knew this idea would help huge numbers of women. So when Lucy decided to leave her leadership role due to burnout in 2023, Liz once again broached the idea of creating something fabulous together and Carnelias was born.

Liz – Soon to be 48, still hasn’t figured out what she wants to be when she grows up yet. Has three beautiful children, a husband, far too many animals and quite a messy house. Loves holistic and alternative therapies, nature, solitude, plants, colours, jigsaws, word and number puzzles, reading and music. (The weight training was just a phase.)

Lucy – 45 years old and exploring the freedom of being self-employed after 18 years as a secondary school teacher and leader. Has two hilarious children, a husband who runs the household, and an incredibly arrogant cat. Gave up drinking on 1st January 2020 after many years of damping down her fizzy brain with alcohol. Immediately took up strength training and then triathlon, having been an extremely slow runner for many years. Now loving being an unlikely endurance sports enthusiast.