Sweaty AF Podcast

In this episode of Sweaty AF, I sit down with Nick Bracks, mental health advocate, speaker, coach, actor, author and host of Move Your Mind with Nick Bracks.
Nick opens up about his deeply personal journey with anxiety, compulsive behaviour, depression and alcohol misuse. He shares what it was like growing up in the public eye as the son of the Premier of Victoria and how pressure, perfectionism and the pursuit of identity shaped his early years.
Lucy and Nick explore why mental health conversations have improved dramatically over the last decade, while also discussing why so many people are still struggling beneath the surface. They talk about the pressures of modern life, social media comparison, chronic stress, poor sleep and the growing impact of overwhelm in today’s world.
Nick explains why exercise became the foundation of his recovery and how small, consistent habits can create real long term change. He also shares the tools that helped him rebuild confidence and manage anxiety, including meditation, journaling, movement, breath work and connection with trusted people.
The conversation also dives into alcohol and mental health, the rise of anxiety in younger generations, emotional resilience, mindset, and why prevention matters just as much as treatment.
This episode covers:
Exercise and movement for mental health
Anxiety, overthinking and chronic stress
Male mental health and emotional shame
Social media and comparison culture
Alcohol, binge drinking and “hangxiety”
Meditation, journaling and daily routines
Public speaking anxiety and building confidence
Creating healthier habits that actually stick
Why connection and community matter
How to recognise when someone may be struggling
The importance of preventative mental health care
Instagram: @nickbracks
Website: www.nickbracks.com
For more conversations like this, follow Sweaty AF Podcast on all podcast platforms or over on Instagram at @sweatyafpodcast.
Connect with Nick Bracks

In this episode, I’m joined by Carrie Bennett, a clinical nutritionist and educator in quantum biology, for a powerful conversation on how the most overlooked elements of our environment light, water, and our connection to the earth are fundamentally shaping our health.
Carrie shares her journey from molecular biology into a more holistic, root cause approach to wellness, and explains why so many people, especially in midlife, feel out of sync, exhausted, and hormonally imbalanced. At the core of this conversation is circadian health, the idea that our bodies are designed to operate in rhythm with natural light and darkness. As Carrie explains, “our body is in sync with the daytime and darkness,” and when that rhythm is disrupted, it can impact everything from energy and sleep to digestion and hormones.
We dive deep into the science of light, not just as something that helps us see, but as a powerful source of biological information. “Light is information, not just support for vision,” and the timing, intensity, and type of light we’re exposed to throughout the day directly affects our cortisol levels, melatonin production, and mitochondrial function. Carrie breaks down why that morning surge of cortisol is actually essential, boosting energy, metabolism, and digestion when it’s aligned properly with natural sunlight.
We also explore practical ways to optimise light exposure in a modern world, from getting natural morning light into your eyes, to understanding when and how to use blue light blockers, and how shift workers or frequent travellers can better support their circadian rhythm. Carrie shares simple but powerful strategies that can make a noticeable difference in how you feel day to day.
Hydration is another key theme, but not in the way you might expect. Carrie explains that true hydration goes far beyond just drinking water and is about how water interacts with your cells and supports mitochondrial health, which is central to energy production and overall vitality.
We also discuss grounding and earthing, and how reconnecting physically with the earth can help reduce inflammation, regulate the nervous system, and support recovery. For many people navigating stress, burnout, or hormonal changes, these simple, accessible practices can be incredibly impactful.
A big part of this conversation focuses on midlife, particularly perimenopause and menopause, and how circadian disruption can worsen hormonal symptoms. Carrie explains how aligning with natural rhythms can support hormonal balance, improve sleep, and help you feel more stable and energised during this phase of life.
We also touch on sleep, how to optimise melatonin production, manage stress, and improve sleep quality, as well as practical tools for dealing with jet lag and travel.
This episode is a reminder that your body isn’t broken, it may just be out of alignment with the environment it was designed for. And the good news is, many of the most powerful tools to support your health are simple, free, and available to you every day.
You can find Carrie at https://www.carriebwellness.com
Instagram @carriebwellness
Website https://www.carriebwellness.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/carriebwellness/
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@carriebwellness
Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@QuantumConversationsPodcast
For more conversations like this, or to follow along with everything I’m sharing, head to @sweatyafpodcast

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Natalie Crawford, a double board-certified fertility physician and reproductive endocrinologist, to break down what’s really going on when it comes to fertility.
We go beyond the basics and dive into how hormones, inflammation, lifestyle, and environmental factors all influence reproductive health and what you can actually do about it.
This is a powerful, science-backed conversation for any woman navigating midlife, thinking about fertility, or simply wanting to better understand her body.
How hormones regulate ovulation and what can disrupt it.
The hidden role of chronic inflammation in fertility decline.
Why your gut microbiome matters for hormone balance.
Environmental toxins and their impact on reproductive health.
Stress, cortisol, and how they affect your chances of conceiving.
The truth about age, egg quality, and what’s still in your control.
Practical tools for tracking ovulation and optimizing fertility.
A couple-focused approach to fertility, because it’s not just on women.
The rising rates of infertility and why it matters.
Sauna and cold exposure and whether they support or hinder fertility.
“Women have more agency over their health.”
The gut plays a huge role in hormone metabolism.
Chronic inflammation can accelerate damage to egg quality.
Fertility isn’t just about age. Lifestyle factors matter more than most people think.
Find Dr. Natalie at:
Instagram: @nataliecrawfordmd
Website: Natalie Crawford MD
Book: The Fertility Formula.
If you’re looking to take control of your health, understand your body, and optimise your longevity, this episode is for you.
For more health and longevity conversations, follow along at @sweatyafpodcast on Instagram.

Peptides are everywhere right now but what are they really and do they live up to the hype?
In this episode, I’m joined by peptide specialist Dean Henry to break down the science in a way that actually makes sense. From fat loss and hormone balance to brain function, sleep and longevity, we explore how therapeutic peptides work in the body and where people are getting it wrong.
Dean shares his own journey into the world of functional medicine, how peptides differ from traditional pharmaceuticals and why more is not always better when it comes to optimisation.
If you are a midlife woman navigating changing hormones, energy dips or stubborn weight gain, this episode will give you a clearer and more grounded understanding of what peptides can and cannot do.
• What peptides actually are in simple terms
• How peptides act as signalling molecules in the body
• The difference between peptides, hormones and pharmaceuticals
• Why cycling peptides matters and why more is not better
• Peptides for midlife women including hormones, brain fog, sleep and mood
• The truth about GLP-1s including Ozempic and Mounjaro
• Fat loss versus longevity and what to prioritise
• Peptides for inflammation, injury recovery and gut health
• Collagen, skin and anti ageing from the inside out
• The most exciting peptides right now for longevity
• How to start safely and avoid overwhelm
• Peptides do not replace your biology they optimise what is already there
• More is not better cycling and dosing matter
• Many symptoms in midlife link back to stress, inflammation and hormonal shifts
• GLP-1s can be powerful but misuse and overuse come with risks
• The foundation always comes back to sleep, stress and lifestyle
Instagram @dean.e.henry
Follow @sweatyafpodcast on Instagram for weekly episodes, expert insights and midlife biohacking

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Mark Sherwood to explore what it really takes to extend both lifespan and healthspan.
Dr. Sherwood’s journey from elite athlete to law enforcement officer and now a leader in functional medicine has shaped a deeply practical and empowering approach to longevity.
We explore the real drivers of aging, from chronic stress and hormonal imbalance to the overlooked role of mindset, and how modern life is often misaligned with our biology.
This episode is about taking ownership of your health, understanding your body on a deeper level, and recognising that thriving in midlife is not only possible, but expected when you have the right tools.
Why stress mismanagement is one of the biggest accelerators of aging
The truth about hormonal health in both women and men
Why normal lab ranges may not reflect optimal health
The role of peptides in repair, recovery, and longevity
How mindset, belief, and identity influence your biology
The mismatch between modern lifestyles and human physiology
Simple lifestyle shifts that can improve healthspan
This episode reinforces that longevity is not about quick fixes. It is about understanding the systems that drive your body.
Dr. Sherwood explains that hormones should be optimized, not simply within range. Health is something you invest in daily. Your thoughts and beliefs are not abstract, they are biological signals. Small, consistent lifestyle changes can significantly shift your long-term health trajectory.
“Empower people instead of discouraging them”
“Hormonal health is an art, not a script”
“Hormones should be optimized, not just normal”
Website: https://drmarksherwood.com/
https://www.instagram.com/drmarksherwood/
If this episode resonated, share it with a friend who is ready to take their health seriously in midlife.
For more conversations that translate cutting-edge health science into practical, real-life results follow Sweaty AF Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/sweatyafpodcast/

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