The Tony Wrighton Podcast

Dan Harris on meditation. Does it make you 10% happier? #39

• Learn how to tame the voice in your head
• Reduce stress without losing your edge
• Find self-help that actually works.

I was having a coffee with my mate James a couple of months ago and he recommended me a book called 10% Happier. "I haven't read it yet, so I can't vouch for it", he said, "but someone told me it's good".

Hmmm, not exactly the most enthusiastic of endorsements, but for some reason I decided to go and buy the book anyway. A couple of months on, I'm blown away by how good it is, and how inspiring it was for me personally. The story starts with American ABC Good Morning America presenter Dan Harris having a traumatic breakdown, live on air. This experience leads him down the path of trying to find answers, which he eventually does with meditation, the thing that makes him '10% happier'.

I messaged Dan straight after I finished the book, and I'm so pleased he's come on Zestology. He's got a great story, and this is undoubtedly one of my all-time favourite Zestology podcasts.

If you're a meditation sceptic (or skeptic), listen on. If you are a convert, definitely listen on, as this will provide more answers and some inspiration towards developing your meditative mojo.

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Next time on Zestology, ABC News anchor and correspondent Dan Harris.

The story starts with American ABC Good Morning America presenter Dan Harris having a traumatic breakdown live on air. This experience leads him down the path of trying to find answers, which he eventually does. But how?

All this coming next time, on Zestology.

• What meat should you eat?
• What plants should you have on your plate?
• When should you take probiotics?
• What effect are antibiotics having on our general health worldwide?

Les Dethlefsen is a gut microbiota scientist, and a bit of a genius. He leads studies in Microbiology at Relman labs at Stanford University in California on the dynamics of the human microbiota. He has a Ph.D. in both Microbiology and Ecology/Evolutionary Biology from Michigan State.

In this podcast, we talk gut bacteria and how they affect our health, our lifestyle, our physiology, and our minds. That’s the big realisation going on at the moment from both gut experts and neurologists, and why I wanted to have Les Dethlefsen on.

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If you love the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. We appreciate that so much.

You can also go to http://www.tonywrighton.com for show notes, online streaming, extra bits and the Zestology Challenge.

What if there were natural plants and herbs which would help you have more energy, sleep better, feel more alive, get more relaxed when you need it and sleep better?

Today on Zestology podcast, I continue my LA adventure by hanging out with Shannon Drake, an inspiring entrepreneur who runs two health companies and has so much to offer for those seeking alternative health and wellbeing solutions. Be warned, once you've listened you may well be changing a few things in your life, such as the toothpaste you use.

As you can see, we hung out on the roof of the Ace Hotel in Downtown L.A. Spectacular spot.

As well as focusing on legal herbs (or 'erbs as Shannon and all Americans call them!), our chat is wide-ranging, and amongst other things covers the joys and delights of Burning Man festival.

Listen on now for the podcast, and I'd love to know what you think, so leave a comment on iTunes on what you think of Shannon's plants and herb recommendations and the ones you might take?

For more information

• Ishmael - Shannon's book recommendation
• Give Me The Dirt
• Jambo Super Foods

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If you love the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. We appreciate that.

You can also go to http://www.tonywrighton.com for show notes, online streaming, extra bits and the Zestology Challenge.

If you could cram as many crazy biohacking techniques for feeling optimal into one day as possible, what would you do?

If you are interested in biohacking and trying out different techniques for mind and body, today's show is for you.

Last week I was in LA, and had the chance to hang out with LifeStylist and biohacker Luke Storey.

Check out the pics below, and listen on to find out how these practices could benefit you.

• Crystal healing mats
• Bulletproof coffee
• Kundalini
• Cryotherapy
• Collecting natural spring water
• Extreme heat temperature changes
• Saunas made of clay and himalayan salt

Make sure you listen to the end of the podcast, when it gets so hot in the clay ball sauna I almost pass out. Whoops...

When you listen you'll hear:

• Biohacking itinerary for the day [3:00]
• What is Kundalini yoga? [7:45]
• Cryotherapy at Grotto de Sal [12:38]
• Freezing your brain and body [16:20]
• Fighting inflammation and increasing collagen production [19:20]
• Hunting for natural spring water [20:35]
• Coming back to nature [25:33]
• What makes good water? [30:00]
• Coping with 220 degrees Fahrenheit [33:50]
• The benefits of a Korean clay room [35:10]
• The ultimate energy hacks [38:20]

For more information

• Letting Go: The Pathway of Surrender
• Lukestorey.com

JOIN the Zestology MAILING LIST by going to our website (http://www.tonywrighton.com)

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If you love the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. We appreciate that so much.

You can also go to http://www.tonywrighton.com for show notes, online streaming, extra bits and the Zestology Challenge.

If you had a simple breathing technique which helped you relax in stressful situations, get calm when you really needed it and even get to sleep at night, would you use it?

Today on Zestology podcast, some awesome stories, great fun, and an in depth look at three specific breathing techniques with Lucy Bruegger.

Lucy is a London based yoga teacher, a friend of mine and an awesome teacher with a very broad approach. I love Lucy’s work so much so I went and did some yoga with her in Greece (scroll down to see the amazing spot we went to). She’s had a huge number of different trainings not just in yoga but in all different types of meditative and spiritual practices, including, as you’ll hear, some surprising stories and some crazy experiences such as spending 11 days in a row saying absolutely nothing at all. A silent retreat. (There is no way I could ever do this. I might struggle with 11 minutes.)

Rest assured we talk all about that, and in fact dig into some of the most crazy personal development experiences it’s possible to have, followed by 3 breathing techniques for meditation, relaxation, and peace. They’re totally simple and you can try them as you listen. (Unless driving. Then listen after, please.)

When you listen you'll hear:

• Silence for 11 Days [4:00]
• Sitting with strong determination [5:45]
• Learning self-reliance [8:20]
• Exploring your limits through sweat lodges [12:15]
• Exposing your own habits [14:40]
• No one can take away your potential of being happy [17:40]
• Meditation and breathing techniques [22:20]
• Cleaning and cleansing channels [26:15]
• Humming to cut through mind chatter [29:10]
• Ujjayi Breathing techniques [32:50]
• Lucy’s morning routine [37:10]
• No resistance & no expectations [41:20]

For more information

• Man's Search For Meaning
• Triyoga
• The Life Center
• Yoga On The Lane
• www.Lucyogi.com
• movementformodernlife.com

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If you love the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. We appreciate that and it helps us to spread the word.

You can also go to http://www.tonywrighton.com for show notes, online streaming, extra bits and the Zestology Challenge.

How to improve your life with NLP, meditation and hypnosis, recorded live in London with Tony Wrighton #34

The set of skills that can help you be happier, healthier and more persuasive.

Millions use NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) every day, and I've trained to the highest level in it. It's the basis for my books, audiobooks and underpins much of what we do on Zestology too. But what the hell is NLP - apart from a strange and slightly confusing name - and how could you use it now?

I recently made a conference speech about Zestology, meditation and the power of NLP. So this week's Zestology podcast was recorded live at the NLP Talks event in Central London. My musings were basically a series of stories from my life and how NLP has shaped it, changed it and improved it.

The event also included the best heckle I've ever had! Listen out at around 16 minutes on the podcast for this random shout out from the crowd.

If you'd like any of the following, then listen on for my personal experiences of NLP.

• Feel happier or more confident.
• Inspire others.
• Get creative (and build a cool sidecar like the one in the pic at the bottom of this blog. Not sure anyone could actually fit in that though...)
• Improve your presentation skills.
• Feel motivated towards something coming up in the future.
• Achieve different goals.
• Be more persuasive.
• Improve at sport
• Get over a phobia.

Show notes (for reference - or if you want to skip to the most important bits).

• Using your powers and skills for good [2:50]
• The most persuasive word in the world [6:20]
• Do what works [9:00]
• Becoming ill in the jungle [10:40]
• Escaping the screens [13:50]
• Switching off for 2 hours a day [16:20]
• Meditation and hypnosis [17:40]
• The value of sleep health and hygiene [19:45]
• Blue blocking glasses [21:40]
• Quantified self [23:10]

Fun productivity hacks, gadgets and tricks with lifehacker Maneesh Sethi #33

Maneesh Sethi is the voice behind the outstanding website Hack The System and the brains behind Pavlok - a gadget that literally shocks you into shape. He's worked with major influencers like Tim Ferris, he's a famous DJ in Berlin, and he's even hosted a TV pilot on the Travel Channel. Is there anything that this guy can't do?

I guess the best way to describe him is - lifehacker.

Listen on if you want the answers to these fun questions.

• Does hiring someone to slap you in the face every time you use Facebook improve your productivity levels?
• What is HackYourBrain.com shortcut for behaviour change and getting over addictions? (Super cool.)
• How do you get a Sandwich named after you?

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If you love the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. We appreciate that and it helps us to spread the word.

You can also go to http://www.tonywrighton.com for show notes, online streaming, extra bits and the Zestology Challenge.

Hey Sauerkraut fans! (Silence). Actually I love sauerkraut, and confess I am a bit of a fermented foods geek although I've never plucked up the courage to DIY at home. But whatever you think of it, there is a very good reason for fermenting, and it is not necessarily to introduce some tasty healthy recipes into our diet. Although it does that too.

It’s because an increasing body of research suggests that fermented foods can influence not just our gut health, but our brain health as well. The gut-brain link comes up again!

In a recent study researchers at UCLA demonstrated that daily consumption of a fermented product containing five different strains of probiotic bacteria actually changed the brain’s emotional response to various stimuli, as measured on an advanced brain imaging thingamijig!

In other words, putting more fermented good stuff into your tummy can have a major impact on your high performance levels, and change how your brain works.

Jill Ciciarelli is the owner of First Comes Health, a certified holistic health coach, and the author of a fantastic book, Fermented: A four season approach to Paleo probiotic foods. Jill is definitely your go-to expert for all your home-fermenting needs and how it could change your life, your gut and your brain health.

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• Should you go low fat or high fat?
• Are protein shakes good for you?
• Is being vegetarian and vegan healthier?

The answers to these questions and many more coming up today - on a need to know basis.

Rhiannon Lambert has an amazing story, and was an excellent guest to interview.

At the age of 16 she was plucked from obscurity to become one of the UK’s leading sopranos. Catapulted into a glamorous world, she became famous for her voice. She’d made a hugely successful career for herself, but behind the scenes, was struggling with the pressure.

She tells this story today on Zestology, and how she started to get involved in nutrition, healthy eating and wellbeing.

She now still sings all around the world - in fact as you’ll hear she’s singing at the Rugby World Cup this week - and combines that with a successful career in nutrition. Her online blogs and social media sites are hugely popular, she works as a nutritional consultant from two different clinics on Harley Street, with olympic athletes, celebrities, NHS hospitals and specialises in eating disorders as well.

She is - in short - busy.

Rhiannon is an awesome Zestology guest. In today’s show we start with Rhiannon’s story, and then move onto the 8 need to know nutrition facts. This podcast truly is about the dramatic impact healthy eating can have on performance at the highest level.

When you listen you'll hear:

• The Singing Nutritionist [3:30]
• Struggling with the pressure of a career in the public eye [6:30]
• Finding something that works for you [12:18]
• 8 Need-to-know food facts [15:00]
• Should you eat low fat? [16:30]
• Sugar as a “wrinkle monster” [19:10]
• Altering our definition of carbohydrates [22:15]
• Fresh vs Frozen [24:27]
• Finding balance [26:00]
• Confusing hunger with thirst [28:15]
• Choosing a protein powder [29:10]
• Using Echinacea [33:30]

For more information

• Natural Health and Bodycare
• The Detox Kitchen Bible

JOIN the Zestology MAILING LIST by going to our website (http://www.tonywrighton.com)

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If you love the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. We appreciate that and it helps us to spread the word.

You can also go to http://www.tonywrighton.com for show notes, online streaming, extra bits and the Zestology Challenge.