Matt Marney Podcast

In this solo episode, Matt explores the concept of gratitude and appreciation, and why these simple practices can have such a powerful impact on how we think, feel, and experience the world. We all have an inbuilt negativity bias. It’s how the brain is wired. But in today’s world, that bias is being amplified. Social media, constant information, and polarised narratives are widening the gap betwee...

In this episode, Matt speaks with Paul Edmondson, a leading figure in fitness education who works with organisations such as the Gray Institute and Hyperice. Paul specialises in developing coaches, with a strong background in movement, mobility, and applied coaching. Together, they explore a common disconnect in the fitness industry. Many people say they want better health, longevity, and energy,...

In this solo episode, Matt reflects on a recent experience stepping away from the high-stimulation environment of Dubai and noticing what changed when that constant input was reduced. This episode is not about location. It’s about what happens to your brain and nervous system when you are exposed to continuous stimulation — especially through your phone. Matt takes a deep dive into the science beh...

In this episode, Matt speaks with Mark White, runner, entrepreneur, and founder of the Daily Five app. Mark is also the creator of the Grateful Mile and the community initiative Give Your Town a Runaround. Mark’s journey is one of transformation. After overcoming addiction and entering recovery, he discovered running as a powerful tool for rebuilding his life. What began as a personal practice eve...

In this solo episode, Matt shares practical advice for parents supporting their children through exam season. Each year, Matt delivers stress-management sessions in schools across Dubai, speaking separately to both parents and students so that everyone is aligned and working from the same blueprint. This episode brings that guidance to you. Exams are not just an academic challenge. They are a stre...

In this episode, Matt speaks with Mark Dempster, an addiction specialist and therapist based on Harley Street in central London. Mark works with people struggling with substance use and behavioural addictions, helping them understand the deeper drivers behind addictive patterns. Mark’s story is as powerful as the work he does today. Growing up on the streets of Glasgow in the 1970s, Mark became in...

In this episode, Matt speaks with Magda Snowden, a transformational coach with over 20 years of experience in healthcare leadership. Magda now uses her leadership experience to help organisations build stronger teams, develop better leaders, and improve performance at both individual and organisational levels. Together, they explore what really happens when organisations shift from “hero leadershi...

In this episode, Matt speaks with Lucy Kidd, a business psychologist with over 30 years’ experience working with leaders and teams across large organisations. Lucy has spent decades supporting senior leaders around emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and culture. In this conversation, we turn the focus toward the leaders themselves, particularly those who are quietly struggling behind th...

In this episode, Matt speaks with Haley and Scott Hills, a married couple and co-owners of Hills Cooper Performance. Hallie is a physiotherapist with a background in neuro rehab, and Scott is a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and strength and conditioning specialist with deep experience in stroke rehabilitation. Together, they offer a compassionate and practical conversation about life after st...

In this episode, Matt speaks with Dr. Graham Simpson, a medical doctor with over four decades of experience in preventative and longevity-focused medicine. Based in Las Vegas, Dr. Simpson is the founder of Eternity Medicine, a clinic that specializes in reversing chronic disease and optimizing long-term metabolic health. Together, they explore one of the most misunderstood aspects of men's he...

In this episode, Matt speaks with Ryan Hopkins, one of the most influential voices in workplace well-being today. Ryan is the Chief Impact Officer at JAAQ, an award-winning digital mental health platform, and the author of the bestselling book 52 Weeks of Well-Being . Together, they unpack the evolution of workplace well-being, the difference between wellness and well-being , and the cost to organ...

It’s November — a time when many men grow moustaches to raise awareness for men’s mental health and suicide prevention but beyond the facial hair, there’s a much deeper conversation to be had. In this powerful and necessary episode, Matt speaks with Dubai-based clinical psychologist and coach Dr David Lee, founder of The Better Man Initiative . Together, they explore the stark reality that three o...

In this episode, Matt is joined by Dan Rees, a seasoned leader in fitness education with over 25 years’ experience. Having led multiple major training providers and awarding bodies in the UK, Dan brings a rare depth of insight into what’s really going on in the world of fitness qualifications and education. Together, they unpack one of the most important — and misunderstood — topics in the industr...

In this episode, Matt speaks with Antony White — lead coach and founder of Level Up DXB , a Dubai-based strength training community designed to empower women through education, lifting, and community support. Ant has created a space where women learn the foundations of strength — from proper form to big compound lifts — while building confidence, agency, and a sense of belonging. This episode is a...

In this episode, Matt speaks with Dana Ariss — a recovery coach, trauma‑informed yoga and mindfulness teacher, and wellness specialist based in Dubai. SilverBell+1 They dig into the lesser-seen pressures women face, particularly as mothers juggling career, home, and identity — a phenomenon often called the “second shift.” Dana brings her experience in psychology, trauma work, and recovery to this...

This is the follow-up to Episode 148 — a deeper dive into the inner landscape of meditation and the powerful shifts it can create in how we experience the world. In this solo episode, Matt explores what comes after the breath and body: mindfulness of sound, mind, and emotion — and how these practices can help build emotional awareness, resilience, and a more open-hearted way of living. In this epi...

In this solo episode, Matt reflects on his recent two-week silent retreat and shares the insights, lessons, and clarity that came from that experience. After receiving lots of questions about why he meditates and what he gets from it, Matt decided to share what he wishes he had known when he first started. This is a practical, beginner-friendly introduction to meditation — not just how to do it, b...

Dogs bring so much joy, love, and laughter into our lives — but when something isn’t quite right in the relationship, it can cause real stress for owners and even entire families. In this episode, Matt is joined by Cheryl Marney , a reward-based dog trainer certified by the IMDT (Institute of Modern Dog Trainers). With years of experience helping owners and dogs build better bonds, Cheryl brings a...

We often talk about sleep as a pillar of health — but the truth is, sleep is mental health. In this episode, Matt speaks with Dr David Garley , a UK-based GP and clinical lead at one of the country’s leading sleep clinics. Dr Garley’s team supports individuals, Olympic athletes, and professional sports teams, offering evidence-based treatments for sleep disorders including insomnia and sleep apnea...

Pilates has stood the test of time — but in our distracted, hyper-stimulated modern world, do its core principles hold new relevance? In this episode, Matt is joined by Heba Abdel Gawad, a leading international Pilates educator, co-owner of Dubai-based Bodyhack Fitness Education, and former Olympic synchronised swimmer. Heba brings a unique blend of movement mastery and neuroscience insight, drawi...

We all talk about being “stressed,” but few understand what that really means — or how serious it can be for our health. In this episode, Matt speaks with Dr Bernadette Dancy, an exercise scientist with 15 years of university lecturing experience, a PhD in Sports Psychology, a master’s in Preventative Cardiology, and a professional background in personal training and exercise referral. After witne...

Is balance always the goal in training? Not necessarily. In this episode, Matt speaks with Scott Hills — personal trainer, strength and conditioning coach, stroke rehab expert, and founder of Hills Physical Development — about why training sometimes needs to be deliberately unbalanced to meet the unique challenges of the modern body. With decades of experience across general fitness and clinical r...

Depression and anxiety are at an all-time high. At the same time, we’re more sedentary than ever — even though we know movement helps. So why aren’t we moving? In this episode, Matt is joined by Dr Brendon Stubbs, one of the world’s foremost researchers in the field of physical activity and mental health. Together, they unpack the growing mental health crisis and explore why movement — even in sma...

In a world that’s constantly “on,” finding peace can feel out of reach. In this episode, Matt speaks with sound therapist Caira Lavelle Clack, whose journey from occupational therapy to sound healing is rooted in compassion, curiosity, and a deep commitment to wellbeing. With over 16 years as an OT — working with elderly patients, children, and those with disabilities — Caira brings a unique depth...

In this episode, Matt speaks with Gemma McFall, a chronic pain specialist who combines lived experience with deep scientific understanding. After facing years of persistent pain and coming close to unnecessary surgery, Gemma discovered a new approach that transformed her life — and now helps others do the same. Together, they cover:  • Gemma’s personal journey with chronic pain — and how she nearl...