Food, Freedom & the Fatigue of Choice (with Jon Engelson)

How do you make better food decisions when you’re already mentally exhausted? In this episode, Dr. Shawn Watson (neuroscientist) and Michelle O’Brien (Biotech CMO, mum, marathon runner) sit down with Jon Engelson—veteran entrepreneur, business consultant, holistic health coach, and Chief Strategic Officer of Joburg Meats—to unpack the hidden link between decision fatigue and what ends up on your plate.

From the grocery aisle to the dinner table, Jon shares why modern food choices feel so overwhelming, how marketing and misinformation shape our habits, and why returning to whole foods (and simpler defaults) can restore mental clarity, focus, and energy.

If you’ve ever found yourself ordering the easiest option at the end of a long day… this conversation is for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why “a calorie isn’t just a calorie”—and what actually matters for health and cognition
  
• How decision fatigue drives food choices (and why it’s physiological, not “lack of willpower”)
  
• The simplest way to reduce overwhelm in the grocery store (hint: shop the outer aisles)
  
• Why cooking can be meditative—and a powerful antidote to cognitive overload
  
• How social eating supports digestion, mood, and overall well-being
  
• A practical rule that works fast: “Don’t remove—add.” (Start with vegetables.)
  
• Jon’s most important message: take charge of your health—and verify the information you trust

Sound bites you’ll hear

• “Food is medicine… but it shouldn’t be.”
  
• “Add vegetables to every meal.”
  
• “Take the decision to put your health into your hands.”
  

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Food Decisions

02:59 Personal Journey and Health Awakening

05:46 Debunking Food Myths

09:07 The Importance of Whole Foods

12:05 Cooking as a Family Activity

14:55 The Social Aspect of Eating

17:47 Navigating Misinformation in Nutrition

20:53 The Role of Marketing in Food Choices

24:06 Decision Fatigue and Eating Habits

27:04 Practical Tips for Healthier Eating

29:47 Empowering Personal Health Decisions

Connect with Jon Engelson:

🔗 Jon Engelson on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiefstratigicofficer

🥩 Joburg Meats:

https://joburgmeats.com/

If this episode sparks something for you, hit subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s standing at a major crossroads.

Because your decisions shape more than your to-do list-they shape your life, your legacy, and the world you impact.

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