Podcast
Live Well Be Well with Sarah Ann Macklin | Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition
Hosted by Sarah Ann Macklin · EN
Health shouldn’t feel this hard.
I’ve lived it, studied it, and now I’m here to help make it make sense.
A smarter, more human way to live well.
Subscribe now, and start living well, for real.
Instagram: @sarahannmacklin
Newsletter: https://substack.com/@sarahannmacklin
Website: sarahannmacklin.com
#LiveWellBeWell
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Behaviour Change Expert: The Real Reason You Can’t Change Your Habits | Shahroo Izadi
5d ago01:28:35Tap to summarizeThere's an entire industry built on the idea that if you hate yourself enough, you'll eventually change. And yet everything we know about shame tells us the opposite is true. So why do we keep going back there? And more importantly, what does it actually take to break free?This week on Live Well Be Well, I'm sitting down with Shahroo Izadi, Behavioural Change Specialist, NHS clinical trainer, and bestselling author of The Kindness Method and The Last Diet. Shahroo spent years working in addiction recovery, and what she found there transformed not only her professional understanding of change, but her own relationship with food, her body, and herself. We go deep into why so many of us associate change with self-loathing, why willpower alone will always fail us, and how the tools used in addiction recovery hold the blueprint for any meaningful behaviour change. Shahroo also shares her own story with complete honesty, including binge eating, a gastric band, eight stone lost, and what finally made the difference. This is one of those conversations that reframes everything.Here's what we dive into:- How shame becomes the enemy of lasting habit change.- Why the only habit worth learning is how to change habits.- What addiction recovery gets right that mainstream wellness misses.- How to interrupt the shame spiral after a setback.- Why body neutrality is a more honest goal than body positivity.Love,Sarah Ann 💛***This episode is sponsored by:DIOME: Rest deeper. Stay grounded.Rested is available now and Grounded lands later this month.👉 Get 20% off with code SARAH20 at DIOME.CONOWATCH: The compassionate health trackerConnecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today👉 15% off with code LWBW15 at https://nowatch.com/ ***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/the-great-british-veg-outReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/reset-your-health-in-30-days👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahmacklin/p/download-your-free-5-recipes-to-relieve👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe:http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***If You Enjoyed This Episode, You Might Also Like:Dr. Shefali's Approach to Shadow Self: From External Validation to Inner Alignmenthttps://youtu.be/46-BbuvGHuY***Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:Science Simplified, Health Humanised.Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Highlights:00:00:00 Intro00:07:00 Shahroo's Story: Stammers, Weight, and Self-Help at Age 1000:10:34 Working in Addiction and Recognising Her Own Cycle00:15:27 "Better Than Well": What Addiction Recovery Gets Right00:23:24 Body Positivity, Body Neutrality, and the Thin Ideal00:31:38 The Gastric Band: What Happens When You Don't Change the Behaviour00:34:18 Social Judgment and the Ozempic Study00:43:33 How to Stop the Swing Between Extremes00:46:21 The Second Choice: Interrupting the Shame Spiral00:53:23 Matt Haig on Using Your Worst Days as a Reference Bank00:58:44 Writing Letters to Your Future Self01:06:22 How Shahroo Sees Herself Differently Five Years On01:18:47 Hatefulness Doesn't Create Change01:20:07 Self-Compassion vs. Self-Love: What We're Actually Asking For01:26:17 What "Live Well, Be Well" Means to Shahroo
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Why Pain Relief From Massage or Physio Often Comes Back (And What Helps Long-Term)
1w ago00:07:48Tap to summarizeAre you getting short-term relief from bodywork, only for the pain to return a few weeks later? In this clip, I talk through why hands-on treatments can feel amazing in the moment but may not create lasting change if you’re relying on someone else to “fix” you, and why movement and self-care matter so much for long-term healing.This clip explores how fascia and global body tension can influence recurring pain, why aggressive fascia release can look (and feel) intense, and how a slower, more intentional approach may support the body’s own ability to reset. We also discuss walking as a powerful daily practice, why brisk walking is linked with a lower dementia risk, and the idea of walking backwards as a way to challenge the brain and build new movement pathways. Plus, there’s a fascinating look at performance work with elite athletes, including why improving a jump can start with learning how to land, and how slow joint movements (around four centimeters per second) are used to reprogram movement patterns.Jason Van Blerk in conversation with Sarah Ann Listen to the full episode here.Watch the full episode on YouTube here.***This episode is sponsored by:NOWATCH: The compassionate health trackerConnecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today15% off with code LWBW15 at https://nowatch.com/DIOME: Rest deeper. Stay grounded.Rested is available now and Grounded lands later this month.👉 Get 20% off with code SARAH20 at DIOME.CO***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/the-great-british-veg-outReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/reset-your-health-in-30-days👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
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How Chronic Stress Is Making Your Gut Hypersensitive | Will Bulsiewicz
1w ago00:05:12Tap to summarizeDo your gut symptoms ever feel so painful you worry something is seriously wrong? In this conversation, we talk about why digestive pain can feel intense, even with issues like trapped wind and constipation, and how the gut’s huge nerve supply plays a role.This clip explores the science of gut pain, including how the intestines sense discomfort differently to our fingertips, and why having around 500 million nerves in the gut can amplify pain signals. We also discuss visceral hypersensitivity, where the gut becomes over-reactive and normal sensations can start to feel painful. I’m exploring with my guest why some gastroenterologists use very low-dose antidepressants for gut symptoms, including SSRIs to influence serotonin, tricyclic antidepressants (often preferred for diarrhea-predominant issues), and SNRIs like Cymbalta for targeting pain, especially when constipation is also present. Throughout, we keep it clear that these medications are not the primary treatment for constipation, but can be part of managing discomfort.Will Bulsiewicz in conversation with Sarah Ann Listen to the full episode here.Watch the full episode on YouTube here.***This episode is sponsored by:NOWATCH: The compassionate health trackerConnecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today15% off with code LWBW15 at https://nowatch.com/DIOME: Rest deeper. Stay grounded.Rested is available now and Grounded lands later this month.👉 Get 20% off with code SARAH20 at DIOME.CO***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/the-great-british-veg-outReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/reset-your-health-in-30-days👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
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Liz Earle: The Real Reason You're Ageing Faster Than You Should Be
2w ago01:19:08Tap to summarizeExciting news - pre-order my debut book https://linktr.ee/HealthySBTH?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=9db12bc6-b7d3-4df4-bc5c-260e0303792cWhat if aging well wasn't about fighting your body, but finally learning to work with it?This week on Live Well Be Well, I'm joined by the wonderful Liz Earle MBE, bestselling wellness author, nutritional pioneer, and one of the most trusted voices in women's health. Her latest book, How to Age, is an instant number one bestseller, and this conversation is a beautiful reminder of why her work resonates so deeply.Liz brings warmth, wisdom, and science together in a way that feels genuinely accessible, and she makes a compelling case that the most powerful tools for longevity are often the simplest and most freeHere's What We Dive Into:- How mitochondria drive almost every aspect of how we age, and why caring for them is the foundation of lasting health.- Why the best longevity tools are free: morning daylight, grounding, and filtered water, and how each one fuels cellular energy.- How disrupted light signals quietly wreck sleep and mood, and why "sky before screens" is a rule worth keeping.- What structured water and hydrogen water actually are, and how to make your daily hydration work harder.- Why sunscreen timing matters more than we think, and what the science of UVA and UVB really says.- How perimenopause, exhaustion, and poor sleep are often connected, and what Liz wishes she had known sooner.- Why Liz has never said "anti-aging" and why she believes the pro-aging revolution starts with women like us.Love,Sarah Ann 💛***This episode is sponsored by:DIOME: Rest deeper. Stay grounded.Rested is available now and Grounded lands later this month.👉 Get 20% off with code SARAH20 at DIOME.CONOWATCH: The compassionate health trackerConnecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today15% off with code LWBW15 at https://nowatch.com/ ***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/the-great-british-veg-outReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/reset-your-health-in-30-days👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahmacklin/p/download-your-free-5-recipes-to-relieve👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe:http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***If You Enjoyed This Episode, You Might Also Like:Women's Brain Health: What Science REALLY Says About Hormones, PMS & Menopause | Dr Sarah McKay***Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:Science Simplified, Health Humanised.Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Highlights00:00:00 Intro00:02:00 The 12 Years of Poor Health Women Accept00:04:12 How Liz Went from Burnout to Her Healthiest Decade00:08:17 What Mitochondria Do and Why They Drive Disease00:11:53 The 3 Free Inputs That Power Your Cells00:14:12 Sky Before Screens: The Morning Light Habit00:22:00 Why You Still Can't Switch Off at Night00:31:42 Structured Water, EZ Water, and Hydrogen Explained00:39:06 Why Barefoot Time on Earth Reduces Inflammation00:52:10 When to Skip Sunscreen and What UVB Actually Does01:01:00 HRT and Perimenopause: What Liz Wishes She Knew01:06:28 Why Liz Refuses to Say Anti-Aging01:10:12 The Two-Year Test for Emotional StressSonnet 4.6
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How Stress, Sound, and Self-Talk Are Reshaping Your Fascia | Jason Van Blerk
2w ago00:07:33Tap to summarizeHave you ever noticed how a song can instantly change your mood? In this clip, I’m exploring how sound and vibration might influence the body, including stress responses and the way we experience emotions day to day. This clip explores the idea of the body as a “tuning fork”, where music, voice, and environmental frequency may affect us at a cellular level, including through fascia. We also look at visual examples of water and sand responding to specific frequencies and how that connects to the wider conversation about vibration, emotion, and why some people feel others’ energy when they enter a room. Jason Van Blerk in conversation with Sarah Ann Listen to the full episode here.Watch the full episode on YouTube here.***This episode is sponsored by:NOWATCH: The compassionate health trackerConnecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today15% off with code LWBW15 at https://nowatch.com/DIOME: Rest deeper. Stay grounded.Rested is available now and Grounded lands later this month.👉 Get 20% off with code SARAH20 at DIOME.CO***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/the-great-british-veg-outReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/reset-your-health-in-30-days👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
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Why You Feel Like a Different Person Every Two Weeks | Sarah Hill
2w ago00:06:26Tap to summarize👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/Why do your mood, energy, appetite, and sex drive feel different at different points in your cycle? It’s because estrogen and progesterone shift the brain and body between two core reproductive “modes” across the menstrual cycle. This clip explores how the first half of the cycle is more estrogen-driven and tends to orient the brain and behaviour toward mate attraction and sex, including higher sexual desire and greater interest in men. It then looks at what changes after ovulation, when progesterone rises and the body shifts gears toward supporting implantation and pregnancy, affecting everything from the immune system and circulation to energy levels, mood, and appetite. Sarah Hill in conversation with Sarah Ann Listen to the full episode here.Watch the full episode on YouTube here.***This episode is sponsored by:NOWATCH: The compassionate health trackerConnecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today15% off with code LWBW15 at https://nowatch.com/Mojo: the app for expert-led courses in better sex.Learn from world-class sex therapists and relationship experts with courses tailored to your needs.15% off with code LiveWell15 at mymojo.com/livewellbewell***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/the-great-british-veg-outReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/reset-your-health-in-30-days***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
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Self-Compassion Isn't Settling: 5 Experts on the Real Science | Sarah Ann Macklin
3w ago00:42:38Tap to summarizeExciting news - pre-order my debut book https://linktr.ee/HealthySBTH?utm_source=linktree_profile_shareMost of us are far kinder to strangers than we are to ourselves. We offer warmth, patience, and understanding to everyone around us, and yet when we struggle, we reach for the harshest possible voice. Why is that? And more importantly, what can we do about it?This week on Live Well Be Well, we are exploring the profound and life-changing power of self-compassion, bringing together five extraordinary voices:- Dr. Kristen Neff, whose 20 years of research built the scientific foundation of self-kindness;- Professor Paul Gilbert, founder of Compassion-Focused Therapy;- Philosopher and author Alain de Botton;- Bestselling author Oliver Burkeman;- and gut health physician Dr. Will Bulsiewicz.We dive deep into the biological and psychological reasons why we fight ourselves, and how shifting from a "threat" mindset to one of "care" can fundamentally change our health. Here’s what we explore together:- The Three Pillars of Self-Compassion: Dr. Kristen Neff explains why you need kindness, mindfulness, and a sense of shared humanity to truly heal.- Hacking the Nervous System: Professor Paul Gilbert discusses how to move from a "fight, flight, or freeze" response into a "tend and befriend" state.- The Origins of the Inner Critic: Alain de Botton reveals how we internalize the voices of authority from our past and how to start a "goodbye ceremony" to those that no longer serve us.Love,Sarah Ann 💛***This episode is sponsored by:DIOME: Rest deeper. Stay grounded.Rested is available now and Grounded lands later this month.👉 Get 20% off with code SARAH20 at DIOME.CONOWATCH: The compassionate health trackerConnecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today15% off with code LWBW15 at https://nowatch.com/ ***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/the-great-british-veg-outReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/reset-your-health-in-30-days👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahmacklin/p/download-your-free-5-recipes-to-relieve👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe:http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast***If You Enjoyed This Episode, You Might Also Like:The #1 BETTER HEALTH Technique You Never Knew Existed! Dr Kristin Neffhttps://youtu.be/jKq069w4rjI***Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:Science Simplified, Health Humanised.Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Highlights00:00:00 Intro00:01:13 Dr. Kristen Neff: The three elements of self-compassion00:04:38 Why our nervous system defaults to self-criticism00:07:00 The "What would I say to a friend?" reframe00:10:00 Why self-compassion is a more effective motivator than criticism00:12:02 Alain de Botton: the inner critical voice and where it comes from00:14:43 Why some believe harsh self-talk drives them forward00:18:01 Oliver Burkeman: a personal journey through self-compassion00:22:25 How childhood patterns shape the way we treat ourselves00:26:17 The missing step in optimization and productivity culture00:29:06 Paul Gilbert: compassionate self vs the compassionate mind00:32:34 Dr. Will Bulsiewicz: gut health is about far more than food
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Why Telling Your Partner What You Need Is the Most Loving Thing Women Can Do | Dr. Laurie Mintz
3w ago00:06:40Tap to summarizeWhy does it still feel stigmatised to talk about sex, even when sexual norms are more open than ever? Because for many people, that lingering sense of taboo can feel like the missing piece, no matter how “free” or modern our culture seems.This clip explores why these conversations can still feel difficult and why that silence can carry real weight. As a nutritionist and health communicator, Sarah reflects on the emotional and cultural layers that shape how comfortable we feel discussing sex, intimacy, and what we actually need.Dr Laurie Mintz in conversation with Sarah Ann Listen to the full episode here.Watch the full episode on YouTube here.***This episode is sponsored by:NOWATCH: The compassionate health trackerConnecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today15% off with code LWBW15 at https://nowatch.com/DIOME: Rest deeper. Stay grounded.Rested is available now and Grounded lands later this month.👉 Get 20% off with code SARAH20 at DIOME.CO***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/the-great-british-veg-outReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/reset-your-health-in-30-days👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
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1 in 3 Women Live With Incontinence and Most Never Ask for Help | Dr. Rena Malik
3w ago00:08:13Tap to summarizeAre you ignoring symptoms that might need a urology check? If you’re unsure what urology actually covers, this conversation breaks it down clearly and explains why getting an evaluation can be so important, including the reminder that it could save your life.This clip explores what urology is, what kinds of health concerns it relates to, and why timely assessment matters. I’m discussing the importance of taking symptoms seriously and not delaying medical evaluation, with a practical, health-first perspective and clear communication you can trust as a nutritionist and wellbeing educator.Listen to the full episode hereWatch the full episode on YouTube here***This episode is sponsored by:NOWATCH: The compassionate health trackerConnecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today15% off with code LWBW15 at https://nowatch.com/Mojo: the app for expert-led courses in better sex.Learn from world-class sex therapists and relationship experts with courses tailored to your needs.15% off with code LiveWell15 at mymojo.com/livewellbewell***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/the-great-british-veg-outReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/reset-your-health-in-30-days👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
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Why Diets Don’t Work (Even When You Follow Them Perfectly) | Sarah Ann Macklin
4w ago00:32:15Tap to summarizeExciting news - pre-order my debut book https://linktr.ee/HealthySBTH?utm_source=linktree_profile_shareYou are doing everything right. You are eating well, you are exercising, you are optimizing. And somehow, you still aren't feeling as well as you hoped. That was me at 21, before my body finally found a way to make me listen.This week on Live Well Be Well, I want to talk to you about something I've been sitting with for the last ten years, something I've seen quietly transform the lives of my clients, something that changed the entire direction of my own life, and something I've spent the last year pouring into my new book, Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard.This episode is a deeply personal one. I trace the thread from my own health collapse at 21 all the way to the $8.5 trillion wellness industry that, despite its size, is leaving most of us feeling worse, not better. We talk about the try-slip-shame-restart cycle so many of us are trapped in, and why we keep mistaking self-criticism for self-improvement. I also dig into two landmark studies that stopped me in my tracks while writing this book: Ellen Langer's hotel maid experiment, which showed that perception alone changed women's weight and blood pressure without a single lifestyle change, and Alia Crum's milkshake study, which revealed that our thoughts directly alter our hunger hormones.The science is clear. Our bodies are listening to everything we think about ourselves.Love,Sarah Ann 💛***This episode is sponsored by:DIOME: Rest deeper. Stay grounded.Rested is available now and Grounded lands later this month.👉 Get 20% off with code SARAH20 at DIOME.CONOWATCH: The compassionate health trackerConnecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today15% off with code LWBW15 at https://nowatch.com/ ***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/the-great-british-veg-outReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/reset-your-health-in-30-days👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahmacklin/p/download-your-free-5-recipes-to-relieve👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe:http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***If You Enjoyed This Episode, You Might Also Like:Ellen Langer: The Mind Can Slow Down an Aging Bodyhttps://youtu.be/VGpNMy1VxsY***Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:Science Simplified, Health Humanised.Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Highlights00:00:00 Intro00:00:25 Sarah's Health Collapse at 2100:00:53 The $8.5 Trillion Wellness Industry Problem00:01:17 Comparison Culture and the Shame Spiral00:02:22 The Try, Slip, Shame, Restart Cycle00:03:07 The Pizza Moment and Self-Compassion00:04:39 Self-Criticism Lives in Your Body00:08:22 Ellen Langer's Hotel Maid Study Explained00:10:48 How Your Thoughts Change Hunger Hormones00:12:22 What Self-Compassion Does to Your Body00:14:31 The Selfie Test: Your Self-Compassion Score00:18:34 The Mirror Practice and Leaning In00:19:24 MAP: Mindfulness, Appreciation, Presence Before Meals00:21:00 The Self-Compassionate Intention Before Eating00:23:27 Why Wellness Solutions Aren't Making Us Healthier00:24:41 The History of Dieting Since 186300:26:20 The Story You Tell Yourself
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