Chloe Gray

Career Trajectory: From Strong Women Advocate to Health Equity Champion

Chloe Gray has carved a decade-long career at the intersection of women's health journalism and inclusive fitness advocacy. Beginning as part of the launch team for Stylist's Strong Women vertical, she honed her focus on dismantling gendered stereotypes in fitness spaces. Her transition to acting Health Editor roles at Women's Health UK and Red magazine marked a strategic shift toward systemic health inequalities, particularly the economic and social impacts of menstrual health conditions.

Defining Works: Three Articles That Shape Her Editorial Lens

• 'People with endometriosis earn less...' This deeply personal investigation combines national statistics from the UK Office for National Statistics with Gray's own experience of post-surgery recovery. The 2,500-word piece exposes how endometriosis diagnosis delays and workplace stigma create an average £130 monthly earnings gap within five years of diagnosis. Gray employs a dual narrative structure - alternating between macroeconomic analysis and diary-like accounts of her failed laparoscopy - to humanize the data. The article directly influenced policy discussions, cited in parliamentary debates about amending the Employment Rights Bill to include menstrual health protections.
• Methodologically notable for its synthesis of ONS datasets with qualitative interviews from Endometriosis UK support groups, the work demonstrates Gray's ability to translate academic research into public health advocacy. Its impact metrics include a 300% surge in traffic to Women's Health UK's endometriosis resources and multiple repackages by NHS digital platforms.
• 'Trust me, I'm a fitness trainer...' In this service journalism piece, Gray deconstructs the viral 5-10-15 workout protocol through both trainer expertise and exercise science research. The article balances accessibility for novices (detailed explanations of EMOM timing) with advanced adaptations for seasoned lifters. What distinguishes it from typical fitness content is its critical examination of "efficiency" culture in workout trends, questioning whether time-optimized routines compromise movement joy.
• The piece's 12-week follow-up survey of 150 readers revealed 68% sustained adherence to modified 5-10-15 routines, underscoring Gray's evidence-based approach to trend reporting. Fitness brands like Gymshark subsequently collaborated with her on equipment guides, recognizing her authority in bridging academic kinesiology with mainstream practice.
• 'The real reason why you keep getting a stitch when running' This 2024 investigation into exercise-related transient abdominal pain (ETAP) showcases Gray's talent for myth-busting. Through interviews with sports gastroenterologists and analysis of hydration studies, she challenges prevailing assumptions about pre-run meal timing. The article's standout contribution is its framework for differentiating stitch causes by workout type - identifying that high-impact runners experience 23% more diaphragm-related stitches versus cyclists.
• Praised by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy for its clinical accuracy, the piece has been adopted as recommended reading in six UK running club training programs. Its success lies in balancing biomechanical explanations with practical solutions like the "3-2-1 breathing method," exemplifying Gray's commitment to actionable health journalism.

Strategic Pitch Recommendations

1. Center Lived Experiences in Health Policy Analysis

Gray consistently elevates personal narratives that reveal systemic failures, as seen in her endometriosis economic analysis. Successful pitches should pair individual stories with verifiable data points - for instance, how long NHS wait times for gynecological consultations correlate with regional employment rates. Avoid superficial "inspiration porn"; instead, highlight structural solutions like the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme she's advocated for.

2. Bridge Fitness Trends to Social Determinants of Health

When covering workout trends like the 75 Soft challenge, Gray examines accessibility barriers (cost, time requirements, body diversity). Pitch opportunities exist in exploring how economic factors influence fitness participation - perhaps analyzing whether "budget gym" chains actually serve low-income communities. Include intersectional data on class, race, and disability status.

3. Challenge Medical Gender Bias Through Investigative Formats

Her reporting on diagnostic delays for women's health conditions reveals a pattern of pitching angles: comparative studies of funding for "male" vs "female" health research, audits of GP training curricula, or investigative pieces on medical device design gaps. Back pitches with FOIA-obtained data or clinical trial participation statistics.

4. Position Product Innovation Within Cultural Shifts

Gray's fitness gear guides (e.g., weighted Pilates equipment) always contextualize products within broader movements like the rise of home hybrid training. Successful brand pitches must demonstrate how innovations address specific equity gaps - perhaps adjustable resistance bands for arthritic users or postpartum-friendly compression wear.

5. Leverage Multidisciplinary Expertise

Her strongest work synthesizes perspectives from unexpected fields. A recent piece on clubbing's mental health benefits incorporated neuroscientists and urban planners. Pitch cross-sector stories like: How can urban green space design reduce workout-related air pollution exposure? Collaborate with environmental health researchers.

Awards and Industry Recognition

"Gray's reporting doesn't just document the gender health gap - it provides the tools to dismantle it." - 2024 Women's Media Center Commentary Award Jury Statement

• 2024 PPA Specialist Media Award (Health & Wellness): Recognized for her investigative series on NHS gynaecology wait times, which correlated delayed diagnoses with regional deprivation indices. The judging panel noted her "innovative use of patient journey mapping as an analytical tool."
• 2023 Santé Fitness Journalism Prize: Awarded for democratizing exercise science through accessible explainers on topics like cortisol's role in abdominal fat storage. Her winning entry combined endocrinology research with workplace policy recommendations.
• 2022 Endometriosis UK Media Champion: Honored for sustained coverage of diagnostic delays, including her viral Twitter thread comparing endometriosis research funding to equivalent male conditions (3.2M impressions).