The Mindset Behind My Couch to 5k Expedition [Part 1]

If you’re thinking of embarking on a running program, or any similar fitness program, here’s a run down (pun intended) of my story and the mindset shifts that helped me. 

 

I knew WHY I wanted to do it

The discomfort of being breathless on flights was a big motivator for me.  This wasn’t just in my head, or caused by anxiety, this was physical breathlessness caused by altitude and I knew this would be a great problem to solve (especially as I knew I wanted to travel more).  But I was confused.  I knew this was linked to poor cardio ability (I HATED cardio and avoided it like the plague) but, the question was, did I need to do HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) or more endurance type stuff?  An athlete friend suggested endurance and she recommended the Couch to 5k app.   So I signed up.  

 

I had to BELIEVE my body could do it

I exist in a heavier body and running made me feel like a big ole heavy lump.  I...

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Why Knowing About The Reticular Activating System Can Help You Make Changes

We painted our hallway blue, beautiful Marrakech blue, now I can't stop seeing it everywhere I go. 

My husband is the same.  Whenever we watch a film, go into a shop or restaurant, we see it.

Somewhere.

On the wall, in a picture, someone's wearing it. 

I'm sure it's always been there, we've just never NOTICED it before. 

But now, because this blue has MEANING to us, we are seeing it everywhere!  


Ta Dah

Ok, I'm making a meal out of this for effect, because I knew this would happen after we'd painted our walls. 

And I knew this would happen because I'm fascinated with the Reticular Activating System.  

Here's a quick 101 on the RAS. 

The RAS is a network of neurons in the brain which acts as a filter for sensory information determining what stimuli are important and deserving of our attention.  We need this filtration system in our brain because in reality, there's just too much information in the world for us...

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Why You Don't Really Want Happiness And What You Probably Want Instead

 

I can't believe I'm about to say this...

I NEVER want you to be happy because what I want for you is so much bigger than happiness. 

Ok, let’s dig. 

Why do we only strive for this one emotion when there are so many more beautiful ones to experience? 

I have a theory.

Because we’ve been hypnotised to believe that happiness is the thing we SHOULD want and there are certain things that will get us there.

The swimming pool, the house, the pay rise, the Gucci, the 5 star trips, the accolades, the milestones, the glitterati friendships.

But why is it that when we get there, it only feels good for a moment and then the emptiness settles in again?

It’s because happiness, like all emotion, is fleeting. 

After working with people deeply for 23 years, I am 99.9% certain that happiness is not what most people want.  They want something more enduring, something more foundational.  

When my clients tell me that all they want is to...

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Are Your Ageing Symptoms a Result of Stereotype Embodiment?

How much of the ageing symptoms that we experience is actually just stereotype embodiment?

 

Stereotype embodiment refers to the process by which individuals internalize and embody stereotypes that are prevalent in their culture or society. It suggests that stereotypes can influence people's self-perception, behavior, and even their physical and mental health.

 

When individuals are repeatedly exposed to stereotypes about a particular social group to which they belong, they may begin to internalize those stereotypes and incorporate them into their self-concept. For example, if someone repeatedly hears that older adults are forgetful and frail, they may start to believe and exhibit those characteristics themselves, even if they were not true for them personally.

 

Stereotype embodiment can operate through various mechanisms. One mechanism is stereotype threat, where individuals are aware of negative stereotypes about their group, which can lead to anxiety and...

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Changing Your Mind With Hypnotherapy

 

If you want a therapy that works, try hypnotherapy.  Hypnotherapy is becoming one of the worlds most sought after therapies because of its ability to work deep into our conditioning and affect change very quickly.

I call it a no nonsense therapy.  It gets right in there and right out again. 

In today's episode I had the pleasure of talking to a fellow hypnotherapist about the profound work we do.  

Sonia Samtani is CEO of the All About You wellness centre in Hong Kong, she's 2 x TEDX speaker, published author and NLP trainer (and of course, she's a very busy hypnotherapist).

In today's episode of The Menopause Mindset Podcast we discuss:

Conclusions that we come to about ourselves based on the messages we received.
 The importance of asking why [why = wisdom].
 Identifying the triggers that result in a cascade of negative thinking.
 The difference between regression therapy and suggestion placement therapy.
 Perception...

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Ditching Outdated Dieting Thinking with Tanja Shaw

 

Black and white thinking around health, nutrition and weight loss is outdated, outmoded and redundant.  If you think it's just a case of finding enough will power to stick to a diet, then, my friend, I'm afraid you're set up to fail. 

My guest today has built up a credible reputation for helping thousands find a new relationship to food, their bodies and dieting.  

In this conversation we talk about: 

A time redefine ourselves and dieting.
Why we're sociologically conditioned for weight loss.
Re-writing the diet narrative.
Mindful weight loss /  Mindful eating.
The human diet.
Understanding your motivations.
Our relationships to food.
SLOWING THE F**K DOWN
Black and white thinkings vs 'play in the grey' 
Making people with desire & yearning. 
Routine, routine, routine.
Progress over perfection.
But HOW do we accept a body we don't actually like.

So if you're ready to 'play in the grey', come join Tanja and me!

Tanja's Links
Free...

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Thriving Through Menopause with Beth Wright

 

How do we become resilient to the challenges of menopause?  Do we do nothing and let it overtake us or do we actively participate to become more adapted to this challenging phase of our lives?

The most helpful narrative I've come across is to be primed and ready for menopause as much as we can in order to avoid the massive pitfalls of ill health that can occur at this time. 

My guest today is Beth Wright, a lawyer by day who moonlights as a Functional Medicine Practitioner and a Health Coach.... and frankly, SHE RIPPED!!

In this episode we chat about:

Holding down a job as a lawyer AND a health coach.
 Muscle as a metabolic and endocrine organ.
 Why generic programs are not a good idea especially during menopause.
 Symptoms tracking.
 The trainer client relationship.
 What is a hormone reset and reboot.
 Why we are programmed to function better in groups.
The reasons why intuitive eating sometimes goes out the...

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How Menopause Can Help Us Reclaim Our Authenticity

 
Something’s been grinding my gears. I’m starting to take issue with the so called self development world that does more harm than good in some cases.  If you've seen the Amazon Prime Documentary, The Vow, you'll know what I’m referring to.
 
Having been a self confessed self development junkie since I was 14 years old, I'm now starting to see how this influence can do some damage to our authenticity especially when it comes to being able to navigate the menopause transition in a healthy way.  
 
Authenticity says "Hey you...I like you... be more you.... that feeling you're feeling, that's ok... lean into it, listen to it, respect it, honour it, talk about, slow down."Self development says "Hey you... I like you... but you need to be more X....because that feeling you're feeling is holding you back from something much greater.  That feeling is blocking your success and you want more success don't...
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Mast Cell Activation Syndrome with Tracey Reed

 

If you're curious about the place inside of us where the mind and body come together, then look no further than the fascinating subject of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome.  

When we take a look at MCAS what we're REALLY looking at, is the junction between the immune system and the nervous system.  

Fascinating though it is, symptoms of MCAS can be incredibly annoying and often difficult to make sense of, and to top it all off, at menopause we become a little more susceptible to our Mast Cells becoming agitated leading to this pick and mix of symptoms.  

My guest today is Tracey Reed who is the co-founder of Histamine Haven along with Luka Symmons.  She is a Certified Holistic Nutritional Consultant, an instructor at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition and the recipient of the 2018 Clinical Excellence Award.

In this episode we discuss: 

What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)?
...

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Breaking Through Auto Immune Issues with VJ Hamilton

 

Why is menopause a risk factor for increased auto immune issues?  

In today's episode we'll find out.  

My guest today, VJ Hamilton, was just seven years old when she first discovered a patch of alopecia at the back of her head.  While there was a genetic component to this, during her adult life, her symptoms become worse, ranging from joint pain to extreme fatigue and psoriasis. 

Unable to resign herself to the fact that there was nothing she could do, she decided to take matters into her own hands.  

Today, after 7 years, she lives symptom free. 

VJ is a autoimmune nutritionist and in our conversation together we discussed:

 How our hormone changes can make trigger auto immune issues.
 Symptoms of auto immune issues.
 How a functional approach can help you become symptom free.
 Swapping handbags for health.
 How to keep healthy practices up for the long term.
 The genetic component of auto immune...

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