Show Notes: Eat Smart, Feel Amazing with Mike Naylor

Episode Title: S1 E2: Eat Smart, Feel Amazing

Series: Beyond Better

Host: Marylebone Health Group

Guest: Mike Naylor, Performance Nutritionist at Marylebone Health (MHG)

Episode Summary

In this episode of Beyond Better, we dive deep into the world of elite nutrition with one of the industry's leading experts, Mike Naylor. Whether you are a professional athlete or simply looking to reclaim your energy and focus, Mike breaks down the science of eating for performance and longevity.

We explore the "food first" philosophy, the importance of metabolic health, and how small, sustainable changes to your diet can lead to transformative results in how you feel every single day.

About Today’s Guest

Mike Naylor is a renowned Health & Performance Nutritionist with over 15 years of experience at the pinnacle of elite sport. Currently a key member of the team at Marylebone Health (MHG), Mike previously served as the Head of Nutrition for the UK Sports Institute. His impressive resume includes working with:

• England Rugby (including the 2014 World Cup-winning women’s team)
• England Football (Senior Men’s team across four major tournaments)
• McLaren F1
• Team GB Olympic and Paralympic athletes

Key Moments & Timestamps

• [00:00] – Introduction: Welcoming Mike Naylor and setting the stage for high-performance nutrition.
• [04:15] – The MHG Philosophy: How Marylebone Health Group integrates world-class sports science into everyday health.
• [09:30] – Eat Smart, Feel Amazing: Defining what it actually means to "fuel" your body rather than just "filling" it.
• [15:45] – The Protein Myth: Mike clears up common misconceptions about protein intake and muscle recovery.
• [22:10] – Energy Management: Strategies to avoid the mid-afternoon slump and maintain cognitive focus.
• [28:50] – Behavioral Change: Why your environment is more important than your willpower when it comes to nutrition.
• [35:15] – The 80/20 Rule in Elite Sport: How top athletes manage "cheat meals" and maintain a healthy relationship with food.
• [42:40] – Supplements vs. Food: When are supplements actually necessary, and when are they a waste of money?
• [48:10] – Closing Thoughts: Mike’s #1 tip for anyone starting their health journey today.

People & Resources Mentioned

• Mike Naylor – Lead Nutritionist at MHG.
• Marylebone Health Group (MHG) – London’s premier health and performance clinic.
• UK Sports Institute – Providing support to Team GB.

Connect with the Show

• Website: Beyond Better on Pod.co
• Clinic Enquiries: Visit Marylebone Health for world-class nutritional consultancy and performance testing.

Enjoyed this episode? Please leave us a review and subscribe so you never miss an episode of Beyond Better. Your journey to a better you starts with the very next bite!

Movement as Medicine

Episode Summary

In this inspiring episode of Beyond Better, we sit down with Dr. Rebecca Robinson, a leading consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine at the Marylebone Health Group (MHG). Rebecca shares her remarkable journey from being an elite international runner to pioneering the "Exercise as Medicine" movement. We explore how physical activity is far more than just a tool for athletes; it is a profound therapeutic intervention for chronic conditions, cancer recovery, and long-term health.

From her work closing the gender data gap in female health to her innovative approach to treating Long COVID, Rebecca redefines what it means to be a specialist in her field. Join us as we discover how movement, when tailored and supported by a multidisciplinary team, can be the most powerful medicine for everyone.

Key Moments & Timestamps

• [00:00:00] – Introduction to Dr. Rebecca Robinson and her holistic approach to Sport and Exercise Medicine.
• [00:03:15] – Rebecca’s transition from hospital medicine to the evolving specialty of SEM.
• [00:04:30] – The foundational philosophy: Why fitter patients tolerate illness and treatment better.
• [00:06:45] – Discussing the new College for Sport, Exercise, and Musculoskeletal Medicine and the overlap with Lifestyle Medicine.
• [00:08:30] – The importance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT) in elite sport and how MHG applies this to all patients.
• [00:10:30] – Insights into the Moving Medicine project and the evidence for exercise in chronic disease management.
• [00:12:15] – Rebecca’s work with Long COVID: Listening to patients when the "textbooks" hadn't been written yet.
• [00:14:45] – A community-first approach: Applying sports medicine models to underserved populations.
• [00:16:30] – The psychological side of injury: Managing "athletic identity" and the fear of losing one’s coping strategy.
• [00:19:00] – Motivational interviewing: Finding the unique "spark" that helps a patient overcome barriers to movement.
• [00:21:15] – Prehabilitation: Using exercise to prepare high-risk patients for major surgery.
• [00:24:00] – The future of SEM: Integrating exercise specialists into the NHS and broader public health initiatives.
• [00:27:30] – Rebecca’s guest recommendation for the next episode.

Guests & People Mentioned

• Dr. Rebecca Robinson – Consultant in Sport & Exercise Medicine at MHG and elite marathon/mountain runner.
• Professor Mike Loosemore MBE – Director of Sport & Exercise Medicine and Co-Founder of MHG.
• Tom Cowan – Clinical Exercise Physiologist and expert in exercise oncology.
• Jo Rycroft – Clinical Exercise Physiologist and specialist in cardiovascular and cancer rehabilitation.

Connect with Us

• Learn more about the Marylebone Health Group (MHG)
• Follow Dr. Rebecca Robinson’s work on Exercise Oncology and Female Health

@beyondbetterpod