
The Paul Taylor Podcast
Host Paul Taylor, a Neuroscientist, Exercise Physiologist, Nutritionist and PhD student in Psychology, interviews experts from around the world on cutting edge research and practices related to improving your mind, body and brain to become your best self.
Latest episodes

Apr 6, 2025 • 9min
Mojo Monday: Symptom Relief Or a Full Life - What Are You Working Towards??
In this episode of Mojo Monday, Carly explores the rising tide of mental health challenges and asks a powerful question: are we aiming for symptom relief… or a full, meaningful life? With personal stories and practical reflections, this short episode invites you to consider what really moves you—and what small actions might shift the way you live. Carly Taylor is a Mental Fitness Coach and speaker who helps people live with clarity and purpose—even in the midst of life’s inevitable challenges. Her approach is grounded in Japanese Psychology, particularly Morita-based therapy, which teaches us to accept our internal experience and take meaningful action. Carly also draws on tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), stoicism, and evidence-based counselling frameworks to support people in building emotional resilience and living in alignment with their values. ✨ Connect with Carly:🌐 Website: www.carlytaylorcoaching.com.au📸 Instagram: @carly_taylor_coaching💼 LinkedIn: Carly TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 4, 2025 • 1h 5min
Mastering Your Mind, with Dr Adam Fraser
In this riveting episode of my chat with Dr. Adam Fraser, we delve into the intricacies of performance, resilience, and the human condition. Adam is a researcher and fellow corporate speaker (and one of the best) and a bloody good, down-to-earth bloke. Through humour and profound insights, we cover a multitude of topics, including the coping mechanisms for stress, the intersection of physiology and psychology, and the challenges faced by modern-day educators. What You'll Learn: The Power of Reflection and Reset Dr. Fraser introduces the concept of the "third space," a transitional gap that is crucial for shifting mindsets between different aspects of life. This framework—reflect, rest, reset—helps individuals leave behind previous stressors and prepare mentally for what's next. Understanding Mental Challenges Explore the metaphor of "Kevin," a character that encapsulates negative inner dialogue. This concept, derived from ACT therapy principles, helps in recognising and rationalising self-doubts and unhelpful thought patterns. The Importance of Consistency Discover the consistent habits of elite performers, such as those in special forces and top athletes, and how these disciplines can be translated into everyday life for sustained success. Navigating Work and Home Life The conversation touches upon the impact of increased remote work on personal boundaries, emphasising practical strategies to create clear separations between professional and personal spaces. Key Takeaways: Reflection, Rest, Reset: Implementing a structured approach to transitioning between activities can enhance emotional well-being and productivity. Managing Inner Dialogue: Understanding and accepting negative thoughts without allowing them to dictate actions can lead to more constructive behaviours. Consistency Is Key: Continuous small efforts in the right direction are more impactful than sporadic grand gestures. Creating Boundaries in Remote Work: Being intentional about starting and stopping work can help maintain a work-life balance, crucial in current times. Resources: Book on "Kevin": Dr. Fraser is working on a book detailing the "Kevin" concept, which promises to offer practical insights into managing inner dialogue. Secondary Trauma in Educators: New research by Dr. Fraser highlights the growing phenomenon of secondary trauma experienced by educators, offering solutions to mitigate its effects. Dr. Adam Fraser's resources and books are an enriching source of knowledge for anyone looking to enhance their personal and professional life. For more insights, you can visit Dr. Adam Fraser's website. Support and Share: If you found this episode valuable, consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more people with important conversations like this one. Share this episode with someone who can benefit from a renewed perspective on health, parenting, or emotional resilience. Join the conversation and help spread awareness about the importance of resilience in facing life's uncertainties. 01:56 Professional Backgrounds and Achievements 03:40 Insights on PhD Research 06:53 The Importance of Physiology and Psychology 10:15 The Third Space Concept 14:10 Impact of COVID on Work-Life Balance 22:19 Managing the Inner Critic: Kevin 31:07 Practical Steps for Psychological Flexibility 35:04 A Hopeful Future with My Daughter 35:56 The Intelligence of Girls vs. Boys 36:18 Working with Diverse Groups 37:08 The Resilience of Single Parents 38:05 Lessons from Elite Performers 40:28 The Impact of Losing a Child 42:33 Meditating on Mortality 45:25 Behaviour Change and Consistency 53:38 Sustainable Peak Performance 55:23 The Importance of Hobbies 01:02:09 Research on Secondary Trauma in Educators See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apr 2, 2025 • 19min
Wisdom Wednesdays: Anti-aging strategies part 12: Improving mitochondria function
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Mar 30, 2025 • 6min
Mojo Monday: A Simple Zen Koan with a Big Life Lesson
In this episode of Mojo Monday, Carly Taylor explores the quiet wisdom of a Zen koan—a simple phrase that invites reflection on our human tendency to resist what is, and a gentler path toward clarity and purpose. If you're going through a struggle right no, this episode might offer another way to meet what’s here. Carly Taylor is a Mental Fitness Coach and speaker who helps people live with clarity and purpose—even in the midst of life’s inevitable challenges. Her approach is grounded in Japanese Psychology, particularly Morita-based therapy, which teaches us to accept our internal experience and take meaningful action. Carly also draws on tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), stoicism, and evidence-based counselling frameworks to support people in building emotional resilience and living in alignment with their values. ✨ Connect with Carly:🌐 Website: www.carlytaylorcoaching.com.au📸 Instagram: @carly_taylor_coaching💼 LinkedIn: Carly TaylorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 28, 2025 • 1h 3min
Attentional Control: The Secret Weapon for High Performance with Dr. Haley Perlus
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Haley Perlus and I dive into the powerful world of sports psychology and its transformative techniques that can be applied to everyday life. Dr. Haley Perlus, an acclaimed sports psychologist, shares her expertise on overcoming mental blocks, optimising performance under pressure, and maintaining focus—insights that are valuable not only for athletes but for anyone looking to enhance their personal and professional lives. What You'll Learn: Embracing Pressure: Understand how pressure and stress can be harnessed as performance enhancers in both sports and business. Mental Blocks: Discover the most common mental blocks experienced by athletes and how these can be overcome with practical tools and environmental changes. Focus and Attention: Learn about attentional control and how maintaining focus can lead to peak performance. Routines and Recovery: Explore the importance of pre-performance routines and post-performance debriefs as essential components for sustained success. Resilience: Gain insights into bouncing back from failure and setbacks with resilience training and acceptance of imperfection. Key Takeaways: Pressure as a Privilege: Pressure can be a sign of self-belief and alignment with your values; learn to see it as an opportunity for growth. Mental Toolbox: Equip yourself with practical psychological tools such as visualisation, symbolic imagery, and controlled breathing to manage stress and optimise performance. Process Over Outcome: Focus on the process rather than the outcome. This shift in focus prevents distraction and allows for greater success and fulfillment. Attention Training: Deliberately train your attention to improve focus amidst distractions, strengthening your ability to concentrate effectively. Resilience and Recovery: Accept failure as a part of the journey and strive to become the best at recovering quickly and effectively from setbacks. Resources: Book: Personal Podium by Dr. Haley Perlus offers valuable strategies for building a mental toolbox and effectively applying sports psychology techniques to daily life. Visit Dr. Haley Perlus' Website: For masterclasses, articles, and coaching opportunities. Support and Share: If you found this episode valuable, consider subscribing, rating, and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your support helps us reach more people with important conversations like this one. Share this episode with someone who can benefit from a renewed perspective on health, parenting, or emotional resilience. Join the conversation and help spread awareness about the importance of resilience in facing life's uncertainties. 00:49 Journey into Sports Psychology 03:03 Pressure and Performance 04:19 Overcoming Mental Blocks 11:47 Harnessing Stress for Success 19:35 The Importance of Routines 26:55 Process vs. Outcome 31:57 Striving for Perfection vs. Demanding Perfection 32:38 The Art of Recovery 33:43 Learning from Failures 35:20 Techniques for Quick Recovery 37:23 Body-Mind Techniques 42:04 Training Focus and Attention 59:32 Mental Toolbox for Performance See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 25, 2025 • 12min
Wisdom Wednesdays - Anti-aging strategies part 11: Restoring our cellular clean-up processes (macroautophagy)
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Mar 23, 2025 • 7min
Mojo Monday - The Surprising Upside of Caring What People Think With Carly Taylor
Worrying about what others think is a completely human experience—we all do it. In today’s Mojo Monday, Carly Taylor explores when the fear of judgment can actually support your growth, and how to recognise when it’s holding you back. She shares practical ways to shift your focus, so you can use that worry as a guide—not a barrier—on the path to living more authentically. Carly Taylor is a Mental Fitness Coach and speaker passionate about helping people tame their mind so they can live a rich, meaningful and fulfilled life. She is trained in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Japanese Psychology, is an IIN qualified Health Coach and is currently undergoing a Masters of Counselling. Connect with Carly: Website: www.carlytaylorcoaching.com.auInstagram: carly_taylor_coachingLinkedin: linkedin.com/in/carly-taylor-61134bb9/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 21, 2025 • 1h
Success, Values, and Identity: A Conversation with Andy Reid
A captivating conversation with Andy Reid, a renowned auctioneer, coach, and author of the book "Success Curious." Their discussion dives into the intricacies of defining success, understanding personal identity, and the power of authenticity in both professional and personal realms. What You'll Learn: Embracing Authenticity and Success: Andy shares his journey of understanding what it truly means to be successful. He emphasises the importance of self-awareness and authenticity in achieving and defining personal success. The Impact of challenging experiences: Both Paul and Andy reflect on how significant experiences have shaped their paths, offering insights into how adversity can become a catalyst for positive change. The Existential Vacuum and Identity: The conversation delves into how the breakdown of religion and traditional value systems have led to a quest for identity and meaning in modern society. Self-Exploration Techniques: Andy provides practical exercises for self-discovery, such as identifying core values to better understand and navigate one's life purpose. Key Takeaways: Success is a personal journey best defined by one's own values and authenticity. Understanding and embracing one's identity is crucial for personal and professional fulfillment. Life's challenges often serve as catalysts for immense personal growth. It's vital to remain open to learning and evolving in the pursuit of a meaningful and successful life. Resources:For those seeking more insights, Andy Reid can be reached through his website, and his book "Success Curious" is available for readers eager to delve deeper into these transformative concepts. Support and share:If you found this discussion insightful, subscribe, rate, and leave a review on your preferred podcast platform to help us continue bringing vital conversations to light. Share this post with someone who may be seeking insight into how understanding oneself can lead to a more fulfilling and successful life. 00:17 Discussing the PhD Journey01:59 Life in Australia vs. Britain03:41 Career Journey: From Engineering to Hospitality05:42 Transition to Real Estate and Auctioneering09:49 Success and High Performance21:09 The Concept of Authenticity28:05 Existential Vacuum and Religion31:02 The Influence of Social Media on Identity31:46 A Conversation About Faith33:59 The Role of Leaders in Shaping Identity37:37 Political Polarization and Empathy39:44 Self-Exploration and Knowing Thyself42:35 Defining Personal Success48:25 The Impact of Trauma on Personal Growth55:41 Looking Forward: Excitement for the FutureSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 18, 2025 • 17min
Wisdom Wednesdays: Anti-aging strategies part 10: Stem cell rejuvenation
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Mar 16, 2025 • 12min
Mojo Monday - Navigating Low Self-Worth Using the 4A's Compass
Low self-worth can be debilitating, leading to avoiding doing the things that really matter. Today, Carly approaches self-worth with a bit of a different perspective. Using a framework she calls the 4A's, this unique approach may change the way you respond to low self-worth. Carly Taylor is a Mental Fitness Coach and speaker passionate about helping people tame their mind so they can live a rich, meaningful and fulfilled life. She is trained in ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), Japanese Psychology, is an IIN qualified Health Coach and is currently undergoing a Masters of Counselling. Connect with Carly: Website: www.carlytaylorcoaching.com.auInstagram: carly_taylor_coachingLinkedin: linkedin.com/in/carly-taylor-61134bb9/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.