“She was just a baby”: Morgana O'Reilly confronts her teenage diaries

Join host Carolyn Taylor for the latest episode of The House of Wellness with Chemist Warehouse on the Breeze, where she's joined by actress Morgana O'Reilly, health expert Susan Birch, John Shepherd from the Every Sunday Motorcycle Collective, and resident pharmacist Piyara Perera.  

Featured Guest: Morgana O’Reilly

Actress Morgana O'Reilly joins the show to talk about her new show and film, Stories About My Body, which explores her journey with body criticism, motherhood, and self-acceptance.

Looking back at her teenage diaries, she shares her shock at how harsh her self-talk was when she was just a "baby" of 12 or 13.

She discusses the shift in perspective that came with turning 40 and becoming a mother, reframing beauty standards as a collective opinion rather than a fact.

Morgana also shares her personal rule for beauty choices asking herself if an action comes from a place of celebration or an apology. 

Featured Guest: Susan Birch 

Functional medicine practitioner and nutritionist Susan Birch chats about her new book, The Health Detective's Handbook, designed to help people understand their bodies on a deeper level.

Drawing from over 40 years in the health industry, she explains how lifestyle, nutrition, and stress impact the body's complex "chemical factory".

Susan breaks down her approach to sustainable change as a tiny habits coach, encouraging people to establish a bare-minimum daily routine to keep momentum going.

Featured Guest: John Shepherd 

John Shepherd joins the show to discuss the Every Sunday Motorcycle Collective (ESMC), a group he co-founded to create a supportive community for men's mental health.

What started in 2007 as a simple Sunday morning ride has grown into a safe "third space" away from work and home where men can connect, check in on each other, and offload life's stresses.

John highlights how the shared passion for bikes creates easy common ground, helping men build genuine friendships and open up in a comfortable environment. 

Resident Pharmacist: Piyara Perera

Resident pharmacist Piyara Perera breaks down the causes behind painful muscle cramps, explaining that they occur when a muscle gets stuck in a contracted state and struggles to relax.

She notes that while cramps often increase with age, fatigue, or poor circulation, they can also be triggered by dehydration or low magnesium levels.

Piyara offers practical relief advice, such as stretching the calf with a "toes-to-nose" flex and staying properly hydrated. 

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