Optimum Nutrition

“I was told it was like being chased by a tiger all day” – TV presenter Julia Bradbury on health hacks and happiness

We're back for season four!Julia Bradbury is a renowned British television presenter, journalist and environmental advocate, best known for her work on nature documentaries like Countryfile and Britain’s Best Walks. In this enlightening and inspiring conversation, she shares her health journey with Natalie Li, Communications Officer at ION. She discusses the importance of nutrition, stress management, and the healing power of nature. Her new book, Hack Yourself Healthy, explores biohacking and preventative health measures, advocating for a holistic approach to wellness that integrates emotional health and nature therapy. (Cover image credit: David Venni)Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Julia Bradbury's Journey 02:56 Transition from journalism to nature broadcasting 05:35 Facing Breast Cancer: A Personal Journey 08:34 Nutrition Before and After Diagnosis 11:06 Understanding Stress and Its Impact on Health 14:15 Exploring 'Hack Yourself Healthy' and Its Insights 19:55 Food Choices: A New Approach to Nutrition 43:29 Navigating the Toxicity of social media 43:31 The healing power of Ayurveda 01:04:02 The Therapeutic Benefits of Walking 01:09:14 Integrating Nature Therapy into Healthcare 🔗 LINKS + MENTIONS: https://juliabradbury.com/ Julia Bradbury’s new book Hack Your Healthy is out now 🔖Clare Pooley, author of the Sober Diaries, and featured in Hack Yourself Healthy. www.clarepooley.com 🔖Anna Mathur is a psychotherapist, author and speaker.   www.annamathur.com 🔖Dr. Kara Fitzgerald is actively engaged in clinical research on epigenetics and longevity using a diet and lifestyle intervention developed in her research and practice. www.drkarafitzgerald.com🔖 Two hours a week is key dose of nature for health and wellbeing – a study led by Dr Mat White, of the University of Exeter Medical School. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-3 https://news-archive.exeter.ac.uk/featurednews/title_720059_en.html#:~:text=Research%20led%20by%20the%20University,all%20during%20an%20average%20week. 🔖Hum2n, biohacking lab in London  https://www.hum2n.com/ 📌The NMI Summit 2025 is the biggest and most important event of its kind for Nutritional Therapy. It takes place on 3-4 October in London.  This year’s theme: The Path to Resilience: Personalised Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine for Psychiatric Disorders and Mental Health Visit www.NMI.health to learn more.  Use the code ION20% for a special 20% off for ION Podcast listeners. If you enjoyed this episode, follow us on social media @ion_nutrition, sign up to our monthly newsletter and why not leave us a comment below. Interested in learning about nutritional therapy?Visit www.ion.ac.uk to find out more. Views expressed by guests are not those of ION, nor does ION endorse any third party products mentioned. Recorded on Riverside. See for more https://riverside.com/privacy-policy information.

Revolutionising kids' food with Hannah Dolan

Hannah Dolan is a dynamic food innovator with a passion for creating nutritious, trend-setting meals. As Head of Food at Nursery Kitchen, she’s revolutionising children's nutrition, ensuring young minds grow with wholesome, delicious food. Previously, at Potage, she streamlined operations and elevated product quality, driving higher customer satisfaction.Her six-year tenure at Pret A Manger saw her rise to Head of Global Food Innovation, where she spearheaded bestselling product launches, expanded Veggie Pret and introduced Pret's first vegan bakery range, boosting sales by 60%. She also laid the groundwork for Pret’s consumer packaged goods and evening menu expansion.Earlier in her career, Hannah honed her skills as a food developer at Bakkavor, and Abergavenny Fine Foods, leading major NPD projects across UK retailers. In this conversation she talks to journalist, Hatty Willmoth, about:Innovation in children’s food.Educating children on food, flavours and textures.Calling on government and early years to set stronger nutrition standards and overcome barriers to great food in the early years.https://nurserykitchen.co.uk/  If you enjoyed this episode, follow us on social media @ion_nutrition, sign up to our monthly newsletter and why not leave us a comment below. Interested in learning about nutritional therapy?Visit www.ion.ac.uk to find out more. Views expressed by guests are not those of ION, nor does ION endorse any third party products mentioned. Recorded on Riverside. See for more https://riverside.com/privacy-policy information.

Transforming lives through nutrition with Kate Cook

In our latest episode we chat to Kate Cook, a trailblazer in health and nutrition, with over 20 years of expertise transforming lives and workplaces. As a nutrition and wellness expert, author and keynote speaker, Kate has worked with more than 7,000 clients, including corporate giants like JP Morgan and Pret a Manger, to create healthier, happier teams.Her journey began in her late twenties, leaving the art world to pursue nutritional therapy and founding The Nutrition Network to unite practitioners. With a Master’s degree in Anthropology of Food, Kate views nutrition as both science and soul, championing its transformative power.A TEDx speaker and author of seven books, Kate leads a movement proving age is no barrier to wisdom, energy, or impact. Her work continues to redefine wellness in businesses and beyond.In this candid episode she reflects on her career, how to be sensational at 60, and why the personal touch matters more than ever. https://katecook.biz/If you enjoyed this episode, follow us on social media at @ion_nutritionInterested in learning about nutrition yourself? Check out www.ion.ac.uk to find out more.If you enjoyed this episode, follow us on social media @ion_nutrition, sign up to our monthly newsletter and why not leave us a comment below. Interested in learning about nutritional therapy?Visit www.ion.ac.uk to find out more. Views expressed by guests are not those of ION, nor does ION endorse any third party products mentioned. Recorded on Riverside. See for more https://riverside.com/privacy-policy information.

Fuel your run by eating smart with Janie Perry

Welcome to our latest episode where we dive into the world of marathon running and sports nutrition with nutritional therapist Janie Perry. From solicitor to a 20-time marathon runner, Janie transformed her career and life, now dedicating herself to offering holistic and sustainable solutions for weight management and sports nutrition. Janie shares her journey and her mission to help women achieve health, energy, and happiness through nutritional therapy and homeopathy.  Topics we explore include: The vital role of carbohydrates in marathon training and performance. Why women need to be more mindful of low-carb diets. Balancing carbs, protein, and healthy fats during training. https://www.janieperry.co.uk/  If you enjoyed this episode, follow us on social media at @ion_nutritionInterested in learning about nutrition yourself? Check out www.ion.ac.uk to find out more.If you enjoyed this episode, follow us on social media @ion_nutrition, sign up to our monthly newsletter and why not leave us a comment below. Interested in learning about nutritional therapy?Visit www.ion.ac.uk to find out more. Views expressed by guests are not those of ION, nor does ION endorse any third party products mentioned. Recorded on Riverside. See for more https://riverside.com/privacy-policy information.

Obesity and living your best life with Dr Natascha Van Zyl

In this latest episode we delve into the world of obesity with our guest, Dr Natascha (Tasch) Van Zyl, who has dedicated her career to helping individuals living with obesity achieve their best lives. According to Tasch, it’s not just about losing weight or fitting into a smaller frame, but about maximising health outcomes through sustainable lifestyle changes. With a focus on compassion, care, and acceptance, she explores how to support those with health conditions by working within their possibilities and reducing stigma through open, honest conversations. Tune in as we discuss the challenges and triumphs in the journey towards better health and wellbeing. Tasch is a health psychologist and lifestyle medicine specialist who combines her skills in a person-centred and goal-focused approach to support clients in achieving their goals.She is a Senior Teaching Fellow in Health Psychology at the University of Portsmouth. Previously, she headed the Graduate Diploma in Integrative Functional Nutrition, led year six of the Nutritional Practice qualification (BSc), and led the Behaviour Change Module (BSc & Grad Dip) at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition (ION). Tasch writes articles for healthcare publications and academic journals, and hosts her own radio show called Health Naturally.www.drnataschavanzyl.comIf you enjoyed this episode, follow us on social media at @ion_nutritionInterested in learning about nutrition yourself? Check out www.ion.ac.uk to find out more.If you enjoyed this episode, follow us on social media @ion_nutrition, sign up to our monthly newsletter and why not leave us a comment below. Interested in learning about nutritional therapy?Visit www.ion.ac.uk to find out more. Views expressed by guests are not those of ION, nor does ION endorse any third party products mentioned. Recorded on Riverside. See for more https://riverside.com/privacy-policy information.