Is cortisol really wrecking your health?

Is cortisol really wrecking your health?

Cortisol has become the internet’s favourite explanation for almost everything. Poor sleep? Cortisol. Weight gain? Cortisol. Waking at 3am? Cortisol. Tired all the time? Apparently also cortisol. But what does cortisol actually do, when is it genuinely a medical problem, and how much of the online conversation is misunderstanding mixed with marketing? In this Pocket Prescription episode, GP and strength coach Lynette Ewart explains what cortisol really is, why the wellness industry became obsessed with it, and what people often miss when they blame stress hormones for everything. This isn’t a “stress doesn’t matter” episode. It absolutely does. But the internet version of cortisol has drifted a long way from reality. In this episode: * What cortisol actually does in the body * Why cortisol rises normally during stress * The difference between chronic stress and true cortisol disorders * Why “hormone imbalance” is often used as a vague catch-all term * The problem with random online hormone testing * Why sleep, recovery, activity and overall health still matter more than hacks No hacks. No supplements being pushed. Just a calm, evidence-based explanation from clinic reality. You can also watch the video version on the  Prescription Strength YouTube channel

Your Environment Is Shaping Your Eating More Than You Think

Most people think their eating habits come down to discipline. I don’t think that’s true. In this Pocket Prescription episode, I talk about one of the biggest things people overlook when they’re struggling with food, weight, or health habits: their environment. Because whether it’s the food in your cupboards, the people around you, your stress levels, your routine, or simply what’s constantly within arm’s reach, your environment quietly shapes your behaviour all day long. And if you’re relying on willpower alone while surrounded by things working against you… that’s a very difficult battle to win. In this episode, I explore: * Why eating habits are rarely just about motivation * The hidden influence of your home and daily surroundings * Why “nothing has changed” often isn’t actually true * How modern environments make overeating incredibly easy * The difference between blame and understanding * Simple ways to make healthier choices feel easier without relying on constant self-control A short, practical episode about why behaviour makes a lot more sense once you stop viewing it as a personal failing. The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube.

My weight is going up but nothing has changed.

If your weight is creeping up and you’re convinced nothing has changed—you’re probably right. But that doesn’t mean nothing has changed. In this Pocket Prescription episode, I break down why weight gain in midlife often feels confusing and unfair. We cover: * Why weight gain tends to happen in seasonal spikes, not a straight line * How muscle loss (and body composition changes) quietly shifts the rules * The reality of busier lives, less movement, and more sitting * Why sleep and recovery matter more than you think This isn’t about blame or “trying harder.” It’s about understanding what’s actually going on so you can decide what’s worth changing. No hacks. No shortcuts. Just the basics—done properly.

Life After Weight Loss

Losing weight is often seen as the hard part. It isn’t. In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist Dr Courtney Raspin, co-author of The Weight Loss Prescription, to talk about what actually happens after the weight comes off—and why this is where most people struggle. We explore the gap between weight loss and weight maintenance, particularly in the context of weight loss injections. Because while these medications can be incredibly effective, they don’t solve the underlying behaviours, habits, and psychological patterns that determine what happens next. This is the part of the conversation that often gets missed: the “exit plan.” About the book The Weight Loss Prescription by Dr Courtney Raspin and Dr Max Pemberton brings together the medical and psychological sides of weight loss—particularly in the context of modern treatments like GLP-1 medications. It’s not a quick fix guide. It’s a framework for what happens after.

Why You Procrastinate (And Why Perfectionism Makes It Worse)

When you know what you “should” do but still can’t make yourself do it, it’s easy to assume you’re the problem. In this episode, I’m joined by GP and Chimp Management director  Dr Sarah Caddy to break down procrastination and perfectionism using the Chimp Model from Professor Steve Peters. We explore why capable, intelligent people still get stuck, how perfectionism quietly fuels avoidance, and why motivation is the least reliable part of the process. This is a practical conversation about what’s actually going on in your brain when you delay, overthink, or wait for the “right time” — and how to start working with it instead of fighting it. We cover: * why procrastination isn’t laziness * how perfectionism drives inaction * the role of habits, beliefs and self-image * why motivation fades (and what matters more) * making a plan that works on your worst day * how comparison and marketing hijack your thinking * simple ways to get unstuck and take action Links: * The Chimp Paradox [https://chimpmanagement.com/books-by-professor-steve-peters/the-chimp-paradox/] * A Path Through the Jungle [https://chimpmanagement.com/books-by-professor-steve-peters/a-path-through-the-jungle/] * Chimp Management [https://chimpmanagement.com/professor-steve-peters/] If you’ve ever thought “I know what to do, I just can’t make myself do it,” this will make uncomfortable amounts of sense.