Matt Marney Podcast

We all talk about being “stressed,” but few understand what that really means — or how serious it can be for our health.

In this episode, Matt speaks with Dr Bernadette Dancy, an exercise scientist with 15 years of university lecturing experience, a PhD in Sports Psychology, a master’s in Preventative Cardiology, and a professional background in personal training and exercise referral. After witnessing the damage chronic stress can do — including in her own life — Bernadette made it her mission to help people manage this silent killer.

She now leads Stress Ed, a platform connecting people with the right tools, experts, and education to take back control of their mental and physical wellbeing.

In this conversation, they explore:

• Bernadette’s personal story of stress and burnout — and how it changed her life
• What stress really is — and what happens inside your body when it builds
• The key drivers of chronic stress in modern life
• Why exercise is powerful — but only when the dose is right
• The “Four B’s” — Bernadette’s simple but powerful blueprint for managing stress
• Practical, science-backed tools you can use today to reduce overwhelm

If you’re feeling stretched thin, running on empty, or watching stress affect those around you, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and direction — from someone who’s been there and now helps others every day.

Learn more about Dr Bernadette Dancy & Stress Ed:

www. stress-ed.co.uk

email [email protected]

If you have a question for the podcast or are interested in working with Matt, you can reach out at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.wellnesseducationdubai.com
• Instagram: @wellness_education_dubai
• Facebook: @mattmarneyfitness
• LinkedIn: Matt Marney (Wellness Education Dubai)

Is balance always the goal in training? Not necessarily. In this episode, Matt speaks with Scott Hills — personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, stroke rehab expert, and founder of Hills Physical Development — about why training sometimes needs to be deliberately unbalanced to meet the unique challenges of the modern body.

With decades of experience across general fitness and clinical rehab, Scott shares what he's learned about tailoring movement to the individual — and why his focus has shifted toward something much deeper: making people happier through how they move.

In this conversation, they explore:

• Scott’s evolution from trainer to rehab specialist and coach
• How modern life creates imbalances — and why workouts shouldn’t always be symmetrical
• The most common mobility struggles people face today
• Strategies for training with pain, injury, or limited time
• The mental side of fitness — and why joy and motivation matter more than perfection
• Why Scott is now offering online coaching to reach more people where they are

This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like traditional training didn’t quite fit. Scott’s approach is practical, compassionate, and deeply human — rooted in the belief that movement should restore not just strength, but quality of life.

Connect with Scott Hills:

Instagram @scotty.is.my.coach 

Whatsapp +44 7736 277 131

If you have a question for the podcast or are interested in working with Matt, you can reach out at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.wellnesseducationdubai.com
• Instagram: @wellness_education_dubai
• Facebook: @mattmarneyfitness
• LinkedIn: Matt Marney (Wellness Education Dubai)

Depression and anxiety are at an all-time high. At the same time, we’re more sedentary than ever — even though we know movement helps. So why aren’t we moving?

In this episode, Matt is joined by Dr Brendon Stubbs, one of the world’s foremost researchers in the field of physical activity and mental health. Together, they unpack the growing mental health crisis and explore why movement — even in small doses — may be one of the most underused tools we have.

In this conversation, they explore:

• The paradox of modern mental health and rising inactivity
• Why physical activity protects against future anxiety and depression
• The myth of needing an hour in the gym — and how 15 minutes can be enough
• The link between lifestyle, chronic illness, and poor mental health
• Groundbreaking research on children: how just one extra hour of light activity per day can reduce rates of anxiety and depression by 10%
• How to apply these insights to adults — especially in the workplace

Whether you’re a leader, a parent, or just someone looking to feel better, this episode offers practical, science-backed ways to move your body and shift your mind — without punishment or pressure.

Learn more about Dr Brendon Stubbs:

Instagram @drbrendonstubbs

Linkedin Dr Brendon Stubbs 

Online course https://drbrendonstubbs.thinkific.com/

If you have a question for the podcast or are interested in working with Matt, you can reach out at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.wellnesseducationdubai.com
• Instagram: @wellness_education_dubai
• Facebook: @mattmarneyfitness
• LinkedIn: Matt Marney (Wellness Education Dubai)

In a world that’s constantly “on,” finding peace can feel out of reach. In this episode, Matt speaks with sound therapist Caira Lavelle Clack, whose journey from occupational therapy to sound healing is rooted in compassion, curiosity, and a deep commitment to wellbeing.

With over 16 years as an OT — working with elderly patients, children, and those with disabilities — Caira brings a unique depth to her sound therapy practice. Her first encounter with a gong bath changed everything. One session a month turned into a life path, and eventually, a full-time mission to help others through sound.

In this conversation, they explore:

• How Caira transitioned from occupational therapy to full-time sound healing
• What actually happens in the brain and body during a sound bath
• Why sound can trigger physical, emotional, and even spiritual transformation
• How sound affects us on a cellular level — and what that means for healing
• The different sound therapy modalities, including Caira’s powerful one-to-one sessions

Whether you're a wellness professional, a stressed-out leader, or someone simply curious about alternative approaches to health, this episode offers a grounded look at how sound can calm the nervous system and open new doors to personal transformation.

Connect with Caira Lavelle Clack:
Instagram: caira_soundtherapy

If you have a question for the podcast or are interested in working with Matt, you can reach out at:
 • Email: [email protected]
 • Website: www.wellnesseducationdubai.com
• Instagram: @wellness_education_dubai
• Facebook: @mattmarneyfitness
• LinkedIn: Matt Marney (Wellness Education Dubai)

In this episode, Matt speaks with Gemma McFall, a chronic pain specialist who combines lived experience with deep scientific understanding. After facing years of persistent pain and coming close to unnecessary surgery, Gemma discovered a new approach that transformed her life — and now helps others do the same.

Together, they cover:
 • Gemma’s personal journey with chronic pain — and how she nearly went under the knife.
 • The book that changed everything.
 • The science behind pain — and why it’s more complex than you think.
 • What pain reprocessing is and how to begin your own healing journey.

Whether you're living with chronic pain or supporting someone who is, this episode offers insight, hope, and practical strategies to shift your relationship with pain.

Want to contact Gemma? Details below:

Website https://gemmamcfall.com/

Free assessment - https://gemmamcfall.com/free/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemmamcfall/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/gemmamcfall

If you have a question for the podcast or are interested in working with Matt, you can reach out at:
 • Email: [email protected]
 • Website: www.wellnesseducationdubai.com
• Instagram: @wellness_education_dubai
• Facebook: @mattmarneyfitness
• LinkedIn: Matt Marney (Wellness Education Dubai)

In this episode, Matt speaks with Mary Gilmer, a recovery coach who has been sober for over 30 years and now works globally helping individuals navigate addiction and mental health challenges.
 They explore their personal journeys into sobriety, reflecting on the early days of recovery and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Together, they cover:
 • Why they stopped drinking — and what those early days looked like.
 • The difference between sobriety and emotional sobriety.
 • How nervous system regulation supports long-term recovery.
 • The role of movement, nutrition, and sleep in holistic wellbeing.
 • Simple techniques to support mental and emotional health through recovery.

If you're considering getting sober — or you're already sober but want to deepen your emotional wellbeing — this episode is for you.

Want to contact Mary? Details below:
 www.silverbellglobal.com

Instagram @micro_coaching_myself 

If you have a question for the podcast or are interested in working with Matt, you can reach out at:
 • Email: [email protected]
 • Website: www.wellnesseducationdubai.com
• Instagram: @wellness_education_dubai
• Facebook: @mattmarneyfitness
• LinkedIn: Matt Marney (Wellness Education Dubai)

In this episode, Matt speaks with Christine Warwicker, a psychotherapist with over twenty years of experience working with individuals, couples, and groups.

They discuss Christine’s personal journey with relationships and explore the insights from her new book on how to build healthier, more fulfilling connections.

Together, they cover:

• Christine’s motivation for writing the book.
• Common challenges people face in relationships.
• How our early life experiences shape the way we relate to others — a concept Christine calls blueprints.
• What blueprints are and how they influence relationship patterns.
• How to recognize your own blueprint — and what it takes to change it by doing the work on yourself.

Want to contact Christine or order the book, details below:

Website – christinewarwickercounselling.co.uk

Email – [email protected] 

Book - https://amzn.eu/d/8MvOcMP

If you have a question for the podcast or are interested in working with Matt, you can reach out at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.wellnesseducationdubai.com
• Instagram: @wellness_education_dubai
• Facebook: @mattmarneyfitness
• LinkedIn: Matt Marney (Wellness Education Dubai)

A conversation with a new client sparked this episode.

They said:

“We hire great people—strong CVs, solid interviews—but once they’re in the job, they don’t contribute, they don’t collaborate, and they definitely don’t go the extra mile.”

I asked, “What if it’s not a skills issue—but an engagement issue?”

They laughed and said,

“Matt, we’re not interested in that woke DEI stuff.”

That moment told me everything.

In this solo episode, I unpack what employee engagement really means—beyond buzzwords, perks, or personality—and explain why it’s one of the most misunderstood (but most critical) drivers of performance and wellbeing.

This episode is the conversation I wish more leaders were ready to have.

 In this episode, I explore:

• What engagement is (and what it isn’t)
   → Using sports analogies to explain why some teams overperform—despite having less talent.
• The business case for engagement
   → Stats on productivity, absenteeism, turnover, and profitability.
• Why measuring engagement matters
   → Including tools like eNPS, pulse surveys, and why anonymity is key.
• The 4 practices of high-engagement managers
   → Clear expectations
   → Strong relationships
   → Regular recognition
   → Accountability & autonomy
• The neuroscience of engagement
   → Why approach-mode brains (dopamine-driven) outperform threat-mode brains (cortisol-driven)—and how leaders influence this switch.
• Other levers to pull
   → The value of right to disconnect policies, reducing distractions, and offering wellness initiatives like yoga or gym memberships—not just to reduce stress, but to send a signal:
   “We hear you. We care how the work gets done.”

Who this episode is for:

• Leaders trying to unlock more from their teams
• HR professionals rethinking engagement and wellbeing
• Anyone tired of ‘tick-the-box’ perks and ready for real cultural change

Final thought:

Engagement isn’t about trying harder—it’s about working smarter by creating the right conditions.
 When people feel seen, supported, and trusted—they step up.
 And that starts with leadership.

If you have a question for the podcast or are interested in working with Matt, you can reach out at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.wellnesseducationdubai.com
• Instagram: @wellness_education_dubai
• Facebook: @mattmarneyfitness
• LinkedIn: Matt Marney (Wellness Education Dubai)

In this episode, I sit down with award-winning female trainer, health & wellness coach Lauren Holly for a deep and honest conversation about the fitness and diet struggles many women face. Since her last appearance on the podcast four years ago, Lauren has transitioned entirely to online coaching, building a thriving community of women at all fitness levels.

We kick off by catching up on what Lauren has been up to since 2021, before diving into some of the most pressing issues in women's fitness today:
✅ The problem with extreme low-calorie diets – why they’re still so common and how they lead to bingeing
✅ Food anxiety and daily weigh-ins – should you be tracking your weight, or is it doing more harm than good?
✅ Binge eating struggles – both Lauren and I share our personal experiences and how we overcame them
✅ The mindset shift needed for long-term success – why goal setting needs to go beyond just weight loss
✅ Gym anxiety and how to overcome it – strategies to build confidence, whether you're a beginner or advanced lifter
✅ Lauren’s online coaching community – how she supports women of all fitness levels through exercise videos, monthly check-ins, and education

Whether you're struggling with food guilt, binge eating, or feeling out of place in the gym, this conversation will give you practical tools to change your mindset and take control of your health

Want to contact Donna. Details below:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/laurenholly_fit

Book a 15 min call with Lauren - https://calendly.com/laurenhollyfit/15-min

If you have a question for the podcast or are interested in working with Matt, you can reach out at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.wellnesseducationdubai.com
• Instagram: @wellness_education_dubai
• Facebook: @mattmarneyfitness
• LinkedIn: Matt Marney (Wellness Education Dubai)

We hear a lot about psychological safety in the workplace—how leaders need to create environments where people feel safe to speak up, challenge ideas, and innovate. But is that entirely a leadership responsibility, or do employees have their own role to play?

In this episode, I sit down with Greg Riley, a leadership coach, to break down what true psychological safety looks like in organizations. Greg shares why only 10% of people are natural leaders, but most can be trained to develop empathy, active listening, and compassionate leadership—if they are willing to do the work.

But there’s a missing piece in most workplace wellbeing discussions: Personal responsibility. Greg argues that no matter how psychologically safe a workplace is, if people are sleep-deprived, stressed, undernourished, and inactive, they will still struggle to communicate, regulate emotions, and feel engaged.

 In this episode, we explore:

·       What psychological safety really is (and what it isn’t)

·       Why most leaders aren’t naturally great at it—but can be trained

·       How to build a culture of safety & trust in the workplace

·       The limits of leadership responsibility—why employees must own their own wellbeing

·       The four pillars of personal wellbeing that support psychological safety

·       Practical strategies for leaders & teams to create a resilient workplace

Who is this for?
 Leaders & managers looking to improve team trust and engagement
 HR professionals designing wellbeing programs that actually work
 Employees who want to understand their role in a psychologically safe culture
 Anyone interested in high-performance leadership & team dynamics

Final Thought:
 Psychological safety starts with leadership, but it can’t stop there. If employees don’t take care of their own wellbeing, even the best workplace culture won’t prevent burnout, miscommunication, or disengagement.”

Want to work with Greg. Links below

Website - http://www.gregriley.com.au/

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-riley-518b2417?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

If you have a question for the podcast or are interested in working with Matt, you can reach out at:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.wellnesseducationdubai.com
• Instagram: @wellness_education_dubai
• Facebook: @mattmarneyfitness
• LinkedIn: Matt Marney (Wellness Education Dubai)