

Mikkipedia
Mikki Williden
Mikkipedia is an exploration in all things health, well being, fitness, food and nutrition. I sit down with scientists, doctors, professors, practitioners and people who have a wealth of experience and have a conversation that takes a deep dive into their area of expertise. I love translating science into a language that people understand, so while some of the conversations will be pretty in-depth, you will come away with some practical tips that can be instigated into your everyday life. I hope you enjoy the show!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 2, 2025 • 36min
Mini Mikkipedia - Fat Loss in the Festive Season
Sign up to Mondays Matter Xmas Edition https://www.mikkiwilliden.com/mondays-matterThe festive season doesn’t have to derail your hard-won progress. In this Mini Micropedia, Mikki unpacks why holiday weight gain (often ~0.45–1.0 kg) tends to stick around and which habits most often tip us off track—overcommitting, grazing instead of meals, early “holiday mode,” and a bit too much booze. She lays out a practical plan: prioritise sleep, ring-fence training (and rack up NEAT—aim ~8,000+ steps), keep protein front and centre, and use calorie cycling with planned indulgences (hello, PSMF structure) to enjoy social events without spiralling. You’ll learn simple boundary-setting scripts, environment hacks to reduce temptation, and mindset shifts—discipline over willpower, self-compassion over perfectionism—to carry you into January feeling calm, in control, and confident. Mikki also shares details of the Mondays Matter Christmas Edition—on sale now, doors close Sun 9 Nov, programme kicks off Mon 10 Nov.HighlightsThe five holiday derailers and how to spot yoursSleep, stress, steps: the big dial-movers for appetite and controlProtein-forward meals and “graze phase” antidotesCalorie cycling & planned indulgence (including PSMF days)Alcohol tactics: caps, spacing, hydration, and smarter choices
Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order

Oct 28, 2025 • 1h 8min
Why We React Differently to Food: The Data Story with Prof. Micahel Snyder
Sign up to Mondays Matter Xmas Edition https://www.mikkiwilliden.com/mondays-matterSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKIPEDIA at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz Supplement: Use code MIKKIPEDIA to get 20% off your first order - go to www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk to order yours In this episode, Mikki speaks with Professor Michael Snyder, Chair of Genetics at Stanford University and a global leader in personalised medicine. They explore how our genes, gut microbiome, and lifestyle choices interact to shape metabolic health—and why we all respond so differently to the same foods. Mike shares insights from his groundbreaking research using wearables and genomics to track health in real time, the future of personalised nutrition, and how continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can help anyone understand their body better. They also discuss the link between viral infections and diabetes, why strength training matters more than you think, and how food truly functions as medicine.Highlights:The genetics of metabolic individuality and why “one-size-fits-all” diets don’t workHow CGMs reveal surprising glucose spikes and help improve long-term healthThe microbiome’s crucial role in metabolism and disease riskSubtypes of diabetes and what they mean for treatment and lifestyleWhy Professor Snyder believes health tracking is the future of preventive medicine
Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden

Oct 26, 2025 • 28min
Mini Mikkipedia - Supplements: Check the Label, Not the Hype
Sign up to Mondays Matter Xmas Edition https://www.mikkiwilliden.com/mondays-matterA lot of “natural” stress aids aren’t harmless—because they actually work. In this Mini Mikipedia, Mikki breaks down how popular adaptogens and nutrients interact with your HPA axis (the body’s stress-response command centre) and when that’s a blessing versus a blind spot. You’ll learn what the evidence says for ashwagandha, rhodiola, holy basil, phosphatidylserine, and why liquorice root is uniquely risky. Mikki covers dose ranges used in studies, who should be cautious (thyroid issues, pregnancy/breastfeeding, low cortisol, meds), how to test cortisol properly, and why cycling supplements beats “more is better.” She also revisits the basics that move the needle—sleep, protein-centred meals, training balance, boundaries, and connection—so supplements can supplement a solid plan, not replace it.HighlightsHow HPA axis modulation can help—or hinder—stress recoveryLiquorice root and pseudoaldosteronism: real risks, not theoryPhosphatidylserine blunts cortisol; context and cycling matterRhodiola and holy basil: mixed/early evidence, variable extractsTesting (4-point saliva, timing), interactions, and quality assurance
Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order

Oct 21, 2025 • 1h 2min
Stronger in Midlife: Holly Nicholson’s Real-World Blueprint
Holly Nicholson, a former teacher turned trainer and nutrition coach, created the STRONG Method™ to empower women over 40. She shares her journey from fitness novice to expert, tackling common training mistakes and the importance of mindset shifts. Holly discusses how to manage hormonal changes and stay committed to fitness amidst life's chaos. She emphasizes that self-care is strategic and provides practical tips for busy moms to find time to work out. With humor and wisdom, she navigates social perceptions around fitness and lifestyle changes.

36 snips
Oct 19, 2025 • 31min
Mini Mikkipedia- Calorie Cycling: Smarter Deficits Without Misery
Calorie cycling is a smart strategy for managing metabolic stress while dieting. It helps alleviate the challenges of continuous calorie restriction by incorporating planned breaks and carbohydrate refeeds. Discover how a simple weekday-weekend shift can maintain your social life and dietary goals. Learn the importance of high protein intake and resistance training to preserve muscle. Mikki also explains how to accurately interpret scale fluctuations after high-carb days, focusing on long-term sustainability over quick fixes.

Oct 14, 2025 • 58min
Fruit, Fructose, and the Metabolic Middle Ground with Catherine Crofts (part 2)
Sign up to Mondays Matter Xmas Edition https://www.mikkiwilliden.com/mondays-matterSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKIPEDIA at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz Supplement: Use code MIKKIPEDIA to get 20% off your first order - go to www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk to order yours This week on the podcast Mikki speaks to Dr CAtherine Crofts in part 2 of their discussion on health about challenging the status quo in nutrition science. Together they take a critical look at the flaws in current dietary guidelines, particularly the persistence of high-carbohydrate, low-fat recommendations despite mounting evidence for alternative approaches.The conversation dives into how our bodies handle minimally processed versus highly processed carbohydrates, the individuality of carbohydrate tolerance, and why excessive processed carbs play such a central role in driving insulin resistance and chronic disease. Drawing on evolutionary and anthropological insights, the discussion considers what our history of hunting, brain expansion, and plant consumption suggests about human adaptation to diet. This leads into the striking health shifts seen in indigenous populations exposed to modern foods, and whether refined carbs and oils are the primary culprits or part of a wider cultural disruption.Dr Catherine Crofts is a pharmacist, researcher, and lecturer based in New Zealand with a special interest in the early detection and prevention of metabolic disease. She completed her PhD at Auckland University of Technology, where she analysed the extensive insulin assay data collected by Dr Joseph Kraft, shedding light on how abnormal insulin responses can precede changes in blood glucose by many years.Catherine’s work focuses on hyperinsulinemia as a key driver of chronic disease, highlighting the limitations of relying solely on glucose-based measures such as HbA1c or fasting glucose. She has presented internationally on the clinical importance of Kraft’s insulin patterns, advocating for earlier and more nuanced testing to improve long-term health outcomes.With a background that combines pharmacy practice, clinical research, and teaching, Catherine brings a rare blend of practical experience and scientific insight to the conversation around metabolic health and diabetes prevention.linkedin.com/in/catherine-crofts-4a25537b?originalSubdomain=nzhttps://academics.aut.ac.nz/catherine.crofts
Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwilliden

Oct 12, 2025 • 26min
Mini Mikkipedia - Urolithin A: The Mitochondrial Molecule Everyone’s Talking About
Sign up to Mondays Matter Xmas Edition https://www.mikkiwilliden.com/mondays-matterThis week on Mini Mikkipedia, Mikki takes a deep dive into the science of Urolithin A — the “mitochondrial molecule” making waves across the health and longevity world. Is it a genuine breakthrough or just another overhyped supplement? Mikki unpacks the research behind this postbiotic compound, how it supports mitophagy (the clean-up and renewal of mitochondria), and what human studies really show about its impact on strength, endurance, and inflammation. She explores its potential for midlife health, particularly during perimenopause, and weighs it against the proven benefits of exercise, fasting, and a nutrient-dense diet. Expect an evidence-based take on whether it’s worth adding to your stack — or just good marketing dressed in lab coat chic.Highlights:How mitochondrial dysfunction drives aging and fatigueWhat Urolithin A is and how your gut bacteria make itHuman trials showing modest but measurable benefitsWhy exercise still beats any supplement for mitochondrial healthWho might actually benefit from Urolithin A supplementation
Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order

Oct 7, 2025 • 1h 18min
Expanding Metabolic Flexibility: Training for Chaos with Dr. Mike T. Nelson
Dr. Mike T. Nelson, a leading fitness and nutrition educator, dives into the intricacies of metabolic and physiological flexibility. He outlines four key pillars: temperature, pH, fuels, and air, discussing their roles in enhancing adaptability. Mike explains the benefits of cold plunges and saunas, emphasizing their psychological and physiological impacts. He also explores acid buffering, breathing techniques, and the nuances of CO2 tolerance. Tune in for practical insights on training for chaos and improving resilience in everyday life!

Oct 5, 2025 • 17min
Mini Mikkipedia - Food Noise Fixes? GLP-1, Calocurb, and the Patch Problem
Sign up to Mondays Matter Xmas Edition https://www.mikkiwilliden.com/mondays-matterGLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have become a cultural phenomenon, transforming appetite regulation and weight loss like nothing before. But with their rise comes a flood of imitators, from flashy “GLP-1 patches” to supplements like Calocurb, all promising the same results without the needles or prescriptions. In this episode, I break down what GLP-1 actually is, how these drugs work, and why they’re so effective—not just for weight but also for cardiovascular outcomes. Then I take a closer look at the patches (spoiler: marketing magic, not science) and Calocurb’s hops extract, which shows some early promise but lacks long-term data. If you’re curious about food noise, appetite regulation, and how to separate science from sales tactics, this one’s for you.Highlights:How GLP-1 drugs regulate appetite, cravings, and even food noiseWhy “GLP-1 patches” are all marketing and no scienceWhat Calocurb is, how it works, and the research behind itShort-term vs long-term evidence for appetite control
Contact Mikki:https://mikkiwilliden.com/https://www.facebook.com/mikkiwillidennutritionhttps://www.instagram.com/mikkiwilliden/https://linktr.ee/mikkiwillidenSave 20% on all Nuzest Products WORLDWIDE with the code MIKKI at www.nuzest.co.nz, www.nuzest.com.au or www.nuzest.comCurranz supplement: MIKKI saves you 25% at www.curranz.co.nz or www.curranz.co.uk off your first order

Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 11min


