The Happier Life Project

ADHD is still widely misunderstood, especially when it comes to women. While the stereotype remains the hyperactive little boy who can’t sit still, the reality for many women is far quieter, far more internal, and far easier to miss. For countless women, ADHD doesn’t look disruptive on the outside; it looks like overwhelm, exhaustion, perfectionism, procrastination, emotional intensity, and a lifelong sense of “Why is this so hard for me?” In this episode of The Happier Life Project, host Gabby Sanderson is joined by Dr. Jennifer Dall, Grief-Informed Neurodivergence Specialist, educator and founder of ADHD Holistically, to explore what ADHD actually looks like in women - and why so many are only discovering it later in life. Together, they unpack the invisible signs that often go unnoticed: mind-wandering, time blindness, executive dysfunction, hyperfocus, sleep difficulties, and the frustrating experience of desperately wanting to start something yet feeling unable to begin. They explore the emotional side of ADHD too - rejection sensitivity, shame, anxiety, and the impact of years spent believing you’re lazy, chaotic, unreliable or simply not trying hard enough. Dr. Jennifer Dall helps women - especially those diagnosed later in life - understand their brains and build lives that truly work for them. Jennifer explains why high-achieving women are often missed, how masking becomes a full-time job, and why coping strategies that worked for decades can suddenly collapse during motherhood, hormonal shifts, perimenopause, menopause or life changing events.  Jennifer and Gabby also discuss ADHD +1 - the way ADHD commonly coexists with anxiety, depression, autism, trauma and other mental health conditions - and how these overlapping experiences can make ADHD harder to recognise. They also explore the ADHD spectrum and why there is no one-size-fits-all experience of the condition, no matter your gender - making this an insightful conversation for men too. The conversation moves from understanding to action: what actually helps, why medication is only one piece of the puzzle, how to build systems that work with an ADHD brain rather than against it, and the practical tools that can make everyday life feel a bit lighter and more manageable.  Whether you’re diagnosed, undiagnosed, waiting for an assessment, supporting someone you love, or simply curious about ADHD beyond the clichés, this episode offers clarity, compassion and a powerful reminder: you were never broken - your brain was simply working differently all along. My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast My Possible Self Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself Dr. Jennifer’s Website: https://adhdholistically.com/ Dr. Jennifer on Instagram:: https://www.instagram.com/adhd.holistically Dr. Jennifer on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/ADHDHolistically/100077667853992/ Dr. Jennifer on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-dall-ed-d-226857317/  

Around 1.5 billion people worldwide live with chronic pain. Yet severe, life‑altering pain can be completely real even when there’s no ongoing physical injury or tissue damage. So what’s happening when the brain and nervous system continue to interpret safe signals from the body as a threat? In the first episode of the new series, host Gabby Sanderson is joined by internist and Clinical Professor Dr. Howard Schubiner to explore the science of neuroplastic pain - and what this emerging understanding could mean for people living with chronic pain, anxiety, fatigue and depression. Dr. Howard explains why all pain is real, but why pain doesn’t always indicate physical harm. He breaks down the difference between structural and neuroplastic pain, how the brain can learn to associate certain sensations with danger, and how those learned responses may, in some cases, be changed. Together, Gabby and Dr. Schubiner explore the Pain–Fear–Pain cycle — how fear, anxiety and anticipation can reinforce the brain’s perception of threat, intensifying pain and creating a self‑perpetuating loop. They also discuss the role of stress and trauma, how emotional danger can become physical, and why two people can experience vastly different levels of pain from seemingly similar injuries. The conversation also looks at what recovery can involve. Howard explains how changing our understanding of pain - and our relationship with it - can help the brain relearn that certain sensations are safe rather than threatening. He shares insights from psychological approaches he has helped develop, including Emotion Awareness and Expression Therapy (EAET) and Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), both of which have been studied in randomised controlled trials. Dr. Howard Schubiner is an internist and Clinical Professor at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine. He has authored more than 100 scientific publications and has lectured regionally, nationally and internationally. He has consulted for the American Medical Association, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute of Mental Health. He is the author of The Unlearn Your Pain Workbook, The Unlearn Your Anxiety and Depression Workbook and Hidden From View (with Dr. Allan Abbass). His newest book, Unlearn Your Pain: The Science of Recovering from Chronic Pain, Anxiety, Fatigue, and Depression, explores the neuroscience and treatment approaches behind neuroplastic pain. Whether you live with chronic pain, support someone who does, or are simply fascinated by the extraordinary relationship between the brain and body, this conversation offers a powerful look at how our understanding of pain is evolving - and what that could mean for recovery. My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast  My Possible Self Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself Dr. Howard Schubiner: https://unlearnyourpain.com/ Dr. Howard on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hschubiner/ SIRPA (UK) or Stress Illness Recovery Practitioner Association: https://www.sirpa.org/ The Association for the Treatment of Neuroplastic Symptoms: https://neuroplastic.org/ All Dr. Howard’s recommended resources: https://unlearnyourpain.com/chronic-pain-resources/   Please note: This episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. If you have concerns about chronic pain or your mental or physical health, please speak with your GP or a qualified healthcare professional.

Could psychedelic-assisted therapy change the future of mental healthcare? For some, psychedelic-assisted therapy feels like a revolutionary new frontier. For others, it’s a long-standing conversation that never truly disappeared - it simply continued quietly while science worked to catch up. Today, that conversation is louder than ever, as researchers investigate whether medicines such as ketamine and psilocybin (the naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms) could transform treatment for depression, PTSD, anxiety, addiction and other mental health conditions. In this thought-provoking episode, wrapping up season five of The Happier Life Project, host Gabby is joined by licensed clinical social worker and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist Katy Collins to explore the science, the stories and the growing evidence behind this fascinating field. Together, they unpack what psychedelic-assisted therapy actually involves, how it differs from recreational psychedelic use, why “set and setting” matter so deeply, and why working with appropriately trained and licensed professionals is such an important part of the process. Drawing on her clinical experience, Katy explains how ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is helping people who have struggled with severe depression, trauma and suicidal thoughts. She also shares her own deeply personal mental health journey, including nearly three decades on antidepressants before discovering plant medicine. Katy credits this experience as a turning point in her healing journey, helping her become medication free for the past five years. This unique combination of professional and personal experience offers a rare perspective on both the potential, and the limitations of psychedelic-assisted therapy,  and why the therapeutic process is just as important as the medicine itself. Along the way, the conversation explores the latest research into psilocybin, including remarkable studies investigating its potential in depression and even dementia, as well as the growing interest in microdosing, neuroplasticity, and why these ancient medicines are attracting renewed attention from modern science. Gabby and Katy also discuss the legal landscape, common misconceptions, the importance of clinical supervision, and whether psychedelic-assisted therapy could one day become a mainstream part of mental healthcare. Katy Collins is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Clinical Social Work Supervisor with specialist training in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, EMDR, somatic healing and grief work. As an integrative therapist, she combines evidence-based approaches including Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, attachment theory and somatic practices to support people navigating trauma, anxiety, depression and treatment-resistant mental health conditions. Whether you’re simply curious, interested in the latest mental health research, or wondering why psychedelics are once again making headlines, this episode offers a balanced, evidence-informed introduction to one of the most fascinating and rapidly evolving areas of mental healthcare. Please note: This episode is for educational and informational purposes only. It explores current research and regulated clinical practice surrounding psychedelic-assisted therapy and is not medical advice or an endorsement of illegal drug use. If you have concerns about your mental or physical health, or are considering any form of treatment, please speak with your GP or a qualified healthcare professional. To download the My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself Katy Collins website: https://sagehealinghouston.com/ Katy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sagehealinghouston/

Fertility after 40 is often framed through statistics, warnings, and the relentless metaphor of the biological clock. For many women, particularly those trying to conceive later in life, those numbers can feel confronting, frightening, and overwhelming. Modern life adds its own pressures; the emotional weight of navigating fertility, the confusion around what truly supports reproductive health, and the growing awareness that that reproductive health is shaped by far more than age alone. Beneath the headlines lies a deeper, more human question: how can people support both their physical health and their mental wellbeing while trying to build a family later in life? In this episode of The Happier Life Project, host Gabby Sanderson explores that question with someone who has lived it, studied it, and now guides clients through it. Rebecca Rumsey is a Functional Fertility Expert and the founder of Fertile After 40, where she helps individuals over 40 navigate complex fertility challenges through a science‑based, holistic approach. After being told at 41 that she was in early menopause and that her chances of conceiving with her own eggs were extremely low, she went on to naturally conceive and have two healthy children at 44 and 46. With more than 20 years of experience in health and wellness, and advanced training in nutrition, fertility, and exercise science, Rebecca brings both lived experience and deep expertise to this conversation. Together, Gabby and Rebecca explore the many ways fertility can be supported and optimised later in life, from targeted supplementation and toxin elimination to nutrition, stress reduction, and lifestyle changes that meaningfully influence hormonal balance and reproductive health. Rebecca explains how women and men can identify the factors that may be influencing their fertility and create personalised, evidence‑based plans that support their bodies rather than overwhelm them. Gabby also discusses with Rebecca the mental load of trying to conceive after 40, the emotional toll of uncertainty, and why feeling informed is often the antidote to fear. The conversation also looks at the fertility industry itself, including why some clinics may be structured to optimize for profit rather than success, and how this shapes the experiences of women seeking support - like it did for Gabby during her egg freezing journey. Rebecca offers clear, compassionate guidance for anyone trying to conceive naturally or preparing for IVF, emphasising the importance of understanding your body, your options, and your emotional wellbeing. From practical tools to inspiring personal insight, this episode reframes fertility after 40 with nuance, hope, and science‑backed clarity. It’s an invitation to move beyond fear based narratives and toward informed, empowered decision making - reminding listeners that statistics are not destiny, and that wellbeing is a powerful part of the fertility journey. To download the My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself Rebecca Rumsey website: https://www.rebeccarumsey.com/ Rebecca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fertileafter40/

Movement isn’t just something we should do, it’s something we were built to do. Yet modern life has quietly rewritten the way our bodies behave. Most of us now spend the majority of our day sitting: at desks, in cars, on sofas, hunched over laptops and phones. Hour after hour, day after day, our bodies adapt to this stillness. Hips tighten, backs weaken, posture collapses, and the brain begins to treat these limited patterns as “normal.” The result? A generation of people who are more sedentary than any humans in history - and increasingly unhappy, uncomfortable, and in pain. In this episode of The Happier Life Project host Gabby explores this crisis with someone who has dedicated his career to solving it. Dr Cuan Wayne Coetzee is a family and sports chiropractor and the best‑selling author of Why Movement Is Medicine. After earning his Master’s in Chiropractic from Durban University of Technology in 2013, he practised in South Africa before relocating to London in 2019. He is the founder of MoveMed and creator of the Neural Re‑Education (NRE) Protocol, a neuroplasticity‑based system designed to help people move safely, confidently, and pain‑free. A former national triathlete and award‑winning researcher, he has lectured doctors in sports medicine and served as Team Chiropractor for England at the 2014 Indoor Cricket World Cup. He continues to help patients move pain-free through neuroscience-driven rehabilitation. In this episode, Dr Coetzee explains how our bodies; once shaped by walking, bending, lifting, squatting, reaching and running, are now shaped by chairs, screens, and stillness. He breaks down why back pain and neck pain have become universal, how repetitive sitting rewires the brain’s movement “safe zones,” and why so many people feel stiff, fragile, or fearful of moving. Dr Cuan introduces neural re‑education, the process of teaching the body to move the way it was designed to, and explains how chronic pain becomes a learned neurological loop that can be unlearned through safe, intentional movement. He explains his seesaw analogy, illustrating how stress, inflammation, recovery and daily habits constantly tilt the body toward healing or overuse, and he shares the LENDS pillars - love, exercise, newness, diet and sleep - the foundations he believes everyone should address before getting lost in wellness trends. From the four pillars of movement (strength, endurance, mobility, balance) to the neuroscience of prediction error, Dr Coetzee offers a clear, compassionate roadmap for anyone wanting to feel better in their body. His message is simple and urgent: modern life may be making us unhappy and in pain, but movement, done well and done consistently, is one of the most powerful ways to reclaim our wellbeing. To download the My Possible Self App: https://mypossibleself.app.link/podcast To follow My Possible Self on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypossibleself Movemed website: https://www.movemed.co.uk/ To follow Dr Cuan on Socials:  https://www.instagram.com/movemeduk https://www.youtube.com/@movemeduk https://www.facebook.com/drcuanwaynecoetzee