Nick Bracks on Anxiety, Mental Health, Alcohol, Resilience and the Daily Habits That Can Change Your Life

Dr. Perry Nickelston: The Most Overlooked System in Human Health

In this episode of Sweaty AF, Lucy sits down with Dr. Perry Nickelston, chiropractic physician, lymphatic health expert, and founder of Stop Chasing Pain, [https://www.stopchasingpain.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] to explore the powerful connection between the lymphatic system, inflammation, nervous system regulation, pain, hormones, and longevity. Perry shares his own journey from chronic illness and autoimmune struggles to discovering the life-changing impact of lymphatic flow, and explains why he believes the lymphatic system is one of the most overlooked keys to modern health. The conversation covers: * Why the lymphatic system is critical for detoxification, immunity, and inflammation. * The connection between chronic pain, stress, and nervous system dysregulation. * How sedentary living impacts lymphatic flow. * The role of breathwork and movement in supporting lymphatic drainage. * Why gut health and brain health are deeply connected. * The glymphatic system and cognitive decline. * Menopause, hormones, and lymphatic stagnation. * Sauna, cold exposure, vibration plates, and rebounders for lymphatic support. * The “Big 6” lymphatic reset and why order matters. * Daily habits Perry uses for his own health and recovery. This episode is packed with practical insights for anyone interested in longevity, healthspan, recovery, inflammation, nervous system healing, and optimizing health from the inside out. Connect with Perry: * Website: Stop Chasing Pain [https://www.stopchasingpain.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Instagram: @stopchasingpain [https://www.instagram.com/stopchasingpain/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * YouTube: Stop Chasing Pain YouTube Channel For more longevity and healthspan talk head over to @sweatyafpodcast on Instagram.

KAREN MARTEL: THE TRUTH ABOUT HORMONES, PERIMENOPAUSE & WHY WOMEN ARE AGING FASTER THAN THEY REALISE

This week on Sweaty AF, Lucy sits down with hormone expert Karen Martel to unpack what’s really happening to women in perimenopause, and why so many women are being dismissed, misinformed, or told it’s “just ageing.” Karen shares her own personal journey through hormonal chaos, early menopause, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety, and metabolic dysfunction, despite doing everything “right” when it came to health and fitness. We discuss: Why 70–80% of women gain weight in perimenopause. The hormones most doctors AREN’T testing properly. Why progesterone loss starts earlier than most women realise. The truth about estrogen and why women shouldn’t fear it. The connection between hormones, brain health, bone health, cardiovascular disease and dementia. Why biohacking alone isn’t enough without optimised hormones. The biggest mistakes women make when starting HRT. Why testing matters, even if you have zero symptoms. How perimenopause can accelerate biological ageing. The role of HRT in longevity, metabolic health and healthy ageing. This is a must-listen conversation for every woman approaching midlife who wants to better understand her body, hormones and long-term healthspan. Find Karen: Website: karenmartel.com Instagram: @karenmartelhormones Podcast: Hormone Solutions with Karen Martel For more conversations like these around female healthspan, hormones and longevity, follow Sweaty AF Podcast on all podcast platforms and follow @sweatyafpodcast on Instagram.

Nick Bracks on Anxiety, Mental Health, Alcohol, Resilience and the Daily Habits That Can Change Your Life

In this episode of Sweaty AF, I sit down with Nick Bracks, mental health advocate, speaker, coach, actor, author and host of Move Your Mind with Nick Bracks. Nick opens up about his deeply personal journey with anxiety, compulsive behaviour, depression and alcohol misuse. He shares what it was like growing up in the public eye as the son of the Premier of Victoria and how pressure, perfectionism and the pursuit of identity shaped his early years. Lucy and Nick explore why mental health conversations have improved dramatically over the last decade, while also discussing why so many people are still struggling beneath the surface. They talk about the pressures of modern life, social media comparison, chronic stress, poor sleep and the growing impact of overwhelm in today’s world. Nick explains why exercise became the foundation of his recovery and how small, consistent habits can create real long term change. He also shares the tools that helped him rebuild confidence and manage anxiety, including meditation, journaling, movement, breath work and connection with trusted people. The conversation also dives into alcohol and mental health, the rise of anxiety in younger generations, emotional resilience, mindset, and why prevention matters just as much as treatment. This episode covers: Exercise and movement for mental health Anxiety, overthinking and chronic stress Male mental health and emotional shame Social media and comparison culture Alcohol, binge drinking and “hangxiety” Meditation, journaling and daily routines Public speaking anxiety and building confidence Creating healthier habits that actually stick Why connection and community matter How to recognise when someone may be struggling The importance of preventative mental health care Instagram: @nickbracks [https://www.instagram.com/nickbracks/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Website: www.nickbracks.com [https://nickbracks.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] For more conversations like this, follow Sweaty AF Podcast on all podcast platforms or over on Instagram at @sweatyafpodcast. Connect with Nick Bracks

Carrie Bennett on Circadian Health, Light, and Reconnecting Your Body for Better Energy, Sleep and Hormonal Balance

In this episode, I’m joined by Carrie Bennett, a clinical nutritionist and educator in quantum biology, for a powerful conversation on how the most overlooked elements of our environment light, water, and our connection to the earth are fundamentally shaping our health. Carrie shares her journey from molecular biology into a more holistic, root cause approach to wellness, and explains why so many people, especially in midlife, feel out of sync, exhausted, and hormonally imbalanced. At the core of this conversation is circadian health, the idea that our bodies are designed to operate in rhythm with natural light and darkness. As Carrie explains, “our body is in sync with the daytime and darkness,” and when that rhythm is disrupted, it can impact everything from energy and sleep to digestion and hormones. We dive deep into the science of light, not just as something that helps us see, but as a powerful source of biological information. “Light is information, not just support for vision,” and the timing, intensity, and type of light we’re exposed to throughout the day directly affects our cortisol levels, melatonin production, and mitochondrial function. Carrie breaks down why that morning surge of cortisol is actually essential, boosting energy, metabolism, and digestion when it’s aligned properly with natural sunlight. We also explore practical ways to optimise light exposure in a modern world, from getting natural morning light into your eyes, to understanding when and how to use blue light blockers, and how shift workers or frequent travellers can better support their circadian rhythm. Carrie shares simple but powerful strategies that can make a noticeable difference in how you feel day to day. Hydration is another key theme, but not in the way you might expect. Carrie explains that true hydration goes far beyond just drinking water and is about how water interacts with your cells and supports mitochondrial health, which is central to energy production and overall vitality. We also discuss grounding and earthing, and how reconnecting physically with the earth can help reduce inflammation, regulate the nervous system, and support recovery. For many people navigating stress, burnout, or hormonal changes, these simple, accessible practices can be incredibly impactful. A big part of this conversation focuses on midlife, particularly perimenopause and menopause, and how circadian disruption can worsen hormonal symptoms. Carrie explains how aligning with natural rhythms can support hormonal balance, improve sleep, and help you feel more stable and energised during this phase of life. We also touch on sleep, how to optimise melatonin production, manage stress, and improve sleep quality, as well as practical tools for dealing with jet lag and travel. This episode is a reminder that your body isn’t broken, it may just be out of alignment with the environment it was designed for. And the good news is, many of the most powerful tools to support your health are simple, free, and available to you every day. You can find Carrie at https://www.carriebwellness.com [https://www.carriebwellness.com] Instagram @carriebwellness Website https://www.carriebwellness.com/ [https://www.carriebwellness.com/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/carriebwellness/ [https://www.instagram.com/carriebwellness/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@carriebwellness [https://www.youtube.com/@carriebwellness] Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@QuantumConversationsPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@QuantumConversationsPodcast] For more conversations like this, or to follow along with everything I’m sharing, head to @sweatyafpodcast

Dr. Natalie Crawford: The Fertility Formula. How to Optimize Your Reproductive Health.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Natalie Crawford, a double board-certified fertility physician and reproductive endocrinologist, to break down what’s really going on when it comes to fertility. We go beyond the basics and dive into how hormones, inflammation, lifestyle, and environmental factors all influence reproductive health and what you can actually do about it. This is a powerful, science-backed conversation for any woman navigating midlife, thinking about fertility, or simply wanting to better understand her body. How hormones regulate ovulation and what can disrupt it. The hidden role of chronic inflammation in fertility decline. Why your gut microbiome matters for hormone balance. Environmental toxins and their impact on reproductive health. Stress, cortisol, and how they affect your chances of conceiving. The truth about age, egg quality, and what’s still in your control. Practical tools for tracking ovulation and optimizing fertility. A couple-focused approach to fertility, because it’s not just on women. The rising rates of infertility and why it matters. Sauna and cold exposure and whether they support or hinder fertility. “Women have more agency over their health.” The gut plays a huge role in hormone metabolism. Chronic inflammation can accelerate damage to egg quality. Fertility isn’t just about age. Lifestyle factors matter more than most people think. Find Dr. Natalie at: Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd Website: Natalie Crawford MD Book: The Fertility Formula. If you’re looking to take control of your health, understand your body, and optimise your longevity, this episode is for you. For more health and longevity conversations, follow along at @sweatyafpodcast on Instagram.