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 busy professionals seeking better mental and physical well-being. Join us to discover actionable insights for a calmer, more focused life in our fast-paced world.

Listen to the full episode here.

Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

***

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!

BON CHARGE | Science-backed beauty, wellness and recovery products.

https://boncharge.com/LIVEWELL?rfsn=8119877.ae1cd73

Use code LIVEWELL for 15% off.

OptimallyMe | Personalised insights for optimal health.

https://bit.ly/lwbw20

Use code LWBW20 for 20% off.

Squarespace |  A website makes it real.

http://squarespace.com/LiveWell

Get a free trial and use code LIVEWELL for 10% off your first website or domain purchase

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 strategies and emotional resilience that allowed her to turn fear into strength. Her experience offers valuable lessons on courage, letting go of control, and discovering the power within yourself.

Are you ready to face your own fears and unlock your true potential? Join Li Karlsen on this transformative journey beneath the ice and begin embracing the challenges that await you.

Listen to the full episode here.

Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

***

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!

BON CHARGE | Science-backed beauty, wellness and recovery products.

https://boncharge.com/LIVEWELL?rfsn=8119877.ae1cd73

Use code LIVEWELL for 15% off.

OptimallyMe | Personalised insights for optimal health.

https://bit.ly/lwbw20

Use code LWBW20 for 20% off.

Squarespace |  A website makes it real.

http://squarespace.com/LiveWell

Get a free trial and use code LIVEWELL for 10% off your first website or domain purchase

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 that while spices come from various parts of the plant like roots, stems, seeds, and bark, and herbs are derived from leaves, both offer overlapping health benefits due to their rich polyphenol and phytochemical content. Dr. Koya shares practical tips on integrating spices into your diet by enhancing the foods you already love, starting with three to five accessible spices like turmeric (paired with black pepper), cinnamon, and others.

Start now with these actionable insights into how simple meal additions can profoundly reduce inflammation, improve metabolic health, and enhance overall well-being.

***

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 the full episode, click here.

Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

***

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!

BON CHARGE | Science-backed beauty, wellness and recovery products.

https://boncharge.com/LIVEWELL?rfsn=8119877.ae1cd73

Use code LIVEWELL for 15% off.

OptimallyMe | Personalised insights for optimal health.

https://bit.ly/lwbw20

Use code LWBW20 for 20% off.

Squarespace |  A website makes it real.

http://squarespace.com/LiveWell

Get a free trial and use code LIVEWELL for 10% off your first website or domain purchase

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 strengthen your brain's natural defenses. Watch now and discover how these small dietary changes can have a profound impact on your mental resilience and overall brain health.

Listen to the full episode here.

Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

***

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!

BON CHARGE | Science-backed beauty, wellness and recovery products.

https://boncharge.com/LIVEWELL?rfsn=8119877.ae1cd73

Use code LIVEWELL for 15% off.

OptimallyMe | Personalised insights for optimal health.

https://bit.ly/lwbw20

Use code LWBW20 for 20% off.

Squarespace |  A website makes it real.

http://squarespace.com/LiveWell

Get a free trial and use code LIVEWELL for 10% off your first website or domain purchase

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 examples, Dr. Shefali challenges what we think about self-love. She argues that true self-acceptance means facing our fears and insecurities head-on, not hiding from them. She explains why we sometimes lie to ourselves and how to stop.

The clip gives practical ways to better understand ourselves and break free from always needing others' approval. Dr. Shefali teaches us how to align our thoughts, feelings, and actions to live more honestly and happily. By using these ideas, viewers can learn to be more true to themselves and improve their mental health.

Listen to the full episode here.

Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

***

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!

BON CHARGE | Science-backed beauty, wellness and recovery products.

https://boncharge.com/LIVEWELL?rfsn=8119877.ae1cd73

Use code LIVEWELL for 15% off.

OptimallyMe | Personalised insights for optimal health.

https://bit.ly/lwbw20

Use code LWBW20 for 20% off.

Squarespace |  A website makes it real.

http://squarespace.com/LiveWell

Get a free trial and use code LIVEWELL for 10% off your first website or domain purchase

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 emotional resilience. In this discussion, Dr. Means addresses the rising epidemic of metabolic dysfunction, with conditions like obesity and diabetes on the rise, while highlighting the transformative power of lifestyle factors—nutrition, stress, nature, and self-compassion—in reversing these trends. Discover how optimizing your cellular energy can be the key to unlocking a vibrant, healthier life.

Listen to the full episode here.

Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

***

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!

BON CHARGE | Science-backed beauty, wellness and recovery products.

https://boncharge.com/LIVEWELL?rfsn=8119877.ae1cd73

Use code LIVEWELL for 15% off.

OptimallyMe | Personalised insights for optimal health.

https://bit.ly/lwbw20

Use code LWBW20 for 20% off.

Squarespace |  A website makes it real.

http://squarespace.com/LiveWell

Get a free trial and use code LIVEWELL for 10% off your first website or domain purchas

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 talks about setting boundaries, how to 'break up' with friends, and why trying to help everyone might hurt your own relationships. If you're having trouble making friends or thinking about your current friendships, this conversation gives you ideas to build better connections.

Sinek digs into what real friendship looks like and offers ways to improve your social life. He explores the challenges of maintaining friendships and provides practical advice for nurturing meaningful relationships in today's world.

Listen to the full episode here.

Watch the full episode on YouTube here.

***

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!

BON CHARGE | Science-backed beauty, wellness and recovery products.

https://boncharge.com/LIVEWELL?rfsn=8119877.ae1cd73

Use code LIVEWELL for 15% off.

OptimallyMe | Personalised insights for optimal health.

https://bit.ly/lwbw20

Use code LWBW20 for 20% off.

Squarespace |  A website makes it real.

http://squarespace.com/LiveWell

Get a free trial and use code LIVEWELL for 10% off your first website or domain purchase

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 established it as a field of study.

In this conversation, we talk about the science of self-compassion and how it's linked to burnout and emotional eating. Dr. Neff's insights on gender differences in self-compassion and the famous "donut study" make us rethink our whole approach to wellbeing. 

This conversation hit close to home, being someone who has experienced burnout. Dr. Neff breaks down complex concepts like the three elements of self-compassion in a way that's easy to understand and apply to daily life.

Remember, being kind to yourself isn't a luxury - it's essential for wellbeing. And the best part? It's free and available to everyone, anytime. I'd like to hear your thoughts on this episode. Has it changed how you think about self-compassion?

Sarah Ann

***

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!

BON CHARGE | Science-backed beauty, wellness and recovery products.

https://boncharge.com/LIVEWELL?rfsn=8119877.ae1cd73

Use code LIVEWELL for 15% off.

OptimallyMe | Personalised insights for optimal health.

https://bit.ly/lwbw20/

Use code LWBW20 for 20% off.

Squarespace |  A website makes it real.

http://squarespace.com/LiveWell

Get a free trial and use code LIVEWELL for 10% off your first website or domain purchase.

***

If you enjoyed this episode you might also like:

Mo Gawdat: How To Transform Stress Into Success

https://youtu.be/5THJeXv5X7s?si=fkAX9baNqJ4isyC0

Dr. Shefali: How To BREAK FREE From The Self-Awareness TRAP

https://youtu.be/k_9oQBSE4uU?si=nWyy0dVEfYc8uu_E

Emotions Aren't Hardwired: THIS IS HOW You Can Architect Your Emotions

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es2i3oLj6Nw 

***

Let’s be friends!

📷 Instagram:  / sarahannmacklin

📹 Subscribe:   / @livewellbewellsarah  

🐦 Twitter:  / sarahannmacklin  

📱 TikTok:  / sarahannnutrition  

💌 Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3rUbHyS

***

Unlock Stress-Busting Recipes: Get My Top 5 Mood-Boosting Meals Now! 🍽️🧘‍♀️ | Click Here to Reduce Stress Deliciously

http://bit.ly/3HDuVxj

Fuel Your Mind Weekly: Subscribe to Our Free Mental Wellness Newsletter 🧠💪 | Join Now for Expert Tips, Inspiration, and Self-Care Strategies

https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63da7b62ecc678190062732d

***

Highlights:

• Introduction to Self-Compassion (00:00)
• Understanding the Science of Self-Compassion: Key Concepts Explained (01:03)
• Debunking Common Myths About Self-Compassion (07:46)
• Self-Compassion Techniques for Managing Burnout (13:35)
• Applying Self-Compassion to Health and Nutrition Goals (23:32)
• Cultural and Gender Perspectives on Self-Compassion (36:49)
• Mindfulness and Self-Compassion: A Powerful Combination (44:32)
• From Skeptic to Advocate: A Researcher's Self-Compassion Journey (48:43)
• Effective Therapeutic Approaches to Cultivating Self-Compassion (52:10)
• Exploring the Spiritual Side of Self-Compassion (01:00:33)
• Practical Self-Compassion Resources and Closing Thoughts (01:06:35)

What if everything you’ve been told about stress… is wrong?

Cortisol is often called the “stress hormone.” But according to world-leading neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett, that’s not actually true. In this conversation, she shares a radically different way of understanding stress, emotion, and the brain’s hidden role in shaping our reality.

Dr. Feldman Barrett explains how the brain is constantly predicting, budgeting, and constructing the world we experience — and why this “body budgeting” system may be at the root of anxiety, depression, and burnout. She also offers a powerful reframe of what’s really happening during “fight or flight,” and why our current view of stress may be doing more harm than good.

She doesn’t stop there. We explore:

• Why cortisol isn’t really a “stress hormone”

• How body budgeting affects mental health

• The surprising connection between anxiety and prediction

• A fresh perspective on SSRIs and emotional regulation

• How understanding your brain can change how you live

Dr. Feldman Barrett is one of the most cited scientists in the world, with more than 270 published papers. She’s a professor, psychologist, and author of two groundbreaking books: “Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain” and “How Emotions Are Made.”

If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, emotional overwhelm, or stress, this episode will change how you understand your brain — and yourself.

🎧 Listen now and add her books to your reading list.
📚 Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain
📚 How Emotions Are Made

— Sarah Ann

***

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!

BON CHARGE | Science-backed beauty, wellness and recovery products.

https://boncharge.com/LIVEWELL?rfsn=8119877.ae1cd73

Use code LIVEWELL for 15% off.

OptimallyMe | Personalised insights for optimal health.

https://bit.ly/lwbw20/

Use code LWBW20 for 20% off.

Squarespace |  A website makes it real.

http://squarespace.com/LiveWell

Get a free trial and use code LIVEWELL for 10% off your first website or domain purchase.

***

If you enjoyed this episode you might also like:

4 Types of Stress: How to Manage Each One | Mo Gawdat & Alice Law

https://youtu.be/CknAbrLXuhQ?si=QfT2jnfq2Qxmt46e

Dr. Shefali: How To BREAK FREE From The Self-Awareness TRAP

https://youtu.be/k_9oQBSE4uU?si=nWyy0dVEfYc8uu_E

Mo Gawdat: How To Transform Stress Into Success

https://youtu.be/5THJeXv5X7s?si=fkAX9baNqJ4isyC0

***

Let’s be friends!

📷 Instagram:  / sarahannmacklin

📹 Subscribe:   / @livewellbewellsarah  

🐦 Twitter:  / sarahannmacklin  

📱 TikTok:  / sarahannnutrition  

💌 Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3rUbHyS

***

Unlock Stress-Busting Recipes: Get My Top 5 Mood-Boosting Meals Now! 🍽️🧘‍♀️ | Click Here to Reduce Stress Deliciously

http://bit.ly/3HDuVxj

Fuel Your Mind Weekly: Subscribe to Our Free Mental Wellness Newsletter 🧠💪 | Join Now for Expert Tips, Inspiration, and Self-Care Strategies

https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63da7b62ecc678190062732d

***

Highlights:

• Introduction: Rethinking Emotions (00:00)
• The Science of Emotions: Challenging Traditional Views (00:50)
• Pixar's Inside Out: A New Perspective on Emotions (08:36)
• Emotional Intelligence: Strategies for Managing Feelings (17:00)
• The Body Budget: How Mood Affects Your Health (23:33)
• Understanding Mental Health: Depression and Anxiety Explained (28:33)
• Mindfulness Techniques: Reframing Negative Thoughts (36:37)
• Diet's Role in Depression and Treatment (42:44)
• Debunking Common Stress and Cortisol Myths (55:54)
• Fight, Flight, or Fiction? The Truth About Our Stress Response (01:00:50)
• Self-Compassion: The Key to Emotional Well-being (01:08:22)
• Conclusion and Future Research in Emotional Health (01:13:02)

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 this conversation we explore the power of acceptance and how it differs from complacency, why connecting with others is crucial for managing stress, how different generations experience stress, and why we need more compassion.

Mo and Alice Law break all of these down for us, sharing insights from their new book "Unstressable".

I’m sure this will make you look at stress differently, and maybe you'll try Mo's challenge of setting your alarm for 3PM on Sundays (yes, really!).

Sarah Ann

***

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!

BON CHARGE | Science-backed beauty, wellness and recovery products.

https://boncharge.com/LIVEWELL?rfsn=8119877.ae1cd73

Use code LIVEWELL for 15% off.

OptimallyMe | Personalised insights for optimal health.

https://bit.ly/lwbw20/

Use code LWBW20 for 20% off.

Squarespace |  A website makes it real.

http://squarespace.com/LiveWell

Get a free trial and use code LIVEWELL for 10% off your first website or domain purchase.

***

If you enjoyed this episode you might also like:

Mo Gawdat: How To Transform Stress Into Success

https://youtu.be/5THJeXv5X7s?si=fkAX9baNqJ4isyC0

Dr. Shefali: How To BREAK FREE From The Self-Awareness TRAP

https://youtu.be/k_9oQBSE4uU?si=nWyy0dVEfYc8uu_E

Elevate Your Mindset and Master the 6-Minute Breath Hold Like a Champion

https://youtu.be/I7nhBl8XMXY?si=qN8i6Ksj2d5MWLby

***

Let’s be friends!

📷 Instagram:  / sarahannmacklin

📹 Subscribe:   / @livewellbewellsarah  

🐦 Twitter:  / sarahannmacklin  

📱 TikTok:  / sarahannnutrition  

💌 Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3rUbHyS

***

Unlock Stress-Busting Recipes: Get My Top 5 Mood-Boosting Meals Now! 🍽️🧘‍♀️ | Click Here to Reduce Stress Deliciously

http://bit.ly/3HDuVxj

Fuel Your Mind Weekly: Subscribe to Our Free Mental Wellness Newsletter 🧠💪 | Join Now for Expert Tips, Inspiration, and Self-Care Strategies

https://view.flodesk.com/pages/63da7b62ecc678190062732d

***

Highlights:

• Understanding Stress: An Introduction (00:00)
• What is Stress? Its Definition and Health Effects (00:42)
• Real-Life Stress: Alice's Personal Journey (05:30)
• Identifying Stress Sources and Effective Management Techniques (13:58)
• Embracing Acceptance in Your Stress Reduction Strategy (22:23)
• The Four Pillars of Stress: Exploring Key Modalities (25:54)
• Harnessing Positive Self-Talk to Combat Stress (39:38)
• Rekindling Joy: Lessons from Childhood for Stress Relief (43:01)
• Coping with Stress in Today's Fast-Paced World (47:02)
• Stress Across Generations: Evolving Perspectives (58:20)
• Practical Stress-Busting Techniques for Daily Life (01:06:00)
• Key Insights for a Less Stressful Life: Closing Thoughts (01:10:30)