Episode Synopsis

In this thought-provoking conversation, Cass is joined by Clinical Psychologist Sky Maree Steele to explore the hidden mental patterns that keep so many of us stuck—especially in midlife. Together, they unpack the power of negative core beliefs, why we fall into people-pleasing and living to others’ expectations, and how overthinking and rumination can erode our self-worth and wellbeing.

Sky shares her professional insights into how these patterns are formed, how they show up in everyday life—from relationships to work to self-identity—and why midlife is often the turning point when people start questioning them. You’ll also hear about evidence-based strategies, including CBT and mindfulness, plus Sky’s practical tools for interrupting cycles of worry and self-doubt.

Whether you’ve struggled with perfectionism, found yourself replaying the past on repeat, or realised you’ve been living by someone else’s rules, this episode will give you both understanding and actionable steps to start letting go and moving forward.

Sky shares her own reflections on how she “minds her being” and the practices she leans on to support her whole health.

We close with Cass sharing her personal experience with negative core beliefs and how she was able to understand and overcome them in midlife.

✨ A rich, empowering episode for anyone ready to stop overthinking, reclaim their values, and create healthier boundaries.

Professional Biography

Business owner,  Clinical Psychologist and Board Approved Supervisor 

Sky Steele is a clinical psychologist, ADHD-er, mentor, and mum of four, passionate about helping women — especially people-pleasers, ADHDers, and health professionals — build confidence, embrace their uniqueness, and do life and business their way. 

She’s the founder of Uniquely You Psychology in Albion Park, NSW, Australia and will soon be opening a monthly outreach clinic in Bermagui on the Far South Coast of NSW. 

Sky also runs workshops and provides mentoring for women ready to ditch the rules, raise their standards, and finally back themselves. 

Links:

Instagram  @skymareesteele

Instagram  @uniquelyyoupsychology

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mindyourbeingpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

Episode Synopsis:

Think bones are just dry, lifeless structures holding us up? Think again. 

In this powerful conversation, Cass is joined by researcher Dr Tracey Clissold to unpack everything you need to know about building and maintaining strong bones across the lifespan. 

Also surprising? Your bones and immune system are in constant conversation. Dr Clissold explains the fascinating connection between skeletal health and immune function—and why inflammation can be a key player in bone loss.

We also break down:
 ✨ How strong bones are built — including the development and change from childhood through to late life
 ✨ The critical window before age 30 to maximise peak bone mass
✨ Why nutrition counts — think calcium, vitamin D, protein + more
✨ What causes bone loss as we age — and how to prevent it
✨ Why genetics account for around 50% of bone health — and why the rest is up to you
✨ The best types of exercise to stimulate bone strength (spoiler: not all movement counts)
✨ How Dr Clissold’s research and the Osteo-Gains app are helping more people take proactive control of their bone health, especially in midlife and beyond

Whether you're raising strong kids, navigating midlife, or aiming to stay active and independent into older age, this conversation will empower you with evidence-based strategies to help you build—and keep—better bones for life.

Professional Biography

Tracey has over 30 years of academic experience as a lecturer and researcher in Exercise Science and Sports Nutrition. She is currently a lecturer at Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology in the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand and is a nutrition consultant for national and international athletes and coaches. 

Tracey and the OSTEO-GAINS team have created a Women’s Bone Health Phone App which is receiving incredible attention in NZ and worldwide. 

Tracey is the mother to two children and has previously represented New Zealand in distance running, winning several national and international marathon titles, including winning the Auckland Marathon four times.

Links:

https://osteo-gains.com/

https://www.instagram.com/osteogains/

https://osteo-gains.com/faqs

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/osteo-gains/id6736353653

https://play.google.com/store/search?q=osteo+gains&c=apps&hl=en

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mindyourbeingpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

In this second episode with Dr Justin Keogh, Associate Professor of Exercise Science at Bond University, we shift focus to practical strategies for strength maintenance and healthy ageing.

We unpack what resistance training really means and how much you actually need each week to maintain or improve strength as you age. 

Dr Keogh introduces the accessible idea of “exercise snacking”—short bursts of movement that can be easily integrated into your daily routine.

We also explore the importance of adequate protein intake to support muscle health, and how good physical function plays a vital role in maintaining independence and quality of life.

Dr Keogh shares key takeaways from the Positive Ageing Summit, highlighting how strength, movement, and simple habits can help us feel empowered, purposeful, and vibrant at every stage of life.

Professional Biography

Associate Professor Justin Keogh is currently the Associate Dean of Research for the Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, while still convening Motor Control and Learning as well as Health Research Methods subjects.  He is an Accredited Sport Scientist with ESSA (ASpSc2) and an accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach with ASCA (Level II - Professional). His research achievements in the area of geriatric exercise prescription and sports biomechanics/strength and conditioning have been acknowledged by three Fellowships i.e. Australian Association of Gerontology, International Society of Biomechanics in Sport as well as Exercise and Sports Science Australia. 

He currently supervises 5 PhD students, across a variety of sport science areas, with these projects involving athletes from swimming, field hockey, women’s Australian football, rugby league and super Sprint triathlon. He is currently on the editorial board for a number of journals including Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Journal of Sport Science and Medicine and PeerJ. 

In his spare time, Justin enjoys spending time with his family, practising Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, going to the gym, playing poker, reading science fiction and thriller books and enjoying craft beers and spirits.

Links:

Bond University 

https://research.bond.edu.au/en/persons/justin-keogh

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-keogh-65908632/

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Justin_Keogh

@DrStrength4Life    

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mindyourbeingpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

Episode Synopsis:

In this episode of Mind Your Being, I’m joined by Dr Justin Keogh, Associate Professor of Exercise Science at Bond University, to explore the vital role of exercise in our health and wellbeing—particularly as we age.

We take a deep dive into sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass that can begin earlier than many of us realise, and discuss how this process affects strength, mobility, and independence.

Dr Keogh explains why maintaining muscle strength isn’t just important for fitness—it’s a key strategy for preventing falls, improving balance, and protecting long-term quality of life.

Whether you're starting to notice changes in your strength or simply want to stay steady and strong, this episode offers powerful insights into how building muscle now supports freedom and confidence in the years ahead.

Professional biography

Justin Keogh, PhD, ESSAF, FAAG, FISBS

Head of Program, Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science

Associate Professor Justin Keogh is currently the Associate Dean of Research for the Faculty of Health Science and Medicine, while still convening Motor Control and Learning as well as Health Research Methods subjects.  He is an Accredited Sport Scientist with ESSA (ASpSc2) and an accredited Strength and Conditioning Coach with ASCA (Level II - Professional). His research achievements in the area of geriatric exercise prescription and sports biomechanics/strength and conditioning have been acknowledged by three Fellowships i.e. Australian Association of Gerontology, International Society of Biomechanics in Sport as well as Exercise and Sports Science Australia. 

He currently supervises 5 PhD students, across a variety of sport science areas, with these projects involving athletes from swimming, field hockey, women’s Australian football, rugby league and super Sprint triathlon. He is currently on the editorial board for a number of journals including Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, Journal of Sport Science and Medicine and PeerJ. 

In his spare time, Justin enjoys spending time with his family, practising Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, going to the gym, playing poker, reading science fiction and thriller books and enjoying craft beers and spirits.

Links: 

Bond University | Gold Coast, Queensland, 4229, Australia

https://research.bond.edu.au/en/persons/justin-keogh

https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-keogh-65908632/

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Justin_Keogh

@DrStrength4Life    

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mindyourbeingpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

Episode Synopsis: 

In this empowering and informative episode of Mind Your Being, Cass is joined by Dr Lisa Cochrane, a GP at  WellFemme, to open up an essential conversation about perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause. Together, they unpack what every woman deserves to understand about this life stage—from the earliest signs of hormonal changes to the long-term health impacts and opportunities for support.

Dr Cochrane shares her expert insights on the wide-ranging symptoms of menopause, how they can affect your physical and mental wellbeing, and why it’s so important to talk openly about them. They explore the vital, often overlooked, protective role of estrogen in the body and highlight the science-backed benefits of HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy)—clearing up common misconceptions and helping women feel more confident in discussing treatment options with their healthcare providers.

You’ll also hear about the mission behind WellFemme, a telehealth service designed specifically to support women navigating midlife hormonal changes, wherever they live in Australia. This episode is a compassionate reminder that you don’t need to suffer in silence—help is available, and you’re not alone.

Whether you're experiencing symptoms yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode is a must-listen for understanding menopause and reclaiming your wellbeing with knowledge and confidence.

Wellfemme Website: WellFemme | Online Menopause Treatment & Doctor Australia 

Instagram 

 Facebook 

Dr Lisa Cochrane's Practice: Vitality Lifestyle Medicine

https://www.facebook.com/vitalitylifestylemedicine

https://www.instagram.com/vitality.lifestyle.medicine/

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mindyourbeingpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

Episode Synopsis:

In this insightful episode of Mind Your Being, we’re joined by world-renowned psychiatrist and women’s mental health advocate, Professor Jayashri Kulkarni. Together, we delve into the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social influences on women's mental health across the lifespan, with a particular focus on midlife.

Professor Kulkarni explains the unique mental health challenges faced by women during midlife where hormones fluctuate significantly during perimenopause, before dropping dramatically with menopause, and how these factors shape conditions like depression, anxiety, and mood disorders.

We discuss how shifts in hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can significantly impact mood and cognition, and explore why midlife is a particularly vulnerable time for many women. Professor Kulkarni shares her insights on both conventional and emerging treatments to address women’s mental health concerns in midlife, including the role of hormonal therapies. 

We also explore her groundbreaking work at the HER Centre Australia and the Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, where she’s pioneering research that aims to transform mental health outcomes for women.

Whether you're navigating midlife, supporting others, or simply curious about the intersection of hormones and mental wellbeing, this conversation offers clarity, validation, and hope—grounded in science and compassion.

Biography

Professor Jayashri KULKARNI AM graduated from Monash University with a medical degree in 1976. She has a distinguished career in Psychiatry and founded plus directs two large psychiatric research groups, the Multidisciplinary Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre (MAPrc) and Monash University’s HER Centre Australia. 

Links for Professor Jayashri Kulkarni:

Twitter: https://x.com/her_centre

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

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

MAPrc Department Website:    https://www.monash.edu/medicine/ccs/psychiatry/research

HER Centre Australia Website:

https://www.monash.edu/medicine/her-centre

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mindyourbeingpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.

Hi, I'm Cass, the creator and host of the Mind Your Being Podcast.

Welcome to Mind Your Being - in this short intro I introduce myself and explain that I’ve always been passionate about health and wellbeing, and this podcast is my way of bringing that curiosity to life — a space where I get to share my love of learning and have real conversations with people who inspire me. 

Each episode, you’ll hear from leading health and wellness experts,
or everyday people who share powerful insights and lived experience.
And sometimes, it’ll just be me —
sharing thoughts, tools, and reflections from my own journey. 

Together, we explore what it really means
 to care for our whole being — our physical, mental and emotional health 

This podcast is about raising awareness
and making evidence-based information and practical tools
accessible and relatable.

More than anything, I want you to feel supported, encouraged, and empowered
to make informed health choices that feel right for you.

Mind Your Being is for everyone – especially those in midlife and beyond – who are facing the ups and downs of life and looking not just to survive, but to truly thrive as we grow older.

https://mindyourbeing.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/mindyourbeingpodcast/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574785410170#

https://x.com/mind_yourbeing

https://www.youtube.com/@MindYourBeingPodcast

Thanks so much for listening,

Cass x

Disclaimer:

The information provided on the Mind Your Being Podcast is for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. The content shared on this podcast is not a substitute for professional medical, psychological, or nutritional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition.

Reliance on any information provided by the Mind Your Being Podcast, its hosts, guests, or others appearing on the podcast is solely at your own risk. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast creators or hosts.