Beyond The Surface Podcast

In this solo episode, Belinda explores why we can spend so much of our lives trying to prove ourselves, keep everyone happy and get everything right, yet still feel like we’re not enough.

Inspired by her conversation with Olympic gold medallist Libby Trickett, this episode looks at how our early experiences can shape our beliefs about worth, love and approval, and why patterns that once helped us cope can follow us into adulthood.

We explore:

• Why people-pleasing, perfectionism and achievement can be driven by a fear of not being good enough
• How childhood experiences can shape our need for love, acceptance and approval
• Why saying no, making mistakes and disappointing others can feel so uncomfortable
• How achievement can become a way of proving our worth, without ever feeling like enough
• Three practical ways to recognise these patterns and start doing things differently

You can be caring, ambitious and successful without needing to prove your worth through everything you do.

If you’re constantly putting others first, striving to get everything right or chasing the next goal without feeling fulfilled, this episode will help you understand what might be driving those patterns and how to begin changing them.

Podcast Sponsor:

Evolution Botanicals specialises in functional mushrooms, tonic herbs, protein, creatine, matcha, and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness. Visit Belinda’s affiliate link to see the full range: https://evolutionbotanicals.com.au?sca_ref=12293034.mtZdtecqmnjT

Connect with Belinda:

Website: www.belindaanderson.com.au

(sign up to her Newsletter to receive updates on retreats, podcast episodes, and insights to help you heal, grow & thrive).

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinda.anderson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaandersonau

Bone health is something many of us don’t think about until we’re faced with low bone density, osteoporosis or an unexpected fracture. But what if we could take steps today to protect our strength, mobility and independence for years to come?

In this episode, Belinda is joined by Professor Belinda Beck, leading bone health researcher, exercise physiologist and founder of The Bone Clinic, to explore what really makes our bones stronger and why it’s never too early or too late to start looking after them.

We unpack the impact of menopause on bone density, the difference between osteopenia, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, and why traditional exercise like walking, swimming, Pilates and yoga are not be enough to build stronger bones.

Belinda also shares the research behind her evidence-based Onero™ exercise program and how supervised resistance training and impact exercise can help improve bone strength, even for those already living with osteoporosis.

We talk about:

• Why bone health matters at every stage of life

• How menopause and declining oestrogen affect bone density

• The difference between osteoporosis, osteopenia and osteoarthritis

• Common risk factors for declining bone health

• When to consider a DEXA bone density scan

• The importance of calcium, vitamin D and nutrition

• Why lifting weights and impact exercise are essential for stronger bones

• How targeted exercise can help people living with osteoporosis

• The connection between bone strength, healthy ageing and independence

If you want to protect your bones, stay strong as you age and understand what you can do to improve your bone health, this conversation is a great place to start.

Podcast Sponsor:

Evolution Botanicals specialises in functional mushrooms, tonic herbs, protein, creatine, matcha, and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness. Visit Belinda’s affiliate link to see the full range: https://evolutionbotanicals.com.au?sca_ref=12293034.mtZdtecqmnjT

Connect with Belinda:

Website: www.belindaanderson.com.au

(sign up to her Newsletter to receive updates on retreats, podcast episodes, and insights to help you heal, grow & thrive).

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinda.anderson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaandersonau

Connect with Belinda Beck:

Website: https://theboneclinic.com.au/

Onero™ exercise program: https://theboneclinic.com.au/onero/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theboneclinic

Belinda sits down with Olympic gold medallist, world record holder and mum of five Libby Trickett for an honest conversation about identity, motherhood, mental health, anxiety, resilience and the heart attack she had just two months after giving birth to her fifth child, after her symptoms were initially dismissed as anxiety.

Libby opens up about growing up around mental illness and addiction, being estranged from her father, the impact her upbringing had on her relationships and self-worth, and the pressure she put on herself to keep achieving.

We talk about:

• Learning to actually own your achievements instead of immediately moving on to the next goal
• Growing up with mental illness, addiction and an absent father
• How childhood experiences can shape adult relationships and the need for validation
• Motherhood, postnatal depression and raising five children
• The heart attack Libby experienced two months after giving birth to her fifth child
• Why her symptoms were initially dismissed as anxiety
• SCAD and the lack of awareness around women’s heart health
• Why seeing her daughter come dead last was one of her favourite parenting moments
• Raising kids to love movement without making it about performance
• Losing your identity after retiring from elite sport
• Why Libby still considers herself a work in progress

And despite everything Libby has already achieved, when asked about her greatest achievement, her answer is not what you might expect. She believes the best may still be ahead of her.

Podcast Sponsor:

Evolution Botanicals specialises in functional mushrooms, tonic herbs, protein, creatine, matcha, and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness. Visit Belinda’s affiliate link to see the full range: https://evolutionbotanicals.com.au?sca_ref=12293034.mtZdtecqmnjT

Connect with Belinda:

Website: www.belindaanderson.com.au

(sign up to her Newsletter to receive updates on retreats, podcast episodes, and insights to help you heal, grow & thrive).

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinda.anderson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaandersonau

Connect with Libby:

Website: https://www.libbytrickett.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libby_trickett/

Perimenopause and menopause can affect far more than your cycle, from sleep, mood and anxiety to libido, weight, bone health and overall wellbeing.

In this episode, Belinda sits down with Women’s Health GP Dr Christine Greenwood for a conversation about perimenopause, menopause and post-menopausal care. They talk about HRT, hormones, nutrition, weight loss, exercise, supplements and the health checks women should be thinking about in midlife. Christine specialises in helping women navigate this stage of life with a practical, evidence-based approach.

We talk about:

• The early signs of perimenopause and why they can be easy to miss
• Anxiety, irritability, sleep changes, low libido and changes to your cycle
• Why some women are prescribed antidepressants before hormones are considered
• The history of fear around HRT and how treatment has changed
• Oestrogen, progesterone and testosterone and what each hormone does
• What the current evidence tells us about HRT and bone, brain and cardiovascular health
• Vaginal oestrogen and its role in dryness, painful sex and recurrent UTIs
• Why healthy eating and eating for fat loss are not always the same thing
• The role of strength training, cardio and movement in midlife
• Important health checks for women, including blood tests, mammograms, cervical screening and bone density
• Supplements that may support women through this stage
• Why getting help early can make such a difference

More than anything, this conversation is a reminder that perimenopause and menopause don’t have to be something women simply endure. Understanding what’s happening and having the right support can make a significant difference to your health, strength and quality of life.

Podcast Sponsor:

Evolution Botanicals specialises in functional mushrooms, tonic herbs, protein, creatine, matcha, and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness. Visit Belinda’s affiliate link to see the full range: https://evolutionbotanicals.com.au?sca_ref=12293034.mtZdtecqmnjT

Connect with Belinda:

Website: www.belindaanderson.com.au

(sign up to her Newsletter to receive updates on retreats, podcast episodes, and insights to help you heal, grow & thrive).

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinda.anderson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaandersonau

Connect with Dr Christine Greenwood:

Website: https://edenwomenshealth.com.au/team/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchristinegreenwood/

What happens when the symptoms you’ve spent years dismissing as “normal” turn out to be something far more serious?

In this episode, Belinda sits down with fitness and nutrition coach, mum of four, author and podcaster Danni Duncan to talk about her journey from body image struggles and disordered eating to rebuilding her relationship with health, and ultimately being diagnosed with bowel cancer at just 39.

Danni opens up about the extreme fatigue, low iron, bloating and ongoing gut issues that eventually led to her diagnosis, as well as the emotional reality of undergoing surgery and chemotherapy while raising four young children.

We talk about:

• Growing up as a ballet dancer and believing skinny meant healthy
• Moving from restriction and body obsession to strength and balance
• The symptoms Danni experienced before her bowel cancer diagnosis
• Learning to listen to your body and advocate for your own health
• Navigating cancer treatment while being a mum of four
• Why sustainable health isn’t about quick fixes or perfection
• Building healthy habits that actually fit your lifestyle
• Letting go of comparison and finding what works for you

This conversation is a powerful reminder to pay attention when something doesn’t feel right, ask questions and focus on building a version of health that you can actually sustain.

Podcast Sponsor:

Evolution Botanicals specialises in functional mushrooms, tonic herbs, protein, creatine, matcha, and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness. Visit Belinda’s affiliate link to see the full range: https://evolutionbotanicals.com.au?sca_ref=12293034.mtZdtecqmnjT

Connect with Belinda:

Website: www.belindaanderson.com.au

(sign up to her Newsletter to receive updates on retreats, podcast episodes, and insights to help you heal, grow & thrive).

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinda.anderson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaandersonau

Connect with Danni:

Website: https://danniduncan.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danni.duncan_

In this episode, Belinda sits down with men’s performance coach and endurance athlete Lachlan Stuart to unpack the lessons behind some extraordinary physical challenges, and the mental battles that came with them. From losing his identity after professional rugby to rebuilding his life, becoming a father and pushing himself to his limits, Lachlan shares what resilience looks like when motivation disappears.

We talk about:

• Losing your identity and rebuilding after hitting rock bottom
• Running 58 marathons in 58 days and rowing 30 marathons in 30 days
• Changing the meaning you give to pain and adversity
• Why standards are more powerful than motivation
• Men’s mental health, relationships and taking responsibility for your life
• What becoming a father has changed about Lachlan’s purpose
• His next challenge: running across Australia
• Why your achievements don’t define you, how you show up does

This is a conversation about resilience, identity, purpose and discovering just how much more you’re capable of.

Podcast Sponsor:

Evolution Botanicals specialises in functional mushrooms, tonic herbs, protein, creatine and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness. Visit: https://evolutionbotanicals.com.au/ and add BTS10 for 10% off your first order.

Connect with Belinda:

Website: www.belindaanderson.com.au

(sign up to her Newsletter to receive updates on retreats, podcast episodes, and insights to help you heal, grow & thrive).

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinda.anderson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaandersonau

Connect with Lachlan:

Website: https://www.lachlanstuart.com.au/

In this solo episode, Belinda explores how the way we start and end our day influences what we think about, how we feel, what we focus on, and how what we repeatedly give our attention to doesn’t just fill our day, it shapes our life.

It’s not about creating the perfect morning or evening routine. It’s about becoming more intentional about what we allow into our minds, particularly in those first and final moments of the day.

From reaching for your phone first thing in the morning to taking the stimulation of the day into bed at night, Belinda looks at the impact of constant consumption, distraction and the stories we repeatedly tell ourselves.

We explore:

• Why your day starts with what you give your attention to, not when you get out of bed
• How reaching for your phone first thing can shape what your mind focuses on
• Why natural morning light is important for your body clock, sleep, and mental health
• How what you repeatedly consume can become the environment you create for your mind
• Why boredom, silence and creating mental space can be valuable
• How brain rot and constant stimulation can contribute to mental fatigue and difficulty concentrating
• Why the way you end your day can affect how you wind down for sleep
• How writing things down can help you put tomorrow’s problems down for the night
• The importance of paying attention to the people, content, conversations and environments influencing you
• Why the way you speak to yourself matters
• A simple five-minute morning and evening ritual

Your attention is one of the most valuable things you have. If you don’t consciously choose where it goes, there’s no shortage of people, platforms and outside noise that will happily choose it for you.

Sometimes changing your life isn’t about adding more. It’s about becoming more selective about what you allow in.

Podcast Sponsor:

Evolution Botanicals specialises in functional mushrooms, tonic herbs, protein, creatine and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness. Visit: https://evolutionbotanicals.com.au/ and add BTS10 for 10% off your first order.

Connect with Belinda:

Website: www.belindaanderson.com.au

(sign up to her Newsletter to receive updates on retreats, podcast episodes, and insights to help you heal, grow & thrive).

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinda.anderson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaandersonau

There’s no new episode this week, so instead, I’m taking you back to Episode 14, the most-listened-to episode of Beyond The Surface. It’s a short one at just 14 minutes, and if you enjoy it and want more, there’s a Part 2 in Episode 42: Estrangement Isn’t Betrayal Part 2: Healing, Boundaries & Brave Decisions.

Podcast Sponsor:

Evolution Botanicals specialises in functional mushrooms, tonic herbs, protein, creatine and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness. Visit: https://evolutionbotanicals.com.au/ and add BTS10 for 10% off your first order.

Connect with Belinda:

Website: www.belindaanderson.com.au

(sign up to her Newsletter to receive updates on retreats, podcast episodes, and insights to help you heal, grow & thrive).

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinda.anderson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaandersonau

In this episode, Belinda sits down with coach Nick McCallum, owner of Outlier Performance, to unpack a different way of looking at pain, training and movement, and why understanding joint position, posture and the way we train can make such a difference to how our bodies move, function and feel.

Nick shares his perspective on back pain, pelvic control, stretching, glute and posterior-chain strength, the role of the nervous system, and why a diagnosis doesn’t necessarily define what your body is capable of.

We cover:

• Why pain isn’t always coming from where you feel it
• The connection between posture, joint position and pain
• Common training mistakes that may reinforce dysfunction
• Why back pain can be linked to pelvic position and muscle imbalance
• The importance of glutes, hamstrings and abdominal strength
• Stretching, mobility and reducing muscular tension
• Why you shouldn’t become defined by an MRI or diagnosis
• Why strength training matters
• Rebuilding movement and coordination after experiencing pain
• Nick’s perspective on peptides and why they shouldn’t replace addressing the underlying biomechanics

A valuable conversation that will have you thinking differently about pain, movement, strength and how you train.

Podcast Sponsor:

Evolution Botanicals specialises in functional mushrooms, tonic herbs, protein, creatine and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness. Visit: https://evolutionbotanicals.com.au/ and add BTS10 for 10% off your first order.

Connect with Belinda:

Website: www.belindaanderson.com.au

(sign up to her Newsletter to receive updates on retreats, podcast episodes, and insights to help you heal, grow & thrive).

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinda.anderson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaandersonau

Connect with Nick:

Website: https://outlierperformance.com.au/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachnickmccallum/

In 2019, Kathryn Elliott’s life changed completely. Within six weeks, she stopped drinking after decades of binge drinking and was diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer.

In this episode, Kathryn shares how sobriety and cancer became the catalyst for a much deeper transformation. We talk about her relationship with alcohol, facing her own mortality, leaving a 22-year marriage, rebuilding her life and career, finding love again in her 50s and learning to reconnect with herself.

Kathryn also shares why removing alcohol can bring difficult emotions to the surface, and how moving through grief, vulnerability and discomfort ultimately helped her find greater clarity, confidence, self-love and connection.

In this episode, we cover:

•              Kathryn’s relationship with binge drinking and the moment she decided to stop drinking

•              Being diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer at 46

•              Why sobriety can feel harder before it feels better

•              Leaving a 22-year marriage and rebuilding her life

•              Changing careers and becoming an alcohol mindset coach

•              The pressure around drinking for women in midlife

•              Learning to sit with grief instead of numbing it

•              Heart-led healing and reconnecting with yourself

•              What Kathryn has gained from seven years alcohol-free

This episode is a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to create a life that feels aligned, and that midlife really can be a time of reinvention.

Podcast Sponsor:

Evolution Botanicals specialises in functional mushrooms, tonic herbs, and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness. Visit: https://evolutionbotanicals.com.au/andadd BTS10 for 10% off your first order.

Connect with Belinda:

Website: www.belindaanderson.com.au

(sign up to her Newsletter to receive updates on retreats, podcast episodes, and insights to help you heal, grow & thrive).

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinda.anderson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaandersonau

Connect with Kathryn:

Website: https://www.thealcoholmindsetcoach.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealcoholmindsetcoach/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thealcoholmindsetcoach/