Beyond The Surface Podcast

Belinda sits down with Olympic gold medallist, world record holder and mum of five Libby Trickett for an honest conversation about identity, motherhood, mental health, anxiety, resilience and the heart attack she had just two months after giving birth to her fifth child, after her symptoms were initially dismissed as anxiety.Libby opens up about growing up around mental illness and addiction, being estranged from her father, the impact her upbringing had on her relationships and self-worth, and the pressure she put on herself to keep achieving.We talk about:Learning to actually own your achievements instead of immediately moving on to the next goalGrowing up with mental illness, addiction and an absent fatherHow childhood experiences can shape adult relationships and the need for validationMotherhood, postnatal depression and raising five childrenThe heart attack Libby experienced two months after giving birth to her fifth childWhy her symptoms were initially dismissed as anxietySCAD and the lack of awareness around women’s heart healthWhy seeing her daughter come dead last was one of her favourite parenting momentsRaising kids to love movement without making it about performanceLosing your identity after retiring from elite sportWhy Libby still considers herself a work in progressAnd despite everything Libby has already achieved, when asked about her greatest achievement, her answer is not what you might expect. She believes the best may still be ahead of her.Podcast Sponsor:Evolution Botanicals specialises in functional mushrooms, tonic herbs, protein, creatine, matcha, and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness. Visit Belinda’s affiliate link to see the full range: https://evolutionbotanicals.com.au?sca_ref=12293034.mtZdtecqmnjTConnect with Belinda:Website: www.belindaanderson.com.au(sign up to her Newsletter to receive updates on retreats, podcast episodes, and insights to help you heal, grow & thrive).Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinda.andersonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaandersonauConnect with Libby:Website: https://www.libbytrickett.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libby_trickett/

Perimenopause and menopause can affect far more than your cycle, from sleep, mood and anxiety to libido, weight, bone health and overall wellbeing.In this episode, Belinda sits down with Women’s Health GP Dr Christine Greenwood for a conversation about perimenopause, menopause and post-menopausal care. They talk about HRT, hormones, nutrition, weight loss, exercise, supplements and the health checks women should be thinking about in midlife. Christine specialises in helping women navigate this stage of life with a practical, evidence-based approach.We talk about:The early signs of perimenopause and why they can be easy to missAnxiety, irritability, sleep changes, low libido and changes to your cycleWhy some women are prescribed antidepressants before hormones are consideredThe history of fear around HRT and how treatment has changedOestrogen, progesterone and testosterone and what each hormone doesWhat the current evidence tells us about HRT and bone, brain and cardiovascular healthVaginal oestrogen and its role in dryness, painful sex and recurrent UTIsWhy healthy eating and eating for fat loss are not always the same thingThe role of strength training, cardio and movement in midlifeImportant health checks for women, including blood tests, mammograms, cervical screening and bone densitySupplements that may support women through this stageWhy getting help early can make such a differenceMore than anything, this conversation is a reminder that perimenopause and menopause don’t have to be something women simply endure. Understanding what’s happening and having the right support can make a significant difference to your health, strength and quality of life.Podcast Sponsor:Evolution Botanicals specialises in functional mushrooms, tonic herbs, protein, creatine, matcha, and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness. Visit Belinda’s affiliate link to see the full range: https://evolutionbotanicals.com.au?sca_ref=12293034.mtZdtecqmnjTConnect with Belinda:Website: www.belindaanderson.com.au(sign up to her Newsletter to receive updates on retreats, podcast episodes, and insights to help you heal, grow & thrive).Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinda.andersonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaandersonauConnect with Dr Christine Greenwood:Website: https://edenwomenshealth.com.au/team/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drchristinegreenwood/

What happens when the symptoms you’ve spent years dismissing as “normal” turn out to be something far more serious?In this episode, Belinda sits down with fitness and nutrition coach, mum of four, author and podcaster Danni Duncan to talk about her journey from body image struggles and disordered eating to rebuilding her relationship with health, and ultimately being diagnosed with bowel cancer at just 39.Danni opens up about the extreme fatigue, low iron, bloating and ongoing gut issues that eventually led to her diagnosis, as well as the emotional reality of undergoing surgery and chemotherapy while raising four young children.We talk about:Growing up as a ballet dancer and believing skinny meant healthyMoving from restriction and body obsession to strength and balanceThe symptoms Danni experienced before her bowel cancer diagnosisLearning to listen to your body and advocate for your own healthNavigating cancer treatment while being a mum of fourWhy sustainable health isn’t about quick fixes or perfectionBuilding healthy habits that actually fit your lifestyleLetting go of comparison and finding what works for youThis conversation is a powerful reminder to pay attention when something doesn’t feel right, ask questions and focus on building a version of health that you can actually sustain.Podcast Sponsor:Evolution Botanicals specialises in functional mushrooms, tonic herbs, protein, creatine, matcha, and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness. Visit Belinda’s affiliate link to see the full range: https://evolutionbotanicals.com.au?sca_ref=12293034.mtZdtecqmnjTConnect with Belinda:Website: www.belindaanderson.com.au(sign up to her Newsletter to receive updates on retreats, podcast episodes, and insights to help you heal, grow & thrive).Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinda.andersonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaandersonauConnect with Danni:Website: https://danniduncan.com.au/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danni.duncan_

In this episode, Belinda sits down with men’s performance coach and endurance athlete Lachlan Stuart to unpack the lessons behind some extraordinary physical challenges, and the mental battles that came with them. From losing his identity after professional rugby to rebuilding his life, becoming a father and pushing himself to his limits, Lachlan shares what resilience looks like when motivation disappears.We talk about:Losing your identity and rebuilding after hitting rock bottomRunning 58 marathons in 58 days and rowing 30 marathons in 30 daysChanging the meaning you give to pain and adversityWhy standards are more powerful than motivationMen’s mental health, relationships and taking responsibility for your lifeWhat becoming a father has changed about Lachlan’s purposeHis next challenge: running across AustraliaWhy your achievements don’t define you, how you show up doesThis is a conversation about resilience, identity, purpose and discovering just how much more you’re capable of.Podcast Sponsor:Evolution Botanicals specialises in functional mushrooms, tonic herbs, protein, creatine and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness. Visit: https://evolutionbotanicals.com.au/ and add BTS10 for 10% off your first order.Connect with Belinda:Website: www.belindaanderson.com.au(sign up to her Newsletter to receive updates on retreats, podcast episodes, and insights to help you heal, grow & thrive).Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinda.andersonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaandersonauConnect with Lachlan:Website: https://www.lachlanstuart.com.au/

In this solo episode, Belinda explores how the way we start and end our day influences what we think about, how we feel, what we focus on, and how what we repeatedly give our attention to doesn’t just fill our day, it shapes our life.It’s not about creating the perfect morning or evening routine. It’s about becoming more intentional about what we allow into our minds, particularly in those first and final moments of the day.From reaching for your phone first thing in the morning to taking the stimulation of the day into bed at night, Belinda looks at the impact of constant consumption, distraction and the stories we repeatedly tell ourselves.We explore:Why your day starts with what you give your attention to, not when you get out of bedHow reaching for your phone first thing can shape what your mind focuses onWhy natural morning light is important for your body clock, sleep, and mental healthHow what you repeatedly consume can become the environment you create for your mindWhy boredom, silence and creating mental space can be valuableHow brain rot and constant stimulation can contribute to mental fatigue and difficulty concentratingWhy the way you end your day can affect how you wind down for sleepHow writing things down can help you put tomorrow’s problems down for the nightThe importance of paying attention to the people, content, conversations and environments influencing youWhy the way you speak to yourself mattersA simple five-minute morning and evening ritualYour attention is one of the most valuable things you have. If you don’t consciously choose where it goes, there’s no shortage of people, platforms and outside noise that will happily choose it for you.Sometimes changing your life isn’t about adding more. It’s about becoming more selective about what you allow in.Podcast Sponsor:Evolution Botanicals specialises in functional mushrooms, tonic herbs, protein, creatine and superfoods to support energy, immunity, focus, strength, gut health and wellness. Visit: https://evolutionbotanicals.com.au/ and add BTS10 for 10% off your first order.Connect with Belinda:Website: www.belindaanderson.com.au(sign up to her Newsletter to receive updates on retreats, podcast episodes, and insights to help you heal, grow & thrive).Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belinda.andersonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/belindaandersonau