Our Instagram feeds are filled with the top percentile of athletes, models and fitness gurus. This constant bombardment can lead some down the dark path of disordered eating and unnecessary self-flagellation. That being said, there is a healthy balance we need to strike that pushes us to eat healthier and is grounded in true self-confidence. My guest today is Marcus from Strong Not Starving he's a body image and stress management coach with a background in fitness and disordered eating. Marcus and I delve into a wide array of topics including:

If Commenting On Someone Elses Body is ever OK?

Marcus' Journey with Body Image and Fitness

The Impact of Body Composition Tests

Internal vs. External Validation

The Impact of Compliments on Individuals with Body Image Issues

The Importance Down-Regulating Emotions

Managing Intrusive Thoughts, OCD and Catastrophizing

Marcus's - & my - Experience as a Musician

The Challenges of Touring and Managing Stage Fright

Managing Ego in the Music Industry

AND

Overcoming Binge Eating through Emotional Regulation

I hope you enjoy my conversation WITH Marcus.

Chapters

Timestamp Chapter Name

00:00:00 Introduction to Body Image and Nutrition Struggles

00:01:22 Marcus' Journey with Body Image and Fitness

00:02:24 Competitive Sports and Body Image Pressure

00:03:52 The Role of Rowing in Body Composition Challenges

00:05:46 Obsessive Compulsive Behavior and Eating Disorders

00:07:00 Dietary Restriction and Body Composition Goals

00:10:01 Fitness Models vs. Athletes: Unrealistic Expectations

00:13:06 Transition to Performance-Based Fitness

00:16:09 Struggles with Body Fat and Diet Balance

00:17:27 Managing Body Image Pressure in the Fitness Space

00:19:16 Validation: Internal vs. External in Body Confidence

00:23:18 Accepting Compliments: The Psychological Impact

00:26:46 Resilience and Responding to Comments About Body Image

00:31:19 Letting Go of Harmful Fitness Expectations

00:33:07 Overtraining and the Importance of Recovery

00:37:50 The Skill of Regulating Emotions and Performance

00:44:03 Tools for Down-Regulating for OCD

00:47:02 Life as a Musician and Managing Stage Fright

00:56:17 Sober Touring and the Challenges of Professional Music

01:12:00 Emotional Challenges of Leaving a Band

01:24:21 Starting Over: From Touring to Fitness Coaching

01:25:02 Launching a Podcast on Body Image and Mental Health

01:32:30 Marcus' Coaching Practice for Eating Disorders

01:37:30 Marcus' Advice To Me As a Podcaster

01:43:10 Marcus' Future Plans

***LINKS***

Marcus’ Website

https://bit.ly/4enyXsj

MY STUFF:

Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links):

https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv

Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason):

https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

Keywords

music, fitness, body image, eating disorders, touring, validation, social media, mental health, emotional management, identity, identity, self-worth, body image, compliments, emotional regulation, binge eating, self-discovery, authenticity, podcasting, coaching

Hashtags

#eatingdisorders #mentalhealth #bodyimage

#podcast #awakenoutofcontext

What if the very challenge you face is what’s showing you the way to your best self? True resilience is the art of using the adversity you face as your guiding light, even in the face of a life-altering injury like losing a limb, how you rise to the challenge of turning hardship into opportunity will ultimately define you. My guest today is Ricky Banner. He's a British army veteran turned Hyrox athlete who lost his leg while serving in Afghanistan. He also works with young people in behaviour and safeguarding and is the founder of Discomfort Zone. Ricky and I delve into a wide array of topics, including: How he lost his leg in Afghanistan Ricky's first season in Hyrox Ricky’s First Impression Of Me At Hyrox Manchester The Decision To Amputate Balancing Masculinity & Vulnerability As A Father/Grandfather What Ricky's training looks like Advice for new amputees What exactly is the Discomfort Zone? Ricky's work with men and mental health How he used his amputation as an opportunity What Are The 'Five Ways To Wellbeing' AND The importance of Emotional Resilience and physical challenge I hope you enjoy my conversation with Ricky Banner. Chapters 00:00:00 Ricky’s Off-Season Training and Preparation 00:06:51 Highlights from Last Hyrox Season 00:15:15 Ricky’s First Impression Of Me At Hyrox Manchester (Wim Hof Breathing) 00:24:00 Goal Setting & Mental Health Journey 00:34:20 Wounded In Afghanistan 00:40:00 The Decision To Amputate + Internal Experience 00:44:00 Why Ricky Wouldn’t Change A Thing 00:49:21 Discomfort Zone Retreats and Men’s Mental Health 01:05:00 The Five Ways To Wellbeing 01:10:00 The Importance Of Being Present 01:11:30 Running Topless 01:17:00 Balancing Masculinity & Vulnerability As A Father/Grandfather 01:30:15 Using His Disability As A Platform 01:31:48 Advice For New Amputees 01:35:50 Final Thoughts & Where To Find Ricky ***LINKS*** Ricky’s Instagram https://bit.ly/3zupv7y Discomfort Zone https://bit.ly/4de0A5R MY STUFF: Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links): https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason): https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj Keywords resilience, mental health, amputee, Hyrox, adversity, training, masculinity, discomfort zone, personal growth, veterans Hashtags #hyrox #amputee #veteran #podcast #awakenoutofcontext

Most men will admit they don't fully understand women, and for those struggling to find a partner, this lack of understanding often leads to behaviours like seeking validation, second-guessing, and people-pleasing. Today's guest would attribute these symptoms to 'Nice Guy Syndrome'. If this sounds like you, or somebody you care about I'd recommend sticking around for today's episode.

My guest today is Dr Robert Glover, he's the author of the bestselling book 'No More Mr Nice Guy', which has sold over one-million copies worldwide. He's also a licensed therapist, coach, speaker & educator. Robert and I dig into a range of topics including:

How to diagnose a nice guy

How being a nice guy affects relationships

How to recover from "Nice Guy Syndrome" and establish healthy boundaries.

Why trying to please women often backfires for men.

The differences between stated and revealed sexual turn-ons

How masculinity and femininity influence relationship dynamics.

Why women are often drawn to "bad boys" over "nice guys."

How to understand women better

Why modern dating can be challenging due to evolving gender roles.

Why having children isn’t necessarily the be-all and end-all

Please note that Dr Robert’s audience is primarily straight men such as myself and you may not agree with everything he has to say, but I encourage you to keep an open mind and take from it what you can.

I hope you enjoy the conversation.

Keywords

Nice Guy Syndrome, relationships, masculinity, femininity, modern dating, emotional intelligence, self-improvement, parenting, dating advice, personal growth

Hashtags

#nomoremrniceguy #drrobertglover #datingadviceformen

#podcast #awakenoutofcontext

***LINKS***

Dr Glover’s Website

https://bit.ly/4grGOGM

Integration Nation - Dr Glover’s Men’s Coaching

https://bit.ly/4eqEWwl

MY STUFF:

Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links):

https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv

Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason):

https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

If you’ve ever noticed mould or dampness in your home, particularly in areas where you or your family members sleep then I’d highly recommend that you listen to today’s episode.

My guest today is Martin Mattson, he’s a biohacker with an extraordinary story on how exposure to mould affected - not just his health - but that of his family members and even his dog. Alongside this we also dig intro a wide range of topics, including:

What happens if you’re exposed to mould

If high LDL and APOEb cholesterol is bad for you

Martin's view on Statins

biohacking tools for better health

How to reduce toxins in daily life

How to test & remove mould in your home

How to recover from mould exposure

The best way to track health metrics

How to fix fatigue and brain fog

Supplementation and liver values

How to heal your gut

What are detox fats and why they are important

the benefits of activated charcoal

Saturated fat and detoxification

AND

Whether or not you should you stop taking creatine

–

Disclaimer: Many of the views discussed in this podcast do not align with the mainstream healthcare narrative, this is an alternative viewpoint and therefore implementing any of the approaches outlined in the conversation, you do so at your own risk. Please always consult your medical health provider.

Unfortunately due to a technical error, this episode cuts off the last 20 minutes of our conversation, but there is still plenty in here for you to dig into. Please also check out Martin’s Instagram and Website via the show notes.

–

Chapters

00:01:48 What is biohacking?

00:02:51 Tools of Biohacking: Red Lights, Blue Lights, and Gadgets

00:03:55 Battling Toxins in Modern Society: How Biohacking Can Help

00:05:37 How biohacking helped Martin with allergies

00:06:44 Discovering mould and Its Impact on Health

00:08:38 The Hidden Dangers of mould in Your Home

00:09:28 What happens if you’re exposed to mould

00:12:03 Martin's experience with long-term effects of mould exposure

00:14:33 Recovering from mould exposure

00:15:58 Understanding mould and Brain Fog

00:17:46 How do you test for mould in your home?

00:20:33 Activated charcoal for detoxing

00:21:51 How do mould toxins affect gut health?

00:23:58 Testing for mould Toxins

00:27:33 How do you detox from mould toxins?

00:31:13 What’s the best way to track health metrics?

00:33:03 How to fix fatigue and brain fog

00:37:06 Magnesium and Vitamin C for Detoxification

00:40:58 What are the best wearables for tracking health?

00:44:00 Liver health

00:46:08 What supplements affect liver values?

00:49:03 How to heal your gut after mould exposure

00:51:38 Longevity and gut health

00:54:28 How to remove mould from your home

00:57:18 How to improve air quality

00:59:58 How to prevent mould in your home

01:03:08 Replacing Fats for Detox

01:06:58 What are the benefits of activated charcoal?

01:09:18 Saturated Fat and Toxins

01:13:53 Is high LDL cholesterol bad?

Keywords

mold exposure, toxins, biohacking, testing, binders, activated charcoal, self-awareness, tracking, health issues, toxins, detoxification, mold exposure, low energy, liver function, gut microbiome, mitochondrial function, LDL cholesterol, saturated fat

Hashtags

#mould #biohacking #apoeb

#podcast #awakenoutofcontext

***LINKS***

Martin's Website

https://bit.ly/4ehHahA

Martin's Instagram

https://bit.ly/4d3wzFD

MY STUFF:

Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links):

https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv

Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason):

https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

The world of Fitness and Longevity is one of the most polarised areas on the internet. Figuring out whether you should be running, cycling, lifting, rowing feels like a Minefield for the vast majority. Luckily for us, my guest today is widely respected in the athletic Community, for his straight up - and at times hilarious - approach.

My guest today is Paddy Maher, he's a UKSCA-qualified strength & conditioning coach, gym owner and former university lecturer with previous roles in both Rugby League - at Barrow raiders and Castleford Tigers - and in Football - at Carlisle Utd.

Paddy and I dig into a wide range of topics including:

The challenge of fuelling to perform vs looking good

Our jointly held prediction on the Future of Exogenous testosterone use

How to lose body fat while maintaining performance

The importance of. Periodization.

The benefits of resistance training for older athletes.

Breathing techniques during performance

The pros and cons of training in an extended fast.

The role of carbohydrates in strength training.

If CrossFit is functional.

The definition of Functional training

Which station Paddy would change in Hyrox.

If you need to do ab exercises to gain abs,

And

If ANY sport in which the men take their tops off can really be taken seriously.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Paddy Maher.

Keywords

strength and conditioning, CrossFit, periodization, training, older athletes, anabolic steroids, balance, fueling for performance, testosterone, testosterone levels, body composition, fueling, competition, natural ways, increase testosterone, sunlight, nutrition, sleep, cutting weight, muscle mass, nasal breathing, individualized approach, heart rate zones, accuracy, carbohydrates, glycogen, strength training, functional training, CrossFit, desert island exercises, core training, shirtless training, vanity

Hashtags

#carbloading #fuellingforperformance #trainingfasted

#podcast #awakenoutofcontext

***LINKS***

Paddy's Website

⁠https://bit.ly/4g55IvP⁠

Paddy's Instagram

⁠https://bit.ly/4g9AXGc⁠

MY STUFF:

Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links):

⁠https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv⁠

Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason):

⁠https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj⁠

The human mind is one of the most untapped resources for athletes and everyday people. Training it can enhance your athletic performance, mental well-being, and effectiveness at work and in relationships. Directing your attention from one task to another is a skill anyone can learn and is the bedrock of self-awareness. Whether you're an elite athlete, an amateur musician, or simply interested in the power of the mind, this episode will benefit you.

My guest today is Kunashni Parikh, she’s a Clinical Psychologist, Sports Psychologist, and Behavioural Neuroscience Research Scholar from the University of British Columbia (UBC), she’s also a former Vice-Captain and Goalkeeper for India U-17 and Vancouver United Football Club in Canada.

Today we discuss:

How meditation can improve sports performance

Why you should train your mind

How to hold a plank for 30 minutes

How to develop an effective pre-performance routine

How to incorporate visualisation into your plan

How to clear psychological blocks which affect your game

How mirror neurons can help you perform better

The misconceptions of sports psychology

How to minimise the post-Hyrox dopamine drop

How to use meditation for motivation

And

Kunashni’s Four Key Protocols for Improved Performance

Please enjoy my conversation with Kunashni Parikh.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:32 The Role of a Sports Psychologist

13:44 Becoming Acutely Aware of the Need for Sports Psychology

18:36 Day-to-Day Work as a Psychologist

26:25 Visualization

29:23 Visualization in the Sauna

29:52 Vulnerability and Masculinity in Sports

32:40 Benefits of Meditation

42:40 The Power of Journaling

53:00 Pre-Performance Routine

01:01:14 Managing Post-Event Dopamine Crashes

Keywords

sports psychology, athletic performance, mental well-being, visualization, performance pressure, motivation, injuries, mental strength training, misconceptions, visualization, meditation, journaling, mirror neurons, empathy, concentration, sustained attention, cognitive behavioral therapy, pre-performance routine, dopamine drop, mental fatigue

Hashtags

#sportspsychology #adviceforathletes #mentaltraining

#podcast #awakenoutofcontext

***LINKS***

Kunashni's Website

https://bit.ly/3T45aMP

Kunashni’s Instagram

https://bit.ly/4dzSkxX

MY STUFF:

Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links):

https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv

Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason):

https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

Ask me anything!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Change of Topic

04:36 Navigating Social Sobriety

06:56 Training Tips for Hyrox

10:23 Sober Role Models

12:50 The Decision to Quit Drinking

15:48 Seeking Meaning in Life

17:45 Embracing the Dualities of Life

19:46 Dealing with Death and Gratitude

23:43 Overcoming Personal Challenges

27:14 Biggest Inspiration

30:09 Biggest Achievement

36:19 Morning Routine

50:02 Hopes for the Podcast

52:21 Why I Stopped Drinking

56:30 Dealing with a Loved One's Alcoholism

#ama #hyrox #sobriety #podcast #awakenoutofcontext

***LINKS***

MY STUFF:

Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links):

https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv

Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason):

https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

Sex is a vital part of human life. But how best do we approach it? Western society sends mixed messages about sexuality. We’re not taught how to understand our relationship to our bodies. This often leads to feelings of shame, avoidance and in extreme cases, toxic and dangerous behaviour. We should all strive to be authentic and ignoring or masking our sexuality can only lead to negative outcomes.

But where should we start? Right here, My guest today is Nadja Lasbeck, she's an intimacy coach, relationship therapist, lecturer & a mother.

Nadja and I discuss:

How to raise children in a sex positive environment

If Butterflies are a prerequisite for chemistry

Why we SHOULDN’T compromise in relationships

The Role of shame in blocking intimacy

The Difference between fantasy and desire?

What the definition of a friendship crush is.

If BJJ is a bit gay

Whether we should keep our socks on or off in bedroom

How to communicate discomfort in the bedroom

The role of culture in shaping sexuality

Masculinity

The difference between sensuality and sexuality

and… Euro Trash

Please enjoy this beautiful exploration of sexuality, with Nadja Lasbeck.

Keywords: sexuality, relationships, intimacy, shame, communication, culture, sex-positive, desire, fantasy, therapy, sexuality, relationships, personal growth, modern relationships, media, self-work, body image, desires, friendship crushes, compromise, non-monogamy

#intimacy #shameandsex #sexpositivehome #podcast #awakenoutofcontext

***LINKS***

NADJA’S STUFF:

Nadja’s Website:

https://bit.ly/46L7hLi

Nadja’s Instagram:

https://bit.ly/3M1vrHO

OTHER STUFF:

Eurotrash:

https://bit.ly/4fIXARi

MY STUFF:

Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links):

https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv

Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason):

https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Challenges

01:31 Nadja's Journey to Becoming a Sex and Couples Therapist

11:02 Cultural Differences in Attitudes Towards Sex

17:48 Exploring Kinks as a Tool for Healing Trauma

27:21 Navigating Discomfort and Setting Boundaries in Intimate Relationships

35:26 Becoming More Secure: Practising and Drilling Behaviours

40:30 Navigating Cultural Expectations and Societal Messages Around Sexuality

44:09 Authenticity and the Complexities of Masculinity

50:26 Exploring Sensuality and Sexiness

56:54 Parenting and Instilling a Healthy Approach to Sexuality

01:11:05 Exploring Masculinity and Jiu-Jitsu

01:14:10 The Role of Physical Touch and Intimacy

01:15:24 Childhood Experiences and Relationship Dynamics

01:22:00 The Influence of Media on Sexuality

01:32:49 Navigating Friendship Crushes

01:39:21 Comfort and Boundaries in the Bedroom

01:40:52 The Pitfalls of Compromise in Relationships

01:45:29 Understanding Non-Monogamy and Communication