Braincare

Esmée Gummer wants you to train for your mindset. And she should know! The renowned personal trainer has accomplished a slew of impressive feats, from climbing Mt. Kilamajaro, to competing on SAS Who Dares Wins and even conquering ultra-marathons.Today on The Braincare Podcast, Esmée shares the motivational mindset hacks to help you conquer just about anything! We talk mind over matter, incremental progress, and why you can tell a lot about a person from a 1-minute plank.We talk about: Esmée's experience on SAS Who Dares Wins Why we all need to start saying yes more How mindset can overcome physical restraints Why aesthetic goals can hold you back What can Esmée deduce from your 1-minute plank? Identifying training that works for you Serendipity - why everything happens for a reason

Esmée Gummer doesn't back down when faced with a challenge. The star of Channel 4's grueling show SAS: Who Dares Wins built her personal training empire from the ground up, a journey that began when she was told she would never walk again.Today on The Braincare Podcast, Esmée shares her inspiring story. We learn why mindset is key to overcoming adversity, and why, when life gets hard, it's not your body that pulls you through, but your brain.We talk about: The routine operation that changed Esmée's path Why it's important to sit with your fears Nursing your inner child Overcoming negative thoughts Why comparison is the killer of joy Training for your mindset, not your weight goals

Dame Kelly Holmes' career is a lesson in dedication. The universally loved icon of British athletics carved out her own space in the sport, culminating in her mighty double Gold Medal-winning performance in the Olympics in Athens 2004.Today on The Braincare Podcast, Kelly gives us a unique look at the inner workings of her champion mindset. We hear about the lifelong project of cultivating physical and mental health, approaches to performance anxiety, and the peculiar portaloo superstition that got her through the Olympic finals in Athens!We talk about: Was Kelly Holmes always destined to be a winner? The pros and cons of the champion mindset How to prepare yourself mentally and physically for success "This is just another day" - gaining perspective on personal challenges Does mental health always follow physical peak performance? Talent is nothing without commitment Breathing techniques for performance anxiety Kelly's championship superstitions and rituals

Dame Kelly Holmes knows the highs and lows of elite sport better than most. The double Olympic Gold Medal-winning athlete and national treasure has spent her career smashing championships. But, as she explains, it can be pretty lonely at the top.Today on The Braincare Podcast, Kelly candidly shares her personal story about the toll of success on mental health. We discuss how attitudes to mental illness have evolved, how she built resilience and the importance of community in self-care and healing.We talk about: The mindset of a world champion Pressure and expectation in elite sports Different manifestations of self harm Resilience and hope: coming back from injury Why managing mental health is a lifelong commitment Kelly's daily self-care practices

Dr. Thomas Curran can spot a real perfectionist a mile off. As a psychologist and lecturer at LSE with a broad body of work on personality characteristics, Tom's recently turned his scientific approach to perfectionism: where it comes from, how it impacts our lives, and why we've recently seen a boom in cases.Today on The Braincare Podcast, Tom explains why high standards and goal-setting do not a perfectionist make! We explore how to know if you're a perfectionist, the impact of deteriorating self-image on our mental health, and why everyone you interview for a job claims to have the same flaw.We talk about: The three types of perfectionism Are there any benefits to perfectionism? Job pressure in a highly competitive society Isn't it good to set goals? Cyclic self-criticism and self-defeat The link between perfectionism and mental health Overcoming setbacks The power of vulnerability

Dr. Thomas Curran says there's more to burnout than exhaustion. As a psychologist and lecturer at LSE's Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science, Tom's research looks at the societal triggers of personality traits and their impacts on our mental health.Today on The Braincare Podcast, Tom shares his insights on what appears to be a thoroughly modern problem: burnout. We explore the universal symptoms of this highly individual psychological phenomenon, and why the gig economy could be pouring petrol on the fire.We talk about: Early warning signs of burnout Physical effects of mental fatigue Millennials and the gig economy Does burnout only happen in the workplace? Pre-emptive self-care: nutrition and exercise How the pandemic exacerbated the phenomenon What does burnout tell you about your job?

Sophie Medlin wants you to scrutinize the ingredients of that diet lollipop you bought on Instagram. During her 13 year career as a renowned dietician and nutritionist, Sophie's charted the rapidly shifting perceptions of aesthetic beauty and the impact that has on mental and physical health.Today on The Braincare Podcast, Sophie shares her wealth of knowledge on the disastrous consequences of our quest for physical perfection. We discuss the perils of distorted body image, the proliferation of pseudoscience on social media, and why we're now seeing an avalanche of disordered eating issues in men.We talk about: Encouraging body positivity without promoting obesity Surely setting health goals can't be a bad thing? Damaging aesthetics narratives Disordered eating in men and women The shifting perceptions of Instagram vs. reality Physical ramifications of low body fat percentages What does physical health really look like?

Sophie Medlin will change the way you think about your diet. As a Practicing Consultant Dietitian and Chair of the British Dietetic Association for London, Sophie's no stranger to the delicate topic of strict diet regimes and the controversy around challenging erroneous beliefs.Today on The Braincare Podcast, Sophie explains the science behind the potential nutritional deficiencies linked to some of today's most popular diets. Host Dan Murray-Serter shares his personal journey with veganism and mental health, and we get the bottom of Miley Cyrus' mysterious brain fog.We talk about: Is there a link between veganism and mental health issues? How to take on Veganuary and come out stronger than ever The problem with Omega 3s Brain fog: it's real Nutritional deficiencies in veganism and vegetarianism The real cost of rigid diet rules How can supplements enhance plant-based diets?

Dr. Daniel Amen believes we can end mental illness. The world-renowned psychologist and author has been a life-long warrior in advocating the use of brain imaging to study mental illness. His pioneering work has helped progress scientific understanding of the crossover between physiology and psychology, and he shares some of those insights today.On today's Braincare Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen shares the personal story that accelerated his investigation into brain imaging and mental health. We discuss the impacts of brain trauma, toxic substances, and nutrients on our mental health, and why loving our brains could lead to the end of mental illness.We talk about: The extraordinary links between brain injury and homelessness What's the risk of moderate alcohol use? Mental health misdiagnosis The 11 preventable or treatable mental health risk factors How diabetes, obesity and hormone disorders impact our brains Can nutrients improve your brain health?

Dr. Daniel Amen knows just how powerful a healthy brain is. As one of the world's best-known psychologists and authors at the intersection between neuroscience and psychology, he's performed an enormous amount of brain scans to understand what's going on in our heads during our most challenging moments.On today's Braincare Podcast, Dr. Daniel Amen shares his insights on overcoming anxiety, trauma, and grief. We discuss the very real implications of stress on our brain function and why good brain hygiene is imperative. Plus, Dr. Daniel Amen shares actionable practices to combat anxiety that you can start today!We talk about: What is brain reserve? Your brain during the pandemic Habits and practices for overcoming anxiety How can a healthy brain help you to withstand stress? PTSD and post-traumatic growth The power of diaphragmatic breathing The first steps for coming to terms with grief