What happens when you judge fitness influencers by who you’d snog, who you’d marry, and who you’d avoid? A lot of laughs—and a surprisingly sharp filter for cutting through hype. We put big names on the playful hot seat and unpack what their content reveals about the industry: the stale comfort of “calorie deficit” clichés, the rise of aisle-filming icks, and the strange pull of carnivore stunt-eating that makes butter a co-star.

We also spotlight the creators we’d happily commit to: the evidence-led educators who make science feel human, the runners who mix elite performance with humour, and the voices that give context instead of commandments. You’ll hear why tone matters as much as take, how certainty sells better than nuance, and how to spot the difference between coaching and content farming. Our guiding questions keep it simple: Do they welcome doubts? Do they avoid absolutes? Do they help you build habits without turning your life into a brand?

Some tangents are too good to cut, so yes, we talk wild swimming, UK waters, and why trend-chasing can ignore unglamorous realities like sewage, safety, and stress. It’s a metaphor for the episode: before you dive in, ask better questions. If you’re tired of feeling talked at by your feed, this is your friendly nudge to curate for curiosity, compassion, and long-term sense.

Enjoy the ride, send us your own Snog/Marry/Avoid list, and tell us who we missed. If you smiled, learned, or shouted back at your headphones, tap follow, share with a friend, and leave a quick review—it helps more curious listeners find us.

James Smith PT

Eddie Abbew

Joe Wicks

Courtney Black

Ben Carpenter

Hugo Fry

El Mint

Steak and Butter Gal

Lucy Under Strong-woman

Josh Hills Nutrition

Thank you for listening!

Please review this episode, it really helps the pod grow.

Find us on Instagram @thehealthhunspod

December doesn’t just bring twinkly lights; it brings the “super flu,” bulging calendars, and snack tables that call your name. We share a realistic, compassionate game plan for staying well through illness, navigating peak‑work weeks, and enjoying festive food without slipping into all‑or‑nothing mode. If you’ve ever felt guilty for resting or worried that a week off would erase your gains, this conversation will help you reframe rest as a strategic tool, not a setback.

We start with the big question: when should you push and when should you pause? You’ll hear how to spot true recovery needs, why training while ill backfires, and how to return without panic by turning the dial down—fewer sets, lighter loads, longer rests—so confidence and conditioning come back fast. Then we shift to practical routines during busy weeks: choosing one anchor habit, using short full‑body sessions, and sprinkling in micro‑movement with a walking pad or ten‑minute walks. No toxic hustle, no 5 a.m. martyrdom—just smart choices that fit the week you’ve actually got.

Food anxiety gets equal airtime. We unpack food neutrality, why big satisfying meals often beat constant grazing, and how to handle parties when tracking isn’t realistic. You’ll get simple ideas for ready‑meal planning, protein‑forward breakfasts, and letting go of perfection so you can enjoy the season and move on. We also address the social side: handling family comments about your body or your plate with calm, direct boundaries. If old diet rules or holiday pressure still nudge you into “I’ve blown it” thinking, we offer a way back—one action at a time, plus longer‑term support that targets roots, not just the scale.

If you’re ready to protect your energy, keep your momentum, and enjoy your food with less noise, press play. And if this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend who needs a gentler plan, and leave us a review to help more listeners find the show.

Thank you for listening!

Please review this episode, it really helps the pod grow.

Find us on Instagram @thehealthhunspod

One day Rhi will get the episode number right

Trend cycles promise transformation, but not all of them care about your health. We dig into the last decade of fitness with a clear lens: what actually helps you feel strong, sane, and supported—and what’s just discipline theatre for the algorithm. From the 5am club and 75 Hard to carnivore feeds served on chopping boards, we unpack the hustle aesthetics that burn people out and sell shame as self‑improvement. We also get honest about SkinnyTok’s return of thin‑obsessed messaging and why using vulnerable kids to build a fitness brand crosses every ethical line.

Then we celebrate the good. Strength training for women has changed the game—better bones, confidence, and performance goals that go beyond shrinking. We talk about the quiet power of accessible programmes like Couch to 5K, and how inclusive run clubs create community without the cult vibe. Zumba and Clubbercise earn love for making movement joyful for people who would never touch a barbell. Tech gets a balanced take too: wearables and platforms like Strava can be brilliant when they inform rather than control, while saunas and cold plunges are positioned as nice-to-have rituals, not magic bullets.

Throughout, we keep it real about illness, periods, and low‑motivation weeks, because life doesn’t pause for macros or morning routines. You’ll leave with a simple filter for the next viral trend: is it accessible, adaptable, and kind to your nervous system? Does it build strength, skill, and community over time? If the answer’s yes, keep it. If not, bin it and go lift, walk, eat well, and sleep. Enjoyed the conversation? Follow the show, share this episode with a friend, and drop your favourite trend we should celebrate next. Your reviews and shares help the community grow.

Thank you for listening!

Please review this episode, it really helps the pod grow.

Find us on Instagram @thehealthhunspod