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Merijn van de Laar had insomnia for years but is now an expert in getting a good night’s rest. He has a brilliant book out about conquering sleep struggles called How to Sleep Like a Caveman: Ancient Wisdom for a Better Night’s Rest. I used to have insomnia myself – and what I love about this book is that for problem sleepers it is a relaxing and reassuring read which is not the case for some of the biggest books in the sleep genre over recent years. So in this episode expect to learn:
Why the common advice around sleep can actually make insomnia worse
How to reframe wakefulness during the night
The powerful technique of sleep restriction therapy and how it works
The surprising origins of the "8 hours of sleep" myth
Practical tips for regulating your sleep-wake cycle with light and exercise
Book Release
I’m excited to announce the paperback edition of my book, Champion Thinking: Get Out of Your Own Way, Find Your Peak Performance, is now available. Published by Bloomsbury, the link is here: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
🔗 Free course on beating burnout and finding flow: https://www.simonmundie.com/beat-burnout-mini-course
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In this bitesized episode, elite sports sleep coach Nick Littlehales reveals his groundbreaking approach to sleep and recovery. Nick has worked with a number of the biggest football clubs on the planet including Manchester united, Manchester City, Liverpool, Team Sky and medal winning Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Learn how to structure your day using 90-minute cycles and controlled recovery periods to optimise your performance, just like top athletes do. Featuring:
Nick's method of dividing the day into 90-minute cycles
The importance of a consistent wake time
How to plan sleep cycles and adapt to unexpected events
The concept of "controlled recovery periods" (CRPs) or strategic naps
Aligning sleep patterns with natural circadian rhythms
Book Release
I’m excited to announce the paperback edition of my book, Champion Thinking: Get Out of Your Own Way, Find Your Peak Performance, is now available. Published by Bloomsbury, the link is here: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
🔗 Free course on beating burnout and finding flow: https://www.simonmundie.com/beat-burnout-mini-course
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I've got a cracking guest joining me today - Andrew Tracey, the fitness director at Men's Health magazine. But Andrew is no ordinary fitness expert. He's someone who has seamlessly integrated the physical and the spiritual, straddling the worlds of hardcore strength training and deep contemplative practice.
In this conversation, we explore Andrew's unique journey to developing a lifelong, functional approach to fitness, and how he discovered the transformative power of meditation and self-inquiry. Andrew shares insights on cultivating motivation and discipline by aligning with your deepest values, rather than through suffering. He also reveals how his meditation practice has given him critical distance from the mind's stories, allowing compassion to effortlessly bubble up.
Key topics covered:
Developing a lifelong, functional fitness routine
Balancing modern conveniences with physical health needs
The role of discipline, motivation, and aligning with values in fitness
Tracey's meditation and self-inquiry practice
Daily meditation techniques and working with thoughts
Benefits of meditation, including gaining critical distance from the mind
Interconnectedness of physical and mental health
Exploring the nature of consciousness and identity
Simon's book and Banishing Burnout - Finding Flow FREE online course
I’m excited to announce the paperback edition of my book, Champion Thinking: Get Out of Your Own Way, Find Your Peak Performance, is now available. Published by Bloomsbury, the link is here: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
🔗 Free course on beating burnout and finding flow: https://www.simonmundie.com/beat-burnout-mini-course
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It’s a new year – and there’s no better time to start a habit that could transform your mind and body. Most of us walk – but almost none of us walk enough. We’re a sedentary species, and it’s only gotten worse in recent years. But here’s the truth: our bodies weren’t built for all this sitting.
Walking isn’t just movement – it’s a powerhouse for health. It supports our organs, aids digestion, slows brain aging, and sharpens creativity. Neuroscientist and bestselling author Shane O’Mara is here to explain why getting more steps in each day can transform your mind, mood, and body.
From lowering stress to sparking fresh ideas, Shane’s message is simple: walking works. So if you’re looking for one small but powerful change to kick off the year, this episode will remind you why it’s time to step up – literally.
Book Release and Banishing Burnout - Finding Flow FREE online course
I’m excited to announce the paperback edition of my book, Champion Thinking: Get Out of Your Own Way, Find Your Peak Performance, is now available. Published by Bloomsbury, the link is here: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
🔗 Free course on beating burnout and finding flow: https://www.simonmundie.com/beat-burnout-mini-course
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Beating yourself up because you scroll more than you want to? Stop it. Just understand that our willpower is not strong enough to continually resist the lure of the hyper addictive smartphone. So what to do? Embrace your design power. Make it harder to use your phone. Get a lock case. Consider buying a backup 'dumb phone'. I did this and turn my smartphone off in the evenings and weekends, and the people who need me can still get in touch. It has been SO liberating!
This principle of understanding the limitations of our willpower and embracing our design power can be used to improve your life across the board - from what you eat to how you focus.
Book publication and Banishing Burnout - Finding Flow FREE online course
I’m excited to announce the paperback edition of my book, Champion Thinking: Get Out of Your Own Way, Find Your Peak Performance, is now available. Published by Bloomsbury, the link is here: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
🔗 Free course on beating burnout and finding flow: https://www.simonmundie.com/beat-burnout-mini-course
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
How to Reconnect with Your Inner Wisdom and Find True Wellbeing.
At this time of New Year resolutions, it’s easy to fall into the trap of pushing harder and faster. But in a world already moving at breakneck speed, chronic stress, overwhelm, and burnout have become alarmingly common.
This episode offers a vital alternative: the power of rest. My guest, Fiona Agombar, is a yoga therapist, rest activist, and author of Breathe, Rest, Recover. Having experienced severe burnout herself as a high-flying business owner, Fiona knows firsthand the life-changing impact of embracing rest without shame or guilt. She shares how rest not only helps us recover but also reconnects us with our inner wisdom and reveals what we truly want from life.
We discuss the profound benefits of slowing down, tuning into the body, and practising self-compassion. Fiona also highlights practical ways to integrate rest into daily life, from conscious breathing and micro-breaks to managing "tech apnea"—the impact of constant screen use on breathing and stress levels. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking to break free from the relentless pace of modern life.
Topics covered:
The concept of rest activism and why reintroducing rest and convalescence into modern life is essential.
Why people struggle to rest and the dangers of ignoring signs from our body.
How interoception and tuning into inner wisdom can aid in overcoming stress and burnout.
Fiona’s personal journey of healing from chronic illness through yoga and self-inquiry.
Practical strategies for rest and recovery, including conscious breathing and micro-breaks.
The effects of news consumption and technology on our wellbeing and mental health.
The importance of recognising the background aware presence that is always available.
Links & Resources:
Fiona Agar’s website: https://www.fionaagombar.co.uk/
Fiona’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@fionaagombar3037/videos
Fiona’s Facebook group: Rest and Yoga for Fatigue
Fiona’s books: https://www.fionaagombar.co.uk/books
Simon's book and Banishing Burnout - Finding Flow FREE online course
I’m excited to announce the paperback edition of my book, Champion Thinking: Get Out of Your Own Way, Find Your Peak Performance, is now available. Published by Bloomsbury, the link is here: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
🔗 Free course on beating burnout and finding flow: https://www.simonmundie.com/beat-burnout-mini-course
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Smartphones and social media are making us more anxious, distracted, and disconnected. In this episode, I revisit my conversation with Cal Newport, author of Deep Work and Digital Minimalism. Cal explores how our increasing reliance on smartphones and social media is eroding our ability to focus, perform deep work, and even be alone with our thoughts.
He explains how the iGen generation (born 1995–2012) has been particularly affected, with alarming rates of mental health issues linked to the constant presence of digital distractions. For the first time in human history, we can avoid solitude entirely—yet this avoidance comes at a huge cost.
As I reflect on these themes, I also want to share my FREE online course on beating burnout and finding flow. The tools and strategies I teach have transformed my life and are designed to help you reduce overwhelm, improve focus, and find flow, peace and creativity:
🔗 Free course on beating burnout and finding flow: https://www.simonmundie.com/beat-burnout-mini-course
📖 Featured guest: Cal Newport, author of Deep Work and Digital Minimalism.
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After watching the Channel 4 documentary Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones and noticing the profound impact of using a dumbphone, I’m revisiting one of my most powerful conversations—my interview with Johann Hari, author of Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention.
Johann reveals the deeper reasons so many of us struggle with focus and attention, explaining why this isn’t a personal failing but the result of broader societal forces. From our relationship with digital devices to surveillance capitalism and the loss of childhood freedom, Johann’s insights are eye-opening and essential for anyone seeking to reclaim their focus.
I’ve also created a FREE online course to help you beat burnout and find flow, drawing on research and techniques that have profoundly impacted my own life. Available for a limited time - link below.
🔗 Free course on beating burnout and finding flow: https://www.simonmundie.com/beat-burnout-mini-course
📖 Featured guest: Johann Hari, author of Stolen Focus.
⚠️ This episode contains swearing and adult themes.
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The cost of constant distractions and how to get your focus back. In this episode, we explore the huge cognitive cost of constantly checking your phone and how it impacts your ability to focus and perform at your best. My guest is Johann Hari, author of Stolen Focus, who sheds light on the “switch cost effect” – the mental toll of constantly switching between tasks. Johann explains how multitasking lowers your IQ in the short term, even more so than smoking weed, and offers simple steps to rediscover the joy of focus.
One of these steps is pre-commitment, a strategy that involves binding your future self to stay on task. We also discuss how focus is the gateway to achieving flow, the state in which we feel and perform at our peak. In a world that’s increasingly demanding our attention, it’s more important than ever to find ways to reset, refocus, and get back into flow.
To help with this, I’ve created a free mini-course to help you beat burnout and improve your focus. In just a few minutes a day, I share proven techniques to help you reset and find that much-needed flow. This course is available for a limited time, and I would love for you to join me and let me know what you think.
JOIN HERE: https://www.simonmundie.com/free-burnout-mini-course
My book: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
Website: simonmundie.com
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundie
Substack: https://simonmundie.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
In this episode, we explore a thought-provoking question: Is self-improvement really the path to happiness, or is it a trap that keeps us chasing something we already have?
My guest is Joan Tollifson, an author, teacher, and lifelong explorer of the nature of being. Together, we discuss why the idea of “improving yourself” is inherently flawed, how meditation helps us access peace and creativity, and the value of simply taking some moment to 'be' in our lives.
We also touch on:
What actually is the “self” we’re trying to improve?
Recognising the aware presence that doesn't need improving
Meditation and its many different forms - and how we both 'do it'
The power of taking moments of stillness to just 'be'
The opportunity that being triggered presents us with
Finding peace and ease by dropping the stories we tell ourselves
My free mini-course on Beating Burnout and Finding Flow: https://www.simonmundie.com/beat-burnout-mini-course
Joan's website: https://www.joantollifson.com/
Joan's Substack: https://joantollifson.substack.com/
My book: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
Website: simonmundie.com
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundie
Substack: https://simonmundie.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/
Joan's books include Bare-Bones Meditation: Waking Up from the Story of My Life (1996); Awake in the Heartland: The Ecstasy of What Is (2003); Painting the Sidewalk with Water: Talks and Dialogs about Nonduality (2010); Nothing to Grasp (2012); and Death: The End of Self-Improvement (2019).
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In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of imposter syndrome, a feeling many of us have faced at some point. While it’s often seen as something negative, what if imposter syndrome is just a normal part of the human experience?
I’m joined by Dr. Russ Harris, the author of The Happiness Trap and The Confidence Gap, as well as an expert in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Dr. Harris offers a refreshing perspective on imposter syndrome and shares research-backed strategies to help us navigate these feelings with more confidence and self-compassion.
My free mini-course on Beating Burnout and Finding Flow: https://www.simonmundie.com/beat-burnout-mini-course
My book: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
Website: simonmundie.com
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundie
Substack: https://simonmundie.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Rejection is something we all experience, and for many the experience can be brutal. But even when we go to a social event, part of the reason we tend to stick to the people we know is to avoid the pain of feeling rejected, however slightly. So this is a universal issue. In this episode, I sit down with author, therapist and non-dual teacher Nic Higham to unpack one of the most challenging human experiences. Whether it’s the sting of a passing comment or the deeper wounds that stick with us, rejection has a way of leaving its mark on our sense of belonging.
Nic and I explore how these moments can shape the stories we tell ourselves – often ones of unworthiness – and why, instead of resisting rejection, we are better off embracing it. Nic introduces the concept of radical inclusivity, where rejection is welcomed as part of life’s natural ebb and flow. Using metaphors like the ocean, he shares how facing rejection with compassion can lead to a stronger sense of wholeness.
We also dive into the role of the inner child and how unmet needs can leave us chasing external validation rather than recognising the acceptance we already have within us. Nic offers practical tools, including strategies from Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and exposure therapy, to help navigate rejection without being overwhelmed.
My book Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself draws on some of my favourite interviews over the last six years. In it, I seek to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found.
'This book captures the magic of being in flow . . . Highly recommend' RONNIE O'SULLIVAN
'Entertaining and enlightening' MATTHEW SYED
'This book will challenge your thinking on what success truly is and will give you tools to "succeed" in life in the truest sense of the world. This is definitely not just another book about sport and those who happen to be good at it' -- GOLDIE SAYERS
'The intention behind this book is beautiful, and I highly recommend it' RUPERT SPIRA
'The best guide we have to what it means to be human' AMOL RAJAN
Order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Champion-Thinking-Success-Without-Yourself/dp/1526626497/
Website: simonmundie.com
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/
Substack Newsletter: https://simonmundie.substack.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
What does it truly means to be content in your own skin? It's tempting to put so-called "successful" people on a pedestal, but the reality is often much more complicated. Many high achievers are driven by inner turmoil. Adrian Chiles, broadcaster and former host of The One Show, shares insights from his conversations with high performers on BBC Radio 5 Live, many of whom have also appeared on this podcast - from Jonny Wilkinson to Ronnie O'Sullivan. We explore why chasing traditional success often falls short of delivering happiness and why the state of flow - the state of full immersion in the present - is a key to genuine satisfaction, as well as high performance.
My book Champion Thinking: How To Find Success Without Losing Yourself draws on some of my favourite interviews over the last six years. In it, I seek to challenge our ideas about 'success', and where peace, joy and fulfilment are truly to be found.
'This book captures the magic of being in flow . . . Highly recommend' RONNIE O'SULLIVAN
'Entertaining and enlightening' MATTHEW SYED
'This book will challenge your thinking on what success truly is and will give you tools to "succeed" in life in the truest sense of the world. This is definitely not just another book about sport and those who happen to be good at it' -- GOLDIE SAYERS
'The intention behind this book is beautiful, and I highly recommend it' RUPERT SPIRA
'The best guide we have to what it means to be human' AMOL RAJAN
Order here: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Champion-Thinking-Success-Without-Yourself/dp/1526626497/
Website: simonmundie.com
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/
Substack Newsletter: https://simonmundie.substack.com/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
We are in the middle of a 'creativity crisis' - with so many people are distracted, unable to focus and lacking in connection. So what to do about it? Here to help me unpick how we can find more flow, creativity, connection, peace and ease - is Chris Smith, an award-winning author, broadcaster and stand-up comedian. For many years we sat alongside each other in the Newsbeat studio on BBC Radio 1. We discuss:
How to get into flow and tap into the 'intelligent unconscious'
The relationship between unplugging and creativity
Why we love losing ourself in what we are doing, and how modern life is killing that
Recognising that the future is never as bad as we fear it will be when it arrives as 'the present'
How to develop a different relationship with our thoughts
How to cultivate the space for true creativity to arrive
The value of having a sauna
I am creating a course about Banishing Burnout and Finding Flow - which I will be sharing more about that over coming weeks and months. Together we can create a new way of being - one that is less distracted and combative, and has more flow and peace.
Book: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundie
Website: simonmundie.com
Substack Newsletter: https://simonmundie.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/
**
For many years Chris was the voice of Newsbeat on BBC Radio 1. In 2017 he published Kid Normal which he co-wrote with his friend Greg James. It became the first in a series of children’s books. In early 2025 Chris is bringing back Enid Blyton‘s classic characters the Famous Five in a brand-new adventure.
https://chrissmithauthor.co.uk/
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Do you feel overwhelmed? If so, you're far from alone. Rates of burnout are soaring. We are more connected digitally, but less connected in a meaningful way. We jump from whatsapp groups, to emails, to rolling news - and round and round we go. And it's filling our ability to use our more valuable resource - our attention. If you can't focus, you can't be truly creative and you certainly can't find flow.
I am creating a course about Banishing Burnout and Finding Flow - which I will be sharing more about that over coming weeks and months. Together we can create a new way of being - one that is less distracted and combative, and has more flow and peace.
Book: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundie
Website: simonmundie.com
Substack Newsletter: https://simonmundie.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Living with Purpose and Contentment, the Danish Way. In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Meik Wiking, the Danish happiness researcher and best-selling author who introduced the world to "hygge"—the Danish art of creating cozy, contented spaces. We dive into Meik’s insights on the true keys to happiness, from fostering deep social connections to redefining success beyond wealth and status.
Meik shares thought-provoking ideas, like Denmark’s culture of collective well-being, and "job crafting"—the practice of making even ordinary tasks more enjoyable. We also discuss the value of autonomy and flexibility at work, the rise of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, and the potential impact of universal basic income on our sense of happiness.
Don't forget - Denmark is consistently voted the happiest country in the world.
My links:
Book: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundie
Website: simonmundie.com
Substack Newsletter: https://simonmundie.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Headspace founder Andy Puddicombe on How to Make Meditation a Habit. There’s no doubt that meditation has profound benefits for both body and mind. Yet many people struggle to make it a habit—they worry they’re not doing it “right,” or they can’t quiet their thoughts long enough to feel the impact. But meditation is a powerful practice worth mastering, with research highlighting its potential to transform our well-being.
To make mindfulness meditation accessible to everyone, I’m joined today by Andy Puddicombe, founder of Headspace and former Buddhist monk. Andy breaks down the essentials of meditation, sharing simple, practical techniques to help anyone incorporate mindfulness into their daily lives.
My links:
Book: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundie
Website: simonmundie.com
Substack Newsletter: https://simonmundie.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Nobody ever has their sh*t together, it's a myth. Even so, life is a miracle. It can be so easy to overlook this fact - and miss the incredible fact of existence. But life is also full of pain and suffering. If we can make peace with how life really is - rather than how we think it should be - then perhaps we can start to relax and let go of the incessant striving and quest to 'become' sometime in the future. We can find peace in this moment, even in the midst of life's myriad of challenges.
My guest is Dr. Robert Saltzman, author of the excellent books The Ten Thousand Things and Depending on No Thing.
My links:
Book: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundie
Website: simonmundie.com
Substack Newsletter: https://simonmundie.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/
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Professor Paul Dolan on Bringing More Pleasure and Purpose into Everyday Living. This bitesize episode challenges the stories we tell ourselves about happiness—stories that often equate fulfillment with high status, massive social media followings, or endless wealth. But as Professor Paul Dolan reveals, these ideas are often misguided. Real happiness isn’t about chasing society’s markers of success; it’s about tuning into what genuinely brings us joy: spending time with friends, building meaningful connections, practicing kindness, playing sport, or simply enjoying music. It’s time to rethink what truly makes us happy and embrace the power of simple, purposeful moments.
My links:
Book: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundie
Website: simonmundie.com
Substack Newsletter: https://simonmundie.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/
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How Diet, Diversity, and Lifestyle Shape Your Microbiome and Well-Being. In this episode, I sit down with Tim Spector to dive into the fascinating world of the gut microbiome and its powerful role in our overall health. Tim breaks down how our diets directly shape our gut health, emphasising the benefits of a diverse, plant-rich diet and aiming for 30 different plants a week. We explore why ultra-processed foods can harm the microbiome, while foods like kefir and sauerkraut can give it a healthy boost. Tim also shares insights on how lifestyle factors—like stress and eating speed—impact gut health and discusses the potential benefits of time-restricted eating to support the microbiome and reduce inflammation. We discuss:
Overview of the gut microbiome and its importance for health
Tim's personal health scare that led him to focus on gut health research
Insights from the twins study on the role of gut microbes in disease and ageing
The significant impact of gut health on mental and physical health
The detrimental effects of ultra-processed foods and misleading health claims
The complex relationship between sugar, artificial sweeteners, stress, and gut health
The benefits of incorporating fermented foods into the diet and how
The importance of eating a diverse range of plant-based foods for gut health
The advantages of time-restricted eating and slowing down during meals
My links:
Book: https://www.simonmundie.com/book
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/YouTubeSimonMundie
Website: simonmundie.com
Substack Newsletter: https://simonmundie.substack.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simonmundie/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - Daha fazla göster
