Biohackher

Azra Alagic
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Weekly

BIOHACKHER aims to inspire women to optimise their health through nourishing self care and biohacks that will help you live well longer.

  1. 5 days ago

    The Longevity Superfood No One Is Talking About (And Why Women Need It)

    What if one of the most overlooked longevity tools for women has been hiding in plain sight for billions of years? In this episode of the Biohackher podcast, Azra sits down with algae expert and founder of EnergyBits, Catharine Arnston, to unpack the science behind spirulina and chlorella — and why these tiny green tablets might be one of the most underrated tools for women's energy, brain health, muscle preservation and healthy ageing. If you're in perimenopause or menopause, struggling with fatigue, brain fog, cravings, poor recovery or stubborn energy crashes, this episode explores the cellular and mitochondrial reasons why — and whether algae could be the missing link. Catharine explains why women over 40 experience a "perfect storm" of mitochondrial decline, how hormones impact cellular energy, and why nutrients like chlorophyll, protein and antioxidants may matter more than ever for longevity. You'll also hear the science behind why spirulina and chlorella have been studied for everything from metabolic health and inflammation to detoxification, sleep, muscle maintenance and cardiometabolic health. We cover: Why Catharine calls algae the "first biohack on earth" The surprising reason women lose energy in midlife What mitochondria actually do — and why they matter for longevity The menopause–mitochondria connection Why women experience more brain fog, fatigue and cognitive decline Spirulina vs chlorella: what's the difference? How algae may support energy, focus and blood sugar stability The role of algae in muscle preservation and healthy ageing Why protein becomes increasingly important for women in midlife The science behind chlorophyll and cellular health Could algae help support detoxification and toxin burden? Mold, heavy metals and environmental toxins — what the research says Why sleep, recovery and bowel health matter for longevity How Catharine personally uses spirulina and chlorella daily Whether algae can support cardiometabolic health and healthy ageing Why some professional athletes use spirulina and chlorella for performance and recovery About Catharine Arnston Catharine Arnston is the founder and CEO of EnergyBits and one of the leading educators in algae nutrition. After her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, Catharine began researching alkaline nutrition and discovered spirulina and chlorella — a discovery that changed the direction of her life. Since then, she has spent more than 17 years researching algae, speaking on its benefits and helping translate the science into practical health strategies. Connect with Catharine Website: https://energybits.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/energybits/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ENERGYbits/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/energybits    HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! If you found this conversation valuable, interesting or inspiring I'd love you to share the pod and leave a review! Great reviews will help me to continue to bring you interviews with experts in longevity, and health and wellness. I would be so grateful if you could take a few minutes to submit a review on the podcast platform you listen from. WANT TO LEARN MORE? If you're keen to get started on your biohacking journey to optimise your health and live well longer please join me on my socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biohackher_official Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Biohackher  Website: www.biohack-her.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@biohackherpodcast

    1hr 4min

  2. 18 May

    He Quit Being a Monk to Create a New Way to Heal Trauma

    What happens when a man spends seven years as a monk chasing enlightenment… only to walk away and question everything he was taught? Azra sits down with former monk and trauma educator, Matthew Zoltan, to explore his extraordinary journey from shearing sheds in rural Australia to monastic life in India and Australia — and the pivotal experience that led him to leave it all behind. Matthew opens up about becoming a monk at just 18, why he walked away from conventional spirituality, and how his own lived experience shaped a radically different perspective on trauma, healing and the body. Together, Azra and Matthew unpack why trauma may not just live in the mind, but in the body, why many people struggle to access painful memories, and what might be missing from traditional approaches to healing. This episode explores powerful ideas around emotional pain, nervous system responses, meditation, memory, spirituality and what it really means to heal. In this episode, we cover: Why Matthew became a monk at just 18 years old What life was really like living as a monk in Australia and India The moment everything shifted and he began questioning monastic life Why he says traditional meditation may not work for everyone How unresolved trauma can live in the body Why some people struggle to remember traumatic events The connection between stored emotions and physical symptoms Why healing may require feeling, not suppressing, difficult emotions His thoughts on spirituality, religion and modern mental health What he believes many traditional therapy models are missing Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction: Why Matthew became a monk at 18 05:00 – Life inside a monastery and the search for enlightenment 14:30 – The physical experience that changed everything 22:30 – Why Matthew was eventually asked to leave monastic life 31:00 – What spirituality gets wrong 42:00 – His philosophy on meditation and self-awareness 52:00 – Trauma: why the body remembers what the mind forgets 1:05:00 – Why people struggle to access painful memories 1:16:00 – The limits of traditional trauma therapy 1:22:00 – What healing trauma really looks like About Matthew Zoltan Matthew Zoltan is a former monk, meditation teacher and trauma educator whose personal journey led him to develop his own perspective on emotional healing, embodiment and human behaviour. Drawing from years of lived experience, meditation and working with thousands of people, Matthew explores the connection between trauma, memory and the body. Connect with Matthew Website: Website: https://bit.ly/4upNOuM  OR https://bit.ly/46Y153H  OR https://mattzoltan.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-zoltan-7ab8521bb/  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@matt_zoltan  HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! If you found this conversation valuable, interesting or inspiring I'd love you to share the pod and leave a review! Great reviews will help me to continue to bring you interviews with experts in longevity, and health and wellness. I would be so grateful if you could take a few minutes to submit a review on the podcast platform you listen from. WANT TO LEARN MORE? If you're keen to get started on your biohacking journey to optimise your health and live well longer please join me on my socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biohackher_official Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Biohackher  Website: www.biohack-her.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@biohackherpodcast

    2h 29m

  3. 11 May

    Why 80% of Autoimmune Diagnoses Are in Women — and What's Really Causing It

    Did you know that autoimmune conditions affect women at nearly four times the rate of men? In this eye-opening episode, host Azra Alagic sits down with functional medicine health coach Jo Brownlow to unpack why autoimmunity is on the rise, why women are disproportionately affected, and — most importantly — what you can actually do about it. Jo brings both clinical expertise and personal experience to the conversation, having navigated her own autoimmune journey from a coeliac diagnosis in infancy through to Hashimoto's in adulthood. In this episode, we cover: What autoimmunity actually is and the four key factors that drive it Why leaky gut is present in virtually every autoimmune case — and the everyday things causing it (including the contraceptive pill and ibuprofen) Why so many women are misdiagnosed or dismissed for years before getting answers The truth about thyroid medication — and why it doesn't treat the root cause of Hashimoto's Why chronic stress may be the most underestimated trigger of autoimmune flare-ups The critical role of nervous system regulation in healing Hidden mediators like mold toxicity and heavy metals that are often overlooked How to advocate for yourself and what blood tests to ask for Whether you've already been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition or you're simply not feeling like yourself and can't get answers, this episode will give you the knowledge and tools to start asking the right questions. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 — Introduction & what is autoimmunity? 01:35 — The four key drivers of autoimmune conditions 02:15 — Leaky gut: why it's present in nearly every autoimmune case 04:17 — Chronic stress: the trigger most women don't even know they have 05:14 — Why autoimmune conditions are so often misdiagnosed 07:32 — Jo's personal journey: from coeliac as a baby to Hashimoto's 10:22 — Are autoimmune conditions becoming more common in women? 11:32 — How Jo investigates root causes with new clients 13:57 — What happens when autoimmunity is left unaddressed 17:27 — Can autoimmune conditions actually be reversed? 19:39 — Why functional medicine gets labelled "woo woo" (and why that's wrong) 20:47 — Thyroid testing: why the reference ranges are too wide 23:24 — The biggest misunderstanding about Hashimoto's and thyroid medication 25:19 — Chronic stress, trauma & nervous system regulation 29:30 — Vagus nerve: simple techniques to activate your parasympathetic state 31:37 — Strength training with autoimmunity: how to exercise without adding inflammation 34:25 — Healthy habits that are secretly making autoimmune symptoms worse 36:40 — The gut-immune connection and why it's everything 42:04 — Alcohol, leaky gut & making mindset shifts that stick 45:39 — When autoimmune symptoms get mistaken for perimenopause 47:29 — Maternal stress, neurodivergent children & autoimmune resilience 49:53 — Early red flags to watch for before autoimmunity progresses 52:55 — How to advocate for yourself & what blood tests to request CONNECT WITH JO BROWNLOW Website: www.jobrownlow.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jo-brownlow Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jobrownlowholistichealth Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jobrownlow.holistic.health HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! If you found this conversation valuable, interesting or inspiring I'd love you to share the pod and leave a review! Great reviews will help me to continue to bring you interviews with experts in longevity, and health and wellness. I would be so grateful if you could take a few minutes to submit a review on the podcast platform you listen from. WANT TO LEARN MORE? If you're keen to get started on your biohacking journey to optimise your health and live well longer please join me on my socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biohackher_official Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Biohackher  Website: www.biohack-her.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@biohackherpodcast

    53 min

  4. 3 May

    He Built a $100M Wellness Empire — Then Almost Lost Everything by Doing Nothing

    What happens when you spend a decade building one of the world's biggest wellness brands, sell it for life-changing money — and then stop? For Radek, the answer was a slow unravelling. In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, Azra sits down with Radek — the force behind Swisse, Australia's legendary supplement giant that grew from $10M to $700M in revenue — to unpack what it really takes to live well for longer. From the neuroscience of purpose to the dark side of wearables, the myth of work-life balance, and why your wearable might actually be hurting your sleep, this episode is a masterclass in longevity thinking from someone who's lived it from every angle. Key Moments & Timestamps [00:00] Welcome & introduction — Radek's career and building Swisse [01:53] Does the wellness industry teach people to buy health instead of build it? [02:12] What Radek discovered when he stopped working — and why doing nothing almost broke him [06:12] Growing up with the "godfather of functional medicine" as your dad — and still falling into bad habits [08:26] AI, ChatGPT, and why human connection is under threat [12:14] Is wellness evidence-based, or is it brilliant storytelling? [17:59] The nervous system blind spot — why the industry is too obsessed with nutrition [20:22] Continuous glucose monitors, gnocchi, and listening to your own body [21:24] Wearables: life-changing data tool or anxiety machine? [27:26] Can extreme business success be anti-longevity? [28:02] Why building a business requires the same commitment as training for the Olympics [33:20] What wellness founders keep getting wrong about human behaviour change [34:10] How Radek scaled Swisse from $10M to $700M — and what he does differently now [38:39] Why culture is the number one business priority — and Swisse still wins awards 10 years after Radek left [43:50] Is the wellness industry over-complicating things? The case for keeping it simple [46:37] The global longevity market — what percentage is genuinely transformational? [47:19] The truth about supplement quality, TGA regulation, and what to look for on a label [51:39] Biohacking fads Radek has seen come and go (including one truly memorable one involving urine) [53:54] Will longevity be won by technology, biology, or culture? [56:09] What Radek would do differently if launching Swisse in 2026 [57:15] Final question: What does it mean to live well longer? CONNECT WITH RADEK SALI LinkedIn: Radek Sali | LinkedIn Instagram: Radek Sali (@radeksali) HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! If you found this conversation valuable, interesting or inspiring I'd love you to share the pod and leave a review! Great reviews will help me to continue to bring you interviews with experts in longevity, and health and wellness. I would be so grateful if you could take a few minutes to submit a review on the podcast platform you listen from. WANT TO LEARN MORE? If you're keen to get started on your biohacking journey to optimise your health and live well longer please join me on my socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biohackher_official Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Biohackher  Website: www.biohack-her.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@biohackherpodcast

    55 min

  5. 24 Apr

    From Guesswork to Precision: The Rise of AI-Driven Health

    We're generating more health data than ever before… But are we actually healthier? In this episode, I sit down with Jasmine Smith, CEO of Rejuve AI, to unpack what's really happening at the intersection of artificial intelligence, personalised health, and longevity. Because behind the sleek wearables and endless tracking apps is a much bigger question: Who actually owns your health data — and who is it really serving? Jasmine brings a rare insider perspective from both healthcare systems and AI development, revealing why most of today's health data is fragmented, underutilised, and in many cases, benefiting companies more than individuals. We go beyond the hype to explore what AI-driven health actually looks like in real life — from personalised protocols and real-time feedback loops to the emerging ability to run your own "N=1" longevity experiments. But this conversation isn't just about optimisation. It's about power, ownership, and the future of how we make decisions about our bodies. We also dive into: Why more data isn't automatically leading to better health outcomes The behavioural gap — and why knowing what to do still isn't enough How AI could radically accelerate longevity research and clinical trials The ethical tension between data monetisation and personal health agency Why most health tech still isn't truly built for women The shift from standardised medicine to deeply personalised care And what it will actually take to move from reactive healthcare to proactive healthspan optimisation One of the most compelling ideas? That your health data — when fully leveraged — could become one of your most valuable personal assets. But only if it's working for you. This episode will change the way you think about your data, your doctor, and your daily decisions. Because the future of health isn't about more information. It's about precision. CONNECT WITH JASMINE SMITH Website: https://www.rejuve.ai/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/RejuveAI  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rejuve_ai/ LinkedIn: https://www.rejuve.ai/ and https://www.rejuve.ai/ JOIN OUR LIVE WELL LONGER WOMEN'S BIOHACKING RETREAT 1–6 May 2026 | Revīvō Wellness Resort, Bali Live Well Longer Retreat has been named Group Retreat of the Year 2025 by the prestigious Destination Deluxe Awards. Following this global recognition, we're thrilled to return to Revīvō Wellness Resort in Bali, 1–6 May 2026, for a deeply personalised, science-led retreat created exclusively for women ready to reclaim their vitality and redesign their future. Co-founded by renowned biohacking experts Azra Alagic and Camilla Thompson this award-winning women-only experience blends cutting-edge biohacking with soulful rituals and ancient practices to deliver lasting transformation. At this intimate retreat, limited to just 16 women, you'll experience: Daily biohacking workshops tailored to women's health Private coaching, DNA testing, and optional hormone/gut diagnostics with naturopath  Hot/cold therapy, hydrotherapy, meditation and MOVEŌ movement classes A curated, functional medicine-inspired gourmet menu Spa treatments, traditional Balinese blessings, full moon ceremony 1:1 consult with Cocoon medical Dr  Whether you're curious about biohacking or already on your longevity path, this retreat delivers the clarity, support, and practical tools to thrive at every stage of life. Find out more here www.livewelllongerretreats.com  Contact Revivo Retreat directly with any questions or to book directly (deposit required) reservation-nusadua@revivoresorts.com  HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! If you found this conversation valuable, interesting or inspiring I'd love you to share the pod and leave a review! Great reviews will help me to continue to bring you interviews with experts in longevity, and health and wellness. I would be so grateful if you could take a few minutes to submit a review on the podcast platform you listen from. WANT TO LEARN MORE? If you're keen to get started on your biohacking journey to optimise your health and live well longer please join me on my socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biohackher_official Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Biohackher  Website: www.biohack-her.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@biohackherpodcast

    37 min

  6. 19 Apr

    The Silent Signals Women Are Missing Before a Heart Attack

    Heart disease doesn't always arrive the way we expect—especially for women. It's not always the dramatic, chest-clutching "Hollywood" moment. More often, it's subtle. Easy to dismiss. Fatigue you explain away. Breathlessness you ignore. A quiet signal your body is sending… that no one has taught you to recognise. In this episode, I sit down with leading cardiologist Dr Ross Walker to unpack why so many women are still missing the early warning signs of heart disease—and what's driving this disconnect. We go deep into the biology, the blind spots in modern medicine, and the everyday habits quietly shaping your long-term cardiovascular risk. Because the truth is—most heart disease doesn't start in a hospital. It starts years earlier, in ways most women never see coming. 🎧 Episode Chapters 00:00 — The Question That Changes Everything Is modern medicine making us healthier… or just better at managing disease? 01:45 — The Prevention Gap No One's Fixing Why we're still reacting to disease instead of stopping it early 04:30 — The 5 Keys That Determine 80% of Your Health Simple, overlooked, and rarely followed 08:10 — Why Most People Ignore Their Health (Until It's Too Late) The psychology behind self-sabotage 12:00 — Stress: The Hidden Trigger Behind Heart Attacks Why your risk can spike dramatically in moments of stress 16:30 — The Different Types of Stress Damaging Your Heart Emotional, physical, chemical—and why they all matter 20:30 — Why Women Experience Heart Disease Differently The symptoms that don't fit the "textbook" 24:20 — The Silent Signals Women Are Missing Fatigue, breathlessness, and subtle warning signs 28:00 — Menopause & The Sudden Shift in Risk What changes after 35—and accelerates after menopause 32:10 — Cholesterol: What You've Been Told Is Incomplete Why total cholesterol means very little 36:40 — Inflammation: The Real Driver of Disease? What's happening beneath the surface 41:20 — Statins: Overprescribed or Essential? Where the truth actually sits 45:10 — Diet Myths That Are Still Circulating Low-fat, processed foods, and what's actually causing harm 49:00 — 10,000 Steps? Why That Target Doesn't Matter What effective movement really looks like 52:30 — Supplements for Heart Health: What's Worth It What actually moves the needle (and what doesn't) 56:30 — Wearables: Helpful Tool or Health Anxiety Trigger? When data helps—and when it backfires 59:00 — The Non-Negotiables for Protecting Your Heart What actually matters long-term 01:01:30 — What It Really Means to Live Well Longer A perspective shift most people miss CONNECT WITH DR ROSS WALKER Website: https://www.drrosswalker.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrRossWalkerCardiologist/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrosswalker/  JOIN OUR LIVE WELL LONGER WOMEN'S BIOHACKING RETREAT 1–6 May 2026 | Revīvō Wellness Resort, Bali Live Well Longer Retreat has been named Group Retreat of the Year 2025 by the prestigious Destination Deluxe Awards. Following this global recognition, we're thrilled to return to Revīvō Wellness Resort in Bali, 1–6 May 2026, for a deeply personalised, science-led retreat created exclusively for women ready to reclaim their vitality and redesign their future. Co-founded by renowned biohacking experts Azra Alagic and Camilla Thompson this award-winning women-only experience blends cutting-edge biohacking with soulful rituals and ancient practices to deliver lasting transformation. At this intimate retreat, limited to just 16 women, you'll experience: Daily biohacking workshops tailored to women's health Private coaching, DNA testing, and optional hormone/gut diagnostics with naturopath  Hot/cold therapy, hydrotherapy, meditation and MOVEŌ movement classes A curated, functional medicine-inspired gourmet menu Spa treatments, traditional Balinese blessings, full moon ceremony 1:1 consult with Cocoon medical Dr  Whether you're curious about biohacking or already on your longevity path, this retreat delivers the clarity, support, and practical tools to thrive at every stage of life. Find out more here www.livewelllongerretreats.com  Contact Revivo Retreat directly with any questions or to book directly (deposit required) reservation-nusadua@revivoresorts.com  HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! If you found this conversation valuable, interesting or inspiring I'd love you to share the pod and leave a review! Great reviews will help me to continue to bring you interviews with experts in longevity, and health and wellness. I would be so grateful if you could take a few minutes to submit a review on the podcast platform you listen from. WANT TO LEARN MORE? If you're keen to get started on your biohacking journey to optimise your health and live well longer please join me on my socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biohackher_official Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Biohackher  Website: www.biohack-her.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@biohackherpodcast

    1hr 3min

  7. 12 Apr

    The Menopause Brain Fog Fix No One Is Talking About

    If you've ever walked into a room and forgotten why you went there, lost your train of thought mid-sentence, or felt like your brain just isn't working the way it used to, this episode is for you. In this conversation, I sit down with Lauren Dewsbury, who is currently completing her PhD in brain health and dementia risk reduction, to unpack the emerging research on creatine for brain fog, mood, sleep, and cognitive resilience in midlife women. Most of us have only ever heard creatine spoken about in the context of the gym to support muscle, strength and performance. But the science Lauren is exploring goes far beyond that. We talk about why menopause is not just a hormonal shift, but a major neurological transition, and how changes in oestrogen can alter the way the brain produces and uses energy. That's where creatine becomes so interesting. Lauren shares how this simple, accessible supplement may help support memory, word recall, emotional regulation, sleep-deprived cognition, and the mental sharpness so many women feel slipping during perimenopause and post-menopause. We also go deep into her Australia-wide clinical trial currently studying creatine in post-menopausal women with subjective cognitive decline and elevated dementia risk. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Why creatine for the brain, not just muscle 01:31 – How creatine supports cognitive function and ATP production 04:11 – Why menopause is a neurological transition 08:24 – Is HRT enough for brain fog and cognition? 10:15 – Why post-menopausal women with cognitive decline are the focus 11:45 – Can creatine help reduce future dementia risk? 13:14 – The global impact of menopause-related brain fog 16:02 – Why workplaces need to better support midlife women 18:16 – Inside Lauren's clinical trial: what cognition markers she's measuring 20:48 – Creatine for emotional regulation and mood 22:20 – How creatine helps after a bad night's sleep 23:59 – Why women may respond better to creatine than men 26:52 – Why midlife women may benefit more than younger women 28:40 – The brain-muscle longevity connection 30:22 – What to look for in a creatine supplement 32:02 – The biggest creatine myths: kidneys, bloating, and "gym bros" 34:30 – Brain health dosing: 5g vs 10g vs 20g 38:09 – How participants qualify for the trial 40:26 – Why the study is Australia-wide and fully remote 42:21 – What positive findings could change for women's healthcare 43:24 – What women can do right now for brain fog 49:11 – Final thoughts: should every midlife woman try creatine? CONNECT WITH LAUREN DEWSBURY Instagram: @menocogtrial & @lauren_dewsburyphd  JOIN OUR LIVE WELL LONGER WOMEN'S BIOHACKING RETREAT 1–6 May 2026 | Revīvō Wellness Resort, Bali Live Well Longer Retreat has been named Group Retreat of the Year 2025 by the prestigious Destination Deluxe Awards. Following this global recognition, we're thrilled to return to Revīvō Wellness Resort in Bali, 1–6 May 2026, for a deeply personalised, science-led retreat created exclusively for women ready to reclaim their vitality and redesign their future. Co-founded by renowned biohacking experts Azra Alagic and Camilla Thompson this award-winning women-only experience blends cutting-edge biohacking with soulful rituals and ancient practices to deliver lasting transformation. At this intimate retreat, limited to just 16 women, you'll experience: Daily biohacking workshops tailored to women's health Private coaching, DNA testing, and optional hormone/gut diagnostics with naturopath  Hot/cold therapy, hydrotherapy, meditation and MOVEŌ movement classes A curated, functional medicine-inspired gourmet menu Spa treatments, traditional Balinese blessings, full moon ceremony 1:1 consult with Cocoon medical Dr  Whether you're curious about biohacking or already on your longevity path, this retreat delivers the clarity, support, and practical tools to thrive at every stage of life. Spaces are extremely limited — and this retreat will sell out so get in quick :)  Find out more here www.livewelllongerretreats.com  Contact Revivo Retreat directly with any questions or to book directly (deposit required) reservation-nusadua@revivoresorts.com  HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! If you found this conversation valuable, interesting or inspiring I'd love you to share the pod and leave a review! Great reviews will help me to continue to bring you interviews with experts in longevity, and health and wellness. I would be so grateful if you could take a few minutes to submit a review on the podcast platform you listen from. WANT TO LEARN MORE? If you're keen to get started on your biohacking journey to optimise your health and live well longer please join me on my socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biohackher_official Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Biohackher  Website: www.biohack-her.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@biohackherpodcast

    51 min

  8. 5 Apr

    Are You Truly Resilient… Or Just Running on Trauma?

    What high-achieving women need to know about nervous system safety, burnout, and the trauma stored in the body In the biohacking world, we often talk about optimisation—better sleep, sharper focus, hormone balance, longevity protocols, and peak performance. But what if the real foundation of all of it isn't discipline… it's safety? In this deeply important conversation, Azra sits down with Cate Zoltan, co-founder of Quiet Retreats, Undo app, and practitioner in body-based, trauma-informed meditation, to unpack the difference between true resilience and nervous system overdrive. Together, they explore why so many high-achieving women mistake drive for strength, when in reality it may be a trauma response rooted in unresolved fear, grief, burnout, or chronic stress. This episode dives into how trauma lives in the body, why traditional meditation can sometimes feel activating rather than calming, and how body-based stillness may be the missing link in healing. If you've ever felt like you can't switch off, constantly override your body, or wear resilience like a badge of honour while secretly feeling exhausted—this conversation will land deeply. ABOUT CATE Cate Zoltan is an entrepreneur and wellness innovator with more than 25 years' experience across wellness, hospitality and technology. The co-founder of Quiet Retreats and the Undo app she works at the intersection of longevity and mental health. Her body-first approach to wellbeing through Natural Meditation is informed by decades of personal practice and trauma recovery. Cate advises Boutique Luxury Hotels & Spas on silence-led wellbeing to support deep renewal and preventative health. CHAPTERS 00:00 — Why nervous system safety comes before optimisation Azra opens on grief, trauma, and why no protocol lands when the body doesn't feel safe. 01:06 — Why traditional meditation didn't work Cate shares the personal moment she realised conventional meditation wasn't resonating. 03:32 — The body-mind connection and how trauma lives in the body How physical pain, deep tissue work, and unresolved memory patterns led to body-based healing. 07:24 — Why meditation starts in the body, not the mind The key distinction between thought-based meditation and feeling-based stillness. 11:22 — Body scanning vs true embodied meditation Why technique can sometimes keep people disconnected from what they actually feel. 14:19 — Why people sit for hours in body-based meditation The surprising reason stillness becomes something the body craves rather than resists. 18:25 — What to do when meditation brings up overwhelm or trauma How people move through the "stuck" point when painful sensations arise. 21:59 — True resilience vs nervous system overdrive A must-listen section for high-achieving women who pride themselves on pushing through. 26:27 — Is ambition sometimes a trauma response? The hidden role of drive, distraction, and suppressed emotional memory. 31:35 — Why most people have forgotten how to listen to the body Azra shares trauma statistics and why stillness can feel threatening. 33:04 — When fear in meditation is actually trauma resurfacing Cate explains why the body remembers distress long after the mind moves on. 38:30 — Are there different degrees of trauma? A nuanced conversation around childhood trauma, fear, shame, and emotional memory. 43:35 — How silent retreats create a safe space for healing What makes trauma-informed retreat environments so effective for nervous system repair. 47:00 — What it feels like when the body finally feels safe The emotional reward of facing sensations without the story.   CONNECT WITH CATE ZOLTAN LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cate-zoltan/  Website: https://bit.ly/4upNOuM https://www.undoapp.com/  JOIN OUR LIVE WELL LONGER WOMEN'S BIOHACKING RETREAT 1–6 May 2026 | Revīvō Wellness Resort, Bali Live Well Longer Retreat has been named Group Retreat of the Year 2025 by the prestigious Destination Deluxe Awards. Following this global recognition, we're thrilled to return to Revīvō Wellness Resort in Bali, 1–6 May 2026, for a deeply personalised, science-led retreat created exclusively for women ready to reclaim their vitality and redesign their future. Co-founded by renowned biohacking experts Azra Alagic and Camilla Thompson this award-winning women-only experience blends cutting-edge biohacking with soulful rituals and ancient practices to deliver lasting transformation. At this intimate retreat, limited to just 16 women, you'll experience: Daily biohacking workshops tailored to women's health Private coaching, DNA testing, and optional hormone/gut diagnostics with naturopath  Hot/cold therapy, hydrotherapy, meditation and MOVEŌ movement classes A curated, functional medicine-inspired gourmet menu Spa treatments, traditional Balinese blessings, full moon ceremony 1:1 consult with Cocoon medical Dr  Whether you're curious about biohacking or already on your longevity path, this retreat delivers the clarity, support, and practical tools to thrive at every stage of life. Spaces are extremely limited — and this retreat will sell out so get in quick :)  Find out more here www.livewelllongerretreats.com  Contact Revivo Retreat directly with any questions or to book directly (deposit required) reservation-nusadua@revivoresorts.com  HELP US SPREAD THE WORD! If you found this conversation valuable, interesting or inspiring I'd love you to share the pod and leave a review! Great reviews will help me to continue to bring you interviews with experts in longevity, and health and wellness. I would be so grateful if you could take a few minutes to submit a review on the podcast platform you listen from. WANT TO LEARN MORE? If you're keen to get started on your biohacking journey to optimise your health and live well longer please join me on my socials:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biohackher_official Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Biohackher  Website: www.biohack-her.com  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@biohackherpodcast

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About

BIOHACKHER aims to inspire women to optimise their health through nourishing self care and biohacks that will help you live well longer.

Information

  • Creator
    Azra Alagic
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2022
  • Show Website
    Biohackher

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