When Neil McDonald began his trek on Mount Everest in 2012, he was enthusiastic about the ascent and focused on raising a huge chunk of money for a diabetes charity.

But the Scotsman had no clue about the drama that lay ahead as he made his way up the world’s tallest mountain.

At around 8,000m in the skies, Neil came across a man who was trapped in his ropes and barely surviving.

What would he do? If he left the man, he’d most likely be dead within a few hours.

If he tried to rescue him so high up the mountain, there was a high likelihood they’d both end up dead.

And then there were the frozen corpses scattered around Everest…

None of the guides had warned Neil about the bodies of the climbers who had perished on Everest. The Scottish climber wasn’t mentally prepared for stumbling across so many of them.

‘When did they die?’

‘Could I end up in the same trouble as them?’

Just some of the questions that raced through his mind in the trek that pushed the Scotsman to the edge physically, mentally and emotionally.

 Most people hate their 9-5 job. Simple as that.

 A global poll conducted by Gallup proved it, with just 15% of people saying they were engaged at work.

 Surely we can do better than that? Surely we can make things happen in this digital age where we can actually do work that lights us up?

Elatia Abate thinks so. She’s an entrepreneur, an expert on the future of work, and helps people design a new model for their careers.  

 The Florida woman is also founder of ‘The Future of Now’…a business dedicated to helping people and companies all over the world thrive in these times of disruption in our careers.

 More importantly, Elatia has just launched a book titled, ‘How To Build A Career You Love For Career Switchers’ with practical steps helping people to change vocation. And that’s one of the main reasons we invited Elatia on the Self-Optimized podcast…to share this golden advice and inspire people stuck in jobs they hate.

 LINKS/RESOURCES

 * You can order Elatia’s book here: https://bit.ly/3UkOPTe

* To check out her website, visit: https://elatiaabate.com/

* Follow her on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/elatiaabate

Thinking about starting a family soon?

Want to do everything you can to protect the health of your baby?

Then this episode is for you. Our guest is Dr Mary Shackelton, a naturopathic doctor and founder of Holistica Integrative Care in the US. She’s been practicing naturopathic medicine for 25 years with an emphasis on women’s health.

Her current focus is on environmental medicine and recovering from the many health conditions associated with toxic exposures today…including autoimmune diseases, infertility, chronic fatigue, neurological conditions…the list goes on.

Dr Shackelton recently wrote a book, titled ‘The Preconception Cleanse’, for women to read before conception to give them the best chances of having a healthy baby, and reducing the risk of conditions such as autism, and avoiding any fertility issues, miscarriages etc.

 In this episode, Dr Shackelton talks about:

 * Why  chemicals and environmental toxins in our food, household products, and products we put on our skin are contributing to our sickness these days.

 * The research which shows that this toxic load is being passed onto babies in the womb.

 * The link between these exposures and all sorts of conditions including ADHD and learning difficulties.

HEALTH DISCLAIMER
The content shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only. We do not diagnose, treat, or cure any disease, or make any medical claims. We do not dissuade anyone from seeking medical attention for their condition. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from medical professionals.

This week's guest is Graham Jack, who is a trained psilocybin (magic) mushrooms facilitator in Portugal.

He guides and supports people in magic mushroom therapy sessions as they go on a deep inner journey, exploring their own psyche, and overcoming all sorts of issues from anxiety and depression to panic attacks and insomnia. 

Graham has guided people through more than 300 sessions and also works hand in hand with a psychologist.

The world is slowly waking up to the immense power of this natural medicine when used responsibly, and there are now countless studies demonstrating the remarkable healing effects that magic mushrooms have on the brain.

In this interview with Graham, you’ll hear:

* His personal story about a battle with depression for over 20 years, and how nature provided the relief that mainstream medicine couldn’t.

* How Graham’s Sanctum Retreat operates and why he believes these sessions can help people unlock their true potential.

* What each psilocybin mushrooms therapy session involves. 

* Incredible results he’s witnessed – and you’ll also hear feedback from people whose lives have changed dramatically after these experiences.

LINKS/RESOURCES

To learn more about psilocybin mushrooms therapy at Graham's Sanctum Retreat, visit: www.sanctumportugal.com

Books on the topic recommended by Graham:
 * How To Change Your Mind - by Michael Pollan. Available on Amazon by  clicking here.

* Decomposing The Shadow - by James Jesso. Available on Amazon by  clicking here.

HEALTH DISCLAIMER
The content shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only. We do not diagnose, treat, or cure any disease, or make any medical claims. We do not dissuade anyone from seeking medical attention for their condition. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from medical professionals.

Holistic health coach Heidi Sorensen has been on an incredible healing journey that could easily be made into a movie.
 
 Which is a little ironic as the Canadian woman, who is an expert in holistic breast health, is a former Hollywood actress.

Heidi also had a successful career as a model and is an ex-Playboy centerfold.
 
 Back in the 80s, Heidi was diagnosed with breast cancer…literally months after giving birth to her daughter.
 
 Not convinced by conventional treatments for her type of breast cancer, Heidi went down the alternative health route.
 
 That was 25 years ago.

Today she’s a certified counsellor and health mentor for women with breast cancer, a public speaker on health and healing, and has recently published a book on conquering breast cancer called The Booby Trap.

In this episode Heidi talks about:

* How a doctor told her she would die if she didn’t follow his cancer treatment advice.

* Why trusting her intuition led to finding the perfect medical doctor for her case.

* Why the words you use and thoughts you think have immense power in overcoming disease.

* How nutritional changes…and surprisingly ‘forgiveness’ for past hurts…are also crucial to beating disease.
 
LINKS/RESOURCES
To buy Heidi's book 'The Booby Trap' on Amazon  click here.

You can visit Heidi's website at www.holisticbreastexpert.com

HEALTH DISCLAIMER
The content shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only. We do not diagnose, treat, or cure any disease, or make any medical claims. We do not dissuade anyone from seeking medical attention for their condition. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from medical professionals.

This week’s guest is a priest…but he also likes to punch people in the face.

Introducing Father Dave Smith, who is a man of God but also a professional boxer.

'Fighting Father Dave' as he is well known is based in Sydney, Australia, and this guy is a spiritual warrior in all senses of the term.

He opened a boxing gym in the community and started taking in drugs addicts, criminals, and young people who were going off the rails….and by getting them hooked on fitness and boxing he helped countless young men turn their lives around.

Father Dave has also won two citizen of the year awards, been nominated for Australian of the Year three times, held a Guinness World Record, won professional kickboxing titles, and written two books.

In this interview, the Anglican priest talks about:

* Why he became involved in boxing and why the sport has literally been a Godsend for him, and the people he works with. 

* How boxing helps men deal with their issues.

* Why the skills you learn help you deal with what he calls ‘the bigger fight’.

* How life hit him hardest three years ago when the church kicked him out after his marriage broke down.
 
LINKS/RESOURCES
* Father Dave writes a brilliant weekly newsletter, which you can sign up to via his website: www.fatherdave.org

The need to detox heavy metals is barely discussed or even known about by most people.

In today’s episode, Self-Optimized host Marc McLean talks about how he discovered by chance that he had 'heavy metals poisoning'....and from a source he least expected.

He also discusses why toxic heavy metals, such as mercury, lead, and cadmium, are a major causal factor in many chronic illnesses today.

You’re gonna hear:

* How various types of heavy metals accumulate in our tissues and organs.

* The damage they cause.

* Why detoxification is an absolute for most people these days.

* About two natural detox methods which can help safely rid the body of toxic heavy metals and improve your health.

LINKS/RESOURCES
https://www.medicalmedium.com/
Dr Mark Hyman - MD and Expert On Heavy Metal Toxicity

HEAVY METALS DETOX SMOOTHIE

Recipe for making heavy metals detox smoothie

MARC'S GUT HEALING BOOK

'More Than A Gut Feeling: Natural & Simple Steps For Tackling Ulcerative Colitis & IBS'

HEALTH DISCLAIMER
The content shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only. We do not diagnose, treat, or cure any disease, or make any medical claims. We do not dissuade anyone from seeking medical attention for their condition. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from medical professionals.

Are you struggling with gut issues? Have you tried every diet ever invented, along with countless other steps to try and fix your dodgy digestive system?
 
 I hear ya. I've been there and done it...for the best part of a decade.
 
My name is Marc McLean, I'm host of the Self-Optimized podcast, and in this introductory episode I share my long, crazy journey to overcome both IBS and ulcerative colitis.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

* The extreme lengths I went to try and recover my gut health naturally.

 * What alternative health experts taught me about root causes of digestive dysfunction that you’ll likely never hear about from your doctor.

* The 4 key pieces of the puzzle that I discovered were necessary to restore wellness.

* The best pieces of advice I learned from alternative health teachers on how to heal your gut naturally.

CONNECT WITH MARC
Website: https://colitisremission.co.uk/
Email: [email protected]

FREE COLITIS HEALING E-BOOK
Gut Rescue: The Five Pillars To Reversing Your Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms Naturally.
Download Here: https://colitisremission.co.uk/gutrescue/

ENJOY THE EPISODE?
Would love to hear your thoughts. You can comment directly on Spotify.

And if you’ve got value from listening to any of the Mission: Colitis Remission podcast episodes, please leave a rating/review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It’ll help the podcast grow and reach more people.

HEALTH DISCLAIMER
The content shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only. We do not diagnose, treat, or cure any disease, or make any medical claims. We do not dissuade anyone from seeking medical attention for their condition. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from medical professionals.

Have you recently been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis…and are desperate to get your gut health back on track?

Or maybe you’ve had colitis for a few years and are open-minded to exploring new natural health methods because you’re fed up with these nightmare symptoms…

The restricted diet, the blood, the weight loss, the fatigue….

You know how it works.

Well, this podcast is dedicated entirely to helping people like you and me on the colitis healing path…to find natural ways to reverse our symptoms…and ultimately regain our health.

Trust me, it can be done…there is plenty of proof in this show’s catalogue of episodes. I hope you can dive into them all and find some inspiration to turn things around.

And I just want to promise you that this is not just some amateur talk shop, we’re all about finding real healing solutions.

I’m your host Marc McLean, and I’m talking from personal IBD experience as I once struggled badly with ulcerative colitis.

Fortunately, I finally found a way to heal, and I’ve had the condition well under control and been medication-free for over five years now. 

Now as a qualified gut health coach, I’m ridiculously passionate about helping other people battle back, beat down colitis, and reclaim their lives.

Join us for a mix of solo episodes and interviews with guest health experts every second Wednesday.

Please subscribe/follow the show to make sure you’re first to hear about new episode releases. 

HEALTH DISCLAIMER
The content shared on this podcast is for educational purposes only. We do not diagnose, treat, or cure any disease, or make any medical claims. We do not dissuade anyone from seeking medical attention for their condition. Listeners are encouraged to seek advice from medical professionals.