The Positive Habits Podcast

What happens when life forces you to stop?

In this episode of the Positive Habits Podcast, Kat is joined by wellness industry expert Clair Davidson, who shares the extraordinary story of being unexpectedly diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer and the mindset that helped her navigate treatment and come out the other side with a very different perspective on life.

Clair had spent more than 30 years working in the wellness, spa and hospitality industry. But like so many of us, while she was busy looking after, supporting and helping other people, her own health often came further down the list.

After going to hospital with pain she initially thought could be appendicitis, doctors discovered a large mass on her ovary. Clair was later diagnosed with stage 3b ovarian cancer and went on to complete 18 rounds of chemotherapy.

Rather than focusing only on what she couldn't control, Clair made a conscious decision to focus on what she could.
She used breathwork, movement, music, humour and the support of an incredible community around her to help her through treatment - even reframing her chemotherapy sessions as her own "spa therapy treatments."

Kat and Clair talk openly about the role mindset played in Clair's personal experience, while recognising that everyone's experience of cancer and serious illness is different.
But this conversation goes far beyond cancer.

It's about how easy it is to ignore the signals our bodies are giving us. To say I'll deal with it tomorrow. To look after everyone else before ourselves. And to wait until something happens before we finally make our own health a priority.

In this episode, Kat and Clair discuss:
Why she chose to focus on what she could control
The role of mindset, breathwork, music and movement during her treatment
How a 60-person WhatsApp group helped her feel supported throughout her journey
Why community matters during difficult times
The danger of constantly putting your own health to one side
Why people working in wellness can still struggle to prioritise their own wellbeing
How demanding jobs, travel and shift patterns can make healthy habits difficult to maintain
Learning to listen to your body before it forces you to stop

We shouldn't have to wait until we lose our health to start valuing it.
A gentle note: This episode includes discussion of ovarian cancer, chemotherapy and women's health. Clair is sharing her personal experience rather than medical advice. If you're worried about symptoms or changes in your body, please speak to an appropriate healthcare professional.

About Guest

Clair Davidson is a Global Strategic Business Consultant who helps brands, luxury hospitality, hotel groups, owners, spa and wellness businesses unlock opportunities, accelerate growth and build meaningful partnerships through commercial strategy, business development and genuine human connection.

Connect with Clair https://www.linkedin.com/in/clair-davidson-92760313/
Macmillian https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/worried-about-cancer

About Kat, Human Performance Expert

I help organisations build future-ready, high-performing teams equipped with the skills, habits and behaviours to perform in a rapidly changing world.
www.katthorne.com

Cold Water Isn't the Transformation. It's the Teacher.
In this solo episode, Kat explores why deliberately choosing discomfort can change the way you respond to every challenge life throws at you.

Using the science behind cold water exposure, she explains how stepping into discomfort teaches your brain that difficult doesn't always mean dangerous.

Whether it's a cold plunge, a difficult conversation, starting a business, speaking in public or making a big life decision, the lessons are exactly the same.

This episode isn't really about cold water.
It's about becoming the kind of person who keeps promises to themselves.
In this episode you'll discover:
Why your brain reacts to cold water in the same way it reacts to many everyday challenges.
The difference between discomfort and danger.
How cold exposure trains your nervous system to stay calm under pressure.
What the latest research says about cold water, stress resilience, mood, focus and recovery.
Why confidence is built through evidence, not affirmations.
The surprising reason cold water communities create such strong human connection.
A simple challenge to help you step outside your comfort zone this week.
Key Takeaway
Cold water isn't the magic.
It's simply a practice ground.
Every time you deliberately choose discomfort, you prove to yourself that you're capable of more than your brain initially believes. And every promise you keep to yourself becomes another piece of evidence that builds confidence, resilience and trust.

How many opportunities have you talked yourself out of because of a thought that wasn't actually true?

In this solo episode, Kat reflects on nearly five years since taking the leap to start The Morning GameChanger and reveals the invisible battle that almost stopped her before she even began.

From believing "Who's going to listen to me?" to building an international speaking business and a podcast listened to around the world, Kat shares why your biggest obstacle is rarely your ability - it's the stories you tell yourself.

If you've ever wanted to start a business, launch a passion project, improve your health, or simply make a positive change, this episode will help you recognise the thoughts that may be keeping you stuck - and show you one simple habit that can help you move forward.
In this episode you'll discover:
Why your thoughts are often your biggest barrier - not your circumstances.
The limiting beliefs that almost stopped Kat from starting her business.
How journaling helped separate facts from fear.
Why action creates evidence that challenges self-doubt.
Why "failure" is often just valuable feedback pointing you in the right direction.
A simple question to ask whenever your mind tells you you can't.

You are not your thoughts.

Your thoughts are often stories. When you learn to notice them instead of believing them, you create space to choose a different response, take action, and build the life you truly want. Small actions create evidence. Evidence builds confidence.

We spend so much of our lives taking care of everyone else. Our work. Our families. Our responsibilities.

But when was the last time you truly invested in yourself?

In this 10 minute solo episode, Kat explores why so many of us struggle to prioritise ourselves, where those beliefs come from, and why even just 10 minutes a day can completely change how you show up in every area of your life.

Drawing on her own story of life explosion, four years of speaking to thousands of people across more than 20 countries, and simple real-life examples, Kat challenges the belief that self-care is selfish and shares why it is actually the foundation of sustainable performance.

In this episode you'll discover:

Why so many of us put ourselves last
The childhood conditioning that shapes our daily habits
The question Kat asks every audience around the world
Why your first 10 minutes can shape the next 24 hours
How one small habit creates a ripple effect at work and at home
Why your loved ones often get the worst version of you
Simple ways to start prioritising yourself today

Key takeaway:
When you neglect yourself, everyone pays the price. When you invest in yourself, everyone benefits.
You don't need another hour in your day.
You just need one small positive habit.

If you'd like to learn how one small positive habit can improve performance, resilience and wellbeing for your team, connect with Kat Thorne and learn more about the Positive Habits for Performance programme.

www.katthorne.com

In this episode of The Positive Habits Podcast, Kat sits down with Mike Mudie, founder of Authentic Brew, to explore the extraordinary journey that took him from the brink of burnout to creating the world's first 100% natural functional health drink.

After 15 years in corporate IT, Mike's body completely shut down without warning. Unable to walk, feed himself or even move, he began a life-changing journey that challenged everything he believed about health, recovery, performance and life. What followed was a mission to redefine an industry full of compromise by harnessing the power of Mother Nature to help people reconnect with their natural vitality.

In this episode, we discuss:

Mike's journey from burnout to recovery
Why modern life is disconnecting us from our natural health
Why natural vitality is replacing artificial stimulation
The story behind Authentic Brew and its mission to redefine wellness
The power of small daily rituals for mind, body and soul
Building a purpose-led business, community and movement

Key Takeaways

"Sometimes the body forces us to rest when we refuse to listen."
"Nature often provides the things we've forgotten we need."
"Real vitality isn't created through stimulation. It's achieved by naturally supporting the mind, body and soul as Mother Nature intended."
"The small choices we make every day shape the lives we live tomorrow."

Connect with Mike & Authentic Brew

Discover the world's first 100% natural functional health drink and join thousands of people building healthier daily rituals for mind, body and soul.

Subscribe today to make Authentic Brew part of your daily wellbeing routine and reconnect with your natural vitality. 10% off for all podcast listeners using KAT10 at checkout:
Shop with KAT10

www.authenticbrew.com