This Upbeat Life

On this episode of This Upbeat Life I’ll be looking at - Brain Gains, why your melon needs exercise!

A study in 2025 looked at resistance training, you know, lifting weights—and found that it can slow down brain aging (too late for me perhaps!) and may even help protect against Alzheimer’s disease. That’s right: lifting weights isn’t just about building muscle; it’s about building, well cognitive resilience, I guess.

Over on the Real Deal I’ll be exploring the resurgence of measles, the disease we thought we’d shown the door back in 200...

Steve, (66) a retired London Metropolitan Police officer tells us how he fills his time with his 7 grandchildren, what pushes his buttons and how sport helps to keep him fit but more importantly is a how it's a large part of his social life.

We discuss diet, how Steve likes to relax, (hint: it may have something to do with Freddy Mercury's Queen) his ambition to write a book (and now this tidbit of information is out on the internet he'll have to do it!) and the importance of family.

Steve is a genuine bloke who...

On this episode: Quick News is all about Chlorella Vulgaris, a superfood, but unfortunately it resembles pond slime - and tastes like it too! On the Real Deal I look at the dangers of brand new crib mattresses that give off potentially dangerous gases and on Far Out Stuff I set phasers to stun and ponder the BORG - but not as you know it, Captain. No, I'm investigating the phenomenon of Blackout Rage Gallons, the Frat students favourite. Enjoy.

Sources for Crib Mattress Off Gassing study: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00051 (original study)<...

Ann chats about diet, pet peeves, her favourite music, the love of the outdoors, playing rugby and football as a young woman in the 1970s, her favourite doughnut, her run in with a ghost! - and what makes her happy.

Ann also talks about her work in Health & Social Care and what it means for her and the people she supports and advocates for.

Music accreditation – Shane Ivers at https://www.silvermansound.com/

Yes, in this episode on Quick News we delve into the realities of artificial sweeteners in our diet. Are they bad for us or is it all a storm in a teacup (or diet soda can)?

You probably think that your brain starts ageing later in life, like your 70,s. Apparently not! Find out on the Real Deal.

And on Far Out Stuff, you've neutered Fido and he's lost his swagger. It looks like this is it - but fear not, prosthetic nuts may just be the answer to Fido's doggy prayers.

Music...

Martyn is now retired from his job at the British Library and he joins me where we have a discussion and a laugh about his life and what makes him happy.

Music accreditation – Shane Ivers at https://www.silvermansound.com/

Join me as we meet William who is 10. William, a very cheerful young man, talks about his schooling, likes and dislikes, his musical abilities, the importance of sport and how important family is to him.

I have known William and his family for a few years now and he’s one of the most gung-ho young men I know, always ready with a cheeky smile, very smart and will have a go at virtually anything. You can’t help but smile when you listen to him!

If you feel like buying me a coffee so I ca...

Today’s show is a wild mix of myth-busting, cocoa-fuelled revelations, and, yes… seven comfort tigers. I tackle the age-old question – does too much sugar send your kids into orbit? And…staying with the sweet theme, is chocolate as bad for you as we’ve been told? And finally, a comforting story about 7 tigers – roar!

Fun fact, Leo, the Lion from MGM logo fame does not use his own roar, it’s done by a tiger to sound more ferocious. (this on the web page)

If you feel like buying me a coffee so I can carry on w...

You're a young and stylish woman in today's world. How do you stay happy, healthy and deal with what life has to throw at you?

Find out with Lucy and Jess as we discuss everything from pet peeves to staying fit and healthy as well as tips for dealing with pressures of being young women and how they stay happy.

This was my first time ever interviewing anyone. It shows but we had fun!

Music - Shane Ivers at https://www.silvermansound.com/

Let's find out what the predicted Health & Wellness trends are for 2026. Are you missing out on something or is it all a load of old nonsense? We’ll also be exploring the very difficult subject of Doing Absolutely Nothing. This is harder than you think and then we'll finish off with a look at the bizarre trend of eating packing peanuts as a snack. Someone pass the mayo. Yummy!

Have you embraced a wellness trend this year? Or are you a proud expert in doing nothing at all? I want to hear from you — drop me a line...

Welcome to another edition of This Upbeat Life, where we explore the lighter, stranger, and occasionally eyebrow-raising corners of health, wellness, and happiness.

Quick News: Sleep-Deprived Teens

This week’s headline topic examines a major study tracking more than 3,000 adolescents through sleep monitors, brain scans, and cognitive testing. The results are striking: teenagers who sleep earlier and longer demonstrate sharper thinking, better memory, stronger vocabulary, improved problem-solving skills, and even larger brain volume.

Listeners are invited to self-experiment: try three or four nights of proper rest and see if life feels easier. Report ba...

Have you ever wondered what wellness really means?

Or been tempted by one of those weird TikTok health trends — and thought, should I actually try that?

And what about happiness? What is it, really… and how do we find it?

Well, I’m Simon JJ Green, and on This Upbeat Life, I’m on a mission to find out.

Every 2 weeks, I take a slightly cheeky look at the world of health and wellness — from the latest trends and so-called “miracle cures” to what’s really in the news. But more importantly, I’l...