The Lift Podcast

In this thought-provoking episode, Simon Matthews and Darren dive into the fascinating world of behavioural change, exploring how community activities—like fishing—can become powerful catalysts for responsible behaviour and social connection.

Through engaging stories and practical examples, they reveal:

☀️How environmental design and infrastructure influence the choices we make

☀️The psychology of nudging people towards better ha...

In this inspiring episode, Darren and Simon explore the powerful link between outdoor activity, social connection, and mental well-being. Through heartfelt personal stories—like Darren's son's upcoming adventure run and the phenomenal success of Coastrek, a charity walk empowering women—they dive deep into how movement, nature, and community work together to support mental health.

🎙️ Topics Covered:

• How physical activity in na...

In this engaging episode, Simon Matthews and Darren dive into the powerful science of savouring—a key concept in positive psychology that can dramatically enhance your mental health, resilience, and overall happiness.

Learn how to:

😎 Harness anticipatory, in-the-moment, and reflective savouring

😎 Be more present and mindful in your daily life

😎 Turn ordinary moments into lasting emotional well-being

😎 Understand the research ...

Is being “book smart” enough? In this episode, Darren and Simon explore the true nature of intelligence—challenging the idea that IQ alone predicts success.

They dive into the science of emotional intelligence (EQ) and explain why it plays a far greater role in personal well-being, professional performance, and relationships. From the famous marshmallow test to everyday life skills like self-awareness, empathy, and delayed gratific...

Back by popular demand! This fan-favourite episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about building better habits and making lasting lifestyle changes.

Join Darren and Simon Matthews as they break down the psychology of motivation, explore the science of behaviour change, and share practical strategies for habit formation that actually work. You’ll learn how your environment, social circles, and core values all shape the choice...

Why do we sometimes feel a surge of energy just when we’re ready to give up?

In this episode, Darren and Simon unpack the concept of the second wind—the physical and psychological boost that helps us push through fatigue, whether in endurance sports or everyday life. They share personal experiences, explore the science behind energy depletion and recovery, and discuss how resilience and mindset impact our ability to bounce back.

Yo...

🤔 What makes an idea truly powerful? In this thought-provoking episode, Simon Matthews and Darren Morton delve into the origins of big ideas, their path to gaining traction, and why some transform the world while others fade away.

From positive psychology and mental wellbeing to the groundbreaking rise of lifestyle medicine, this conversation unpacks:

💡 How innovation shapes our lives and health

💡 The science behind idea diffu...

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...