Stay ConnectedHealth shouldn’t feel this hard.
I’ve lived it, studied it, and now I’m here to help make it make sense.
A smarter, more human way to live well.
Subscribe now, and start living well, for real.
Instagram: @sarahannmacklin
Newsletter: https://substack.com/@sarahannmacklin
Website: sarahannmacklin.com
#LiveWellBeWell
Copyright: © Sarah Ann Macklin
Healing doesn’t come from fixing yourself.
It comes from understanding yourself.
Not just the polished parts but the scared ones, the striving ones, the parts we hide to survive.
This week’s guest, Sarah Jones, is a storyteller, artist, and activist known for her fearless exploration of identity. But this conversation isn’t just about identity in the outer world, it’s about the stories we carry inside, and the compassion it takes to hold them with care.
Raised in a racially and culturally mixed household, Sarah unpacks what it means to belong to many worlds and sometimes feel at home in none. Through humor, vulnerability, and incredible emotional depth, she shares how the practice of Internal Family Systems (IFS) helped her name, understand, and begin to heal her inner landscape.
We explore:
Why perfectionism is often just pain in disguise
What it means to live with “multiple parts” and how to listen to them
The link between emotional safety and self-worth
How addiction, self-abandonment, and survival can mask our basic goodness
And the healing power of play, creativity, and radical curiosity
Sarah reminds us that real self-love isn’t about declarations it’s about attention. Tending to the parts of us that didn’t get to speak, and learning to meet them with kindness.
Love,
Sarah Ann 💛
***
If you enjoyed this episode you might also like:
The FIRST Woman To Follow Bryan Johnson’s $2M Anti-Aging Blueprint | Why Kate Tolo Is Differenthttps://youtu.be/BJC_E_gXYMg?si=xq5ZKk64XjJUH7EW
Your Brain's Biggest Mistake? The No.1 Neuroscientist Says It’s Anxiety Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett
https://youtu.be/Es2i3oLj6Nw?si=Cjgtv3JZncexr_zg
The #1 BETTER HEALTH Technique You Never Knew Existed! Dr Kristin Neff
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKq069w4rjI
***
Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:
Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
***
Highlights:
Intro: Healing Identity Through Compassionate Inquiry (00:00)
Family, Race, and the Shaping of Selfhood (01:03)
Conditional Love and the Roots of Identity Crisis (02:23)
Emotional Intelligence and Parental Conditioning (05:24)
IFS Therapy: Mapping the Inner World (12:07)
Healing Through Parts Work and Self-Compassion (14:08)
Understanding Self-Abandonment and Innate Goodness (28:0)
The Role of Play in Emotional Integration (29:27)
Vulnerability, Reflection, and Inner Safety (31:39)
Addiction as an Expression of Unmet Needs (40:33)
Living Well: Redefining Health and Wholeness (47:56)
***
Let’s be friends!
📷 Instagram: / sarahannmacklin
📹 Subscribe: / @livewellbewellsarah
🐦 Twitter: / sarahannmacklin
📱 TikTok: / sarahannnutrition
💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
If you're overwhelmed by all the health advice out there, this is where you start. I break down the three most powerful habits that have made the biggest difference in my life—and how you can make them stick without burning out. Whether you're just starting or trying to reset, this will help you move forward.
Listen to the full episode here.
Watch the full episode on YouTube here.
***
Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!
VivoBarefoot | 'If you can’t be barefoot, be Vivobarefoot’
For 20% off, use code LWBW20
***
Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:
Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
***
Let’s be friends!
📷 Instagram: / sarahannmacklin
📹 Subscribe: / @livewellbewellsarah
🐦 Twitter: / sarahannmacklin
📱 TikTok: / sarahannnutrition
💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/#WomensWellness #HealthyHabits #SelfCareJourney
We’re not taught how to train for our cycle.
We’re not taught how to eat for our hormones.
We’re not taught how our brains change - through menopause, pregnancy, or even monthly shifts.
But we should be.
This week’s episode is a powerful roundtable of experts who are rewriting the script on women’s health - not with trends, but with evidence, nuance, and real-life wisdom. Because the truth is, we don’t need more restriction or more hustle. We need education. Compassion. And space to evolve.
In this masterclass conversation, I’m joined by some of the world’s leading minds on women’s performance, pelvic health, nutrition, and cognition - including:
Dr. Stacy Sims – exercise physiologist, menopause educator, and voice behind “Women Are Not Small Men”
Kate Tolo – strength and conditioning coach bridging mindset and movement
Dr. Rena Malik – urologist and pelvic health expert breaking taboos with clarity
Drs. Ayesha & Dean Sherzai – neurologists on a mission to end Alzheimer’s and promote brain resilience
We explore:
The biggest misconceptions about protein and training for women
Why Zone 2 cardio and strength work are non-negotiables
The overlooked power of the pelvic floor (and how to protect it)
What women actually need in midlife - from mindset to muscle mass
And how sex, stress, and social roles shape our health more than we think
This isn’t just a masterclass - it’s a myth-busting, life-affirming download that every woman deserves to hear. Whether you’re in your 20s or your 60s, these insights will change the way you think about your body.
Love,
Sarah Ann 💛
***
If you enjoyed this episode you might also like:
How to Prevent Alzheimer’s and Boost Your Brain Health with These PROVEN Foods | The Brain Docs
https://youtu.be/HKEvPm11R3o?si=hlJCm2O9H0iEn_mp
Expert Tips from 5 Leading Doctors and How to Use Food as Medicine: Gut Health Masterclass
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dYuR7cobfk
Dr. Stacy Sims on Perimenopause & How to Manage Symptoms | Fitness and Nutrition for WOMEN
https://youtu.be/hsaGZXiEbNs?si=pz4NuxQNUsWsABla
***
Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:
Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
***
Highlights:
Intro (00:00)
Why Standard Nutrition Guidelines Fail Women (00:48)
Protein Needs for Women: Science vs. Myths (01:44)
Designing the Ideal Plate for Female Physiology (02:35)
How Mindset Shapes Nutritional Metabolism (03:55)
Daily Protein Timing and Carb Balance Explained (05:38)
Zone Two Training: Misapplied Advice for Women? (11:22)
Strength Training Across Women’s Lifespan (17:50)
Adapting Exercise for Perimenopause and Beyond (20:23)
Hormonal Cycles, Cravings, and Graceful Eating (30:39)
What a Healthy Pelvic Floor Looks and Feels Like (32:04)
Pelvic Floor Health and Sexual Wellbeing (32:56)
Kegels, Coordination, and Pelvic Muscle Balance (33:18)
Women's Supplement Guide: What Science Supports (39:50)
Brain Health, Empathy, and Gendered Neurology (52:11)
***
Let’s be friends!
📷 Instagram: / sarahannmacklin
📹 Subscribe: / @livewellbewellsarah
🐦 Twitter: / sarahannmacklin
📱 TikTok: / sarahannnutrition
💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
Most people think longevity is about diets and supplements—but that’s not the real secret. The key to living longer is shaping your environment in ways that make healthy choices effortless. From walkable cities to small changes in your kitchen, this approach has been tested in 70+ cities. If you’re tired of forcing yourself to be healthy, watch this.
Listen to the full episode here.
Watch the full episode on YouTube here.
***
Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!
VivoBarefoot | 'If you can’t be barefoot, be Vivobarefoot’
For 20% off, use code LWBW20
***
Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:
Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
***
Let’s be friends!
📷 Instagram: / sarahannmacklin
📹 Subscribe: / @livewellbewellsarah
🐦 Twitter: / sarahannmacklin
📱 TikTok: / sarahannnutrition
💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
#Longevity #BlueZones #HealthyLiving
There are defining moments that split your life into before and after. Moments when everything you thought you knew gets stripped away, leaving only what truly matters. For Dr. David Fajgenbaum, that moment came not once, but five times, each bringing him closer to death and, paradoxically, teaching him how to live.
This week's episode explores what happens when the system fails you and you refuse to accept failure. When David was diagnosed with Castleman disease at 25, a rare condition where your immune system turns against your own body, traditional medicine reached its limits. But David didn't. Instead of surrendering, he became both patient and researcher, ultimately discovering the treatment that would save not just his life, but potentially thousands of others.
In our conversation, David reveals the mindset shifts that kept him fighting when hope felt impossible, how AI is revolutionizing our approach to drug discovery, and why the cure for your condition might already exist in a pharmacy right now. His story challenges everything we think we know about medicine, healing, and what's possible when you refuse to take no for an answer.
What struck me most about our conversation wasn't just David's survival story, but how he turned personal crisis into a mission that's reshaping medicine. His ability to stay curious even when doctors said there was nothing left to try, and his belief that the answers we need might already exist, just waiting to be discovered. David showed me that breakthrough thinking isn't always about creating something new, but seeing what's already there differently.
About Dr. David Fajgenbaum:
Dr. David Fajgenbaum is a physician-scientist, bestselling author of Chasing My Cure, and co-founder of Every Cure, a nonprofit on a mission to unlock the full potential of every approved drug to treat every disease it possibly can. Recently named to TIME's 100 Health list for 2025, he's revolutionising medical research by repurposing existing drugs to treat rare diseases. His TED Talk has inspired millions, and his nonprofit work continues to unlock life-saving treatments hidden in plain sight.
Connect with Dr. David Fajgenbaum:
Website: https://everycure.org
Instagram: @dfajgenbaum
Facebook: David Fajgenbaum
Twitter: @DavidFajgenbaum
Book: Chasing My Cure – Available on Amazon
Love,
Sarah Ann 💛
***
Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!
VivoBarefoot | 'If you can’t be barefoot, be Vivobarefoot’
For 20% off, use code LWBW20
***
If you enjoyed this episode you might also like:
The Brain-Immune Expert: ALERT! Social Media Is Reprogramming Your Immune System | Prof Nicolau
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zNw6pzv8qk
Sophie Scott on Breaking Free from Anxiety: Practical Strategies That Workhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyyUCN6j4W0
How to Prevent Cognitive Decline: Neurologists Share 6 Key Brain-Boosting Habits | Be Well Moments
https://youtu.be/I9k2zQV0ZzE?si=Pe8nQX3XClpm7HnR
***
Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:
Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
***
Highlights:Introduction (00:00)
David’s First Near-Death Experience (01:00)
The Search for a Cure (04:00)
Breathing Through Pain: Hope, Vision & Grit (07:00)
Why Drug Repurposing Could Change the World (10:00)
AI + Medicine: How Every Cure Finds New Hope (16:00)
The Autism–Folate Connection (23:00)
Building A New Kind of Medical Community (28:00)
Lidocaine & Breast Cancer: What No One’s Talking About (31:00)
From Book to Big Screen (36:00)
Living Life in Overtime (39:00)
What Live Well Be Well Means to David (46:00)
***
Let’s be friends!
📷 Instagram: / sarahannmacklin
📹 Subscribe: / @livewellbewellsarah
🐦 Twitter: / sarahannmacklin
📱 TikTok: / sarahannnutrition
💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
Do you really enjoy being social or are you just good at faking it? This conversation unpacks what it means to be introverted in a world that rewards extroversion. From social exhaustion to quiet leadership, we explore how to honor your energy without apology.
Listen to the full episode here.
Watch the full episode on YouTube here.
***
Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!
VivoBarefoot | 'If you can’t be barefoot, be Vivobarefoot’
For 20% off, use code LWBW20
***
Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:
Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
***
Let’s be friends!
📷 Instagram: / sarahannmacklin
📹 Subscribe: / @livewellbewellsarah
🐦 Twitter: / sarahannmacklin
📱 TikTok: / sarahannnutrition
💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
#IntrovertedWomen #AuthenticLeadership #WomenWhoLead
This week on Live Well Be Well, I got to sit down with the incredible Dr. Jessica Zucker, psychologist, writer, and fierce advocate for women’s reproductive and mental health. We dove into some of the hardest stories we rarely talk about, the pressure to become a mother, the quiet weight of miscarriage, and that strange guilt that can come with ambivalence about parenthood. Jessica’s wisdom on how our cultural scripts shape our inner lives is breathtaking and a much needed reminder that sharing our truths is how we heal.
We peel back attachment theory in real life, exploring how our earliest bonds echo through every relationship we have and why rewriting those old narratives can be our greatest act of self love. Jessica does not shy away from the emotional labor we carry, the hidden tears, the unspoken hopes, and the ways we hold ourselves back from speaking up. This is not just theory, it is a heartfelt guide to giving voice to the parts of ourselves we have been taught to silence.
By the end of our chat you will see why honesty is revolutionary, why compassion for yourself changes everything, and what courage really looks like in the messy middle of life. If you have ever felt alone in your doubts or stifled by expectations this episode is for you.
About Dr. Jessica Zucker:
Dr. Jessica Zucker is a renowned psychologist, writer, and advocate specialising in women’s reproductive and maternal mental health. Based in Los Angeles, she has spent over 15 years supporting women through the emotional complexities of fertility, miscarriage, and motherhood. Jessica is the author of the bestselling book I Had a Miscarriage, which helped spark a global movement encouraging women to speak openly about pregnancy loss and reproductive grief. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, TIME, and The Guardian, and she is widely respected for her compassionate, feminist approach to breaking the silence around topics traditionally shrouded in shame.
Connect with Dr. Jessica Zucker:
Website: drjessicazucker.com/
Instagram: @ihadamiscarriage
Twitter: @DrZucker
Newsletter: Sign up via her website
Love,
Sarah Ann 💛
***
Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!
VivoBarefoot | 'If you can’t be barefoot, be Vivobarefoot’
For 20% off, use code LWBW20
***
If you enjoyed this episode you might also like:
Using Dating Apps to Fill a Void? Here’s the Hard Truth | Emilia Vuorisalmi | Be Well Moments
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvL3Ty7mcCU
Understanding the Loneliness Epidemic | John Vervaeke on Trust, Belonging & Meaning
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbxCzAt6ZcM
***
Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:
Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
***
Highlights:
Introduction (00:00)
Do All Women Really Want Children? (01:23)
Why Talking About Reproductive Choices Still Feels Taboo (05:23)
Understanding Maternal Ambivalence (08:44)
How to Let Go of Shame and Self-Blame After Miscarriage (14:36)
The Psychology of Attachment Styles Explained (24:17)
Are You Disconnected From Yourself? (28:01)
Why We Struggle to Talk About Mental Health (29:19)
When to Turn to Friends vs. Therapists for Support (30:54)
Holding Space Without Trying to Fix People (32:52)
How to Recognise and Manage Anxiety and Shame (36:15)
The Power of Trying: Why Vulnerability Builds Resilience (44:10)
What Living Well Means to Dr. Jessica Zucker (49:27)
***
Let’s be friends!
📷 Instagram: / sarahannmacklin
📹 Subscribe: / @livewellbewellsarah
🐦 Twitter: / sarahannmacklin
📱 TikTok: / sarahannnutrition
💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
Ever feel like dating apps are just emotional quick fixes?
This honest conversation explores why online dating often leaves us feeling lonelier, how love addiction shows up in our choices, and what it really means to attract the kind of relationship we deserve.
It’s not about finding someone, it’s about finding yourself first.
Listen to the full episode here.
Watch the full episode on YouTube here.
***
Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!
VivoBarefoot | 'If you can’t be barefoot, be Vivobarefoot’
For 20% off, use code LWBW20
OneSkin | Topical Products for Healthy Aging
Use code LWBW for 15% off your first order
***
If you enjoyed this episode you might also like:
Identifying Your Bad Relationship: How to Leave and Find Healthier, Lasting Love | Paul Brunson
https://youtu.be/zMYIwp9oUX8?si=KU0pvlcoIbe7dwF0
Simon Sinek: The 8-Minute Rule That Could SAVE YOUR Friendships
https://youtu.be/3JCjOQv9Y5E?si=9v8OszGVaogBySXZ
Get Over a Breakup, Fix Your Broken Heart & How To Practice Emotional First Aid | Guy Winch
https://youtu.be/ocUJTFUOitA?si=C9oJHIW-brSjJSza
***
Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:
Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
***
Let’s be friends!
📷 Instagram: / sarahannmacklin
📹 Subscribe: / @livewellbewellsarah
🐦 Twitter: / sarahannmacklin
📱 TikTok: / sarahannnutrition
💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
#LoveAddictionRecovery #MindfulDating #ManifestLove
This week on Live Well Be Well, I'm delighted to welcome cognitive scientist and philosopher John Vervaeke to explore what he calls "the meaning crisis" - a profound cultural shift affecting our collective wellbeing and sense of purpose.
John unpacks why meaning is so essential to our cognitive agency, selfhood, and personhood. We explore how modern life has disconnected us from ourselves, from each other, and from the world around us, leading to rising mental health issues, addiction, and loneliness. As John explains, finding meaning isn't about pursuing individual purpose but about cultivating wisdom through shared experience and connection.
As he powerfully notes, we shouldn't get deeply involved with someone who hasn't experienced significant grief because "they have not developed their humanity." We also discuss how to develop wisdom through what he calls "the flow state" - when we're so fully engaged that our sense of time diminishes and self-consciousness falls away.
About John Vervaeke:
John Vervaeke is a cognitive scientist, philosopher, and award-winning lecturer at the University of Toronto. His work combines cognitive science, philosophy, Buddhism, and other wisdom traditions to address the challenges of meaning-making in our modern world. John is the creator of the Awakening from the Meaning Crisis lecture series and author of a book by the same name.
Connect with John Vervaeke:
Website: johnvervaeke.com
Facebook: John Vervaeke
YouTube: @johnvervaeke
Book: https://amzn.to/3Udpgox
Lectern Courses: http://lectern.teachable.com
Love,
Sarah Ann 💛
***
Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!
VivoBarefoot | 'If you can’t be barefoot, be Vivobarefoot’
For 20% off, use code LWBW20
***
If you enjoyed this episode you might also like:
Dr. Tommy Wood Shares Expert Advice on Reversing Cognitive Decline
https://youtu.be/yJKSksMBmn0?si=0ktpQKBh5X3jvEBk
Holistic psychologist Explains How Your Trauma Is Not What You Think It Is with Dr Mariel Buqué
https://youtu.be/5FJ8h5kd2HI?si=gKGW9u4cGq6QjrY8
***
Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:
Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
***
Highlights:
Introduction (00:00)
How Meaning Works in Cognitive Agency (01:06)
Belonging and Connection to Reality (04:14)
The Role of Trust in Meaning (06:21)
The Breakdown of Trust in Society (13:04)
John's Personal Journey Through Meaning Crisis (15:07)
The Connection Between Wisdom and Meaning (19:45)
Trauma, Transcendence and Meaning (22:55)
Purpose vs. Orientation in Life (24:13)
The Three Dimensions of Disconnection (28:57)
Declining Birth Rates and Psychological Development (31:31)
How We Define Wisdom (35:16)
The Psychology of Intuition (45:52)
The Flow State and Meaning (52:03)
Ecology of Practices for Finding Meaning (55:08)
***
Let’s be friends!
📷 Instagram: / sarahannmacklin
📹 Subscribe: / @livewellbewellsarah
🐦 Twitter: / sarahannmacklin
📱 TikTok: / sarahannnutrition
💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
Is fiber still the cornerstone of gut health? What role do polyphenols play if they barely reach the bloodstream? And why is diversity, not restriction, the true goal in dietary choices?
This conversation explores the science of microbiota-targeted nutrition, fiber fermentation, butyrate production, and the risks of oversimplified food advice.
Listen to the full episode here.
Watch the full episode on YouTube here.
***
Thank you to my wonderful sponsors!
OneSkin | Topical Products for Healthy Aging
Use code LWBW for 15% off your first order
***
If you enjoyed this episode you might also like:
Dr. Stacy Sims EXPOSES the Myths Hurting Women's Health | Fasting, Protein & Exercise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1uksGzoick
Can Women Follow Bryan Johnson’s $2M Anti-Aging Blueprint? Kate Tolo Shares Her Experience
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJC_E_gXYMg
Dr. Louise Newson: Hidden Menopause Signs You’re Missing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJC_E_gXYMg
***
Sign up to Sarah’s Compassionate Cure newsletter:
Science Simplified, Health Humanised. Join thousands in exploring actionable insights that prioritise compassion, clarity, and real-life impact. https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
***
Let’s be friends!
📷 Instagram: / sarahannmacklin
📹 Subscribe: / @livewellbewellsarah
🐦 Twitter: / sarahannmacklin
📱 TikTok: / sarahannnutrition
💌 Newsletter: https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/
#MicrobiomeHealth, #FiberMatters, #WholeFoodNutrition
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
