Episode 126.From Fringe to Frontline: The Story of Low Carb Down Under with Rod Tayler (Podcasthon Special)

Episode 127.You Don't Have to Figure It All Out Right Now

In this very personal episode of the Prescribing Lifestyle podcast, I share an update from behind the scenes and a gentle reminder for anyone sitting in uncertainty: you don't have to figure it all out right now. I talk about navigating some current personal and professional stress, and the realisation that—just like my patients—you only ever need to take the next step, not know the entire path in advance. Clarity often comes after action, not before. In this episode, I cover: * Why high‑achieving women (and doctors!) often feel they must have a plan, an answer, and a clear future mapped out * The power of simply starting, even when you can't see the whole road ahead * How I'm learning to listen to my own instinct and choose what feels aligned for me right now, instead of only doing what I "should" do A personal announcement * I'm giving myself permission to pause the Prescribing Lifestyle podcast * I don't know yet if this is a short break, a longer season, or a full stop—and that's okay * I may return with new conversations, guests, or shorter video content in the future, when it feels right How I'm supporting myself during this season I'm going back to the basics I always teach my patients: * Sleep as non‑negotiable – consistent bed and wake times, morning light, and full nights of rest * Nourishing food – choosing what truly fuels my body rather than comfort eating * Breathwork and stillness – at least 5 minutes each morning to ground, breathe, and notice my surroundings (often with my dog beside me) * Movement and strength – regular walks and runs, plus short, simple strength sessions using my Core Foundation (CFX) program These foundations are what help me stay steady through uncertainty, and they are available to you as well—one small step at a time. If you're in a season of not knowing This episode is for you if you feel stuck in your health, your weight loss journey, or life decisions and think you "should" have it all worked out by now. I want to remind you: * You don't need your whole life mapped out * You don't have to solve everything today * You can listen to your instinct, choose what feels right for now, and trust that the next step will reveal itself I'm still here as your Lifestyle GP While the podcast is pausing, I'm still seeing patients at Melbourne Low Carb Clinic and helping with: * Sustainable weight loss * Metabolic and cardiovascular health * General lifestyle‑centred care You're welcome to reach out, book an appointment, or simply send a message to check in. Stay connected * Pre‑order my book "Prescribing Lifestyle: A Doctor's Prescription for Lasting Weight Loss and Vibrant Health" via Melbourne Low Carb Clinic: www.mlcclinic.com.au [http://www.mlcclinic.com.au/] * Follow me on social media: Dr Charlton – Lifestyle GP * Join my free community for tips, encouragement, and real stories of lifestyle change If you've enjoyed this podcast, it would mean a lot if you share a favourite episode with a friend or leave a review—these conversations will stay available while I take this pause. Remember: small, consistent changes truly add up, and you don't need to have everything figured out to take your very next step.

Episode 126.From Fringe to Frontline: The Story of Low Carb Down Under with Rod Tayler (Podcasthon Special)

This is a special episode of the Prescribing Lifestyle podcast, created as part of #Podcasthon 2026—the world's largest podcast charity initiative. For one week, thousands of podcasters around the globe highlight a charity of their choice to raise awareness and inspire support, with no money flowing through Podcasthon itself. For this year's Podcasthon, I'm shining a spotlight on Low Carb Down Under @lowcarb_aus, a grassroots Australian organisation that has quietly educated millions about real food, metabolic health, and low carbohydrate nutrition through conferences and a huge free video library. In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Rod Tayler, anaesthetist and founder of Low Carb Down Under. Rod shares his personal journey from sugar awareness in the 1990s to building one of the world's biggest low-carb education platforms—long before "metabolic health" became mainstream. In this conversation, we cover * Rod's personal story * How a colleague's recommendation of Sweet Poison by David Gillespie led him to cut sugar, lose weight, and resolve irritable bowel symptoms. * Running a 3‑month "sugar reduction" study with 158 Epworth Hospital staff—using a one‑page sugar calculator—and what happened to sugar intake and weight. * The birth of Low Carb Down Under * Discovering the global low carb community after the study hit page 3 of The Sunday Age. * Attending a Caribbean low-carb cruise conference and meeting pioneers like Eric Westman, Jeff Volek, Andreas Eenfeldt and others. * Co-creating the first Low Carb Down Under events in Brisbane and then across Australia, and later co‑organising conferences in the US (including in Vail and Denver). * Growing the YouTube channel to over 600+ talks and tens of millions of views, all ad‑free, covering diabetes, cholesterol, dementia, gut health, practical implementation and more. * Why low carb matters for almost everyone * How sugar and refined carbohydrates drive obesity, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver and metabolic ill-health. * Metabolic syndrome markers: waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL and glucose/insulin control—and why around 90% of adults show at least one marker. * Why low-carb / real-food eating can be a powerful tool for improving or reversing metabolic dysfunction, and why Rod believes it should be part of standard care. * New US Dietary Guidelines & metabolic health * The recent U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans update that flips the old pyramid—bringing meat, eggs, cheese and healthy fats back to the centre and reducing emphasis on refined carbohydrate intake. * The role of the new Coalition for Metabolic Health and the Baszucki family's philanthropy in pushing for evidence-based nutrition policy and metabolic health research. * Why Low Carb Down Under needs support * Low Carb Down Under runs as a non-profit, volunteer-driven project. * Funds from Patreon and donations help cover conference recording, video production, hosting, and ongoing content creation so that all talks remain freely available worldwide. About Low Carb Down Under Low Carb Down Under is an Australian initiative that: * Organises in-person low-carb and metabolic health conferences across Australia. * Hosts one of the world's most comprehensive free low‑carb video libraries on YouTube. * Connects doctors, dietitians, scientists and the general public who are interested in evidence-based low-carbohydrate nutrition and metabolic health. 👉 Explore Low Carb Down Under and become a Patron: * Website: https://lowcarbdownunder.com.au [https://lowcarbdownunder.com.au] * Patreon link via the website 👉 Learn more about the Coalition for Metabolic Health: * https://coalitionformetabolichealth.org [https://coalitionformetabolichealth.org] 👉 Read the latest U.S. Dietary Guidelines: * https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov [https://www.dietaryguidelines.gov] This episode is part of #Podcasthon. To discover other participating shows and the charities they're highlighting, visit: https://podcasthon.org [https://podcasthon.org] If this conversation helped you, please share it with a friend, support Low Carb Down Under if you're able, and keep prescribing yourself a healthier, happier lifestyle.

Episode 125.Curing the uncurable with DR Aaron Hartman

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Aaron Hartman, an integrative and functional medicine physician from Richmond, Virginia, and founder of Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine. He's also the author of UnCURABLE and host of the Made for Health podcast. Dr Hartman shares the powerful story that changed the trajectory of his career: adopting his daughter Anna, who was exposed to crystal meth in utero, had a stroke before birth, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and was told she would never walk, talk, or see. His refusal to accept "hopeless" prognoses led him into deep research, root-cause medicine, and a lifelong commitment to personalised care. What we cover * Anna's story and why it matters * Being advised to place a feeding tube as "standard care," and what happened when the family declined. * How a simple missing detail (using the wrong growth chart) nearly led Anna down a path of unnecessary procedures. * Anna's progress today: ongoing skill gains year after year, including major improvements in vision and independence. * How Dr Hartman became an integrative and functional medicine doctor * Why "incurable" is often a reflection of system blind spots, not a true end point. * His deep dives into functional medicine, functional neurology, peptides, and "lipid medicine," and how continuous learning shaped his approach. * Why many chronic illnesses get missed * Common overlooked root causes he sees in clinic: mold-related illness, chronic infections (like Lyme), hidden autoimmune issues, hypermobility patterns, nervous system dysregulation, and basic nutrient deficiencies. * A practical framework: foundations first * Dr Hartman's emphasis on starting with basics such as sleep, stress, gut health, nutrition, and environmental exposures before chasing "advanced" interventions. * Mold and environmental illness * Removing exposure as step one. * Supporting detox pathways with binders and targeted nutrition strategies (always individualised and supervised). * Anti-ageing = lowering inflammation * The concept of "inflammaging" and why food quality, sleep, and stress regulation are the real foundations of longevity. * What he would change about modern healthcare * Why the system's incentives and regulations often prevent clinicians from practising deep, personalised medicine. About Dr Aaron Hartman Dr Hartman opened Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine to provide advanced integrative and functional medicine evaluation and treatment, including complex chronic illness care. His book UnCURABLE shares his family's story and offers a roadmap for patients who have been told "nothing can be done." Resources and links * Main hub (clinic, media, podcast): ** [https://aaronhartmanmd.com/]https://aaronhartmanmd.com/** [https://aaronhartmanmd.com/**] * Clinic: Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine: ** [https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/]https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/** [https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/**] * Book: UnCURABLE: ** [https://uncurablebook.com/]https://uncurablebook.com/** [https://uncurablebook.com/**] * Podcast: Made for Health: ** [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/made-for-health/id1785446558]https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/made-for-health/id1785446558** [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/made-for-health/id1785446558**] * Instagram: ** [https://www.instagram.com/aaronhartmanmd/]https://www.instagram.com/aaronhartmanmd/** [https://www.instagram.com/aaronhartmanmd/**] Reminder: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.

Episode 124. Discovering your new self at Menopause with Terri Batsakis

Discovering Your New Self at Menopause with Terri Batsakis In this episode, I am joined by Terri Batsakis, a certified menopause coaching specialist and women's health, nutrition, and mindset coach, for an honest conversation about what really changes in midlife—and how women can feel empowered (not blindsided) through perimenopause and menopause. Terri shares her personal turning point during perimenopause, how it reshaped her identity and career direction, and why so many women feel like "what used to work" (food, exercise, coping strategies) suddenly stops working. What we talk about * Why midlife can feel like a full identity shift: changing hormones can impact mood, confidence, relationships, and the way your body responds to food and movement. * Terri's story: navigating perimenopause symptoms while running a high-demand business, and the moment she realised she needed a major life pivot. * The "I don't know who I am anymore" experience: anxiety, resentment, insecurity, people-pleasing, and confidence loss—especially when kids are leaving home, careers are evolving, and caregiving pressures increase. * Nutrition in midlife: moving away from the old diet culture mindset (restriction, deprivation, constant snacking) toward nourishment, stable blood sugar, and perimenopause-aligned habits. * Movement changes: why some women feel better shifting from lots of cardio to more strength training and restorative movement to support stress and body composition. * Emotional eating + self-sabotage: recognising triggers and building new coping strategies (connection, movement, meditation, support) rather than using food for comfort. * Relationship dynamics: how dropping oestrogen/progesterone can affect patience, nurturing behaviour, boundaries, and why conflict can increase at home if no one understands what's happening. * Menopause hormone therapy (MHT/HRT): why Terri encourages women not to rule it out based on old fears, and how to ask better questions so you can make an informed choice. Terri's top 3 tips for midlife health * Sleep first: better sleep supports mood, appetite regulation, energy, cravings, and resilience. * Hydration: drinking enough water (and using electrolytes when needed), especially with hot flushes, exercise, or warm weather. * Stress management: understanding that "stress" can include poor sleep, under-eating, food intolerances, pain, inflammation, nutrient deficiencies—and building daily tools to regulate your nervous system. How Terri supports women Terri supports women through perimenopause and menopause with education and coaching across key midlife pillars—sleep, stress, nutrition, hydration, and movement—plus mindset and behavioural coaching around emotional eating, people-pleasing, confidence, and boundaries. She offers: * 1:1 coaching and nutrition coaching options. * Programs focused on harmonising hormones through lifestyle support. * Community support, including group-style learning and connection (as discussed in the episode). Connect with Terri Batsakis * Website: ** [https://terribatsakis.com.au/]https://terribatsakis.com.au/** [https://terribatsakis.com.au/**] * About: ** [https://terribatsakis.com.au/about-us/]https://terribatsakis.com.au/about-us/** [https://terribatsakis.com.au/about-us/**] * Contact: ** [https://terribatsakis.com.au/contact-us-for-help-in-balancing-your-hormones-through-menopause/]https://terribatsakis.com.au/contact-us-for-help-in-balancing-your-hormones-through-menopause/** [https://terribatsakis.com.au/contact-us-for-help-in-balancing-your-hormones-through-menopause/**] * LinkedIn: ** [https://www.linkedin.com/in/terri-batsakis-1002ba15a]https://www.linkedin.com/in/terri-batsakis-1002ba15a** [https://www.linkedin.com/in/terri-batsakis-1002ba15a**] Reminder: This podcast is for education only and is not medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.

Episode 123. ADHD Made Manageable with Francine Freedman

In today's episode, I'm joined by ADHD coach Francine Freedman to explore what ADHD coaching actually is, why medication can help but doesn't solve every executive function challenge, and the practical systems that support adults living with ADHD. We talk about procrastination, time management, organization, and why many mainstream productivity tips don't work for ADHD brains. Francine also shares how sleep, nutrition, and exercise form the foundation for focus, and we discuss women being underdiagnosed—plus how hormonal changes like menopause can intensify symptoms. What I Cover With Francine * How Francine explains ADHD (and why it's often an "activation" challenge) * Why stimulant medication can support focus but isn't a cure * What ADHD coaching looks like and who it's for (even without a formal diagnosis) * Why "eat the frog" can backfire for ADHD—and what to do instead * Mapping tasks to energy + focus windows to improve follow-through * Why "boring, no-deadline" tasks are the hardest—and how to tackle them * The lifestyle foundations that support focus: sleep, diet, exercise * Low-carb/keto and metabolic psychiatry conversations (and why blood sugar stability matters) * Why women are often missed in childhood, then diagnosed later in life * The emotional impact of lifelong criticism: shame, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, rejection sensitivity * How coaching can help rebuild confidence with skills + self-compassion Key Takeaways * Medication can help you focus, but skills and systems are what create lasting change. * ADHD-friendly strategies work with your energy patterns—not against them. * Sleep, movement, and nutrition aren't optional extras—they're the base layer for focus and resilience. * Many adults are diagnosed later because they've been "coping" behind the scenes for years. * Support early can prevent burnout, work crises, and constant last-minute stress. Resources Mentioned * Francine Freedman: https://francinefreedman.com [https://francinefreedman.com] * Book mentioned: Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind — Dr. Georgia Ede * YouTube channel mentioned: Metabolic Mind * Menopause reference mentioned: Dr. Elizabeth Bright — High Fat is Good for Women in Menopause About My Guest Francine Freedman is an ADHD coach who helps adults build practical, ADHD-friendly systems for time management, organization, prioritization, and follow-through—while also working with the inner narrative that often comes from years of misunderstanding and criticism. Work with Francine: * She offers a free 15-minute discovery call via her website * Coaching is available for ADHD and broader executive function challenges (diagnosis not required) Visit: https://francinefreedman.com [https://francinefreedman.com] Pre-Order My Book You can now pre-order my new book: Prescribing Lifestyle: A Doctor's Prescription for Lasting Weight Loss and Vibrant Health It's full of practical and inspiring guides to nutrition, breathwork, mindset, and daily habits to transform your health. It's expected to be released in September, and you can pre-order now here: https://mlcclinic.com.au [https://mlcclinic.com.au] Disclaimer Everything I share on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.