The Prescription Strength Podcast

Most people think their eating habits come down to discipline. I don’t think that’s true.
In this Pocket Prescription episode, I talk about one of the biggest things people overlook when they’re struggling with food, weight, or health habits: their environment.
Because whether it’s the food in your cupboards, the people around you, your stress levels, your routine, or simply what’s constantly within arm’s reach, your environment quietly shapes your behaviour all day long.
And if you’re relying on willpower alone while surrounded by things working against you… that’s a very difficult battle to win.
In this episode, I explore:
Why eating habits are rarely just about motivation
The hidden influence of your home and daily surroundings
Why “nothing has changed” often isn’t actually true
How modern environments make overeating incredibly easy
The difference between blame and understanding
Simple ways to make healthier choices feel easier without relying on constant self-control
A short, practical episode about why behaviour makes a lot more sense once you stop viewing it as a personal failing.
The video version of this episode is also available on YouTube.

If your weight is creeping up and you’re convinced nothing has changed—you’re probably right. But that doesn’t mean nothing has changed.
In this Pocket Prescription episode, I break down why weight gain in midlife often feels confusing and unfair. We cover:
Why weight gain tends to happen in seasonal spikes, not a straight line
How muscle loss (and body composition changes) quietly shifts the rules
The reality of busier lives, less movement, and more sitting
Why sleep and recovery matter more than you think
This isn’t about blame or “trying harder.” It’s about understanding what’s actually going on so you can decide what’s worth changing.
No hacks. No shortcuts. Just the basics—done properly.

Losing weight is often seen as the hard part. It isn’t.

In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist Dr Courtney Raspin, co-author of The Weight Loss Prescription, to talk about what actually happens after the weight comes off—and why this is where most people struggle.

We explore the gap between weight loss and weight maintenance, particularly in the context of weight loss injections. Because while these medications can be incredibly effective, they don’t solve the underlying behaviours, habits, and psychological patterns that determine what happens next.

This is the part of the conversation that often gets missed: the “exit plan.”

About the book
The Weight Loss Prescription by Dr Courtney Raspin and Dr Max Pemberton brings together the medical and psychological sides of weight loss—particularly in the context of modern treatments like GLP-1 medications.
It’s not a quick fix guide. It’s a framework for what happens after.

When you know what you “should” do but still can’t make yourself do it, it’s easy to assume you’re the problem.
In this episode, I’m joined by GP and Chimp Management director  Dr Sarah Caddy to break down procrastination and perfectionism using the Chimp Model from Professor Steve Peters.
We explore why capable, intelligent people still get stuck, how perfectionism quietly fuels avoidance, and why motivation is the least reliable part of the process.
This is a practical conversation about what’s actually going on in your brain when you delay, overthink, or wait for the “right time” — and how to start working with it instead of fighting it.
We cover:
why procrastination isn’t laziness

how perfectionism drives inaction

the role of habits, beliefs and self-image

why motivation fades (and what matters more)

making a plan that works on your worst day

how comparison and marketing hijack your thinking

simple ways to get unstuck and take action

Links:
The Chimp Paradox

A Path Through the Jungle

Chimp Management

If you’ve ever thought “I know what to do, I just can’t make myself do it,” this will make uncomfortable amounts of sense.

Patients aren’t just turning up with symptoms anymore — they’re turning up with diagnoses, treatment plans, and a feed full of advice.

In this episode, I’m joined by Deb Cohen — former BMJ investigative journalist and co-author of Bad Influence — to unpack how the internet has reshaped health information, trust, and the doctor–patient relationship.
We talk about the rise of “Dr TikTok,” why algorithms feel like they know you better than you know yourself, and how perfectly reasonable curiosity can turn into confusion, anxiety, and unnecessary interventions.
This isn’t about blaming people for getting it wrong. It’s about understanding the system we’re all now navigating.
Deb’s book:
Bad Influence: How the Internet Has Hijacked Our Health
Available in hardback and audiobook
Time stamps:
00:00 Podcast Welcome
01:21 Debs Journalism Journey
02:22 Pandemic Shift to Social
03:08 Dr TikTok Moment
04:18 Fertility Test Wakeup
05:10 Facebook to TikTok Era
07:40 Algorithms and Trust
12:00 Self Diagnosis Loops
16:25 NHS Distrust and Fixes
19:01 Borrowed Legitimacy
21:26 Stories vs Evidence
23:30 US Model Goes Global
26:09 Influencers Selling Drugs
28:03 Doctor Influencer Ethics
28:45 IV Drips and Red Flags
31:58 Spotting Conflicts and Hype
35:57 Tech Bro Health Mindset
37:42 Wearables Scans and Cascades
41:51 Private Tests NHS Fallout
43:41 NHS Gaps and Private Clinics
46:44 AI Regulation and Hope
49:51 Using the Internet Wisely
51:20 Book Wrap Up and Thanks