Podcast
Mikkipedia
Hosted by Mikki Williden · EN
Mikkipedia is an exploration in all things health, well being, fitness, food and nutrition. I sit down with scientists, doctors, professors, practitioners and people who have a wealth of experience and have a conversation that takes a deep dive into their area of expertise. I love translating science into a language that people understand, so while some of the conversations will be pretty in-depth, you will come away with some practical tips that can be instigated into your everyday life. I hope you enjoy the show!
14episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Brandon Da Cruz - The Truth About Body Recomposition
3w ago01:30:36Tap to summarizeSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKIPEDIA at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz Supplement: Use code MIKKIPEDIA to get 20% off your first order - go to www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk to order yours NZ listeners - save 10% off Calocurb by using the code Mikkipedia10 at www.calocurb.co.nzThis week on the podcast, Mikki speaks to fan favourite Brandon DaCruz — coach, educator, and one of the sharpest minds in physique and performance nutrition about body recomposition. While many people think of recomp purely as losing fat and gaining muscle at the same time, Brandon breaks down the three different forms it can take, and why the common claim that you cannot build muscle and lose fat simultaneously is based on an overly simplistic view of calories in, calories out.They also dive into why women may actually be better positioned for recomp than many people assume, the physiology behind this, and what Brandon sees in practice with his clients. Mikki and Brandon unpack the nutrition and training fundamentals that need to be in place, including protein intake, progressive training, and the common mistakes that stop women from seeing meaningful changes in body composition.Brandon DaCruz at his website https://www.brandondacruzfit.com/, and on Instagram @brandondacruz_Chasing Clarity https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chasing-clarity-health-fitness-podcast/id1619611966 Brandon DaCruz is an online nutrition and physique coach, accredited nutritionist, functional nutrition and metabolism specialist, and health and fitness educator with over 16 years of coaching experience.Throughout his career, Brandon has helped more than 1,200 clients ranging from Olympia-level physique competitors and competitive athletes to business owners, executives, and lifestyle clients improve their body composition, optimize performance, and enhance their overall health. His coaching philosophy is rooted in an evidence-informed approach that combines the best available research with real-world coaching experience gained from working directly with clients in the trenches for over a decade and a half.Brandon has been featured in leading industry publications including Men’s Fitness Magazine, Muscular Development, Bodybuilding.com, and the Alan Aragon Research Review, where he served as a contributing author.Known for his ability to translate complex scientific concepts into practical, actionable strategies, Brandon specializes in helping clients lose body fat, build muscle, improve metabolic health, and create sustainable long-term results without relying on extremes or quick fixes.Brandon is also the host of the Chasing Clarity Health & Fitness Podcast, a show ranked in the top 5% of all podcasts on Spotify. Through both solo episodes and conversations with many of the industry’s leading researchers, and educators, the podcast aims to bridge the gap between complexity and clarity in health, fitness, nutrition, and physique development. Each episode is designed to empower listeners through education and provide the tools needed to make informed decisions about their health and physique goals.https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/270https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/226 https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/300 https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/368 https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/416 https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/422 https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/458 Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden
Transcribe →Mini Mikkipedia - Lipoedema: When Fat Loss Isn’t the Issue
3w ago00:20:08Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Mini Mikkipedia, Mikki unpacks lipoedema, a chronic adipose tissue disorder that remains underdiagnosed despite affecting a significant number of women. She explains why lipoedema is not simply “stubborn fat”, but a condition involving altered fat tissue, inflammation, fibrosis, lymphatic dysfunction and pain. Mikki explores why standard diet and exercise approaches often fail to shift affected tissue, while still playing an important role in managing symptoms, inflammation, mobility and secondary weight gain. She also covers emerging evidence around low-carbohydrate and ketogenic approaches, low-impact exercise, compression and lymphatic support, specialist liposuction, and the developing conversation around GLP-1 medications. This episode is essential listening for anyone who has felt dismissed, confused, or blamed when their body has not responded as expected.Highlights:Why lipoedema is biologically different from general body fatHow low-carbohydrate approaches may help reduce pain and inflammationThe role of exercise, lymphatic flow, compression and mobilityWhy specialist liposuction is currently the most direct tissue-targeting interventionWhere GLP-1 medications may fit in future lipoedema management Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenNZ listeners - save 10% off Calocurb by using the code Mikkipedia10 at www.calocurb.co.nzSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order
Transcribe →Choose Your Hard: Grant Schofield on Human Potential
4w ago01:08:03Tap to summarizeSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKIPEDIA at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comThis week on the podcast, Mikki speaks to returning guest Professor Grant Schofield about his book that has been released (and sold out in bookstores up and down the country): Choose Your Hard. We unpack this and more and it is, as always, an awesome conversation. Grant is a Professor of Public Health at Auckland University of Technology, former Director of the University’s Human Potential Centre, former Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Education in New Zealand, co-author of four best-selling books and Chief Science Officer for PREKURE.Professor Grant’s career has focused on preventing the diseases of modern times, and seeing what it takes to help people live a long, healthy and happy life.He lives and breathes the motto “be the best you can be”, and sees this as a game-changer for the health system – capable of transforming the current health (sickness) model, to one in which we aspire to be well. He is redefining public health as the science of human potential; the study of what it takes to have a great life.Grant is well known for thinking outside the box and challenging conventional wisdom in nutrition and weight loss, as well as physical activity and exercise.He brings his fluency across several scientific disciplines – from human physiology, to psychology, to peak performance – to his role at PREKURE, where he delivers world class training in lifestyle medicineGrant’s book https://profgrantschofield.com/choose-your-hard-a-philosophical-guide-to-getting-shit-done/ You can find Grant through the following avenues.Grant Schofield Blog:https://profgrantschofield.com/Pre Kure https://prekure.com/https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/412https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/324https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/200https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/67https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/01 Curranz Supplement: Use code MIKKIPEDIA to get 20% off your first order - go to www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk to order yours NZ listeners - save 10% off Calocurb by using the code Mikkipedia10 at www.calocurb.co.nzContact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden
Transcribe →Mini Mikkipedia - How to Spot a Fad Diet Fast
Jun 2800:14:01Tap to summarizeIn this Mini Mikkipedia episode, Mikki unpacks the red flags that separate a legitimate nutrition approach from a fad diet dressed up in sciencey language. Starting with a brief history of some truly wild diets, from the swamp diet to tapeworms and the drinking man’s diet, she explains why modern trends may look just as absurd in hindsight. Mikki walks through the common patterns: demonising one nutrient, promising rapid results without trade-offs, relying on testimonials instead of evidence, and having no plan for what happens after the “challenge” ends. This episode gives listeners a practical toolkit for assessing diet claims, asking better questions, and avoiding programs that sell short-term scale drops without long-term strategy. Highlights Why fad diets often blame one nutrient for the entire obesity crisis The difference between fat loss and early water-weight loss Why maintenance matters more than the “before and after” photo How sciencey language can hide weak or non-existent evidence Why testimonials are persuasive, but not proof Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenNZ listeners - save 10% off Calocurb by using the code Mikkipedia10 at www.calocurb.co.nzSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order
Transcribe →Metabolism, Menopause and Midlife Body Composition with Hannah Cabre, PhD
Jun 2300:49:36Tap to summarizeSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKIPEDIA at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz Supplement: Use code MIKKIPEDIA to get 20% off your first order - go to www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk to order yours NZ listeners - save 10% off Calocurb by using the code Mikkipedia10 at www.calocurb.co.nzIn this episode, Mikki speaks with Hannah Cabre from Pennington Biomedical Research Center about energy expenditure, body composition, ageing, and what really happens to metabolism through midlife and beyond with a focus on sex differences. Hannah’s work uses doubly labelled water data, considered the gold standard for measuring total daily energy expenditure in real-world conditions. This allows researchers to understand what people actually burn across the day, beyond estimates from fitness trackers, calorie equations, or short-term lab measures.Mikki and Hannah discuss the idea that metabolism is “stable” from 20 to 60, whether menopause uniquely affects energy expenditure, why body fat can increase even when scale weight stays the same, and why preserving fat-free mass becomes increasingly important with age.This is a nuanced, evidence-based conversation for anyone interested in metabolism, midlife body composition changes, and what ageing really means for energy needs.https://www.pbrc.edu/research-and-faculty/faculty/cabre-hannah.aspxHannah E. Cabré, PhD, RD, is an Assistant Professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center and Director of the Aging, Gynecology, and Endocrinology Laboratory. Her research focuses on how female sex hormones influence nutrition, health, performance, and body composition across the lifespan, with a particular interest in sex differences during ageing.Hannah’s work explores the importance of skeletal muscle maintenance for long-term health, especially during the menopause transition, and how lifestyle interventions may help mitigate age-related changes in body composition and healthspan. Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden
Transcribe →Mini Mikkipedia - Tracking Food Without Losing Your Mind
Jun 2100:22:06Tap to summarizeIn this Mini Mikkipedia episode, Mikki unpacks the real-world pros, cons and practicalities of food tracking. While macro counting is often sold as the “gold standard,” Mikki explains why tracking is less about complexity and more about the time, accuracy and skill required to do it well. She covers why beginners often underestimate the learning curve, how app databases can mislead, and why weighing food, logging extras and understanding raw versus cooked weights matter. The episode also explores the evidence around self-monitoring, adherence drop-off, photo-based tracking, and why consistency often matters more than perfection. Ultimately, tracking is framed as a tool, not a life sentence: useful for building food awareness, but not the only path to fat loss or maintenance. Highlights Why food tracking is “arduous,” not complicated The common mistakes that make macro tracking inaccurate What the research says about consistency, adherence and weight loss Photo-based tracking: great for patterns, poor for precision How tracking can build lasting food knowledge beyond the app Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenNZ listeners - save 10% off Calocurb by using the code Mikkipedia10 at www.calocurb.co.nzSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order
Transcribe →Michelle Matangi - Why Fat Loss Is More Than Food
Jun 1601:22:04Tap to summarizeSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKIPEDIA at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comThis week on the podcast Mikki speaks to returning guest Michelle Matangi about mindset around food, weight loss, weight loss maintenance and more. This is a special episode, and was originally part of the Mondays Matter curriculum, a Zoom call held with members earlier this year. As part of that, Michelle shares her own updated journey with her health and wellbeing, something she is very transparent about, of which is so helpful for anyone listening.Michelle is a health and life coach in Taranaki who has helped hundreds of people redefine their relationship with food and themselves using strategies that she has perfected over two decades of understanding this for herself. Part of this is not always having the answers or implementing best laid plans, but having grace and acceptance when that isn’t possible. https://www.michellematangi.com/https://www.instagram.com/michellematangi/https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/74 https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/172https://podcast.mikkiwilliden.com/320 Mastering maintenance webinar https://www.mikkiwilliden.com/mastering-maintenance-webinar Curranz Supplement: Use code MIKKIPEDIA to get 20% off your first order - go to www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk to order yours NZ listeners - save 10% off Calocurb by using the code Mikkipedia10 at www.calocurb.co.nzContact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden
Transcribe →Mini Mikkipedia - GLP-1s and the ADHD Brain
Jun 1400:24:52Tap to summarizeIn this Mini-Mikkipedia episode, Mikki explores the emerging intersection between GLP-1 medications and ADHD, particularly around appetite, impulsivity, reward-seeking behaviour, and food noise. While there is currently no direct evidence that GLP-1s improve attention or focus, there is growing interest in how these medications act on brain reward circuits involved in compulsive eating, cue reactivity, alcohol intake, and other hedonic behaviours. Mikki breaks down why ADHD is more than an attention issue, explaining its links with dopamine regulation, obesity risk, binge eating, and emotional eating patterns. She also discusses why GLP-1s may be helpful for some adults with ADHD, while potentially creating issues such as low mood, flatness, reduced motivation, or under-fuelling in others. A nuanced one — less “magic bullet,” more “know the machinery.” Highlights / Topics Covered: Why ADHD is closely tied to dopamine, reward-seeking, impulsivity, and eating behaviour The relationship between ADHD, obesity, binge eating, and “food addiction” patterns How GLP-1 medications may influence reward circuits, food noise, cue reactivity, and compulsive eating Why GLP-1s could be helpful for some people with ADHD but may worsen flatness, motivation, or mood in others Practical considerations around nutrition, protein intake, stimulant medications, appetite suppression, and monitoring Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenNZ listeners - save 10% off Calocurb by using the code Mikkipedia10 at www.calocurb.co.nzSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order
Transcribe →Metabolic Psychiatry: Rethinking Mental Health - Dr Matt Bernstein
Jun 901:02:45Tap to summarizeSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKIPEDIA at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz Supplement: Use code MIKKIPEDIA to get 20% off your first order - go to www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk to order yours NZ listeners - save 10% off Calocurb by using the code Mikkipedia10 at www.calocurb.co.nzThis week on the podcast, Mikki speaks to Dr Matt Bernstein, a physician working in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry, which explores the connection between brain health, metabolism, and mental illness.In this episode, the conversation centres on how metabolic dysfunction may play a far greater role in mental health than traditionally recognised. Matt explains what metabolic psychiatry actually is, how it differs from conventional psychiatric approaches, and why factors like insulin resistance, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction are now being considered key drivers in conditions such as depression, anxiety, and more severe psychiatric disorders.They explore the growing interest in nutritional and metabolic interventions, including dietary strategies like carbohydrate restriction, and how these may influence brain energy, neurotransmitter function, and symptom outcomes. The discussion also touches on where the evidence currently sits, what clinicians should be cautious about, and how to think about integrating these approaches alongside standard care.It’s a thought-provoking conversation that challenges traditional models of mental health, while offering a more biologically grounded way of understanding and supporting the brain.Dr. Matt Bernstein is a highly respected clinical psychiatrist and a leading voice in metabolic psychiatry, with 25 years of experience helping individuals achieve full mental health and functional recovery.He graduated summa cum laude from Columbia University in English literature and earned his medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Trained at MGH/McLean, he served as chief resident and later held leadership roles including psychiatrist-in-charge and assistant medical director of the schizophrenia and bipolar inpatient program. He also serves as chief medical officer at Ellenhorn, developing community-based strategies to optimize mental health.For the past five years, Dr. Bernstein has focused on metabolic psychiatry, first in his private practice, and then at Ellenhorn. More recently, he created Accord’s comprehensive program and is sharing his expertise through podcasts, national conferences, and briefings for members of Congress. He co-organized the first public conference on metabolic psychiatry, and co-leads a privately funded study evaluating outcomes of Accord’s pioneering interventions.He serves on advisory and non-profit boards, including Metabolic Mind, Meru Health, The Metabolic Revolution, and the Coalition for Metabolic Health, helping advance the field both clinically and publicly.https://accordmh.com/our-team/matt-bernstein/ Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden
Transcribe →Mini Mikkipedia - What Really Supports Immunity in Winter
Jun 700:18:15Tap to summarizeIn this Mini Mikkipedia episode, Mikki explores whether fruit and vegetables really “boost” immunity in the way we often hear during winter. While produce absolutely supports health, the clinical evidence suggests its immune benefits are more specific than the marketing implies, especially for those starting from a low intake. Mikki unpacks research on fruit and vegetable intake, vaccine response, vitamin C loss in stored produce, and why frozen vegetables deserve more respect. She then broadens the conversation into what actually moves the needle for immune resilience: adequate energy intake, sufficient protein, correcting true vitamin D and zinc deficiencies, and supporting gut health through fermented foods and dietary variety. The takeaway? Your immune system does not need hype; it needs enough fuel, enough protein, and the right nutrients. Tiny old-school truth bomb, really. Highlights / Topics Covered: Why “boosting immunity” is an oversimplified claim What human trials show about fruit, vegetables, and immune function How storage affects vitamin C in fresh produce Why frozen vegetables can be a smart nutritional choice The hierarchy of immune support: food, protein, vitamin D, zinc, and gut health Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenNZ listeners - save 10% off Calocurb by using the code Mikkipedia10 at www.calocurb.co.nzSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order
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