Live Well Be Well with Sarah Ann Macklin | Health, Lifestyle, Nutrition

Explore the intriguing relationship between genetics and Alzheimer's risk with expert insights. Discover how the ApoE4 gene amplifies risk, influenced by lifestyle choices like diet and exercise. Learn about the difference between early-onset and common late-onset Alzheimer's, and why modifying behaviors can significantly reduce genetic risk. Almost half of dementia cases might be preventable through lifestyle changes! Tune in for valuable strategies to live healthier and mitigate risks.

Dr. Andy Galpin, a human performance scientist and expert in sleep research, dives deep into the complex world of sleep. He discusses the alarming global decline in sleep quality despite increased awareness and spending. Andy reveals that waking up around 2–3 a.m. is often linked to physiological factors like stress and high pre-sleep heart rates. He emphasizes that good sleep encompasses more than just duration, and shares practical tips for creating a personalized wind-down routine to enhance sleep quality.

What if the qualities you’ve been taught to override are actually the ones keeping you well?To round of 2025, I’m joined by world-leading thinkers including Simon Sinek, Dr. Rick Doblin, Robin Sharma, Professor Nicolau, and Dr. Sarah McKay to explore what truly shapes our wellbeing when the noise fades and the signal becomes clearer.This episode weaves together some of the most powerful moments from conversations across the year. From introversion and energy boundaries, to trauma, inflammation, digital overload, recovery, and the stories we tell about our bodies, this is a reminder that health is not about optimisation, it’s about understanding cost, context, and care.Across neuroscience, psychology, leadership, and physiology, a shared truth emerges. Our systems are intelligent. But they are not limitless. And when we listen earlier, we protect ourselves from paying a higher price later.Here’s What We Dive Into:- How introversion can be a strength in leadership, communication, and meaningful connection.- Why wellbeing is less about right versus wrong, and more about understanding personal cost.- How MDMA-assisted therapy works in the brain to support healing from PTSD — and why context matters more than the compound.- What recovery actually looks like in a world that rewards constant output.- Why strategic rest and “going ghost” can unlock creativity, clarity, and long-term performance.- How social media content — not just screen time — may drive inflammation and immune stress.- Why chronic stress and burnout can permanently shift our inflammatory baseline.- How cultural narratives shape emotional experiences, including PMS and mood changes.Love,Sarah Ann 💛***This episode is sponsored by:NOWATCH: The compassionate health trackerConnecting body and mind with unique stress recovery insights so you can live fully today15% off with code LWBW15 at nowatch.com***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: / sarahannmacklin📹 Subscribe: / @livewellbewellsarah 🐦 Twitter: / sarahannmacklin 📱 TikTok: / sarahannnutrition 💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:Science Simplified, Health Humanised.Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahmacklin/p/download-your-free-5-recipes-to-relieve👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***If You Enjoyed This Episode, You Might Also Like:Simon Sinek on Leadership, Energy, and Meaningful WorkSimon Sinek: The ADHD Superpower - Why It’s My Greatest AdvantageDr. Rick Doblin on Trauma, Healing, and Psychedelic ScienceHow Psychedelics Change the Brain: MDMA, Psilocybin, Benefits & Risks | Dr. Rick DoblinDr. Sarah McKay on Women’s Brains, Hormones, and Emotional HealthWomen's Brain Health: What Science REALLY Says About Hormones, PMS & Menopause | Dr Sarah McKay***Highlights:00:00:00 Intro00:02:00 My ADHD Superpower - Why it’s my greatest advantage | Simon Sinek00:11:23 How Psychedelics Change the Brain: MDMA, Psilocybin, Benefits and Risks | Dr Rick Doblin00:18:51 Stop Chasing Money: 8 Hidden Forms of Wealth You Need Now | Robin Sharma00:24:05 The Brain Immune Expert: Alert! Social Media is Reprogramming Your Immune System | Dr Dan Nicolau Jr00:39:24 Women’s Brain Health: What Science Really Says About Hormones, PMS, and Menopause | Dr Sarah McKay***Love what you’re hearing?My small ask is to please rate and review Live Well Be Well. This helps the show expand and allows me to keep producing these with the best quality guests. It means a huge amount to me, so thank you.

Inigo San Milan, an exercise physiologist specializing in metabolic physiology, shares insights on identifying Zone 2 training intensity without wearables. He explains the talk-test method and how it relates to lab measurements. Inigo addresses common misconceptions, revealing that exercising at too high an intensity can hinder fat oxidation and weight loss. He emphasizes the importance of balancing Zone 2 training with recovery for improved mitochondrial function and long-term fat burning. Tune in for practical tips on effective fat loss!

Dr. Stacy Sims, an exercise physiologist, discusses female-specific training and the importance of adjusting workouts during perimenopause. Doug Evans, a plant-focused entrepreneur, highlights the benefits of sprouts and sheds light on the misconceptions surrounding seed oils. Dr. Iñigo San Millán explores mitochondrial health through Zone 2 training, emphasizing its role in fat oxidation. These experts reveal actionable insights on holistic health, nutrition, and the intelligent design of our bodies, making for a fascinating conversation.

Joana De Calheiros Velozo, an expert in stress and recovery, dives into the vital connection between how we handle stress and our health. She highlights the importance of timely recovery, explaining that it’s not just stress that matters, but how quickly we return to equilibrium. The conversation explores the varying responses of individuals under similar pressures and the crucial role of sleep in resilience. Joana also discusses the concept of locus of control, emphasizing that our perceptions can significantly impact our stress management.

In a heartfelt reflection, the host expresses gratitude for the strong community built over the year. The discussion highlights the importance of connection, curiosity, and balance in our lives. Listeners are encouraged to take time for rest during the holiday season while acknowledging those working through it. Exciting plans and teasers for 2026 hint at new insights and growth. A special year-end mashup is promised to recap impactful moments. It's a warm reminder to honor well-being in a way that resonates personally with each individual.

Dr. Darshan Shah, a physician specializing in functional and integrative medicine, shares practical tips on reducing household toxins. He discusses the dangers of common products like antibacterial cleaners, advocating for simple, non-toxic swaps such as a versatile cleaner concentrate. Learn how peppermint can naturally deter pests, and delve into the issue of microplastics. Darshan also emphasizes the importance of a balanced, gradual detox approach and explains how our liver effectively eliminates toxins through everyday processes.

Watch the FULL podcast here: https://youtu.be/ZXLWY5HcPXEFinding it hard to stay healthy in your 40s while raising kids? This clip explores choosing one non-negotiable habit to protect your time, the midlife mental load, and why what worked in your 20s may not now. This segment examines childbirth’s lasting impacts on sleep, mood, and body composition, plus staged sleep strategies for conception, pregnancy, the third trimester, and the nine months after birth. Here, I’m discussing nutrition too: protein targets, post-pregnancy taste shifts, and taking a flexible, low-stress approach when foods trigger nausea or aversion.Andy Galpin in conversation with Sarah Ann Listen to the full episode⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch the full episode on YouTube ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠***This episode is sponsored by: NOWATCH: Health tracking reimaginedKnow your body, trust yourself.15% off with code LWBW15 at nowatch.com***Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter: Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: / sarahannmacklin📹 Subscribe: / @livewellbewellsarah 🐦 Twitter: / sarahannmacklin 📱 TikTok: / sarahannnutrition 💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

In this discussion, Dr. Tommy Wood, a neuroscientist and author of The Stimulated Mind, challenges the misconception that dementia is an unavoidable consequence of aging. He reveals that up to 50% of dementias could be preventable through lifestyle choices. Dr. Wood explores the interplay of genetics and daily behaviors, emphasizing that mental engagement and physical activity are vital for brain health. He also discusses the negative impact of stereotypes on aging and highlights innovative methods, such as sensory stimulation, for cognitive enhancement.