Annabel has lived multiple lives—athlete, journalist, psychologist—and now, tech founder. With Interpretr AI, she’s turning a deeply human challenge into a digital tool for real-world emotional support.
Designed to be a thoughtful companion, not a replacement for therapy, the app reflects Annabel’s belief that mental health support should be practical, grounded, and emotionally intelligent. In this interview, she talks about the rituals that keep her centred, why emotional check-ins matter, and how technology can reinforce—not replace—the depth of therapeutic insight.
Annabel, you’ve described daily rituals as grounding forces for mental wellbeing. What are a few of your own non-negotiable rituals, and how do they shape the way you show up as a founder and psychologist?
Absolutely—my daily rituals are my foundation. I start most mornings with a gym session, followed by a phone-free window (at least 30 minutes) and a strong coffee. I also fast until late morning to stay clear-headed and don’t drink alcohol five nights a week to protect my sleep and mental clarity.
One of my non-negotiables is taking my kids to school every morning—it’s a quiet, grounding time that reminds me what really matters. Evenings are equally sacred: I always make time to read with them or help with homework. No matter how busy I am, those shared moments anchor me.
At the end of the day, I wind down by reading—every single night. These habits aren’t about being rigid—they’re about creating space to be present and intentional. Whether I’m supporting a client or leading Interpretr’s growth, these rituals keep me steady, connected, and human.
Interpretr was born from a desire to make psychologically grounded support more accessible. What was the moment—or series of moments—that made you feel this tool needed to exist?
The idea came from dozens of moments in session when clients would say, “I wish I had you in my pocket.” That stuck with me. I’d see people have breakthroughs in therapy, only to feel lost or overwhelmed again a few days later. I wanted to create something that could extend the safety and structure of therapy into everyday life—something people could lean on at 11pm when they’re spiralling or in the car after a hard conversation. The real turning point was realising that tech didn’t have to replace therapy—it could reinforce it, gently and meaningfully.
Your background spans elite sport, media, and psychology. How have those different experiences shaped the way you approach leadership and emotional resilience?
Sport taught me about pressure and performance—the kind you can’t hide from. Media taught me how to hold space in unpredictable situations. Psychology gave me the language for understanding what’s going on beneath the surface. Together, they’ve shaped a leadership style that values calm, clarity, and integrity. I try to lead with emotional transparency and always ask, “What’s really going on here?”—in myself, in my team, and in the people we’re building Interpretr for.
Emotional check-ins and schema healing are core to Interpretr’s approach. For someone who’s never explored therapy, how do you introduce these concepts in a way that feels approachable, not overwhelming?
We meet people where they are—curious, confused, maybe even sceptical. Interpretr is built to feel like a smart, compassionate friend, not a clinician with a clipboard. We use simple language: instead of saying “You’re activating an abandonment schema,” we ask, “Is part of you afraid they’ll leave?” It’s about translating psychological concepts into human language and pacing the journey gently. Most people don’t need jargon—they need to feel understood.
There’s a growing tension between fast-moving tech and the slower, reflective nature of therapy. How do you think about ethical AI in the mental health space—and where do you draw the line between support and overreach?
That tension is real, and we hold it front and centre. Interpretr is not trying to replace the depth of therapy—it’s designed to extend its reach and build emotional literacy between sessions. Our responsibility is to keep the human at the heart of the technology. That means no diagnosis, no false promises, and clear messaging that Interpretr is a companion—not a therapist. We draw the line at anything that risks bypassing clinical judgement or creating dependency. The goal is empowerment, not reliance.
Burnout, identity shifts, and anxious overthinking are central issues for so many people right now. How do you personally protect your own energy while working so closely with these themes every day?
I used to think being “on” all the time was a strength—now I know it’s a fast-track to burnout. I’m fiercely protective of my boundaries: I batch my clinical days, I take breaks between emotionally intense work, and I don’t take my work into the evening if I can help it. But more importantly, I try to stay honest with myself. If I feel myself disconnecting or getting edgy, I pause and check in. I do the work too—because I can’t hold space for others if I haven’t held it for myself first.
