Diet Starts Monday Podcast

How much of what we see on Instagram is actually real? And what can men do to make women feel safer?This week on Diet Starts Monday, I'm joined by Eleanor, better known as @exercisingwitheleanor, for an honest conversation about body image, feminism, women's safety, the manosphere and the impact social media is having on how we see ourselves and others.Eleanor regularly shares contrasting photographs of her own body, showing how different lighting, angles and posing can completely change how someone looks. We explore why this matters, how unrealistic beauty standards contribute to body dissatisfaction, and why comparing ourselves to what we see online can be so damaging.We also get into some important conversations about the relationship between men and women. Why do so many women feel unsafe? What can men do differently? What does feminism actually mean, and how is the manosphere influencing attitudes towards women?In this episode, we discuss:Instagram vs reality: how lighting, posing and angles change what we seeBody dissatisfaction and the pressure to look a certain wayWomen's safety and what men can do to helpFeminism and the misconceptions surrounding itThe rise of the manosphere and its influence on young menThe debate on Sydney Sweeney.Follow Eleanor:Instagram: @exercisingwitheleanorFollow Diet Starts Monday:Instagram: @dietstartsmonday_podcastIf you enjoyed the conversation, subscribe and share it with someone who might find it interesting.Stop Negotiating With Yourself.

⚠️ CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains frank discussions about drug use, substance misuse, addiction, relapse and mental health. Some listeners may find these topics distressing. Please take care when listening.From addiction to becoming a Buddhist monk… and back again.In this episode of Diet Starts Monday, I sit down with Lockie Welsh for an incredibly honest conversation about addiction, relapse, identity and the complicated journey of trying to change your life.Lockie opens up about his experiences with substance misuse, the reality of addiction and the challenges that come with recovery. We discuss the difficult moments, the setbacks and what happens when the behaviors you thought you'd left behind begin to resurface.We explore Lockie's experience of becoming a Buddhist monk, the search for purpose and the role that discipline, self-awareness and mental health play in our lives.In this episode, we discuss:​Drug use, substance misuse and addiction​Relapse and the realities of recovery​Becoming a Buddhist monk​Escapism and unhealthy coping mechanisms​Mental health, self-awareness and finding purposeAt Diet Starts Monday, we believe some of the most important conversations are the ones people find hardest to have.This is one of them.SUPPORT & RESOURCESIf you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, substance misuse or mental health, support is available.🇬🇧 UK​FRANK — Confidential drug information and support: https://www.talktofrank.com​NHS addiction support: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/drug-addiction-getting-help/​Samaritans — Free emotional support, 24/7: 116 123 | https://www.samaritans.orgStop Negotiating With Yourself.Subscribe for weekly conversations and follow our journey on Instagram.Instagram: @dietstartsmonday_podcast

What if the biggest thing holding you back is that your goals are too realistic?This week on Diet Starts Monday, I'm joined by IronBodz (Sam Bodoano) to talk about why sometimes you need to be a little bit delusional to achieve something extraordinary.From building a following through parkrun to taking on Ironman Wales, UTMB and Backyard Ultras, Bodz has built a reputation for throwing himself into challenges that most people wouldn't even consider.We talk about his rise on social media, the mindset behind setting seemingly impossible goals, what it takes to keep pushing your limits, and why believing in yourself before you've earned the right to might be exactly what you need.In this episode, we discuss:How parkrun helped kick-start his social media journeyTaking on Ironman Wales, UTMB and Backyard UltrasWhy being “delusional” can be a powerful mindsetSetting goals that genuinely scare youThe reality behind big endurance challengesWhether you're chasing your first 5K, an Ironman, or something completely outside of sport, this episode is a reminder that your ambitions don't have to make sense to everyone else.Stop Negotiating With Yourself.

5,000km. 99 days. 62,000m of elevation. 6,684 run-club participants. 77 run clubs. One Guinness World Record. Esmée Gummer has just completed one of the most extraordinary endurance challenges of 2026.Running 5,000km across the UK and Ireland in 99 consecutive days, climbing an incredible 62,000 metres and spending 580 hours on her feet.But the most remarkable part? Along the way, she hosted 77 free run clubs, bringing together thousands of people and earning a Guinness World Record for the most run clubs hosted in different cities by an individual.And this is someone who, at 18 years old, was told she might never walk again.In this episode of Diet Starts Monday, we sit down with Esmée to discuss the reality behind the challenge, the people she met, the mental and physical battles, and what it means to use your influence to make a genuine difference.We also get into women's safety in running, the rise of running culture, and why helping someone complete their first 5K can be just as meaningful as running 5,000km yourself.Because the biggest achievement wasn't just the distance she covered. It was the communities she brought together along the way.Diet Starts Monday(@dietstartsmonday_podcast - instagram)

What happens when you're a psychiatrist, an Ironman 70.3 World Championship qualifier and part of one of London's most competitive cycling communities?This week on Diet Starts Monday, I'm joined by Dr Tal Hackett -psychiatrist, triathlete and all-round competitive human.Tal recently finished 3rd at an Ironman 70.3 (AG), securing her place at the World Championships, all while balancing a demanding career in medicine.But this conversation goes well beyond racing.We dive into the realities of working in psychiatry, particularly with patients experiencing eating disorders, and explore the complicated relationship between exercise, body image, mental health and social media.We also get into the slightly obsessive world of South West London's running scene, where apparently running around in circles is a perfectly normal way to spend your free time!From saving lives to chasing finish lines, Tal has a fascinating perspective on performance, ambition and mental health.Let us know what you think! Diet Starts Monday