Sleep On

Performance scientist Dr Peter Tierney joins Dr Sophie Bostock to explore what elite sport can teach us about sleep, recovery, and sustainable performance. Having worked across professional rugby, football and wearable technology innovation, Peter brings a rare perspective on how recovery habits translate from elite athletes to everyday life.

In this episode, Peter shares what separates the highest performers from the rest, how attitudes toward sleep have evolved in elite sport, and why recovery should be viewed as a system rather than a quick fix. Together, they unpack the role of wearable technology, the impact of late-night training and travel on sleep, and the practical habits that can help anyone improve recovery in an always-on world.

Blending science, coaching and real-world experience, Peter offers evidence-based insights and practical strategies for building healthier, more sustainable sleep and recovery habits,  whether you’re training for a marathon, or simply trying to perform better in daily life.

You can find out more about The Sleep Charity's work on www.thesleepcharity.com

Produced by Naava Abigail Busenze

A Granny Eats Wolf Production

Record-breaking adventurer, explorer and keynote speaker Darren Edwards joins Dr. Sophie Bostock to uncover an often overlooked part of the journey: sleep. After a climbing accident left him paralysed from the chest down, Darren transformed adversity into a platform for pioneering expeditions, leadership and resilience. 

In this episode, Darren discusses how major physical trauma, intense rehabilitation, and life-on-the-edge challenges have shaped his relationship with rest. He reveals how recovery, expedition planning, mental strength and discipline all intersect with sleep, from hospital nights to sleep-deprived gear shifts in extreme environments and back to everyday rest at home.

He shares raw reflections and practical strategies for how to reclaim rest when your body and mind refuse to switch off, how sleep becomes a vital tool in rebuilding a life, and how resilience isn’t just about doing more, it’s about recovering better.

Find out more about Darren and his work at: https://darren-edwards.com 

Sleep On Series 4 is brought to you by the Sleep Charity and sponsored by Nytol.

Dr Naomi Potter, founder and clinical lead of Menopause Care Ltd and British Menopause Society–accredited menopause specialist, joins Dr Sophie Bostock to unpack how menopause, hormonal shifts, and sleep are deeply intertwined. 

With 16 years as an NHS GP before specialising entirely in menopause care, Naomi brings both clinical rigour and real-life empathy to the conversation. She is the co-author of Menopausing, a Sunday Times No.1 bestseller, and is widely known for her ability to translate complex medical science into practical, evidence-based advice for women at all stages of midlife.

In this episode, Naomi explores how fluctuating hormones during perimenopause and menopause can disrupt sleep, and shares lifestyle and behavioural strategies to help protect rest through midlife transitions.

Find out more about Dr Naomi Potter and her work at Menopause Care here: https://www.menopausecare.co.uk/ 

Sleep On Series 4 is brought to you by The Sleep Charity and sponsored by Issviva Menopause.

Mercury Prize–nominated musician, DJ, producer, and bandleader Emma-Jean Thackray joins Dr. Sophie Bostock to explore sleep from the perspective of a life lived on the road, under stage lights, and in constant creation through a neurodivergent lens.

As one of the UK’s most exciting experimental artists, blending jazz, electronica, and club culture, Emma-Jean brings a distinctive perspective on how sleep affects emotional regulation, creativity, and mental health. Years of touring, navigating time-zone shifts, post-show adrenaline crashes, and late-night bursts of inspiration have given her firsthand insight into how rest and recovery shape both wellbeing and artistic output.

In this episode, she reflects on how her career, ADHD, autism, and OCD influence her nights, sharing candid experiences and practical strategies for finding rest in a high-energy, creative life. We even have a sneak peak into her Mercury award nominated album ‘Weirdo’.

Find out more about Emma-Jean and her work at: https://www.emmajeanthackray.com

Sleep On Series 4 is brought to you by the Sleep Charity and sponsored by Nytol.

Dr. Aditi Desai, President of the British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine, joins Dr. Sophie Bostock to demystify what sleep apnoea really is — especially the role dentists can play in diagnosing and treating it. 

Dr. Desai is an experienced dental surgeon who specialises in dental sleep medicine, treating sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), snoring, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and sleep bruxism. She leads Global Sleep Solutions, works with a multidisciplinary medical team in London (including at London Bridge Hospital, The Shard, Royal Brompton & Harefield, and Wimpole Street), and lectures nationally and internationally on dental sleep medicine.

In this episode, she breaks down what sleep apnoea is, how it can disrupt your sleep, and why it matters for your overall health and wellbeing.

Find out more about Dr. Aditi Desai and her work at: https://aditidesai.co.uk

Sleep On Series 4 is brought to you by The Sleep Charity and sponsored by Nytol.

London’s own “Gong Girl,” Athena Ko, joins Dr. Sophie Bostock to share how sound meditation can open pathways to deep rest and mental calm. Together they will explore how gong baths and sound healing can support sleep, soothe an overactive mind, and anchor us in presence.

Athena is one of London’s leading gong masters and meditation teachers. As founder of The Gong Girl, she specialises in guiding people, especially those under high stress, into clarity, calm and restoration through sound and meditation. With past work teaching meditation in psychiatric wards and a background bridging both the corporate and spiritual worlds, Athena brings a rare blend of groundedness and depth.

In this episode, Athena will teach you how to “listen yourself to sleep” and take you on a short guided sonic meditation using gong and vibration to help you drift into rest.

Find out more about Athena and her gong work via Instagram:

Sleep On Series 4 is brought to you by The Sleep Charity and sponsored by Nytol.

Human performance scientist Dr. James Hewitt joins Dr. Sophie Bostock to dig into how the principles of regenerative performance can transform the way we recover, and sleep. Together they explore how training harder, working smarter, and recovering better all intersect, and why quality sleep is central to every high-performer’s toolkit.

James started his journey as a full-time racing cyclist, holds a PhD in Performance Science and has spent over two decades combining research, elite sport and business to understand how people can achieve more without burning out. He’s worked across sectors, from corporations to athletic teams, and spoken to audiences around the world on sustainable performance and wellbeing. 

In this episode, he’ll walk you through practical, science-backed strategies to build recovery habits that enhance sleep, not sabotage it.

Find out more about James and his work at: https://drjameshewitt.com 

Sleep On Series 4 is brought to you by the Sleep Charity and sponsored by Nytol.

Sleep On is back from 16th October with a brand new series hosted by Dr. Sophie Bostock, your sleep scientist and guide to unlocking the power of sleep for better health, happiness, and performance.

Sleep On Series 4 is brought to you by the Sleep Charity

This series explores the science and stories behind great sleep — what works, what doesn’t, and how to build lasting habits for deeper rest. Guests include a human performance scientist and former athlete on training and recovery, a gong master leading sound meditation and breathwork, a biohacker exploring new ways to optimise rest, and a menopause specialist on how hormones affect sleep. Each episode offers practical tips and inspiration to help you unwind and wake up refreshed.

Overlook majestic mountains as the wind gently flows through your hair with this immersive sleep soundscape. A soothing blend of white noise and soft, rhythmic synths harmonises with the natural sound of the breeze, creating a peaceful, immersive atmosphere. The wind's gentle whispers calm your mind, while the subtle synths weave through the air, guiding you into a restful place. Close your eyes, feel the cool mountain air, and let this soundscape carry you to a place of relaxation.