It’s very rare that I am blown away by a product, but when I am, I want to share it with the world.

Now, I'm not going to self diagnose myself, but last year I started having arthritis like symptoms. I didn't think much of it, but my gosh was it ever a frustrating feeling. I would wake up in the morning with really sore joints and stiffness in my hands. Whenever I was shooting, my hands would cramp up really easily.

I love running and I wouldn't want to run when I was in Vancouver because my knees would be so sore, especially in the bone chilling fall and winter months.

When I went backpacking for 8 months last year, I wasn't very healthy. I left for my trip at the tail end of a flu and throughout the trip I would get sick quite often. Anything from a basic cold to a stomach and bacteria infection. I was some form of sick for the majority of the trip. It prevented me from wanting to do a lot of things. When I'm sick, my energy levels aren't there and my enthusiasm changes. I had issues with the food in certain parts of Asia, so I would eat Pringles all day which probably didn't help the situation in having a lack of a nutritious diet. (No offense, Pringles...you're delicious but I was shamefully your #1 customer last year)

At one point last year, I started to get pretty stressed out and my hair was falling out abnormally. Every morning I would wake up with tons of hair on my pillow and all over the floor. (It doesn't help that everything in my apartment was white so my shedding wasn't discreet) On top of that my nails were really thin and breaking quite easily.

One of my goals for this year is to be on top of my health and to really focus on taking care of my body.

I was having a conversation with a girlfriend and telling her about my 'issues' and she had recommended withinUs TruMarine Collagen. She had used it and had amazing results. I hadn't realized that the beautifully packaged product that I kept seeing at my favourite spin studio Spin Society was one I would be raving about so much today.

I read up about the collagen and it sounded too good to be true.

When it comes to products 'fixing' things i'm extremely skeptical.

I took 200 sticks of collagen on my trip to Europe. The packaging is perfect for traveling and people who are on the go because each stick is individually wrapped and weighs close to nothing.

One morning I woke up at 5:00am in Edinburgh Scotland to go for a hike to the top of a mountain and catch the sunrise. It was such an amazing morning! I was treated to a gorgeous sunrise and watched the city below wake up. When I reached the top of the mountain, it was the first time I realized that I didn't have the uncomfortable pain I had been experiencing.

I've been taking the collagen for 4 months now. Every morning I put 3g (one stick) in my water, juice or coffee, wait for it to quickly dissolve and start my morning! It’s made of 100% Hydrolyzed (fish scale) collagen, but don't worry it doesn’t smell or taste like anything which is a nice bonus.

I encourage anyone who is having joint pains or issues with their hair, nails or skin to try withinUS TruMarine Collagen It’s been completely life altering for me.

I love it so much that I'm giving away a two stick pack containers valued at $100.

Instagram contest details:

1. Follow @withinus_trumarine & @nataliaanjaphotography

2. Like this post and tag 3 friends who would also love this collagen in the comment below

3. Repost for multiple entries

* Applicants must have a mailing address in Canada or the US

Contest entries close on Wednesday July 27th at 12pm. Winner is announced Thursday July 28th. Good luck!

If you've tried the collagen I'd love to hear your experience in the comments below.

*Please note I am not paid by any of the brands I post about. I only recommend and suggest products I love and believe in.

Loads of love,

Natalia xx