The Know Daily - Tuesday 12 August 2025

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You might have missed us in your inbox yesterday - sorry! Tech glitches happen right? But it’s back to business as usual, so enjoy today’s news roundup 💕 

After raising millions for #TeamTrees and #TeamSeas, YouTubers MrBeast and Mark Rober are now teaming up with 3,000 creators to raise $40m for clean water access. Shopify kicked off the fundraiser with $500k, and YouTube is matching the first $2m. The campaign supports WaterAid’s work providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene.

🤸 What is “cycle syncing”?

Lioness Lucy Bronze says she taps into her menstrual cycle to fine-tune her training and recovery – but what exactly is “cycle syncing”, and is it worth the hype?

What’s it all about?
Cycle syncing is the idea of matching your exercise, nutrition, workload and rest to the hormonal changes that happen over the menstrual cycle. It usually splits the month into four phases – menstrual, follicular, ovulatory, luteal – and suggests you ride the highs (like when estrogen is peaking) and ease off during the lows.

So is this a new thing?
Not really, but the name is. Health coaches and influencers started using the term in the 2010s, and it’s since been picked up in sports science circles, especially for elite athletes. Most day-to-day tips you see online still come from personal experience rather than big, controlled studies.

Ok, how does an average month go?

• Menstrual phase (days 1–5): Hormones are at their lowest. Women may choose to prioritise rest and gentle activity.

• Follicular phase (days 6–14): Estrogen rises. Often linked with more energy, making it a common time to push harder in training.

• Ovulation (around day 14): Energy and strength may peak – ideal for high-intensity sessions if you feel up to it.

• Luteal phase (days 15–28): Progesterone climbs. Fatigue and mood changes can kick in, so lower-intensity workouts and more recovery are typical here.

Does science back it up?
It’s a mixed picture. Hormone shifts can influence things like muscle strength, ligament flexibility, and perceived effort, but research findings aren’t totally consistent. The biggest benefit may come from simply paying closer attention to how you feel and adapting accordingly, rather than sticking to a fixed “by-the-book” plan.

Who’s using it?
Aside from Bronze, plenty of athletes track their cycles to fine-tune training. Outside sport, some people use it to plan big projects, work schedules or even meal prep. Social media has helped it become a wider wellness trend, complete with phase-specific workout and recipe guides.

Are there downsides?
It can be a useful tool, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. Being too rigid can make the whole thing stressful, especially if your symptoms change from month to month. Hormonal contraception can also change or suppress the cycle, meaning some advice won’t apply. Experts say it works best as a flexible guide, not a strict rulebook.

Cycle syncing offers a framework for matching what you do to how you feel through the month. It can help with pacing and recovery, but it’s highly individual. The current science leans towards flexibility and self-awareness over strict scheduling.

💰 Gender justification gap: This financial gap suggests women often have to explain how they spend, save and invest their money.

• The bigger story: New research from Plum shows that the language we use around finances shapes confidence, both in society and at home. Only 16% of women are described as “confident” with money – but 42% say they’d feel more empowered if money talk was more inclusive. The fix? Swap to use more positive language and seek out resources online to support financial conversations, share decision-making at home and learn how to make investing feel as intuitive as saving.

🐘 Art adventure: A climate art project made up of life-sized animal puppets has completed its 20,000km journey from the Congo rainforest to Norway’s Arctic Circle.

🌐 Nineties nostalgia: AOL has announced it’s ending its dial-up internet service in September after more than three decades, as wireless becomes the norm. We remember the sound well…

🏛️ Exclusive access: The ballot is now open to win rare free tours of 10 Downing Street and the BT Tower’s revolving floor as part of London’s Open House Festival.

⚡ Energy expansion: Elon Musk’s Tesla could supply electricity to British homes, if approved by energy watchdog Ofgem.

🪐 Cosmic catch-up: Venus and Jupiter are getting closer together this month, with a meeting this morning looking like double stars.

🫶 The next era: Swifties rejoice… Taylor Swift has announced the release of her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl.

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Trivia answer: B) Platt performed a ballad format of Addison Rae’s viral hit “Diet Pepsi”. Intrigued? Listen to it now on Spotify.

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