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Best Life

What does it look like to truly love what you do?
Best Life is a podcast about real people, living lives that prove it's possible. Each episode, join host Shay OBrien, as we sit down with someone who has found their thing — whether they chased it since childhood or it found them when they least expected it — and we talk about the journey, the passion, and what it actually feels like to wake up every day doing what you love.
Equal parts inspiring and honest, Best Life is the show for anyone who believes the best chapter might still be ahead.

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12 episodes
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Avg 55 min
English

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S1 · E11
September 17 · 1 hr 8 min
Andy Cato: Sowing the Seeds of Hope
Andy Cato is one half of the globally successful electronic duo Groove Armada and a co-founder of Wildfarmed. His journey from dance floors to fields began with a single article about the environmental impact of food production and led him to sell his music publishing rights, buy a farm in France and learn how to grow food from the ground up. In this open and wide-ranging conversation, Andy joins Shay to explore reinvention, resilience and the realities of building a mission-led life. He speaks honestly about the failures, financial risks and personal pressures behind the success, including periods of anxiety, exhaustion and coming close to breaking point. At its heart, this is a hopeful episode about restoring the soil, challenging the systems we depend on and recognising the agency we still have; through the choices we make, the work we pursue and the seeds of hope we sow for others. In this episode How Andy's early love of music led from piano and trombone to Groove Armada and a career spanning three decades The article that changed the direction of his life and inspired his move from music into farming Why he sold his music publishing rights to fund a farm - and what happened when his first plans unravelled How regenerative farming offered a way forward by rebuilding soil health and working with nature The creation of Wildfarmed and its mission to make better farming and more traceable food available at scale The personal cost of becoming the public face of a complex mission, including anxiety, sleeplessness and burnout Why reframing pressure helped Andy reconnect with the meaning and opportunity in his life How questioning our perceived constraints can open the door to change, purpose and greater agency Why every food choice connects us to the land and why giving nature a chance allows it to come roaring back Sowing the Seeds of Hope is an honest conversation about courage, reinvention and the long road from an idea to meaningful change. Andy's story is a reminder that purpose does not remove struggle, but it can give us a reason to keep going and that small, informed choices can help create a more hopeful future. Show Notes https://wildfarmed.com Instagram/TikTok/Facebook/Youtube @wildfarmed https://groovearmada.com Instagram/TikTok/Facebook/Youtube: @groovearmada
S1 · E10
September 3 · 1 hr 10 min
Matt Cooke: How To Manifest Your Best Life
A note before you begin This episode includes a discussion about the role belief and mindset may play in health and healing. We recognise this may be a sensitive subject, particularly for anyone living with a serious or incurable illness. These are personal perspectives, not medical advice, and are not intended to suggest that recovery is simply a matter of belief. ________________________________________________________________ This week, Shay sits down with manifestation coach, researcher, author and speaker Matt Cooke to explore manifestation, belief, purpose, visualisation and the practical work behind creating the life you want. At 26, Matt was the youngest manager at a successful estate agency. On paper he was doing well, but underneath he was stressed, unfulfilled and questioning whether he was living the right life. A chance question, “Who are you?”, during a reflexology session began a much bigger search for meaning. Following the loss of his mother and an extraordinary personal experience that challenged his understanding of reality, Matt began exploring spirituality, consciousness and ultimately manifestation. Today, Matt's work focuses on making manifestation practical, exploring how to manifest the life you want, getting clear about your goals, using visualisation and, crucially, taking action. Shay and Matt explore: Why outward success isn’t a measure of happiness What manifestation means to Matt and why it’s about more than vision boards and positive thinking How thoughts, beliefs and repeated patterns can influence the lives we create Visualisation, meditation and other manifestation techniques Why manifestation needs action, and how to turn big ambitions into achievable steps How Matt manifested his goal of becoming a published author with Penguin Random House Success, family and the ongoing challenge of balancing ambition with being present as a husband and father Why the decisions we make today are creating the person and the life we will experience in the future Shay brings both curiosity and a healthy degree of scepticism to the conversation, exploring whether manifestation is about something happening “out there”, or whether Matt’s approach changes the way we think, feel and behave, and in doing so increases our chances of success. Whether you're already fascinated by manifestation and the law of attraction, want to learn how to manifest or remain unconvinced, this is a thought provoking conversation about belief, possibility and creating the life you want. Show Notes: Website: https://www.mattcooke.me Instagram:@mattcookecoach Tiktok: @mattcookecoach Youtube: @mattcookecoach Book Title: Beyond Wanting, The Art of True Manifestation by Matt Cooke https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Wanting-Art-True-Manifestation/dp/059385330X Podcast coming soon: Beyond
S1 · E9
August 20 · 33 min
Summer Special - Isabel Chave Manso: The Parts Within Us - Understanding IFS Therapy
In this special episode of Best Life Podcast, Shay sits down with Internal Family Systems (IFS) practitioner, Isabel Chave Manso, to explore IFS therapy, an approach Shay describes as a “game changer” in his own life. IFS is based on the idea that we all have different “parts” within us, the inner critic, the high achiever, the procrastinator, the caretaker, or the part that reacts strongly when something touches an old wound. Rather than judging or suppressing these parts, IFS helps us become curious about them, understand why they are there and develop a more compassionate relationship with ourselves. Isabel is a Certified Level 3 IFS practitioner and staff member of the IFIO International Training Programmes. She is also a facilitator of Gestalt Awareness Practice by Tribal Ground and Esalen Massage Therapist, with an extensive background in yoga, movement and the healing arts. In this practical and personal conversation, Shay draws on his own experience of IFS while asking Isabel the questions many of us might have when first encountering the therapy. Together they explore: What IFS is and how our different “parts” influence the way we think, feel and behave Why experiences from childhood can continue to trigger powerful reactions in adult life The inner critic and why understanding it can be more helpful than trying to silence it How emotions and experiences can show up through sensations in the body What happens during an IFS session and how you know whether the process is working How greater self-awareness can help us become calmer, more present and better able to regulate our responses Why couples therapy doesn't need to begin with a relationship in crisis and how it can help us communicate, repair and navigate conflict more effectively This isn't a conversation about fixing what's “wrong” with you. It's about understanding yourself better and why you react the way you do, where those responses may have come from, and how greater awareness and compassion can change the way you relate to yourself and the people around you. Whether you're completely new to therapy or simply curious about another way of understanding yourself, this Summer Special offers an accessible introduction to the world of Internal Family Systems and why it is such a powerful tool for personal growth. Show Notes: Website: http://www.isabelchavemanso.com Instagram: @isabel_chavemanso Whatsapp +34 685 055447 Email: isabel_manso@yahoo.com
S1 · E8
August 6 · 1 hr 19 min
Gill Meller: Living with the Seasons
Chef, food writer and author Gill Meller joins Shay O’Brien for a conversation about nature, creativity, cooking and what it looks like to live a life connected to the things that matter most to him. Growing up on the Dorset coast, Gill developed a deep appreciation for the changing seasons, the landscape around him and the simple pleasures of gathering and sharing food. That connection to place would eventually shape both his career and his philosophy, leading him to spend more than fifteen years as Head Chef at River Cottage before becoming one of Britain's most respected food writers and teachers in his own right. Gill shares his early journey, how he met Alice, the love of his life, at 18, their life as young parents and how his journey has never been simply about cooking. Instead, it has become an exploration of slowing down, paying attention, respecting nature and finding joy in everyday rituals that are so often overlooked in modern life. This is a conversation about choosing a different pace, discovering your own voice, and building a life around values. Gill reflects on the lessons he's learned through years of working with the seasons, the importance of craftsmanship, the influence of mentors, and why the simplest experiences are often the ones that stay with us the longest. Along the way, he explores the relationship between food and memory, the restorative power of spending time in nature including his love of cooking outdoors, and the importance of family and community. A calm, insightful and inspiring conversation about living with intention, embracing simplicity, and reconnecting with the natural world in a fast-moving society. In this episode: How growing up on the Dorset coast shaped Gill's outlook on life His early life, meeting the love of his life at 18 and being young parents A road trip that ignited his love of cooking with fresh and seasonal ingredients. How Gill’s love of falconry deepened his relationship with the natural world. How he met Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and started working for him The lessons he learned during more than fifteen years at River Cottage Why slowing down can lead to a richer, more meaningful life How nature, seasonality and craftsmanship continue to inspire his work A reminder that living your best life isn't about doing more—it's about paying closer attention to what truly nourishes you. Show Notes Website: https://www.gillmeller.com https://gillmeller.com/products/gill-meller-membership Use code GILLBESTLIFE for 25% discount on annual membership Gill’s Shop https://gillmeller.com/collections/gillon Instagram: @gill.meller
S1 · E7
July 23 · 1 hr 14 min
Dr Mitra Ray: The Habits That Helped Me Find Life After Loss
Shay sits down with Dr Mitra Ray, scientist, wellness entrepreneur and a leading voice in wellness and healthy ageing. Mitra's career began in elite scientific research, studying at Cornell University before completing groundbreaking research at Stanford University, where she discovered a protein while working on projects funded by organisations including the National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society and Alzheimer's research. But despite a hugely promising career, declining health led her to walk away from academia and dedicate her life to understanding not just disease, but what creates lasting health and vitality. For more than three decades, Mitra has helped hundreds of thousands of people rethink the way they eat, move and care for their bodies. Yet nothing could prepare her for the greatest challenge of her life. In October 2023, her husband Doug was killed in a tragic paragliding accident. Overnight, the life they had built together changed forever. In this deeply personal conversation, Mitra shares how grief reshaped her world, why the healthy habits she'd spent decades building became the foundation of her recovery, and how resilience is something we cultivate long before we ever need it. Together, Shay and Mitra explore: • Why prevention is more powerful than treatment • The daily habits that build resilience before life tests you • How grief changes the brain and body • The surprising science behind cold water therapy and exercise • Why our relationship with ageing matters more than we think • The truth about protein, gut health and plant-rich nutrition • How purpose and mindset shape lifelong health This is a conversation about science, wellness, loss and hope and what it really means to build a life that can withstand life's hardest moments. Show Notes: https://drmitraray.com/supplement-hormone-fasting-protocol-dr-mitra-ray/ IG @drmitraray Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/s.mitra.ray/ LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/drmitraray Must-Haves page: drmitraray.com/offerings Book + more: drmitraray.com | linktr.ee/drmitra Substack (HRT articles + more): eldersevolution.substack.com Full longevity stack inquiries: support@drmitraray.com
S1 · E6
July 9 · 44 min
Sophie Reverdi: The Courage to Begin Again
Entrepreneur, author and musician, Sophie Reverdi joins Shay O'Brien for an extraordinary conversation about resilience, reinvention and finding the courage to keep following your heart. Sophie's life has been defined not by one career, but by a series of bold new beginnings. From overcoming childhood obesity and leaving home at just fourteen, to building an award-winning restaurant, creating music, writing a book, and developing an internationally recognised weight-loss programme, she has continually reinvented herself by following her curiosity and refusing to be limited by her past. Throughout her journey, Sophie's creativity has been the constant thread. Whether through writing, music, food, health or filmmaking, she has dedicated her life to helping others while remaining true to her values and passions. In this deeply personal conversation, Sophie reflects on the challenges that shaped her, the mentors who believed in her, and why every setback became an opportunity to build something new. She also reflects on rebuilding her life after hardship, caring for her father, and why she chose to pursue work that aligned more closely with her values. In this episode: • Growing up with obesity and a difficult childhood • Leaving home at fourteen and finding inner strength • How creativity became the thread running through her life • Building successful businesses by following curiosity and purpose • Reinventing herself time and time again • Turning personal struggles into a mission to help others • Finding strength through adversity and starting over • Why it's never too late to create a life that feels true to who you are An inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention and having the courage to keep writing your own story. Show Notes: 9 Avenue B on Spotify - Albums - Access and Brand New https://open.spotify.com/album/7ys2k2YehaCw5832TblW4S Half Zero by Sophie Reverdi https://www.amazon.co.uk/Half-Zero-Smart-program-thousands-ebook/dp/B0872RRXNF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WNJEH4JFY8I0&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZVx1E3ZMQKBDE-gvlF3BDtlvcsjGOmc56lVLXZV4-jNRdj-FTqyKtMdzxZk3Ym2SuGWP9CHPMM-kOCumtCUbvQlChE0N0zb6bgeBZTCaUws4CpRlpdY--yoVii5o3AVr.n99SIf1wLpl-LGlqDdE7yRomWbGdAt2aj5aTMd19g5A&dib_tag=se&keywords=Sophie+Reverdi&qid=1783439332&sprefix=sophie+reverdi%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-1 Instagram @sophiereverdi Facebook @sophiereverdi
S1 · E5
June 25 · 59 min
Mike Garry: From Moss Side to Carnegie Hall
Poet, author and performer Mike Garry joins Shay O'Brien for a powerful conversation about creativity, identity, courage and how his career blossomed from his early love of words and language. Known for acclaimed works including Mancunian Meander and God Is A Manc, Mike has become a distinctive voice in contemporary poetry. His poems celebrate real life; his home-town Manchester, family, love & loss, working-class culture and community. Before becoming a full-time writer and performer, Mike worked as a librarian, where he began reading his own poems to the young people that attended his homework centre. What followed was a leap of faith: leaving the security of a stable career to pursue a creative life built around poetry, performance and storytelling. Since then, Mike has performed around the world, toured with John Cooper Clarke, collaborated with musicians and composers including Philip Glass, Joe Duddell and the Cassia String Quartet, and shared stages with artists such as New Order, Iggy Pop and Patti Smith, including a celebrated performance at Carnegie Hall. He also works extensively in schools and prisons and other community settings, bringing poetry to people who might never otherwise encounter it. In this conversation, Mike reflects on growing up in Manchester, finding confidence through language, the influence of his Irish Catholic upbringing, and why authenticity has always mattered more to him than success. He speaks honestly about taking risks, believing in yourself, and choosing happiness over security. In this episode: • Why words became Mike's superpower • The leap from librarian to full-time poet and performer • The stories and communities that shaped his work • What Manchester taught him about creativity and belonging • Why authenticity matters more than recognition • How following your passion can become a career A thoughtful and inspiring reminder that sometimes the biggest risk is not taking one at all. Show Notes: St Anthony: An Ode to Anthony H Wilson - Mike Garry and Joe Duddell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cYNI8s_vo4 Mike Garry’s Merchandise https://www.mikegarry.co.uk/shop/
S1 · E4
June 11 · 1 hr 8 min
Allan Heinberg: From Stage to Screen
Allan Heinberg — showrunner and executive producer of Netflix's The Sandman, screenwriter of the blockbuster Wonder Woman, and the creative voice behind some of television's most beloved series including Sex and the City, Gilmore Girls, The O.C., Grey's Anatomy, and Scandal as well as co-creator and writer of Young Avengers and its sequel Avengers for Marvel Comics — sits down with Shay for a deeply personal conversation about a life shaped by storytelling, reinvention, and hard-won self-knowledge. Few writers have successfully shaped stories across television, film, and comics quite like Allan. But behind an extraordinary career is a human story full of vulnerability, courage, and unexpected turns — from performing on stage in early childhood, to navigating the complex personal challenges that come with a life lived honestly. This is a conversation about creativity, identity, and what it really means to know yourself. In this episode: • A childhood and early life defined by performance and storytelling • Allan’s journey from Broadway actor to building a career in film and television. • How becoming an expert in what you love can create unexpected opportunities. • Writing the Young Avenger comic series and how the introduction of the first gay characters came about. • The realities of pursuing a creative career and supporting yourself along the way • How discipline, focus and consistency shaped his success • What it means to sustain creativity through personal challenge • The role mentors, friendships and collaboration played in Allan’s journey
S1 · E3
May 28 · 50 min
Julie Gardner: Building a Bigger Life
Julie Gardner MBE, the legendary television producer behind Doctor Who, Torchwood, and co-founder of Bad Wolf Productions, shares how she went from growing up in a working-class village in South Wales to becoming one of the most influential producers in British television. This is a conversation about ambition, resilience, self-belief, and what it really takes to create a life beyond the limits of where you started. In this episode: Julie’s childhood growing up in South Wales How books and television became her window into a bigger world Overcoming shyness and learning to ask for opportunities Missing out on Cambridge and finding the determination to keep going Why setbacks can become defining moments The reality behind the glamour of the television industry How Doctor Who helped transform television production in Wales Working with people who inspire you What it is like receiving an MBE Why asking for help and backing yourself matters The notion of “being in the room” The importance of storytelling, curiosity, and long-term vision Julie is a great conversationalist and her story highlights that building a life that inspires you requires resilience, self-belief, and the courage to ask for opportunities, amongst many more golden nuggets from her vast experience of working in television.
S1 · E2
May 14 · 59 min
March Russell: Finding Calm in a Busy World
March Russell, a breathwork teacher, shares how he went from struggling with anxiety, low self-worth, and feeling disconnected, to building a life centred around helping others feel grounded and at ease. This is a practical and honest conversation about stress, the nervous system, and why so many of us feel constantly “on edge” in modern life and which breathwork tools we can use to support us. In this episode: March’s journey towards breathwork Why we feel overwhelmed, even when life looks “fine” How your nervous system shapes how you experience the world The role of breathwork in reducing stress and anxiety Simple ways to feel calmer, more present, and more in control Why slowing down might be the most powerful thing you can do A reminder that sometimes the smallest tools can create the biggest shifts. 🎧 Stay until the end for a 10‑minute closing practice with March to interrupt stress loops and reset your mind — leaving you clearer, lighter, and more relaxed. Coming soon: Moonfables — a sleep podcast by March, creating quiet audio stories and practices that help the body feel safe as you drift into deep, restful sleep Learn more HŌM → studiohom.co March Russell → marchrussell.com
S1 · E1
April 30 · 56 min
Jan Ostle: From Feeling Not Good Enough to Building a Life That Matters
Michelin-star chef Jan Ostle shares the real story behind his success, from growing up feeling “not good enough” and struggling with dyslexia, to finding purpose in the kitchen, overcoming a growing reliance on drugs and alcohol and rebuilding his life from the ground up. This is an honest conversation about pressure, identity, and what it actually takes to create something meaningful, not just professionally, but personally. In this episode: • Jan’s childhood and how that shaped him • Turning self-doubt into drive • The hidden cost of high performance • Addiction, recovery, and starting again • Redefining success on your own terms This isn’t just a story about food or business, it’s about learning to accept who you are, doing the work to change, and redefining what a “best life” actually means.
April 30 · 41 sec
Welcome to Best Life
What does it look like to truly love what you do? Best Life is a podcast about real people, that are living proof that it's possible. Each episode, join host Shay OBrien, as we sit down with someone who has found their thing — whether they chased it since childhood or it found them when they least expected it — and we talk about the journey, the passion, and what it actually feels like to wake up every day doing what you love. Equal parts inspiring and honest, Best Life is the show for anyone who believes the best chapter might still be ahead. Launching 1st May. Stay tuned by following the show in your podcast app.

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