RAW CHATTER! Unfiltered Stories of Addiction, Recovery & Reinvention

Vicky Midwood - Human Health Strategist for high-performers

RAW CHATTER is a podcast of unfiltered stories about addiction recovery, mental health, and reinvention in life and business. Through candid conversations, we explore the psychology of addiction, resilience, and entrepreneurial growth. Each episode (some solo some with guests) dives into real experiences of struggle and success - raw, honest talks about recovery, resilience, and finding success beyond struggle. If you’re curious about mental health, addiction recovery, and how transformation fuels life and business, this is where those stories come alive.

  1. This New Year: Stop Setting Goals Your Brain Is Wired to Sabotage

    5D AGO

    This New Year: Stop Setting Goals Your Brain Is Wired to Sabotage

    It's New Year’s Eve is tomorrow - and this is the episode most people should listen to before setting a single goal. In this solo episode of RAW CHATTER I breaks down why New Year’s resolutions fail year after year - and why it has nothing to do with motivation, discipline, or “not wanting it badly enough.” This is about how your brain actually works. I explains why too many goals overwhelm the nervous system, how self-worth and safety drive behaviour, and why people sabotage the very changes they say they want - especially around food, alcohol, work, and over-giving. In this episode, you’ll learn: 🎯 Why reflection (not resolution-setting) creates real change 🎯 How the brain rejects goals that feel unsafe or overwhelming 🎯 The Rule of Three - and why clarity creates speed 🎯 Why deservingness and capability decide whether you follow through 🎯 How fear drives both self-sabotage and success 🎯 A simple way to reflect on 2025 and set intentions for 2026 that actually stick. This episode is for you if you’re tired of repeating the same promises to yourself - and ready to work with your brain, not against it. 🎁 December Offer: £500 off my VIP Day and 30-Day Accelerator (details in the episode). Wishing you a different and fullfulling 2026. Vicky xx Here's my invitation to get in touch if you think I may be the person to coach or mentor you to optional health and performance. 🧠 Website: https://vickymidwood.com/ Email: vicky@vickymidwood.com Book a call: https://tidycal.com/vicky1/30-minute-chat Connect with me via social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickymidwoodhealthcoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicky.midwood/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicky_gofigurecoaching/

    41 min
  2. Struggling With Food or Alcohol at Christmas? You’re Not Alone

    12/23/2025

    Struggling With Food or Alcohol at Christmas? You’re Not Alone

    Christmas isn’t hard because you lack willpower. It’s hard because food and alcohol are everywhere and they’ve become how you cope. If you look fine on the outside but feel restricted, out of control, ashamed, or exhausted on the inside, this episode is for you. In this episode, I talk honestly about: Why Christmas blows up food and alcohol struggles The restrict → binge → guilt cycle no one talks about How alcohol lowers inhibition and fuels food chaos Why January detox thinking keeps you stuck What actually helps you get through Christmas without making things worse No perfection. No detox talk. No pretending. If this episode hit close to home, I’ve created a short, free PDF:A Calmer Christmas - for anyone who looks “fine” but feels anything but! No fluff. No fixes. Just support. 👉 Download it here 👇 https://tinyurl.com/mwhkw6um Vicky xx🧠 Website: https://vickymidwood.com/ Email: vicky@vickymidwood.com Book a call: https://tidycal.com/vicky1/30-minute-chat Connect with me via social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickymidwoodhealthcoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicky.midwood/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicky_gofigurecoaching/

    32 min
  3. Why You Overeat, Overdrink & Overcommit at Christmas and How Honesty Stops It

    12/16/2025

    Why You Overeat, Overdrink & Overcommit at Christmas and How Honesty Stops It

    December has a way of exposing the habits we pretend aren’t a problem.In this solo episode of RAW CHATTER, Vicky Midwood breaks down why Christmas amplifies emotional eating, drinking, scrolling, people-pleasing and burnout - and why the real solution isn’t more willpower or better discipline.It’s self-honesty.We explore how early conditioning (“be good”, “don’t rock the boat”, “keep the peace”) disconnects us from our real needs and why that disconnection drives compulsive behaviours around food, alcohol and numbing habits.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why triggers aren’t the enemy - they’re informationHow people-pleasing quietly destroys your sense of selfWhy food, alcohol and scrolling feel “safe” under stressHow self-honesty reduces cravings and anxietyPractical questions to help you decide which events to attend - and which to skipWhy boundaries feel hard but create real safetyThis episode is especially for you if Christmas feels exhausting, pressured, or emotionally loaded and you’re tired of ending the year resentful, anxious or disconnected from yourself.🎁 December Offer: £500 off my VIP Day + 30-Day Accelerator (details are at the end of the episode).Vicky xx🧠 Website: https://vickymidwood.com/ 📩 Join the email list for weekly updates: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/426802/87719477697841062/share Email: vicky@vickymidwood.com Book a call: https://tidycal.com/vicky1/30-minute-chat Connect via social media:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickymidwoodhealthcoach/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicky.midwood/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicky_gofigurecoaching/

    24 min
  4. The Invisible Load: Grief, Expectations & Saying No

    12/09/2025

    The Invisible Load: Grief, Expectations & Saying No

    When your mum dies in July after an “85% success” prognosis in May - life tilts.In this raw, practical episode, Jenny Green (low-cost paid ads specialist, mum of 3, eldest daughter) shares how she carried all the paperwork, planning, emotional load and unspoken expectations - until she finally learned to say no. We dive into Christmas triggers, guilt, running & strength training as survival tools, parenting neurodivergent kids, and what it really takes to stop enabling loved ones while still loving them. We explore: • The hidden workload women carry after loss • Why “helping” can quietly become teaching helplessness • Boundaries that hold (and how to cope with the guilt) • Grieving at Christmas - nostalgia ambushes & new rituals • Why strength training is resilience medicine • How work can anchor you when life feels chaotic 💛 Guest JennyGreenEmail: jenny@2222marketing.co.uk Website:2222marketing.co.uk/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jenny-green-080121242 If this helps, please like, subscribe, and share with someone who’s grieving and juggling work/kids/aging parents. 💛Vicky xx 🧠 Website: https://vickymidwood.com/ 📩 Join the email list for weekly updates: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/426802/87719477697841062/share Email: vicky@vickymidwood.com Book a call: https://tidycal.com/vicky1/30-minute-chat Connect via social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickymidwoodhealthcoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicky.midwood/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicky_gofigurecoaching/

    37 min
  5. The Truth About High-Achiever Stress: Night-Time Overeating, Drinking, and the Pressure to Perform

    12/02/2025

    The Truth About High-Achiever Stress: Night-Time Overeating, Drinking, and the Pressure to Perform

    In this raw episode of RAW CHATTER, we go behind the scenes of high-achievers and talk about the part of the day nobody sees: the night. When the house goes quiet but your brain doesn’t.When the pressure drops but your chest tightens.When you’re standing at the fridge, pouring a glass, eating what you don’t even taste - not because you’re hungry, but because you need the noise inside you to stop. This isn’t about food.Or alcohol.Or discipline.It’s about perfectionism, pressure, performance, and the private breakdowns that happen behind closed doors. We unpack:• Why nights feel harder than days• The perfectionism–pressure–numbing loop• Why high-achievers turn to food & alcohol in the dark• The emotional load most people never admit• How to break the cycle without force, shame, or restriction Plus a personal invitation: £500 off my VIP Day or 30-Day Accelerator when you book in December (start in Jan/Feb). Apply here: https://tidycal.com/vicky1/evaluationcall This episode will hit home - because it’s the part no one talks about, but everyone feels. Vicky xx🧠 Website: https://vickymidwood.com/ 📩 Join the email list for weekly updates: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/426802/87719477697841062/share Email: vicky@vickymidwood.com Book a call: https://tidycal.com/vicky1/30-minute-chat Connect via social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickymidwoodhealthcoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicky.midwood/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicky_gofigurecoaching/

    15 min
  6. Triggers, Trauma, and the Nervous System: Why Avoidance Makes Everything Worse.

    11/25/2025

    Triggers, Trauma, and the Nervous System: Why Avoidance Makes Everything Worse.

    What if your triggers aren’t a trauma response to fear… but a message from your nervous system asking to be understood? In this episode of RAW CHATTER, we’re unpacking the real connection between triggers, trauma patterns, and avoidance behaviours - especially the ones high-achievers don’t like to admit: 🍷 nightly drinking 🍽 emotional eating 💻 overworking 😶 shutting down 😡 snapping at people you love We’ve been conditioned to believe triggers are dangerous. That they must be avoided, censored, or tiptoed around. But here’s the truth:Avoidance doesn’t protect you - it disconnects you. From your body. From your emotions. From your resilience. From the truth of what’s actually going on. Inside this episode: 💥 What a trigger really is in the nervous system 💥 Why avoidance fuels anxiety, addiction, and burnout 💥 Why “protecting” people from triggers can keep them stuck 💥 How the brain uses coping behaviours to mute discomfort💥 Practical ways to respond to triggers without spiralling 💥 How to build emotional capacity without numbing outIf you’re a leader, parent, high-achiever, or someone who’s spent years avoiding discomfort… this episode is your turning point. This is unfiltered.This is human.This is the work. 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes on mental health, addiction, recovery, resilience, and real-life reinvention. 👉 Connect with me on Social Media for daily insights on coping habits, performance, and leadership under pressure. Vicky xx 🧠 Website: https://vickymidwood.com/ 📩 Join the email list for weekly updates: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/426802/87719477697841062/share Email: vicky@vickymidwood.com Book a call: https://tidycal.com/vicky1/30-minute-chat Connect via social media: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickymidwoodhealthcoach/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vicky.midwood/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicky_gofigurecoaching/

    23 min
  7. Candy Bars in Gym Clothes: The Atlas Bars Rebellion

    11/18/2025

    Candy Bars in Gym Clothes: The Atlas Bars Rebellion

    Most “protein bars” are just candy bars in gym clothes - packed with sugar, chemicals, and clever marketing. In this episode, Atlas Bars founder James Oliver shares how frustration, curiosity, and a $5K start-up budget led him to build a clean, low-sugar, high-protein bar that actually lives up to the label. From his 4am Uber shifts to survey testing, manufacturing challenges, and a clinical study, James opens up about the real journey behind the brand - and why metabolic health needs a rebellion. We explore: 📍 How Atlas uncovered the truth behind the “healthy” bar industry 📍 The 20g protein / 28g sugar problem nobody talks about 📍 Building a product people actually want (not just marketing hype) 📍 Why your money is a vote in the metabolic health crisis 📍Overcoming doubt, rejection, and the 1% odds 📍 What’s next: new products + their first clinical study Key takeaway: Every purchase is a vote. Stop rewarding companies that sell sugar as “protein.” Choose better. Demand better. Find out all about Atlas bars here: Website: https://atlasbars.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atlasbars/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/atlasbars/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@atlasbars Vicky xx Connect with Vicky: 🌐 vickymidwood.com 📩 vicky@vickymidwood.com 📅 Book a call: https://tidycal.com/vicky1/30-minute-chat 📲 LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram: @vickymidwoodhealthcoach #ProteinBars#CleanIngredients#LowSugar#HighProtein #MetabolicHealth

    36 min
  8. From Gun Violence to Grace: Permission to Grieve, Pivot & Lead

    11/11/2025

    From Gun Violence to Grace: Permission to Grieve, Pivot & Lead

    When tragedy strikes, how do you keep living? In this powerful episode, Chandra shares losing her brother to gun violence- and how grief became the spark for founding a nonprofit, rebuilding identity, and coaching women to design their “third quarter” with intention. We cover: ✅ Why grief needs permission (and what that looks like in real life) ✅ Starting a foundation to serve under-resourced families ✅ Empty-nest loneliness, identity loss & the courage to pivot ✅ Community + accountability: the fastest way out of stuck ✅ Practical mindset tools to define your next chapter—on your terms One takeaway: “Grief is the cost of love. Give yourself permission. You only live once - so live.” Grab your Special offer here: 1:1 $21 Tiny Challenge https://join.chanda-co.com/home-page-page Connect with Chanda: 🌐 chanda-co.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chandacoston Instagram, Facebook & TikTok: @chanda__co Vicky xx Thanks for listening, you can connect with me here: Connect with Vicky 🌐 vickymidwood.com 📩 vicky@vickymidwood.com 🗓️ Book a call: tidycal.com/vicky1/30-minute-...

    36 min
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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

RAW CHATTER is a podcast of unfiltered stories about addiction recovery, mental health, and reinvention in life and business. Through candid conversations, we explore the psychology of addiction, resilience, and entrepreneurial growth. Each episode (some solo some with guests) dives into real experiences of struggle and success - raw, honest talks about recovery, resilience, and finding success beyond struggle. If you’re curious about mental health, addiction recovery, and how transformation fuels life and business, this is where those stories come alive.

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