News

Recently Dann and I had the pleasure of attending the very first @fooddrinkawardswales in Cardiff and guess what?…VALA took home the ‘Innovation’ award for our 100% natural energy gels - talk about the icing on the cake!We met and discovered some of the most incredible food and drink businesses in Wales, which was so inspiring. Our table mates were the infamous @tinyrebelbrewco and the delicious @blightybooch (I’m now hooked).I often say that I knew I wanted to move back to Wales to start VALA as the sense of community and support for shopping independent and local is unparalleled.I remember coming back from London and seeing amazing...

Thank you so much to our amazing VALA crew for celebrating us turning 2 with us!Two years ago I started VALA with a mission to create:1. A plant based energy gel that actually worked and that athletes could look forward to eating.2. A community and crew of likeminded people that loves being outdoors and wants to support each other, no matter what pace or distance you run.Yesterday I looked around and saw friendly smiles from so many of our crew members and I felt incredibly grateful to have seen this epic community grow and grow.The support and love you show...

As the weather (gradually) warms up, it’s time to think about trading the long sleeves for tees and vests.Let your fellow racers know that you’re a part of our VALA crew by reppin’ our signature ‘KEEP IT REAL’ vest (available in men’s and women’s fit).Limited stock is available online… visit our shop to yours while they last and get ready to soak up the sunshine 😎

Starting the week off right with this nugget of wisdom from the living legend that is @davidgoggins.The truth is, I’ve never really believed in “luck”.Divine timing? Yes.But luck? Not so much.It seems to give too much up to chance and feels like I’m giving my power away.As one of my favourite phrases from Roman philosopher Seneca goes…“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity”.In my opinion, anything you desire can be earned with a healthy balance of effort and a growth mindset.PS. If you haven’t yet read ‘Can’t Hurt Me’, I’d highly recommend it! There are so many gems of inspiration...

I love it when a crew member tags us in their pics and says that our gels “Only include the good stuff" and that "Every ingredient has a purpose!”.That’s what I set out to achieve with VALA and seeing so many of you connect with our brand purpose makes me smile from ear to ear.When we say “Made from natural ingredients” we really do mean it.Keep reading to find out the purpose of each of VALA’s seven ingredients…MAPLE SYRUPMaple syrup contains a blend of sucrose and fructose, which are easily absorbed by the body. These are essential for a quick...

Five years ago the person closest to my heart made a decision that would change his life forever.On March 19th 2017, my partner Dann decided it was the day to start living a life free from alcohol.This one decision started a whole journey of transformation, which included switching to a plant based diet and taking up running.We often joke that he replaced one habit with another… and it’s something that a lot of sober recovery runners have also said.The results of these new lifestyle habits were transformational and I have no doubt in my mind that Dann’s passion for running...