This week’s guest is regarded as one of the all-time music greats. Named on Time magazine’s list of the ‘100 most influential people in the world’, he is none other than the legendary record producer, Mr Rick Rubin. Whether you know the name Rick Rubin or not - it is almost certain that the music he has been involved with making has made its way into your life at various points. Having worked with a huge variety of different artists in very different genres - Tom Petty, Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Adele, Johnny Cash, Jay Z, Neil Young - to name just a few, he is one of the most celebrated record producers of all time. But I think one of the reasons that Rick has reached an almost mythical status across the world is because of his Zen-like manner and his artistic approach to life. In his new book The Creative Act, Rick says that we’re all artists – and he defines art as whatever our ‘curated output’ in life is. And you don’t have to be a musician, or even a music fan to appreciate this book (or this episode), because it’s really about the art of living. We talk about how his artistic life philosophy applies to health. He shares his own path to wellness - how changing his diet, living in harmony with his circadian rhythms and seeing a nutritionist - helped him lose over a third of his body weight and gave him his vitality back.  We also touch on the similarities between creating beautiful records and creating optimal health. Rick also shares how suffering from depression has actually left him more grounded and empathetic, and why he is such a big fan of saunas and cold-water therapy. Just like in Rick’s book, there are all sorts of thought tangents to follow in our conversation, and I think, what you will hear and take away, will hugely depend on what you need to hear in your life right now. We talk about the value of deadlines, the beauty of imperfection and whether it’s OK to be motivated by success. We also touch on authenticity, values, and his firm view that ‘the audience should come last’ in any creative endeavour.  This really was a special conversation, full of timeless wisdom, from a remarkable man. If you’d have told the teenage Rangan that he’d one day be sitting down for an in-depth conversation with Rick Rubin about why medicine is more art than science, I don’t think he would have believed you - and yet, this is what you are about to hear - so strap yourself in, get yourself ready and enjoy!Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.Thanks to our sponsors:https://www.athleticgreens.com/livemorehttps://www.vivobarefoot.com/livemoreShow notes https://drchatterjee.com/327DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Our gut health, unlike our genes, is something we can influence - improving almost all aspects of our health and wellbeing.Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart.  Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.Today’s clip is from episode 291 of the podcast with leading expert on the gut microbiome, Professor Tim Spector.In this clip Tim shares some of the latest science, along with his tips for building more gut-friendly foods into your diet.Thanks to our sponsor http://www.athleticgreens.com/livemoreSupport the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/291Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjeeFollow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjeeFollow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Every morning, my guest on this week’s episode starts her day with 30-minutes of exercise. She knows – from personal experience backed by scientific research – that this makes her more focused, happy, motivated, and even creative. She knows it’ll help her grow new brain cells and neural pathways, long into old age. And she wants you to reap all these benefits too. Dr Wendy Suzuki is a neuroscientist and a Professor of Neural Science and Psychology at New York University’s Center for Neural Science. Her 2016 book Healthy Brain, Happy Life is a thought-provoking, life-changing look at the plasticity of the brain – and the research-based ways we can change it for the better. In our conversation, Wendy shares her realisation that the ‘bubble bath of feelgood chemicals’ released during movement were having powerful unexpected effects in her brain. And she explains how even just a small amount of exercise creates profound changes in the brain that go much further than simply boosting mood. We talk about the effect exercise had on the hippocampus, the part of the brain critical for long-term memory and imagination, as well as the pre-frontal cortex, responsible for our working, moment-to-moment memory. It’s all inspiring proof that our brains are plastic and can change at any age, and that we can take action to make them healthier, younger and stronger. We also discuss anxiety. Wendy’s latest book, provocatively titled Anxiety Is Your Superpower is all about reframing this ‘misunderstood emotion’ as a signal designed to protect us. Anxiety and fear levels have certainly risen over the past few years but if we can understand anxiety as part of the fight or flight stress response, says Wendy, we can begin to see it as an evolutionary tool for productivity. The key, she says, is turning a panicked list of ‘what ifs’ into a practical list of ‘to dos’. Wendy explains the detrimental effects of alcohol on brain health, the wonders of meditation and how listening to your favourite piece of music is one of the easiest ways to nourish your brain. This is a practical and inspiring episode that I’m certain will have you taking action immediately.Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.Thanks to our sponsors:https://www.vivobarefoot.com/livemorehttps://www.athleticgreens.com/livemorehttps://www.calm.com/livemoreShow notes https://drchatterjee.com/325DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Doctors working in general practice have never faced such challenges as they do today – and yet there’s a perception that they’re just not working hard enough. The reality, says this week’s guest, is there are fewer doctors and resources and soaring patient numbers with increasingly complex needs. But Dr Ayan Panja might just have hit on a solution.Ayan, as regular listeners will know, is a returning guest to the podcast and a good friend of mine. Together we developed the RCGP-accredited Prescribing Lifestyle Medicine course, which we offer to fellow healthcare practitioners. As well as being a very busy NHS GP with almost 25 years of experience, Ayan is an exceptional health communicator. His brand-new book, The Health Fix: Transform Your Health In 8 Weeks, contains life-changing insights about how we can all improve our health and wellbeing using techniques and strategies he has seen work time and time again in over 2 decades of clinical practice.In our conversation, Ayan explains the eight key factors which affect our health the most day to day and shares the simple ways that we can start to improve them. We talk about autoimmune disease and how the underlying mechanisms behind these diseases often start in the body years before we actually get a diagnosis. We also discuss the limitations of evidence-based medicine and why real-world experience often counts as much, if not more than laboratory findings. And of course, we talk about the practical things that we can all implement immediately to improve our health and happiness.One of the things that I love the most about Ayan’s approach is that it really understands that you are unique and it's going to allow you to generate your own targeted lifestyle prescription. And this episode will put you on the right path to discovering your own, individual health story – and the right interventions for you. Find out about the LIVE, Prescribing Lifestyle Medicine event for healthcare practitioners http://www.prescribinglifestylemedicine.org/Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.Thanks to our sponsors:https://www.athleticgreens.com/livemorehttps://www.vivobarefoot.com/livemoreShow notes https://drchatterjee.com/324DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Our ability to focus and pay attention plays a crucial role in every aspect of our life: reaching our goals, maintaining close relationships, thinking deeply, as well as our ability to be kind, compassionate and empathetic. Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart.  Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.Today’s clip is from episode 228 of the podcast with the brilliant Johann Hari, author of the book ‘Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention’. In this clip, Johann explains how our attention is being stolen and shares some steps that we can take to get it back.   Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.Thanks to our sponsor http://www.athleticgreens.com/livemoreShow notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/228Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjeeFollow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjeeFollow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cold showers, icy plunge pools, outdoor swimming – are you a fan, or does the very idea make you shiver? Today’s podcast is all about one of the biggest wellness trends of the past few years: cold water immersion therapy. My guest is Dr Susanna Søberg who is arguably one of the leading researchers on the topic.Susanna studied at the University of Copenhagen, looking at metabolism and the role of brown fat. Her research on the physiology of deliberate cold and heat exposure is helping to back up what many cultures have known instinctively for thousands of years – changing our temperature is good for us. Her new book Winter Swimming: The Nordic Way Towards a Healthier and Happier Life is a beautifully illustrated volume, which looks at cold-water traditions around the world and shares what incredible benefits they can provide for our health and wellbeing.In this conversation, Susanna talks us through the many physical benefits, from increased metabolism, immunity and lowered insulin resistance, to the potential to reduce excess weight and ease muscle and joint pain. The key player in all these benefits? Brown fat, a type of healthy fat stored around the spine that acts as our body’s temperature regulator, boosts metabolism and can even aid blood-sugar response and weight control. The more we expose ourselves to the cold, the more brown fat cells we have. So it’s a case of use it or lose it.There are also incredible mental health benefits from engaging with the cold. The very act of pushing out of your comfort zone and braving the cold can give you a sense of confidence. It releases mood-boosting hormones and exposes us to a form of ‘healthy stress’, building our resilience to modern life. It’s also the ultimate in mindfulness – a sensory experience that takes you out of your head and into your body.In 2021 Susanna published research setting out the minimum amount of time that we need to spend in the cold to receive all these incredible health benefits. It’s now been dubbed the Søberg Principle and it’s not nearly as extreme as you might think. Even just a cooler blast at the end of your shower is a very effective place to start. I really was delighted and honoured that Susanna came over from Denmark to record her first ever long form podcast. Whatever your view on the cold – whether you embrace it fully or whether you think this is a trend that is not for you – I really think you are going to enjoy listening and I’m pretty sure that after listening, you may well be tempted to give the cold a go.CAUTION: If you have uncontrolled hypertension or heart disease it is not advised that you start practising cold water immersion. If you have any doubt at all as to whether you are fit enough to give this practice a go, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.Thanks to our sponsors:https://www.athleticgreens.com/livemorehttps://www.boncharge.com/livemorehttps://www.vivobarefoot.com/livemoreShow notes https://drchatterjee.com/322DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have.

Do you believe habits are ‘good’ or ‘bad’? Are you constantly trying to create better habits and quit those that don’t serve you? Today’s guest has insights that will help get your New Year off to a great start by truly understanding what habits are – and how to optimise them.James Clear is an entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author of Atomic Habits a handbook for anyone who wants to finally get to grips with successful behaviour change. He shares his learnings via his hugely popular newsletters, to help people use the psychology of habit formation to live healthier, fuller lives.We talk about ‘designing your environment’, building a tribe around you who support what you want to achieve and finding the path of least resistance to what you want to do. When it comes to good versus bad habits, James says it’s more about which are effective – are they serving you?We also discuss how true behaviour change is really identity change. Every action you take towards your goal is a vote for the person you wish to become. You’re no longer that someone who tries to go for a run three times a week, you’re a runner. James says we can all begin by asking ourselves ‘Who do I want to become?’ then looking at what habits we might need to build that identity.This is such a useful conversation, packed with practical tips, and I think it’s a great way to kick off the year. I know you’re going to feel fired up to seek out your new identity once you listen. Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.Thanks to our sponsors:https://www.athleticgreens.com/livemorehttps://www.calm.com/livemorehttps://www.vivobarefoot.com/livemoreShow notes https://drchatterjee.com/321DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

What are the laws or principles that underpin all human behaviour? Today's guest is someone who has spent many years trying to crack the code and answer that very important question. Robert Greene is an American author and speaker best known for his books on power, strategy and seduction. He's authored six international bestsellers, including his very latest, The Laws Of Human Nature.Trying to understand why people do what they do may sound simple, but it is a highly complex undertaking. Robert has looked at traits such as narcissism, self-absorption, and envy that, I think it’s fair to say, we would describe as negative. But he says that all these impulses – these laws of human nature – can be found in all of us to varying degrees. Coming to terms with that isn’t always easy, but spotting these qualities in ourselves will better enable us to do the same in others.In fact, Robert takes the view that our ability to understand ourselves and relate to others, is our most important survival tool, because we're all social animals. And by understanding these universal laws of human nature, we will improve our mental resilience, our emotional well-being, we’ll be more successful, and we'll have better relationships.We talk about so many thought-provoking topics in this conversation, including the need for radical honesty if we're truly going to change ourselves and the dangers of black and white thinking. Robert also shares what he learnt when he suffered from a serious stroke, including why he now meditates for 45 minutes every single morning, and the insights he's gained from doing so.This is a really powerful conversation that I think is going to have you thinking, questioning, introspecting and reflecting. But ultimately, it's a conversation that will inspire you to take action. I hope you enjoy listening. Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.Thanks to our sponsors:https://www.athleticgreens.com/livemorehttps://www.calm.com/livemorehttps://www.vivobarefoot.com/livemoreShow notes https://drchatterjee.com/320DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

This is a powerful story that my guest delivers with extraordinary wisdom. It will stop you in your tracks.Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart.  Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.Today’s clip is from episode 144 of the podcast with the wonderful Edith Eger, a holocaust survivor, a psychologist, and an author.This was a powerful conversation that fundamentally changed my perspective on life.In this clip, Edith shares her extraordinary story.Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.Thanks to our sponsor http://www.athleticgreens.com/livemoreShow notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/144Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjeeFollow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjeeFollow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I’m pleased to welcome a podcast guest who has become one of my favourite voices on social media, sharing her wisdom on the concept of self-healing. Dr Nicole Le Pera is a clinical psychologist who felt frustrated by the limitations of traditional psychotherapy and was drawn towards a mind, body and spirit approach. She believes that we’re each responsible for our thoughts, behaviours and reactions – and therefore we have the power within us to heal ourselves from past trauma. Describing herself as The Holistic Psychologist, Nicole says it’s her mission to help you ‘consciously create a new version of yourself’. Her millions of followers on Instagram and YouTube love her clear and insightful posts which identify patterns, beliefs and behaviours we might want to change. Nicole’s latest book is How To Meet Your Self: The Workbook For Self-Discovery. As it sounds, it’s a practical guide to finding out who you really are, the patterns of belief you might be stuck in, and how to overcome them. We begin by talking about the fact that many of us feel ‘stuck’ in our lives. We’re stressed, anxious, perhaps our work or relationships aren’t going well. It can feel like something’s missing or broken, but we’re not sure what and so we blame ourselves or our circumstances. But Nicole explains that what’s really going on here is that most of what we think, feel and do is a reflection of our past conditioning. We’re stuck in patterns formed in childhood that no longer serve us – or reflect who we really are. For many of us, it’s our relationships with our partners or children that can help us to finally observe these patterns. Or sometimes, she says, we need to reach rock bottom before we can start the journey of recognition and self-healing. We talk about how exactly to recognise those experiences from childhood that might have shaped your core beliefs. We look at how these beliefs can manifest throughout life in physical stress responses and hard-to-break habits, through to self-sabotaging, destructive behaviours that can leave us feeling deeply unhappy or unwell. And we discuss Nicole’s definition of emotional maturity as the realisation that your core beliefs aren’t fact – you can override and change them. This is a very thought-provoking conversation, which I think will get you looking back at your childhood and reflecting on how it might have shaped who you are today. I hope you enjoy listening.Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.Thanks to our sponsors:https://athleticgreens.com/livemorehttps://boncharge.com/livemorehttps://vivobarefoot.com/livemoreShow notes https://drchatterjee.com/318DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.