Well.

Can the right exercise really 'age-proof' your body? Could you really lower your risk of ovarian cancer by asking your surgeon to remove your fallopian tubes while they’re already performing another routine procedure? And what do you do when decades of dieting have left you with what feels like weight-loss PTSD?
In this episode, we talk to Professor Jeff Coombes from the University of Queensland to find out why 'high-intensity' doesn't have to be terrifying and which specific exercise actually drops your risk of heart disease and diabetes.
We also talk about why the fallopian tubes - not the ovaries - might be the true starting point for some ovarian cancers and how 'opportunistic' surgery could save lives.
Plus, in our Quick Consult, Dr Mariam helps Carolyn, who is 40 and struggling with the mental and physical burnout of PCOS and weight-loss plateaus. We explain why ‘calories in, calories out’ is a toxic myth and how to rebuild trust with a body you feel has betrayed you.
EPISODE RESOURCES
If this episode has raised concerns for you regarding body image, eating disorders, or chronic illness support, the following resources are available:
Butterfly Foundation: Support for eating disorders and body image issues. Call 1800 33 4673.

Jean Hailes for Women's Health: A leading resource for PCOS, hormones and women’s health.

Diabetes Australia: Information on pre-diabetes management and support.

Lifeline: If you are feeling overwhelmed and need someone to talk to, please call 13 11 14.

And, if you want to learn more about the topics discussed in today’s show, check out these helpful links:
MOVE by Mamamia

Health Direct - Physical Activity Guidelines

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Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon.
Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here.
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SUBSCRIBE here to get 25% off an $89 annual subscription PLUS 25% off Nala. Your Mamamia discount will be applied at checkout. Then find your Nala code in the Subscriber Hub immediately after joining. Ends 1st April.

CURRENT SUBSCRIBERS:Get 25% off Nala with your Mamamia subscription. Click here to get your code. Ends 1st April.
CREDITS
Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam
Guest: Professor Jeff Coombes
Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best
Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach
Video Producer: Julian Rosario
Social Producer: Elly Moore
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.
Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hello well friends! Over the last few weeks we've been talking about all things exercise! And to keep on theme, today, we have a Pivot Club episode to share with you from one of Australia's most iconic athletes - Jana Pittman...
What happens when your entire identity is built on being the best in the world? For Jana Pittman, one of Australia's most famous athletes, the singular goal of Olympic gold was repeatedly torn away by devastating injuries and gut-wrenching losses.
You might think her biggest pivot was swapping the running track for the bobsled, becoming one of the very few athletes in history to compete in both the Summer and Winter Olympics.
But that wasn't it. Her real pivot was walking away entirely from being an elite athlete to become a doctor - all while raising six children.
In this episode of Pivot Club, Sarah Davidson speaks with Jana about this massive career change. They unpack how you cope with failure when your mindset is "silver is the first loser", and how you go from being one of the best in the world to a complete beginner back at the bottom of the ladder, surrounded by people half your age.
Jana shares the unfiltered story about how this profound pivot emerged from a period of intense personal and professional struggle - through divorce, miscarriages, failed exams and the financial lows of moving back into her own garage to make ends meet.
Join us for a raw lesson in resilience, a look into the unseen "messy middle," and a powerful reminder that your lowest moments can be the fuel for your greatest chapter yet.

THE END BITS:
Want more from Sarah Davidson? Check out her podcast Seize The Yay.
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CREDITS:
Guest: Jana Pittman
Host: Sarah Davidson
Executive Producer: Courtney Ammenhauser
Senior Producer: Sally Best

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Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A professional athlete often comes with the assumption of a perfectly healthy mind and body. Endlessly fit, resilient, and immune to the pressures of everyday life. But in this episode of Well, former professional surfer and seven times world champion, Layne Beachley challenges that idea.
In this conversation, Layne reflects on her experience as a chronic “yes” person, and what it took to finally start saying no. She opens up about navigating chronic fatigue, learning to recognise her limits, and the moment she realised she had to stop pushing through and start listening to her body.
Layne unpacks her evolving relationship with food and exercise, and why what works for a pre-menopausal body doesn’t always work post-menopause. She shares the surprising truth she had to learn the hard way that sometimes, the most productive thing you can do for your body is nothing at all.
And in a full-circle moment, she reflects on the pride she now feels watching the next generation of surfers surpass her, proving she’s not just one of the greatest athletes of all time, but a true champion of women in sport.
This episode contains discussion of suicidal ideation, body image concerns, and dieting. Please take care while listening.
THE END BITS
All your health information is in the Well Hub.
If today's episode has brought up difficult feelings and if you just need to talk to someone immediately, you can always call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Remember to be kind to yourself, and please don't hesitate to seek support.
SUBSCRIBE here to get 25% off an $89 annual subscription PLUS 25% off Nala. Your Mamamia discount will be applied at checkout. Then find your Nala code in the Subscriber Hub immediately after joining. Ends 1st April.

CURRENT SUBSCRIBERS:Get 25% off Nala with your Mamamia subscription. Click here to get your code. Ends 1st April.
GET IN TOUCH
Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon.
Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here.
Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room.
Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok.
Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber
CREDITS
Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam
Guest: Layne Beachley
Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best
Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach
Video Producer: Julian Rosario
Social Producer: Elly Moore
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.
Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you actually "reset" your brain chemicals with a five-minute walk? Can a newborn really weigh as much as a standard toddler? And if you had a hysterectomy decades ago, why is your pelvis still throbbing in pain?
In this episode, we talk to Professor Simon Rosenbaum, a researcher and exercise psychologist at UNSW Sydney, to find out why "lifestyle change" is now considered a first-line treatment for depression in Australia. We unpack the science of the "brain reset", why the best workout for your mental health is simply the one you don’t hate, and how movement can be a secret superpower for your resilience.
Plus, in Med School, we take a deep dive into the world of "giant babies”. From the TikTok trend of "chonky bubbas" to the world record holder who gave birth to a nearly 10kg infant (yes, you read that right), we celebrate the incredible, superhero feats of the female body.
And, in our Quick Consult, Dr. Mariam helps Linda, a 70-year-old listener dealing with chronic pelvic pain 30 years post-hysterectomy. She explains the reality of internal scar tissue, why "zero" is the only normal amount of pain regardless of your age, and the team of experts you need to reclaim your quality of life.
EPISODE RESOURCES
If you want to learn more about the topics discussed in today’s show, check out these helpful links:
MOVE by Mamamia

Health Direct - Physical Activity Guidelines

GET IN TOUCH
Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon.
Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here.
Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room.
Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok.
Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber
CREDITS
Hosts: Claire Murphy and Dr Mariam
Guest: Professor Simon Rosenbaum
Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best
Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach
Video Producer: Julian Rosario
Social Producer: Elly Moore
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.
Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we are bringing you a live episode recorded in Sydney that celebrates the strength, resilience and brilliance of women everywhere. This conversation is our tribute to that journey and a vital call to action to finally close the gender pain gap.
Why are women consistently told that pain is "part and parcel" of the female experience? Following our chat with Kate Walsh, her and Claire are joined on the sofa for a panel discussion with four leading experts;
PROFESSOR CAROLINE GARGETT:
A world-leading reproductive and stem cell science researcher and Group Head of Endometrial Stem Cell Biology Laboratory with 28 years research experience in gynaecological research with a focus on endometriosis and developing a cell based therapy for Pelvic Organ Prolapse.
THEA BAKER:
Thea has treated women with complex trauma and co-morbid pain conditions as a Psychotherapist in Australia for over 10 years. She also has her own lived experience of chronic pain herself from endometriosis and osteoarthritis
A/ PROFESSOR SUSAN EVANS:
A specialist, researcher, educator, innovator, advocate and CEO in pelvic pain for over 20 years. As a gynaecologist, laparoscopic surgeon and pain physician, A/Prof Susan Evans Co-founded the Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia, co-developed the Periods, Pain and Endometriosis Schools Program, and is now working with Alyra Biotech developing innovative new treatments for pelvic pain.
PROFESSOR MARIA FIATARONE SINGH:
A geriatrician whose research, clinical, and teaching career has focused on the integration of medicine, exercise physiology, and nutrition as a means to improve health status and quality of life across the lifespan. (Physical & Metabolic Longevity)
We dive deep into why women’s symptoms are still frequently dismissed as psychological, the revolutionary potential of menstrual fluid in diagnostics and why "looking normal" on a scan doesn't mean the pain isn't real.
From the first period to the complexities of ageing, our experts provide a roadmap for women to reclaim their health and advocate for their own bodies. We explore the "Pain Scale Paradox", revealing why the traditional 1-10 measurement fails those with chronic conditions, while unpacking the biological "amplifier" that predisposes women to persistent pain.
It’s time to strip away the historical stigma of "hysteria" and replace it with a medical system that finally validates the female experience!
THE END BITS
All your health information is in the Well Hub.
For more information on topics discussed, please find the resources below:
Bridging the Gender Pain Gap - The Inquiry into Women's Pain Report 2025
Australasian Menopausal Society
Endocrine Society
The International Menopause Society
Jean Hailes For Women’s Health
GET IN TOUCH
Sign up to the Well Newsletter to receive your weekly dose of trusted health expertise without the medical jargon.
Ask a question of our experts or share your story, feedback, or dilemma - you can send it anonymously here, email here or leave us a voice note here.
Ask The Doc: Ask us a question in The Waiting Room.
Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok.
Support independent women’s media by becoming a Mamamia subscriber
CREDITS
Hosts: Claire Murphy
Guest: Kate Walsh, Professor Caroline Gargett, Thea Baker, A/Professor Susan Evans, Professor Maria Fiatarone Singh
Senior Producers: Claire Murphy and Sally Best
Group Executive Producer: Ilaria Brophy
Audio Producer: Scott Stronach
Video Producer: Glenn Urquhart
Social Producer: Elly Moore
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Information discussed in Well. is for education purposes only and is not intended to provide professional medical advice. Listeners should seek their own medical advice, specific to their circumstances, from their treating doctor or health care professional.
Support the show: https://www.mamamia.com.au/mplus/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.