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What if the life you thought you wanted was never really yours to begin with? This week on Well Enough, journalist, author and broadcaster Poorna Bell joins Emilie Lavinia for a conversation about mid-life, relationships, ageing and the pressure women face to follow a script - fall in love, get married, have children and stay desirable. Poorna opens up about why turning 40 felt unexpectedly powerful, the anti-ageing narratives designed to keep women feeling small, how losing her husband reshaped her understanding of love, and why she ultimately chose not to have children. Together, they discuss midlife reinvention, modern dating, emotional resilience and what it really means to “want more” from life. Poorna’s latest book She Wanted More is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For decades, women have been sold the idea that exercise is about shrinking themselves — flattening stomachs, toning arms, and chasing the elusive “beach body.” But personal trainer and author Elizabeth Davies thinks it’s time for a rethink. In this episode, Elizabeth joins Emilie Lavinia to unpack why strength training matters so much as we age, how women can protect their muscles and bones in midlife, and why fitness culture still often repackages body shame as empowerment. We discuss menopause, gym confidence, cardio as punishment, the problem with arbitrary strength standards, and why one workout a week really can be enough. Elizabeth is the founder of This Woman Lifts and author of Training For Your Old Lady Body, a practical guide to building strength, resilience and confidence for the long game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian, presenter and Off Menu co-host Ed Gamble has spent more than 25 years living with Type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed at just 13 years old, he describes managing the condition as "like having another job" - a constant balancing act of food, insulin, exercise, stress and everyday life. In this episode, Ed opens up about growing up as a self-described "fat kid", the complicated relationship with food that inspired his memoir Glutton, and how living with a chronic condition has shaped his understanding of health, control and wellbeing. We discuss the mental load of diabetes management, male body image, perfectionism, social media wellness trends, and why trying to optimise every aspect of your life can sometimes make you feel worse, not better. Ed also shares how technology has transformed diabetes care, the realities of performing stand-up while managing blood sugar levels, his experiences with weight loss and fitness, and why finding balance matters more than chasing perfection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elite marathon runner Anya Culling's story will inspire you but maybe not in the way you expect. She shaved nearly two hours off her marathon time and now competes at the highest level, representing her country. In this episode, Anya opens up about teenage health crises that shaped her mentality, the ironic moment she realized elite runners do still have periods, and why her coach refused to train her until she got her health sorted. We discuss wellness overwhelm, how to spot the difference between training hard and overtraining, why women's health issues in sport often go unaddressed, and the recovery principle that changed everything for her. Anya is backing iron supplement brand Active Iron’s campaign to encourage open conversations around women’s health in sport. For more information visit https://activeiron.com/en-gb Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and content creator Dr. Julie Smith joins us to dismantle the myth of constant happiness and offer practical tools for navigating life's inevitable storms. With over 10 million followers and two Sunday Times bestsellers (Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? and Open When), Julie has made it her mission to make high-quality mental health education accessible to everyone. In this conversation, we explore why young people are struggling despite having "the best it's ever been," the crucial difference between self-compassion and self-indulgence, and how our modern obsession with optimization is setting us up for failure. Julie shares the powerful "predator mindset" that helped her through her own health crisis, explains why feelings are information rather than problems to fix, and introduces the "solid back five" concept - fundamental pillars of mental wellbeing that we constantly underestimate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a world of aggressive optimization, morning routines, and relentless pressure to manifest a perfect reality, how do we experience actual joy when life falls apart? This week on Well Enough, we sit down with Kate Bowler - Duke University professor, religion scholar, and author - to explore the profound differences between happiness and joy. At 35, Kate was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, an event that completely shattered her reality and forced her to confront the agonizing platitude that "everything happens for a reason." Kate dismantles toxic positivity and wellness capitalism, explaining why you don't always need to find a silver lining.  Get Kate’s book “Joyful, Anyway” here https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/joyful-anyway-9781037202582/ Follow Well Enough on Instagram here  https://www.instagram.com/wellenough Timecodes: 00:00 Why Joy Isn't What You Think 03:10 Happiness vs. Joy: What’s the Psychological Difference? 06:25 Navigating Rage and Finding Joy After a Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis 08:00 "Emotional Appropriateness" & The Myth of Constant Optimization 10:45 The Danger of Toxic Positivity and "Everything Happens for a Reason" 13:10 The Hidden History (and Harm) of Manifesting 17:30 What is "The Ache"? Embracing the Bittersweet Longing of Being Human 20:20 Wellness Capitalism and the Absurdity of the 24/7 Morning Routine 23:30 Navigating the Seasons of Wanting & Opening Your "Vault of Jewels" 29:10 How to Practice Joy: Service, Love, and Hope 33:30 How to Experience Joy During a "Light Apocalypse" 37:00 Absurdism: Why You Should Lean Into Your Weird Delights 39:20 The Surprising Limits of Gratitude Journaling Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the most powerful medicine was right outside your front door? In this episode, we explore the transformative role nature plays in healing, recovery and everyday wellness.  Our guest is Julia Bradbury - TV presenter, Sunday Times bestselling author and one of the UK's most passionate advocates for the healing power of the outdoors. After a breast cancer diagnosis in 2021 and a subsequent mastectomy, Julia rebuilt her health from the ground up and nature was at the heart of it. She joins Emilie to talk about her diagnosis journey, the science behind nature snacks, resistance training, morning light, walking backwards, and why the single most important wellness habit starts with what you say to yourself. Get Julia’s book Hack Yourself Healthy Julia Bradbury is supporting Vista Health’s Signs of Clarity campaign. Visit www.vista-health.co.uk 00:00 The Healing Power of Nature & Movement 02:07 Functional Medicine: Finding the Root Cause 04:50 How Walking Calms Your Nervous System 06:40 Breast Cancer Diagnosis & The Promise of Nature 08:15 How to Take Daily "Nature Snacks" 10:00 The Emotional Toll of Surgery  12:35 Finding Comfort & Life Lessons from Trees 15:00 Redefining Health vs. Toxic Resilience 17:36 How to Make Time for Your Wellbeing 19:31 Strength Training for Women & Hope Molecules 22:21 Building Non-Negotiable Healthy Habits 24:35 Overcoming Vulnerability After a Health Scare 27:15 An Emotional Expedition to Antarctica 29:18 Healthy Travel Hacks & Plane Snacks 32:19 The Ultimate Slow Morning Routine 34:27 The Power of Positive Affirmations & Self-Talk 36:01 Why You Should Start Walking Backwards Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sophie Richards spent ten years being dismissed by doctors who said her crippling period pain was "normal" and she'd "get used to it." Six surgeries later, she finally got her endometriosis diagnosis. This week, Sophie joins Emilie to break down inflammation as your body's "first response team," how she discovered it was driving her symptoms, and the dangerous wellness trends she fell for. She also shares the love story of bringing her now fiancé to her fertility appointment on date three, why she wants to create a school curriculum so boys learn about periods too, and her six pillars of anti-inflammatory living that transformed her health. Get Sophie’s book ‘The Anti-Inflammatory 30-day Reset’ here Follow Sophie on Instagram here Follow Emilie on Instagram here Timecodes 00:00 Why I Share the Reality of Living with Endometriosis 02:46 Six Surgeries & Ten Years of Chronic Pain 04:16 The Period Pain Dismissed as "Normal" 06:41 Bringing My Boyfriend to My Egg Freezing Appointment 09:01 Educating Men About Women's Health: Why It Matters 11:26 Why Boys Need Period Education Too 13:41 What Is Inflammation? The First Response Team 16:01 How I Discovered Inflammation Was the Root Cause 18:46 Red Flags in the Wellness Industry 21:31 The 30-Day Anti-Inflammatory Reset Explained 24:51 You're Not Crazy: Your Pain Is Real 27:31 How to Advocate for Yourself at the Doctor 30:41 The Doctor Who Finally Diagnosed My Endometriosis 34:01 Breaking the Taboo: Men Talking About Periods 36:46 Nourish Yourself Like You'd Nourish a Friend Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reality TV star Vicky Pattison opens up about her personal battle with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder), a debilitating condition that goes far beyond typical PMS symptoms. She candidly discusses the physical and emotional toll it's taken on her life, and how finally getting diagnosed changed everything. Vicky also shares her experience with egg freezing, offering an honest perspective on the process, the emotions involved, and why she made this important decision for her future. Her vulnerability about fertility and planning for motherhood will resonate with many listeners navigating similar choices. Vicky’s new show ‘Maybe, Baby?’ is available to stream now on Channel 4. Follow Well Enough on Instagram here Follow Emilie on Instagram here  Follow Vicky on Instagram here  Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction 01:00 What Is PMDD? Understanding the Symptoms 03:16 Two Weeks of Hell: Living with PMDD 05:51 Five Years to Get a Diagnosis: Medical Gaslighting 08:13 "Just a Period" - How Doctors Dismissed My Pain 10:21 The Social Media Diagnosis That Changed Everything 12:16 Finally Heard: Getting My PMDD Diagnosis 14:46 Why Boys Need to Learn About Periods 17:31 Antidepressants for PMDD: The Treatment Dilemma 20:36 Navigating PMDD as a Couple 24:11 Maybe Baby: Our Fertility Journey on TV 27:01 Freezing My Eggs at 35: Taking Control 30:31 The Hate I Got for Freezing My Eggs 33:16 One Message That Made It All Worth It 37:21 Can You Be a Good Mum with PMDD? 42:01 Feel Your Feels: My Wellness Advice Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really mean to navigate womanhood under constant scrutiny? This week on Well Enough, author, DJ and broadcaster Ashley James explains the impossible standards women face. Ashley reveals the truth about misogynistic labels, from the slut-shaming she experienced at an all-boys school to being called 'selfish' both for not having children and then for wanting a life outside motherhood. She shares how becoming a mum forced her to confront her own internalised misogyny - and why birth trauma is dismissed as a 'negative mindset problem' rather than a maternity care failing. We also explore the hidden costs of being a woman, from the £20,000 women spend on menstruation in their lifetime to the double standards that mean female voices are constantly questioned while male commentators speak without proving their credentials. Ashley James’s bestselling Bimbo is available here Follow Well Enough on Instagram here Follow Emilie on Instagram here  Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction 03:16 The Misogyny Behind Calling Women Influencers 05:46 Slut-Shamed at 14 08:21 Punished for Having a Woman's Body 11:01 Why "Bimbo" Needs Reclaiming 14:06 The Impossible Standards of Mothers 17:11 Regretting Motherhood 20:16 Birth Trauma & the Failure of Maternity Care. 22:46 Why C-Sections Shouldn't Be Shamed  26:31 Childcare Costs More Than My Mortgage  28:46 The Pressure to "Bounce Back" After Birth  32:26 Trolls & Misogyny: Refusing to Be Silenced  36:41 The Hidden Cost of Having a Period  40:31 Medical Gaslighting: Why Women's Pain Is Dismissed  43:21 Raising Kids Without Misogynistic Labels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rosie Viva used to travel the world as a fashion model. It wasn’t until being arrested after a psychotic episode in Stansted Airport that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.  On the week of World Bipolar Day, Rosie joins Emilie on Well Enough to ask: what does the world still get wrong about bipolar, especially for women. Rosie’s book ‘Completely Normal and Totally Fine’ charts her journey with bipolar. She documents mania, depression and recovery all whilst navigating relationships, jobs and her new identity. In today’s episode, she also shares her one rule for drinking on medication, how to manage hypomania without losing the magic, and why thinking she was Susan Boyle for a week taught her family not to challenge delusions. Follow the show: Follow Well Enough on Instagram here Follow Emilie on Instagram here  Useful links: Rosie’s Substack Rosie’s book ‘Completely Normal and Totally Fine’ ‘Maybe its bipolar?’ test from Bipolar UK Samaritans Timecodes: 00:00 What Is Bipolar Disorder? Breaking Down the Basics 02:46 Type 1 vs Type 2 Bipolar: Understanding the Difference 05:21 Misdiagnosis: When Doctors Miss Bipolar in Women 08:16 The Psychotic Episode That Changed Everything 10:11 Religious Delusions & Mania: My Breaking Point 11:26 Arrested at Stansted Airport: The Baggage Drop Incident 13:01 The Shame Around Mental Illness Nobody Talks About 15:16 Getting the Right Medication: Why It Takes Time 17:26 When Therapy Goes Wrong: My NHS Experience 20:01 Managing Hypermania: Practical Tools That Work 22:16 Navigating Friendships with Bipolar Disorder 24:51 PMDD & Bipolar: The Hidden Connection for Women 27:31 Can Women with Bipolar Be Stable? The Answer Is Yes 29:56 How to Know If You Have Bipolar: First Steps 32:31 Making My Channel 4 Documentary: Telling My Story 35:26 Is My Madness Actually Magic? Reframing Bipolar 38:01 The Euphoria of Hypermania: Like Astronauts in Space 39:21 Drinking with Bipolar: My One Simple Rule Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK has a nutrition problem, and it's not the one most wellness influencers are shouting about. While TikTok pushes high-protein everything, Britain quietly ranks second-worst globally for fibre intake. Nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert joins Emilie to expose the fibre gap, reveal why Parliament is finally paying attention, and explain how protein hype has distracted us from a genuine public health crisis. Only 4% of Brits meet the 30 gram daily target, and 80% think fibre is just about bowel movements - missing its profound impact on immunity, heart health, brain function, and even longevity. Rhiannon also dismantles dangerous wellness trends, explains why "what I eat in a day" videos are mostly fiction, and shares the changing gender norms behind our lost cooking culture. Follow Well Enough on Instagram here Follow Emilie on Instagram here  Follow Rhiannon on Instagram here Get Rhiannon’s book ‘The Fibre Formula’ here Timecodes 00:00 The Pressure to Be a Perfect Nutritionist 02:46 The Reality of “What I Eat in a Day” Videos  05:46 The UK's Shocking Fibre Crisis  09:16 Why Diet Culture Destroyed Our Relationship with Food 12:01 Rhiannon’s journey: Opera Singer to Nutritionist  15:46 Taking the Fibre Fight to Parliament  18:56 Why Fibre Has Had Such Bad PR  22:11 The Protein Hype Has Done Damage  25:21 How to Eat More Mindfully  28:16 Fibre for Immunity, Heart Health & Your Brain 32:46 Why Women Lost Cooking Skills 35:01 Wellness Trends to Avoid  37:51 Why Social Connection is as Important as Nutrition  40:26 Simple Swaps for Better Gut Health  41:21 Shut Out the Noise  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TV presenter Cherry Healey shares her unexpected perimenopause journey, revealing how debilitating anxiety and heart palpitations at age 40 led her to nearly seek antidepressants, before discovering her symptoms were hormonal. In this conversation, Cherry discusses the misdiagnosis crisis facing women in their forties, the connection between depleting estrogen and UTIs (including her own life-threatening sepsis scare), and why she believes perimenopause is actually "the main event", not menopause itself. Follow the show: Follow Well Enough on Instagram here Follow Emilie on Instagram here  Timecodes: 00:00 Perimenopause Hit at 40: Cherry's Story 02:11 When Menopause Was Taboo 04:01 The Dread That Won't Go Away 05:36 Finally Getting Diagnosed 07:01 How Misdiagnosis Destroys Women's Lives 08:06 Is Perimenopause the Main Event 10:06 Perimenopause as a Gift 11:21 Why Lifting Weights Changes Everything 14:31 Perimenopause Ended My Relationship 16:01 Should You Get Your Hormones Tested? 17:26 Track Your Cycle to Understand Your Body 21:26 The Power of Sleep 22:31 UTIs & Perimenopause: The Hidden Link 24:26 My UTI Turned Into Sepsis 27:01 Advice for Women Turning 40 32:21 The Wellness Boom & Longevity 38:46 What Makes You Feel Well Enough Follow Cherry on Instagram here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, award-winning BBC broadcaster, journalist and author Emma Barnett joins us to challenge everything we think we know about the newborn bubble. Emma's new book, Maternity Service, tears through the toxic positivity of early motherhood with refreshing - and often hilarious - honesty. From the physical reality of recovering from a C-section to the quiet grief of losing your pre-baby identity, Emma holds nothing back. She also opens up about 21 years without an endometriosis diagnosis, six rounds of IVF, and how she's learned to survive - and thrive - with a chronic pain condition while raising two children and fronting some of the UK's biggest radio programmes. Follow Well Enough on Instagram here Follow Emilie on Instagram here Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction: Why Maternity Leave Is a Lie 01:01 What Is Maternity Service? The Book Explained 01:31 Six Rounds of IVF and 21 Years Without a Diagnosis 02:01 Matrescence: How Your Identity Shifts When You Become a Mother 04:10 Can You Ever Really Prepare for Becoming a Mother? 05:03 Toxic Positivity in Motherhood 06:30 Reframing Motherhood as a Tour of Duty 07:35 The Physical Reality: Healing a Broken Body After Birth 08:57 C-Sections, Too Posh to Push, and the Stigma of Stomach Surgery 09:50 What Is a Hypertonic Pelvic Floor? What No One Tells You 11:25 The Loneliness of New Motherhood Nobody Talks About 12:22 Identity Loss: Your Maternity Uniform and the Flattening of Self 14:01 IVF, Bruising, and the Hidden Uniform of Fertility Treatment 16:29 Delayed Gratification: The Survival Skill Every Mother Needs 18:20 Perimenopause, Grief, and the Pressure to Have It All 21:23 Maternity Discrimination and the Psychology of Being Replaced 23:30 Is Boredom on Maternity Leave Normal? Yes, and Here's Why 24:40 Writing a Letter to Your Pre-Baby Self 26:35 Ready to Talk: Emma's New BBC Podcast on Women's Interior Lives 30:50 The Best Books on Motherhood Emma Recommends 39:00 Living With Endometriosis: The Diagnosis That Took 21 Years 42:20 Endometriosis and IVF: When Getting Pregnant Becomes a Crisis 49:30 Emma's Tip for Feeling Well Enough: The Power of Music Episodes of Ready to Talk with Emma Barnett are available every Friday on BBC Sounds. Buy Emma’s book Maternity Service - out in paperback March 12th Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women - yet it still takes an average of eight years to be diagnosed. Why are so many living with debilitating pain for so long? In this episode, Emilie sits down with GP, TV doctor and endometriosis advocate Dr Raj Arora to unpack the reality of living with a chronic condition that is too often dismissed as “just bad periods”. We explore the early warning signs of endometriosis, why painful and heavy periods should never be normalised, and how cultural stigma can delay women from seeking help. Dr Raj also explains how the historical exclusion of women from medical research has shaped everything from diagnosis to pain management - and what needs to change. Follow Well Enough on Instagram here Follow Emilie on Instagram here  Follow Dr Raj on Instagram here Timecodes: 00:00 What Is Endometriosis?  01:15 Endometriosis Explained: What’s Happening in the Body 02:55 Why Does It Take 8 Years to Get an Endometriosis Diagnosis? 04:00 The Gender Pain Gap & Why Women’s Pain Is Ignored 06:05 Dr Raj Arora’s 11 Year Diagnosis Journey 09:20 Painful Periods vs Endometriosis: What’s Normal? 10:45 Medical Misogyny & The Lack of Women in Research 14:35 How to Advocate for Yourself at the GP 17:40 Endometriosis Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore 20:40 How Is Endometriosis Diagnosed? (Laparoscopy, MRI & Tests) 22:05 Endometriosis Treatment Options: Surgery & Hormonal Therapy 23:10 Is There a Cure for Endometriosis? 24:10 How Common Is Endometriosis in the UK? 25:40 Endometriosis, Work & Menstrual Leave 28:20 Fertility, Egg Freezing & Why Doctors Take It Seriously 31:45 Why Doctors Need Better Training in Women’s Health 33:40 Managing Endometriosis: Lifestyle, Diet & Exercise 35:00 Natural Pain Relief, Heat Therapy & TENS Machines 38:20 Finding Support: Endometriosis Community & Online Forums Resources mentioned in today’s episode: The Endometriosis Foundation helpline 0808 808 2227 Symptom Checker to create a letter to take to your GP Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.