Ella Mills, 33, is an entrepreneur, author of the bestselling cookbook Deliciously Ella, and the founder of a thriving plant-based food brand that has garnered global recognition. Born in London to former MP Shaun Woodward and supermarket heiress Camilla Sainsbury, Ella’s life took an unexpected turn following her second year at the University of St Andrews. A chronic illness forced her to leave school, leading to a diagnosis of postural tachycardia syndrome.
Confined to her home, she delved into research on nutrition and food, which ultimately inspired her to launch a blog in 2012—a decision that would dramatically alter her life and position her as a prominent voice in the wellness industry. Now residing in West London with her husband, Matthew Mills, and their two daughters, Skye (five) and May (four), Ella reflects on the pivotal moments that have shaped her perspectives on confidence, family, anxiety, and love.
When I was born, my father had strong opinions about my name.
Despite my mother’s lifelong wish to name me Ella, my father insisted on Eleanor, arguing that Ella sounded frivolous for a career-oriented woman. He would often say, “Who will ever take her seriously with a name like Ella?” Ironically, Ella has become the name of my brand.
I grew up in privilege, yet unhappiness shadowed my childhood.
Despite being raised in a bustling environment filled with family dynamics and the pressures of my father’s political career, I often felt lost. Being the second of four siblings born within seven years, I was the quintessential middle child—remarkably average in every endeavor, overshadowed by my older brother, a child prodigy.
My family is behind one of the UK’s biggest brands.
Although my family founded Sainsbury’s, I was distanced from the business as no one had actively participated since my grandfather’s era. Growing up, we rarely discussed it; my family’s legacy felt like a distant whisper. Now, however, I find myself captivated by my grandfather’s stories and the magnitude of their achievements.
I initially felt ashamed of my connection to Sainsbury’s.
When I began to find success, journalists connected the dots, and I grappled with discomfort. I wanted to separate my identity from the family brand, fearing that people would attribute my accomplishments solely to my privileged background. While I understood their perspective, I found solace in knowing that my family was no longer involved in the business. Paradoxically, this legacy instilled a sense of possibility within me, encouraging a naïve optimism that I could carve my own path.
My health crisis struck suddenly.
During my time at university, I experienced the happiest moments of my life, despite my father’s insistence on a traditional degree over my wish to study art. However, after my second year, my health took a nosedive. My heart rate would spike whenever I stood, and I battled severe IBS that made my body feel unrecognizable. I was admitted to the hospital multiple times, finally receiving a diagnosis of postural tachycardia syndrome—a condition that wreaked havoc on my autonomic nervous system.
Returning home to my parents was a tough transition.
Forced back into my childhood home, I struggled with depression and anxiety, grappling with the looming uncertainty of my future. The autonomy I had taken for granted felt like a distant dream. In the midst of my illness, I began to doubt whether I would ever achieve my aspirations of a career, marriage, or motherhood.
Despite the confusion, I yearned for autonomy.
After a year of battling illness, the stark realization hit me: a “normal life” was no longer within reach. This epiphany propelled me to seek solutions, leading to a newfound passion for health and nutrition. I began exploring lifestyle changes, which ultimately inspired me to start a blog—not for public consumption at first, but as a personal journey. In 2012, as food blogs surged in popularity, my blog garnered over 50 million hits within two years. People began reaching out, asking for cooking classes, supper clubs, and apps; I simply followed the community’s requests.
I had lived as an underachiever for so long.
In 2014, I launched my app from my bedroom alongside a freelance developer I had found. With no marketing strategy, it astonishingly reached the top of the app store on launch day, garnering millions of downloads. At just 22, I had no plan and felt overwhelmed. My mother was astonished when I proposed turning my recipes into a book—she thought selling 500 copies would be a triumph, but it ended up selling 1.5 million on its debut.
My husband and I were brought together by my father.
While working on a food project in Sierra Leone, Matthew discovered my work through an interview and reached out to my father. My dad, having met him before, encouraged us to connect, adding, “He’s really nice and super handsome.” Our chemistry was immediate, and just a week after our first coffee, we moved in together. Within two weeks, we were discussing marriage, and by August, we were engaged—though shortly after, my parents announced their divorce, unraveling family secrets.
We have been together for a decade, and this is the first year I feel we weren’t impulsive.
During that whirlwind year, our lives intertwined in unpredictable ways, reshaping my identity. Reflecting on my illness, I realize that without it, I might have remained trapped in a cycle of discontent. I often battled imposter syndrome and lacked the confidence to pursue my dreams. It’s hard to fathom the person I would have become had I not faced such challenges.
In 2018, tragedy struck with my mother-in-law’s cancer diagnosis.
Her rapid decline within the year left me feeling a profound apathy. I was caught in a whirlwind of emotions yet felt indifferent to life’s fragility—until I became pregnant.
Following Skye’s birth, anxiety and intrusive thoughts consumed me.
My heightened nervous system was perpetually on alert, turning everyday situations into perceived threats—like an irrational fear of elevators. The journey through motherhood and my career led to a significant reckoning.
Now with two children and two thriving businesses, I’ve found clarity.
Looking back, I realize how necessary the lockdown was; it provided a much-needed pause to reflect on my life. I had raced through my early twenties, navigating my parents’ divorce and my burgeoning career. That time of stillness allowed me to confront my anxiety, reshaping my understanding of personal challenges and growth.
Ella Mills’ podcast, The Wellness Scoop, is released every Monday via Apple and Spotify.
