Dr Will Cole is a functional medicine practitioner, New York Times bestselling author and one of the leading voices in personalised health. His latest book, Heal Your Cells, explores how inflammation, stress, sleep, nutrition and lifestyle can influence the way our bodies function at a cellular level. In this episode, Will joins Georgie to examine what good health really means, and why being told your results are ‘normal’ doesn’t necessarily mean you are functioning at your best. They discuss the impact of chronic stress on the nervous system, why high performers can be particularly vulnerable to burnout, and the importance of treating recovery as part of performance rather than something that happens when the work is finished. Will also explains why fatigue isn’t always simply a sleep problem, the relationship between stress and inflammation, why cortisol shouldn’t automatically be viewed as the enemy, and why sleep remains one of the most powerful tools available to us. They also explore nutrition, supplements, coffee, trauma and what Will calls ‘shameflammation’, as well as his belief that the pursuit of wellness itself can become counterproductive. His message is ultimately a simple one: consistency matters more than perfection, more isn’t always better, and you cannot obsess your way into better health. Heal Your Cells by Dr. Will Cole and Dr. Josh Axe - discover how to activate cellular healing to reverse chronic inflammation and reclaim lasting health. Available now wherever books are sold. https://thehealthinstitute.com/products/heal-your-cells FAQs What does Dr Will Cole mean by “healing your cells”? Will describes cellular health as addressing the underlying factors that can contribute to dysfunction, including inflammation, stress, poor sleep, nutritional deficiencies and environmental influences. His approach is based on identifying what may be affecting an individual rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all model. Can chronic stress affect physical health? According to Will, prolonged stress can affect the nervous, immune and endocrine systems. He discusses how persistent stress may contribute to inflammation, disrupted sleep, fatigue, hormonal changes and the feeling of being simultaneously “wired and tired”. Is cortisol bad for you? No. Will explains that cortisol is an essential hormone and part of the body’s natural response to stress and inflammation. Rather than simply trying to lower cortisol, he believes it is important to understand why it may have become dysregulated. What does Dr Will Cole say about sleep? He describes sleep as one of the most underrated foundations of health and recovery. Rather than viewing sleep as a luxury, he argues that consistent, good-quality sleep is fundamental to reducing stress on the body and supporting performance. What is Will Cole’s advice for high performers? He argues that sustainable high performance requires recovery. Continually operating under stress without adequate rest may eventually reduce effectiveness and contribute to burnout. His broader message is to prioritise consistency, self-compassion and habits that support health rather than trying to optimise every aspect of life. The Performance People podcast, in partnership with J.P. Morgan Private Bank, talks to high-performers in the world of sport and beyond, to bring defining moments, hard-earned insights and expert advice to everyday performance. New episodes every Tuesday. _____ Connect with Performance People Hit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Music http://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/ _____ The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations. This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. © Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved. Connect with Performance People Hit subscribe today for the latest. 🎧 Spotify/Apple Music http://www.performancepeoplepodcast.com/ https://www.instagram.com/performance.people/ ________________________________ The views and opinions expressed on Performance People are those of the guests and hosts, and do not necessarily represent the views of ainslie + ainslie, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, or any affiliated organisations. This podcast is produced by Gameface Limited and is intended for general information and entertainment purposes only. © Gameface Limited 2026. All rights reserved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
