Why is cutting sugar so hard — even when you know it's harming you? The answer may lie deeper than willpower.

In this episode of the Me and My Health Up Podcast, researcher and entrepreneur Chris Mearns joins host Anthony Hartcher to reveal how fructose — not just as a dietary sugar but as a biological signalling molecule — programs your cells into a low-energy, craving-driven, fat-storing state.

Chris explains the science behind the fructose model of metabolic dysfunction: how fructose degrades your mitochondrial energy (ATP), why your body manufactures fructose from glucose, alcohol, salt, and even poor sleep, and how this single enzyme (fructokinase) sits at the centre of modern chronic disease — from obesity and fatty liver to brain fog, insulin resistance, and Alzheimer's disease.

You'll also hear about luteolin, a plant flavonoid that targets fructokinase, and how liposomal supplementation is making it viable as a real-world metabolic support tool through Chris's product, Sugar Shield.

Topics covered:→ Fructose as a metabolic regulator, not just a calorie→ How fructose destroys ATP and suppresses mitochondria→ The evolutionary logic of the conservation signal→ The polyol pathway: how glucose, alcohol & salt trigger fructose→ Food noise, hunger loops & the biology of sugar addiction→ Fructokinase — the linchpin enzyme of metabolic disease→ Luteolin, liposomes & the Sugar Shield supplement→ Practical steps to reduce fructose load and restore energy

Connect with Chris Mearns:🌐 Website & Sugar Shield: LIV3health.com▶️ YouTube: Search "The Fructose Model" on YouTube📩 Contact via his website for inquiries or research discussions

Resources mentioned in episode: https://liv3health.com/pages/healthup

SugarShield: https://liv3health.com/products/sugarshield

LIV3 Health YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thefructosemodel

Me and My Health Up Podcast is hosted by Anthony Hartcher — science educator, wellbeing coach, and founder of Joyful Mate.

What does it take to stay calm, focused, and perform at your best—especially under pressure?

In this episode of Me & My Health Up, Anthony Hartcher sits down with performance coach Aoife Leggett to explore how mindset, breathwork, and simple daily habits can transform your performance in sport, business, and life.

After a life-changing injury, Aoife shifted from working with horses to coaching high performers—helping them overcome stress, self-doubt, and inconsistency.

🎯 In this episode:

• How to perform under pressure and stay present
• A simple breathwork technique to calm your nervous system
• Why sleep and nutrition are critical for performance
• How to identify and break limiting beliefs
• Turning negative self-talk into a powerful inner coach
• Building sustainable habits that actually stick

This conversation is practical, grounded, and packed with tools you can start using immediately.

Whether you’re an athlete, business leader, or simply looking to improve your health and performance—this episode will give you a clear path forward.

Want to continue the conversation with Aoife? You can find her most active on Instagram at @aoifeleggettcoach, where she regularly shares practical tips on performance, mindset, and living well. She loves hearing from listeners, so feel free to DM her or ask questions on her posts. You can also explore her holistic coaching practice at 360coaching.ie, reach her by email at [email protected], or connect with her on LinkedIn. Whether you're in Dublin or Down Under, Aoife is always happy to chat with people from all over the world!

Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or not like yourself anymore?
It might not just be burnout — it could be perimenopause.

In this episode, health coach Joelene Edwards shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with perimenopause at 37 and how it impacted her energy, mood, sleep, and ability to cope with daily life.

We dive into:

• The hidden connection between burnout and hormone imbalance
• Early signs of perimenopause most women ignore
• How hormones affect stress, sleep, and emotional resilience
• Nutrition strategies to support hormone health (protein, fats & fibre)
• Exercise changes that reduce stress instead of adding to it
• Practical sleep habits for better recovery and energy
• Rebuilding confidence and feeling good in your body again

This episode is a must-listen for women navigating:
✔️ Fatigue and overwhelm
✔️ Hormonal changes in their 30s & 40s
✔️ Stress, sleep issues, and emotional burnout
✔️ Identity and body changes

If you’ve been asking yourself,
“Why can’t I cope like I used to?” — this conversation will give you answers and practical next steps.

🎧 Tune in now and start feeling like yourself again.

🔗 Connect with Joelene Edwards:
🌐 Website: https://coachjoelene.com
📞 Book a free clarity call via her website

What does “fake it till you make it” really mean—and can it actually improve your financial wellbeing and mindset?

In this episode, Anthony Hartcher is joined by author Natalie Saar to explore the psychology behind money, stress, and fulfilment. From navigating financial hardship and anxiety to discovering the power of mindfulness, minimalism, and “money scripts,” this conversation unpacks how to feel more in control—even when life feels uncertain.

Natalie shares practical tools to help you shift your mindset, reduce financial stress, and start living with a sense of abundance—without needing more money first.

🔑 In this episode:

• What “fake it till you make it” really means
• How to reduce financial anxiety and stress
• The hidden beliefs (money scripts) shaping your life
• Why more money doesn’t equal more happiness
• The role of minimalism in creating fulfilment
• How to build a wealth mindset starting today
• Simple practices to feel calmer, more confident, and grounded

💡 Key takeaway:True wealth isn’t just about money—it’s about time, mindset, and the meaning you create in your life.

🎙️ If you’re looking to feel more confident, less stressed, and more fulfilled—this episode is for you.

Michele Roys joins Anthony to share her extraordinary journey through trigeminal neuralgia, fibromyalgia, chronic Lyme disease, and the emotional weight of childhood trauma. In this deeply moving conversation, Michele reveals how chronic pain forced her to stop, listen, and rebuild her life from the inside out.

She opens up about• hitting rock bottom and choosing life• healing trauma through journaling, therapy, and inner‑child work• finding faith and spiritual strength in her darkest moments• reframing pain through gratitude and acceptance• rebuilding identity after losing her career and old self• the power of boundaries, community, and reconnecting with joy• how dancing, mindfulness, and anti‑inflammatory living support her healing

This episode is for anyone living with chronic pain, invisible illness, trauma, or the feeling of being broken and needing to start again. Michele’s story is a reminder that healing is possible—one small step at a time.

Click here to connect with Michele Roys!

Discover the true meaning of health and why life genuinely begins after 40. In this powerful conversation, chiropractor, storyteller and third‑generation healer Dr Kyle Hulsebus unpacks the ancient origins of the word health, the philosophy behind chiropractic care, and why so many people transform their wellbeing in their 40s and beyond.

Dr Kyle shares his “40 Over 40” framework — 40 simple, practical, whole‑being habits designed to help you reconnect with purpose, vitality and wholeness. From breathing and movement to curiosity, culture, laughter and self‑reflection, this episode is a masterclass in living well.

“Health literally means a state of wholeness in which all the organs of the body function together at 100%.”“Life really does begin at 40. Everything leading up to that is just practice.”

In this episode: • The ancient Old English and Latin roots of the word health • Why health is about wholeness, not disease• The power of storytelling in healing• Why most people seek true wellness between ages 40–55• The philosophy behind the “40 Over 40” program• Outlier habits that transform wellbeing (dance, people‑watching, spontaneous laughter, and more)

Perfect for anyone wanting to feel whole, grounded and empowered in their health journey — especially if you're 40+.

Clinical nutritionist Anthony Hartcher reveals the most overlooked factor in gut health: our environment.Drawing from the episode’s insights — “Part of our bacteria… comes from us interacting with the environment” — Anthony explains why modern indoor living, artificial light, and sanitised lifestyles are disrupting digestion, immunity, and hormonal balance.

You’ll learn:• Why kids and adults need more outdoor time • How light exposure resets digestion and hormones• Why macronutrients matter more than supplements• The dangers of “one‑size‑fits‑all” probiotics• Seasonal eating, fasting timing, and ancestral food patterns• Practical steps to reduce bloating, IBS, and dysbiosis

Perfect for anyone wanting simple, science‑based lifestyle strategies to improve gut health naturally.

Link to Wonder Voice Podcast

What if everything you’ve been told about menopause… is incomplete? 

What if the weight gain, mood swings, and hormonal chaos aren’t problems to fix—but signals guiding you toward your most powerful, grounded, and authentic self? 

Menopause isn’t the end of vitality—it’s the beginning of wisdom. 

In this deeply insightful and empowering episode, naturopath and author Brenda Rogers reframes menopause as a natural, transformative stage of life rather than a condition to “fix.” Drawing from decades of experience in holistic health, she explores how hormonal shifts, emotional patterns, and societal expectations intersect during midlife—and how women can navigate them with clarity and compassion. 

You’ll discover why traditional approaches to weight management often fail during menopause, and how healing your relationship with food, body, and self is the true foundation for lasting wellness. Brenda shares practical insights into nourishing your body with whole, natural foods, regulating stress and hormones, and embracing a new rhythm of living that aligns with your changing physiology. 

But this conversation goes beyond the physical. It dives into the emotional and spiritual awakening that often accompanies menopause—inviting women to step into a phase of deeper self-awareness, inner authority, and purpose. 

Whether you're approaching menopause, in the midst of it, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers a refreshing, holistic perspective that honors the intelligence of the body and the wisdom of life’s transitions. 

About Brenda Rogers 

Brenda Rogers is a naturopath, educator, and author specializing in holistic women’s health, with a particular focus on menopause and midlife transformation. With decades of experience, she integrates mind, body, and spirit to help women move beyond symptom management and into true healing and self-acceptance. 

Her approach challenges conventional narratives by emphasizing that menopause is not a disease—but a profound life transition filled with opportunity for growth, clarity, and empowerment. Through her work, Brenda guides women to reconnect with their inner wisdom, heal their relationship with food and body, and embrace aging as a path to strength and purpose. 

Her upcoming book (releasing May 2026) explores the deeper meaning of menopause and how women can step fully into their “wild and wise” years with confidence and grace. 

Connect with Brenda Rogers 

Ready to explore more of Brenda’s work and wisdom? 

• 🌿 Follow her teachings on holistic health, menopause, and natural living 

• 📘 Watch for her upcoming book release (May 2026) on platforms like Amazon 

• 💬 Engage with her community to learn practical tools for midlife wellness 

• 🌱 Dive deeper into naturopathic insights on nutrition, emotional healing, and spiritual growth 

Stay connected and continue the journey toward a more empowered, balanced, and meaningful midlife experience. 

Sydney Whited grew up in Santa Barbara surrounded by wellness culture but raised on fast food and takeout. That contrast sparked her lifelong curiosity about nutrition and health. Now a Boston University student researching eating disorders and LGBTQIA+ health, Sydney brings both personal experience and academic insight to the conversation.

In this episode, she shares how running taught her to fuel for performance and recovery, why protein and fiber are non-negotiables, and how mindful eating transformed her relationship with food. Sydney critiques the one-size-fits-all approach of most diets, highlighting the importance of individualized health goals, inclusivity in research, and the power of slowing down at the table.

Listeners will walk away with practical wisdom: balance over restriction, presence over distraction, and small consistent changes that lead to lasting transformation.

🌟 About Sydney Whited Sydney is a nutrition and health student at Boston University, passionate about bridging science and lived experience. Her research focuses on eating disorders and LGBTQIA+ health, aiming to make wellness more inclusive and accessible.

🔗 Connect with Sydney Whited

• Instagram: @sydneywhited

• LinkedIn: Sydney Whited

• Research & writing: Available through Boston University publications

Is your child restless at night, snoring, or grinding their teeth? What if those sounds are silent signals of deeper airway and jaw development issues? Discover how early intervention can transform sleep, behavior, and lifelong health. 

Snoring isn’t just noise—it’s a warning sign. In this episode of me&my health up, host Anthony Hartcher sits down with Dr. Shereen Lim, one of Australia’s pioneering dental sleep medicine specialists, to uncover the hidden links between mouth breathing, jaw development, and childhood wellbeing. 

Dr. Lim explains why silent, nasal breathing during sleep is essential, how poor oral function in infancy can shape lifelong health, and why “convenience culture” (pacifiers, pouch foods, reduced breastfeeding) may be costing our children vitality. Parents will learn practical signs to watch for—like teeth grinding, bedwetting, or restless sleep—and discover holistic pathways to support thriving growth. 

This conversation is a wake-up call for parents, caregivers, and anyone concerned about the long-term impact of sleep and breathing disturbances. 

About Dr. Shereen Lim 

Dr. Shereen Lim is a Perth-based dentist with over 25 years of experience and one of Australia’s first dentists to qualify in dental sleep medicine. Her passion lies in helping children overcome challenges with infant feeding, swallowing, breathing, chewing, and speech through a collaborative team approach to tongue tie management and promoting good oral function and jaw development. 

She emphasises that when oral function and jaw growth are off track in childhood, it impacts airway development, breathing, sleep, and overall growth. By addressing the root causes of poor oral function early, Dr. Lim helps unlock better airway health, restorative sleep, and lifelong vitality. 

Most of what she practices today wasn’t taught in dental school—it comes from learning across disciplines and connecting dots with world-leading experts. Her holistic, integrative approach advances collaboration between professions, ensuring patients receive care that goes beyond surface fixes to lasting solutions. 

Connect with Dr. Shereen Lim 

📘 Book: Breathe, Sleep, Thrive (available worldwide on Amazon) 

🌐 Website: drshereenlim.com.au 

📲 Social Media: Follow Dr. Lim for insights on airway health, jaw development, and sleep solutions 

Instagram: @dr.shereenlim 

Facebook: Dr Shereen Lim 

About me&my health up & Anthony Hartcher:     
me&my health up seeks to enhance and enlighten the well-being of others. Host Anthony Hartcher is the CEO of me&my wellness which provides holistic health solutions using food as medicine, combined with a holistic, balanced, lifestyle approach. Anthony holds three bachelor’s degrees in Complementary Medicine; Nutrition and Dietetic Medicine; and Chemical Engineering.