Csilla Gindorf, 30, from Salisbury, created a "better health" mushroom business in 2022 after experiencing intrusive thoughts when travelling to her toxic fashion job.
"I first came to London to study fashion and I was really excited to get into the industry. I thought it would be all glitz and glamour and fashion shows, but I realised quickly that wasn’t the case at all. I was so anxious and remember one day cycling to work and wishing I could have some sort of accident. I wasn’t looking to die, but I was looking for a way to not go into the office and to have a break.
There were a lot of late nights and early mornings and as a junior it’s hard to find the courage to speak out and stand up against seniors. I was so anxious the whole time and terrified to say anything so I would just take on all this extra work and let people walk all over me. Then Covid happened and I was really happy because I didn’t have to go into the office any more. It was a blessing in disguise for me.
I’m very good at hiding stress so no one around me even noticed, but I was bottling everything up inside which is stressful in itself. It’s really hard to make a positive mental health choice when you are so close to burnout – you can’t think rationally which is why I launched Lucid – creating functional mushroom and adaptogen snack bars – so that I, and others, don’t have to rely on conventional medicines to combat fatigue, anxiety and brain fog. The mushrooms changed my life and I want others to discover the amazing potential these natural ingredients have.