In this episode of Prescribing Lifestyle, I sit down with Donna Aston, founder of the Aston RX program — a 28-day therapeutic lifestyle reset designed to help people improve their metabolic health, reduce inflammation, and gain lifelong tools for sustainable weight loss.

Donna shares her personal journey from being an overweight teen to becoming a body composition expert, nutrition researcher, and founder of one of Australia's most well-known lifestyle transformation platforms. We talk about how her program goes far beyond weight loss — addressing food addiction, emotional health, strength training, and metabolic flexibility.

We also discuss the real challenges people face when it comes to sustaining lifestyle changes, the role of mindset, and how her research partnerships with RMIT are paving the way for better metabolic health outcomes.

Whether you’re a practitioner, someone living with metabolic syndrome, or simply curious about the “why” behind sustainable change — this is a powerful conversation filled with science, heart, and practical strategies.

🔑 Key Topics Covered:

– Donna’s story and how Aston RX was born

– Why sustainable weight loss needs more than willpower

– How the program helps with blood sugar, inflammation, and food addiction

– The role of strength training in metabolic health

– Why “low carb” isn’t always the best label

– Insights from clinical trials with RMIT

– The difference between “normal” and a new normal

– How community, mindset, and support drive lasting results

📍 Connect with Donna Aston and Aston RX

🌐 Website: astonrx.com

📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aston_rx/

🎧 Listen to more episodes of Prescribing Lifestyle on your favourite platform:

🔗 Spotify

🔗 Apple Podcasts

🔗 Libsyn

📚 Pre-order my new book: Prescribing Lifestyle

A doctor’s prescription for lasting weight loss and vibrant health

Pre-order now at www.mlcclinic.com.au

Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please speak to your healthcare provider before making any changes to your health routine.

In this episode of Prescribing Lifestyle, I sit down with Professor Peter Brukner — a pioneer in the low carb world, a mentor of mine, and one of the biggest influences on my own journey into lifestyle medicine.

Professor Brukner is a world-renowned sports and exercise physician, co-founder of SugarByHalf, founder of Defeat Diabetes, author of A Fat Lot of Good and The Diabetes Plan, and recently awarded Senior Australian of the Year (Victoria) 2025 🎉

We explore:

➤ How he reversed his own metabolic markers in just 13 weeks

➤ His surprising pivot from elite sports medicine to low carb advocacy

➤ Why and how he built the Defeat Diabetes program

➤ The powerful data from the latest research on low carb and type 2 diabetes

➤ Fueling athletes with fat — and debunking the myth of carb loading

➤ How we can educate more GPs and shift the healthcare system from the ground up

Peter shares stories, research, and raw insights from decades of experience — and reminds us that lifestyle is medicine, and real food is at the heart of it.

🔗 Resources mentioned:

🌐 https://www.defeatdiabetes.com.au

🌐 https://peterbrukner.com/

📚 A Fat Lot of Good and The Diabetes Plan by Dr Peter Brukner

🎓 https://sugarbyhalf.com

📸 Follow Dr. Brukner on Twitter/X and LinkedIn

Prescribing Lifestyle the book is now available for pre-order!

📖 A doctor’s prescription for lasting weight loss and vibrant health — packed with practical guides on nutrition, breathwork, mindset and daily habits.

🔗 Pre-order now — https://mlcclinic.com.au/my-book/

Stay Connected:

Instagram: @dr_charlton_lifestyle_gp

Facebook: Dr Charlton Lifestyle GP

Podcast: Prescribing Lifestyle

Website: www.mlcclinic.com.au

💬 If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review or share it with someone who needs it.

Let’s keep prescribing lifestyle — one step at a time.

In this episode of Prescribing Lifestyle, I reflect on my recent experience at the Regenerate Health Retreat hosted by Dr. Max Gulhane and Paula in beautiful northern NSW.

It was a much-needed reset — and a powerful reminder of how nature, light, and rhythm can transform our wellbeing. From morning sun to cold plunges, nourishing food to mindful movement, this retreat was all about realigning with our circadian rhythm for optimal health.

✨ What we explore in this episode:

– How modern light exposure disrupts metabolism, sleep and hormones

– Why circadian rhythm is foundational to every system in the body

– The healing benefits of sunlight beyond just vitamin D

– What grounding and cold exposure do for inflammation and nervous system reset

– My daily shifts after the retreat: blue light blockers, bone broth, no coffee (yes, really!)

– Simple ways you can support your body’s internal clock — even with a busy schedule

This episode is packed with takeaways that anyone can try, no matter where you’re starting from. If you’re feeling tired, inflamed, or stuck in stress-mode, tuning in might give you the gentle nudge to reconnect with nature and your own rhythms again.

🎧 Listen now and let me know what resonated for you.

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🌐 Learn more about the retreat and Dr. Max Gulhane:

Website: www.drmaxgulhane.com Instagram: @maxgulhanemd Retreat Info: www.regenerativehealthretreats.com

https://www.instagram.com/regenerativehealthretreats/

📘 Pre-order my book:

Prescribing Lifestyle: A Doctor’s Prescription for Lasting Weight Loss & Vibrant Health

Coming September 2025 → www.mlcclinic.com.au

📲 Stay Connected:

Instagram: @dr_charlton_lifestyle_gp

Facebook: Dr Charlton Lifestyle GP

Podcast: Prescribing Lifestyle

Website: www.mlcclinic.com.au

💬 If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review or share it with someone who needs it.

Let’s keep prescribing lifestyle — one step at a time.