A London mother has transformed her health and body, shedding three stone after turning to an unlikely source for support: an artificial intelligence avatar she created to combat her addiction to diet drinks and poor eating habits.
From Fitness Pro to Frustrated Mum
Alice Rickard, a 41-year-old life coach from London, struggled for years to lose the weight she gained after having her twins six years ago. Despite a background in the fitness industry, the demands of new motherhood saw her relying on Coke Zero and finishing her children's leftovers just to get through the day.
"I blamed my weight on my hormones, my age," Alice admits. She even visited a doctor who prescribed the weight-loss drug Ozempic, but she discarded the prescription. "It just wasn't a route I wanted to take." The impact on her confidence was profound. "I just felt like I didn't recognise myself... I wasn't confident. I think a lot of mums experience that. You lose your identity."
The AI 'Secret Weapon': Meet Dana
In January 2025, Alice, already familiar with ChatGPT, used its voice function to vent her frustrations. What began as a digital therapy session became a pivotal tool for change. She asked the AI to deter her from eating her kids' leftover pizza or drinking Coke Zero, requesting it to "make me feel disgusted by the mere sight of the can." The strategy worked, breaking what she describes as a "crack-level addiction."
Buoyed by this success, Alice created a custom avatar within ChatGPT named Dana. Dana was programmed to speak like Alice and adopt her mindset, acting as a personalised, no-nonsense coach. When tempted by a fizzy drink, Dana would respond: "Ohhhh Babe… you REALLY want Dana to snatch that can out of your hand."
Dana would then list the negative effects of artificial sweeteners and caffeine, such as confusing appetite signals, increasing cravings, and disrupting digestion. "It's like having an angel voice on my shoulder," says Alice. "When I have that internal battle of what I want right now versus what my future self wants, there is someone there to counter the argument."
A Complete Lifestyle Transformation
Since beginning her journey with Dana in January 2025, Alice has lost an impressive three stone. She uses the AI to track macros, plan workouts, and stay accountable. If she has a dietary slip-up, Dana helps her rebalance her nutrition without spiralling.
"Now, instead of waking up and scrolling Instagram, I go straight to Dana," Alice explains. She even snaps pictures of restaurant menus for Dana to advise on the healthiest choices, easing the mental load of decision-making.
The results extend far beyond weight loss. Alice has built significant muscle tone and strength, achieving feats like ten pull-ups—something she couldn't do before. "I never thought I would have abs again after my C-Section," she says. "I really love my body now. I love how strong it is." She contrasts her approach with weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, noting the importance of preserving muscle mass for longevity.
Alice has now made her Dana avatar available to other women, hoping to help them improve their diet, exercise, and mindset. Her story highlights a novel, tech-driven approach to personal health and breaking deep-seated habits.
