Our Team
Claire Birnie
Co-Director
Claire endured over two decades of chronic pelvic pain beginning in her twenties, receiving only the diagnosis of 'vulvodynia', which did not help at all in providing guidance for recovery. After an extensive search around the world for a solution, and trying many different drug treatments and therapies, she was introduced to the work of Dr John Sarno and started to explore the mind-body approach. She made a full recovery over time, and is passionate about sharing the information that was key for her - and for other sufferers to know that there is support available and recovery is also a possibility for them.
Sarah Howarth
Co-Director
Sarah was diagnosed with Interstitial Cystitis in her early 20s. She experienced 24/7 pain for over a decade, which frequently left her bedbound. She exhausted conventional treatments (medications, surgeries and even a spinal stimulator) with little lasting relief. In her 30s she started ‘collecting’ additional conditions including debilitating pain in her surgical scars, pelvis and low back. Eventually, she connected the dots between her chronic symptoms and her nervous system - and embarked on a long and bumpy pain-reprocessing journey. Today, Sarah enjoys a full and active life and is passionate about 'paying it forward' as a mindfulness coach for chronic pain.
Penny George
Founder of Living Proof
& Lead on Clinical Engagement
Penny developed extreme fatigue along with brain fog, shortness of breath, and huge energy crashes after a bout of shingles in 2017, and was diagnosed with ME/chronic fatigue syndrome 15 months later. Thankfully, just 2 years after becoming ill, she learned about the neuroplastic approach from a Buddhist nun, and started to understand that her symptoms were directly related to recent significant stresses, including a highly toxic work environment and the loss of two friends to suicide. She made a rapid recovery, also resolving 15 years of arm pain; left the job and has worked ever since to help spread the word on recovery being possible. She founded Living Proof in summer 2022.
Dan Hindsley
Ambassador & Business Growth Advisor
Dan was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in his 20s following an MRI scan, and was sent away to 'manage' the pain. He suffered with severe sciatica and back pain for around 15 years before discovering the neuroplastic approach which helped him link the symptoms to repressed grief and anxiety. Following Georgie Oldfield's book Chronic Pain: Your Key to Recovery, he made a full recovery which culminated in him completing an Ironman 70.3 Triathlon in 2019, after years of believing he was unable to run. Dan co-produced both the Living Proof short films with Penny, and is now sharing his story of recovery whenever he can to help inspire others.
Our Clinical Advisors
Dr Sarah Hadfield
Medical Advisor
Sarah has been practising as a GP in the UK since 2008. For the past 10 years she has been training in methods regarding psychological and emotional health and exploring how these are related to the emergence and treatment of physical health conditions.
She now works with patients using the neuroplastic approach alongside her usual GP work. She is also working with other healthcare professionals in the UK to integrate the mind-body approach into NHS services and is involved in educating doctors about mind-body medicine. Dr Sarah is the author and presenter of our course for healthcare professionals: Medicine & the Mind-Brain-Body Connection.
Dr David Clarke
Medical Advisor
​​David is President of the Association for Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms in the US (Symptomatic.me), and Clinical Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology Emeritus at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon. He has successfully treated over 7000 patients whose pain or other symptoms were not explained by diagnostic tests, and has published three books on this approach to medicine - 'They Can't Find Anything Wrong!', 'Psychophysiologic Disorders', and most recently, ‘A Diagnostic Guide for Psychophysiologic Disorders’. He lectures across North America and Europe and has appeared on hundreds of podcasts and television/radio broadcasts, helping to spread the word.
Our Supporters
Charli Hilton
Story of Hope Ambassador
While completing her biochemistry degree, Charli experienced widespread chronic pain (including hip, back, jaw, stomach pain and severe dry eyes). After years of searching for answers, she found a full resolution of all her symptoms by learning and implementing a neuroplastic approach to recovery. Motivated by her own journey, Charli has dedicated her career to helping others find their way out of chronic symptoms. She blends principles of pain science and nervous-system education into her work, whether teaching Pilates classes, leading educational workshops, or supporting patients in clinical settings. Her approach empowers individuals to understand the role of the brain and body in chronic symptoms and to become active participants in their own recovery. Charli was featured in the first Living Proof film in 2021. Today, she works across multiple physiotherapy clinics, integrating accessible, science-based education into blended treatment programs through the lens of Pilates.
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Vanessa Wilhelm
Living Proof Ambassador
Vanessa spent nearly eight years living with a wide range of debilitating chronic symptoms, eventually receiving diagnoses including CFS, POTS, MCAS, FND, and long covid. At her lowest point, she experienced almost 50 different symptoms that affected nearly every system in her body. After exhausting conventional medical treatments with little improvement to her quality of life, she discovered the neuroplastic approach through the work of John Sarno, Nicole Sachs, and Dan Buglio. This marked a turning point in her journey, leading to a gradual but powerful recovery and a return to a vibrant, fulfilling life. Now passionate about empowering others on their healing paths, Vanessa shares her lived experience and knowledge with those navigating similar challenges. She is currently training as a Holistic Life Coach and Mindbody Practitioner, with a mission to support and guide others toward lasting wellbeing.
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