New Normal Project

Do you finish off your day with an evening routine? Do you wind yourself down to help you sleep? Do you struggle getting off your screen before bed?   In contrast to the frequently discussed topic of a morning routine, few people seem as focused on what they do in the evening to wind down and successfully finish off their day. In this episode, Claire and Andrew Davies discuss why they think an evening routine is important, and tell you exactly how they spend the last few hours of the day. As an early riser Claire feels exhausted in the evening and starts preparing for bed as early as dinner time. Andrew, on the other hand, admits his struggles with getting to bed in the evenings, and describes how he is trying to improve his routine. Screen time (or device use) is the modern problem making it much harder for adults and children alike to get themselves to bed at both a reasonable time and in a sleep-ready state. Claire and Andrew tell you how their family is dealing with this issue. Meditation, before or in be

Are you trying to improve your health and wellbeing or are you trying to live a more conscious life? Making change that will improve your health and wellbeing is vital to a longer and higher quality life. And that's exactly what Claire and Andrew from New Normal Project are hoping to inspire you to do with the New Normal Project podcast. But in this episode you will hear Mel Nahas describe how living a more conscious life, which focuses on benefits to your self, your community AND the planet is an even more admirable endeavour. As consciousness encompasses health and wellbeing too. Mel, who was brought up in Australia and now lives in California, is the creator of Conscious City Guide, a powerful online platform for conscious events. Events which vary from single yoga and meditation sessions right up to multiple day retreats. In all parts of the world and for many different types of participants. And all of them focusing on expanding consciousness. Amongst other activities, Mel also produces the Our Plantpowe

Do you have a morning routine? What do you do when you first wake up? And do you go to bed early enough?   In this episode, Claire and Andrew Davies of the New Normal Project talk about the benefits they have experienced by having a morning routine. The early hours of the morning are quiet, with few distractions, and are often a time of great creativity and productivity - especially when others in the house are asleep. Claire takes us through her perfect morning, and what she spends time doing before the "rest of the day" begins. Meditation and some important tasks are her focus. She really feels like a morning person and goes to bed early to make this work for her. Andrew talks about how he has had periods over the last few years with a good morning routine which include running, meditation, purpose activities, and journaling. However, when he becomes busy he goes to bed later than he should and the morning routine becomes harder. This episode is full of good discussion about morning routines and you will ga

What would an elevator pitch for why we should eat predominantly plant-based foods sound like? This is one of the probing questions asked to a health and fitness panel that was held at the conclusion of a premiere screening of the What The Health movie documentary in Queensland. This week's podcast is the audio of this fantastic panel discussion which was held in Brisbane this last May. Lucy Stegley of Raw Events Australia, in conjunction with Animal Liberation Queensland, ran and hosted the documentary screening and panel discussion. Claire & Andrew Davies are delighted to share this on the New Normal Project podcast, following three other similar panels in episodes 4, 15 and 19. The panel members, introduced in more detail by Lucy on the episode, are Amanda Benham, Dasha Soldatov, Billy Simmonds, Crissi Carvalho, and moderator Tammy Fry Kelly. The other questions posed to the panel lead to discussions on whether plant-based businesses should also sponsor health advisory organisations, whether soy produc

Exercise can conjure up many images but really it just means to move. And to move is to be human. Just think about how we’ve evolved and it makes sense that our bodies have large groups of muscles to assist with movement and bones that need to bear weight to stay healthy. We also have a system that stores energy (as glycogen and fat) for when we need to use our muscles in a hurry such as when running from a sabre tooth tiger (it’s always a sabre tooth tiger!). Our bodies haven’t adapted to this new life that started a mere 250 years ago with the industrial revolution that now sees us moving far less as we drive everywhere, sitting at desks for long periods and using effort saving devices such as dish washers and washing machines. Our jobs have changed too. Work that includes manual labour and being on our feet are generally viewed as being less desirable and many of us have careers that exercise the brain rather than the body. And perhaps in evolutionary terms, seeking rest is innate, to prepare for the busy

Colin Hudon is a doctor of Chinese medicine and Tea Master. His introduction to Chinese medicine began when traditional Western methods failed to heal a debilitating rash that covered his body. A mere 24 hours after receiving acupuncture and beginning a treatment of herbs the rash had all but disappeared prompting more questions than answers as Colin decided to become a student of the ancient traditions of Chinese medicine. A long time friend of Rich Roll (episode 2) and Julie Piatt (episodes 2 & 23), Colin has accompanied them on all 3 of their Our Plantpower World retreats offering a morning tea ceremony featuring the teas from old growth tea forests and trees up to 500 years old. These teas are a far cry from the tea most of us are accustomed to that are from tea plantations that are perpetually harvested using chemicals and modern farming techniques. Colin's describes his tea as "living tea" and this inspired his company of the same name selling such teas from China and Taiwan plus hand made tea pots

Following on from last week's episode featuring Melbourne doctor and expert in the science of mindfulness, Dr Craig Hassed, this week Andrew and Claire Davies delve deeper into the practice of meditation. They briefly discuss the profound and lasting impact that meditation has had on them, as well as those around them and introduce 3 examples of guided meditations. The first example is Dr Craig Hassed from his CD “Mindfulness for Life- Techniques and Application”. It is available for $24.99, along with other resources written by Dr Hassed at https://www.exislepublishing.com.au/CD-Mindfulness-For-Life-Techniques-and-Applications.html Next is a resource used by podcast co-host Claire, the free app “Insight Timer” that features thousands of meditations from many different teachers from all over the world. She plays an excerpt called “Morning Meditation with Music” by Jonathan Lehmann. For more information download the app on your mobile device or visit https://insighttimer.com The last meditation is from Andrew

Medical Doctor Craig Hassed does not own a mobile phone. Never has. Craig is an Associate Professor in General Practice and is Australia’s leading expert in the science and practice of mindfulness. He has written 13 books related to mindfulness (see below), featured in the documentary ‘The Connection’ and regularly presents locally and internationally. Craig also introduced meditation into the medical curriculum at Monash University as an examinable subject. He changed the lives of the New Normal Project's Claire and Andrew Davies after he first appeared on their radar nearly 5 years ago. Craig was a teenager, dealing with the impending stress of a swimming race a few weeks away, when he was struck by a thought. ‘What if I just stopping thinking about this event in the future that’s causing me so much angst, and just be here. In this moment?’ This moment of profound insight provided Craig with his first experience of how being in the present, rather than the past or future, can immensely improve the experienc

Dr Tom Hubbard is a plant-based GP on a mission, not to change the world, but to do what is right. It is impossible for him to ignore the evidence and unread what he has read, when it comes to the health benefits of eating a plant-based diet. Claire and Andrew Davies met Tom on the Plantpower Ireland retreat, held by Rich Roll and Julie Piatt in July 2017. Like them, he'd signed up to attend the 7 day retreat and it quickly became evident that he would be a fascinating podcast guest. Tom is humble, engaging and thoroughly committed to presenting his patients with all of the options for treatment, including the benefits of eating a plant-based diet. In fact, he quotes a study that says even adding just one extra serve of fruit or vegetables per day can reduce cancer risk. His approach is one that’s about planting seeds for change rather than preaching or telling his patients what he thinks they should do. One of the best things about being able to interview people for this podcast, is hearing about the trigger

Julie Piatt is a rule breaker. And in her latest book “This Cheese Is Nuts!” she clearly demonstrates that dairy is absolutely not required to make creamy, tangy, delicious versions of all the cheese classics familiar to us all. Especially for those of us who simply love cheese and feel like we will miss out if we choose a path to a healthier life without animal products, as well as for those of us who might have allergies to or intolerance of dairy. In this conversation, Claire and Andrew talk to Julie, also known as SriMati, about why she wrote this book and how she approached the creative process of developing these recipes. Julie has an artistic spirit and ability that she applies to all she does, including her previous book which she wrote with husband Rich Roll, “The Plantpower Way”, her two original music albums which she created with her sons Tyler and Trapper Piatt, her podcast “Divine Throughline” and her previous life as a fashion and interior designer. In addition to the profound health benefits o

If you don't know David & Stephen Flynn of The Happy Pear then get to it. These 37 year old Irish twins started a health revolution that began when they opened a fruit and vege shop in their hometown of Greystones that has lead to an empire including 3 cafes, 2 best selling cookbooks and 20 food items that sell in supermarkets throughout Ireland and the UK. They also have had huge success with their YouTube channel showing hundreds of 5 minute recipes that centre around the simple message to 'eat more vege'. But they are so much more than that. They have a generosity of spirit that has them sharing porridge and tea with all who jump with them in the Irish Sea daily at dawn and in fact have free porridge on the menu at all of their cafes. Their energy and enthusiasm for life is off the charts and in this interview Andrew and Claire hear how it all began and the core message that they want to share with the world. We were lucky enough to spend a day with Dave and Steve, that began of course with a dip in th

Remember when you were 18? Life was carefree and for many of us, revolved around exploring the freedom of becoming an 'adult'. Pubs, night clubs, partying without a care in the world except for where the next good time was. But we do care about our peer group and what they think of us. And usually that magnetic pull to belong is too strong to resist. This was Georgie's life too except that for her, it just didn't feel right. For a while she ignored it but one day an image popped up on her Instagram feed of a guy doing yoga and that changed everything. She had found her people. Georgie is a 24 year old with much to give to the world. She is a nurse whose life has been transformed through commitment to yoga, plant-based eating, meditation, exercise and social media. It's via Instagram that she has connected with many and it's her warmth, honesty and humility which has seen her following grow to nearly 50,000. We talk to Georgie about how her new normal came to be, her devotion to the craft of nursing and how to

Kate Davies has a lot to live for. She was sadly widowed suddenly, 7 years ago, when her daughter Ruby was just a baby. At that stage, Kate had been living in Hong Kong for 13 years and many told her it was time to return home to Melbourne. But back she went and has stayed there for another 7 years, surrounded by the community she has built around her and who gave her and still give her so much support. The themes of this week's podcast centre around connection, authenticity and being 'real' when it matters. Are these skills innate or can they be learned and fine tuned? Kate is the sister of NNPs Andrew Davies and is responsible for coming up with the name New Normal when we launched 6 months ago. We thought she was the perfect guest to celebrate our 20th podcast episode. In support of the NNPs "Living the Plantpower Way" events with Rich Roll and Julie Piatt back in March, Kate not only booked a plane ticket from Hong Kong to attend, she took on the challenge of going plant-based for 3 weeks leading up to it

In this week's episode we play you audio of the healthcare professional panel discussion including audience questions which was held after a screening of the documentary movie What The Health in Perth, Australia, at the Perth Town Hall on June 16th 2017. Whilst co-hosts Andrew & Claire Davies did not participate in the movie screening, the feedback from the 2 panel discussions previously aired in episode 4 (Melbourne screening) and episode 15 (Canberra screening) of the New Normal Project podcast suggested this would be another popular, inspiring and valuable episode. The panel members at the Perth screening were Dr Alyce Churchill (a trainee General Practitioner), Dr Vinayak Hutchinson (a Psychiatry registrar), Elizabeth Boucher (a Pre-admission and Day Surgery Unit nurse) and Louise Roberts (a Coronary and Intensive Care nurse). Tony Boucher, a metallurgist and businessman, was the panel moderator. The event was organised and hosted by Lucy Stegley from Raw Events Australia, with co-hosts Animal Justice

Green smoothies have played a big part in the health transformation of podcast hosts, Andrew and Claire Davies. This week we pay homage to the green smoothie, discussing when we started consuming this vibrant beverage, what effects it has had on our health, on our guts, and its role in recovery post running, and our own New Normal favourite blends. Plus the benefits of having a high-powered blender to make smoothies of the best consistency. We also discuss some of the science behind the effects of green smoothies and for those looking for more information on this topic, we recommend searching "green smoothies" at the website www.nutritionfacts.org. We both bemoan the lack of healthy real food in our hospitals and wonder how much patients would benefit from having a green smoothie every day whilst in hospital. A green smoothie features in the upcoming event, New Normal Sunday, on Sunday July 16th 2017 in St Kilda, Melbourne. Also included are other components Andrew and Claire consider vital to their New Norma

What would happen if you challenged yourself to a physical feat to learn more about what lies within? Our guest this week, David Orr, tells a fascinating tale that began in New York, working for Lehman Brothers, in the heady days before their declaration of bankruptcy in 2008 that precipitated the global financial crisis. David is a Canadian who we first met one year ago at the Plantpower Italia retreat hosted by Rich Roll and Julie Piatt. A few weeks ago Andrew had the opportunity to meet with David close to his home in Tuscany to learn more about how he has ended up living in Italy for the past 7 years. During the retreat we had heard snippets about how he'd walked alone from Delhi to the Taj Mahal but we had no idea of the story that was to come. What follows is an interview that themes around being on the journey of life, taking opportunities, self discovery, ultra endurance running, love and plant based eating. It finishes with David talking about how the retreat motivated him to run two ultramarathons o

Do you practice yoga? What do you understand yoga to be? This week we talk to Sophie Le Fevre, who was introduced to yoga as a child and is now a highly qualified teacher of more than 15 years with her own studio in Melbourne. Perhaps surprisingly to some, we don't discuss the specific poses that can help us to become stronger and more flexible but Sophie paints a picture of yoga providing an opportunity to develop focus whilst being relaxed. This, she says is the practice of yoga. The time spent in the yoga studio or on the mat is therefore training to be able to avoid distraction whilst maintaining a sense of calmness outside of the studio as well. So yoga can be the many things we do in everyday life. And the asanas or physical poses that we do in a class are just a means to help us achieve relaxed focus. We talk about Sophie's childhood and she recalls an instance of being in a flow state as a 7 year old, when completing an otherwise dull task. We also discuss how yoga has benefited her own children and o

In this week's episode we play you audio of the healthcare professional panel discussion including audience questions which was held after a screening of the documentary movie What The Health in Canberra at the National Film and Sound Archive on June 13th 2017. New Normal Project podcast co-host, Andrew Davies, was a member of the panel which included Robyn Chuter, a naturopath and nutritionist from Sydney, Clare Mann, a psychologist and author from Sydney, and Stephanie Dakin, a General Practitioner trainee doctor from Canberra. Caitriona Reed, a mentor and trainer of conscious entrepreneurs was the panel moderator. The event was organised and hosted by Lucy Stegley from Raw Events Australia, with co-hosts Vegan ACT, Animal Liberation ACT and Vegan Healthy Living Canberra. Raw Events Australia has been taking this movie, What The Health, to venues in many cities across Australia and New Zealand, thanks to the directors Keegan Kuhn and Kip Anderson. This extremely provacative and groundbreaking documentary mo

Are you going to live to 100? Do you care about your ACE - Activity, Coping and Eating? Listen to Dr John Tickell, a medical doctor in Melbourne Australia, who in this episode starts by describing how he visited and studied the Okinawans, a cultural group with the largest proportion of people who live past 100 years of age. He discovered that the Okinawans never talk about calorie or carbohydrates, aren’t fanatical about anything and stay active all of their lives. He identifies some of the things in our Western society that don’t serve us well: like retiring from work and losing purpose, getting annoyed if we can’t get a car park right outside the supermarket, consuming food from packets or cans rather than in its whole form, reading newspapers filled with doom and gloom, living in congested apartments rather than old-style communities like villages, buying food that has traveled hundreds of miles to get to us, defining success by things we can count like money, and living a life lacking in family, fun, frie

What’s in our toolbox? What resources do we use to support us in living a plant based lifestyle? This week Claire and Andrew Davies list all the key influencers that first made them try plant-based eating and that now continue to inspire and inform them. Not surprisingly considering their background in healthcare, the ‘Big Four’, Drs T. Colin Campbell (The China Study), Caldwell Esselstyn (Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease), Michael Greger (How Not to Die, nutritionfacts.org) and Dean Ornish (Program For Reversing Heart Disease) focus heavily in this discussion. Another influencer is of course plant based ultra endurance athlete, Rich Roll, who via The Rich Roll Podcast has interviewed several plant-based gurus including Colin Campbell and Michael Greger, in addition to other doctors such as Neal Barnard, Garth Davis, Robynne Chutkan and Robert Ostfeld. The evidence based information they discuss is very helpful in understanding the health benefits of plant-based eating. Rich’s interviews with individuals suc