The Lift Podcast

Why Sleep Might Be the Most Important Habit of All

In this episode, Simon and Darren explore the powerful connection between sleep, learning, and behaviour change.

They explain how sleep—especially deep sleep and REM sleep—plays a vital role in memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and your ability to create and maintain healthy habits.

If you’ve ever struggled to stick to a new routine or wondered why change feels so hard, t...

In this episode, Darren and Simon unpack the real reasons behind the chronic illness epidemic and explore what we can actually do to feel better.

They break down the science in a simple, relatable way—covering key concepts like metaflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the role of chronic low-grade inflammation in modern disease. You’ll also hear why traditional healthcare is shifting toward lifestyle medicine and personalised...

🎙️ Can Lifestyle Medicine Change Your Health?

In this episode, Darren and Simon dive into the power of lifestyle medicine and its role in preventing and even reversing chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. They break down groundbreaking studies, including Dean Ornish’s research on heart disease reversal and the Diabetes Prevention Program’s proof that lifestyle changes work.

Beyond the science, they discuss the...

Do you ever find yourself stuck in a loop of "What if?" and "I should have…"? Regret is a universal emotion, but what if you could make choices with more confidence and less second-guessing? 🤔

In this episode, Simon and Darren unpack the psychology of regret and decision-making, particularly in healthcare and lifestyle medicine. They explore:

🔹 The three types of regret (Outcome, Process, and Option Regret) 🔹 How decision fatigu...

Life is full of challenges—loss, setbacks, and unexpected hurdles can shake us to the core. But what if the way we respond to adversity could transform our resilience and well-being? In this inspiring conversation, Simon Matthews and Darren dive into the science of lifestyle medicine and positive psychology, sharing personal stories of overcoming hardship through simple but powerful practices like gratitude, hope, movement, and soc...

In this insightful conversation, Simon Matthews and Darren dive deep into the concept of mental toughness and grit, breaking down what these traits really mean and how they shape personal growth and success. They explore the nature vs. nurture debate, examining how both genetic and environmental factors contribute to building mental resilience.

Discover why mental toughness is essential for overcoming life's toughest challenges, ...

In this episode, Darren and Simon dive into the power of self-reflection, habit formation, and the surprising role of life transitions in shaping behavior. They explore the habit discontinuity hypothesis—the idea that disruptions like moving house create unique opportunities for lasting change. Through personal stories and research-backed insights, they reveal how intentionality, curiosity, and emotional awareness can turn life’s u...

Join Darren and Simon for a thought-provoking conversation that dives into the surprising ways game theory shapes our everyday lives. Through the lens of the classic Prisoner’s Dilemma, they explore the delicate dance between cooperation and competition, revealing why kindness is a powerful opening move—but only when balanced with healthy boundaries. Learn why forgiveness is more than just a virtue and discover how our mindsets—sca...

In this lively chat, Simon Matthews and Darren take a closer look at the Body Mass Index (BMI)—a number we all know but may not fully understand. They dig into the surprising history of BMI, why it’s not always a great fit for everyone, and how it can even mess with our minds! Then, they shift gears to the Body Roundness Index (BRI), a fresh alternative that considers body shape and waist size instead of just weight. Along the way,...

In this engaging conversation, Darren and Simon explore the intriguing connections between altitude, carbon dioxide levels, and obesity, considering how environmental factors influence appetite and weight. The discussion dives into how there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to health, highlighting the many pieces that come together in lifestyle medicine. Plus, it’s packed with practical tips listeners can use to boost their wellbein...

In this conversation, Darren and Simon Matthews delve into the complexities of behaviour change, discussing various theories, principles, and practical applications in lifestyle medicine. They explore the significance of motivation, the interaction between individuals and their environments, and the role of self-efficacy and goal-setting in facilitating lasting change. The discussion also highlights the importance of social connect...

In this conversation, Darren and Simon explore the concept of quality of life, discussing how it is often misinterpreted as being directly linked to material possessions and income. They share personal anecdotes, research findings, and cultural observations to illustrate that true happiness and quality of life stem from emotional well-being, meaningful experiences, and simplicity rather than the accumulation of wealth or status. Th...

In this conversation, Simon and Darren discuss the topic of gratitude. They share what they are grateful for and explore the benefits of practising gratitude. They also discuss the idea of being too grateful and the importance of balancing gratitude with acknowledging and addressing challenges. They provide tips for cultivating gratitude, including daily practices and deeper dives into gratitude. They also highlight the power of th...

The conversation revolves around two popular activities: Padel and Parkrun. Padel is a racket sport similar to tennis and pickleball, played on a smaller court with walls. It is popular in Spain and has a strong social aspect, with easy access to courts and the ability to join games through a smartphone app. Parkrun is a global phenomenon that organizes free, timed 5k runs in local parks. It promotes physical activity, social conne...

Join us for a fascinating chat about the incredible power of belief and expectation on our bodies and minds! We'll dive into the surprising world of the placebo effect and how it works wonders in various therapies. You'll hear about the magic that happens when a strong bond forms between a practitioner and a patient, boosting the healing process. We'll also touch on the flip side with the nocebo effect, showing how negative thought...

This podcast revolves around the topics of exercise and activity. Discover inspiring stories, the importance of mindset in exercise and the benefits of being active throughout the day. They differentiate between exercise and activity and discuss the recommended duration and intensity for cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and flexibility training. They highlight the benefits of each type of exercise and the importance of i...

On this episode, Darren and Simon explore the power of storytelling and the impact it has on our lives. They look into the importance of relatable stories and the role they play in inspiring and motivating us. The discussion also touches on the significance of hearing and understanding the stories of others, particularly in healthcare settings.

Got questions? We'd love to hear from you: podcast@theliftproject.global

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In this conversation, Simon Matthews and Darren Morton discuss the concept of failure and how to respond to it. They share personal experiences of failure and how they have learned from them. They explore the importance of self-esteem and how it affects our response to failure. They also discuss the idea of perseverance and when it may be necessary to pull the pin and move on. Overall, the conversation highlights the value of failu...