Hardiness with Dr Paul Taylor
Host Dr Paul Taylor, a psychophysiologist, neuroscientist, exercise scientist, and nutritionist, interviews experts from around the world on cutting-edge research and practices related to improving hardiness in your mind, body, and brain to become your best self.
Episodes
Running on Empty: Your Brain's Power Stations and Depression - Wisdom Wednesdays
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Can We Really Choose Our Attitude?
Viktor Frankl wrote that the last of the human freedoms is “to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.” But when we're going through challenges, our emotions show up automatically, so what can we actually choose? In this episode, Carly draws on Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning and Morita Therapy to explore what choosing our attitude looks like in pra
Your Brain Runs on Your Body: A Whole-Body Approach to Cognitive Health with Dr Christobelle Yeoh
In this episode, Dr Paul Taylor talks with integrative practitioner Dr Christobelle Yeoh about protecting cognitive health. They start with the rise of early cognitive decline, brain fog and stress, including during menopause. Dr Yeoh's central idea is that thinking depends on the body. Cognition rests on the lower-order systems that feed the brainstem: the gut, vascular tone, blood chemistry, bre
Science just decided the best type of exercise training - and it's compelling: Wisdom Wednesdays
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Your Inner Coach With Carly Taylor
Most of us spend a lot of time listening to the voice in our heads, especially when it turns negative. This week Carly looks at what happens when you start answering back instead. She explores research by psychologist Ethan Kross showing that talking to yourself using “you” or your own name helps you perform better under stress and see challenges as less threatening. She also looks at
Mega Focus and the Attention Revolution with Adam Williams
Your attention is being hijacked every day, and it is quietly shaping the life you get. Dr Paul Taylor and Adam Williams reveal how to spot the hidden cost of distraction, reclaim control, and start directing your attention toward what actually matters. Adam Williams, author of Mega Focus: Join the Attention Revolution, spent 30 years working inside the attention economy in advertising, innov
Exercise First, Drugs Second
What if one of the most effective treatments for depression and anxiety in young people needs no prescription, has no withdrawal and makes you stronger? In this episode, Dr Paul Taylor unpacks a 2024 meta-analysis from Victoria University. It found that resistance training produced large reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms in people aged 26 and under. He then sets it against the largest
The Trap of Perfectionism and What To Do About It With Carly Taylor
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Counterpunch, reality therapy, and giving young people real tools for life with Mercedas Taaffe-Cooper
The biggest mistake in youth mental health? Treating kids like they’re broken instead of teaching them how to move, act, and build resilience. Mercedes Taaffe Cooper reveals why early intervention and education, not endless labels and talk therapy, are changing the game for young people. Paul and Mercedes unpack the deeper problem with the medical model, how normal adolescent struggles
REM sleep as Therapy
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Stop Arguing with Reality With Carly Taylor
How often do we get caught up in our thoughts, emotions and the stories we tell ourselves about what's happening? In this week's Mojo Monday, Carly explores how easily we can find ourselves fighting reality, whether it's uncomfortable feelings, other people's behaviour or situations that don't go our way. Drawing on Japanese Morita Therapy, she shares why acceptance doesn't mean approval or giving
Preventive cardiology, exercise, nutrition, stress, and longevity with Dr. Ross Walker
This podcast explores practical ways to protect your heart and support healthy aging. Dr. Paul Taylor talks with preventive cardiologist Dr. Ross Walker about the everyday habits that shape cardiovascular health, how to make sense of cholesterol and other risk markers, and where tests, medication, and supplements can help. Together, they cut through common health claims and discuss exercise, stres
Here's how to make your carbs healthier - Wisdom Wednesdays
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Calm Your Nervous System With This Short Breathing Technique With Carly Taylor
Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness, which is the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take meaningful action under pressure. Her work integrates modern psychology with Eastern and Stoic approaches, helping people build resilience, live with purpose, and respond to life’s challenges with greater clarity, courage and steadiness.See o
From Trauma to Resilience: The Stress Continuum and the Power of Reappraisal, with Dr Eamonn McCarthy
This conversation explores how early life stress shapes the brain, why complex trauma is different from a single traumatic event, and how people can build resilience over time. Dr Paul Taylor speaks with Dr Eamonn McCarthy about forensic psychology, trauma work, performance psychology, and the practical ways therapy, exercise, sleep, and mindset can support change. Stress can break you—or bu
Are you growing microbial cannibals in your gut? Wisdom Wednesdays
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Your Fear Isn't the Truth With Carly Taylor
Most of the fear we live with isn't physical. It's the old thinking we carry from past experiences: the fear of criticism, of not being good enough, of getting it wrong. In this Mojo Monday, Carly explores how fear becomes our reality when we're on autopilot, and how becoming the observer of our conditioned responses creates space to choose what happens next. Drawing on Krishnamurti and Morita The
Mitochondria, Fertility, Menopause, and The Hidden Biology of Hormones with Dr Leah Hechtman
This conversation with Dr Leah Hechtman explores how mitochondria influence far more than energy production, including fertility, aging, brain health, and hormone regulation. It also unpacks the differences between male and female reproductive biology, the effects of hormonal contraception, and what hormone replacement may mean for longevity. Leah brings a rare mix of clinical experience, genetics
The Protein Tug-of-War: Does Eating Less Protein Really Switch On Autophagy? Wisdom Wednesdays
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Who Are You Showing Up For?
n this episode, Carly unpacks why the instinct to rescue the people we love is often more about our own discomfort than their growth, what love looks like when you treat it as a verb instead of a feeling, and why real commitment sometimes means holding back rather than stepping in. It's a personal, practical episode about showing up for the people in your life, and what that actually looks like in
AI, Imaging, and the Future of Preventing Heart Attacks Early with Dr James Thompson
Dr James Thompson joins me for a practical conversation about why heart disease still leads as a global killer, why cholesterol and calcium scoring have limits, and how advanced imaging is changing prevention. We also cover exercise, lifestyle, and the role AI is starting to play in cardiac imaging. Heart disease often starts silently years before a scan or cholesterol test raises the alarm. Dr. J
Fascinating research on how breathwork can clean your brain: Wisdom Wednesdays
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How to reduce the toxic load on your body, with Dr Nicole Bijlsma
Dr. Nicole Bijlsma explains why the built environment matters for health, from mould and air quality to electromagnetic fields and chemical exposures. She shares practical, high-impact changes for bedrooms, water, skincare, cleaning, and home setup that can reduce everyday exposure and support better sleep, immunity, and wellbeing. We discuss why old homes and new homes each have different risks,
Not all cholesterol particles carry the same risk - here's what to really look out for: Wisdom Wednesdays
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A Thirty Thousand Day Life With Carly Taylor
A birthday, a bit of simple maths, and an idea borrowed from Gregg Krech of Vermont's ToDo Institute, whose own birthday falls the same week as Carly's. What happens when you put an actual number on the days you've got left. Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness, which is the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take meaningful action under
The science of behaviour change and addiction, with Tara Hurster
Most addiction advice is built for rock bottom. Tara Hurster says that misses the vast majority of people - the high-functioning drinkers, gamblers, and users who still have jobs, houses, and families, but know something is off. If you’ve ever wondered where “just a bit too much” becomes a real problem, this conversation gives you a clearer answer than shame ever could. Paul spea
Stunning new research on the impact of exercise intensity on our biology: Wisdom Wednesdays
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The Best Stressed-Out Mum I Can Be With Carly Taylor
This week Carly turns to something we all wrestle with, accepting our own human nature. She shares a personal example of what she's been struggling with lately, and the small shift in thinking that took the sting out of it. Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness, which is the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take meaningful action under
Your Magical Mitochondria - and How to Optimise Them, with Dr Olivia Lesslar
Your anxiety might be a signal, not the problem. Dr. Olivia Lesslar and I break down why chronic stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the body’s threat-detection systems can leave you exhausted, inflamed, and stuck in survival mode - and what to do about it. If you’ve been told your symptoms are “just stress,” this conversation will feel like a revelation. Olivia explains
The Alcohol & Health Story Isn’t as Simple as You Think: Wisdom Wednesdays
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Four Stoic Steps to Reduce Your Struggle
This week's Mojo Monday looks at four Stoic steps for cutting down unnecessary suffering, starting with Epictetus's dichotomy of control: sorting what's actually within your control from what isn't, redirecting your attention toward your own response, pivoting into useful action once you've accepted the facts, and taking the view from above for perspective. It also unpacks the difference between r
The Children We Leave Behind with Dr. Geoff Masters AO
The education system is sending kids the wrong message about learning, ability, and success - and it’s leaving far too many behind. Dr. Geoff Masters reveals why age-based schooling, narrow assessment, and one-size-fits-all teaching are failing students, and what a smarter redesign could look like. Geoff is the former head of the Australian Council for Educational Research, explains the hidd
Here's a surprisingly effective, easy-to-do longevity and mental health practice the won't cost a cent: Wisdom Wednesdays
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Emotions and Waves With Carly Taylor
Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness, which is the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take meaningful action under pressure. Her work integrates modern psychology with Eastern and Stoic approaches, helping people build resilience, live with purpose, and respond to life’s challenges with greater clarity, courage and steadiness.See o
How to Play the Role Life Gives You - Stoic Wisdom for Chaos with William C Spears
Stoicism is not soft self-help - it's the philosophy that helped prisoners survive torture, submariners survive confinement, and warriors keep their heads when everything else is falling apart. William C. Spears shows why this ancient mindset still matters on the ocean floor, on the battlefield, and in your everyday life. I chat with William C. Spears, an active-duty US Navy submarine officer and
Your water bottle is influencing your response to stress: Wisdom Wednesdays
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Choose Growth Over Discomfort With Carly Taylor
Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness, which is the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take meaningful action under pressure. Her work integrates modern psychology with Eastern and Stoic approaches, helping people build resilience, live with purpose, and respond to life’s challenges with greater clarity, courage and steadiness.See o
The Science of Aging, Nutrition, and Hormonal Optimisation with Dr. Michael Aziz
What if the key to living longer and feeling revitalised isn’t about cutting carbs or fats, but about comprehensively understanding and balancing your hormones, nutrients, and lifestyle? In this episode, I speak with anti-aging expert Dr. Michael Aziz as we challenge mainstream nutrition myths, revealing how saturated fats, seed oils, and stress influence the aging process and how you can tu
It's not just the amount of sleep that matters - timing is also key: Wisdom wednesdays
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The Job of Resting With Carly Taylor
This week's Mojo Monday looks at rest, and why so many of us have forgotten how to actually do it. Drawing on the concept of Yojo from Morita Therapy, Carly explores the idea that rest isn't something you earn after burnout, it's part of the treatment itself. We unpack why scrolling isn't rest even though it's where most of our downtime goes, what real rest actually looks like in a busy week and w
Christian O'Connell: Embracing Authenticity, Vulnerability, and Reinvention in Midlife
Most people are living a performance, not their true selves until they realise that authenticity and vulnerability are the secret weapons to deeper connection and success. Christian O'Connell, a seasoned radio host and author, shares candid stories of midlife awakenings, panic attacks, and the surprising joy of owning your messiness. His journey from top UK radio star to authentic Australian broad
There's a new kid on the block when it comes to longevity: Wisdom Wednesday
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Self-focussed Friends: What's Actually Within Your Control With Carly Taylor
In today's world, it's easy to get caught up in labeling others as narcissists, but most of us are not qualified to diagnose. On today's Mojo Monday, Carly explores a more common phenomenon: friendships that are one-sided, where the other person consistently focuses on themselves and struggles to genuinely take an interest in yours. Carly delves into Stoic philosophy, drawing from the teachings of
The Hidden Power of Rhythms: How Small Daily Habits Can Transform Your Performance with Jess Spendlove
Unlock the secrets of elite performance and sustainable well-being in this deep dive with Jess Spendlove, a renowned high-performance coach with a remarkable background in sports nutrition, elite sport, and military consulting. Jess reveals how top athletes and leaders optimise energy without sacrificing their health, sharing proven frameworks you can implement today. If you're driven, ambitious,
The biggest thing that is shrinking your brain, and how to combat it: Wisdom Wednesdays
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A Japanese Concept to Calm Our Minds With Carly Taylor
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Why your values are like fingerprints: The key to unlocking true purpose with the LegendaryDr John Demartini
Most of us are living on autopilot, distracted by social media, superficial pursuits, and fleeting pleasures, all while our true purpose and core values remain buried beneath the noise. What if uncovering your deepest values could be the key to transforming your life, boosting your energy, and aligning your daily actions with your authentic self? In this week's episode I chat with Dr. John Demarti
What type and amount of exercise (if any) should I do if I'm stressed - science has the answer: Wisdom Wednesdays
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Phone Anxiety, Oxytocin and the Choice To Take The Call
Have you ever watched your phone ring, seen exactly who it is, and just let it go to voicemail? Not because you're busy, but because you didn't feel like talking? You're not alone, and there's a reason it's become so easy to avoid. This week Carly looks at why so many of us, young people especially, now reach for a text over a call, and what that shift might be costing us. It turns out hearing a f
The magic of sleep for your brain - and ways to improve it, with Dr Jemma King
In this fascinating episode, discover the science behind sleep’s alchemy: how your brain’s lymphatic system flushes out metabolic waste, and why missing just two hours of deep sleep can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s by up to 50%. We break down the impact of caffeine, alcohol, and sleep medications on healing cycles, revealing why many sleep aids are more harmful than helpful.
12 Thinking Traps that are sabotaging you
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Preparing for Life's Uncertainties With Carly Taylor
You can't stop life surprising you, but you can train for it. This week: hardiness, hard winter training, and one small language shift you can use today. This week on Mojo Monday Carly is looking at something we all live with and rarely prepare for, which is the fact that life is uncertain. We're wired to crave certainty, and when life does the one thing it always does and surprises us, we can cru
The Surprising Connection Between Effort, Inconvenience, and Long-Term Happiness
Most of us chase fleeting moments of happiness only to realise they often come from quick dopamine hits rather than genuine well-being. But what if happiness isn't about constant joy or material success? What if it’s a nuanced, layered emotional umbrella that includes contentment, gratitude, curiosity, and purpose, all rooted in effort and connection? In this episode, famed happiness researc
Effective ways to prevent and treat depression: Wisdom Wednesdays
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The Sweet Spot Of Your Strengths With Carly Taylor
This week Carly explores a more useful way to look at yourself, one that drops the language of strengths and weaknesses altogether. Drawing on the VIA Character Strengths and Ryan Niemiec's work on the golden mean, she looks at how every strength can be overused, underused, or used just right, and why the goal is never simply more of a good thing but the right amount in the right moment. If
The Hidden Impact of Stress and Environmental Toxins on Your Hormones and Aging
In this episode, Dr. Mike Fortunato shares how hormonal dysfunction fuels everything from low energy and poor mood to physical decline and disease, revealing the hidden forces behind the modern health crisis. You’ll discover how chronic stress, toxic chemicals, and ultra-processed foods are silently hijacking your hormones, driving declines in testosterone, estrogen, thyroid function, and mo
New research indicates the optimal combination of strength and cardiovascular training for optimal longevity: Wisdom Wednesdays
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The Discipline Myth With Carly Taylor
We treat discipline and willpower like a magic potion we have to find before we're allowed to start and then we either spend our time reading and listening about the thing we're still not doing, or give up because we're sure we don't have it. But the people we call disciplined don't feel like it either; they've just learned to carry the discomfort and act on what matters anyway. This week, why the
The Surprising Role of Carbon Sixty in Reversing Aging and Boosting Mitochondria wit Ken Swartz
In this episode I chat with Ken Swartz, a former radiation scientist turned wellness innovator, who shares insights about C60's unique ability to mimic natural antioxidants like superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes your body produces less of as you age. Learn how C60 neutralises damaging radicals before they cause harm, helping to prevent chronic diseases, support cellular repair, and reverse
Part 2 of all you need to know about omega 3 fatty acids: Wisdom Wednesdays
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How to Manage Low Self esteem With Carly Taylor
This week's Mojo Monday is a thought-provoking exploration of self-esteem and how we can start living our best lives, even when we don't feel confident or worthy. Join Carly as she shares her insights and experiences, and discover a new way of thinking about self-esteem and living a life that reflects our true worth. Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardine
Redefining Education and Building Character Through Chess and Challenges with Kevin Cripe
In today’s episode I chat with Kevin Cripe, focusing on the transformative power of education and the challenges within the system. Kevin, a passionate educator with 27 years of experience, shares insights from his career, including the creation of a chess program for underprivileged children and his experiences with changing educational dynamics. The discussion delves into the impact of inc
All you need to know about omega 3 fatty acids, Part 1: Wisdom wednesdays
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The View From Above: A Stoic Exercise for Perspective and Calm
In this week’s Mojo Monday, Carly explores the Stoic exercise known as The View from Above, a powerful practice for creating perspective when we feel caught in stress, worry or emotional overwhelm. Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness — the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take action under pressure. Her work integrates mod
How Embracing the Messy Middle Can Transform Your Life with Andrew Horsfield
Most of us are living well below our potential and often don’t even realise it. What if the secret to unlocking your best life isn’t some grand change, but small, strategic shifts that anyone can make? Andrew Horsfield, a seasoned expert in psychology, leadership, and human performance, reveals that the key lies in understanding how to navigate the “messy middle” of life, t
Why the 'reduce your salt intake' message is way too simple: Wisdom Wednesdays
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Value Your Time With Carly Taylor
This week's Mojo Monday episode is a poignant reminder that life is short, and the way we spend our time is crucial. Carly shares a heartwarming story about a lunch date with their dad, who's 88 years young, and the wisdom he imparted to their 20-year-old daughter. This conversation sparks a reflection on how we often get caught up in the daily grind and forget to cherish the present moment. As we
Embracing the Experiment Mindset for Personal Growth
Are you stuck in a cycle of overthinking and information overload, unsure how to move forward? In this episode, I chat with Tamsin Simmons as she shares her journey from healthcare management to becoming a leadership coach and author, emphasising the power of the experiment mindset to create meaningful change. Discover how testing small, process-focused experiments can lead you toward your true go
The health metric that is most predictive of future disability risk - and it's not what you think.
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If I Know What To Do .... Why Don't I do It? With Carly Taylor
Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness — the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take action under pressure. Her work integrates modern psychology with Eastern and Stoic approaches focusing on helping people live meaningful lives without needing to control their thoughts or emotions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Understanding Your True Identity with Dr Jeremy Thompson
In this episode, I chat with Dr. Jeremy Thompson as we delve into the complexities of identity and mental health. We explore how early life experiences shape our self-perception and the importance of understanding one's true self. Jeremy shares insights from his extensive experience in family medicine and psychological medicine, emphasising the need to separate negative self-perceptions from one's
How Marcus Aurelius Managed His Mind And What We Can Learn From It by Carly Taylor
Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor living nearly 2,000 years ago, yet his private journal reads remarkably like modern psychological coaching. In this episode, Carly explores a powerful passage from Meditations and unpack what Stoicism, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Morita Therapy can teach us about managing difficult thoughts and emotions. If you’ve ever felt hijacked by ove
Unlocking Brain Chemistry: The Power of Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin & Endorphins
In this episode with TJ Power, the discussion delves into the impact of modern lifestyle on mental health, focusing on conditions like mild anxiety and depression. TJ Power, a neuroscientist, shares insights from his book "The Dose Effect," which explores how dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins can be optimised to improve well-being. The conversation covers TJ's personal journey with dop
An eggcellent dietary habit to keep your brain healthy and help prevent Alzheimer's Disease
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The Words You're Living By With Carly Taylor
This week on Mojo Monday, Carly explores the power of language in shaping our experiences. She delves into the concept of relational frame theory, which suggests that our minds create connections and meaning through language, influencing how we feel about our lives. Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness — the ability to navigate challenge,
Choose your hard: Science-backed strategies to thrive in a difficult world, with Emeritus Professor Grant Schofield
If you think ease and comfort are the keys to happiness, think again. This episode explores how deliberately embracing life's challenges—through movement, fasting, cold exposure, and mental resilience—can transform your health, happiness, and purpose. Grant Schofield, an esteemed researcher and author, reveals that life's true reward lies in choosing the hard path, strong in the knowle
Magnesium - the critical roles it plays in your body and how to ensure you're getting enough:Wisdom Wednesdays
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People Who Get Under Your Skin and What To Do About It With Carly Taylor
Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness — the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take action under pressure. Her work integrates modern psychology with Eastern and Stoic approaches focusing on helping people live meaningful lives without needing to control their thoughts or emotions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From Physio to Formula One: Kim Keedle’s Elite Performance Journey
In this episode of the Hardiness Podcast, Kim Keedle shares his fascinating journey from a physiotherapist in Melbourne to a performance coach in the high-octane world of Formula One. Kim discusses his passion for working with athletes, which led him to pursue a master's in strength and conditioning. His career took him to the UK, where he worked with Olympic athletes at the University of Leeds, a
Is it true that men and women respond differently to cold water immersion? Wisdom Wednesdays.
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