Sunny Podcast #1 – Annette Eccles: Running, healing & life under the Cretan Sun

Shopping for countries: The search for a new home

Annette’s journey began with a unique process she calls “country shopping.” Working with a relocation company in the US, she received a list of European countries that matched her preferences. The advice was clear: spend at least two weeks in each place, explore daily life, and see if it felt like home.

Her first stop was Dublin, Ireland. She loved the culture, music, and friendliness of the people, but the lack of sunshine quickly became a dealbreaker. Spain and Portugal followed, both sunny and beautiful, but something was missing — the lifestyle didn’t quite fit.

It wasn’t until a friend suggested Greece, and more specifically Crete, that everything clicked. Within 24 hours of arriving, Annette felt embraced by the island. “I didn’t pick Crete,” she says, “Crete picked me.”

Why sunshine was non-negotiable

For Annette, light wasn’t just a preference — it was a necessity. Despite living in sunny parts of the US, including the desert, her vitamin D levels remained low, forcing her to supplement constantly.

In Crete, that changed. The clear skies, clean air, and daily exposure to natural light made all the difference. Within a year, her doctor confirmed her vitamin D levels were completely normal — without any supplements.

“I just know I feel better in the sun,” Annette explains. “Here, I’m happier, healthier, and I get what I need naturally.”

Morning light and circadian rhythm

One of the most transformative changes for Annette has been living in sync with the sun. She wakes up naturally with the sunrise, leaving her windows open to let the light in. Each morning, she spends 30 minutes outside – often just eating breakfast on the balcony – without sunglasses or sunscreen.

That simple ritual resets her circadian rhythm, improving sleep, boosting mood, and giving her consistent energy. “It feels so natural,” she says. “It’s what human beings are meant to do.”

From inflammation to healing

Before moving to Crete, Annette struggled with chronic inflammation. Despite eating an organic diet, exercising, meditating, and sleeping well, she lived with daily pain that often required medication.

Life on the island brought a dramatic shift. The combination of sunlight, clean food, the healing power of the sea, and a slower pace reduced her inflammation to the point where medication is rarely needed.

“I think it’s everything together — the sun, the sea, the food, and the lifestyle,” she reflects. “In the US, everything is about consumption. Here, people are happy just to be. That change has made me so much healthier.”

Lessons from the sun and sea

The sea has become another source of healing. With its minerals and restorative energy, it’s available nearly year-round in Crete. The food, too, is different: grown under the strong Mediterranean sun, without heavy chemicals, it tastes vibrant and alive.

Together, the sun, sea, and food create what Annette describes as a fountain of youth. When she visited the US after a year in Crete, friends told her she looked 10-15 years younger. Locals in Crete noticed it too. “Maybe we’ve found the fountain of youth right here — the sun shining over the sea.”

Safe sun, not fear of sun

When it comes to mainstream warnings about sun damage, Annette believes in balance. She avoids burning, prefers morning and evening sun, and rests during midday like the traditional Mediterranean siesta.

“The sun isn’t our enemy,” she insists. “It was made to help us. We just have to use it wisely.”