CAUTION: This podcast episode contains mild swearing.Today’s guest believes that the only thing separating you from living your perfect life, is the dialogue that exists within your subconscious mind. This philosophy is very much in alignment with my own and so I was delighted to welcome Peter Crone, a.k.a ‘the mind architect’ back onto the podcast for the third time. Peter is a writer, speaker and thought leader in human potential and has worked with world-famous actors, athletes and the business elite yet the lessons he teaches are universal truths that apply to each and every one of us.We begin the conversation discussing how the biggest illusion that humans have is believing that their experience is generated from circumstance – that they only feel the way they feel because of what is going on around them. This makes us a victim of circumstance. Peter explains that in fact, the suffering we feel is caused and created by ourselves and we have the power to choose how we respond to any situation. This he says, is true freedom. This way of thinking applies to all areas of our life, including our relationships. Our primal desire to be loved and accepted often means that we put the onus on the people around us to provide security and our sense of worth. We expect others to behave a certain way towards us and when they don’t, we feel hurt and sometimes rejected. Peter explains what is really going on in these situations and what we can do to start changing them.We also talk about how holding onto a sense of identity can be problematic, the role emotions play in disease and how parents can help their children reduce the likelihood of developing negative thought patterns.If you heard my last conversations with Peter, you’ll know how life-changing this way of thinking can be. This conversation has even more anecdotes and I think it will leave you with lots of ideas to reflect on in your own life.Thanks to our sponsors:http://blublox.com/livemorehttp://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/livemorehttp://www.athleticgreens.com/livemoreShow notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/199Follow me on https://www.instagram.com/drchatterjee Follow me on https://www.facebook.com/DrChatterjee Follow me on https://twitter.com/drchatterjeeukDISCLAIMER: 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.

RE-RELEASE: This episode first aired in December 2020.Today’s guest joins me fresh from a run of autumn camps with the England football team. He’s their manager, Gareth Southgate OBE, and I speak to him about his new book, Anything Is Possible. It’s not really a football memoir, but more a guide to life and there are brilliant lessons for all of us in there – non-football fans included!Gareth had an illustrious career as a professional football player in the 1990s and as England manager, took the England team to the semi-finals of the 2018 FIFA World Cup for the first time in 28 years. We discuss how Gareth achieved this by employing psychologists (such as my former guest Pippa Grange), modelling emotional intelligence and communicating with each player as an individual. He promotes a mindset of positive drivers not negative drivers: focusing on what players might achieve, rather than what might go wrong. Most importantly, he reinstated a sense of fun. I love his humble, warm, inclusive approach. Under his watch, footballers have started to look more like role models again.Gareth explains how he used to be a shy teenage player and with his book, he aims to help youngsters get over self-limiting beliefs, nerves and anxieties and learn to be brave – and he shares some great dressing-room stories with me as examples. It may be written for children and young people, with Gareth’s role as ambassador for The Prince’s Trust in mind, but it contains universal wisdom for all ages.I had so much to ask him, and we managed to cover topics from how players cope without a crowd, to how he breaks the news when someone’s not made the team and the real meaning of bravery. We talk about the pressures on players from social media but also how it can be a force for good, helping Raheem Stirling and Marcus Rashford change attitudes and lives through their respective campaigns against racism and childhood hunger.I can’t emphasize enough that you don’t need to be into football to appreciate this conversation. It’s about having confidence, working hard, taking responsibility and being authentic. It was such an honour to speak with Gareth and he’s certainly reignited my love of the beautiful game. I can’t help but agree with him that when we come together in a positive way over sport, it has the potential to change the world. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.Show notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/140Follow me on https://www.instagram.com/drchatterjee Follow me on https://www.facebook.com/DrChatterjee Follow me on https://twitter.com/drchatterjeeukDISCLAIMER: 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.

Life can be busy, and it’s easy to forget to make time to catch up with friends– but spending time with your friends is more important than you think.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 80 of the podcast with my good friend and fellow podcast host Dhru Purohit.In this clip, he explains why our friendships are so important, and why we need deep connections to others to truly thrive.Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/80Thanks to our sponsor http://www.athleticgreens.com/livemoreFollow me on instagram.com/drchatterjeeFollow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjeeFollow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeukDISCLAIMER: 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.

CAUTION: This episode contains mild swearing.I’m delighted to welcome James Nestor, the brilliant science journalist and author of Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art back to the podcast. James and I first spoke last September on episode 124. It was such a popular episode – in fact the YouTube version is my most-watched show! And I knew there was so much more I wanted to talk about with this inspiring guest, who’s such a wealth of knowledge on the untapped potential of breathwork.Since its publication last spring, James’s book has become an international bestseller, translated into 30 languages. Much of its appeal, I believe, comes from the author’s easy-to-read yet rigorous, objective approach. James isn’t trying to convince us that any one technique is better than another, or to push his opinion. He writes as an enquiring journalist, looking for the science to support effects that have been celebrated for thousands of years.It doesn’t matter if you missed last year’s conversation or you’re new to the concept of breathwork, as this episode is a handy recap. We cover all the basics of nasal breathing, the science of carbon dioxide tolerance, and the benefits of harnessing our breath for conditions ranging from asthma to anxiety, emphysema to scoliosis. And if you did catch our previous chat? Rest assured we go way deeper in this one! We delve into some of the super-breathing techniques like Tummo breathing (as popularised by Wim Hof), Holotropic Breathwork and Sudarshan Kriya. James shares his own experience of each, as well as the evidence behind them.Not only has James spent years researching and collating his work, he’s been talking about his findings non-stop to a fascinated audience for the past year. And yet his enthusiasm shows no sign of waning. That, he says, is because he has first-hand knowledge of how life-changing breathwork can be. It’s free, it’s easy, it doesn’t require much of your time, and the results can be instantaneous. I think you’ll be motivated and inspired to try some of the tips that James shares as you listen. So why is it that we have come so far from what should come naturally to us? Answers to all this, and more, in today’s episode. I hope you enjoy listening. Thanks to our sponsors:http://www.calm.com/livemorehttp://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/livemorehttp://www.athleticgreens.com/livemoreShow notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/197Follow me on https://www.instagram.com/drchatterjeeDISCLAIMER: 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.

Do you think that running just isn’t for you? Or do you already enjoy running?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 31 of the podcast with sports reporter, author, and endurance runner, Vassos Alexander.In this clip, he shares his inspirational journey - from being unfit and out of shape to running ultramarathons. He believes it doesn’t matter how far you run or how fast, just giving it a try could benefit your life in so many positive ways, and he gives some great tips on how to get started.Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/31Thanks to our sponsor http://www.athleticgreens.com/livemoreFollow me on instagram.com/drchatterjeeFollow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjeeFollow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeukDISCLAIMER: 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.

CAUTION: This episode contains mild swearing.My guest today is internationally acclaimed meditation teacher, speaker and author, Light Watkins. I first spoke to him back on episode 23 of the podcast, when I know he inspired many of you to start a practice of meditation by breaking down common misconceptions and stripping away some of the rules and rigidity around meditation. So we begin this episode by talking about how our own approaches to meditation have evolved. We discuss the importance of consistency and how meditation is a catalyst for change even when you’re not meditating.Light explains how he committed to sending out a Daily Dose of Inspiration – a positive story, anecdote, or learning - to his email list back in 2016. Now, some of these emails have come together in Light’s latest book, Knowing Where To Look: 108 Daily Doses Of Inspiration. We talk about how he managed this huge undertaking – by approaching writing in the same way he meditates: consistently. The process quickly showed him that it’s possible to find inspiration everywhere you look. It trained him to look at life through a different lens and find life’s silver linings. In this conversation, Light shares how we can all find the inspiration that is all around us by training ourselves to look for it.We talk about how you can learn to trust your inner guide by starting small - Light calls it his ‘divine GPS’, a power greater than himself that’s showing him the way to go. Whether you believe in a higher power or not, just being open to the idea that there’s a different way to view every situation is a powerful skill to cultivate. Think, ‘Why is this happening for me’ not ‘Why is it happening to me’, he advises.This conversation is full of inspiring anecdotes and advice that I hope will give you a new perspective. Thanks to our sponsors:http://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/livemorehttp://www.athleticgreens.com/livemoreShow notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/195Follow me on https://www.instagram.com/drchatterjee Follow me on https://www.facebook.com/DrChatterjee Follow me on https://twitter.com/drchatterjeeukDISCLAIMER: 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.

We often think of sleep as the third pillar of health underneath diet and exercise, but Matthew believes sleep is the first pillar on which all others sit.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 guest is world-leading sleep researcher, author of the international best-selling book ‘Why We Sleep’ and Professor of Neuroscience and Psychology, Matthew Walker.Matthew shares research on how important sleep is for our health and the amazing power it has to recharge our mind and body.We explore how proper sleep can benefit your life and Matthew shares his tips for better sleep.Show notes and the full podcast are available at https://drchatterjee.com/26Thanks to our sponsor http://www.athleticgreens.com/livemoreFollow me on https://www.instagram.com/drchatterjee Follow me on https://www.facebook.com/DrChatterjee Follow me on https://twitter.com/drchatterjeeukDISCLAIMER: 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.

CAUTION: Contains themes of an adult nature.I believe that we can all learn something about ourselves from every single person we interact with and that it is through hearing other people’s stories that we can learn the most. Today’s guest has a really powerful story to share – he is the singer-songwriter, Benjamin Francis Leftwich. I’ve been a huge fan of his work since his 2011 debut album and I think his music connects with people in an incredible way. Ben’s fourth studio album, To Carry a Whale, has just been released – the first that he has recorded in sobriety.Ben and I begin by talking about the disconnect between success and happiness. At the peak of his early fame a decade ago, he confesses that contentment still eluded him. He had success, fame, opportunities, riches – Ben acknowledges all his privileges. But he could not shake feeling uncomfortable in his own skin, like there was a hole in his heart that he could not fill.In Benjamin’s case, it was drink and drugs he tried to fill the hole with. But as we discuss, addiction comes in many guises. I think to some degree we’re all seeking to fill that hole in our souls, to ‘fix’ whatever we feel is wrong or missing in our lives. We can all feel an emptiness at times. And whether it’s alcohol, sugar, caffeine, gambling, sex, shopping or something else we choose to fill it with, few of us are strangers to that feeling.That’s not to diminish what, for Ben, has clearly been a long and traumatic journey. It’s a privilege to hear him share so honestly about his experience – and what he’s learned in recovery over the past three years.There’s so much in what Ben does in recovery, one day at a time, that I feel could be helpful to each and every one of us. For example, we discuss the difference between saying sorry and really making amends – how the latter means being accountable, asking for forgiveness, while not trying to manipulate the other person’s response. And we talk about the importance of connection and community. How the regular meetings Benjamin and other recovering addicts attend have adapted online during the pandemic and retained their power.We cover so much in this conversation – including, of course, plenty about the music. We talk spirituality, the inherent goodness in people and his goal of progress not perfection. I’m struck by Ben’s gratitude and energy and grateful for his authentic and touching words. This is a powerful conversation and I really think you are going to enjoy listening.If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and would like help, here are some sites that you/they may find helpful:Alcoholics Anonymous (UK) https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/Alcoholics Anonymous (US & Canada) https://aa.org/Alcoholics Anonymous (Australia) https://aa.org.au/Narcotics Anonymous (UK) https://ukna.org/Narcotics Anonymous (Worldwide) https://na.org/Help Me Stop (UK) https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/Help For Families (UK) https://adfam.org.uk/help-for-families/useful-organisationsThanks to our sponsors:http://www.blublox.com/livemorehttp://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/livemorehttp://www.athleticgreens.com/livemoreShow notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/193Follow me on https://www.instagram.com/drchatterjee Follow me on https://www.facebook.com/DrChatterjee Follow me on https://twitter.com/drchatterjeeukDISCLAIMER: 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.

We are living in the middle of a stress epidemic - the World Health Organization calls stress ‘the health epidemic of the twenty-first century’. But what can we do about it?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 56 of the podcast with neuroscientist, researcher and author of the book ‘Stress-Proof, Dr. Mithu Storoni.In this clip, Mithu reveals the results of her research on the common causes of stress and how it affects our health. She gives some great practical tips on how we can help to buffer ourselves from the consequences of stress by changing some of our daily habits.Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/56Thanks to our sponsor http://www.athleticgreens.com/livemoreFollow me on instagram.com/drchatterjeeFollow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjeeFollow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeukDISCLAIMER: 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.

We’ve been told that the more we move, the more calories we will burn but today’s guest is here to explain why this way of thinking is wrong. Dr Herman Pontzer is an evolutionary biologist who researches how our deep past shaped the way our bodies work today. Over the past 20 years, Herman has conducted ground-breaking research across a range of settings, including pioneering fieldwork where he lived with the Hadza hunter-gatherers in northern Tanzania. The Hadza are considered one of the last hunter-gatherer tribes in the world and provide a unique insight into the way we used to live. In our conversation today and in his new book, Burn: The Misunderstood Science of Metabolism, Herman reveals his findings that despite the fact that Hadza men and women get between five and ten times more physical activity every day than most women in the USA or Europe, their total energy expenditure – the amount of calories they burn – is the same. Exercise does not increase our metabolism. Instead, we burn calories within a very narrow range: nearly 3,000 calories per day for men and 2,400 calories for women, no matter our activity level. In fact, our metabolism - the way our body burns energy – affects every aspect of our biology from our pace of growth, reproduction and ageing to our weight and health. If we burn more energy in one area, our bodies will adjust by spending less energy in another. But all this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t exercise. Far from it. Herman explains why movement is essential for humans. We also discuss what the real paleo diet looks like and how many of us have been seduced into expecting every meal to be mind-blowingly tasty. Finally, Herman describes what it was like living with the Hadza and shares the lessons he learned from observing this ancient way of life. This is an enthralling episode and I hope you enjoy listening.Thanks to our sponsors:http://www.calm.com/livemorehttp://www.vivobarefoot.com/uk/livemorehttp://www.athleticgreens.com/livemoreShow notes available at https://drchatterjee.com/191Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee/Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee/Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeukDISCLAIMER: 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.