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

Watch the FULL podcast here: https://youtu.be/QeNdkCVYquUAre women at higher risk of Alzheimer’s, and can life roles influence dementia risk? This clip explores why two-thirds of Alzheimer’s cases are in women, how vascular dementia differs, and how age-specific dementia risk has fallen over recent decades. We discuss factors like improved nutrition, better heart health care, and environmental complexity, jobs, education, and social engagement, linked to maintaining cognition into our 80s. A long-running study found lower environmental complexity, common among midcentury housewives, tracked with greater decline. We also touch on the importance of keeping the mind stimulated.***This episode is sponsored by: NOWATCH: Health tracking reimaginedKnow your body, trust yourself.15% off with code LWBW15 at nowatch.com***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/the-great-british-veg-outReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/reset-your-health-in-30-days👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

Watch the FULL podcast here: https://youtu.be/yZDzsfNjG_MCould your brain host healthy bacteria? This clip explores how parts once taught as sterile, such as breast milk, the bladder, and the brain, contain beneficial microbes, and what they might be doing. We touch on gut and brain communication through the vagus nerve, the idea of dysbiosis versus infection, and why modern findings ask for humility in medicine. Here, I’m discussing practical takeaways like paying attention to how your body feels and using biohacking to monitor health when tests fall short.***This episode is sponsored by: NOWATCH: Health tracking reimaginedKnow your body, trust yourself.15% off with code LWBW15 at nowatch.com***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/the-great-british-veg-outReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/reset-your-health-in-30-days***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: 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://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

A quick note before we beginThis year, I’m doing something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.I want to start this year by sharing something a little different.After four years of Live Well Be Well, I’m introducing regular solo episodes. It’s taken me a long time to get here. Not because I didn’t have things to say, but because it’s taken a lot of belief in myself to sit here and share my own thoughts, reflections, and opinions, alongside the voices of the people I speak to on the show.These episodes aren’t about giving answers or telling you what to do. They’re about making sense of the patterns that keep showing up — in science, in health, and in ourselves.And I feel incredibly privileged to say that. I speak to some of the most respected, iconic people in this field a few times a week, and over the years, I’ve accumulated such a breadth of knowledge through those conversations. That breadth really matters when it comes to health, because nothing exists in isolation.These solo episodes are a way for me to distill all of that. To share what’s staying with me, what’s shaping the way I think, and what’s been on my mind each month.I also want this to feel like a conversation. Use the comments. Ask me questions. Tell me what you want to hear more about. These episodes, and this space, are where I want to respond.Love, Sarah Ann 💛***👉 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/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***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/p/the-great-british-veg-outReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/s/reset-your-health-in-30-days***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe:http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***If You Enjoyed This Episode, You Might Also Like:Neuroscientist’s 3 Proven Steps to Improve Brain Health & Prevent Cognitive Decline | Dr Tommy Woodhttps://youtu.be/QeNdkCVYquUThe Brain Immune Expert: ALERT! Social Media Is Reprogramming Your Immune System | Prof Nicolauhttps://youtu.be/2zNw6pzv8qk***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/***Highlights Intro (00:00:00)Why Vulnerability Is the Real Starting Point (00:01:41)Brain vs Immune System: What Actually Came First (00:04:36)Negative Social Media Causes Inflammation (00:09:24)Burnout Permanently Changes Your Immune System (00:08:38)Dopamine Addiction, Phones, and Brain Overload (00:10:42)Why Boredom Is Essential for Brain Health (00:11:27)Fascia, Movement, and the Mind-Body Link (00:14:13)Emotional Granularity: A Hidden Health Tool (00:17:07)Redefining Success Through Mind-Body Health (00:19:58)What “Living Well, Being Well” Actually Means (00:20:58)Building a Health Community and Looking Ahead to 2026 (0:22:20)***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.

Watch the FULL podcast here: https://youtu.be/QeNdkCVYquUCan nutrition and supplements meaningfully lower dementia risk or mainly boost day-to-day focus? They matter within a broader Three S model that links stimulus, supply, and support for brain adaptation. This clip explores why cognitive challenge is the primary stimulus, how supply depends on blood flow, oxygen, and fuel, and how support includes sleep and less chronic stress. We discuss omega-3s, B vitamins, choline, vitamin D, magnesium, zinc, iron, and hydration, the heart-brain connection, and vascular dementia overlap, plus associations showing compounded risk from low D, poor omega-3 and B status, anemia, and homocysteine. ***This episode is sponsored by: NOWATCH: Health tracking reimaginedKnow your body, trust yourself.15% off with code LWBW15 at nowatch.com***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 sarahannmacklin.com/vegoutReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 sarahannmacklin.com/reset-your-health👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

Are GLP-1 weight loss drugs a smart first step for obesity? They’re helping many people lose significant weight, yet concerns remain about side effects, muscle loss, cost, and regaining weight after stopping. This clip explores the promise and limits of GLP-1s, the call for long term data, and the need to pair medication with nutrition education, counseling, and strength training. It also considers real world access and whether short term success can translate into lasting health. ***This episode is sponsored by: NOWATCH: Health tracking reimaginedKnow your body, trust yourself.15% off with code LWBW15 at nowatch.com***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 sarahannmacklin.com/vegoutReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 sarahannmacklin.com/reset-your-health👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahannmacklin/📹 Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarah🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/SarahAnnMacklin📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@livewellbewellpodcast💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

In this episode of Live Well Be Well, I’m joined by Dr. William Li, physician scientist, bestselling author, and president of the Angiogenesis Foundation. William is one of the world’s leading voices on food as medicine, and together we explore how nutrition, immunity, and brain health are deeply connected, often in ways we underestimate.In this conversation, Dr. William Li shares how the body’s defence systems are constantly communicating with the brain, influencing inflammation, cognition, mood, and ageing. Drawing on decades of research, he explains how everyday foods can strengthen immunity, protect blood vessels, and support brain function, not through restriction or perfection, but through consistent, nourishing choices.We discuss why immune health matters far beyond avoiding illness, how inflammation silently impacts mood and cognition, and why nourishing the body is one of the most accessible tools we have for long term resilience. This episode is an invitation to move away from fear based nutrition and toward a calmer, evidence led understanding of how the body heals, adapts, and thrives when supported consistently over time.Here’s What We Dive Into:- How the immune system influences brain health, mood, and cognitive ageing.- Why chronic inflammation quietly undermines wellbeing long before symptoms appear.- What angiogenesis is and why healthy blood vessels matter for brain function.- How specific foods support the body’s natural defence and repair systems.- Why food as medicine is about consistency, not restriction or perfection.- What the science really says about nutrition and disease prevention.- How everyday dietary choices shape long term resilience and longevity.- Why empowering people with knowledge creates healthier relationships with food.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***👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.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/***Intro (00:00)Why Social Connection Is Essential for Longevity and Brain Health (02:11)Reframing Ageing and Letting Go of the Decline Narrative (04:26)How Metabolism Shapes Ageing, Energy, and Disease Risk (11:03)Why Biohacking Misses the Bigger Picture of Longevity and Health (15:26)The Brain Microbiome and How Gut Bacteria Affect the Mind (19:12)Probiotics and Brain Health What the Science Shows (23:29)How to Choose the Right Probiotic Based on Evidence (30:40)Akkermansia and Its Role in Metabolism and Diabetes (35:46)Gut Health, Immunity, and Cancer Treatment Support (40:02)How to Increase Akkermansia Naturally Through Diet (41:37)Do Restrictive Diets Support or Harm Gut Microbiome Health? (47:56)Hydration, Polyphenols, and Healthier Beverage Choices (50:54) The Simple Hydration Habit That Prevents Mindless Eating (57:12)Balancing Longevity Goals With Joy and Simplicity (1:01:42)***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.

👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/Watch the FULL podcast here: https://youtu.be/QeNdkCVYquUDoes having APOE4 mean Alzheimer’s is inevitable? It doesn’t, and I explain how genes interact with lifestyle and environment to shape risk. This clip explores early-onset familial mutations versus common late-onset cases, APOE4 as a risk multiplier, population data from some Indigenous groups, Nigerians, and Sicilians, key lifestyle factors like smoking, alcohol, poor diet, and sedentary behavior, polygenic risk scores, and why an estimated 40 to 50 percent of dementia may be preventable at a population level.***This episode is sponsored by: NOWATCH: Health tracking reimaginedKnow your body, trust yourself.15% off with code LWBW15 at nowatch.com***The Great British Veg OutHow to support your gut, energy, and hormones by eating more — not less.👉 sarahannmacklin.com/vegoutReset Your HealthIf your body feels off after stress, travel, or burnout — this is where to start.👉 sarahannmacklin.com/reset-your-health***Let’s be friends!📷 Instagram: / sarahannmacklin📹 Subscribe: / @livewellbewellsarah 🐦 Twitter: / sarahannmacklin 📱 TikTok: / livewellbewellpodcast 💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/

Watch the FULL podcast here: https://youtu.be/ZXLWY5HcPXEIn this conversation, I sit down with Andy Galpin to talk about sleep, and why so many of us are still struggling with it despite doing “all the right things”.We unpack why sleep is getting worse globally, even as awareness and spending on sleep continue to rise. Andy explains why focusing on sleep duration alone misses the bigger picture, and why exhaustion is not the same as being physiologically ready for sleep. We also explore why waking up around 2–3am is so common, and how stress, heart rate, and nervous system regulation before bed play a bigger role than most people realise.***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/

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.

Watch the FULL podcast here: https://youtu.be/7kfykswH6IoThis clip explores how to identify zone two intensity without relying on a wearable. I discuss the link between breathing rate, conversation ability and the underlying metabolic changes that define this training zone. We take a closer look at why many people unintentionally drift into higher intensities, suppress fat oxidation and struggle to lose weight despite working hard. The conversation also touches on fat max, mitochondrial function and the practical implications for long-term weight management.***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/

👉 Practical beats perfect.Here’s a free 5-recipe PDF I use to support energy and stress during busy weeks.https://sarahannmacklin.com/5_free_recipes👉 If this resonates, you can join the thousands who readThe Compassionate Cure each week.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/👉 Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/As we wrap up another incredible year of Live Well Be Well, I found myself asking one simple question. What truly stayed with me?In this conversation, I’m joined by world-leading voices who helped shape some of the most meaningful discussions of 2025, including:Dr. Stacy Sims, exercise physiologist redefining how women should train, fuel, and recoverDr. Andy Galpin, performance scientist translating elite physiology into everyday healthDoug Evans, longevity thinker exploring how nutrition and lifestyle shape long-term vitalityDr. Iñigo San Millán, physiologist uncovering the role of mitochondria in metabolic health and enduranceJason Van Blerk, founder of Human Garage, offering a new lens on fascia, movement, and healingThis episode is a reflection not only on science, but on perspective. Across these conversations, a shared message emerged. Our bodies are not machines to override. They are intelligent systems that respond to care, context, and consistency.From female specific physiology and metabolic flexibility to recovery, fascia, and longevity, these voices bring clarity to a crowded wellness space. Together, they remind us that sustainable health is built through understanding rather than optimisation alone.Here’s What We Dive Into:- How female physiology changes the way women should train, fuel, and recover.- Why performance science must move beyond one size fits all advice.- What metabolic flexibility really means and why it matters beyond elite sport.- How mitochondrial health underpins energy, endurance, and long term wellbeing.- Why recovery is an active biological process, not simply rest.- What fascia reveals about pain, movement, and whole body connection.- How modern lifestyles disrupt our biology and what helps restore balance.- Why longevity depends more on fundamentals than shortcuts.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/***00:00:00 The question that shaped this year end reflection00:04:18 Female physiology and outdated fitness narratives00:09:42 Performance science beyond extremes00:15:06 Metabolic flexibility explained simply00:20:31 Mitochondria and sustainable energy00:26:47 Recovery as a biological skill00:32:10 Fascia, pain, and whole body communication00:37:58 Longevity through fundamentals00:43:21 What listening to the body really means***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.

Watch the FULL podcast here: https://youtu.be/IIenBH9xAEkThis segment explores how stress affects the body and why recovery matters just as much as the stress itself. The discussion makes clear that stress is normal, but what truly impacts health is how quickly we return to homeostasis once the moment has passed.Here, we examine the difference between ongoing strain and healthy regulation, the role of sleep in stress resilience, and why two people with the same workload can experience completely different levels of overwhelm. The conversation also looks at locus of control, daily demands, and why recovery is more about how you respond than what’s in your “stress bucket.”***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/

👉 Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/During this special holiday, I wanted to pause for a moment. Not to teach or analyse, but simply to say thank you.This is a short and heartfelt message from me to you. A moment to reflect on the year we’ve shared together, the community we’ve built, and the conversations that continue to shape what it means to live well and be well.This year has been one of growth, experimentation, and learning. But more than anything, it has been about connection. Building this community has become one of the most meaningful parts of my work, and I wanted to take this moment to acknowledge that, to honour it, and to wish you rest, warmth, and wellbeing over the Christmas period.Here’s What I Reflect On:- How grateful I am for the time and trust you bring to this space each week.- Why this community has become such a meaningful part of my life and work.- What we’ve learned together through curiosity, openness, and conversation.- Why taking time to rest matters, especially at the end of a full year.- How important it is to recognise those working through the holidays.- What I’m quietly preparing to share with you in 2026.- Why living well looks different for everyone, and why that’s something to honour.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/***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.

Watch the FULL podcast here: https://youtu.be/qHFymGgsYyEWant to reduce everyday toxins at home without overhauling your life? This conversation shares practical swaps for cleaners, pest control, and plastics that lower exposure while keeping things simple. This clip explores why antibacterial cleaners and strong fragrances aren’t necessary, how a single non-toxic concentrate can replace multiple products, and using peppermint to deter bugs. We also touch on microplastics, an 80/20 approach to detoxing your routine, and how your liver eliminates toxins through bile, stool, sweat, and hydration.***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/

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.***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/

👉 Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact.https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/What if cognitive decline is not inevitable, but quietly shaped by how we live, think, and engage with the world each day?This week on Live Well Be Well, I’m joined once again by Dr Tommy Wood, neuroscientist, researcher, and author of The Stimulated Mind, for a deeply hopeful conversation about brain health, ageing, and dementia prevention.In this episode, Tommy brings clarity to one of our biggest modern fears: losing our minds. Drawing on decades of human research, he explains why up to half of dementias may be preventable, how genetics interact with lifestyle, and why stimulation, not resignation, plays a central role in protecting the brain across a lifetime.Here’s What We Dive Into:- Why dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing, and what the evidence actually shows about prevention.- How genetic risk factors such as APOE4 interact with lifestyle, environment, and daily behaviours.- Why women are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s disease, and how education and cognitive stimulation influence risk.- How believing you are “too old” can accelerate cognitive decline through reduced engagement and agency.- Why mental and physical stimulation protect the brain, and how learning, novelty, and effort preserve neural networks.- What artificial intelligence may be doing to memory, attention, and critical thinking when it replaces effort.- How sleep quantity, quality, and regularity support long term brain health and repair.- Why hearing, vision, and smell loss increase dementia risk, and how restoring them protects cognition.- How sensory input, movement, and recovery work together to support lifelong brain resilience.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/***About Dr. Tommy Wood📘 Book - The Stimulated MindA science-backed guide to boosting mental sharpness, preventing cognitive decline, and future-proofing your brain at any age (available for preorder).https://www.drtommywood.com/stimulated-mind📸 Instagram:@drtommywood🐦 Twitter: @DrRagnar🌐 Website: https://www.drtommywood.com***If You Enjoyed This Episode, You Might Also Like:A 7-Step System to Unlock Your Brain’s Full Potential |  Nicole VignolaNicole Vignola: The 7-Step Process to Rewire Your Brain***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/***Highlights00:00:00 Why dementia is widely misunderstood00:02:05 Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and what is actually preventable00:06:40 Genetics, APOE4, and lifestyle as a risk multiplier00:09:35 Why women face higher Alzheimer’s risk00:13:55 Education, work, and declining dementia rates00:17:30 How mindset and self talk shape cognitive ageing00:21:10 Autonomy, movement, and brain resilience00:26:55 AI, effort, and the future of thinking00:32:05 When technology supports cognition, and when it erodes it00:39:45 Hearing, eyesight, and dementia risk00:47:10 Smell, memory, and sensory stimulation00:55:20 Sleep, recovery, and how the brain adapts***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.

Watch the FULL podcast here: https://youtu.be/7kfykswH6IoWhy is zone two training so important for mitochondrial health? It’s linked with improvements in fat oxidation and lactate clearance, which are used as surrogates of mitochondrial function in sports science.This clip explores how different exercise intensities drive distinct metabolic responses, why athletes are useful models for understanding cellular energy, and how laboratory testing with metabolic carts and lactate measurements led to practical training zones from easy efforts to sprints. I’m exploring with my guest how zone two work consistently improved fat oxidation and lactate clearance in testing, while higher intensities remain essential for performance and VO2, since competitions are decided at the top end. Here, I’m discussing the balance between building a metabolically efficient engine at the mitochondrial level with zone two, and training the “turbo” at zones four and five plus sprint work for race demands, all in clear, everyday language you can apply.As a nutritionist and health communicator, my aim is to translate these lab insights into practical training decisions that respect both mitochondrial function and cardiorespiratory adaptations.***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/

Watch the FULL podcast here: https://youtu.be/XXwgXDeOYJIAre seed oils the real issue, or are we missing the bigger picture? We examine the weak evidence for harm, the role of rancidity and context, and why blanket bans miss the mark. This clip explores public health messaging, the push for simple slogans, and claims about beef tallow versus seed oils. We also touch on how activism, diet context, and overconsumption shape risk, and why nuance matters.***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/

👉 Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/Longevity is everywhere right now, but has it become a trend instead of a truth?In a world overflowing with health hacks, supplements, and promises of a longer life, it has never been harder to know what actually works. Beneath the noise, there is a clear science to living well for longer, but only if we learn to tune out the hype and return to what our biology has been asking of us all along.Today I am joined by Dr. Darshan Shah, medical doctor, longevity expert, and founder of Next Health. Dr. Shah became a doctor at 21 and has since guided thousands of patients through metabolic healing, functional medicine, and evidence-based longevity. Together, we explore what truly extends your healthspan and what does not.This conversation is a practical and compassionate look at longevity, what it means, where to begin, and why most people focus on the wrong things. Dr. Shah breaks longevity into a simple health pyramid, starting with foundational habits, then biomarkers, hormones, detoxification, brain health, and emerging therapies such as peptides.Here’s What We Dive Into:- What longevity truly means, and why adding years is different from adding healthy years.- Why metabolic health is the most important predictor of long term wellbeing.- How simple habits before and after meals support better blood sugar regulation.- Why quarterly biomarker testing may be the most effective prevention tool we have.- What optimal blood ranges look like, and why normal ranges are not always healthy.- How functional medicine identifies the eight root causes behind most chronic disease.- Why toxins, microplastics, and everyday chemicals affect long term health.- How women’s hormones, menopause, and brain health relate to Alzheimer’s risk.- What creatine offers for muscles, cognition, and healthy aging.- Why peptides are rising in popularity, and how to approach them with safety and clarity.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/***If You Enjoyed This Episode, You Might Also Like:Improve Your Health With Biohacking: Expert Tips From Dr Molly MaloofNo.1 Gut Scientist: Insane Fiber Benefits to HEAL YOUR GUT & Beat Disease | Dr Will Bulsiewicz***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/***HighlightsWhat real longevity means and why it matters (00:00:00)The rise of chronic illness and metabolic decline (00:03:12)The eight root causes behind most modern diseases (00:06:58)How continuous glucose monitors reshape daily habits (00:09:41)Using data without falling into overwhelm (00:13:28)The biomarkers that matter most for preventive health (00:16:44)Why normal blood sugar is not always optimal (00:20:26)Muscle mass and metabolism across the ageing process (00:20:26)Creatine for strength, cognition, and longevity (00:28:14)Toxins, microplastics, and their impact on long-term health (00:32:48)Alzheimer’s risk and the role of women’s hormonal health (00:38:07)Peptides, benefits, and precautions for safe use (00:47:22)***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.

Watch the FULL podcast here: https://youtu.be/7kfykswH6IoAre you getting the balance between Zone 2 and HIIT right? I’m exploring how an 80/20 split by sessions, with most training at lower intensity and select high-intensity work, supports results without burning you out.This clip explores why all-HIIT programs often feel unsustainable and can lead to fatigue or injuries, what 80/20 really means when you count sessions rather than minutes, and why only about 5 to 10 percent of total minutes across a season tend to be truly high intensity in athletic programs. We discuss how Zone 2 should be harder than easy cruising to drive mitochondrial adaptations, practical ways for busy people to blend mostly Zone 2 with a small dose of intensity toward the end of some sessions, and why complete off days can be more restorative than so-called active recovery. I also share my experience of feeling awful doing fasted HIIT, and we touch on how women may find certain efforts tougher due to muscle fibre differences related to ATP production. As a nutritionist and health communicator, I connect the training plan with recovery needs, including the role of rest for immune health.***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/