Real Health and Weight Loss Podcast

Did you know your gut and brain are in constant conversation -  and what they say to each other could be driving your cravings, low mood, and brain fog? In this episode, Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy Burns break down the gut-brain axis in plain English: what it is, why it matters, and how poor food choices, chronic stress, and lack of sleep can throw it off balance. Learn how certain gut bacteria send signals that make you crave sugar - and how to starve them out. Plus, discover simple, science-backed ways to calm your nervous system, reduce cravings, lift your mood, and even support your immune system. If stress or food cravings sometimes feel out of control, this episode is for you. 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/the-gut-the-brain-and-emotional-eating 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wondered what "fibre maxing" actually means — and whether it's helping or harming your gut? In this episode, Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy Burns cut through the 2026 social media hype to give you the real science on gut health. You'll learn why not all fibre is equal, how the processed food industry is health-washing its products, and what's actually damaging your gut lining without you knowing. Plus, you'll walk away with simple, practical steps you can take from your very next shopping trip to start building a healthier, happier gut.

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript https://www.rlmedicine.com/how-to-improve-your-gut-health 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Having personally seen how changing food transformed her depressed husband’s and anxious daughter’s lives, speaker, researcher and author Belinda Smith is on a mission to show that nutrition sits at the heart of our physical and mental health. In this episode, Dr Lucy Burns talks with Bel, one of Australia’s leading independent voices for children’s health, author of The Lunchbox Effect and founder of The Root Cause. You’ll hear how our kids’ lunchboxes became a snacking trap, how ultra-processed foods affect mood, learning and behaviour, and the simple changes that can protect your child’s mental health without making food a battleground.

The Root Cause
Website: therootcause.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRootCauseAU/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therootcauseau/

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/

Episode, show notes & transcript 
https://www.rlmedicine.com/what-should-i-feed-my-kids-with-belinda-smith 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you worried that holidays will ruin your health progress? In this episode, Dr Mary shares her real-life experience of travelling to Japan with kids and how she stayed on track without being perfect. You'll learn how to enjoy holidays without the "all or nothing" mindset that leads to weight gain and regret. Discover practical tips for handling plane food, navigating buffet breakfasts, and making smart choices in unfamiliar food environments. Dr Mary and Dr Lucy bust the myth that you need to choose between having fun on holidays or maintaining your metabolic health. You'll find out how to use a flexible framework that works anywhere in the world, so you can come home without needing a reset or feeling guilty. This episode will help you enjoy your next holiday whilst protecting your health goals.

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/

Episode, show notes & transcript 
https://www.rlmedicine.com/stay-healthy-on-holidays-without-missing-out 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At 70, Maria thought weight gain, joint pain and exhaustion were just “old age” – until her cardiologist referred her to Real Life Medicine and she discovered powerful hormonal drivers like insulin and leptin resistance were behind her constant hunger and weight struggles, not a lack of willpower. In this episode, you’ll hear how a simple “metabolic reset”, by changing what she ate combined with practical mindset tools helped her lose weight and improve her metabolic hormones. This resulted in switching off the constant food noise, calm her IBS and inflammation, and gain the energy to run around with her grandchildren again. If you feel stuck, scared of “giving up carbs”, or worried it’s too late to change, Maria’s story shows how small doable steps, powerful education and the right support can transform your health and your future at any age.​ 

Start where you are. Take the next small step.
 My Metabolic Action Plan (MyMAP) begins February 14, and doors are closing soon. 👉 Save your spot today 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript 
https://www.rlmedicine.com/its-never-too-late-to-get-healthy 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I know what to do, I just don’t do it.” If that sounds like you, this episode is for you. Dr Mary and Dr Lucy unpack the “knowing–doing gap” in simple, practical language, so you can finally understand why you get stuck and stop calling yourself lazy or weak. You will learn why your brain clings to old habits, why pushing yourself with “a good kick up the pants” backfires, and what actually works instead. Tune in to pick up easy tools to lower overwhelm, work with your brain, and start doing the healthy things you already know you should be doing, in real life, for the long term.

Our My Metabolic Action Plan (MyMAP) is your chance to finally turn knowing into doing. It's time to build real health and lasting weight loss. Program starts February 14 — enrol now before the bonuses disappear in 2 days! 👉 www.rlmedicine.com/map

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/the-knowing-doing-gap 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Can I ever eat sugar again?” Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy Burns unpack sugar and processed food addiction in a simple, hopeful way, so you can finally understand why you feel out of control around certain foods and what to do about it. You will learn Dr Lucy’s “three bucket” model of addiction, how food companies design products to hijack your brain, and why short “detox” breaks from ultra-processed food can calm cravings without focusing on dieting or willpower. Dr Mary shares practical “hot tools” for in-the-moment cravings and “cool tools” to build long-term emotional resilience, helping you move from feeling obsessed with sugar to feeling calm and in charge, while still leaving room for flexibility in the future. 

If you want real health and long lasting weight loss, you can start right now My Metabolic Action Plan is now available. 
👉 www.rlmedicine.com/map

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript 
https://www.rlmedicine.com/can-i-ever-eat-sugar-again 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Mary and Dr Lucy lift the lid on your brain and reveal why you keep doing the things you don’t want to do, like eating when stressed, lonely, angry or bored. You’ll learn the two main jobs your brain has, why it clings to safety and quick rewards, and how this secretly sabotages your metabolic health and weight loss. They share simple tools like the SLAB acronym and tiny doable steps, plus powerful mindset strategies used in therapy, so you can soothe emotions without food and finally make changes that last. If you “know what to do” but still don’t do it, this episode will help you work with your beautiful brain, not against it. 

We’re excited to share that a brand-new program is launching in February 2026.  It’s your complete MAP to metabolic health — and you can join the waitlist now. 

➡️ www.rlmedicine.com/map 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/our-brain-has-2-jobs 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it hard to change your mind, even when you know something isn’t working for your health? In this episode, Dr Mary and Dr Lucy share why changing your mind is not a weakness but a powerful skill that can transform your weight, your metabolic health, and your life. Hear how science itself changes over time, why low carb went from “fringe” to guideline-backed, and what they now think about sweeteners as the evidence evolves. You will learn simple mindset tools to let go of old rules, reduce guilt, and make calm, confident choices that actually move you towards the life and body you want. 

Ready for your next step? Learn more about our Metabolic Action Plan here →  www.rlmedicine.com/map 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/its-okay-to-change-your-mind 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Insulin resistance is common, serious and often missed  and in this episode Dr Mary Barson and Dr Lucy Burns break it down in plain language so you can actually do something about it. You’ll learn what insulin resistance really is, why “normal” blood sugars can still mean trouble, the everyday signs your body is giving you, and the six simple Ss that help you lower insulin, reduce hunger and protect your long-term health. This is a clear, science-backed roadmap you can start using today, without extreme diets or complicated plans.

Learn more and take your next step with our Metabolic Action Plan here → www.rlmedicine.com/map 

For more information about Real Life Medicine and our programs and special offers: https://www.rlmedicine.com/ 

Episode, show notes & transcript
https://www.rlmedicine.com/insulin-resistance-weight-loss-long-term-health 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.