Afleveringen

  • What if the life you thought you wanted was never really yours to begin with?


    This week on Well Enough, journalist, author and broadcaster Poorna Bell joins Emilie Lavinia for a conversation about mid-life, relationships, ageing and the pressure women face to follow a script - fall in love, get married, have children and stay desirable.


    Poorna opens up about why turning 40 felt unexpectedly powerful, the anti-ageing narratives designed to keep women feeling small, how losing her husband reshaped her understanding of love, and why she ultimately chose not to have children. Together, they discuss midlife reinvention, modern dating, emotional resilience and what it really means to “want more” from life.


    Poorna’s latest book She Wanted More is out now.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • For decades, women have been sold the idea that exercise is about shrinking themselves — flattening stomachs, toning arms, and chasing the elusive “beach body.” But personal trainer and author Elizabeth Davies thinks it’s time for a rethink.


    In this episode, Elizabeth joins Emilie Lavinia to unpack why strength training matters so much as we age, how women can protect their muscles and bones in midlife, and why fitness culture still often repackages body shame as empowerment. We discuss menopause, gym confidence, cardio as punishment, the problem with arbitrary strength standards, and why one workout a week really can be enough.


    Elizabeth is the founder of This Woman Lifts and author of Training For Your Old Lady Body, a practical guide to building strength, resilience and confidence for the long game.


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  • Comedian, presenter and Off Menu co-host Ed Gamble has spent more than 25 years living with Type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed at just 13 years old, he describes managing the condition as "like having another job" - a constant balancing act of food, insulin, exercise, stress and everyday life.

    In this episode, Ed opens up about growing up as a self-described "fat kid", the complicated relationship with food that inspired his memoir Glutton, and how living with a chronic condition has shaped his understanding of health, control and wellbeing. We discuss the mental load of diabetes management, male body image, perfectionism, social media wellness trends, and why trying to optimise every aspect of your life can sometimes make you feel worse, not better.


    Ed also shares how technology has transformed diabetes care, the realities of performing stand-up while managing blood sugar levels, his experiences with weight loss and fitness, and why finding balance matters more than chasing perfection.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Elite marathon runner Anya Culling's story will inspire you but maybe not in the way you expect. She shaved nearly two hours off her marathon time and now competes at the highest level, representing her country.


    In this episode, Anya opens up about teenage health crises that shaped her mentality, the ironic moment she realized elite runners do still have periods, and why her coach refused to train her until she got her health sorted. We discuss wellness overwhelm, how to spot the difference between training hard and overtraining, why women's health issues in sport often go unaddressed, and the recovery principle that changed everything for her.


    Anya is backing iron supplement brand Active Iron’s campaign to encourage open conversations around women’s health in sport. For more information visit https://activeiron.com/en-gb

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • This week, clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and content creator Dr. Julie Smith joins us to dismantle the myth of constant happiness and offer practical tools for navigating life's inevitable storms.


    With over 10 million followers and two Sunday Times bestsellers (Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? and Open When), Julie has made it her mission to make high-quality mental health education accessible to everyone.


    In this conversation, we explore why young people are struggling despite having "the best it's ever been," the crucial difference between self-compassion and self-indulgence, and how our modern obsession with optimization is setting us up for failure. Julie shares the powerful "predator mindset" that helped her through her own health crisis, explains why feelings are information rather than problems to fix, and introduces the "solid back five" concept - fundamental pillars of mental wellbeing that we constantly underestimate.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • In a world of aggressive optimization, morning routines, and relentless pressure to manifest a perfect reality, how do we experience actual joy when life falls apart?


    This week on Well Enough, we sit down with Kate Bowler - Duke University professor, religion scholar, and author - to explore the profound differences between happiness and joy. At 35, Kate was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, an event that completely shattered her reality and forced her to confront the agonizing platitude that "everything happens for a reason."


    Kate dismantles toxic positivity and wellness capitalism, explaining why you don't always need to find a silver lining. 


    Get Kate’s book “Joyful, Anyway” here https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/joyful-anyway-9781037202582/


    Follow Well Enough on Instagram here 

    https://www.instagram.com/wellenough


    Timecodes:

    00:00 Why Joy Isn't What You Think

    03:10 Happiness vs. Joy: What’s the Psychological Difference?

    06:25 Navigating Rage and Finding Joy After a Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis

    08:00 "Emotional Appropriateness" & The Myth of Constant Optimization

    10:45 The Danger of Toxic Positivity and "Everything Happens for a Reason"

    13:10 The Hidden History (and Harm) of Manifesting

    17:30 What is "The Ache"? Embracing the Bittersweet Longing of Being Human

    20:20 Wellness Capitalism and the Absurdity of the 24/7 Morning Routine

    23:30 Navigating the Seasons of Wanting & Opening Your "Vault of Jewels"

    29:10 How to Practice Joy: Service, Love, and Hope

    33:30 How to Experience Joy During a "Light Apocalypse"

    37:00 Absurdism: Why You Should Lean Into Your Weird Delights

    39:20 The Surprising Limits of Gratitude Journaling

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • What if the most powerful medicine was right outside your front door? In this episode, we explore the transformative role nature plays in healing, recovery and everyday wellness. 


    Our guest is Julia Bradbury - TV presenter, Sunday Times bestselling author and one of the UK's most passionate advocates for the healing power of the outdoors. After a breast cancer diagnosis in 2021 and a subsequent mastectomy, Julia rebuilt her health from the ground up and nature was at the heart of it.


    She joins Emilie to talk about her diagnosis journey, the science behind nature snacks, resistance training, morning light, walking backwards, and why the single most important wellness habit starts with what you say to yourself.


    Get Julia’s book Hack Yourself Healthy

    Julia Bradbury is supporting Vista Health’s Signs of Clarity campaign. Visit www.vista-health.co.uk


    00:00 The Healing Power of Nature & Movement

    02:07 Functional Medicine: Finding the Root Cause

    04:50 How Walking Calms Your Nervous System

    06:40 Breast Cancer Diagnosis & The Promise of Nature

    08:15 How to Take Daily "Nature Snacks"

    10:00 The Emotional Toll of Surgery 

    12:35 Finding Comfort & Life Lessons from Trees

    15:00 Redefining Health vs. Toxic Resilience

    17:36 How to Make Time for Your Wellbeing

    19:31 Strength Training for Women & Hope Molecules

    22:21 Building Non-Negotiable Healthy Habits

    24:35 Overcoming Vulnerability After a Health Scare

    27:15 An Emotional Expedition to Antarctica

    29:18 Healthy Travel Hacks & Plane Snacks

    32:19 The Ultimate Slow Morning Routine

    34:27 The Power of Positive Affirmations & Self-Talk

    36:01 Why You Should Start Walking Backwards

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sophie Richards spent ten years being dismissed by doctors who said her crippling period pain was "normal" and she'd "get used to it." Six surgeries later, she finally got her endometriosis diagnosis.


    This week, Sophie joins Emilie to break down inflammation as your body's "first response team," how she discovered it was driving her symptoms, and the dangerous wellness trends she fell for.


    She also shares the love story of bringing her now fiancé to her fertility appointment on date three, why she wants to create a school curriculum so boys learn about periods too, and her six pillars of anti-inflammatory living that transformed her health.


    Get Sophie’s book ‘The Anti-Inflammatory 30-day Reset’ here

    Follow Sophie on Instagram here

    Follow Emilie on Instagram here


    Timecodes

    00:00 Why I Share the Reality of Living with Endometriosis

    02:46 Six Surgeries & Ten Years of Chronic Pain

    04:16 The Period Pain Dismissed as "Normal"

    06:41 Bringing My Boyfriend to My Egg Freezing Appointment

    09:01 Educating Men About Women's Health: Why It Matters

    11:26 Why Boys Need Period Education Too

    13:41 What Is Inflammation? The First Response Team

    16:01 How I Discovered Inflammation Was the Root Cause

    18:46 Red Flags in the Wellness Industry

    21:31 The 30-Day Anti-Inflammatory Reset Explained

    24:51 You're Not Crazy: Your Pain Is Real

    27:31 How to Advocate for Yourself at the Doctor

    30:41 The Doctor Who Finally Diagnosed My Endometriosis

    34:01 Breaking the Taboo: Men Talking About Periods

    36:46 Nourish Yourself Like You'd Nourish a Friend

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Reality TV star Vicky Pattison opens up about her personal battle with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), a debilitating condition that goes far beyond typical PMS symptoms. She candidly discusses the physical and emotional toll it's taken on her life, and how finally getting diagnosed changed everything.


    Vicky also shares her experience with egg freezing, offering an honest perspective on the process, the emotions involved, and why she made this important decision for her future. Her vulnerability about fertility and planning for motherhood will resonate with many listeners navigating similar choices.


    Vicky’s new show ‘Maybe, Baby?’ is available to stream now on Channel 4.


    Follow Well Enough on Instagram here

    Follow Emilie on Instagram here 

    Follow Vicky on Instagram here 


    Timecodes:

    00:00 Introduction

    01:00 What Is PMDD? Understanding the Symptoms

    03:16 Two Weeks of Hell: Living with PMDD

    05:51 Five Years to Get a Diagnosis: Medical Gaslighting

    08:13 "Just a Period" - How Doctors Dismissed My Pain

    10:21 The Social Media Diagnosis That Changed Everything

    12:16 Finally Heard: Getting My PMDD Diagnosis

    14:46 Why Boys Need to Learn About Periods

    17:31 Antidepressants for PMDD: The Treatment Dilemma

    20:36 Navigating PMDD as a Couple

    24:11 Maybe Baby: Our Fertility Journey on TV

    27:01 Freezing My Eggs at 35: Taking Control

    30:31 The Hate I Got for Freezing My Eggs

    33:16 One Message That Made It All Worth It

    37:21 Can You Be a Good Mum with PMDD?

    42:01 Feel Your Feels: My Wellness Advice

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • What does it really mean to navigate womanhood under constant scrutiny? This week on Well Enough, author, DJ and broadcaster Ashley James explains the impossible standards women face.


    Ashley reveals the truth about misogynistic labels, from the slut-shaming she experienced at an all-boys school to being called 'selfish' both for not having children and then for wanting a life outside motherhood. She shares how becoming a mum forced her to confront her own internalised misogyny - and why birth trauma is dismissed as a 'negative mindset problem' rather than a maternity care failing.


    We also explore the hidden costs of being a woman, from the £20,000 women spend on menstruation in their lifetime to the double standards that mean female voices are constantly questioned while male commentators speak without proving their credentials.


    Ashley James’s bestselling Bimbo is available here

    Follow Well Enough on Instagram here

    Follow Emilie on Instagram here 


    Timecodes:


    00:00 Introduction

    03:16 The Misogyny Behind Calling Women Influencers

    05:46 Slut-Shamed at 14

    08:21 Punished for Having a Woman's Body

    11:01 Why "Bimbo" Needs Reclaiming

    14:06 The Impossible Standards of Mothers

    17:11 Regretting Motherhood

    20:16 Birth Trauma & the Failure of Maternity Care.

    22:46 Why C-Sections Shouldn't Be Shamed 

    26:31 Childcare Costs More Than My Mortgage 

    28:46 The Pressure to "Bounce Back" After Birth 

    32:26 Trolls & Misogyny: Refusing to Be Silenced 

    36:41 The Hidden Cost of Having a Period 

    40:31 Medical Gaslighting: Why Women's Pain Is Dismissed 

    43:21 Raising Kids Without Misogynistic Labels

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Rosie Viva used to travel the world as a fashion model. It wasn’t until being arrested after a psychotic episode in Stansted Airport that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. 


    On the week of World Bipolar Day, Rosie joins Emilie on Well Enough to ask: what does the world still get wrong about bipolar, especially for women.


    Rosie’s book ‘Completely Normal and Totally Fine’ charts her journey with bipolar. She documents mania, depression and recovery all whilst navigating relationships, jobs and her new identity. In today’s episode, she also shares her one rule for drinking on medication, how to manage hypomania without losing the magic, and why thinking she was Susan Boyle for a week taught her family not to challenge delusions.


    Follow the show:

    Follow Well Enough on Instagram here

    Follow Emilie on Instagram here 


    Useful links:

    Rosie’s Substack

    Rosie’s book ‘Completely Normal and Totally Fine’

    ‘Maybe its bipolar?’ test from Bipolar UK

    Samaritans


    Timecodes:

    00:00 What Is Bipolar Disorder? Breaking Down the Basics

    02:46 Type 1 vs Type 2 Bipolar: Understanding the Difference

    05:21 Misdiagnosis: When Doctors Miss Bipolar in Women

    08:16 The Psychotic Episode That Changed Everything

    10:11 Religious Delusions & Mania: My Breaking Point

    11:26 Arrested at Stansted Airport: The Baggage Drop Incident

    13:01 The Shame Around Mental Illness Nobody Talks About

    15:16 Getting the Right Medication: Why It Takes Time

    17:26 When Therapy Goes Wrong: My NHS Experience

    20:01 Managing Hypermania: Practical Tools That Work

    22:16 Navigating Friendships with Bipolar Disorder

    24:51 PMDD & Bipolar: The Hidden Connection for Women

    27:31 Can Women with Bipolar Be Stable? The Answer Is Yes

    29:56 How to Know If You Have Bipolar: First Steps

    32:31 Making My Channel 4 Documentary: Telling My Story

    35:26 Is My Madness Actually Magic? Reframing Bipolar

    38:01 The Euphoria of Hypermania: Like Astronauts in Space

    39:21 Drinking with Bipolar: My One Simple Rule

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • The UK has a nutrition problem, and it's not the one most wellness influencers are shouting about. While TikTok pushes high-protein everything, Britain quietly ranks second-worst globally for fibre intake.


    Nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert joins Emilie to expose the fibre gap, reveal why Parliament is finally paying attention, and explain how protein hype has distracted us from a genuine public health crisis. Only 4% of Brits meet the 30 gram daily target, and 80% think fibre is just about bowel movements - missing its profound impact on immunity, heart health, brain function, and even longevity.


    Rhiannon also dismantles dangerous wellness trends, explains why "what I eat in a day" videos are mostly fiction, and shares the changing gender norms behind our lost cooking culture.


    Follow Well Enough on Instagram here

    Follow Emilie on Instagram here 

    Follow Rhiannon on Instagram here

    Get Rhiannon’s book ‘The Fibre Formula’ here


    Timecodes

    00:00 The Pressure to Be a Perfect Nutritionist

    02:46 The Reality of “What I Eat in a Day” Videos 

    05:46 The UK's Shocking Fibre Crisis 

    09:16 Why Diet Culture Destroyed Our Relationship with Food

    12:01 Rhiannon’s journey: Opera Singer to Nutritionist 

    15:46 Taking the Fibre Fight to Parliament 

    18:56 Why Fibre Has Had Such Bad PR 

    22:11 The Protein Hype Has Done Damage 

    25:21 How to Eat More Mindfully 

    28:16 Fibre for Immunity, Heart Health & Your Brain

    32:46 Why Women Lost Cooking Skills

    35:01 Wellness Trends to Avoid 

    37:51 Why Social Connection is as Important as Nutrition 

    40:26 Simple Swaps for Better Gut Health 

    41:21 Shut Out the Noise 

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • TV presenter Cherry Healey shares her unexpected perimenopause journey, revealing how debilitating anxiety and heart palpitations at age 40 led her to nearly seek antidepressants, before discovering her symptoms were hormonal.


    In this conversation, Cherry discusses the misdiagnosis crisis facing women in their forties, the connection between depleting estrogen and UTIs (including her own life-threatening sepsis scare), and why she believes perimenopause is actually "the main event", not menopause itself.


    Follow the show:

    Follow Well Enough on Instagram here

    Follow Emilie on Instagram here 


    Timecodes:

    00:00 Perimenopause Hit at 40: Cherry's Story

    02:11 When Menopause Was Taboo

    04:01 The Dread That Won't Go Away

    05:36 Finally Getting Diagnosed

    07:01 How Misdiagnosis Destroys Women's Lives

    08:06 Is Perimenopause the Main Event

    10:06 Perimenopause as a Gift

    11:21 Why Lifting Weights Changes Everything

    14:31 Perimenopause Ended My Relationship

    16:01 Should You Get Your Hormones Tested?

    17:26 Track Your Cycle to Understand Your Body

    21:26 The Power of Sleep

    22:31 UTIs & Perimenopause: The Hidden Link

    24:26 My UTI Turned Into Sepsis

    27:01 Advice for Women Turning 40

    32:21 The Wellness Boom & Longevity

    38:46 What Makes You Feel Well Enough


    Follow Cherry on Instagram here

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • This week, award-winning BBC broadcaster, journalist and author Emma Barnett joins us to challenge everything we think we know about the newborn bubble. Emma's new book, Maternity Service, tears through the toxic positivity of early motherhood with refreshing - and often hilarious - honesty.


    From the physical reality of recovering from a C-section to the quiet grief of losing your pre-baby identity, Emma holds nothing back. She also opens up about 21 years without an endometriosis diagnosis, six rounds of IVF, and how she's learned to survive - and thrive - with a chronic pain condition while raising two children and fronting some of the UK's biggest radio programmes.


    Follow Well Enough on Instagram here

    Follow Emilie on Instagram here


    Timecodes:

    00:00 Introduction: Why Maternity Leave Is a Lie

    01:01 What Is Maternity Service? The Book Explained

    01:31 Six Rounds of IVF and 21 Years Without a Diagnosis

    02:01 Matrescence: How Your Identity Shifts When You Become a Mother

    04:10 Can You Ever Really Prepare for Becoming a Mother?

    05:03 Toxic Positivity in Motherhood

    06:30 Reframing Motherhood as a Tour of Duty

    07:35 The Physical Reality: Healing a Broken Body After Birth

    08:57 C-Sections, Too Posh to Push, and the Stigma of Stomach Surgery

    09:50 What Is a Hypertonic Pelvic Floor? What No One Tells You

    11:25 The Loneliness of New Motherhood Nobody Talks About

    12:22 Identity Loss: Your Maternity Uniform and the Flattening of Self

    14:01 IVF, Bruising, and the Hidden Uniform of Fertility Treatment

    16:29 Delayed Gratification: The Survival Skill Every Mother Needs

    18:20 Perimenopause, Grief, and the Pressure to Have It All

    21:23 Maternity Discrimination and the Psychology of Being Replaced

    23:30 Is Boredom on Maternity Leave Normal? Yes, and Here's Why

    24:40 Writing a Letter to Your Pre-Baby Self

    26:35 Ready to Talk: Emma's New BBC Podcast on Women's Interior Lives

    30:50 The Best Books on Motherhood Emma Recommends

    39:00 Living With Endometriosis: The Diagnosis That Took 21 Years

    42:20 Endometriosis and IVF: When Getting Pregnant Becomes a Crisis

    49:30 Emma's Tip for Feeling Well Enough: The Power of Music


    Episodes of Ready to Talk with Emma Barnett are available every Friday on BBC Sounds.

    Buy Emma’s book Maternity Service - out in paperback March 12th

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women - yet it still takes an average of eight years to be diagnosed. Why are so many living with debilitating pain for so long?


    In this episode, Emilie sits down with GP, TV doctor and endometriosis advocate Dr Raj Arora to unpack the reality of living with a chronic condition that is too often dismissed as “just bad periods”.


    We explore the early warning signs of endometriosis, why painful and heavy periods should never be normalised, and how cultural stigma can delay women from seeking help. Dr Raj also explains how the historical exclusion of women from medical research has shaped everything from diagnosis to pain management - and what needs to change.


    Follow Well Enough on Instagram here

    Follow Emilie on Instagram here 

    Follow Dr Raj on Instagram here


    Timecodes:

    00:00 What Is Endometriosis? 

    01:15 Endometriosis Explained: What’s Happening in the Body

    02:55 Why Does It Take 8 Years to Get an Endometriosis Diagnosis?

    04:00 The Gender Pain Gap & Why Women’s Pain Is Ignored

    06:05 Dr Raj Arora’s 11 Year Diagnosis Journey

    09:20 Painful Periods vs Endometriosis: What’s Normal?

    10:45 Medical Misogyny & The Lack of Women in Research

    14:35 How to Advocate for Yourself at the GP

    17:40 Endometriosis Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

    20:40 How Is Endometriosis Diagnosed? (Laparoscopy, MRI & Tests)

    22:05 Endometriosis Treatment Options: Surgery & Hormonal Therapy

    23:10 Is There a Cure for Endometriosis?

    24:10 How Common Is Endometriosis in the UK?

    25:40 Endometriosis, Work & Menstrual Leave

    28:20 Fertility, Egg Freezing & Why Doctors Take It Seriously

    31:45 Why Doctors Need Better Training in Women’s Health

    33:40 Managing Endometriosis: Lifestyle, Diet & Exercise

    35:00 Natural Pain Relief, Heat Therapy & TENS Machines

    38:20 Finding Support: Endometriosis Community & Online Forums


    Resources mentioned in today’s episode:

    The Endometriosis Foundation helpline 0808 808 2227

    Symptom Checker to create a letter to take to your GP

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • In this episode of Well Enough, we’re joined by the man who effectively pioneered the British gut-health revolution: Professor Tim Spector. As a leading genetic epidemiologist and the force behind ZOE, Spector has spent decades deconstructing why health outcomes are not all about genetics - it turns out our microbes are the ones calling the shots.


    Tim explains why a sanitized modern life is making us miserable and how the simple act of fermentation can act as a "vaccine" for the immune system. We’re talking about the "Four Ks" - Kefir, Kombucha, Kimchi, and Kraut - and why your expensive probiotic supplement might be a waste of money compared to a wedge of raw-milk cheese.


    Follow Well Enough on Instagram here

    Follow Emilie on Instagram here 


    00:00 Introduction: Meeting Professor Tim Specter

    00:27 What is Fermentation? A Simple Definition

    01:21 Science Behind the Health Benefits of Ferments

    01:58 How Microbes Stimulate Your Immune System

    02:37 The Zoe Study: Why 3 Portions a Day Matters

    03:45 Real Results: Mood, Energy, and Hunger Improvements

    04:53 From Genetics to the Microbiome Revolution

    06:03 Why Identical Twins Have Different Gut Microbes

    06:48 How Modern Life Is Killing Our Good Bacteria

    07:31 The Hidden Cost of Overusing Antibiotics

    08:36 The "Four Ks" of Fermented Foods

    09:24 Beware of "Wellness Washing" in Supermarkets

    10:18 Prebiotics vs. Probiotics: What’s the Difference?

    11:15 Pickled vs. Fermented: How to Tell the Difference

    12:47 Postbiotics: The Benefit of "Dead" Microbes

    13:49 How to Choose a High-Quality Kefir

    16:38 Foods to Avoid: Artificial Sweeteners & Fake Fruits

    17:47 Why You Should Introduce Ferments Slowly

    19:10 Supplements vs. Whole Foods: Which is Better?

    20:41 Best Cheeses for Gut Health (Unpasteurized & Raw)

    23:13 Choosing the Right Kombucha: Sugar & Stevia

    26:38 Tim Specter’s Daily Gut Health Routine

    30:16 Alcohol and the Gut: Red Wine vs. Spirits

    32:13 Budget Tips: Fermenting Scraps at Home

    34:58 Explaining the Gut-Brain Axis

    41:53 The #1 Tip: Diversity of 30 Plants a Week


    More from Tim:

    Find Tim on Instagram

    Buy Tim’s new book ‘Ferment’

    More from ZOE

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Society loves to tell women that life peaks in their twenties. The story is that beauty and desirability have an expiration date. But for many, midlife isn’t an ending, it’s a turning point.


    This week on Well Enough, Emilie sits down with award-winning beauty journalist and brand founder, Ateh Jewel. After decades in an industry that often told her she didn’t fit the mold, Ateh is now reclaiming her narrative and sense of self with unapologetic joy. She challenges the cultural scripts that define women by their age or relationship status and explains why her 40s have been her most powerful decade yet.


    Ateh opens up about the moment that led to her divorce after a 26-year relationship and how she navigated the "feral" reality of modern dating as a midlife woman. You’ll also hear Ateh describe her experience as a black woman in the beauty industry, battling outdated and oftentimes ignorant views from those with financial power. 


    Ateh also shares the shame she experienced surrounding Type 2 diabetes, her candid experience with Ozempic, and why reclaiming her health through weightlifting was an act of radical self-love.


    Follow Well Enough on Instagram here

    Follow Emilie on Instagram here 


    Timecodes

    00:00 Life After 40: Why Your Best Years Are Ahead

    02:49 Childfree or Not: Defining Your Worth as a Woman

    05:00 Surviving the Beauty Industry as a Black Woman

    07:44 Why Beauty is Political

    12:14 Overcoming Racism in Venture Capital

    15:48 Diversity in the Beauty Industry

    17:53 The Truth About Divorce After 26 Years

    20:39 Finding Your Support System Post-Breakup

    22:58 Reframing Divorce: Why It’s Not a Failure

    25:50 Weight Loss Journey: Ozempic & Lifting Weights

    28:28 Using Dating Apps in your 40s

    31:40 Fetishization & Safety in Dating

    34:05 Parenting Gen Z Girls in the Social Media Age

    38:18 ‘Burn It Down’: How to Start Your Life Over

    40:05 Strategic Advice for Navigating Divorce

    43:00 Healing Trauma Through Pets & Routine

    51:30 The Shame of Type 2 Diabetes & Sugar Addiction


    More from Ateh: 

    Find Ateh Jewel on Instagram here 

    Listen to Ateh’s podcast on divorce ‘The Big D’ here

    Ateh’s beauty brand is here

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • Sexual wellness is often reduced to physical sensation - but what if it could be the key to mental clarity, relationship harmony and professional success? 

    Today, Emilie sits down with Dr. Tara to explore the three dimensions of sexual health that most people ignore. 

    We dig into the root causes of the low self-esteem epidemic among women and challenge the restrictive cultural scripts we inherited from previous generations.

    Dr. Tara explains the tangible ROI of an orgasm and why "sex positivity" is about more than just being open-minded. We also navigate the dark side of digital intimacy, from the dehumanization of AI sex bots to the misogyny lurking in your DMs. This is a candid look at how reclaiming your sexuality can fundamentally change how you show up in the world.

    Follow the show:

    Follow Well Enough on Instagram here

    Follow Emilie on Instagram here 


    Timecodes

    00:00 The 3 Dimensions of Sexual Wellness

    01:48 Relationship Advice: Frequency & Communication

    03:22 Defining Sex Positivity vs. Sex Negativity

    05:13 Why Pleasure Is Medicine for Physical & Mental Health

    07:29 Why Doctors Don't Talk About Sex

    09:03 Overcoming Cultural Scripts & Sexual Repression

    10:18 How We Teach Children Sexual Shame

    12:42 The ROI of Orgasms: Career & Confidence

    14:37 Building Sexual Self-Esteem & Intimacy

    16:43 The Historical Roots of Low Self-Esteem in Women

    18:32 Debunking "High Value" Woman Narratives

    20:12 Morning Masturbation & The Hormonal Cocktail

    22:48 Body Autonomy: Clothing & Self-Worth

    24:53 The Reality of the "Trad Wife" Trend

    26:33 Dealing with Unwanted DMs & Fetishization

    28:27 The Madonna-Whore Complex Explained

    30:38 Double Standards in Casual Sex & Dating

    31:58 Best Sex Education Books & Resources

    33:57 Clapping Back at Judgmental Comments

    35:48 Idiosyncratic Masturbation & Vibrator Dependency

    38:17 Sex Toy Recommendations: Discreet & Sustainable Options

    39:52 The Dark Side of AI Sex Robots

    42:13 Sex Therapist vs. Sex Coach: What's the Difference?

    46:12 How to Practice Sexual Meditation

    48:21 The Power of Sex Journaling & Affirmations


    More from Dr Tara:

    Luvbites on InstagramHer new book ‘How Do You Like It?: A Guide for Getting What You Want (in Bed)’ 

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  • In this episode of Well Enough, we sit down with Dr. Karan Rajan - NHS surgeon, author, and the internet’s favourite health myth-buster. 


    With millions of followers looking to him for clarity, Dr. Karan has made a name for himself by dismantling health myths and translating complex medical studies into accessible, life-changing advice.


    We dig into the topics dominating your social media feeds: Is "cortisol face" real? Do you actually have a "leaky gut"? And is intermittent fasting a miracle cure or a hormonal disaster for women? Dr. Karan explains why we need to stop treating our bodies like they are broken and start focusing on the unsexy but essential pillars of health.


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    Timecodes:

    00:00 Fighting Health Misinformation

    01:35 Intermittent Fasting for Women

    02:35 Fasting for Weight Loss vs. Gut Health

    03:55 Does Fasting Heal Leaky Gut?

    05:30 What is Leaky Gut Actually?

    06:50 IBS vs. IBD vs. Leaky Gut

    07:45 The Truth About Glucose Spikes

    08:55 Are CGMs Accurate for Non-Diabetics?

    10:00 The Dangers of Glucose Hacking

    10:50 Sleep Trackers & Orthosomnia

    12:40 Cortisol Face & Belly Fat Myths

    14:40 The "Wellness Washing" Industry

    15:35 The 5 Unsexy Pillars of Health

    16:40 Probiotics vs. Fibre

    18:05 The 3-Month Fiber Challenge

    19:10 Fibre Supplements & GLP-1 (Ozempic)

    20:45 Inulin & Bloating Side Effects

    23:25 Pregnancy, Protein & Constipation

    24:35 The Gut-Skin & Gut-Brain Axis

    26:10 Do You Need a Gut Detox?

    28:30 Liver Detox Myths

    29:55 Red Flags in Wellness Influencers

    32:20 Carnivore Diet Risks

    35:20 Advocating for Yourself at the Doctor

    40:40 Dr. Rajan's #1 Health Tip


    More from Dr Karan

    New book 'This Is Vital Information'Dr Karan's Instagram

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  • Wellness has never been louder, or more confusing. From six week bikini plans to “wellness-washed” products promising miracle quick fixes, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you’ve even made breakfast.


    This week on Well Enough, Emilie Lavinia sits down with Ella Mills, founder of Deliciously Ella. Ella sprung into the public eye in the early 2010s as a food blogger and has gone on to build one of the UK’s most trusted plant-based brands. She’s watched the wellness industry grow into a multi-trillion-dollar machine and she’s refreshingly honest about what’s gone wrong along the way.


    Ella shares what it really takes to build a household name, how she balances entrepreneurship with family life, and why true health has nothing to do with quick fixes or perfection. 


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    00:00 Introduction 

    01:03 The Evolution of the Wellness Industry 

    02:18 Wellness Trends

    03:26 The Truth About Ultra-Processed Foods

    04:13 Stop Overcomplicating Wellness 

    05:42 Why the Wellness Industry is Failing Us 

    06:47 Overcoming Burnout and Mental Load 

    07:38 Sustainable Meal Planning for Busy Families 

    08:42 Small Habits: 5-Minute Meditation & Breathwork 

    10:31 Health is Not a Six-Week Bikini Plan

    11:39 How to Eat More Fiber Daily

    12:54 The 1% Rule for Habit Change

    14:21 The Power of Community and Movement

    15:52 What is Wellness Washing?

    17:23 Moving Beyond "Biohacking" & Hype

    18:48 Is Vegan Food Ultra-Processed?

    20:47 The Rise of the Flexitarian Diet

    23:02 10-Minute Recipe: Fancy Butter Beans on Toast

    26:24 Morning Routines and Digital Detox

    33:38 The Power of Doing "Well Enough"


    More from Ella:

    Deliciously Ella websiteElla’s InstagramElla’s new cookbook ‘Quick Wins’

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