The Fitness and Finance Podcast

In this episode, we chat about the importance of goals whilst reflecting on our own personal goals, in fitness and finance. We also talk about the popularity of self-development books but wonder whether it's become less about actually developing and more about massaging egos. This leads onto our discussion around the modern pressures of productivity and social media toxicity. 

Time Points:

2:03 A mortgage FINALLY!

4:15 SMART goal-setting - useful or not?

11:12 Reflecting on our personal goals

23:30 Our favourite self-development books

29:57 The pressures of productivity

33:30 Social media toxicity

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We’re back (quicker than you expected) with a non-IVF related podcast 🎙 

In this podcast, Jovin discusses his thoughts on his next property project, shares some pointers of what to expect with buying commercial vs residential property in the current climate and expresses his challenges with adding the final touches to the apartment.

Meanwhile, Serene shares her love for interior design, talks about managing work loads to reduce stress and reminds Jovin of their 7 year wedding anniversary which begs the question…how on earth have we made it over 12.5 years together? Relationship advice anyone? 😆

Hope you guys enjoy joining us on our sofa for this episode 🛋❤️

Time Points:

1:11 Still no mortgage…wth!

3:45 Commercial vs residential property in a recession

7:21 Jovin’s next property project 

9:09 Planning laws & permitted development rights

14:58 Updates on our home design 🏠 

17:54 The washing machine & tumble dryer debacle

20:17 Which TV is the best?

22:42 Interior design woes

30:12 Managing work loads

31:40 Netflix & Chillin

33:58 7 years married

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*TRIGGER WARNING*: IVF

This is a short intro into what will be our second round of IVF!

We reveal what the process will look like in a private clinic, how we made our final decison, discuss new test results and the changes that have been made for the best chance of success moving forwards!

Please direct any questions you have to @serene_strong_nutrition on IG and please please, if you enjoyed this episode, leave a review on Apple or Spotify.
If we know you like it, we will keep producing episodes :)   

Need some support through fertility treatment or whilst trying to conceive (TTC)? Let Serene be your rock - join her Facebook support group “Fertility Rock Support” - link is here… https://www.facebook.com/groups/3329090430695443/?ref=share_group_link

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Welcome to episode 14, where we discuss fitness & finance in that order 😜 with a very brief IVF update.

In the first half, I talk to all those people who are struggling with seeing & feeling results right now and give 3 top tips to overcome a plateau with regards to nutrition, exercise & mindset 🥙🏋🏻‍♀️💭 

Then, Jovin reflects on our build last year and reveals all the hidden costs that come with building a house 🏠 we got got 😅 This also explains why houses are so darn expensive to buy!

If there’s anything fitness or finance-related that you want to know more about, drop me a message 📥 on Instagram @serene_strong_nutrition - we’d be happy to make it a topic of discussion!

More IVF updates will come in due course.

Hope you enjoy the episode!

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*TRIGGER WARNING: IVF*

In this episode, we talk about our experience of the procedures involved in IVF... the egg and sperm retrieval, the embryo transfer and then of course the dreaded two week wait.

We talk about the emotional impact it has had on us both, how we have coped and our next steps...

Get in touch with us directly, or simply follow the journey on IG:
@serene_strong_nutrition

Need some support through fertility treatment or whilst trying to conceive (TTC)? Let Serene be your rock - join her Facebook support group “Fertility Rock Support” - link is here… https://www.facebook.com/groups/3329090430695443/?ref=share_group_link

Proudly supported by Alpha Performance - Custom Uniforms

This is a follow-up episode to share how we are adjusting nutrition & exercise to try and increase our chances of conception in the lead up to, and throughout the IVF process. It's all starting to feel very real with hormone injections scheduled to start this coming week (all being well with the initial scan)!

Serene echoes some important recommendations from the NHS and adds a little more insight into her food choices to ensure a varied, nutrient-dense diet - although she does fail to mention that she will of course be enjoying some "treats", probably in the form of cake - just not too much!

Jovin also mentions things he is doing in the hopes that he can provide a strong sample...eek!

We also delve into the challenges we are currently facing regarding stress management and  sleep, and how we are trying to manage them!

If you prefer not to hear about periods and sperm, you may want to dip out of this episode!

Follow all of the action on IG: @serene_strong

Need some support through fertility treatment or whilst trying to conceive (TTC)? Let Serene be your rock - join her Facebook support group “Fertility Rock Support” - link is here… https://www.facebook.com/groups/3329090430695443/?ref=share_group_link

Proudly supported by Alpha Performance - Custom Uniforms

Join us for a  discussion as we prepare for our first round of IVF!

We talk about our reasons for opening up about it, what the process has been like up until now (with several rounds of assisted ovulation already behind us) and reflect on the emotional challenges it has presented for us!

Warning: If you're a little squeamish, you might not want to tune in!

Need some support through fertility treatment or whilst trying to conceive (TTC)? Let Serene be your rock - join her Facebook support group “Fertility Rock Support” - link is here… https://www.facebook.com/groups/3329090430695443/?ref=share_group_link

Proudly supported by Alpha Performance - Custom Uniforms

We take many tangents in this episode  as we discuss the issues surrounding borrowing money - both procedural and ethical - the legalities of finding investors, and ponder why people feel icky talking about money? Is it a British thing?…

2:50 Current rental market

5:19 A fire at the student house!

8:30 Major delays with the apartment

20:04 Why we can’t get a mortgage

26:54 Why we’re financially f*cked 

31:50 Investment opportunities - what’s legal?

36:47 Jovin’s imposter syndrome

38:27 IVF Stress

42:21 Why do people never talk about money?

46:40 The 4 Hour Work Week 

50:46 Is it OK to borrow money from your parents?

 56:25 Why we should embrace f*cking up.

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Join us as we delve into the big debate of talent versus hard work (and how genetics & luck play a role) for success  - and the potentially bigger debate of choosing bathroom wall panels or tiles! Just joking.

Time points as follows:

1:46 Wordle, Worldle, Quordle...
6:33 Wall panels vs tiles
8:35 “Watergate” & loft insulation
10:25 Talent vs hard work
11:50 athletes & athletic Performance
15:50 The role of genetics
21:35 Jovin’s sporty upbringing 
28:08 Life purpose & vocation
37:55 Business coaches & “going viral”
49:10 Explaining inflation with Freddo’s
56:26 Supply & demand
62:19 Interest rates

For more fitness updates and upcoming property and finance info, follow us on IG:
Serene: @serene_strong
Jovin: @jovinharper

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This week we have a big rant about experts and the problems with just accepting information that is presented to you. Jovin apologises for getting on his high horse but sometimes you just have to get it off your chest!

7:10 “Experts”

9:40 Chivvy Roundabout 

20:13 CVD’s Economic Impact

22:02 Nutritional Studies & Research

28:49 Old School Bodybuilding vs Science

31:40 The Adherence Factor

33:35 Is Optimal Realistic For Life?

37:00 Simplifying Supplements

39:28 Nutritional Affordability & Accessibility

42:03 Media Clickbait & Misinformation 

44:02 Who Should You Trust?

53:16 Thinking Critically 

54:54 Self-Proclaimed Experts 

*22:44: The rodent study I was referring to that suggested a possible link between aspartame  consumption & cancer risk was in fact published in 2006.

https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.8711

A 2015 systematic review concluded that previous data didn’t provide evidence linking aspartame to cancer in humans.

https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.12703

Follow Serene @Serene_Strong
Follow Jovin @Jovinharper

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