Hardiness with Dr Paul Taylor

Why the 'reduce your salt intake' message is way too simple: Wisdom Wednesdays 02.06.2026 14мин

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Value Your Time With Carly Taylor 31.05.2026 6мин

This week's Mojo Monday episode is a poignant reminder that life is short, and the way we spend our time is crucial. Carly shares a heartwarming story about a lunch date with their dad, who's 88 years young, and the wisdom he imparted to their 20-year-old daughter. This conversation sparks a reflection on how we often get caught up in the daily grind and forget to cherish the present moment. As we navigate our busy lives, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Carly invites us to take a step back and consider how we're spending our time. This episode encourages us to take a closer look at our values and how they align with our daily habits. Carly also shares a powerful exercise that helps us reflect on our time usage and identify areas for improvement.  Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness — the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take action under pressure. Her work integrates modern psychology with Eastern and Stoic approaches focusing on helping people live meaningful lives without needing to control their thoughts or emotions.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Embracing the Experiment Mindset for Personal Growth 29.05.2026 53мин

Are you stuck in a cycle of overthinking and information overload, unsure how to move forward? In this episode, I chat with Tamsin Simmons as she shares her journey from healthcare management to becoming a leadership coach and author, emphasising the power of the experiment mindset to create meaningful change. Discover how testing small, process-focused experiments can lead you toward your true goals and improve both personal and organisational performance. Key Takeaways The concept of the experiment mindset and its application across areas of life Imposter syndrome: transforming it into a growth opportunity rather than a barrier The importance of focusing on processes over outcomes in behaviour change The three levers of behavior change: environment, psychology, and physiology Practical strategies for designing and running personal experiments The pitfalls of information overload and the “procrastination tools” of consuming content without applying it How organisational incentives and environment influence behaviour, both positively and negatively The role of curiosity and a growth mindset in sustaining motivation and joy The universality of the experiment mindset beyond workplace leadership, including health and personal development   Timestamps:04:44 - Imposter syndrome: from challenge to growth tool06:56 - How perceptions of imposter syndrome evolve with experience09:02 - Why the experiment mindset encourages resilience and growth11:03 - The motivation behind writing The Experiment Mindset13:09 - Changes in leadership and organisational behaviour over the last decade14:43 - The failures of piecemeal workplace wellness strategies16:15 - Moving from knowledge to action: tackling the knowing-doing gap18:42 - Why high-quality information can become a barrier when misused20:11 - The importance of treating yourself as your own experiment 22:40 - Real-world example: personal experimentation with diet and health26:11 - Understanding individual responses to health interventions28:37 - Limiting biases in personal experiments and avoiding confirmation bias30:36 - The three levers of behaviour change: environment, psychology, physiology32:24 - How incentives and environment influence organisational and personal behaviour34:43 - Rethinking outcome-based performance for better wellbeing and results36:26 - The role of physiology and physical capacity in high performance37:36 - The impact of environment on physiology and psychology39:17 - Simple nutritional strategies for sustained energy and performance41:16 - Designing meaningful experiments: aligning with your top-level goals43:04 - Managing big change by setting realistic, incremental goals45:06 - Focusing on process over outcome to foster resilience and curiosity47:35 - The power of curiosity and scientific thinking in everyday experiments48:04 - Applying the experiment mindset beyond work: health, relationships, and life49:46 - Overcoming information overload and “constipation” in decision-making   Resources Tamsin’s book The Experiment Mindset Website: https://www.tamsinsimounds.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamsinkate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsinsimounds Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamsinkatesimounds   Support the Podcast If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The health metric that is most predictive of future disability risk - and it's not what you think. 26.05.2026 16мин

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If I Know What To Do .... Why Don't I do It? With Carly Taylor 24.05.2026 6мин

Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness — the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take action under pressure. Her work integrates modern psychology with Eastern and Stoic approaches focusing on helping people live meaningful lives without needing to control their thoughts or emotions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Understanding Your True Identity with Dr Jeremy Thompson 22.05.2026 52мин

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Jeremy Thompson as we delve into the complexities of identity and mental health. We explore how early life experiences shape our self-perception and the importance of understanding one's true self. Jeremy shares insights from his extensive experience in family medicine and psychological medicine, emphasising the need to separate negative self-perceptions from one's core identity. The conversation touches on the impact of societal labels, the role of upbringing in mental health, and practical approaches to fostering a positive self-image. Key Takeaways Self-identity as a dynamic, compartmentalised system                                                      People’s sense of self is best understood as a mix of core positives and externalised negatives, which should be separated rather than conflated. Childhood trauma’s impact is modifiable through focused reframing                                      Traumatic childhood experiences leave lasting imprints, but their influence can be softened by actively re-examining and challenging negative beliefs formed early on. Authentic self-awareness guides positive choices over societal expectations                Aligning daily actions with one’s true self and natural inclinations, rather than external pressures or shoulds, promotes genuine well-being. Labelling mental health issues risks entrenching identities over understanding                 Applying diagnostic labels too readily risks turning complex mental states into fixed identities, which can hinder recovery and self-growth. Cultivating inner energy through awareness enhances alignment with true self               Attuning to moments of positive energy signals alignment with your authentic inclinations, serving as a compass for satisfying pursuits. The oversimplification of mental health through excessive diagnoses dilutes treatment efficacy                                                                                                                                            The proliferation of mental health diagnoses, many wishy-washy and overlapping, obscures understanding and can lead to self-labelling that hampers progress. The balance of nurturing positive traits while managing negatives is central to resilient identity                                                                                                                                        Strong resilience arises from affirming and cultivating your best qualities while consciously managing and externalising negative forces.   Time Stamps 02:57 Understanding Mental Health and Chronic Stress 06:02 The Importance of Identity in Mental Health 08:53 The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences 12:08 The Mixed Bag Concept of Self-Identity 14:53 Building Positive Relationships and Resilience 18:00 The Role of Mental Health Professionals 21:08 Reflecting on Childhood Experiences 23:55 Values, Virtues, and the Real Self 28:46 Understanding Personal Desires vs. Societal Expectations 32:00 The Complexity of Human Nature and Selfishness 34:55 The Dangers of Labels and Identity 38:18 Finding Your True Self and Identity 42:31 Navigating Change and Personal Growth 46:59 The Role of Identity in Health and Well-being   Resources Dr Jeremy Thompson’s new book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Understand-Your-Identity-Jeremy-Thompson/dp/1636986277/ Website - https://understandyourtrueidentity.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-thompson-41a47969/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/DrJeremyThompson   Support the Podcast If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Marcus Aurelius Managed His Mind And What We Can Learn From It by Carly Taylor 17.05.2026 11мин

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor living nearly 2,000 years ago, yet his private journal reads remarkably like modern psychological coaching. In this episode, Carly explores a powerful passage from Meditations and unpack what Stoicism, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Morita Therapy can teach us about managing difficult thoughts and emotions. If you’ve ever felt hijacked by overthinking, caught in emotional spirals, or trapped in the stories your mind creates, this episode offers a practical, stoic framework for stepping back, seeing reality more clearly, and choosing your next move with intention.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Unlocking Brain Chemistry: The Power of Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin & Endorphins 15.05.2026 1ч 20мин

In this episode with TJ Power, the discussion delves into the impact of modern lifestyle on mental health, focusing on conditions like mild anxiety and depression. TJ Power, a neuroscientist, shares insights from his book "The Dose Effect," which explores how dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins can be optimised to improve well-being. The conversation covers TJ's personal journey with dopamine addiction and how he developed a protocol to rebalance brain chemistry. We also discuss the importance of evolutionary biology, the role of technology in mental health, and practical steps to enhance connection and reduce stress in today's fast-paced world. Discover practical strategies to optimise brain chemistry, overcome modern lifestyle disorders, and foster deeper human connection. Key Takeaways Impact of modern lifestyle on mental health Role of dopamine in motivation and addiction Oxytocin and human connection Serotonin's influence on body-brain health Endorphins and stress relief through exercise Practical strategies for neurochemical balance The importance of behavioural first approaches The science of shared suffering and bonding Effects of technology and social media on dopamine Strategies for lifestyle changes to improve mental health Time Stamps 01:12 Modern Lifestyle Disorders and the Dose Effect 02:04 TJ Power's Journey and the DOSELAB 04:16 Research Challenges and Funding 06:05 In-Person vs. Online Interventions 08:02 Understanding Dopamine 10:01 Dopamine's Role in Motivation and Anticipation 11:58 The Impact of Modern Rewards on Dopamine 13:54 Fast vs. Slow Dopamine 16:05 The Consequences of Low Dopamine 18:02 Behavioural Approaches to Mental Health 20:00 The Importance of Action in Motivation 21:55 Practical Challenges for Dopamine Optimization 23:50 Phone Fasting and Digital Detox 25:36 Dopamine and ADHD 28:37 Understanding ADHD and Dopamine 31:59 The Role of Oxytocin in Human Connection 38:36 The Power of Connection in Adversity 46:37 Cultivating Oxytocin in Daily Life 48:43 Exploring Serotonin and Body-Brain Connection 01:01:24 The Impact of Endorphins on Well-being Resources Website: DOSELab The DOSE Effect: https://geni.us/UFOm – TJ Power’s book LinkedIn -  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjpowerneuroscience/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tjpower/ Website:  https://tjpower.co.uk/   Support the Podcast If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An eggcellent dietary habit to keep your brain healthy and help prevent Alzheimer's Disease 13.05.2026 9мин

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The Words You're Living By With Carly Taylor 10.05.2026 4мин

This week on Mojo Monday, Carly explores the power of language in shaping our experiences. She delves into the concept of relational frame theory, which suggests that our minds create connections and meaning through language, influencing how we feel about our lives.  Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness — the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take action under pressure. Her work integrates modern psychology with Eastern and Stoic approaches focusing on helping people live meaningful lives without needing to control their thoughts or emotions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Choose your hard: Science-backed strategies to thrive in a difficult world, with Emeritus Professor Grant Schofield 08.05.2026 1ч 20мин

If you think ease and comfort are the keys to happiness, think again. This episode explores how deliberately embracing life's challenges—through movement, fasting, cold exposure, and mental resilience—can transform your health, happiness, and purpose. Grant Schofield, an esteemed researcher and author, reveals that life's true reward lies in choosing the hard path, strong in the knowledge that it leads to a more vibrant, resilient life.        Choose your path, and in doing so, choose your future. And for those ready to take action, Grant’s new book Choose Your Hard distils these powerful principles into actionable step because the path to a better life is a deliberate choice. 00:00 The Role of an Emeritus Professor 02:57 The Academic Publishing Industry 05:54 Understanding Misogi and Personal Challenges 09:00 Fasting and Autophagy Explained 12:01 The Science of Metabolism and Immune Function 15:04 Psychological Aspects of Fasting 17:58 Preparing for a Fast: Strategies and Mindset 20:58 Physical Responses and Adaptations During Fasting 25:51 The Role of Stress in Health 27:28 Choosing Your Hard: Embracing Life's Challenges 35:19 Agency and Responsibility in Health 40:10 Movement: The Foundation of Health 46:43 Dopamine: The Devil's Seesaw 52:41 Hard vs. Soft Dopamine: Resetting the System 53:28 The Irony of Pleasure and Pain 55:24 Facing the Elements: Hot and Cold Exposure 01:01:38 Understanding Emotions and Their Ownership 01:05:18 Finding Meaning and Purpose in Life   Resources Grant’s latest book – Choose Your Hard Available on Amazon Website -https://profgrantschofield.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-schofield-32512728/ X - https://x.com/grantsnz Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Prof.Grant YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@PREKURE   Support the Podcast If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Magnesium - the critical roles it plays in your body and how to ensure you're getting enough:Wisdom Wednesdays 05.05.2026 13мин

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People Who Get Under Your Skin and What To Do About It With Carly Taylor 03.05.2026 5мин

Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness — the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take action under pressure. Her work integrates modern psychology with Eastern and Stoic approaches focusing on helping people live meaningful lives without needing to control their thoughts or emotions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From Physio to Formula One: Kim Keedle’s Elite Performance Journey 01.05.2026 41мин

In this episode of the Hardiness Podcast, Kim Keedle shares his fascinating journey from a physiotherapist in Melbourne to a performance coach in the high-octane world of Formula One. Kim discusses his passion for working with athletes, which led him to pursue a master's in strength and conditioning. His career took him to the UK, where he worked with Olympic athletes at the University of Leeds, and eventually into the fast-paced environment of Formula One with the Haas team. Kim reflects on the challenges and rewards of working in elite sports, emphasising the importance of focus, resilience, and continuous improvement. Key Takeaways High-performance habits are rooted in simplicity and consistency Elite performance technologies can be accessible and scalable Managing life’s complexity requires mental models that prioritise purpose Reflection and savouring amplify performance and well-being The discipline of visualisation prepares elite minds for unexpected scenarios The sacrifice of the elite is often misunderstood by outsiders Regulating self-talk by requesting honest feedback improves growth   00:00 Kim Keedle's Journey into Physiotherapy 02:54 Transition to Strength and Conditioning 06:00 Experience in Formula One 09:04 Life on the Road as a Performance Coach 11:54 Managing Jet Lag and Nutrition 15:02 Lessons from Elite Sports for Everyday Life 18:05 Visualisation Techniques for Stress Management 22:02 Functional Imagery Training and Its Everyday Applications 24:14 The Transition from Formula One to Personal Life 26:02 The Pressure of Performance in Sports 29:56 Lessons from Elite Athletes and Personal Growth 33:59 The Launch of Pocket Mentor: AI in Coaching   Resources Pocket Mentor: https://pocketmentor.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimkeedle/ https://www.instagram.com/kimkeedle/   Support the Podcast If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it true that men and women respond differently to cold water immersion? Wisdom Wednesdays. 28.04.2026 18мин

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Is Helping Others Burning You Out? 26.04.2026 5мин

You’re the one people rely on. You show up. You help. You say yes. But at what cost? In this Mojo Monday episode, Carly explores what can happen when being the “helper” starts to take a toll and why always saying yes isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Because every yes has a cost… even if you can’t see it straight away. If you’ve ever felt stretched, drained, or quietly overwhelmed while still showing up for everyone else, this one could be for you. Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness — the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take action under pressure. Her work integrates modern psychology with Japanese approaches like Morita Therapy, focusing on helping people live meaningful lives without needing to control their thoughts or emotions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How a Veteran Turned Life's Challenges into Triumphs: Aaron Hale's Journey of Resilience 24.04.2026 54мин

Most people give up at the first sign of pain. Aaron Hale’s story is a different kind of race—one where he’s faced unimaginable trauma and keeps running anyway. A combat veteran turned inspiring endurance athlete, he’s become the first blind and deaf person to complete an ultra-marathon—the infamous Badwater 135—and climbed mountains no one thought possible after losing nearly all his senses in a bomb blast. Aaron shares the brutal details of surviving an IED explosion in Afghanistan, losing his sight, hearing, and sense of balance, and then rewriting what it means to be unstoppable. He reflects on the mindset shifts that transformed pure survival into a purpose-driven pursuit of challenge, proving that pain can forge strength rather than break it. Discover how cognitive biases like fading effect and peak-end rule shape our resilience, and why the key to facing adversity is all in perspective.   Key Takeaways Adversity can be a catalyst for growth and purpose. Perspective shifts are crucial in overcoming challenges. Sharing stories of scars can foster connection and healing. Consistent movement and challenge build mental and physical resilience. Neuroplasticity allows the brain to grow stronger through hard experiences.   05:06 The Bomb Blast: A Life-Changing Incident 11:53 The Aftermath: Injuries and Recovery 17:52 Facing Blindness: A New Reality 23:59 The Turning Point: Finding Purpose 28:03 Reinventing Life: The Podcast Journey 29:18 The Power of Sharing Scars 30:21 From Adversity to Entrepreneurship 32:42 The Journey of Resilience 34:48 Embracing New Challenges 37:50 Cognitive Dissonance and Internal Drive 40:24 Nature vs. Nurture in Resilience 42:18 Facing Demons in Ultra Marathons 48:03 Walking to the Edge of Yourself 50:21 Perspective in Overcoming Hardship   Resources https://www.pointofimpactpod.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-hale-1861477/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/aclayhale/?hl=en Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aclayhale   Support the Podcast If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vaping is the new smoking - in more ways than one! Wisdom Wednesdays 21.04.2026 10мин

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Stuck On the Roundabout: Why Overthinking Keeps You Stuck and How to Get Moving Again 19.04.2026 6мин

You know that feeling when your mind just won’t let something go? You go over it…you talk about it…you try to figure it out… But instead of getting clarity, you just feel more stuck. In this episode, Carly explores the concept of toraware from Japanese psychology — a state where your mind becomes caught in a loop of overthinking — and how this can quietly narrow your life. She also unpacks co-rumination, and how group chats and even social media can keep you stuck on that same mental roundabout. You’ll walk away with a simple, practical way to shift your attention and move forward — even when nothing feels resolved. Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness — the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take action under pressure. Her work integrates modern psychology with Japanese approaches like Morita Therapy, focusing on helping people live meaningful lives without needing to control their thoughts or emotions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How Data-Driven Healthcare Could Revolutionise Mental Health and Neurodegeneration with Nawal Roy 17.04.2026 55мин

Most healthcare systems have underestimated the power of data—until now. Naval Roy reveals how he's building the world's largest, most sophisticated mental health and neurodegeneration database to revolutionise diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.    In this episode, discover how decades of hidden healthcare data can be transformed into a cutting-edge infrastructure that accelerates breakthroughs in neuroscience. Nawal shares the story of acquiring a 20-year, half-a-million patient database from Duke University—an investment of over $70 million and years of relentless engineering. This data refinery is now shaping the future of personalised medicine, enabling real-world evidence, predictive analytics, and AI-driven interventions at scale. The stakes are enormous: mental health and neurodegenerative diseases cost trillions, yet current approaches are hamstrung by outdated models rooted in philosophy and fragmented data architectures. Nawal emphasises the importance of moving beyond the 'sick care' paradigm to proactive healthspan extension and prevention—using data to predict, prevent, and personalise care long before symptoms appear. Key Takeaways Data-driven healthcare accelerates discovery by transforming entire sectors from opinion-based to evidence-based decision making. The true value of healthcare data lies in its ability to inform early intervention and prevention, not just treatment. Philosophical assumptions like Descartes’ mind-body dualism distort current biomedical models, enforcing unnecessary specialization and separation. The complexity of mental health and neurodegenerative disorders requires cross-disciplinary, AI-enabled modelling of multifactorial data. Building extensive, high-quality datasets is a multi-year, multi-million-dollar endeavour that demands patience, capital, and relentless focus on data curation. Democratising access to large healthcare data accelerates research and innovation by empowering a broad base of scientists, clinicians, and entrepreneurs. The biggest business opportunities in healthcare data are generated when multiple stakeholders—pharma, payers, governments—interact on shared, verified assets.   03:02: The Data Gap in Healthcare: Mental Health and Neurodegeneration 05:54: Philosophical Perspectives: Mind-Body Dualism and Healthcare 09:01: The Shift from Sick Care to Preventive Care 12:02: Building a Data Infrastructure: The Journey of Holmosk 14:59: Funding and Scaling: The Business Model Behind Holmosk 18:02: Real-World Evidence: Understanding Patient Behaviour 21:10: Data Curation: The Key to Unlocking Healthcare Insights 27:22: Building Trust in Data Quality 28:38: Querying for Insights: The NeuroBlue Platform 29:46: Democratizing Access to Data 30:11: Identifying Key Customers and Market Dynamics 34:51: Understanding Pain Points in Mental Health 39:37: The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health 40:59: Neurodegenerative Diseases: Challenges and Opportunities 42:22: Leveraging AI for Healthcare Solutions 46:30: Future Directions: Comorbidity and AI Interventions 50:22: The Infinite Potential of Mental Health Solutions   Resources https://www.holmusk.com/ https://www.nawalroy.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nawalroy/   Support the Podcast If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.