Make Movement Matter with Wendy Welpton

Day 3 of The Everyday Experiment is about all the waiting moments scattered through your day that your brain files under dead time. Add them up and it's a surprising amount. Today's prompt is about learning to spot those moments, and what you might discover if you do.🎧 This is Episode 86 of the Make Movement Matter podcast, 'The Everyday Experiment: Day 3 - The Waiting Game with Wendy Welpton'
Your next stepIf this week has left you curious about just how much more movement is possible in your everyday life, I always recommend starting in the same place... the ground.My fre...

Day 3 of The Everyday Experiment is about all the waiting moments scattered through your day that your brain files under dead time. Add them up and it's a surprising amount. Today's prompt is about learning to spot those moments, and what you might discover if you do.🎧 This is Episode 86 of the Make Movement Matter podcast, 'The Everyday Experiment: Day 3 - The Waiting Game with Wendy Welpton'
Your next stepIf this week has left you curious about just how much more movement is possible in your everyday life, I always recommend starting in the same place... the ground.My fre...

Day 2 of The Everyday Experiment is about something so ordinary it's almost invisible; the way you get low. Most of us have one way, and we've used it so many times that we've stopped noticing there are any others. Today I'm going to ask you to notice what that is, and if you're curious, try a different one. You might be surprised how much information there is about the way you move in that small moment.
🎧 This is Episode 85 of the Make Movement Matter podcast, 'The Everyday Experiment: Day 2 - The Pick-up Puzzle with Wendy Welpton'
Your next ste...

Day 1 of The Everyday Experiment is about the movement decisions your brain stopped asking you to make a long time ago. The ones that just happen. Once you start noticing them today, you'll find it surprisingly difficult to stop. This one is small, but it says something bigger about how we all move through everyday life without quite realising it.
🎧 This is Episode 84 of the Make Movement Matter podcast, 'The Everyday Experiment: Day 1 - The Habit You Never Chose with Wendy Welpton'

Your next stepIf this week has left you curious about just how much more movement is...

This is the introductory episode for a special mini series of the Make Movement Matter podcast. It’s called, ‘The Everyday Experiment’. It’s seven days of small, playful prompts designed to help you notice the movement that’s already hidden in your ordinary life. No routine to follow, no right or wrong, and nothing to prove. Just a week of looking at your day through a slightly different lens. If movement has started to feel like something you ‘should’ do, rather than something you enjoy, this might be exactly the gentle re-set week you need.
Your next stepIf this week has lef...

You haven't decided to move less. But something is causing it, and it's closer than you think.What if the thing shrinking your movement range isn't time or age, but your kitchen worktop, your car and your sofa? This is a short episode with a big question.In this mini episode I explore something we rarely look around and notice: how our everyday environment is shaping our movement, often without us ever making a conscious choice. From the way we load the dishwasher to boiling the kettle, our daily surroundings are directing how we move, what we practice, and what w...

Your body has been tracking your stress levels for years. The question is whether you've been listening.Because maybe your body has been signalling something for months, and just by adding data you can take a closer look?This episode explores the science behind heart rate variability, what it really means to recover (and it's not necessarily the same as resting), and why midlife women in particular are carrying a stress load that's rarely made visible. Sophia Hodges brings together HRV tracking, nervous system health, and the kind of honest, practical conversation about energy management that's needed by many.

You’re not lazy. Your body is just very, very good at finding the easy route.
There are micro movements your body has been doing for you without asking permission, and it’s steadily costing you more than you realise.
In this episode, I shine a light on the micro movement habits most of us have built without noticing; the small, repeated ways we offload effort from our bodies every day. 
Some are the body’s clever workarounds. Some are old fear in comfortable clothes. All of them are worth noticing, because once you see them, you get to...

What if the diagnosis you were most afraid of turned out to be the thing that changed how you move, for the better? Osteoporosis is often presented as a reason to slow down, to be careful, to wrap yourself in cotton wool. But what if that instinct is actually one of the worst things you can do?In this episode, I’m joined by Alison Crouch; movement specialist, Pilates teacher and someone living and thriving with a severe osteoporosis diagnosis.  We get into what bone density really means, why your DEXA scan results are information rather than a verdict, and...

There’s a longevity test that scores how you get up from the floor, and it’s putting people off the very movement that could change their lives. 
But what if the score isn’t the point? What if the variety of how you get up, and simply doing it at all, matters far more than hitting a perfect ten?
In this Make Movement Matter Mini, we’re digging into floor sitting, get-ups, and what your body might be trying to tell you when it comes to midlife mobility, and why building that habit now could be one of the mo...

At 65, she paddled into the Canadian wilderness alone.There was no phone signal, no quick way out.Just a canoe, a tent, and everything she needed on her back.
But this episode isn’t only about an adventure in the wilderness.
It’s about the years leading up to that moment - the spark that began when Sheila first saw another woman heading out alone, the doubts and ageist comments that almost convinced her it wasn’t for her, and the quiet decision that she didn’t want to reach the end of life wondering what if.
We talk...

We talk about future adventures as if they’re guaranteed.But if our capability isn’t, we need to start thinking about that today. In this mini episode, I unpack some everyday movements that can determine whether we stay capable of adventure, and why they need to be rehearsed long before the trip is booked.What does a ‘travel body’ really require?Which abilities can fade in modern life?And how do you build them naturally, without living in the gym?And as ever, because it’s a mini, I get you moving in one of those ways.If you care about...

What if your pain isn’t just physical?
In this week’s episode, fascia specialist and somatic coach Amanda Ashy explains why our bodies often tell the truth long before our minds catch up.
We talk about: how fascia works as the body’s largest sensory organ why emotions and memories can become “held” in the tissue the subtle ways our posture adapts to protect us why frozen shoulders, tight hips or jaw tension can have emotional roots and how real change happens when we feel safe enough to release what we’ve been carrying
This is a convers...

What if being active isn’t the whole story?When I first started explaining natural movement, the same questions kept coming up — and they were exactly what I would have asked too.“I’m active - surely I’m fine?” “Isn’t moving just… moving?” “What are the right things we should be doing?”
In this mini episode, I explore why it’s not just what you do, but the way you do it, and why variety might be the missing ingredient in your everyday life.As always, I’ll guide you through a simple movement you can try straight away, so that by th...

For this first conversation episode of 2026 on Make Movement Matter, I handed my host seat to my friend and fellow author Hilary Salzman, and let her ask the questions this time.What followed was an honest, wide-ranging conversation about writing a book, finding your voice, and what it really looks like to create meaningful work alongside motherhood, midlife changes, and the realities of running a business.We talk about:the shift from corporate life to work that feels deeply personalwhy authenticity can feel so uncomfortable, and is so necessaryhow vulnerability shows up in business (and where boundaries still matter)the...

Make Movement Matter is back for 2026, and with it, a slightly new rhythm.In this short solo episode, I share how and why the podcast is evolving, what consistency really looks like behind the scenes, and how this new format better fits better with my values around movement and life. I reflect on why we’re starting back later than usual this year, celebrate reaching Season 7 and starting the third year of the podcast. This re-introduction to the podcast is a chance to hear what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and an invitation to think about how small, doable c...

As we come to the end of the year, this solo episode is a moment to both reflect and look forward.I’m sharing my perspective on why celebrating small wins matters just as much as big milestones, how our relationship with movement and trust in our bodies shapes how we experience life, and why self-kindness and realistic intentions create more sustainable change than pressure-filled resolutions.
It’s a reflective conversation about tuning in, appreciating what the human body can do, and moving into the new year with curiosity, compassion, and hope.
Whether the festive season feels joyful, comp...

A very special re-release as we near the end of 2025.
This conversation with Dr Gladys McGarey was one of the greatest privileges of my podcasting life. We recorded it in July 2024, just a couple of months before she passed away, and I had no idea at the time that it would be one of her final interviews.
Listening back now, her wisdom lands even more deeply.
We talked about what it really means to feel “stuck” in life and how to find the true source of that stuckness. We explored her beautiful Five L’s; life, love, laught...

For years, Cara Cunniff ran ultra-marathons, Ironman races, and even six days across the Sahara desert, and still couldn't see herself as an athlete.
In this honest conversation, we explore:• why so many of us feel “not good enough” even when we’re doing extraordinary things• the pressure of comparison, to others and our past selves• how identity shifts when injury, ageing or life changes• why movement means far more than performance• what self-belief actually looks like in real life
This episode is for anyone who moves, trains, walks, or simply tries, but still struggles to see themselves as capable.

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late to start looking after your bone health, this episode is the reminder you need.
Angela White, better known as The Running Granny, didn’t begin running until she was 53. Since then she’s run thousands of miles, including 2 epic challenges; 875 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End, and 62 peaks at 62 (in less than 62 hours!), and become a powerful voice for healthy ageing and bone health awareness.
But this conversation isn’t just about ultrarunning. It’s about the tiny daily decisions that can shape our health for decades.

Tight hips aren’t just about sitting too much.
Most of us spend our days moving our hips in only one or two ways, which limits how strong and mobile they can stay. In this short clip, I’m sharing the first two of my 5 daily steps for healthier, happier hips; simple changes that fit into real life and make a genuine difference to how you move and feel.


For the full show notes, visit:⁠The Make Movement Matter Podcast⁠
If you enjoy this podcast, please press Follow and Rate and Review.  To support the show...

Your feet are talking, but are you listening?You know that moment you kick off your shoes and feel instant relief? It’s your body’s way of saying, we didn’t like that.In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Brittany Balinski, better known as ‘Barefoot Brit’; founder of barefootbrit.co.uk and the UK’s first Barefoot Shoe & Foot Health Expo. A mum of four turned advocate, Brittany’s mission is to help families rediscover what natural movement for their feet really means.Together we explore:why conventional shoes can quietly reshape how kids (and adults) movehow reconnecti...

Have you ever noticed how your shoulders creep up when you’re stressed, or how you breathe faster when you’re anxious? That’s your body ‘talking’.
In this week’s episode, I’m joined by Erica Hornthal, licensed clinical counsellor and dance/movement therapist, whose work bridges psychology and movement to help people feel more connected, calm, and creative in their own skin. 
We explore how the way we hold ourselves, breathe, and our daily movement habits quietly influence mood, focus, and stress. We chat about how our body reacts to certain situations, how movement patterns mirror emotional patte...

Angela Rippon’s message is simple but powerful: you don’t need to be a dancer to dance. You just need music, a moment, and the willingness to move.
In this heart-warming conversation, I am honoured to be joined by the legendary broadcaster and campaigner who shares how dance has shaped her life, from childhood ballet classes to Strictly Come Dancing, and why it’s become her mission to get the nation moving through her Let’s Dance campaign.
We talk about how dance lifts mood, improves health, and connects people across generations, and why joy might just be the m...

What if we stopped seeing age as a barrier to movement, and started seeing it as a reason to move more?
In this powerful joint episode of Make Movement Matter and Agents of Movement, I’m joined by it’s host, Erin Eleutario, a fitness educator and advocate for active ageing, to explore how movement shapes our confidence, independence and joy at every stage of life.
We talk about: • Why cultural narratives around ageing can hold us back • How playfulness and curiosity make movement feel natural again • The small, everyday choices that build lifelong capability • The words we use, and how...

Why can movement feel so hard for some of us - even when we want to do it?
This week on the Make Movement Matter podcast, Dr. Susanna Petche joins me to explore how trauma can disconnect us from our bodies, dampen intuition, and make exercise feel unsafe.
Susanna shares her powerful story of breaking down as a high-functioning GP, being diagnosed with complex PTSD, and how she’s learning to reclaim movement in a safe, empowering way.
Together, we discuss the links between dissociation, hypervigilance, and healing, and why joy, curiosity and safety matter far more th...

Your strength is still in there, it’s just waiting to be reclaimed.When Inessa first stood on a surfboard at nearly 50, she had no idea it would change everything.But movement has a way of unlocking more than just muscle - it builds courage, confidence, and a whole new outlook on ageing.In this episode, we talk about growing up with limiting beliefs, finding role models later in life.From surfing in Hawaii to a 250 mile bike ride with her teenage son, Inessa proves it’s never too late and why midlife might just be the perfect time to try...

She skydived Everest, climbed it too. But the scariest thing she’s done? Conservation.From world-first feats to frontline anti-poaching missions, Holly Budge’s story is one of bold action, deep purpose, and relentless preparation.In this inspiring episode, we talk about:Why action beats perfection (and how she fell out of the plane…)Building mental strength step by step - even when the summit feels far awayHow women on the frontlines are changing conservation for goodAnd why setting big, scary goals might be the best gift you can give yourself

To find out more about today's guest and fo...

Season 6 of Make Movement Matter is here! In this opening mini solo episode I share the real reasons I podcast, what keeps me curious and how the show connects to the bigger message and mission behind Reclaim Movement. September is a big month for me, not just because I’m celebrating the 5th birthday of Reclaim Movement, but because I’ve also got exciting news to share - tune in to find out what’s happening and why now feels like such an important time.

For the full show notes, visit:⁠The Make Movement Matter Podcast⁠
If you enjoy...

One walk. One hill. And everything changed!
In the final episode of Series 5 of the ‘Make Movement Matter’ podcast, Mick Cope shares the simple, but life-altering moment he decided to walk up a small hill near his home. It was hard, really hard, but it sparked something.
What began as one difficult walk became a habit, then a passion and eventually, a calling - to the Camino de Santiago, where he’s now walked thousands of kilometres and inspired dozens to do the same.
If you’ve ever wondered how to begin, or doubted that small steps could le...

"What if pain isn’t the problem - but the message?"
You’ve probably heard the word alignment used everywhere. But what does it really mean, and why does it matter in your everyday life?
In this episode, I speak with Verity Bell, a human movement specialist with over 20 years’ experience, whose work blends biomechanics, breath, yoga and gait.
Together, we explore: – Why “good posture” isn’t the goal – How your body communicates through pain – The subtle but powerful role of gravity and breath– Why curiosity is the key to lasting change
Verity shares practical, science-backed insights and stories...

Feeling stressed, tense, or stuck in a cycle of pain?What if your body already knew how to heal, and all you had to do was let it?
In this episode, I speak with @sylviatillmann.tre about the power of Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE®): a simple, natural, and surprisingly powerful way to shake off what’s weighing you down - both physically and emotionally.
We cover: – What TRE actually is (and why it looks a bit odd at first!)– How it helped Sylvia recover from back pain – Why you don’t need to dig into past trauma to benefit–...

Why are so many teachers constantly in pain? And what can movement do to change that?
This week, I chat with Clare Rawlings, former teacher turned movement coach, founder of Raw Movement, about the hidden toll of repetitive work patterns, poor footwear, and a lack of basic movement education in both schools and offices.
We talk about:👉 Why ticking the “150 minutes ‘exercise’ a week” box often isn’t enough👉 How teachers (and kids) are learning movement habits that hurt👉 What small shifts in daily movement can do for pain, energy and health
Whether you work in a school (or office...

What happens when four midlife women decide to row 3,000 miles across the Atlantic? 
In this powerful episode, I speak to my friends Kerry and Fiona, who took part in the World’s Toughest Row and came back with stories of strength, sea salt, and sisterhood.
We talk about what it’s really like to live on a boat for 44 days, how mindset helped them through the hardest moments, and why they did it to raise awareness for mental health.
From night shifts and barnacles to deep friendships and deeper reflections, this one is packed with hope, humou...

What if one of the answers to better health wasn’t more medication… but more mud under your nails?
In this episode of Make Movement Matter, I talk to Susan Taheri, a rural GP who turned her growing frustration with the healthcare system into something living and healing - a garden. Not a metaphorical one. A real, community garden next to her practice in Devon, where patients can reconnect, move more, and experience a different kind of care.
We chat about why she built the garden from scratch, how movement sneaks into every part of gardening, and what happ...

How do you keep going when life throws everything at you at once?
In this episode, I speak to award-winning speaker and gender equity advocate Jess Rad about how movement became her secret weapon through some of life’s toughest chapters - from premature menopause and divorce to discovering she’s neurodivergent in her 40s.
Jess shares the unexpected power of cold water swimming, why she’s drawn to endurance challenges, and how building physical strength helped restore mental resilience. We also talk about her work with The WomenHood, why we need to open up more conversations around menopa...

Most of us never stop to ask: what’s actually in our skincare—and is it helping or harming?
In this episode, I speak with natural skincare founder and chemist Julie Macken about why it’s time to rethink what we put on our skin. We explore the surprising truth about moisturisers, the marketing messages we’ve absorbed without question, and how our skin—our body’s largest organ—needs support just as much as our muscles and joints.
We also dive into the privilege of ageing, the power of simple ingredients, and why many popular skincare routines may be doing m...

Is your pain alarm system overreacting?
We often think of pain as a sign of damage - something to fear, avoid or push through. But what if pain isn’t just about injury? What if, like an oversensitive smoke alarm, it sometimes goes off when there’s no real danger? In this episode, I talk to Dr. Tawny Kross, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Pain Specialist, to explore the truth about pain, the biggest myths holding us back, and how movement can actually help, not harm.
If you’ve ever felt stuck in pain, unsure whether to res...

Can walking really change your future?
Sir Muir Gray believes it can. At 80, he’s still leading a revolution in public health. His latest mission is simple: get people moving more, every day. In this episode, we explore why walking is one of the most powerful tools we have - not just for prevention, but as part of the cure.
We talk about Muir’s four S’s; Strength, Stamina, Suppleness and Skill, and how they’re vital for living better, not just longer. From brisk walking to strength bands and standing on one leg while brushing your teeth, t...

Every step counts! Do you want to build a walking habit that actually sticks? Use National Walking Month this May as the perfect nudge.
🎙️In this short solo episode, I share how walking helped me in my recovery from chronic pain, why it’s one of the most underrated forms of movement we have, and how even just five minutes a day can change everything - for your body, brain and mood.
Plus: ✅ The truth about the 10,000 steps myth ✅ How to start walking without pressure ✅ Why your health isn’t written on your wrist
✨ Take the first step today - and...