Conflict is unavoidable. Silence is optional. Skills are learnable, but only if leaders seek them out.
In this episode of Connecting the Dots, Jennifer Halsall is joined by Pinky Ghadiali, conflict resolution practitioner, mediator, and leadership coach, to unpack why conflict continues to damage culture and performance and why most leaders were never taught how to handle it.
They explore how avoidance turns toxic, how power dynamics quietly shape behaviour, and why “open door policies” often fail in practice. This is not about fixing everything in one conversation. It’s about learning the skill.
Pinky Ghadiali works with leaders across healthcare, pharma, and fitness to help them manage conflict without drama or avoidance, using mediation, coaching, and facilitation.
Website: https://www.bypinky.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bypinkyg/?originalSubdomain=uk
🎯 Small Steps Leaders Can Take Today
Conflict doesn’t improve overnight, but behaviour can change immediately.
Start here:
Use the three-minute listening rule: listen without interrupting, fixing, or defending.
Thank people for raising difficult issues — even when it’s uncomfortable.
Ask “What am I missing?” to reduce defensiveness and surface blind spots.
Notice your signals under pressure: tone, body language, phone use.
Name tension early: “We’ve hit a tension here — let’s slow this down.”
Shift from managing to serving: leadership is about creating safety to speak.
Books Referenced:
Difficult Conversations — Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton & Sheila Heen
Getting to Yes — Roger Fisher & William Ury
Episode Overview:
00:01 – Why conflict is still taboo at work
02:49 – The leadership burnout caused by avoidance
04:21 – Safety, trust, and walking on eggshells
08:59 – Why one-off conflict training doesn’t work
09:52 – Formal vs informal power in organisations
13:51 – “Conflict isn’t the problem. Silence is.”
16:05 – Listening under pressure
18:01 – Empathy, curiosity, and judgement
22:38 – Managing expectations in hard conversations
24:27 – How power shapes communication
27:13 – Informal influence and culture change
31:05 – Do people feel smaller or stronger after you speak?
36:47 – Emotional regulation and reactive leadership
39:08 – The three-minute listening challenge
46:06 – Promotions, promises, and negotiation
53:25 – Conflict tools and practical frameworks
55:06 – Book recommendations
57:25 – Closing reflections
Leading Digital Strategy for Fitness Operators in MENA: How F1T Cloud Empowers Studios and Transforms the Member Experience
This week, Jen welcomes co-host Rachel Young and founder Inaze Fatima Sarang, who takes us behind the scenes of building FitCloud—a platform designed to solve real operational pain for fitness operators across the Middle East.
From running Virgin Active clubs in South Africa to launching new concepts in Oman, Dubai, and Kuwait, Inaze shares how her lived experience as an operator shaped a digital solution built for the region’s reality, not a global template.
The conversation dives into localisation, cultural nuance, gender-segregated operations, pricing misunderstandings from global suppliers, and why “Sunday support” matters more than most people realise.
We also explore digital leadership: how smaller operators can build an omni-channel strategy without a dedicated tech team, and how FitCloud’s roadmap integrates AI, CRM, ERP, NPS, POS, loyalty, and more into one unified experience.
Along the way, we hit honest reflections on entrepreneurship, stereotypes in tech, and the legacy Inaze wants to leave for future female founders in the region.
00:00 — Intro
00:50 — Jen welcomes Rachel and introduces Inaze
01:18 — The journey across South Africa, Oman, UAE, Kuwait
02:32 — Learning operations without heads of department
03:57 — Cultural expectations and luxury markets
05:16 — Systems and processes that make or break a club
06:01 — Understanding regional nuances in the UAE
06:31 — Entrepreneurship “on an island” in Kuwait
08:48 — The moment she realised the tech gap
12:07 — Supplier hunting: listening vs selling
13:44 — Why localisation isn’t optional
14:43 — Sunday operations and non-negotiables
15:55 — When onboarding becomes impossible at scale
16:50 — Suppliers asking but not hearing
18:17 — What makes the MENA fitness market different
19:30 — Payment behaviours and shifting models
20:25 — Gender-segregated classes and legal realities
21:52 — Market differences across the GCC
23:09 — Introducing FitCloud
23:45 — Localised support + Arabic/English dialect
25:04 — Dashboards, analytics, and system-prompted commissions
25:38 — Built-in NPS for feedback
25:49 — CRM, ERP, POS, inventory—one system
26:19 — Entrepreneurship with a toddler on your lap
27:23 — Lead-to-sale journey and Meta integration
28:50 — Why CRM must include sales data
29:53 — Building from the operator’s perspective
30:28 — Pushback from developers and fighting for UX
31:23 — White-labelling and user-first design
32:22 — Designing for simplicity
33:26 — The bias she’s faced as a female founder
34:14 — Using industry experience to guide dev
35:38 — Ideal FitCloud customer profiles
37:20 — Loyalty and rewards partnerships
38:43 — Integrations and collaboration philosophy
41:33 — Helping operators build digital roadmaps
42:21 — FitCloud’s AI roadmap
44:03 — Why digital expectations in MENA are rising fast
44:30 — Hard truths: what global suppliers get wrong
46:18 — Pricing misconceptions in affluent markets
48:26 — The importance of localisation and humility
49:01 — Regulatory barriers global suppliers overlook
50:32 — Inaze’s personal “why” and the legacy she wants to build
54:44 — Shout-outs to regional leaders
57:10 — Closing reflections and gratitude
For our 50th episode — and the one-year anniversary of Connecting the Dots — Jennifer Halsall, Grace McNamara, and Dr. Lou Atkinson sit down for a reflective, future-focused conversation about the themes, lessons, and leadership insights that defined season one.
Across two seasons, the podcast has brought together voices from fitness, health, women’s health, longevity, tech, physical activity, and business. In this anniversary episode, the team looks back at the conversations that stayed with them, the patterns that emerged, and what they believe is coming next for the sector.
This is a fireside-style retrospective on women’s leadership, data-driven health, recovery, gender dynamics, longevity, GLP-1s, diversity of thought, and why cross-sector collaboration matters more than ever.
00:01 – Welcome & why this episode matters
Setting the stage for a look back at our most impactful conversations.
01:04 – How the podcast began
Grace’s global network, the nudge to record, and the spark behind the show.
02:45 – Global perspectives
From Saudi Arabia to Nashville — what cultural context taught us.
04:11 – Leadership, partnership & the Nashville episode
Reflections on the power couple conversation with Shahara and Mark.
05:28 – The LEAD programme & Sade Akindele
How the Life Wheel exercise became one of the year’s standout tools.
07:16 – Positive psychology & whole-life leadership
Lou explains the science behind the Life Wheel and why it works.
11:34 – The myth of “having it all”
Burnout, expectations, invisible labour, and the pressure on women.
12:39 – The case for slowing down
Why recovery is a leadership skill — not a luxury.
14:47 – Stress, rest & behaviour change
Insights from Krista Scott-Dixon and the science of parasympathetic reset.
19:50 – Sleep, wearables & confronting your data
Grace shares her sleep metrics and the tools she’s adopting.
20:30 – Vagus nerve stimulation
Lou explains why it’s emerging and how it supports sleep and stress regulation.
24:05 – Longevity: hype vs evidence
Jennifer on the growth of the sector and the need for accessible solutions.
27:26 – Menopause as a key customer segment
Insights from Davitt Meenahan and real-world clinical trends.
29:24 – The gaps in women’s research
Representation, hormones, and why the science still lags behind.
32:38 – Why openness matters
Normalising menopause, brain fog, and real lived experience.
33:40 – The business case for women’s health
Purchasing power, retention, absenteeism, and leadership strategy.
36:50 – Leadership pipelines & transparency
Why board and executive pathways remain opaque — and what must change.
38:23 – Network = net worth
Visibility, community, and breaking the habit of staying quiet.
41:29 – The Collective Network
What we learned from building a 300+ global community.
43:36 – LinkedIn and visibility
Why modesty and career progression are a bad mix.
47:51 – Sponsorship vs mentorship
The distinction that changes careers.
54:07 – GLP-1s and the future consumer
Lou on the next wave and what organisations need to get right.
59:21 – Behaviour change, inactivity & long-term risk
Connecting GLP-1s, kids’ activity trends, and systemic challenges.
1:05:10 – Accessible longevity
The rise of affordable scanning, testing, and personalised care.
1:08:16 – Will longevity absorb fitness?
A discussion on the sector’s evolution.
1:10:50 – Looking ahead to 2026
Cross-sector collaboration, evidence-based practice, and women leading the future.
Timestamps
Longevity and preventative health are booming – but most tools are still priced and designed for a small group of wealthy, already health-literate consumers.
In this episode, Jen speaks with Jamie Mair, founder of Yunopod, about how full-body, non-invasive scanning can give people actionable health data in minutes, at a price point designed for the wider population, not just the 1%.
Jamie traces his journey from the early fitness industry, through equipment innovation and corporate wellbeing, to building Yunopod: a stand-in pod that captures a full-body 3D model, skin mapping, bioimpedance metrics, and a more accurate Body Volume Index – all in just a few seconds.
Together, they explore how Yunopod fits into the rapidly emerging longevity ecosystem, why accuracy and accessibility matter more than hype, and how this type of technology could change the way we think about healthspan, prevention, and population health.
In this episode, we cover:
Why longevity has become “a playground for the rich” – and how to change that
Jamie’s journey across fitness, tech, and corporate health that led to Yunopod
What actually happens when you step inside a Yunopod – from scan to personal dashboard
The difference between BMI and Body Volume Index (and why it matters)
How full-body skin mapping and shape change tracking can support prevention
Real-world stories: from emotional body-change moments to mole monitoring
Where Yunopod could live in the future: hospitals, pharmacies, gyms, and pods on wheels
The next 2–3 years of preventative tech, non-invasive diagnostics, and healthspan innovation
Learn more:
Yunopod: https://www.yunopod.com/#benefit
Connect with Jamie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mair-827b881/
00:00 – Longevity as a playground for the rich
Why most longevity and wellness tools are still inaccessible for the wider population.
00:49 – Welcome and Jamie’s origin story
From the early days of the fitness industry to equipment, tech, and Virgin Health Miles.
03:00 – From gyms to prevention and data
How Jamie’s experience in fitness and corporate wellbeing led to the idea behind Yunopod.
08:06 – Defining longevity: lifespan vs healthspan
Why the real goal isn’t living forever, but living better for longer.
12:23 – Democratising health data
The cost problem in current health and longevity tech, and how Yunopod aims to solve it.
14:03 – What is Yunopod, really?
The pod, the scan, and what gets measured: skin, 3D model, bioimpedance, Body Volume Index.
18:24 – Inside the pod: the user experience
What it feels like to step in, scan in seconds, and then explore your data privately.
25:12 – Body Volume Index explained
How it compares to BMI, why it’s more accurate, and how Yunopod delivers it at scale.
27:28 – Your “post-scan grocery list”
The concrete outputs you walk away with – and how they create agency, not anxiety.
34:01 – Stories from early testing
Emotional body-change moments, mole tracking, and supporting clinicians with better data.
39:45 – Where you’ll find Yunopod in future
Pharmacies, hospitals, health clubs, corporate sites – and Yunopod on wheels.
42:34 – Dream collaborations
Insurers, skincare brands, and longevity clinics as key ecosystem partners.
45:27 – The next 2 years of preventative tech
Non-invasive capture, dry-hand diagnostics, and making serious tech truly affordable.
48:17 – Sector shoutouts and inspiration
Other players pushing prevention and early detection forward.
51:25 – Fitness, lifestyle medicine, and longevity
Why gyms and clubs are natural hubs for healthspan.
Timestamps (Spotify chapters)
In The Community Advantage: Why Belonging Drives Better Health and Better Business, Jennifer sits down with Thomas Weidlich- initiator of Noesis and a creator who has spent the past five years building communities that actually work.
Together, they unpack what he’s learned from early business-club experiments, the realities of holding space for others, and why community isn’t a “nice extra” but a competitive edge in both longevity and leadership.
They explore belonging, ambition, self-care, and how to design environments where people genuinely grow — without burning out the person building them.
If you’d like to learn more about Noesis or connect with Thomas, you’ll find him here:
Thomas Weidlich on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasweidlich/
00:01 — Opening
Jennifer introduces Thomas and sets the stage for a conversation on community, connection, and longevity.
01:00 — Early Lessons in Connection
Thomas reflects on formative experiences that shaped how he thinks about belonging and collaboration.
03:00 — Loneliness, Mentorship, and the Search for Peer Community
Why the absence of community can drive the creation of one.
06:00 — From Business Clubs to Community Building
How early business-club experiments revealed what works — and what absolutely doesn’t.
10:00 — Longevity, Lifestyle, and Taking Responsibility for Your Health
Thomas shares his simple, grounded definition of longevity and the personal practices that guide him.
14:00 — Movement, Recovery, and Building a Foundation
Training, recovery, and what injury taught him about consistency.
17:00 — Nutrition, Testing, and Intentional Experimenting
Why testing, tailoring, and listening to your body matters.
20:00 — Community as a Core Pillar of Longevity
Why social connection is a driver of long-term health and human wellbeing.
25:00 — Designing Experiences That Break Down Barriers
From pajama parties to curated conversations — the art of helping people connect.
30:00 — The Psychology of Gathering
Energy, nervous system regulation, and creating spaces where people feel safe.
34:00 — Blue Ocean, Collaboration, and Avoiding the 'Red Ocean' Trap
What competition teaches you, and why collaboration is the smarter play.
40:00 — Birth of Noesis
The spark, the founding members, the principles, and the vision for a collaborative longevity network.
48:00 — Leading Community Without Burning Out
Hard-earned lessons in boundaries, expectations, and avoiding the guru trap.
53:00 — Contribution, Reciprocity, and Long-Term Momentum
How real communities sustain themselves.
57:00 — Ambition, Waves, and Reinventing Yourself
A candid conversation about motivation as life evolves.
01:02:00 — High-Frequency Humans
Who inspires Thomas — and why.
01:04:00 — Closing Thoughts
Building community as a practice, a responsibility, and a long game.
Chapters & Timestamps
Longevity is booming. With it comes a cascade of new titles: longevity doctors, longevity consultants, longevity coaches. But what do these labels actually mean? Who defines them, who controls them, and who verifies the standards behind them? In this episode of The Longevity Playbook, we start at the beginning with the emergence of the longevity coach.
Jennifer Halsall is joined by Darren Morris, a former CMO turned longevity coach, and Sarah Edmonds, an international expert in education and professional standards. Together, they explore what credibility in this space should really look like.
Summary
This episode explores the emerging field of longevity coaching. Darren and Sarah share their personal journeys into health and wellness, highlighting how coaching can help people maximize healthy years rather than simply extend lifespan. The discussion covers the growing demand for longevity coaching, the types of clients seeking support, and the need for collaboration with healthcare professionals. They also examine the challenges of defining the role of a longevity coach and the importance of making these services more accessible to a wider audience.
Key Takeaways
Darren transitioned from corporate marketing to longevity coaching
Sarah brings deep expertise from fitness education and quality assurance
Longevity coaching focuses on maximizing healthy years, not just extending lifespan
Demand is driven by aging populations and lifestyle-related diseases
Many clients seek vitality, energy, and clarity rather than longevity alone
Collaboration with healthcare professionals is essential
The profession lacks a clear definition and standards
Democratizing access is critical for broader impact
Clients often report “not feeling well” despite no clinical diagnosis
The future requires a stronger professional framework
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Longevity Coaching
09:10 Darren's Journey from Corporate to Coaching
13:48 Sarah's Transition into Fitness and Education
18:50 The Emergence of Longevity Coaching
25:58 The Need for Longevity Solutions
30:47 Democratizing Longevity Coaching
35:05 The Foundation of Healthy Living
37:11 The Need for Discipline in a Distracted World
37:41 Understanding Longevity Coaching
38:01 Client Profiles: Who Seeks Longevity Coaching?
38:53 Identifying Common Complaints Among Clients
40:09 The Disconnect Between Health and Feeling Well
41:51 Restoring Vitality and Energy
43:15 Building Sustainable Habits for Longevity
46:00 Collaboration with Healthcare Professionals
50:18 The Evolving Role of Personal Trainers
53:12 Defining Longevity in the Health Ecosystem
01:01:55 The Future of Longevity Coaching
01:07:54 Closing Remarks
In this episode of Connecting the Dots: The Longevity Playbook, Jennifer Halsall sits down with Maaike Dorsteen, founder of Furrow and one of Europe’s best-known skinfluencers. Known as “the Wrinkle Queen of the Netherlands,” Maaike has spent the last 15 years making aesthetics transparent, accessible, and evidence-based. Together we explore how skin and appearance can be more than vanity. Done responsibly, aesthetics can be an entry point into deeper health behaviors and longevity practices.
This conversation goes beyond Botox to look at how medical aesthetics and lifestyle medicine can collaborate, giving people the best of both worlds: confidence in how they look and strength in how they feel.
About Maaike:
Maaike Dorsteen is the founder of Furrow.nl and creator of @furrownl. She is a trusted voice in Europe’s aesthetics community, translating complex medical treatments into clear, science-backed information for the public and helping clinics connect with patients through education and transparency.
Treatments Discussed in This Episode:
Botox: An injectable protein that relaxes muscles to reduce wrinkles caused by movement.
Fillers: Gel-like injections that restore lost volume and smooth deeper lines.
Vitamin A creams (retinoids): Topical treatments that speed up cell turnover to improve texture, pigmentation, and acne.
Collagen supplements: Powders or capsules designed to support skin, hair, nails, and joints with subtle results.
Radio-frequency treatments: Heat-based energy treatments that stimulate collagen for firmer skin.
Radio-frequency microneedling (e.g. Morpheus8): Combines microneedling with heat to remodel deeper layers of skin, reducing wrinkles, scars, and laxity.
IPL (Intense Pulsed Light): Light therapy that reduces redness, pigmentation, and sun damage.
OPL (Optical Pulsed Light): A variant of IPL that targets pigmentation and vascular issues.
Ignite (subdermal radio-frequency): Tightening treatment applied beneath the skin, often used for abdomen or knees.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Restores estrogen, progesterone, or testosterone to ease menopause and andropause symptoms while supporting skin, bone, and sleep health.
NAD (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide): A molecule linked to energy and repair, offered as injections or supplements. Evidence is early.
Skin boosters: Injectable treatments that hydrate and improve elasticity without changing facial volume.
Hyaluronic acid: A molecule that binds water, available in creams or injections for hydration and skin quality.
GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy): Originally for diabetes, now widely used for weight management and obesity-related health risks.
Breast augmentation: Surgery to restore or enhance breast volume.
Tummy tuck (abdominoplasty): Surgery to remove excess skin and tighten abdominal muscles.
Mommy makeover: A combination of procedures such as tummy tuck, breast surgery, and liposuction after pregnancy.
Sunscreen: Daily skin protection that prevents 80 percent of visible aging and reduces risk of skin cancer.
Listen now and see why aesthetics, done right, can be the on-ramp to better health.
This episode is different.
No outside guests, no case studies, just Grace McNamara and Jennifer Halsall sitting down to talk openly about something we’ve been building behind the scenes: The Collective Beta.
It’s our new sandbox, a space where ideas, frameworks, and collaborations can be pressure-tested with real businesses in the longevity sector. The first thing we’re putting under the microscope is our Customer Targeting Longevity Framework.
Here’s the question we’re asking: How do clinics and companies in longevity truly identify and reach the right customers? This is about sustainability, scalability, and ultimately making longevity services accessible to more people, in more markets.
We’re opening up this beta to the first cohort of clinics and companies and we’re offering our expertise for free. The offer is synergistic- to help you sharpen your targeting, grow more effectively, and, in return, to help us refine a framework that can raise the game for the entire sector.
We also took this opportunity to reflect on the remarkable voices that have already joined us on the podcast, the leaders and innovators shaping what longevity means today:
Dr. Dorsa Jaleai (Zova Life, UK) – Making longevity care accessible through telehealth and personalised protocols.
Anna Milani (Spark Fitness & Longevity, Singapore) – Building brain-body programmes to keep cognitive health as strong as physical health.
Davitt Meenaghan (ReWell, Ireland) – Bridging ancestral wisdom with biohacking modalities like infrared, hyperbaric oxygen, and cold therapy.
Susan Turner (Precision Health, Dubai) & Christian Kruse (Stay Young Media, Germany) – Exploring cultural and regional shifts in longevity adoption.
Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon (One Percent Better Academy, Canada/Global) – Redefining stress management and behavioural design for healthspan.
Mikkel Christiansen (Ventraject, Denmark) – Positioning VO₂ max as a key metric for long-term health.
Across these conversations, two themes keep resurfacing:
A need for caution around the unregulated supplement industry.
A universal desire for a consolidated health data platform, something like Elfie , that can bring all personal health information together in one place.
We close this episode, as always, with shout-outs to those pushing the field forward, from Brian Johnson’s radical self-experimentation, to Dr. Stacey Sims’ groundbreaking research on female physiology, to authors like Dr. Jen Gunter, and entrepreneurs like Ariel Belgrave Harris and Kelly Taphouse, who are rewriting what midlife and women’s health can look like.
This isn’t a one-off reflection. It’s the start of a bigger collaboration. If you’re a clinic, founder, or operator in the longevity space, consider this your invitation to join our Collective Beta.
https://www.wearethecollective.world/longevity-customer-segmentation-pilot
What does it really mean to live longer — and live better?
In this episode, I sit down with Davitt Meenaghan, founder of ReWell, whose journey into longevity began in his grandmother’s garden and has taken him to the cutting edge of biohacking. We explore the powerful intersection between ancestral wisdom and modern science, uncovering why the real keys to healthspan aren’t found in a “magic pill” but in the simple, consistent habits we too often overlook.
Davitt shares deeply personal insights, from near-blackouts on the hockey pitch to helping clients reverse years of ill health and challenges our obsession with staying young at all costs. Together, we examine how culture, technology, and community shape our approach to aging, and why purpose might be the most overlooked longevity hack of all.
This is a conversation about reconnection: to nature, to ourselves, and to what really matters.
Find out more about ReWell here:https://rewell.ie/
Takeaways
Davitt's journey into nutrition began with his grandmother's influence.
The importance of understanding the medicinal value of everyday herbs.
Biohacking is about merging ancestral wisdom with modern technology.
Longevity is driven by a quest for youth and health.
Cultural attitudes towards aging vary significantly across societies.
Community connection is vital for well-being in later years.
Personalized health programs are the future of wellness.
Success stories often stem from simple lifestyle changes.
Preventative health measures should be prioritized in society.
A revolution in wellness is underway, focusing on holistic approaches.
Chapters
00:00 Journey into Longevity: A Personal Story
07:55 The Rise of Longevity: Cultural and Technological Influences
14:10 Reconnecting with Nature: The Philosophy of Wellness
19:48 Personalized Health: The Future of Longevity Programs
26:18 The Joy of Trying New Activities
27:11 Experimentation and Self-Discovery
28:10 Success Stories in Biohacking
30:30 The Power of Combined Modalities
31:53 Fundamentals of Health and Longevity
33:35 Personalized Health Insights
35:28 Future of Health with AI
39:48 Investing in Healthspan Innovations
42:47 Shoutouts to Influencers in Health
44:48 CONNECTING THE DOTS copy.mp4
In this episode, Dr. Renee Rogers joins Dr. Lou Atkinson to explore the evolving impact of GLP-1s , not just on weight loss, but on the systems that surround it: research, muscle health, behaviour change, and stigma.
They explore how the rise of GLP-1s is reshaping expectations in the fitness and wellness space , and why many current responses risk missing the mark. From resistance training prescriptions to protein pushes, there’s a gap between what’s being offered and what people actually need. Together, they discuss how new research is shifting focus from surface-level outcomes to what really matters: lived experience, muscle quality, sustainable behaviour change, and personalised long-term support.
It’s a conversation about human-centred design in a market chasing quick fixes. Because people don’t just need new medications, they need new mindsets.
💡 As McKinsey noted in The $2 Trillion Global Wellness Market Gets a Millennial and Gen Z Glow-Up (May 2025), over a third of Gen Z and millennials in the US and UK say managing their weight is “very difficult.” With GLP-1s accelerating momentum, the real opportunity isn’t in the drugs , it’s in what we build around them.
📄 Don’t forget to check out our white paper for a deeper dive: Supporting the GLP-1 Consumer Beyond the Prescription.
Too many GLP-1 users face stigma not only for their weight, but for choosing evidence-based medical care. In a world where even high performers are chained to their desks for 8+ hours a day, we can’t out-exercise the systems we live in. It’s time to stop blaming individuals and start designing better support.
https://www.wearethecollective.world/tools-to-transform
Shout Outs:
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to GLP-1 Agonist Medications
03:12 Renee Rogers' Journey and Background
05:50 Understanding GLP-1 Medications: History and Development
11:56 The Evolving Landscape of Obesity Treatment
14:49 Personalised Approaches to Obesity Management
17:44 Research Insights on Lifestyle Modifications
24:07 Behavioural Insights and Patient Experiences
27:57 Market Opportunities in the GLP-1 Space
31:58 Understanding Consumer Behaviour in Health Supplements
34:40 The Importance of Language in Health Claims
36:51 Shifting the Focus from Weight to Well-being
39:56 Personalisation in Health and Fitness Programs
43:13 The Role of Relevance in Behaviour Change
48:34 Exploring GLP-1 Medications and Preventive Health
55:28 Navigating the Wild West of Health Interventions
58:56 Advocating for Access and Equity in HealthcareShout Outs:
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to GLP-1 Agonist Medications
03:12 Renee Rogers' Journey and Background
05:50 Understanding GLP-1 Medications: History and Development
11:56 The Evolving Landscape of Obesity Treatment
14:49 Personalised Approaches to Obesity Management
17:44 Research Insights on Lifestyle Modifications
24:07 Behavioural Insights and Patient Experiences
27:57 Market Opportunities in the GLP-1 Space
31:58 Understanding Consumer Behaviour in Health Supplements
34:40 The Importance of Language in Health Claims
36:51 Shifting the Focus from Weight to Well-being
39:56 Personalisation in Health and Fitness Programs
43:13 The Role of Relevance in Behaviour Change
48:34 Exploring GLP-1 Medications and Preventive Health
55:28 Navigating the Wild West of Health Interventions
58:56 Advocating for Access and Equity in Healthcare
We’re not just living longer, we’re learning how to live better. In this episode of The Longevity Playbook, Jennifer Halsall is joined by Susan Turner and Christian Kruse to unpack one of the fastest-growing global movements: longevity and regenerative health.
Susan, a fitness industry powerhouse who brought 23 Pure Gyms to the Middle East, shares how a frozen shoulder and a Saudi princess, changed the course of her career. Christian, a former German military officer turned digital health strategist, reveals what it takes to bring personalised wellness to the mainstream through tech, media, and trust.
From the UAE’s booming biohacking scene to Germany’s cautious but growing appetite for preventive care, this conversation dives into:
Why longevity is more than a buzzword it’s a global shift
The role of health span, supplements, and personalised medicine
How COVID-19 and ageing populations reshaped public awareness
What’s working, what’s hype, and what’s next in health technology
The business opportunity in helping people stay well, not just get treated
This isn’t about miracle pills or red light masks. It’s about system-level change—and the people bold enough to build it.
00:00Introduction to Longevity and Regenerative Health
03:05Susan Turner's Journey in Fitness and Health
09:57Christian Kruse's Path to Health and Longevity
19:54The Evolution of Longevity Awareness
29:43Longevity Services in Different Markets
38:19Trends in Longevity Solutions
46:30Future of Longevity and Health Data Management
Summary
In this engaging conversation, Joe O'Connor and Dr. Lou Atkinson share their personal journeys and professional insights into the intersection of physical activity, cognitive performance, and health. They discuss the importance of behavior change, motivation, and the role of nutrition and sleep in enhancing cognitive function. The conversation also highlights the need for research in corporate wellness, particularly focusing on the beliefs and values of business leaders regarding health and fitness. They envision a future where basic health principles are prioritized, and the importance of creating supportive environments for healthy lifestyles is emphasized. Additionally, they spotlight influential leaders in women's health and fitness, advocating for more representation and research in this area.
Takeaways
Physical activity is crucial for cognitive performance.
Understanding individual motivations is key to behavior change.
Nutrition and sleep significantly impact cognitive function.
We need to prioritize basic health principles.
Creating supportive environments is essential for healthy lifestyles.
Research on women's health is critically needed.
Comparison can hinder personal progress and joy.
Simple, evidence-based recommendations are more effective.
Corporate wellness programs should address the needs of executives.
Celebrating physical activity can foster community engagement.
Chapters
00:00 Connecting Personal and Professional Dots
03:51 The Journey into High Performance Sport
07:57 Contrasting Paths: Academic and Athletic Journeys
11:56 Research Genesis: Health and Performance
16:04 Exploring Cognitive Performance and Physical Activity
20:03 Understanding Motivations: Health vs. Performance
23:57 The Role of Gender in Health and Fitness
27:53 Creating Active Learning Environments
29:59 Nutrition, Sleep, and Lifestyle Factors
30:58 Nutrition and Cognitive Performance
36:27 The Importance of Sleep
38:57 Balancing Work and Health
43:54 Future of Health and Wellness
51:19 Spotlighting Female Leaders in Health
hronic stress is quietly eroding individual wellbeing and organizational performance.
In this episode, we explore why it’s time to rethink stress, not just as a personal issue, but as a systemic business risk.
Host Jennifer Halsall is joined by Dr. Krista Scott-Dixon, founder of the 1% Better Academy, and Dr. Lou Atkinson, behavioral scientist and health psychologist. Together, they unpack the science behind chronic stress, its impact on healthspan, and what leaders can do to build more resilient teams and cultures.
We cover:
Why small, consistent habits outperform big, unsustainable changes
The link between stress, longevity, and productivity
How to design environments- like gyms, workplaces, and digital tools that people actually want to use
Why the 1% Better approach works for individuals and organizations
Whether you're a leader, operator, or innovator, this conversation will reframe how you think about wellbeing—and what it really takes to support lasting change.
Vivian Szterling’s story isn’t linear, it’s layered, intentional, and quietly radical.
She started in tourism, moved through pharmacy and neuroscience, and landed in nutrition. But nothing truly clicked until she discovered mindfulness. That’s when the dots connected, and her purpose became clear.
Today, she’s not just a registered dietitian or mindfulness instructor, she’s a global voice shaping health content at Elfie, a fast-growing health tech platform. Her mission? To bring calm, science, and cultural relevance into people’s everyday choices, from food to thought patterns.
What makes Vivian different is her refusal to oversimplify complexity. She takes rigorous science, decodes it with compassion, and delivers it in a way that anyone, in Brazil, Vietnam, Egypt, or Ireland, can understand and use.
This episode explores:
Why your career doesn’t have to make sense until it suddenly does
How to build global impact from a small town near Rio
What real nourishment means (hint: it’s more than what’s on your plate)
The myth of the “magic pill” in health and behavior change
Why simplicity is the highest form of mastery
Vivian doesn’t shout, she listens, reflects, and nudges change from the inside out. If you're feeling overwhelmed, misaligned, or unsure how your own dots connect, this episode is your pause and your permission.
“Everything around us nourishes us. It's not only the food.” – Vivian Szterling
Episode Shout Outs
Emilie Cristini
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Vivian Sterling and Her Journey
06:42 Connecting the Dots: Career Evolution and Mindfulness
12:53 Cultural Context: Working in a Global Health Tech Environment
20:47 Balancing Professional and Personal Life
28:44 The Importance of Nourishment Beyond Food
35:42 Key Takeaways for Health Professionals
39:54 Spotlighting Female Leaders in Health Tech
Until recently, measuring your VO2Max required a lab setting, a mask, and a max-effort treadmill test. This made it inaccessible for most people. But VO2Max is one of the most powerful indicators of health we have. It measures how efficiently your body uses oxygen during exercise and is directly linked to heart strength, disease prevention, and even lifespan.
In this episode, Jennifer talks with Mikkel Kristiansen, CEO of Ventriject, about how their breakthrough technology is making VO2Max testing fast, affordable, and accessible with no exercise required.
They explore how small improvements in VO2Max can reduce your risk of cardiovascular events, certain cancers, and depression. Increasing your score can even add days to your life, with research showing up to 45 days gained per VO2Max point.
🎯 For businesses, this is a unique opportunity to bring measurable, evidence-based health insights to your customers and expand the value you deliver through prevention-focused care.
Want to truly level the playing field in leadership and sport? Host Grace McNamara talks with system-thinkers Eran and Carolyn about the hidden forces shaping our world: bias, diverse role models, and crucial male allies.
Eran shares how his Value Sports initiative uses sport to tackle prejudice and empower youth, revealing how early biases can push girls out of the game. Carolyn uncovers challenges in health tech's "tech bro" culture, advocating for women's health innovation and honest talks about menopause.
They confront unconscious bias head-on, showing why diverse boards aren't just better, but more successful. Eran offers a powerful male perspective: increased female leadership doesn't shrink the pie; it makes it bigger and more valuable for everyone.
This episode is about systemic change: embedding equality into organisations' core DNA, not just through workshops. The next generation, with their broad thinking and embrace of feminism, offers immense hope.
Tune in to rethink assumptions and join the movement where we're all playing for the win!
A big shout-out to the incredible female leaders mentioned in this episode:
Poppy McDonald (CEO, USAFacts) – for fighting for non-partisan knowledge.
Connie Henry (Creator, Sport Gives Back Awards) – for transforming lives through sport.
Emily Robinson (CEO, London Sport) – for leading sport as a role model.
🤝 Meet Our Guests:
Rosanna Tucker – Co-Founder, CoverMe
Isabel van de Keere – Founder, Immersive Rehab
Rosanna was dismissed in a business meeting as “just a little girl from Brighton.” Isabel was told her company must be a side project.
Neither of them listened.
This episode is a conversation about what happens when you build something because no one else will. It’s about how sport and injury can both be starting points for change. It’s about immersive tech being used not to escape reality, but to rebuild it.
Rosanna started her journey on a running track at age seven. She ended up co-founding a company that's redefining how we manage gig economy talent across fitness, sport, and now health. Isabel survived a traumatic brain injury, recovered, and then built a company to change how stroke and spinal patients experience rehab, because she lived through a system that didn’t work.
We spoke about bias, and about how it feels to pitch for funding in a room full of people who don’t believe you belong there. We spoke about confidence, leadership, invisible labour, and what real innovation looks like when it's grounded in lived experience.
This conversation moved me. And I think it might change how you think about leadership, tech, and the future of care.
– Grace
🔗 Spotify: Connecting the Dots by The Collective
🔗 Apple Podcasts: Connecting the Dots by The Collective
🔗 YouTube: We Are The Collective_world
Episode Shout outs:
📣 Episode Shoutouts:
Emma Barry
John Treharne
Beverlee Brinkworth
Debra Babalola
Shefali Bohra
💼 Key Takeaways:
The hidden infrastructure powering the gig economy – and what happens when it fails.
How immersive environments are helping stroke survivors and spinal injury patients regain independence.
Why innovation often starts with trying to fix your own broken day.
What the fitness sector can learn from clinical rehab—and vice versa.
The realities of being underestimated as a female founder, and why that might be your unfair advantage.
This week on Connecting the Dots, I’m sharing my personal journey with Zova Life, a hyper-personalised longevity service that transforms the overwhelming noise of health advice into clear, actionable, and evidence-based strategies. I was so intrigued by Zova’s service after our first podcast that I wanted to know how it truly worked. So, I decided to test the service out myself.
Approaching 49 and navigating perimenopause, I’ve always been health-conscious, consistent with my diet, exercise, and fasting, but often felt like I was guessing what truly worked for me. That changed with Zova Life and Dr. Dorsa Jalaei.
Zova Life is not just another generic health report. It’s a deep dive into my blood work, lifestyle, and symptoms, creating a personalised longevity roadmap designed specifically for my body. They work with me based on my budget and the information I have available. I can have follow-up appointments with the medical team on demand, and I’ll check back in to review progress and adjust my plan as needed. This ongoing support makes the journey practical and sustainable.
This journey uncovered unexpected insights, like my elevated Vitamin B6 levels from supplement stacking, and simple adjustments, such as changing my fasting window, which improved my sleep almost immediately.
What stood out most is how Zova integrates diet, exercise, sleep, supplementation, and diagnostics into one holistic, personalised plan. It’s precision medicine combined with practical coaching, tailored for real-life application.
Beyond my personal experience, I’m excited about the broader potential of Zova Life in women’s health. Their focused approach addresses women’s unique health phases, from menstrual cycles through menopause, with ongoing, evidence-based support and a strong community.
You can explore my full longevity report linked in the show notes. It’s a transparent look at how personalised data can guide better health decisions.
And here’s the exciting part for businesses. Collaborating with Zova means you can offer your customers the power of hyper-personalised, preventative care and guidance that takes the guesswork out of their health and wellness efforts. By integrating evidence-based, bespoke advice, you can dramatically enhance your clients’ experience and outcomes.
Zova Life is actively seeking partnerships with supplement companies, fitness coaches, clinics, and wellness tech providers who want to elevate their service offering with this scientifically backed, personalised longevity approach. Partnering with Zova closes the gaps many health providers miss, builds trust, and fosters lasting loyalty.
If you’re looking to add a precision-driven, scalable health service that meets the evolving needs of women today, Zova Life could be the perfect addition to your business strategy.
I’ll be sharing updates on my journey in three months. For now, I’m equipped with clarity and confidence, and that feels like a true game changer.
Connect with Zova here: https://www.zovalife.co.uk/
Check out my full report here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gQ3loUzswJ4NwCLD9xVtcXkJbWuNCtfi/view?usp=sharing
In this episode, Gav Baxter opens up about his unconventional career path, from struggling gym instructor in the UK to leading one of the biggest fitness events in Dubai. We talk honestly about what it’s like to live and work as an expat in two very different but rapidly evolving markets: the fast-paced, international business hub of Dubai and the traditionally conservative yet transforming Saudi Arabia.
Gav shares the challenges, surprises, and personal growth that come with navigating cultural nuances, shifting gender roles, and leadership expectations in the Middle East. It’s a raw conversation about the highs and lows of building a business and a life abroad, the importance of mentorship and community, and what true leadership looks like in a place where change is happening at lightning speed.
If you’re curious about what it takes to thrive in new markets, the power of diverse leadership, or simply want an honest look behind the scenes of the active leisure industry in the Middle East, this episode is for you.
🤝 Meet Our Guests:
Guest: Gav Baxter, Commercial Director, Dubai Active
Guest: Grace McNamara, Host
💼 Key Takeaways:
Gav shares his authentic journey from a gym instructor in the UK to leading fitness industry growth in Dubai and Saudi Arabia.
The realities and nuances of working and living as an expat in two very different Middle Eastern markets.
How cultural shifts, especially around gender dynamics and leadership, are shaping new opportunities in the region.
The critical role of mentorship, diverse leadership styles, and embracing personal growth through challenge.
Practical insights for those considering career or business moves to the UAE or Saudi, including costs and community support.
Behind-the-scenes of the Dubai Active event, its rapid growth, and plans for the future.
📣 Quotes To Remember (with timestamps):
“It doesn’t take long to set up a business in Dubai — it was done for me within a week.” (24:51)
“Saudi Arabia’s 2030 Vision is clear — everyone knows the direction, and female leadership is growing fast.” (22:17)
“The purpose of a leader is to create more leaders.” (53:27)
📣 Episode Shoutouts:
Jenny Patrickson, MD Active IQ — inspiring mentorship and leadership
Rachel Young — unrivaled networking and relentless curiosity
Rachel Chatham and Tom Reese, Dubai Active — passionate, resilient leaders shaping the sector
Lisa Skelton, Lisa Jenkins, Tilly Westill, Samma Osama — emerging leaders driving impact
🧠 Cognitive fitness is one of the biggest untapped opportunities in health, performance, and longevity.
It boosts retention, enhances engagement, and drives outcomes — not just in sport or fitness, but in clinical care, workplace wellbeing, and active ageing.
In Episode 31 of Connecting the Dots: The Longevity Playbook, I sat down with two pioneers who are putting brain health at the centre of business strategy:
🗣️ Anna Milani – Founder of Sparkd and Head of Physical & Cognitive Performance at a leading Longevity Clinic in Singapore
🗣️ Tarek Michael Chouja – Founder of the Functional Training Institute and global educator in movement, mindset, and motor control
We explored:
✔️ Why dual tasking is more than a training tool — it’s a pathway to better outcomes
✔️ How operators are embedding cognitive fitness into their value proposition
✔️ What metrics matter when measuring brain-based progress
✔️ Where the biggest commercial opportunities are across sectors
✔️ And what this means for the future of ageing well
This episode is for executives and decision-makers who want to stay ahead of the curve — and build models that serve both people and performance.