Real World Wellness

Alex Ballagh
  • 5.0 (1)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Real World Wellness is a podcast that’s rooted in real life, not in rules. If you’re ready to feel more vitality, more ease, and more joy - without overhauling your schedule- you’ve found your new favorite space! On the podcast, I’ll be sharing real, actionable wellness tips that actually fit into busy lives (because we all know perfection is overrated). We’ll dive into mindset, somatics, nutrition, movement, and everything in between to empower you to create wellness that’s unique to YOU! Be sure to follow/subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

  1. 12/14/2025

    The Biggest Mindset Shift These Holidays

    In this final episode of the mini-series — and the final episode of 2025 — I’m wrapping up the year with pillar three: mindset and boundaries. Before we dive in, I share a little gratitude and a huge celebration: this podcast grew by 562% in listens this year and reached listeners in 18 countries. I’m truly so thankful you choose to spend time here with me. Today we’re exploring the emotional side of the holiday season — the family dynamics, expectations, pressure, and mental load that can quietly drain us. I walk you through the biggest mindset shift that’s changed everything for me: I don’t have to. You don’t have to say yes to everything, hold everyone together, or meet invisible expectations. You’re loved for who you are, not what you do. Then I share three gentle boundaries to protect your energy: the “Soft No” (no over-explaining required), simple time boundaries that let you show up without burning out, and the internal boundaries that free you from people-pleasing and responsibility for everyone else’s emotional experience. These are the boundaries that regulate your nervous system the most. I also guide you through a one-minute mindset ritual you can use before any gathering to ground yourself, choose your energy, and release what isn’t yours to carry. It’s small, powerful, and incredibly centering. This episode is your reminder that you’re allowed to choose what supports you. You’re allowed to protect your peace. And your choices might just give someone else permission to do the same. Ready to begin 2026 with clarity and calm? Join my New Year Reset Mini-Challenge — a gentle, grounding reset to help you re-anchor your rituals and step into the new year with confidence and ease. We start Jan 19th. Link in the show notes — I’d love to support you. Wishing you the merriest Christmas and a joy-filled start to 2026. Be well, and I’ll see you back here in February. xxx Check out episode on Boundaries with Hayley Guinness Here

    13 min

  2. 12/12/2025

    Regulate Through Ritual: Gentle Movement + Somatics for a Calmer Christmas Season

    In this first episode of rhis mini-series, I’m sharing the gentle movement and somatic tools I rely on every time the end-of-year chaos starts to pull me off centre. If Christmas errands, social plans, and general festive frenzy have you feeling scattered or tense, this episode will help you return to your body and reset your nervous system with simple, grounding practices. I walk you through why movement matters most when you’re busy — not as a workout, but as a moment of regulation. Then I share three accessible tools you can slip into your day: my 3-Minute Morning Melt, a quick Doorway Reset to interrupt overwhelm, and a playful somatic shake to release tension and shift your state fast. And if you’re thinking “I don’t have time,” I promise: even 90 seconds can make a difference. This episode is your invitation to move gently, breathe deeply, and use micro-rituals to bring yourself back into calm again and again this season. Want to start 2026 feeling grounded and energised? Join my New Year Reset Mini-Challenge — a short, powerful system for rebuilding rituals and stepping into the new year with clarity and momentum. Link in the show notes! ⁠DM me on Instagram⁠ for the free guided morning overwhelm practice

    13 min

  3. 12/11/2025

    Nourish Without Rules: Eating Well Through Christmas

    In this second episode of my festive mini-series, I’m diving into pillar two: gentle, supportive nourishment — with zero restriction, zero guilt, and full permission to enjoy the mince pies, cheese boards, and whatever questionable holiday drinks appear in your orbit. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about staying connected to your body while still soaking up the season. I walk you through why nourishment looks different in December — with social eating, inconsistent routines, emotional triggers, and all the unique foods that only appear this time of year. Instead of aiming for “ideal nutrition,” we focus on what actually supports your energy and your nervous system right now. I share three simple nourishment anchors you can lean on: my “Add, Don’t Restrict” formula, choosing one daily stabiliser meal to help keep your blood sugar and mood steady, and an 80-second pause before eating to bring you back into intentional, embodied choice. Plus, I give you a handful of tiny but powerful hacks to enjoy festive food without the aftermath — because your body deserves to feel good and you deserve joy on your plate. This week is all about “nourish first, enjoy always.” Small anchors, simple rituals, and a whole lot of permission to actually enjoy the season. Want a gentle holiday reset? Make sure you’re signed up for my New Year Reset Mini-Challenge — a supportive, doable way to glide into 2026 feeling regulated and refreshed. We start Monday 19th Jan. Supercharge Your Snacking E-Book Available here

    18 min

  4. 12/09/2025

    Dating Anxiety, Attachment Styles & Nervous System Support with Harriet Iles

    If dating/relationships feel like equal parts hope, overthinking, and emotional whiplash -  this conversation is for you! I had the honour of sitting down with counsellor Harriet Iles of Restorative Space to explore the messy, very human world of dating anxiety. Harriet shares how she came to specialise in this work and the common patterns she sees - overthinking, fear, and the push-pull between craving connection and fearing rejection. They unpack what dating anxiety actually is and how listeners can recognise it in themselves, before diving into attachment styles e.g. secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganised, and how these patterns show up in early dating through texting, pacing, and decision-making. Harriet emphasises the importance of self-trust and nervous system regulation, explaining how grounding, somatic tools, and polyvagal-informed practices can help when anxiety spikes. She offers a simple, do-anywhere grounding exercise and shares ongoing habits to help build genuine self-belief and healthier relationship patterns. For more from the incredible Harriet, connect with her here on Instagram, or check out her website here.  Disclaimer** The content of this podcast is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for individual professional psychological, medical, or legal advice, assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Listeners should not rely on the information presented to make decisions regarding their mental health or wellbeing. If you are experiencing distress, mental health concerns, or require professional support, you are advised to seek advice from a qualified health professional. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that the host and contributors cannot be held responsible for any actions taken based on the content provided.

    51 min

  5. 12/02/2025

    Astrology for the Real World with Emma Leonard

    In this episode of Real World Wellness, I’m joined by the insightful Emma Leonard of Soulspeak Astrology for a grounded, relatable dive into the world of astrology. Together, we explore what astrology actually is—beyond the memes and mystique—and how to bring this ancient practice down from the ether into everyday rituals, reflections, and moments of meaningful connection. Emma breaks down the fundamentals of birth charts and why they matter, offering an accessible look at the twelve signs, the significance of mutable, fixed, and cardinal qualities, and the elemental influences of water, fire, earth, and air. We explore how these themes show up in real life and how anyone can use them for deeper self-understanding. We close with a fascinating astrological forecast for 2026, highlighting the energetic shifts on the horizon and what they might mean collectively and personally. If you’re curious about astrology, want to understand your chart, or simply love learning new ways to connect with yourself, this conversation is full of insight, clarity, and grounded wisdom. Connect with Emma here Alex's website Alex on Instagram

    48 min

  6. 11/25/2025

    Nourishing Ways to Feel More Alive with Elise Stewart

    Guys …I LOVED this chat!! This week I sit down with the fun loving Elise from Nourish and Wild to talk about true nourishment - the kind that goes far beyond what’s on your plate. If you’re juggling a hundred tabs - in particular if you’re a solopreneur hustling so hard your coffee is basically a personality trait… this conversation will feel like someone finally turned the lights back on inside you. We dive into: ✨ What nourishment really means when life is full ✨ How to weave tiny rituals of movement + nervous system support into your actual day (not your imaginary “when things calm down” day) ✨ Why regulation isn’t about being perfectly calm or “zen” -  sometimes it looks like dancing it out, shaking it off, or taking 30 seconds to breathe like you mean it ✨ Simple shifts that help you feel more balanced, energised, and whole   For more from the amazing Elise: Check out her website here Instagram Here Alex's Website Alex on Instagram

    45 min

  7. 11/18/2025

    Avoiding burnout with healthy (and realistic) boundaries - with Hayley Guinness

    In this week’s episode I sit down with the brilliant Hayley Guinness for a heart-opening chat on burnout, nervous system regulation, and the art of honouring your needs through compassionate boundaries. Think of this episode as a permission slip to stop powering through, to soften, and to remember you’re allowed to have needs too, my love. Tune in if you’ve ever thought:“Why am I so tired?”  “Why can’t I just cope like I used to?” or “How do I honour myself without feeling guilty?” For more from Hayley, check out her website or Instagram.  Alex on Instagram

    39 min

  8. 09/30/2025

    What if your "flaws" are actually brilliant Survival Strategies?

    Discover how childhood core beliefs, attachment styles, and nervous system responses shape your coping patterns - and how to rewire them for lasting wellness. In this episode of Real World Wellness, we explore how the core beliefs we form in childhood shape the way we see the world, relate to others, and care for ourselves as adults. You’ll learn how, when we are young, our brains are in a theta state - soaking up the words, behaviours, and energies around us. These early imprints become powerful core beliefs that influence our attachment styles, coping mechanisms, and even the way our nervous system responds to stress. But here’s the good news: we’re not stuck with them. In this episode I share how we can begin to rewire these beliefs and reclaim our power using both mindset tools and somatic practices so change happens not just in the mind, but in the body too. If you’re ready to release old patterns and create new pathways for wellness, join the free masterclass happening on Wednesday 22nd October with replay available: Sign up here Take the Archetypes Quiz Connect with Alex on Instagram

    23 min
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About

Real World Wellness is a podcast that’s rooted in real life, not in rules. If you’re ready to feel more vitality, more ease, and more joy - without overhauling your schedule- you’ve found your new favorite space! On the podcast, I’ll be sharing real, actionable wellness tips that actually fit into busy lives (because we all know perfection is overrated). We’ll dive into mindset, somatics, nutrition, movement, and everything in between to empower you to create wellness that’s unique to YOU! Be sure to follow/subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

Information

  • Creator
    Alex Ballagh
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Alex Ballagh
  • Show Website
    Real World Wellness