Take A Breath

In this episode of Take a Breath, I’m joined by Wendy Heine — certified Wim Hof instructor, breathwork coach and yoga teacher. Wendy shares her journey from avoiding the cold completely to embracing it as a powerful tool for healing, particularly following her cancer diagnosis in 2021. We explore both the science and the nervous system side of cold exposure — what’s actually happening in the body,...

On this week's Thursday Thoughts, Lucy and I talk about all manner of things including where we’re at with our goals and habits, the importance of staying present in the moment, and how crucial awareness is if we want to make any kind of change in our life. We hope you’ll find something useful in here! Love, Polly & Lucy x Download 15 Breaths to Calm Anxiety - a FREE 5 minute audio to cal...

In this episode of Take a Breath , I’m sharing why awareness is always the first step in nervous system regulation — and why, without it, even the best tools and techniques won’t truly stick. So many of us are living on autopilot, reacting before we even realise we’re reacting. I know this deeply, because that was me for most of my life. In this episode, I gently unpack how awareness takes us out...

On this week's Thursday Thoughts, Lucy and I are talking about breaking the cycle of negativity. We explore how easy it is to get caught in those negative spirals where one thought leads to another and suddenly we're knee-deep in a full-on wallow, feeling pretty rubbish about everything. We chat about how the way we feel most of the time becomes the energy we're putting out into the...

This week on Take a Breath , I’m joined by brilliant Kate Codrington — author, therapist, facilitator, speaker, and guide for women navigating the menopause transition. Kate is the author of Second Spring , named one of the seven best books on menopause by the New York Times , and The Perimenopause Journal (2024), described as “an essential resource” by leading endocrinologist Professor Annice Muk...

On this week's Thursday's Thoughts, Lucy and I are talking all about the patriarchy. This social system that historically centres white men as the default holders of power, money, status and authority, is woven into the very fabric of society. It shows up in a million subtle - and not so subtle - ways: women playing small because they’ve been taught to be pleasing, quiet, polite and acco...

There’s a lot of noise right now about calming your nervous system and staying regulated — and for many of us, that creates more pressure than peace. In this solo episode, I gently unpack what nervous system regulation actually means, why staying calm isn’t the goal, and how midlife and perimenopause can shift the way your system responds to stress. I also introduce a simple metaphor to help you u...

On this week's Thursday's Thoughts, Lucy and I talk about what it really means to shift out of the background and into the lead role of your own life. We chat about how easy it is, especially for women, to unconsciously slip into a supporting role, putting everyone else’s needs first, waiting for the “right time,” or playing small out of habit rather than intention. We explore how being...

Midlife can be a season of subtle (or not-so-subtle) shifts. The things that once felt like a perfect fit — a role, a path, a version of you — start to feel off. But what comes next isn’t always clear. In this episode, I’m joined by Ashley Jablow, Founder of Wayfinders Collective and former Presidential Innovation Fellow in the Obama Administration. Ashley now helps people and organisations naviga...

On today’s Thursday Thoughts, Lucy and I are talking about the power of intentionally tuning into nature during crazy times. Most of us would agree that the state of the world right now is…alot. It can feel overwhelming and scary, to say the least, and it’s easy to feel completely out of control. One of the best ways to put things into perspective - not to mention regulate our overstimulated nervo...

Many of us rely on pressure and guilt to keep ourselves moving forwards towards our goals  — especially in midlife, when life can feel full and demanding. While these strategies may work in the short term, they often leave us feeling exhausted, anxious, and disconnected from ourselves. In this episode, I explore why guilt and pressure have become such familiar motivators, how they impact the nervo...

On this weeks Thursday Thoughts, Lucy and I are talking about how our hardest times and biggest “failures” often become our greatest lessons. We talk about how difficult seasons can shape us, clarify what really matters, and guide us onto the right path. A reminder that nothing is wasted – and if you’re in a tough chapter right now, sending you loads of love and hope this may be of a little help t...

Do you love your birthday… or secretly dread it? Birthdays can bring up all sorts — joy, disappointment, reflection, pressure, even a  sense of dread as we move through midlife. And yet, it’s the one day every year that’s meant to be about you . In this episode of Take a Breath , I’m joined by counsellor, personal development guide, and author Tamar Hurwitz-Fleming to explore why birthdays matter...

On today’s Monday Motivation, Lucy and I are talking about that ‘back to school’ feeling that so many of us feel after Christmas and New Year. If you’re feeling low following the festive season, now is the time to make finding joy a priority. Because like so many things in life, we have to get intentional about choosing it. Lucy and I also talk about being aware of our thoughts, how our inner worl...

Midlife can feel like a constant juggling act — from perimenopause to parenting, ageing parents to career demands, all while managing the invisible emotional and mental load that us midlife women know all to well. In this episode, I share 5 simple, science-backed ways to ease the emotional weight you’re carrying — so you can feel calmer, more connected, and more like you again. ✨ Here’s what you’...

On today’s Thursday Thoughts, Lucy and I are talking about maintaining a positive mental attitude even when life throws us a curveball. Last week, I injured my knee on the last day of my skiing trip, and am currently on crutches while I wait to find out how serious the injury is. I talk about how I'm feeling and how I've been trying to stay positive and expect the best possible outcome....

In this episode, I’m joined by the wonderful Margaret de Petro — a former psychotherapist whose work now spans coaching, NLP, intuition, and energy awareness. Margaret supports people around the world to feel more connected, clear, and confident in who they are and where they’re heading, especially during times of transition. Her work sits at the intersection of science, spirituality, and deep sel...

On this week’s Monday Motivation, Lucy and I are getting intentional about 2026.  Because any change you want to make starts with you, and now is the moment to begin living life by design, rather than by default. We chat about why clarity of direction matters, and how real change happens when you start becoming, and embodying, the future version of yourself now. We hope you find something useful i...

On today’s Thursday Thoughts, Lucy and I are talking about one of my favourite topics…enthusiasm! Enthusiasm is one of the highest vibration emotions there is; and if we’re not feeling enthusiastic about anything in our life, that’s a sign that something needs to change. But just like joy and gratitude, enthusiasm is something that we have to choose, to prioritise, to cultivate. And the more we cu...

Let’s talk about the patterns we know aren’t helping… but keep falling back into anyway. People-pleasing. Perfectionism. Overfunctioning. Ever wondered why you keep doing the things you don’t want to do? This week, I’m joined by the incredible Kati Morton — licensed therapist, bestselling author, and one of the very first mental health professionals to step onto YouTube. Together, we dive deep int...

This week, Lucy and I are diving into Christmas — the bits that feel magical… and the bits that feel a little wobbly. Because for so many of us, this season can stir up old stories, tricky family dynamics, or that familiar mix of sadness and joy sitting right next to each other. We hope you find something useful in here. Wishing you a very happy Christmas 🎄 Love, Polly & Lucy xx Download 15 B...

Today, Lucy and I are diving into some of our favourite non-fiction personal development books — the ones that have genuinely shifted how we think, feel, and show up in the world. If you’re craving a change for the better, want to keep growing, and you’re naturally curious, these books will give you a nudge in the right direction. Have you read any of our favourites? And tell us — what would you a...

As we move deeper into winter, it’s easy to start feeling just a bit... off. Tired. Foggy. A little more emotional than usual. Maybe like you’re running on empty — even when you're technically doing “all the right things.” If that’s you, you’re not alone — and this week’s podcast episode is here to help. I’m joined by the brilliant Amanda Ryder, a registered nutritional therapist who speciali...

In this episode of Thursday Thoughts,  Lucy and I are talking about releasing and letting go as we move towards 2026. We cover releasing through breathwork, letting go of the judgement of others, as well as how perfectionism can sometimes be procrastination in disguise. We hope you’ll find something useful in here! Love, Polly & Lucy x Download 15 Breaths to Calm Anxiety - a FREE 5 minute audi...

On this week’s Monday Motivation, Lucy and I are talking about how it doesn’t matter how much personal development work we do if we don’t actually do the thing. You can learn and reflect endlessly, but real change only happens when insight becomes action. We dive into how growth takes time and consistent practice. It asks for patience, repetition and putting in the reps, even when progress feels s...