A Healthy Shift

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 In this episode, I share my top 10 must-read books that have reshaped how I approach health, habits, sleep, and shift work . With nearly 40 years in law enforcement and coaching others through 24/7 schedules, I’ve seen what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to thriving as a shift worker. These books offer evidence-based, practical insights that can truly...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Shift work disrupts our natural circadian rhythms, but with the right strategies, we can protect our health and energy while finding better work-life balance. I share eight practical tips to help shift workers not just survive but thrive, based on almost four decades of experience. • Set a consistent sleep schedule with regular wake-up times, even on days of...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Shift workers can absolutely lose weight despite the challenges of irregular schedules. I explains the science behind why night workers gain weight and offers a practical approach to sustainable fat loss that works with your body's natural rhythms. • Understanding why shift work makes weight management difficult • Research shows shift workers don't...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 If you’ve ever felt bloated, gassy, or just off in the gut after a night shift — you’re not alone. In this episode, I unpack exactly why shift work messes with your digestion, and what you can actually do about it. Forget blaming food intolerances — the root issue is often your disrupted circadian rhythm , not the food itself. I break down how your internal...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 In this episode, I open up about something many shift workers experience but few talk about openly: the dangerous coping mechanisms we turn to when the pressure gets too much. Whether it’s alcohol, drugs, pornography, or gambling — what starts as an escape can quickly spiral into something far more damaging. As a former shift worker myself and a coach to tho...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 If you're a shift worker struggling to get good-quality sleep—especially during daylight hours—this episode is for you. Today, I'm talking about one of the simplest yet most overlooked tools that can drastically improve your rest: the sleep mask. Most people underestimate just how damaging light can be to sleep. Even tiny amounts of light from devi...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 In this episode, I open up about a side of shift work we don’t talk about enough: the loneliness. Even when we’re surrounded by colleagues, shift work can create a deep sense of emotional isolation that creeps in slowly and quietly. Over time, it can affect everything from our sleep and decision-making to our eating habits and overall wellbeing. Here’s what...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Shift Work Doesn’t Have to Wreck Your Health – Here’s How to Thrive In this episode, I talk about why shift work doesn't have to come at the cost of your health and wellbeing—and why it’s time organisations stop treating shift workers like machines. I'm Roger Sutherland, and I’ve made it my mission to educate shift workers on how to take control of...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 In this episode of A Healthy Shift , I break down the long-term health risks of shift work — and more importantly, how to reduce your risk and protect your body over time. As a certified nutritionist and former law enforcement officer , I’ve lived the shift work life and seen the toll it can take. But I also know the power of proactive strategies when it com...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 In this episode, I’m breaking down how your circadian rhythm impacts every part of your health as a shift worker — and why managing it is the difference between surviving your roster and actually thriving. Most shift workers are unknowingly working against their body’s natural rhythm. I’ll show you exactly how to turn that around using real science and pract...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 In this episode of A Healthy Shift , I  break down the differences between two popular supplements: ashwagandha and magnesium . Both are known to support stress relief and better sleep — but they work in very different ways. I explain: How ashwagandha can help calm a wired mind Why magnesium supports deep rest and nervous system recovery Which one might suit...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Shift work wrecks your body. Long hours. No sleep. Crappy food. But what if one of the simplest things you could do for your health... fits in your pocket? In today’s short but powerful episode, Roger dives into why a small handful of nuts a day might be the easiest, cheapest, and most effective habit for shift workers. We're talking heart health, brain...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 In this episode of A Healthy Shift , I take you through my journey—from being a 16-year-old Kiss fan camping outside Waverley Park to spending 40 years with Victoria Police. Along the way, I saw just how hard shift work can be on your body, mind, and relationships. That’s exactly why I created A Healthy Shift —to help shift workers like you take back control...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Burnout has silently become the baseline for too many shift workers—especially those in healthcare and emergency services. You're waking up exhausted, pushing through gruelling 12-hour shifts, barely eating properly, and your sleep is completely disrupted. When did this become normal? In this raw, unfiltered conversation, I'm addressing the dangero...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 In this candid episode, fitness coach Jack Hallows and I dive deep into the transformative power of resistance training—especially for those juggling the challenges of shift work. Beyond just physical gains, we explore how strength training builds confidence, mental clarity, and improved health markers that positively impact every part of your life. After 40...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Feeling Burnt Out from Shift Work? You’re Not Alone — And It’s Not Your Fault. Most organisations expect 24/7 workers to navigate tough schedules without any guidance on how to protect their health. After 40+ years as a police officer, experiencing every type of shift pattern imaginable, I’ve seen firsthand how this lack of knowledge wrecks lives . That’s wh...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Shift work disrupts our body's natural 24-hour clock (circadian rhythm), affecting metabolism, hormones, and how we process food, which increases risks of weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease. • Insulin sensitivity drops at night, making your body less effective at handling sugar during night shifts • Cortisol levels remain elevated during night shi...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Blue light exposure at night disrupts our biology beyond sleep, causing serious health issues that shift workers need to understand and address to protect their wellbeing. • Blue light isn't actually blue – it's hidden within white light with higher concentrations in whiter light • Special cells in our eyes detect blue light and signal the brain it...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 What if we told you that the very people keeping our society running 24/7 — emergency workers, nurses, first responders, and other shift workers — are silently suffering due to outdated systems, toxic workplace culture, and dangerous health consequences? In this powerful and confronting episode, Roger Sutherland sits down with former emergency nurse and shif...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Are you tired of being told you need eight hours of sleep—when your shift schedule makes that nearly impossible? You're not alone, and more importantly, you're not failing. In this episode, we’re flipping traditional sleep advice on its head. With nearly 40 years of experience as both a shift worker and certified nutritionist, I reveal science-back...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Shift shock hits like a tidal wave when your entire life gets flipped upside down by irregular work hours. That overwhelming feeling when sleep patterns crumble, dietary choices deteriorate, and you find yourself constantly out of sync with everyone you care about isn't just uncomfortable – it's unsustainable. As someone who's weathered almost...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 When was the last time you experienced real darkness—so dark you couldn’t see your hand in front of your face? According to mathematician and sleep expert Dr. Olivia Walch , our modern “light diet” may be silently sabotaging our sleep. In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Walch breaks down the surprising science behind circadian rhythms and why obsessing over “8...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 The mental health challenges of shift work extend far beyond simple fatigue. In this powerful conversation with Matt Newlands, former police officer and co-founder of Frontline Mental Health, we delve into the subtle warning signs of declining mental health that often go unrecognised in frontline workers. Matt shares his personal journey through post-traumat...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Forty years of night shifts taught me one crucial lesson— our bodies were never designed for midnight meals . As the founder of A Healthy Shift and a former law enforcement officer, I’ve seen firsthand how eating habits can make or break a shift worker’s health. When darkness falls and melatonin kicks in, your body assumes it’s time to rest. Your digestive s...

Text me what you thought of the show 😊 Ever wake up feeling like you’ve already lost the day before it even starts? If you’re a shift worker, that feeling isn’t just common—it’s a sign your body clock is out of sync. But the fix doesn’t come from supplements or strict routines. It starts in the first 30 minutes after you wake up. In this episode, I share the 6-step morning routine that’s helped c...