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One year. Twenty-seven incredible guests. Hundreds of ideas. Countless moments that challenged the way we think about success, happiness and what it really means to live well. In this special anniversary episode, Dr Rana Al-Falaki and Dr Bhavin Patel look back on the biggest lessons, recurring themes and life-changing insights that have emerged throughout the first year of the NAIL IT Podcast. If you've ever wondered why some people seem to create extraordinary lives while others stay stuck, this conversation brings together the patterns that appeared again and again across every interview. From leadership and purpose to confidence, resilience, relationships, habits and fulfilment, this episode is packed with practical reflections, honest conversations and thought-provoking questions that will challenge you to stop waiting for the "right time" and start living more intentionally today. Whether you've listened to every episode or this is your first, this is the perfect place to discover what the NAIL IT movement is all about—and why your best life begins with the choices you make right now.If you would like to feature as a guest, or are ready to NAIL-IT - then check out our events and programmes by visiting ⁠nailitindentistry.com⁠, or find out more about the system on ⁠nail-it.uk

This is one of those conversations that could genuinely change the way you think about stress, success and looking after yourself. Dr Tim Hughes is an anaesthetist, breathwork instructor and wellbeing advocate who has spent years helping high performers perform at their best without sacrificing their health. Drawing on his own journey through anxiety, burnout and the pressures of frontline medicine, Tim shares the simple, science-backed practices that transformed his life—and explains why some of the most powerful performance tools don't come from a prescription pad, but from the way we breathe, recover and respond to challenge. From breathwork and nervous system regulation to hot and cold therapy, resilience, peak performance and why so many high achievers wear stress as a badge of honour, this episode is packed with practical insights you can use immediately. You'll discover how to make better decisions under pressure, improve your sleep, regulate your emotions and build a more sustainable version of success. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, constantly "on", or wondered whether there might be a better way to perform without burning out, don't miss this conversation. Dr Tim Hughes is a senior anaesthetic registrar with a specialist interest in obstetric anaesthesia, an Oxygen Advantage Advanced Breathwork Instructor, and founder of Foundations of Balance. After years working in some of healthcare’s highest-pressure environments, he became passionate about helping people understand how to manage stress using evidence-based tools grounded in physiology. Tim combines his medical expertise with practical approaches including functional breathing, heat and cold exposure, and mindfulness to help healthcare professionals and other high performers improve resilience, recovery and wellbeing. He regularly delivers workshops for doctors and organisations across the UK and is passionate about making nervous system regulation practical, accessible and free from jargon. His mission is simple: to help people perform at their best without sacrificing their health, relationships or sense of purpose.Register for the October event:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScXDJlS88ciJhn7Q6PjBkVkuW3aujmC2PqPRxWT7cGn8nTFYA/viewformHe has also founded The Breath Doctors: @breathdoctors on IGwww.thebreathdoctors.comIf you would like to feature as a guest, or are ready to NAIL-IT - then check out our events and programmes by visiting ⁠nailitindentistry.com⁠, or find out more about the system on ⁠nail-it.uk

What happens when you achieve everything you thought you wanted, only to realise you have become disconnected from yourself along the way? In this deeply honest and insightful conversation, specialist prosthodontist and integrative psychotherapist Dr Aditi Bhalla shares her journey from professional success and burnout to discovering a completely different way of understanding wellbeing, fulfilment and what it really means to thrive. Together, we explore why so many high achievers ignore the warning signs, the connection between mind and body, and why prevention matters just as much in our own lives as it does in healthcare. We discuss the difference between coaching and therapy, the importance of understanding ourselves before trying to change others, and practical ways to build resilience before reaching crisis point. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, disconnected, or simply wondered whether life should feel easier than this, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Aditi Bhalla is a Prosthodontist and Integrative Psychotherapist, with over 15 years in dentistry and extensive training in mental health, mindfulness, and movement, she helps dental professionals prevent burnout through practical, compassionate tools. She is the founder of Compassion Focused Dentistry- a structured, science-backed program designed to support practitioner wellbeing and prevent burnout. After personally experiencing burnout, anxiety, and De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, Aditi set out to create spaces where prevention is the focus and wellbeing is key. This led to the birth of the Dental Wellbeing Hub- a platform offering practical, preventative tools to help dental professionals manage stress, reduce anxiety, and avoid burnout. Aditi offers wellbeing workshops, team training, and one-to-one therapeutic support. And when she’s not doing this work, you’ll find he immersed in motherhood and the messy magic of everyday life. You can connect with her here Website: www.draditibhalla.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/draditibhalla LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/draditibhalla/ If you would like to feature as a guest, or are ready to NAIL-IT - then check out our events and programmes by visiting ⁠nailitindentistry.com⁠, or find out more about the system on ⁠nail-it.uk

What if the life you’re living is being driven by patterns you’re not even aware of? In this thought-provoking episode, Ricky Ghatura takes us into the powerful world of making the unconscious conscious - revealing how our beliefs, behaviours, and decisions are often shaped beneath the surface, quietly steering our results. This isn’t just another conversation about mindset; it’s a deeper exploration of personal responsibility, awareness, and the tools that allow you to truly take control of your direction in life. If you’ve ever felt stuck, disconnected, or unsure why you keep repeating the same patterns, this episode will challenge your thinking and open the door to a completely different level of self-leadership and transformation. Dr Ricky Ghataura is a dentist, Life Coach, Master NLP Practitioner, and founder of Ricky G Coaching. She has many years of experience in healthcare and now she combines science, psychology, and personal development to help women transform their mindset, build confidence, and create a life aligned with who they truly are. Following a challenging period in her own life that included injury, career uncertainty, and burnout, Ricky embarked on a journey of self-discovery through coaching, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), energy work, and mindset transformation. This experience inspired her to create Alchemy Unlocked, a transformational framework designed to help women break free from limiting beliefs, reconnect with themselves, and step into their full potential. Passionate about empowering women, Ricky speaks on mindset, resilience, personal growth, and wellbeing, helping others create lasting change from the inside out and live with greater purpose, confidence, and fulfillment, through her own journey and experience. www.rickygcoaching.com Insta: drrickyghataura rickygcoaching LinkedIn : Dr Ricky Ghataura 07971243570 If you would like to feature as a guest, or are ready to NAIL-IT - then check out our events and programmes by visiting ⁠nailitindentistry.com⁠, or find out more about the system on ⁠nail-it.uk

What if success isn't about having the perfect plan, but about staying curious enough to follow unexpected opportunities? In this fascinating conversation, journalist and FMC Content Director Guy Hiscott shares how a career he never intended to pursue became a lifelong passion, and why purpose is often discovered rather than designed. From overcoming self-doubt and perfectionism to understanding the importance of storytelling, team culture and human connection, Guy offers a refreshing perspective on what really creates fulfilment and longevity in both work and life. Together, we explore why so many driven professionals become obsessed with the destination and forget to enjoy the journey, the challenge of adapting in an AI-driven world, and why technical expertise alone will never replace the value of curiosity, relationships and meaning. We discuss leadership, imposter syndrome, growth, attention in the age of short-form content, and the importance of leaving things better than we found them. Whether you're a business owner, clinician or simply someone striving to make a difference, this episode is packed with wisdom that will make you stop, reflect and perhaps look up at thestars a little more often.If you would like to feature as a guest, or are ready to NAIL-IT, then check out our events and programmes by visiting nailitindentistry.com, or find out more about the system on nail-it.uk

This is one of those conversations that stays with you. Not because of tactics or tips, but because it quietly challenges how you’re living, leading, and defining yourself. From building and scaling practices to losing identity after stepping away, Ben shares what most people never say out loud: success without meaning creates a void. This episode brings it back to what actually matters: connection, gratitude, growth, and finding fulfilment beyond the title on your door. If you’ve ever felt the pressure to keep pushing without pausing, this will reset how you think about leadership, life, and what “winning” really looks like. Lead. Live. Beyond. If you would like to feature as a guest, or are ready to NAIL-IT - then check out our events and programmes by visiting ⁠nailitindentistry.com⁠, or find out more about the system on ⁠nail-it.uk

What happens when high performance quietly tips into burnoutand you don’t even realise it until the joy has gone? In this powerful and refreshingly honest conversation, Zainab Al-Mukhtar shares the hidden patterns that keep ambitious professionals stuck in overdrive, even when they “have it all together” on the out side. This episode goes beyond surface level wellbeing and gets to the core of what actually drives sustainable success: identity, energy, alignment, and the courage to shift how you think, not just what you do. If you’ve ever felt exhausted despite achieving, struggled to switch off, or sensed that something isn’t quite right but couldn’t name it -- this is the conversation that will challenge your thinking and give you a new lens on how to lead, live, and perform at your best.If you would like to feature as a guest, or are ready to NAIL-IT, then check out our events and programmes by visiting nailitindentistry.com, or find out more about the system on nail-it.uk

What happens when a dentist pivots into AI and starts building digital workers for businesses around the world? In this future focused episode, Dr Aalok Shukla, co-founder of Implement AI, joins us to unpack the real story behind artificial intelligence, beyond the headlines andthe fear. We explore how AI is transforming industries, why traditional career paths are shifting, and what skills will actually matter in the years ahead. Aalok shares his journey from clinical practice to tech entrepreneurship, and why communication, systems thinking and curiosity will become the ultimate competitive advantages. But this conversation goes deeper than business. We dive into how parents can guide childrenthrough an AI dominated world, the importance of critical thinking in the age of automation, and how spirituality and self awareness play a role in navigating rapid technological change. If you’re curious about AI but unsure where you stand, this episode will give you clarity, confidence and a practical perspective on how to engage with technology without losing your humanity. Dr Aalok Y. Shukla is a health tech innovator and co-founder of ImplementAI, where he helps organisations deploy AI powered digital workers to scale operations and performance. His work focuses on turning AI from theory into practical implementation, enabling businesses to grow capability without growing payroll. Aalok is an international key note speaker and podcast host, sharing real world insights on the future of work and responsible AI adoption. If you would like to feature as a guest, or are ready to NAIL-IT, then check out our events and programmes by visiting nailitindentistry.com, or find out more about the system on nail-it.uk

What if your biggest marketing problem isn’t your logo, your website, or your social media strategy - but the fact that you don’t truly know your own story? In this powerful episode, Anna Roberts, Director of My Smile Media, unpacks why “vanilla marketing” is quietly killing brands and why generic messaging simply won’t survive the next generational shift. We explore the psychology behind buying decisions, why emotion drives action far more than logic, and how confidence, aspiration and belonging are shaping the way modern consumers choose who to trust. This conversation goes far beyond marketing tactics. We dive into identity, purpose, storytelling, impostor syndrome, and the courage it takes to stand out in a sea of sameness. If you’ve ever felt invisible in a crowded market, unsure how to communicate your value, or stuck playing it safe - this episode will challenge you to stop blending in and start building a brand that actually reflects who you are. Anna Roberts has spent 17 years inside dental powerhouses like Henry Schein and Align Technology, and with an MBA, she has honed her expertise as a marketing performance expert with a special interest in brand and consumer psychology. She breaks marketing rules, rejects the vanilla, and leads a new era of bold, story - driven emotional marketing that truly connects with its audience. Believing this is the missing layer in dentistry, she’s on a mission to banish bland forever. Contact Anna: @annamismilemedia 07894 824302 If you would like to feature as a guest, or are ready to NAIL-IT - then check out our events and programmes by visiting nailitindentistry.com, or find out more about the system on nail-it.uk

In this episode of the NAIL-IT Podcast, Dr Rana Al-Falaki and Dr Bhavin Patel sit down with one of dentistry’s most respected portfolio leaders to unpack what really drives longevity, calm confidence, and sustainable success in a high-pressure profession. You’ll hear a refreshingly honest conversation about responding rather than reacting under stress, building a career by leaning into opportunity without needing perfection first, and why modern working culture (post-COVID, digital-first, always-on) is quietly eroding communication, confidence and resilience. If you’re navigating pressure, leadership responsibility, self-doubt, or the feeling that “life is happening at you”, this episode will leave you with practical mindset shifts and a new way to think about ambition, well-being, and showing up at your best, even on the hard days. If you would like to feature as a guest, or are ready to NAIL-IT-then check out our events and programmes by visiting nailitindentistry.com⁠, or find out more about the system on ⁠nail-it.uk

What if learning wasn’t about consuming more information but about creating experiences that actually change how you think, feel, and show up? In this solo-hosted episode, Dr Rana Al-Falaki is joined by Mehy Lo Presti, a high-energy creator and co-founder of the Global Dental Collective, for a powerful conversation on how learning truly sticks. Together, they explore self-doubt as the enemy of creativity, why experience beats instruction, and how curiosity, emotional safety, energy and community unlock deeper growth. This episode is about breaking rigid formats, trusting intuition, and designing environments where learning becomes memorable, embodied, and transformational. If you’re into personal growth, leadership, creativity and conscious evolution, this conversation will stay with you long after you press play. With over 10 years of private clinical experience,Dr Mehy Lo Presti is the founder of the Global Dental Collective and the creator of Dentown and Dentorama. These immersive formats blend theatre, technology, and clinical storytelling,engaging thousands of dental professionals and redefining how dentistry is taught and discussed. He has lectured at King’s College London and led multiple dental missions in Central America, combining academic insight with global outreach. Beyond speaking, Mehy works closely with event production teams to co curate content, design audience flow, and moderate live sessions. Connect with Mehy; @globaldentalcollectivewww.globaldentalcollective.com _______________________________________________________________ If you would like to feature as a guest, or are ready to NAIL-IT-then check out our events and programmes by visiting⁠nailitindentistry.com⁠ , or find out more about the system on⁠ nail-it.uk

What happens when an entire profession is quietly losing its talent-not because of lack of skill, but because of lack of support? In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, Shandy Vijayan shares the story behind the rapid rise of the Dental Mums Network and why it’s become such a vital space for women navigating dentistry, motherhood, and identity. This episode shines a light on the hidden challenges many don’t talk about-from isolation and imposter syndrome to the realities of returning to work after maternity leave. But this isn’t just about dentistry-it’s about leadership, community, and the courage to do things differently. We explore what it really means to lead authentically, why collaboration is replacing competition, and how trusting your intuition can change the trajectory of your career. If you’ve ever felt alone in your journey, questioned your path, or wondered if you’re “falling behind,” this episode will remind you that you’re not-and that going further often means not going alone. Dr Shandy Vijayan is a private dentist, university lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, and Chief Operating Officer of the Dental Mums Network, a growing community supporting women across dentistry. Alongside her clinical work in aesthetic, restorative and periodontal dentistry, she is passionate about mentorship, education and creating spaces where women can build confidence, connection and meaningful careers. Instagram:@Dentalmumsnetwork

Nishma Sharma (Clinical Policy Adviser at NHS England and founder of the Diversity in Dentistry Action Group) joins us on The NAIL-IT Podcast for a high-energy, deeply honest conversation about success, sacrifice, and what burnout really looks likebehind the accolades. Nishma shares how dentistry wasn’t her original path, the impostor syndrome and depression she experienced early on, and how COVID pushed her into emotional overload—before she rebuilt her life around presence, connection,and redefining what “enough” means. We explore purpose as a justice-driven“fairness” lens, the power of mentorship, why dentists have far more transferable skills than they realise, and the NAIL-IT pillar that resonates most with her. Nishma Sharma is a clinician, leader and speaker with over two decades of experience across healthcare, policy and regulation. Alongside her clinical work, she is widely recognised for her leadership in equality, wellbeing and professional standards, and is the founder of the Diversity in Dentistry Action Group, created to address bias and health inequalities across healthcare. Nishma advises national organisations, contributes to professional publications, and speaks internationally on leadership, mental health, inclusion and sustainable success. Her work is driven by a strong sense of fairness and a commitment to helping people thrive—professionally and personally—through challenge and change. If you would like to feature as a guest, or are ready to NAIL-IT-then check out our events and programmes by visiting⁠nailitindentistry.com⁠, or find out more about thesystem on⁠nail-it.uk

This is a must-listen episode if you’re leading a dental team (or trying to stay sane whilst doing it). Dr Rana Al-Falaki and Dr Bhavin Patel are joined by dental business consultant Lucie Simic (LCS Healthcare Consultancy) for an energising, practical conversation on mindset, leadership and culture - and how the stories we tell ourselves quietly shape our confidence, our performance, and even what we believe we’re “allowed” to do. From Lucie’s powerful quote “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right” to her journey of breaking old beliefs through Hyrox training, you’ll leave feeling fired up to challenge your own limits. Lucie also shares real-world leadership gold for practice managers and principals: how to stop being the “island in the middle”, why boundaries and process protect your time and reduce burnout, and how empowering your team (instead of rescuing them) actually improves motivation, retention and growth. Expect laughs, honest reflections, and actionable takeaways you can use immediately plus a fresh reminder that the best leaders don’t carry everything… they create other leaders.Lucie Simic is a dental business consultant, educator and keynote speaker specialising in leadership, organisational culture and patient experience. With over 14 years’ experience in dentistry and a 10-year background in journalism, Lucie brings a clear, evidence-informed and communication-led approach to leadership development. She works with practice owners, managers and clinical teams across the UK and Ireland, delivering structured training that supports strategic thinking, behaviour change and sustainable performance improvement. Lucie is the author of The Culture Advantage and is a regular speaker at national and international dental conferences and professional events. Her teaching equips delegates with practical frameworks to enhance team performance, patient engagement and treatment uptake in modern dental practices. Connect with Lucie; [email protected] www.luciesimic.co.uk _________________________________________________ If you would like to feature as a guest, or are ready to NAIL-IT - then check out our events and programmes by visiting ⁠nailitindentistry.com⁠, or find out more about the system on ⁠nail-it.uk

Payman Langroudi (Dental Leaders Podcast host and Clinical Director at Enlighten) joins us on The NAIL-IT Podcast for a no-filter conversation about what it really takes to be the best - and what it costs. We unpack why focus and incremental obsession with detail create world-class results, the uncomfortable trade-offs of excellence (you can’t be best and cheapest and tick every box at once), and how identity, perfectionism, and intuition shape leadership and performance in dentistry and beyond. Payman is Clinical Director at Enlighten, Course Director atMini Smile Makeover and host of the Dental Leaders Podcast  www.enlightensmiles.com ______________________________________________________________ If you would like to feature as a guest, or are ready to NAIL-IT - then check out our events and programmes by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nailitindentistry.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or find out more about thesystem on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠nail-it.uk⁠