<![CDATA[The Vital Room]]>This podcast dives into the tools that drive both work and athletic performance — through the lens of lifestyle medicine and coaching.

Join Dr Kurren Sandhu as he breaks down what actually moves the needle: recovery, physiology, mindset, training structure, injuries, habits, energy systems, and the daily choices that shape long-term health and output.
Think of it as performance medicine for ambitious people who want to thrive without burnout.

]]>www.thevitalroom.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 28 May 2026 05:04:30 GMTThu, 20 Nov 2025 21:38:34 GMT60Dr Kurren Sandhu<p>This podcast dives into the tools that drive both <b>work</b> and <b>athletic performance</b> — through the lens of lifestyle medicine and coaching.</p><p>Join Dr Kurren Sandhu as he breaks down what actually moves the needle: recovery, physiology, mindset, training structure, injuries, habits, energy systems, and the daily choices that shape long-term health and output.<br />Think of it as performance medicine for ambitious people who want to thrive without burnout.</p>episodicDr Kurren Sandhuhello@thevitalroom.comno<![CDATA[From Bodybuilding to Food Systems: Rethinking Nutrition with Dr Ryan Andrews]]>In this episode of The Vital Room, I sit down with nutrition scientist Ryan Andrews to explore a side of nutrition that most people never see.

Ryan’s journey started in competitive bodybuilding — focused on macros, performance, and physique — but over the last 20+ years, his perspective has expanded into something much bigger: the intersection between nutrition, health, and the global food system.

We talk about:

  • Why nutrition advice often becomes too black and white
  • The power of small, practical changes (and why they scale)
  • What “plant-forward eating” actually means in real life
  • The truth about protein, performance, and plant-based diets
  • How food choices impact not just your health, but the environment and society
  • Why variety, flexibility, and realism matter more than perfection
  • The tension between performance, longevity, and real life constraints
  • And how our environment quietly shapes our health more than we realise

This is not about extreme diets or rigid rules.

It’s about understanding the bigger picture of health — and finding a way of eating and living that actually works in the real world.

If you’ve ever felt confused by conflicting nutrition advice, or wondered how to balance health, performance, and sustainability… this conversation will change how you think about food.

]]>462f284d-8711-4ffb-bb2d-98bf46f17203Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:34:02 GMT<p>In this episode of <i>The Vital Room</i>, I sit down with nutrition scientist <b>Ryan Andrews</b> to explore a side of nutrition that most people never see.</p><p>Ryan’s journey started in competitive bodybuilding — focused on macros, performance, and physique — but over the last 20+ years, his perspective has expanded into something much bigger: the intersection between <b>nutrition, health, and the global food system</b>.</p><p>We talk about:</p><ul><li>Why nutrition advice often becomes <b>too black and white</b></li><li>The power of <b>small, practical changes</b> (and why they scale)</li><li>What “plant-forward eating” actually means in real life</li><li>The truth about <b>protein, performance, and plant-based diets</b></li><li>How food choices impact not just your health, but <b>the environment and society</b></li><li>Why <b>variety, flexibility, and realism</b> matter more than perfection</li><li>The tension between <b>performance, longevity, and real life constraints</b></li><li>And how our environment quietly shapes our health more than we realise</li></ul><p>This is not about extreme diets or rigid rules.</p><p>It’s about understanding the <b>bigger picture of health</b> — and finding a way of eating and living that actually works in the real world.</p><p>If you’ve ever felt confused by conflicting nutrition advice, or wondered how to balance health, performance, and sustainability… this conversation will change how you think about food.</p>no00:44:35From Bodybuilding to Food Systems: Rethinking Nutrition with Dr Ryan Andrewsfull<![CDATA[Beyond Tactics: The Emotional Side of Performance & Health with Mark Alexander]]>In this episode, I sit down with Mark Alexander from Art of Accomplishment to explore a layer of health and performance that’s often overlooked.

We dive into how emotions shape decision-making, why most people focus too heavily on tactics, and how developing self-awareness can unlock real, lasting change.

We also explore the role of shame in health behaviours, the power of experimentation, and how shifting your relationship with failure can transform both your personal and professional life.

If you’re someone who’s tried all the “right” strategies but still feels stuck — this conversation will give you a completely different lens to work from.

https://www.artofaccomplishment.com/podcast/failure

https://www.artofaccomplishment.com/

Please note the content in this podcast does not constitute medical advice, it is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your health professional before making any changes.

]]>4a417f02-ed8d-4897-88ec-bd126d54dfc4Sat, 04 Apr 2026 17:36:05 GMT<p>In this episode, I sit down with Mark Alexander from Art of Accomplishment to explore a layer of health and performance that’s often overlooked.<br /></p><p>We dive into how emotions shape decision-making, why most people focus too heavily on tactics, and how developing self-awareness can unlock real, lasting change.</p><p>We also explore the role of shame in health behaviours, the power of experimentation, and how shifting your relationship with failure can transform both your personal and professional life.<br /></p><p>If you’re someone who’s tried all the “right” strategies but still feels stuck — this conversation will give you a completely different lens to work from.<br /><br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.artofaccomplishment.com/podcast/failure" target="_blank">https://www.artofaccomplishment.com/podcast/failure</a><br /></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.artofaccomplishment.com/" target="_blank">https://www.artofaccomplishment.com/</a></p><p></p><p>Please note the content in this podcast does not constitute medical advice, it is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your health professional before making any changes.</p>no00:40:16Beyond Tactics: The Emotional Side of Performance & Health with Mark Alexanderfull<![CDATA[The Essence of Lifestyle Medicine with Dr Ellen Fallows]]>Dr. Ellen Fallows discusses her background in Lifestyle Medicine as well as barriers and motivation for lifestyle changes and the importance of coaching and person-centered care in healthcare. The conversation delves into the impact of environmental factors on obesity and weight changes. It also highlights the importance of access to healthy foods and sustainable practices in addressing public health and obesity. Additionally, the role of Lifestyle Medicine and GPs in promoting lifestyle changes is emphasised as crucial in addressing obesity and chronic diseases.

Please note the content in this podcast does not constitute medical advice, it is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your health professional before making any changes.

]]>9eac3538-dc5b-439a-92eb-b50ce6c819c6Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:34:31 GMT<p>Dr. Ellen Fallows discusses her background in Lifestyle Medicine as well as barriers and motivation for lifestyle changes and the importance of coaching and person-centered care in healthcare. The conversation delves into the impact of environmental factors on obesity and weight changes. It also highlights the importance of access to healthy foods and sustainable practices in addressing public health and obesity. Additionally, the role of Lifestyle Medicine and GPs in promoting lifestyle changes is emphasised as crucial in addressing obesity and chronic diseases.</p><p></p><p>Please note the content in this podcast does not constitute medical advice, it is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your health professional before making any changes.</p><p></p>no00:50:51The Essence of Lifestyle Medicine with Dr Ellen Fallowsfull<![CDATA[Basketball, Balance and Sports Medicine with Dr Elton Chawatama]]>The conversation between Kurren and Dr. Elton Chawatama delves into Dr. Elton's journey from medical school to specialising in sports medicine, his experiences, and strategies for managing burnout. The discussion also explores the concept of reframing success and the importance of consistency in training. The conversation delves into the themes of high performance, self-development, and the impact of injuries on personal and professional growth. It explores the parallels between professional athletes and individuals in other fields, emphasizing the importance of movement language, consistency, and the pursuit of perfection. The conversation also touches on the value of experimentation, decision-making, and the enduring significance of basketball in the speakers' lives.

Takeaways

  • Sports Medicine Specialisation
  • Strategies for Managing Burnout Consistency and the ability to perform under pressure are key attributes of professional athletes.
  • Experimentation and self-reflection are valuable tools for personal and professional development.

Chapters

  • 00:00 Journey to Sports Medicine
  • 05:58 Exploring Other Avenues
  • 11:59 Experiences and Growth
  • 20:02 Reframing Success and Consistency
  • 26:13 The Pursuit of Perfection and Consistency
  • 34:16 Self-Development: Highs and Lows
  • 40:09 The Significance of Basketball in Personal Growth

Please note the content in this podcast does not constitute medical advice, it is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your health professional before making any changes.

]]>1a6d1782-11cd-4f8b-ad12-939a83cf4dc3Wed, 07 Jan 2026 22:24:05 GMT<p>The conversation between Kurren and Dr. Elton Chawatama delves into Dr. Elton's journey from medical school to specialising in sports medicine, his experiences, and strategies for managing burnout. The discussion also explores the concept of reframing success and the importance of consistency in training. The conversation delves into the themes of high performance, self-development, and the impact of injuries on personal and professional growth. It explores the parallels between professional athletes and individuals in other fields, emphasizing the importance of movement language, consistency, and the pursuit of perfection. The conversation also touches on the value of experimentation, decision-making, and the enduring significance of basketball in the speakers' lives.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Sports Medicine Specialisation</li><li>Strategies for Managing Burnout Consistency and the ability to perform under pressure are key attributes of professional athletes.</li><li>Experimentation and self-reflection are valuable tools for personal and professional development.</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Journey to Sports Medicine</li><li>05:58 Exploring Other Avenues</li><li>11:59 Experiences and Growth</li><li>20:02 Reframing Success and Consistency</li><li>26:13 The Pursuit of Perfection and Consistency</li><li>34:16 Self-Development: Highs and Lows</li><li>40:09 The Significance of Basketball in Personal Growth<p></p></li></ul><p>Please note the content in this podcast does not constitute medical advice, it is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your health professional before making any changes.</p>no00:43:18Basketball, Balance and Sports Medicine with Dr Elton Chawatamafull<![CDATA[Dr Greg Potter: Sleep to Perform & The Longevity Landscape]]>Join Kurren and Greg as they explore the fascinating intersection of sleep, health, and lifestyle. In this episode, they discuss the science of sleep reactivity and circadian rhythms, offering insights into how sleep impacts performance and wellbeing. As the conversation unfolds, Greg shares his personal journey and experiences, touching on topics like longevity, "biohacking", and the balance between health and lifestyle choices.

Please note this is educational content only and is not to be taken as medical advice, please consult with your usual healthcare professional.

Please note the content in this podcast does not constitute medical advice, it is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your health professional before making any changes.

www.thevitalroom.com

]]>3dbda23f-473b-45f0-b65e-d6edd296fc58Sun, 30 Nov 2025 20:32:38 GMT<p>Join Kurren and Greg as they explore the fascinating intersection of sleep, health, and lifestyle. In this episode, they discuss the science of sleep reactivity and circadian rhythms, offering insights into how sleep impacts performance and wellbeing. As the conversation unfolds, Greg shares his personal journey and experiences, touching on topics like longevity, "biohacking", and the balance between health and lifestyle choices. <br /><br />Please note this is educational content only and is not to be taken as medical advice, please consult with your usual healthcare professional.</p><p></p><p>Please note the content in this podcast does not constitute medical advice, it is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your health professional before making any changes.</p><p></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thevitalroom.com/" target="_blank">www.thevitalroom.com</a></p>no01:11:50Dr Greg Potter: Sleep to Perform & The Longevity Landscapefull