Scott Thomas and Eden Thomas didn’t seem like the obvious choices to head up a health brand. Especially in the middle of a pandemic.
Scott was putting on parties for a living and running a PR agency – becoming a TV star in his own right via Love Island and Mancs in Mumbai – whilst Eden was jet-setting across the world in the cockpit of an airplane.
But after the world went into lockdown, the pair became the faces of fitness in Manchester.
In August 2020, Scott and Eden launched a movement called ‘Food4Thoughts’ – building a membership community that’s now 600-strong.
In the space of eight months, the company has hired 15 full-time members of staff, taken over a tannery in Stockport as an office space, and transformed the physical and mental wellbeing of hundreds of local people beyond recognition.
ADVERTISEMENT
Food4Thoughts results
The rapid progress has come as a surprise – even to the owners. But with a bespoke diet plan allowing members to enjoy their favourite guilt foods in moderation – it’s easy to understand how Food4Thoughts achieved instant popularity.
Not only do members get their own mentor, nutritionist and fitness guru supporting them every step of the way – they also enjoy access to their own bespoke plan, which flexibly fits around whatever they want to eat.
ADVERTISEMENT
“If you want a glass of wine every night – we’ll make it work,” Scott explains.
“Want a Maccies on the weekend? We’ll make it work.
“It’s all about finding the balance and the best plan for you.”
ADVERTISEMENT
After acquiring a reputation as something of a party boy in his younger days, Scott decided to go teetotal – committing himself to eating better and finding other enjoyments outside of tearing it up on the weekends.
He began streaming his fitness journey online, but was stopped in his tracks when his lifelong friend Eden spotted him tucking into ‘rabbit food’ day after day.
Eden carefully explained to Scott that a boring diet wasn’t necessarily the best way to get fitter – and the duo began working closely together on a tailored plan.
The results surpassed Scott’s expectations, and he realised they could turn it into a brand – a support service giving people a means to count calories, make smarter choices and see better results in a shorter space of time.
An idea that began in Scott’s kitchen in summer 2020 has now blossomed into a community of likeminded people who want to get themselves fitter, faster – whilst making fewer diet sacrifices.
ADVERTISEMENT
“With Food4Thoughts you can achieve your goals by having the foods you love,” Scott explains.
“The fad diets – keto, whatever it is – all basically bundle up same thing in a different way: Calorie deficit.
“What we do is give people the tools they need. It’s about breaking down myths and preconceptions in the diet world.
“Some of the transformations we’ve seen have been remarkable – both physically and mentally.”
With more firepower behind the brand, fresh focus will be placed on marketing planning and software in the months ahead, with Food4Thoughts preparing to move away from pure Zoom calls and set up outdoor sessions for members such as bootcamp and retreats.
ADVERTISEMENT
The company is also looking at building a coaching academy and getting nutritionists on board in the future.
“We’ve already a got a strong team of powerful, knowledgeable and supportive people,” Scott explains.
Watch co-founder Scott Thomas talk about Food4Thoughts on The Manc Podcast.
Style
Salford City drop first new kit ahead of new era for the football club
Danny Jones
Salford City FC have finally dropped the first new kit for the team’s new era, with the native second city side having fully reverted to orange and black as their core colours and a fresh club crest late last year.
The local club, which was famously bought by Manchester United’s ‘Class of ’92’ and businessman Peter Lim back in 2014, is now embarking on its next chapter and a “new identity” – starting with going back to the days of old when it comes to the badge and official palette.
After the change was initially announced last October following feedback from an extensive fan review, a first glimpse at the rebooted badge, which calls back to previous versions, and the details behind it were revealed this past December.
Fast forward to Wednesday, 8 July, and the latest away shirt incorporating the new (and old) core design tenets has been released in full glory; here’s a closer look:
As you can see, the white-base alternate strip features the iconic adidas three stripes in orange across the shoulders and sleeves as a representation of their new primary colour, but keeps the second accent often used on home, away and/or third kits in recent years.
Keeping the black with an orange trim on the neck and cuffed short sleeves, Ammies can almost certainly expect some kind of inversion of the trio on the main for the home shirt.
Perhaps most notably, leading global insurer AIG is printed across the front and the new principal sponsor, continuing their partnership with the organisation and replacing Fireball Whisky after a short stint as the lead brand logo.
Unsurprisingly, some Salford supporters have noted that it is reminiscent of Man United kits from 2006-2010, who were also sponsored by the company.
Elsewhere, international technology consultancy Accenture features across the upper portion of the back of the shirt, and British wellness retailer Holland & Barrett appear on the left-hand sleeve.
Finally, the kit is completed with white shorts that also feature orange stripes and a black and orange trim, and customised ‘SCFC’ white socks.
Salford’s Lionesses women’s team will wear black shorts with orange stripes instead. What do you make of the first fresh shirt of the new era, Salfordians?
An exclusive pop-up vintage clothing and charity market is coming to Manchester Arndale
Danny Jones
Love shopping locally, independently and sustainably and from the likes of traders and regional markets? Well, this one is tailor-made for you (pun intended), because a Greater Manchester favourite is coming to the city centre.
Better still, you can do your bit for charity whilst you’re at it.
That’s right: Salford’s former but ever superb Charity Super.Mkt is making its way from Media City to central Manchester for the very first time.
Popping up at the Arndale for its city centre debut, Exchange Court will be taken over by a sea of indies and vintage clobber for three whole days.
Credit: Press shot (supplied via Charity Super.Mkt)
Boasting not only some native but even national history, the UK’s first multi-charity pre-loved fashion store boasts countless curated charity finds.
From second-hand gems and desirable denim, to retro and cult favourite football shirts and more, there’ll be plenty to get your hands on – all whilst supporting charities from nearby and all over the country.
Co-founded by Northern designer Wayne Hemingway MBE – whose Red or Dead footwear brand and fashion label began in Afflecks Palace and over on King Street – the Manc roots behind this run deep.
Notably, this upcoming and limited-time-only event marks a significant milestone for the initiative, too, as this will be their biggest activation since their highly successful two-month stint at the Quayside shopping complex.
The popular residency was only relatively short-lived, but it’s safe to say that it was much-loved and well-received by plenty more than just Salfordians.
Getting underway this month, the pop-up will kick off from 9am on Friday, 10 July, running across the entire weekend.
Participating charities include The British Heart Foundation and the RSPCA, who have already seen support through more than 10,000 vintage items being resold in an effort to raise important funds from the Media City pop-up alone.
This also meant that more than three tonnes of textile waste were diverted from landfill, and over 25 tonnes of CO₂ emissions were offset, not to mention upwards of 4,500 cubic metres of water were saved in the process. Brilliant stuff.
Making its maiden appearance in Manchester city centre, this summer’s Charity Super.Mkt at the Arndale is a must-not-miss; you can find the opening times for each of the days down below:
The Manc -
9th April 2021 
