In this episode of Live Well, Be Well, I sit down with Dr. Stacy Sims, who joins us all the way from New Zealand, to debunk the biggest myths surrounding women’s health. This conversation is all about understanding why “women are not small men” and why so much generic health advice—fasting, calorie counting, and trendy fitness routines—can actually do more harm than good for women. We discuss everything from the role of protein in a woman’s diet to the truth about Zone 2 training and the...

My guest for today is Oliver Burkeman, author of Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals and Meditations for Mortals. We look into the paradox of productivity, exploring why our relentless pursuit of doing more doesn't necessarily lead to a happier or more fulfilling life. Oliver shares insights on how letting go of the impossible quest to "get it all done" can open the door to genuine fulfilment and peace of mind.  By embracing self-compassion and seeing imperfection as a strength,...

In this episode, my guest is Diego Perez, also known as Yung Pueblo—a writer, meditator, and author of the new book The Way Forward. We explore his personal journey of self-healing, discussing how to reconnect with our intuition and build self-trust. Diego shares how embracing meditation and self-awareness transformed his life, helping him overcome personal challenges. We delve into the importance of being present with our emotions, the practice of self-compassion, and the process of letting...

I talk with Kanchan Koya about the role of spices in managing inflammation. We discuss how spices contain compounds that influence the body's inflammatory processes in different ways. Kanchan explains the benefits of using spice blends to achieve a synergistic effect. We focus on turmeric and how to enhance its absorption by using traditional methods like heating it in fat and pairing it with black pepper. We also address the effectiveness of turmeric lattes and whether they provide...

In this clip, I had a conversation with Dr. Casey Means about how to nourish our bodies through food. We discuss the importance of removing ultra-processed foods from our diets and focus on the key components that support cellular health: omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and micronutrients, probiotics, healthy proteins, and fiber. Dr. Means shares practical ways to include these elements in our daily meals. We also address the issue of food cravings and how they relate to unmet nutritional...

In this clip, we’re with my guest Dr. William Li, a renowned physician, scientist, and author of "Eat to Beat Disease," to discuss the critical topic of Alzheimer's and dementia. We delve into the factors that contribute to cognitive decline and explore actionable strategies for prevention. Dr. Li shares insights on how our gut microbiome profoundly influences brain health and its potential role in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. We examine the impact of genetics, head...

Rethinking relationships: Is friendship the key to happiness? This episode flips the script on traditional views of love and partnership. Our guest argues that we've put romantic relationships on a pedestal, potentially overlooking the profound value of friendships. Key points: Why some friendships outshine romantic partnerships The pressure to find 'the one' and its impact Expanding definitions of family and fulfilment Personal stories of choosing friendship over romance From biological...

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Kristin Neff, a pioneering researcher in self-compassion and an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin. We discuss how cultivating self-compassion can profoundly transform our relationship with food, our bodies, and our overall well-being. We also explore the impact of self-compassion on eating behaviors, especially regarding dieting and emotional eating. Dr. Neff shares tools and insights from her research on how self-compassion can enhance...

In this clip, my guest is Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, a renowned neuroscientist and psychologist specializing in the science of emotion. We delve into the fascinating concept of the brain's "body budget"—how our brains predict and regulate the needs of our bodies through a process called allostasis. Lisa explains how disruptions in this body budgeting system can manifest as depression and anxiety, essentially viewing depression as a "bankrupt" body budget. We discuss the profound connection...

In this episode, I explore the world of stress with experts Alice Law and Mo Gawdat. We unpack their innovative 'Ton of Stress' model and the TONN framework, revealing why being "busy" is a health risk, not a badge of honor. Alice and Mo share evidence-based strategies to identify stress triggers and build resilience. They explain the surprising balance between external and self-generated stress, offering a path from stress-susceptible to "unstressable". This conversation is essential for...

What happens when you confront your deepest fears? In this inspiring episode, free diver Li Karlsen takes us beneath the ice to share her incredible journey of overcoming fear in one of the planet's most extreme environments. Diving under massive icebergs into freezing, dark waters, Li faced the ultimate challenge—both physically and mentally. Through her story, you'll learn how embracing fear rather than avoiding it can lead to profound personal growth and freedom. Li reveals the mental...

In this clip, my guest is Dr. Kanchan Koya, Ph.D., a molecular biologist and health coach who specializes in the health benefits of spices. We discuss the surprising and powerful effects of incorporating culinary amounts of spices into everyday meals. We also explore recent human studies demonstrating how small additions of spice blends can significantly reduce markers of inflammation, even when added to a standard Western diet. We clarify the difference between spices and herbs, highlighting...

Did you know your diet could be the secret weapon for protecting your brain? In this video, Dr. William Li uncovers how certain foods can fortify one of your brain’s most vital but overlooked defenses – the blood-brain barrier. This essential filter shields your mind from harmful invaders, yet many people don’t realize how everyday foods can help keep it strong and effective. Prepare to rethink your daily meals as Dr. Li reveals how specific foods may boost memory, clear brain fog, and...

Be Well Moments brings you my favorite bite-sized highlights from the season. Enjoy quick insights from our longer conversations in a digestible format. If you'd like to listen or watch the full episode, click the link below. Dr. Shefali, a psychologist and author, explains the 'shadow self' - a part of us we often ignore. She shows how this hidden side can make us seek control and approval from others, even when we think we're just being helpful or trying our best. Through real-life...

Be Well Moments brings you my favorite bite-sized highlights from the season. Enjoy quick insights from our longer conversations in a digestible format. If you'd like to listen or watch the full episode, click the link below. Dr. Casey Means, a leading voice in metabolic health, unpacks the intricate connection between metabolism and our overall wellbeing. She explores how the way our bodies convert food into energy impacts not only our physical health but also our mental clarity and...

Be Well Moments brings you my favorite bite-sized highlights from the season. Enjoy quick insights from our longer conversations in a digestible format. If you'd like to listen or watch the full episode, click the link below. Are you doing friendship right? Simon Sinek talks about what it means to be a friend today. He shares an '8-minute rule' that could change how you handle relationships. Sinek explains why it's okay to end friendships, even long-term ones, that don't work anymore. He...

Many of us think self-compassion is just about being kind to ourselves, or even perhaps that it implies a sense of laziness or self-indulgence. But Dr. Kristin Neff completely challenges these ideas. She reveals how self-compassion is actually a powerful tool for motivation and resilience, and explains why our culture, and even our evolutionary instincts, can work against it.  Dr. Kristin Neff PhD, is a professor in educational psychology, and the world's expert on self-compassion having...

Cortisol is synonymous with stress. However, according to Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, it isn’t really the ‘stress hormone’ we all think it is. In today’s episode, Dr. Feldman Barrett shares a different view on how the brain handles stress and uncertainty, and that it is always predicting and shaping our reality. She talks about "body budgeting" and how it is linked to depression and anxiety, and her take on SSRIs and mental health made me rethink everything I thought I knew about the "fight or...

Stress is something we all deal with, but did you know that it affects us in four different ways? Stress can impact us mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually, and in this episode we look into all four modalities and how to recognise them.   Mo Gawdat is a former Chief Business Officer at Google X and a bestselling author, and Alice Law is a stress management expert with a powerful personal story. Together, they're on a mission to take a million people a year out of stress. In...

Here’s my wonderful conversation with Li Karlsen, a freediver and former Swedish Army captain. She served for 20 years before discovering freediving at 35. Li has broken records, including a 200-metre dive on one breath, and a dive under Greenland's ice. Now she helps others face their fears. We talked about her change from military life to ocean depths, and Li shared how freediving helped her heal and find herself. She gives insights on mindset, self-compassion, and purpose that apply to...

Dr. William Li is back on Live Well, Be Well! Mental health is a huge focus for me, and with good reason. Dementia's on the rise, and many people can resonate with the brain fog that comes as a consequence of our fast-paced world. But - did you ever think that being picky with food might mess with your mental health? Dr. William Li breaks down this new research for us, as we chat about how what we eat is so closely linked to our brain health. It's not just about food though - we get into the...

Probiotics are often touted as a staple of gut health, but here Dr. James Kinross discusses the advancement of probiotic science, and how a range of treatments and drugs will shape the future of the microbiome and the gut-brain connection. Listen to the full episode here. Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

Spices as medicine? Today I chat with Kanchan Koya, a Harvard-trained molecular biologist who traded the lab for the kitchen, and now runs Spice Spice Baby and has a cookbook packed with vibrant spice-filled recipes. We dig into the science behind spices - from fighting inflammation to boosting gut health. Did you know a dash of cinnamon could help blood sugar? Or that chilli might extend your lifespan? It could also be our way to fight against chronic diseases. Kanchan shares easy ways to...

Discover how Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can transform your life at any age with Dr. Louise Newson, a GP and hormone specialist. Sarah Ann shares her own personal experience of working with Dr. Louise and the life-changing effects it has had, so watch now to learn more about how taking hormones may be the missing piece of the puzzle. Listen to the full episode here. Watch the full episode on YouTube here.