The Lift Podcast
Episodes
Awe and the Brain: How Transcendent Moments Improve Wellbeing
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
When was the last time you felt a true sense of awe? In this episode, Simon Matthews and Darren explore the transformative power of transcendent momen...
Why You Can’t Just “Stop” a Bad Habit
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Why is breaking a habit so difficult — even when we really want to change? In this episode, Simon Matthews and Darren dive into the fascinating psyc...
The 1% Rule for Health: Why Small Changes Make a Big Difference
12 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if improving your health didn’t require a total life overhaul? In this energising conversation, Simon Matthews and Darren explore why small, co...
What’s Changed in Nutrition Advice? Dietary Guidelines Explained
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What do the new dietary guidelines really mean for everyday eating? In this episode, Darren and Simon unpack the latest dietary guidelines for America...
Is Doing More Making You Less Healthy?
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Darren and Simon dive into the heart of lifestyle medicine, exploring how we balance the core pillars of health—nutrition, movement...
Jet Lag Explained: How to Travel Smarter and Feel Better
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Simon and Darren unpack the science of jet lag, exploring why rapid travel across time zones disrupts our sleep, energy, mood, and ov...
Enough Already: The Cure for Overwhelm and Overconsumption
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this thought-provoking episode, Darren and Simon dive deep into one of life’s biggest questions: What is enough? Exploring the powerful link betw...
AI and the Loneliness Epidemic: Are We More Connected or More Alone?
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Despite being more digitally connected than ever, rates of loneliness, isolation, and emotional disconnection are soaring. In this thought-provoking c...
Why Traditional Goal Setting Fails (and What to Do Instead)
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if the problem isn’t you—it’s the way we set goals? In this insightful conversation, Simon Matthews and Darren unpack the complexities of b...
The Parachute Principle: Simple Lessons for Lasting Lifestyle Change
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What do parachutes have to do with health? In this thought-provoking episode, Darren and Simon unpack the parachute metaphor to explore the challenges...
Fan Favourite Replay - Regret & Decisions: How to Make Choices You Won’t Second-Guess
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Back by popular demand! This fan-favourite episode is a must-listen for anyone struggling with regret and decision-making. Do you ever find yourself s...
Facilitating Change: A New Lens on Patient Resistance
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why do people resist change—and how can clinicians respond more effectively? In this insightful conversation, Simon Matthews and Darren explore the ...
The Healing Power of Light: Why Sunlight Matters More Than You Think
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Light isn’t just about vision—it’s vital for your mental and physical health. In this eye-opening conversation, Simon Matthews and Darren delve ...
Small Nudges, Big Results: The Science of Shaping Habits
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this thought-provoking episode, Simon Matthews and Darren dive into the fascinating world of behavioural change, exploring how community activities...
Adventure, Purpose & Connection: A Lifestyle Medicine Approach to Mental Wellbeing
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this inspiring episode, Darren and Simon explore the powerful link between outdoor activity, social connection, and mental well-being. Through hear...
How to Savour Life: Positive Psychology Tools to Boost Your Happiness
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this engaging episode, Simon Matthews and Darren dive into the powerful science of savouring—a key concept in positive psychology that can dramat...
Why Emotional Intelligence Beats IQ (and How to Grow It)
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Is being “book smart” enough? In this episode, Darren and Simon explore the true nature of intelligence—challenging the idea that IQ alone predi...
Fan Favourite Replay - Motivation Mastery: How to Build Habits That Stick
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Back by popular demand! This fan-favourite episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about building better habits and making lasting lifestyle chang...
Finding Your Second Wind: How to Bounce Back When You’re Running on Empty
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why do we sometimes feel a surge of energy just when we’re ready to give up? In this episode, Darren and Simon unpack the concept of the second wind...
This Is How Ideas Change the World – And Your Health
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🤔 What makes an idea truly powerful? In this thought-provoking episode, Simon Matthews and Darren Morton delve into the origins of big ideas, their...
Struggling to Stick to New Habits? This Might Be Why
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why Sleep Might Be the Most Important Habit of All In this episode, Simon and Darren explore the powerful connection between sleep, learning, and beha...
Is One-Size-Fits-All Health Failing Us? A New Approach to Wellness
16 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Darren and Simon unpack the real reasons behind the chronic illness epidemic and explore what we can actually do to feel better. They...
Why Your Lifestyle Matters More Than Medicine
02 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
🎙️ Can Lifestyle Medicine Change Your Health? In this episode, Darren and Simon dive into the power of lifestyle medicine and its role in...
Regret & Decisions: How to Make Choices You Won’t Second-Guess
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do you ever find yourself stuck in a loop of "What if?" and "I should have…"? Regret is a universal emotion, but what if you could make choices with...
From Setback to Comeback: The Science of Thriving Through Adversity
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Life is full of challenges—loss, setbacks, and unexpected hurdles can shake us to the core. But what if the way we respond to adversity could transf...
Mental Toughness Uncovered: Why Grit is More Than Just Perseverance
19 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this insightful conversation, Simon Matthews and Darren dive deep into the concept of mental toughness and grit, breaking down what these traits re...
Why Big Life Changes Are the Perfect Time to Reinvent Yourself
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Darren and Simon dive into the power of self-reflection, habit formation, and the surprising role of life transitions in shaping beha...
Kindness Isn’t Weakness: Navigating Competition with Compassion | Episode 18
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Darren and Simon for a thought-provoking conversation that dives into the surprising ways game theory shapes our everyday lives. Through the lens...
The Skinny on BMI: Myths, Realities, and Better Options | Episode 17
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this lively chat, Simon Matthews and Darren take a closer look at the Body Mass Index (BMI)—a number we all know but may not fully understand. Th...
The Air We Breathe: Unseen Factors in Health and Obesity | Episode 16
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this engaging conversation, Darren and Simon explore the intriguing connections between altitude, carbon dioxide levels, and obesity, considering h...
Motivation Mastery: How to Build Habits That Stick | Episode 15
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Darren and Simon Matthews delve into the complexities of behaviour change, discussing various theories, principles, and practica...
Wealth vs. Well-Being: Shifting the Balance | Episode 14
16 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Darren and Simon explore the concept of quality of life, discussing how it is often misinterpreted as being directly linked to m...
Is there such a thing as being too grateful? | Episode 13
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Simon and Darren discuss the topic of gratitude. They share what they are grateful for and explore the benefits of practising gr...
Playground of Life - The Power of Physical Activity in Community | Episode 12
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The conversation revolves around two popular activities: Padel and Parkrun. Padel is a racket sport similar to tennis and pickleball, played on a smal...
From Placebo to Nocebo: The Influence of Our Minds on Our Bodies | Episode 11
28 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for a fascinating chat about the incredible power of belief and expectation on our bodies and minds! We'll dive into the surprising world of t...
Beyond the Workout: Stories and Strategies for Active Living | Episode 10
14 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast revolves around the topics of exercise and activity. Discover inspiring stories, the importance of mindset in exercise and the benefits o...
The Power of Storytelling: Inspiring and Motivating Through Stories | Episode 9
31 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, Darren and Simon explore the power of storytelling and the impact it has on our lives. They look into the importance of relatable sto...
Embracing Failure: A Path to Growth | Episode 8
10 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Simon Matthews and Darren Morton discuss the concept of failure and how to respond to it. They share personal experiences of fai...
A Stitch in Time: Unraveling the Runner's Stitch | Episode 7
25 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The conversation explores the topic of exercise-related transient abdominal pain, commonly known as the runner's stitch.
The Nature Connection: Health, Well-Being and The Great Outdoors | Episode 6
05 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Lifestyle Medicine expert, Dr Darren Morton and Psychologist and Health Coach Simon Matthews as they explore the benefits of nature on human heal...
Making Change Stick: Insights from Implementation Research | Episode 5
01 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The conversation explores the topic of implementation research and its importance in bridging the gap between knowledge and action.
Exploring the Power of Positivity: Benefits and Drawbacks | Episode 4
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The conversation explores the concept of positivity and its potential benefits and drawbacks. It delves into the definitions of positivity, optimism, ...
How much of our health & well-being do we get to choose? | Episode 1
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Lifestyle Medicine expert Dr Darren Morton and psychologist Simon Matthews as they explore key topics about health and wellbeing. Learn amazing a...
Health Behaviour Change and the Quitters Day Phenomenon | Episode 3
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this podcast episode, Simon Matthews and Darren Morton discuss health behaviour change and the phenomenon of Quitters Day, which marks the day when...
Origins & Evolution of Lifestyle Medicine | Episode 2
20 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This conversation explores the origins and evolution of lifestyle medicine, as well as the six pillars that form its foundation.