In this episode of Successful AF, host Jess West sits down with Dr. Sonia Tsukagoshi, a GP practicing in London. Born in the UK to Japanese parents, Sonia has lived an incredibly international life - from surgical training to working in Uganda, Paris, and teaching resilience to young people in Japan.

What makes this conversation so refreshing is Sonia's revolutionary approach to health in a world obsessed with biohacking trends and magic supplements. Sonia has an incredible gift for cutting through the wellness noise and helping people trust their body's own wisdom. She reminds us that our bodies are incredible machines that don't need electrolytes in every glass of water. Her philosophy? Health shouldn't be punishing, and success isn't about external validation - it's about living meaningfully and staying aligned with your own values.

About Dr. Sonia Tsukagoshi

Sonia has headed committees for internationally-minded GPs, represented UK doctors on European boards, and splits her time between London practice and annual teaching trips to Japan, where she helps high-achieving teenagers understand that failure is okay. She's launching a health optimization practice in September 2024, focusing on longevity through ethical, sustainable, and natural approaches.

When she's not debunking wellness myths or helping patients trust their bodies, you'll find Sonia on her yoga mat (she's a qualified teacher), traveling the world, or asking herself the question that guides all her decisions: "What's going to give me the bigger life?"

Connect with Sonia: Instagram: @themidlifehealthcoach Substack: The Midlife Health Coach

Key Takeaways

1. Trust your body's wisdom - Your body is an incredible machine that tells you what it needs if you listen
2. Health shouldn't be punishing - Add joy and connection to your life rather than restricting everything
3. Success is internal - True success means living meaningfully and being aligned with your values
4. Question the trends - Not every wellness fad or supplement is necessary

Reflection Questions

• Where in your health journey are you seeking external validation instead of trusting yourself?
• How can you add more to your life (joy, friendship, movement) rather than restricting?
• What wellness trends are you following that might not actually serve you?

This conversation is a masterclass in pragmatic wellness and authentic success. Sonia reminds us that the most revolutionary thing we can do is trust ourselves - whether that's trusting our body signals, our gut instincts, or our own definition of what success looks like.

Love this episode? Hit subscribe and leave us a review! And if you know someone who's redefining success on their own terms, nominate them at successfulafpod@gmail.com - we're always looking for incredible people to feature.

Connect with Jess:

Instagram: @compasscoaching.co

Website: www.compasscoachingandyoga.com