#34 - How to START AGAIN: When You Don’t Recognise Yourself
Starting again in fitness can feel overwhelming; like you’ve lost progress in both body and mind. But the truth is, you haven’t gone back to zero. With the right approach, you can rebuild faster, smarter, and with more self-compassion than before.In this episode, I unpack the two sides of starting again:🧠 The Psychology: why restarting feels harder than beginning, how shame and identity play into the “I used to be fit” mindset, and how the stages of change model helps you actually stick with it this time.💪 The Physiology: what really happens to your muscles, cardiovascular fitness, and flexibility during a break, why you don’t lose as much as you think, and how to safely recondition your body without burning out.You’ll also learn:The a really important mindset shift to let go of guilt and rebuild momentumA realistic framework for your first week back, without trying to “make up for lost time”How to measure progress in a way that keeps you motivatedIf you’ve ever felt like you don’t recognise your body anymore or that you’ve failed too many times to start again, this episode will show you how to press reset, with both science and compassion on your side.
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#33 - Time Poor, Health Poor; Why Busy Isn’t Better
We often think of time as something we manage, but what if our relationship with time is managing us? In this episode, we explore time poverty as more than a scheduling issue: it’s a psychological, cultural, and physiological phenomenon that shapes how we live, train, and recover. From the neuroscience of cognitive overload to the cultural obsession with busyness as a status symbol, we unpack why so many of us feel like we never have enough time and how that perception impacts our health, motivation, and sense of self.You’ll also learn evidence-based tools to reframe your relationship with time; including values-based scheduling, time blocking as a form of nervous system regulation, and a reflective exercise that helps you reconnect with the moments that matter.
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#32 - Periodisation: Why Working Out Isn’t Working.
If you’re working out consistently but not seeing real progress, this episode is for you.In today’s episode of The Vertue Podcast, we’re breaking down the difference between working out and training and why that gap could be the reason you’re plateauing, burning out, or feeling frustrated in your fitness journey.Whether you’re postpartum, perimenopausal, strength-focused, or just trying to feel good in your body again; this episode will help you train smarter, not just harder.🎧 Listen now ❤️ and don’t forget to follow, rate, and review if this helped you shift your mindset.
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#31 - Scheduling - Behavioural Science Meets Your Calendar: How to Plan Training That Lasts
Struggling to stick to your schedule, especially when life gets chaotic? In this episode, I break down how to actually plan your week based on your values, not just your goals. We’ll cover the psychology behind consistent training, how to align your workouts with fat loss, muscle building, or hybrid goals like running + strength, and how to adjust for shift work, illness, or low motivation. Plus, I answer some of your most common DM questions. If your calendar feels like chaos, this one’s for you.
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#30 - Why You QUIT - Even When You CARE
Ever wondered why you give up on things that actually matter to you like your fitness, your goals, your habits; even when you really care?In this episode, I will unpack the psychology of quitting through the lens of Self-Regulation Theory (Carver & Scheier), exploring how motivation, emotion, and feedback loops impact your ability to follow through.You’ll learn why failure isn’t always about willpower and how to finally shift from stuck to steady progress.www.shonavertue.com
Discover the nuanced world of wellness with Shona Vertue. An ex-elite gymnast turned certified personal trainer and yoga teacher, Shona brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the wellness conversation. As she works towards completing her sports psychology degree, she delves deep into the heart of wellness, uncovering its many facets - the celebrated, the overlooked, and even the misguided. Using a biopsychosocial lens, the podcast traverses through the intricate pathways of what it truly means to be well. Dive in with Shona and unravel the diverse layers of well-being.
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