Hardiness with Dr Paul Taylor

Paul Taylor
  • 4.8 (388)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Twice Weekly

Host Dr Paul Taylor, a Psychophysiologist, Neuroscientist, Exercise Scientist, and Nutritionist interviews experts from around the world on cutting edge research and practices related to improving hardiness in your mind, body and brain to become your best self.

  1. 20 hrs ago

    The View From Above: A Stoic Exercise for Perspective and Calm

    In this week’s Mojo Monday, Carly explores the Stoic exercise known as The View from Above, a powerful practice for creating perspective when we feel caught in stress, worry or emotional overwhelm. Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness — the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take action under pressure. Her work integrates modern psychology with Eastern and Stoic approaches focusing on helping people live meaningful lives without needing to control their thoughts or emotions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    7 min
  2. How Embracing the Messy Middle Can Transform Your Life with Andrew Horsfield

    2 days ago

    How Embracing the Messy Middle Can Transform Your Life with Andrew Horsfield

    Most of us are living well below our potential and often don’t even realise it. What if the secret to unlocking your best life isn’t some grand change, but small, strategic shifts that anyone can make? Andrew Horsfield, a seasoned expert in psychology, leadership, and human performance, reveals that the key lies in understanding how to navigate the “messy middle” of life, the space between where you are and where you want to be. This episode dives deep into the power of small steps, the importance of clarity, and mastering the art of character. Andrew shares practical frameworks like the “transition with intention,” illustrating how everyday moments hold the potential for profound growth, whether you’re aiming for career success, better relationships, or personal resilience. This episode will help you escape average, beat burnout, and unlock the full range of your potential. Key Takeaways The Messy Middle: Growth and progress are inherently uncomfortable. Embracing discomfort as a sign of movement shifts our mindset from avoiding pain to valuing progress. Recognising difficulty as a natural part of transformation empowers persistence through setbacks. Identity Formation: Small, definable moments create lasting change. Aligning everyday actions with the person we want to be solidifies habits into core aspects of our character. This makes change sustainable and integrated into our sense of self. Curiosity in Understanding: Extending curiosity beyond self-awareness to understanding others transforms reactive judgments into compassionate engagement. This fosters trust and influence, unlocking deeper connections. Overcoming Limiting Stories: Stories rooted in fear or past pain, not capability, often block potential. Challenging these narratives liberates us from subconscious barriers, making space for authentic performance. Small Achievable Goals: Breaking down ambitions into manageable steps maintains motivation and builds confidence. This approach counters paralysis from grand plans and promotes consistency over time. Pleasure vs. Contentment: Resilience hinges on accepting hardship. Contentment from handling challenges well provides sustainable satisfaction beyond transient pleasure. Memory Curve: Strategic follow-up and application in learning are necessary. Designing deliberate checkpoints ensures learning persists and translates into sustained behaviour change. Time Stamps 03:04 The Journey of Professional Cricket and Acceptance 06:11 Navigating the Messy Middle 09:10 The Importance of Achievable Goals 12:01 Identity and Character Development 14:58 Clarity and Transitioning with Intention 19:59 Living with Purpose and Engagement 23:52 Framing Life and Courageous Work 25:30 The Reality of Hard Work 27:28 Understanding Capability and Potential 29:23 Overcoming Personal Roadblocks 35:30 The Power of Curiosity and Reflection 43:37 Learning from Experience and the Forgetting Curve 45:26 Final Thoughts on Writing and Life Lessons   Resources Andrew’s Book: Better: Escape Average, Beat Burnout, Own Your Life https://www.amazon.com.au/s?k=better+by+andrew+horsfield Web site: https://www.andrewhorsfield.com/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhorsfield/   Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/andrewhorsfields Support the Podcast If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    49 min

  3. 5 days ago

    Why the 'reduce your salt intake' message is way too simple: Wisdom Wednesdays

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    15 min

  4. 31 May

    Value Your Time With Carly Taylor

    This week's Mojo Monday episode is a poignant reminder that life is short, and the way we spend our time is crucial. Carly shares a heartwarming story about a lunch date with their dad, who's 88 years young, and the wisdom he imparted to their 20-year-old daughter. This conversation sparks a reflection on how we often get caught up in the daily grind and forget to cherish the present moment. As we navigate our busy lives, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Carly invites us to take a step back and consider how we're spending our time. This episode encourages us to take a closer look at our values and how they align with our daily habits. Carly also shares a powerful exercise that helps us reflect on our time usage and identify areas for improvement.  Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness — the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take action under pressure. Her work integrates modern psychology with Eastern and Stoic approaches focusing on helping people live meaningful lives without needing to control their thoughts or emotions.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    7 min
  5. Embracing the Experiment Mindset for Personal Growth

    29 May

    Embracing the Experiment Mindset for Personal Growth

    Are you stuck in a cycle of overthinking and information overload, unsure how to move forward? In this episode, I chat with Tamsin Simmons as she shares her journey from healthcare management to becoming a leadership coach and author, emphasising the power of the experiment mindset to create meaningful change. Discover how testing small, process-focused experiments can lead you toward your true goals and improve both personal and organisational performance. Key Takeaways The concept of the experiment mindset and its application across areas of life Imposter syndrome: transforming it into a growth opportunity rather than a barrier The importance of focusing on processes over outcomes in behaviour change The three levers of behavior change: environment, psychology, and physiology Practical strategies for designing and running personal experiments The pitfalls of information overload and the “procrastination tools” of consuming content without applying it How organisational incentives and environment influence behaviour, both positively and negatively The role of curiosity and a growth mindset in sustaining motivation and joy The universality of the experiment mindset beyond workplace leadership, including health and personal development   Timestamps:04:44 - Imposter syndrome: from challenge to growth tool06:56 - How perceptions of imposter syndrome evolve with experience09:02 - Why the experiment mindset encourages resilience and growth11:03 - The motivation behind writing The Experiment Mindset13:09 - Changes in leadership and organisational behaviour over the last decade14:43 - The failures of piecemeal workplace wellness strategies16:15 - Moving from knowledge to action: tackling the knowing-doing gap18:42 - Why high-quality information can become a barrier when misused20:11 - The importance of treating yourself as your own experiment 22:40 - Real-world example: personal experimentation with diet and health26:11 - Understanding individual responses to health interventions28:37 - Limiting biases in personal experiments and avoiding confirmation bias30:36 - The three levers of behaviour change: environment, psychology, physiology32:24 - How incentives and environment influence organisational and personal behaviour34:43 - Rethinking outcome-based performance for better wellbeing and results36:26 - The role of physiology and physical capacity in high performance37:36 - The impact of environment on physiology and psychology39:17 - Simple nutritional strategies for sustained energy and performance41:16 - Designing meaningful experiments: aligning with your top-level goals43:04 - Managing big change by setting realistic, incremental goals45:06 - Focusing on process over outcome to foster resilience and curiosity47:35 - The power of curiosity and scientific thinking in everyday experiments48:04 - Applying the experiment mindset beyond work: health, relationships, and life49:46 - Overcoming information overload and “constipation” in decision-making   Resources Tamsin’s book The Experiment Mindset Website: https://www.tamsinsimounds.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamsinkate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamsinsimounds Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamsinkatesimounds   Support the Podcast If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    53 min

  6. 26 May

    The health metric that is most predictive of future disability risk - and it's not what you think.

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    17 min

  7. 24 May

    If I Know What To Do .... Why Don't I do It? With Carly Taylor

    Carly is a counsellor and coach who specialises in building psychological hardiness — the ability to navigate challenge, stay engaged, and take action under pressure. Her work integrates modern psychology with Eastern and Stoic approaches focusing on helping people live meaningful lives without needing to control their thoughts or emotions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    7 min
  8. Understanding Your True Identity with Dr Jeremy Thompson

    22 May

    Understanding Your True Identity with Dr Jeremy Thompson

    In this episode, I chat with Dr. Jeremy Thompson as we delve into the complexities of identity and mental health. We explore how early life experiences shape our self-perception and the importance of understanding one's true self. Jeremy shares insights from his extensive experience in family medicine and psychological medicine, emphasising the need to separate negative self-perceptions from one's core identity. The conversation touches on the impact of societal labels, the role of upbringing in mental health, and practical approaches to fostering a positive self-image. Key Takeaways Self-identity as a dynamic, compartmentalised system                                                      People’s sense of self is best understood as a mix of core positives and externalised negatives, which should be separated rather than conflated. Childhood trauma’s impact is modifiable through focused reframing                                      Traumatic childhood experiences leave lasting imprints, but their influence can be softened by actively re-examining and challenging negative beliefs formed early on. Authentic self-awareness guides positive choices over societal expectations                Aligning daily actions with one’s true self and natural inclinations, rather than external pressures or shoulds, promotes genuine well-being. Labelling mental health issues risks entrenching identities over understanding                 Applying diagnostic labels too readily risks turning complex mental states into fixed identities, which can hinder recovery and self-growth. Cultivating inner energy through awareness enhances alignment with true self               Attuning to moments of positive energy signals alignment with your authentic inclinations, serving as a compass for satisfying pursuits. The oversimplification of mental health through excessive diagnoses dilutes treatment efficacy                                                                                                                                            The proliferation of mental health diagnoses, many wishy-washy and overlapping, obscures understanding and can lead to self-labelling that hampers progress. The balance of nurturing positive traits while managing negatives is central to resilient identity                                                                                                                                        Strong resilience arises from affirming and cultivating your best qualities while consciously managing and externalising negative forces.   Time Stamps 02:57 Understanding Mental Health and Chronic Stress 06:02 The Importance of Identity in Mental Health 08:53 The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences 12:08 The Mixed Bag Concept of Self-Identity 14:53 Building Positive Relationships and Resilience 18:00 The Role of Mental Health Professionals 21:08 Reflecting on Childhood Experiences 23:55 Values, Virtues, and the Real Self 28:46 Understanding Personal Desires vs. Societal Expectations 32:00 The Complexity of Human Nature and Selfishness 34:55 The Dangers of Labels and Identity 38:18 Finding Your True Self and Identity 42:31 Navigating Change and Personal Growth 46:59 The Role of Identity in Health and Well-being   Resources Dr Jeremy Thompson’s new book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Understand-Your-Identity-Jeremy-Thompson/dp/1636986277/ Website - https://understandyourtrueidentity.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-thompson-41a47969/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/DrJeremyThompson   Support the Podcast If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    53 min
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388 Ratings

About

Host Dr Paul Taylor, a Psychophysiologist, Neuroscientist, Exercise Scientist, and Nutritionist interviews experts from around the world on cutting edge research and practices related to improving hardiness in your mind, body and brain to become your best self.

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