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Prescribing Lifestyle

Prescribing Lifestyle

Written by: Dr Avi Charlton
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About this listen

"Prescribing Lifestyle" is your go-to podcast for all things health, wellness, and personal development. Hosted by Dr Avi Charlton, low carb GP. She interviews experts in the fields of nutrition, fitness, psychology, and more. This podcast dives deep into the science behind living your best life. Whether you're seeking practical tips for healthy eating, strategies for managing stress, or inspiration for creating positive habits, "Prescribing Lifestyle" delivers insightful conversations and actionable advice to empower you on your journey to optimal well-being. Tune in to learn how to cultivate a lifestyle that promotes vitality, resilience, and fulfilment.2024 Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Episode 123. ADHD Made Manageable with Francine Freedman
    Feb 18 2026

    In today's episode, I'm joined by ADHD coach Francine Freedman to explore what ADHD coaching actually is, why medication can help but doesn't solve every executive function challenge, and the practical systems that support adults living with ADHD. We talk about procrastination, time management, organization, and why many mainstream productivity tips don't work for ADHD brains. Francine also shares how sleep, nutrition, and exercise form the foundation for focus, and we discuss women being underdiagnosed—plus how hormonal changes like menopause can intensify symptoms.

    What I Cover With Francine
    • How Francine explains ADHD (and why it's often an "activation" challenge)
    • Why stimulant medication can support focus but isn't a cure
    • What ADHD coaching looks like and who it's for (even without a formal diagnosis)
    • Why "eat the frog" can backfire for ADHD—and what to do instead
    • Mapping tasks to energy + focus windows to improve follow-through
    • Why "boring, no-deadline" tasks are the hardest—and how to tackle them
    • The lifestyle foundations that support focus: sleep, diet, exercise
    • Low-carb/keto and metabolic psychiatry conversations (and why blood sugar stability matters)
    • Why women are often missed in childhood, then diagnosed later in life
    • The emotional impact of lifelong criticism: shame, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, rejection sensitivity
    • How coaching can help rebuild confidence with skills + self-compassion
    Key Takeaways
    • Medication can help you focus, but skills and systems are what create lasting change.
    • ADHD-friendly strategies work with your energy patterns—not against them.
    • Sleep, movement, and nutrition aren't optional extras—they're the base layer for focus and resilience.
    • Many adults are diagnosed later because they've been "coping" behind the scenes for years.
    • Support early can prevent burnout, work crises, and constant last-minute stress.
    Resources Mentioned
    • Francine Freedman: https://francinefreedman.com
    • Book mentioned: Change Your Diet, Change Your Mind — Dr. Georgia Ede
    • YouTube channel mentioned: Metabolic Mind
    • Menopause reference mentioned: Dr. Elizabeth Bright — High Fat is Good for Women in Menopause
    About My Guest

    Francine Freedman is an ADHD coach who helps adults build practical, ADHD-friendly systems for time management, organization, prioritization, and follow-through—while also working with the inner narrative that often comes from years of misunderstanding and criticism.

    Work with Francine:

    • She offers a free 15-minute discovery call via her website
    • Coaching is available for ADHD and broader executive function challenges (diagnosis not required)

    Visit: https://francinefreedman.com

    Pre-Order My Book

    You can now pre-order my new book:

    Prescribing Lifestyle: A Doctor's Prescription for Lasting Weight Loss and Vibrant Health

    It's full of practical and inspiring guides to nutrition, breathwork, mindset, and daily habits to transform your health. It's expected to be released in September, and you can pre-order now here: https://mlcclinic.com.au

    Disclaimer

    Everything I share on this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.

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    45 mins
  • Episode 122.BioHackMe with Camilla Thompson
    Feb 12 2026

    In this episode of Prescribing Lifestyle, Camilla Thompson joins me to share her trailblazing journey from corporate burnout and mold toxicity to becoming Australia's leading biohacking coach, keynote speaker, and author of BioHackMe.

    Camilla breaks down biohacking as accessible, personalised, preventative health—empowering you to take control through science-backed strategies that fit real life (not just for Silicon Valley billionaires).

    What We Cover:

    Camilla's Health Journey

    • Growing up with a "low tox" pioneer mum who was ahead of her time
    • Living in toxic mold for years (1 in 2 Australians affected), leading to anxiety, brain fog, chronic inflammation, and misdiagnoses
    • Reversing her biological age by 10 years through biohacking after detoxing her life
    • Overcoming postnatal depression with Traditional Chinese Medicine (acupuncture + herbs) after SSRIs failed

    Biohacking Made Simple & Accessible

    • Why biohacking = personalised health through testing, data, and intuition (not expensive gadgets)
    • Kitchen audit: ditch ultra-processed foods, swap plastics for glass/bamboo
    • Budget biohacks: cold showers (250% dopamine boost), morning sunlight, walking in nature
    • Mediterranean diet for longevity: pasture-raised eggs, avocados, olive oil, quality fats

    Women vs. Men + Real Talk

    • Only 3% of health research on women—we're not "little men"
    • Perimenopause/menopause symptoms often mimic mold toxicity
    • Architect mindset (take control) vs. victim mindset (external blame)
    • Why caregivers (mostly women) face higher autoimmune rates

    Camilla's Work

    • BioHackMe book: practical, science-simplified guide (finalist in Australian Business Book Awards)
    • 1:1 coaching with DNA methylation/genetic testing
    • Bali retreats at Reviver Wellness (women-only, mother-daughter): soul + science (hyperbaric, red light, breathwork, sound healing)

    Top Takeaways

    • Your body can heal with the right environment—minimise toxic load without fear
    • Foundations first: food quality > fancy tech
    • Trust your bio-individuality—test, experiment, intuit

    Connect with Camilla:

    🌐 biohackme.com.au

    📸 Instagram: @biohackmecoach

    💼 LinkedIn: Camilla Thompson

    📚 BioHackMe on Amazon

    💚 If you're ready to hack your health affordably and sustainably, this episode is your blueprint.

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    35 mins
  • Episode 121. 2026 New Year, Same Values: Growth, Curiosity & Lifestyle Medicine
    Feb 4 2026

    Welcome to the first episode of Prescribing Lifestyle for 2026! In this special New Year reflection, I share my renewed intentions and direction for both my practice and the podcast.

    My two guiding words for 2026 are Growth and Grounded — continuing to learn, evolve, and stay intentional without burnout or pressure.

    Join me as I reflect on:

    • What "growth" and "grounded" mean in my personal and professional life
    • The exciting future of Prescribing Lifestyle: more curiosity, deeper conversations, and "rabbit holes" into medicine, nutrition, movement, mindset, breathwork, and nervous system health
    • Updates on Melbourne Low Carb Clinic—now across 5 Melbourne locations plus telehealth nationwide
    • New programs: the revamped Low Carb Pro 2.0 and the Metabolic Makeover Program with nutritionist Carla Vidkarta
    • My continued mission to help people take charge, reduce medications, and create true lifestyle change

    💬 My invitation to you:

    Set your own word of the year. Choose an intention, a habit, or a mindset shift that grounds your growth in 2026.

    Resources mentioned:

    📖 Prescribing Lifestyle: A Doctor's Prescription for Lasting Weight Loss and Vibrant Health – available on Amazon

    🌐 Melbourne Low Carb Clinic: mlcclinic.com.au

    💌 Newsletter + contact: available via website

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    18 mins
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