The Positive Habits Podcast

What happens when you walk away from the career everyone expects you to take?

In this episode of The Positive Habits Podcast, Kat sits down with Stu Mac, founder of ManiLife Peanut Butter, to explore the story behind building one of the UK's most loved food brands - from a bedroom full of peanuts to scaling a purpose-led business.

But this conversation goes far beyond peanut butter.
Kat and Stu explore how habits shape performance, the hidden impact of food on energy and focus, why connection matters more than constant productivity, and how success often comes from simply "keeping on going."

They discuss:

How ManiLife started after Stu rejected a corporate accounting path
The manufacturing disaster that nearly stopped the business before it began
Why "luck" often follows consistency and persistence
The importance of connection and getting out from behind the to-do list
Food, ultra-processed products and modern wellbeing challenges
Why food influences focus, mood, energy and productivity
The role habits play in mental and physical performance
Why tiny changes create momentum
Building businesses around passion rather than obligation
The power of movement, phone habits and small daily decisions

Plus…
🥜 Stu shares his favourite ways to eat peanut butter (including one combination you probably won't expect).

If you've ever felt overwhelmed, stuck in autopilot, or wondered how small habits create big change - this episode is for you.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Stu is the Founder of ManiLife, the UK's fastest growing Peanut Butter Brand from a Rugby Club Kitchen in 2015 when a tonne of Peanuts got diverted from his 'would be' production partner (they pulled out last minute) to his bedroom. Since then ManiLIfe has grown into a multi million pound brand, selling through 1,000s of shops worldwide. They produce everything, to a bespoke process from their very own 16,000 square foot UK ManiFactory .

ABOUT THE HOST

Kat started her career as a teacher, before moving into Tech where she worked in different executive roles within teaching and consulting working across the globe, both in the public and private sector. Despite appearing 'successful' on the outside, she paid a heavy ‘life’ price. In 2016, her whole world collapsed.
The reason? The compound effect of years of unhealthy and toxic habits that destroyed her health, relationship, and career.

She rebuilt herself by changing just one small habit and built a series of positive habits which has transformed her professional and personal performance, resulting in becoming the healthiest and happiest version of herself.
She is a positive habits international keynote speaker and teacher, giving talks and delivering high impact programmes to organisations across the globe.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katthorne 
https://www.instagram.com/the_morning_gamechanger
Follow Kat Thorne:
Instagram & LinkedIn: @katthorne

In this emotional and deeply honest episode of The Positive Habits Podcast, Kat talks with good friend Holly Meyers to talk life after divorce, rebuilding yourself, pushing through fear, and the power of community.

After ending a 15-year relationship and navigating the reality of starting over at nearly 40, Holly shares how stepping outside her comfort zone completely transformed her life -from joining Women Who PLNGE to sharing her story publicly online.

Together, Kat and Holly explore:

Why vulnerability feels so uncomfortable
The fear of starting again after a long-term relationship
How community and connection can pull us through dark times
Why routines and “anchors” matter during difficult seasons
The pressure society puts on relationships and milestones
Learning to rediscover yourself after heartbreak
The healing power of cold water, shared challenge, and human connection
Why growth only happens outside your comfort zone

This episode is a reminder that life can change in an instant.

If you’re feeling stuck, lonely, overwhelmed, or afraid to make a change, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone.

Sometimes the smallest step outside your comfort zone can completely change your life.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Holly Meyers, Instagram: @agirlstartingover

ABOUT THE HOST

Kat started her career as a teacher, before moving into Tech where she worked in different executive roles within teaching and consulting working across the globe, both in the public and private sector. Despite appearing 'successful' on the outside, she paid a heavy ‘life’ price. In 2016, her whole world collapsed.

The reason? The compound effect of years of unhealthy and toxic habits that destroyed her health, relationship, and career.

She rebuilt herself by changing just one small habit and built a series of positive habits which has transformed her professional and personal performance, resulting in becoming the healthiest and happiest version of herself.
She is a positive habits international keynote speaker and teacher, giving talks and delivering high impact programmes to organisations across the globe.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katthorne 
https://www.instagram.com/the_morning_gamechanger

Follow Kat Thorne:
Instagram & LinkedIn: @katthorne

In this emotional and deeply honest episode of The Positive Habits Podcast, Kat talks with good friend Holly Meyers to talk life after divorce, rebuilding yourself, pushing through fear, and the power of community.

After ending a 15-year relationship and navigating the reality of starting over at nearly 40, Holly shares how stepping outside her comfort zone completely transformed her life -from joining Women Who PLNGE to sharing her story publicly online.

Together, Kat and Holly explore:

Why vulnerability feels so uncomfortable
The fear of starting again after a long-term relationship
How community and connection can pull us through dark times
Why routines and “anchors” matter during difficult seasons
The pressure society puts on relationships and milestones
Learning to rediscover yourself after heartbreak
The healing power of cold water, shared challenge, and human connection
Why growth only happens outside your comfort zone

This episode is a reminder that life can change in an instant.

If you’re feeling stuck, lonely, overwhelmed, or afraid to make a change, this conversation will remind you that you are not alone.

Sometimes the smallest step outside your comfort zone can completely change your life.

ABOUT THE GUEST

Holly Meyers, Instagram: @agirlstartingover

ABOUT THE HOST

Kat started her career as a teacher, before moving into Tech where she worked in different executive roles within teaching and consulting working across the globe, both in the public and private sector. Despite appearing 'successful' on the outside, she paid a heavy ‘life’ price. In 2016, her whole world collapsed.

The reason? The compound effect of years of unhealthy and toxic habits that destroyed her health, relationship, and career.

She rebuilt herself by changing just one small habit and built a series of positive habits which has transformed her professional and personal performance, resulting in becoming the healthiest and happiest version of herself.
She is a positive habits international keynote speaker and teacher, giving talks and delivering high impact programmes to organisations across the globe.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katthorne 
https://www.instagram.com/the_morning_gamechanger

Follow Kat Thorne:
Instagram & LinkedIn: @katthorne

In this honest and reflective solo episode, Kat Thorne talks about fear, doubt, anxiety and the invisible beliefs that stop so many of us from building the life we truly want.
From relationships and career changes to confidence, identity and starting something new - Kat shares why fear often feels so convincing, and why pushing through it can completely change your life.

This episode explores:

Why many of us are living according to other people’s expectations
The hidden limiting beliefs that shape our decisions
The power of asking: “What’s the best that could happen?”
Why growth often begins in uncomfortable moments
How courage is built through small actions
What the Women Who PLNGE community has taught Kat about bravery, connection and transformation
Why life is made up of chapters and you’re allowed to change

If you’ve been holding yourself back, questioning your next step, or feeling trapped between fear and possibility - this episode is your reminder that you only get one life.

And maybe the better question isn’t:
“What’s the worst that could happen?”

Maybe it’s:
“What’s the best that could happen?”

🎧 The Positive Habits Podcast is available weekly on all major podcast platforms.

If you’re going through a difficult time right now, this episode is for you.

In this honest and grounding solo episode, Kat shares a powerful realisation from her own recent challenges: when life feels overwhelming, it’s about coming back to the basics.

We often search for big solutions to complex problems. But the truth? The foundations of being human - sleep, movement, fuel, and mindset - are what help us navigate the hardest moments.

This episode is your reminder that you don’t need to fix everything today. You just need to take control of what you can control.

When life feels out of control, focus on what you can control: your habits, energy, and time
We often turn to short-term coping mechanisms (like alcohol), but they can make things harder long-term
The “101 of being human” is what keeps you grounded during tough times
You don’t need to solve the whole problem - just stabilise yourself first
Small, consistent habits create structure, clarity, and resilience

ABOUT THE HOST

Kat started her career as a teacher, before moving into Tech where she worked in different executive roles within teaching and consulting working across the globe, both in the public and private sector. Despite appearing 'successful' on the outside, she paid a heavy ‘life’ price. In 2016, her whole world collapsed.

The reason? The compound effect of years of unhealthy and toxic habits that destroyed her health, relationship, and career.

She rebuilt herself by changing just one small habit and built a series of positive habits which has transformed her professional and personal performance, resulting in becoming the healthiest and happiest version of herself.
She is a positive habits international keynote speaker and teacher, giving talks and delivering high impact programmes to organisations across the globe.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katthorne 
https://www.instagram.com/the_morning_gamechanger