Every woman knows the feeling—sitting in a doctor's office, describing debilitating symptoms, only to be dismissed with "try losing weight" or "it's just hormones." This isn't just frustrating; it's dangerous.

We're pulling back the curtain on the systemic problems in women's healthcare, exploring conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, and perimenopause that affect millions yet remain chronically under-researched and misunderstood. Did you know it takes an average of 7-8 YEARS to receive an endometriosis diagnosis? Or that women are twice as likely to die from heart attacks because their symptoms present differently than the "classic" male symptoms taught in medical school?

The disparities are staggering. When men experience erectile dysfunction or low testosterone, they're quickly offered medication. Yet women suffering from debilitating menstrual pain or perimenopausal symptoms are told to "just deal with it." Medical research has historically excluded women because of the perceived "messiness" of hormones, leaving enormous gaps in our understanding of female bodies. Even the BMI scale—still widely used today—was developed based solely on male bodies.

For women of colour, these problems compound exponentially, with maternal mortality rates three times higher than for white women. The entire system was designed "by men, for men," and everyone with a uterus is paying the price.

But there's hope. Conversations are opening up. Support groups are forming. Public figures like Davina McCall are bringing conditions like perimenopause into mainstream discussion. We're standing up and demanding better—better research, better treatment options, and better understanding.

Share your experiences with us on Instagram @thehealthhundspod.

Helen Anderson joins us to share her health and fitness journey, including how she transitioned from being an internet personality representing body positivity to losing weight and finding joy in fitness on her own terms.

• Helen explains how comments about her body from a young age impacted her self-perception despite outwardly being an advocate for body confidence
• The turning point came in early 2023 when Helen decided to commit to her health to prove to herself she could stick with something
• Run Norwich experiences - Helen achieved a 58-minute time in only her second 10K race
• The BPM playlist hack that helps Helen maintain consistent running pace
• Moving from focusing on weight loss to valuing functional strength and fitness
• The double standards within the body positivity community when influencers choose to lose weight
• Industry "icks" including protein-washing products and the overwhelming number of supplement advertisements
• Practical advice for beginners: be consistent, drop the guilt, and lower your expectations about timeframes
• Helen's three-year journey to lose three stone and how maintenance has become effortless
• How fitness communities provide positive social connections beyond just exercise

Remember lining up in the school hall to be weighed in front of everyone? Or being forced to wear those ridiculous PE knickers while attempting gymnastics? The humiliation of childhood PE classes is something many of us carry well into adulthood—often manifesting as a complicated relationship with exercise and our bodies.

In this raw, unfiltered conversation, we unpack what it truly means to grow up as "the fat kid" and how these formative experiences shape our relationship with fitness for decades to come. We share personal stories of family members commenting on our weight, the mortification of communal showers, and the crushing pressure to fit into a body type that simply wasn't ours. What's striking is how differently these experiences affected us—one host recalling being taken to Weight Watchers at just ten years old, while the other's family never made weight an issue despite societal pressures.

We take a critical look at the viral "Box Wave" phenomenon, questioning whether exploiting a child's weight loss journey for social media fame is truly in the boy's best interest. When adults parade a child's transformation across platforms and morning television, what happens when the cameras stop rolling? The pressure to maintain that weight loss could potentially set him up for a lifetime of disordered eating and exercise behaviors.

School physical education comes under particular scrutiny as we suggest radical changes to how movement is taught to children. Why are we still forcing team sports on kids who hate them? Why not introduce weight training, yoga, or modified running programs that allow children to progress at their own pace? The stark gender differences in how overweight boys versus girls are treated reveals society's double standards—while a larger boy might be nicknamed "Big Tom" and find his place on the rugby team, girls face relentless pressure to shrink themselves.

Join us for this thought-provoking episode that will have you reflecting on your own childhood experiences and questioning how we might better support the next generation. Share your own PE trauma stories with us on social media—we're building a community where the messiness of health and fitness is embraced rather than hidden away.

Running a 10K doesn't have to be a high-pressure experience. Our candid conversation about Run Norwich preparation reveals the laid-back yet effective approach two everyday runners are taking toward this popular city event.

We dive into our training strategies – from multiple weekly runs and strength training to the dreaded hill work. While one of us focuses on building endurance through varied workouts, the other emphasizes practical considerations like testing race-day clothing and maintaining proper hydration. The refreshing "no worries" mindset emerges as perhaps the most valuable training tool, with both of us acknowledging that walking sections is perfectly acceptable and finishing is the primary goal.

Having completed a previous 10K at Holkham has boosted our confidence considerably. There's something reassuring about running through familiar city streets surrounded by cheering spectators and fellow participants. We share a laugh about how slower runners actually get better value for money by spending more time on the course – a perfect perspective shift for those who won't be challenging the front-runners!

The conversation naturally gravitates toward what might be the most crucial element of race preparation – planning the post-race celebration. Huggers restaurant emerges as the venue of choice, with its impressive selection of vegetarian and vegan options making it perfect for refueling after 10 kilometers of effort. Because sometimes, the promise of a delicious roast dinner provides exactly the motivation needed to cross that finish line.

Have you signed up for Run Norwich or another local race? Share your preparation strategies or join us at Huggers afterward to compare race experiences!

Follow us on IG : @thehealthhunspod

Scrolling through social media, you've likely encountered them – charismatic personalities making bold health claims, promising miraculous results, and denouncing mainstream advice. Welcome to the world of health and fitness grifters.

These modern snake oil salesmen have mastered the art of capturing attention in our short-form content world. They make outrageous claims about diet and exercise, often promoting extreme protocols while conveniently selling solutions to problems they've convinced you that you have. From the Liver King's raw organ meat diet (while secretly spending $11,000 monthly on steroids) to influencers filming themselves harassing shoppers in supermarket aisles, these characters profit from controversy and absolutist thinking.

What makes grifters particularly dangerous in the health space? They prey on uncertainty and vulnerability. When someone is desperate to improve their health, lose weight, or fix a medical issue, they become susceptible to anyone who speaks with unwavering confidence. Grifters excel at speaking in absolutes—no nuance, no individual differences, just black and white thinking. The reality is that health is complex and personal, but that doesn't sell supplements or online courses.

The damage extends beyond wasted money. At best, following grifter advice leads to restrictive, unsustainable lifestyles; at worst, it can have serious health consequences when people abandon proven treatments for "natural" alternatives. We've seen followers turn away from conventional medicine with tragic results. Many grifters also serve as gateways to conspiracy theories and alt-right ideologies, using wellness as an entry point to more extreme beliefs.

So how do you protect yourself? Look for red flags: Does the person speak in absolutes? Are they primarily selling something? Do they discourage eating fruits and vegetables? Do they engage in outrageous behavior for views? Most importantly, follow the money—genuine experts rarely need to resort to extreme claims or rage-baiting to establish credibility. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Want more insights like this? Subscribe to The Health Huns and join us in our quest for balance in the messy world of health and fitness. Let's learn together how to spot the grifters and find sustainable approaches to wellbeing.

Sexism in the health and fitness industry creates significant barriers, particularly for women, manifesting in everything from marketing language to funding disparities and objectification in gym spaces. We explore how these systemic issues affect participation and achievement in fitness, and what changes are needed to create more inclusive environments.

• Fitness marketing uses dramatically different language for men ("beast mode," "dominate") versus women ("tone up," "slim down")
• Women athletes and those who train intensely are often unfairly labeled as having disordered behaviours
• Women's sports receive significantly less funding - female footballers earn 90% less than male counterparts
• Many female professional athletes must maintain full-time jobs alongside their sporting careers due to lack of financial support
• Women experience objectification in gym spaces, with fitness apparel designed to sexualise rather than support performance
• Female athletes are held to higher behavioural standards than males, facing harsher criticism for showing competitive aggression
• Solutions include better education for fitness professionals, stronger industry regulation, and redistribution of funding to women's sports

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We explore the messy side of health and fitness, addressing listener questions with honesty, humor, and practical wisdom to help you feel less alone in your journey.

• Health and fitness as a lifelong journey rather than an "on or off" approach
• Women's health myths versus reality and the lack of research in this area
• Practical strategies for managing calf pain while running
• How to mentally handle weight gain without self-sabotage
• Finding the right balance between having quality fitness gear versus essentials
• Realistic expectations for progress when starting out at the gym
• Building fitness communities and finding workout buddies
• Managing motivation through discipline and habit-building
• The importance of lowering expectations to maintain consistency

If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review on your listening platform, and tag us in your stories. We're planning exciting things including guest episodes, a live show, and a Patreon coming soon!

Ever felt guilty for taking a rest day? You're not alone. Sleep, rest, and recovery might not be the sexiest topics in fitness, but they're the secret weapons that can transform your health journey.

We dive into the science of sleep cycles and why waking up naturally feels so different from that jarring alarm sound. Understanding your own sleep patterns could be the game-changer your body's been craving. Did you know sleep debt accumulates over time, potentially leading to serious health consequences? Or that shift workers have higher rates of metabolic disorders not because of diet, but because of disrupted sleep patterns?

The distinction between rest and recovery isn't just semantic—it matters. While related, they serve different purposes in your wellness journey. Rest involves deliberately taking time away from strenuous activities, but contrary to popular belief, it doesn't always mean doing nothing. Sometimes rest is simply changing activities to something that fills your cup rather than draining it.

We share our personal approaches to rest days and recovery strategies, including how to listen to your body's signals. Those persistent niggles and pains? They're conversations your body is trying to have with you. Ignoring them can lead to serious injuries that set you back months rather than the few days you might have needed if you'd respected those early warning signs.

Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, this episode offers valuable insights into creating sustainable health practices that honor your body's needs. Subscribe to The Health Huns podcast for more honest conversations about the messy side of health and fitness, and don't forget to send us your questions for next week's Q&A episode!