Wellness entrepreneur Davinia Taylor has launched her latest business project with a 5k run around Manchester with fitness fans. The former Hollyoaks star and her partner Matt Leyden have introduced a new sports nutrition arm to their WillPowders business.
Manchester Run Club members sampled the full range at a special event after a brisk 5k run around the city centre this week. WillPowders, based in Clitheroe, was founded in 2021 by Matt, originally from Oldham, and Davinia, originally from Wigan.
North West roots
Since then, interest in the wellness sector has grown, and the couple have continued to expand their company in the north west. When considering where to launch their latest line of sports nutrition, Manchester was the obvious choice.
Davinia said: "We're a bit sick of hearing that all the exciting things in fitness and sport have to come from America or London. Matt's from Oldham, I'm from Wigan, and we're based in Clitheroe."
"Some of the best clubs in the world are right here in the North West. There's no shortage of talent or community here — we want to be part of it."
The run
The couple took part in the "Me vs Me" run around the city centre, billed as a competition only with yourself, not anyone else. They had joked beforehand about who might reach the finish line first. They were joined by 11-year-old son Jude for the event, which set off from Union in Castlefield.
After the run, Davinia said: "I'm feeling great. I'm just happy to meet like-minded people who are all up for a gossip and a chat, everyone was proper Manc!"
Matt added: "It was amazing to be a part of such a great community. It was fun, energised and supportive."
Product details
The couple have launched their new WillPowders Sport Protein, with a bone broth base from grass-fed cows in Scandinavia and extra leucine sourced from eggs. Davinia said: "We visit the farms and know where our ingredients come from. I don't know another sports brand on the planet that does that."
"For us, traceability really matters. We use Mother Nature and evolution as our formulator. We keep things as close to nature as we can: the base of our Sport Protein is bone broth from Scandinavia, which we dehydrate."
They plan to expand the sports nutrition line with electrolytes, creatine and more products. Davinia said: "It's just me and Matt, with no investors or shareholders to answer to, so we can listen and move quickly. We don't need a board meeting to ask what flavour you fancy."
