Move Well, Live Well, Perform Well – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Knee injuries create more fear and confusion than almost any other joint.

In this episode, we’re joined by Mr Kash Akhtar, Consultant Orthopaedic Knee Surgeon at Cleveland Clinic London, to break down what actually matters when it comes to ACL tears, meniscus injuries, rehab, surgery decisions and the biggest myths surrounding knee health.

We unpack why knees are so anxiety-provoking, what truly keeps them healthy long-term, and how to think clearly when faced with an MRI report that sounds worse than it feels.

We dive into:

• What the ACL actually does and whether every rupture needs surgery
• The difference between ACL and MCL injuries
• When meniscus tears are genuinely the cause of pain (and when they’re not)
• Whether we’ve historically been too quick to operate
• How to decide between conservative rehab and surgery
• Why squats aren’t the enemy,  and why avoiding loading may be worse
• Whether running damages cartilage or can actually protect your knees
• Skiing-related ACL injuries and what increases your risk
• Returning safely to skiing after ACL reconstruction
• Knee braces - helpful tool or false security?

Mr Akhtar also shares practical, grounded advice for anyone currently dealing with knee pain, including the three things to focus on immediately and the most common mistake that delays recovery.

This conversation bridges elite orthopaedics and real-world injuries. Whether you’re an athlete, skier, runner, or someone worried your knee “will never be the same,” this episode will help you understand what’s evidence-based, what’s overhyped, and how to make better decisions about your knee health.

🎯 Who This Episode Is For

• Anyone dealing with knee pain and unsure whether they need surgery
• Athletes recovering from ACL or meniscus injuries
• Skiers preparing for the season or returning after injury
• Runners worried about cartilage damage or arthritis
• People confused by MRI findings and conflicting advice
• Clinicians, coaches and rehab professionals navigating surgical vs conservative pathways

🎙️ Powered by Mayfair Health

At Mayfair Health, we specialise in recovery, performance and proactive wellness. If you’re navigating ongoing symptoms, rehabilitating from injury, or looking to optimise your long-term health, our multidisciplinary team is here to help.

🔗 Website: https://www.mayfairhealth.co.uk
📩 Contact: info@mayfairhealth.co.uk
📞 Phone: 020 3985 1500
📱Instagram: @mayfairhealth

🖥️ Guest Details:

Mr Kash Akhtar
🔗 Website: https://kashakhtar.com
📱Instagram: @kashakhtar

What actually separates elite cyclists from everyone else?

In this episode, we’re joined by Stefan van der Fluit — professional cyclist and founder of FLOWBIO, to break down what high-level endurance performance really looks like behind the scenes. From managing huge training volumes and FTP expectations, to balancing recovery while building a startup, Stefan shares a rare, honest look into life as a pro cyclist operating at the sharp end of performance sport.

We dive into how elite athletes structure their training across the season, the workouts that matter most, and why recovery, not just effort, is often the real limiter to progress. Stefan explains the biggest mistakes recreational cyclists make with fatigue, sleep, and hydration, and how to decide when to push, when to ride easy, and when to rest.

A major focus of the conversation is hydration and electrolytes, why drinking water isn’t the same as hydrating properly, how small hydration errors can quietly crush performance, and why most athletes are still guessing their sodium and fluid needs. Stefan also unpacks the thinking behind FLOWBIO, the sweat-sensing technology he’s building to bring lab-level hydration analysis into real-world training and racing, and why personalised hydration is becoming a major performance edge for elite teams.

Whether you’re a cyclist, endurance athlete, or someone trying to balance hard training with a demanding job, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately, without burning out.

⏱️ In This Episode, We Cover:

• What pro cycling really looks like day-to-day
• Training volume, intensity, and how to think about FTP
• Balancing high-level training with startup life
• Recovery strategies that actually work (and what’s overhyped)
• The biggest recovery mistakes recreational cyclists make
• How hydration and electrolytes affect power, endurance, and recovery
• Why most athletes are under-hydrated without realising it
• How Flowbio is changing the way athletes personalise hydration
• The future of hydration tech and performance data integration

🚴 Who This Episode Is For:

• Cyclists looking to train smarter and recover better
• Endurance athletes juggling training with work or business
• Coaches and practitioners interested in performance optimisation
• Anyone curious about hydration, recovery, and elite-level habits

🎙️ Powered by Mayfair Health

At Mayfair Health, we specialise in recovery, performance and proactive wellness. If you’re navigating ongoing symptoms, rehabilitating from injury, or looking to optimise your long-term health, our multidisciplinary team is here to help.

🔗 Website: https://www.mayfairhealth.co.uk
📩 Contact: info@mayfairhealth.co.uk
📞 Phone: 020 3985 1500
📱Instagram: @mayfairhealth

In this episode, Simon sits down with pain specialist Dean Halfpenny to unpack one of the most complex human experiences - pain. Together, they explore what pain really is, how it’s felt in the body, and why it varies so widely between individuals. Dean shares his expertise on the science behind pain, the emotional and psychological factors that influence it, and the future of pain treatment and management.

Expect to learn:

• The true definition of pain and how the body processes it  
• The key differences between acute and chronic pain
• How psychology and emotional wellbeing play a crucial role in pain management
• The impact of sleep and movement on reducing pain
• Whether patients should use AI tools like ChatGPT to diagnose symptoms
• The range of treatment options available - from nerve blocks to therapy
• What new treatments could emerge in the next five years to treat pain

This podcast is proudly powered by Mayfair Health, your trusted partner in recovery, performance and proactive wellness. If you’re dealing with pain, rehabilitating from an injury or looking to optimise your health, their team of specialist clinicians is here to help.

Contact Us:

Website: https://mayfairhealth.co.uk/

Email: info@mayfairhealth.co.uk

In this episode, Simon sits down with Dr Nicky Keay, in this episode, a medical doctor and leading expert in endocrinology and hormone health. Nicky’s mission is to provide a more personalised approach to hormone health helping individuals optimise their performance and wellbeing at every stage of life. 

Expect to learn:

• Why bones become weaker as we age
• How menopause and hormonal changes impact bone density
• What osteoporosis is and how it can be prevented 
• How to reverse poor bone health and improve posture, balance, and mobility
• The best exercises for strong bones and muscle 
• How HRT and recovery can support long-term bone health
• Understanding RED-S and recognising when you’re under-fuelling or overtraining

In this episode, you’ll learn how your hormones, lifestyle, and exercise habits impact your bones and discover important ways to build strength, spot early warning signs and stay strong and healthy as you age.

Link to bone health questionnaire: https://mypeaq.streamlit.app/

This podcast is proudly powered by Mayfair Health, your trusted partner in recovery, performance and proactive wellness. If you’re dealing with pain, rehabilitating from an injury or looking to optimise your health, their team of specialist clinicians is here to help.

Contact Us:

Website: https://mayfairhealth.co.uk/

Email: info@mayfairhealth.co.uk

In this episode, Simon sits down with Tiina Hoffman, an Exercise Physiologist and Master Trainer at First Beat. With a background in competitive cross-country skiing, she developed an interest in training, recovery, and heart rate variability. Tiina now uses her expertise to help people understand their wellness data and optimise their health.

Expect to learn:

• What heart rate variability (HRV) really means and why it matters
• How your body responds to different kinds of stress
• Why men and women recover differently
• The impact of alcohol on sleep, recovery, and performance
• Exercise and recovery: what works best during high-stress periods
• The link between recovery and emotional wellbeing
• How much we should (or shouldn’t) trust wearable data

If you’ve ever wondered what your wearable data is really telling you, this episode is for you. Tiina Hoffman breaks down heart rate variability, recovery, and the impact of stress, exercise, and lifestyle factors so you can make smarter choices for your health.

Take a look at First Beat's big data findings for 2025: https://bit.ly/FirstBeatData

This podcast is proudly powered by Mayfair Health, your trusted partner in recovery, performance and proactive wellness. If you’re dealing with pain, rehabilitating from an injury or looking to optimise your health, their team of specialist clinicians is here to help.

 Contact Us:

Website: https://mayfairhealth.co.uk

Email: info@mayfairhealth.co.uk

In this episode of the podcast, Simon sits down with Dr Mark Gillet, Chief Medical Officer of the Premier League and consultant in sports and exercise medicine at the Cleveland Clinic. 

Expect to learn:

• Why professional footballers are prone to injury
• How football managers respond to injured players
• How to optimise player performance during matches and off-season
• Proven protocols for recovery - including sleep, cold-water therapy, nutrition and managing training loads
• The most common injuries in football and why they occur 
• How knee injuries are treated, from injections to steroids 

Whether you're a player, coach, or fan, this episode offers a rare insight into the science and strategy behind keeping elite footballers performing at their peak.

This podcast is proudly powered by Mayfair Health, your trusted partner in recovery, performance and proactive wellness. If you’re dealing with pain, rehabilitating from an injury or looking to optimise your health, their team of specialist clinicians is here to help.

 Contact Us:

 Website:  https://mayfairhealth.co.uk

Email: info@mayfairhealth.co.uk

Phone: 020 3985 1500

In this episode of the podcast Simon speaks with Dr Wendy Denning, a GP with over 25 years experience in integrative medicine, to uncover the truth about GLP-1 receptor agonists (weight-loss drugs).

This conversation covers all the medical research and advice about weight loss drugs.

Expect to learn:

• The science behind weight-loss drugs and how they work
• Who should (and shouldn’t) be prescribed these drugs
• Why weight loss is harder during perimenopause and menopause
• The surprising connection between weight-loss drugs and helping addiction
• What no one tells you about the side effects
• Healthy habits that support sustainable weight loss

If you’re curious about the behind weight-loss drugs, this episode offers clear, expert-led insights into how they work, who they’re for and what you need to know to make healthy, informed choices. 

This podcast is proudly powered by Mayfair Health, your trusted partner in recovery, performance and proactive wellness. If you’re dealing with pain, rehabilitating from an injury or looking to optimise your health, their team of specialist clinicians is here to help.

 Contact Us:

 Website: www.mayfairhealth.co.uk 

Email: info@mayfairhealth.co.uk

In this episode Simon sits down with Alex Montgomery, a renowned spinal surgeon with extensive experience in both private and NHS sectors. He is a leading voice in spinal health working with elite athletes among hundreds of other patients.

This conversation explores the wide-spread impact of back pain in the UK. Discover the myths, facts and latest innovations in managing back pain effectively.

Expect to learn:

• The different causes of back pain
• The role of education in managing back pain
• Common misconceptions about spinal surgery 
• The rise in back injuries among young athletes
• The importance of exercise and movement in recovery 
• Innovation in spinal surgery and future trends

With £12.3 billion spent on back pain each year, this is a vital conversation between two experts that offers valuable insights for anyone who’s experienced back-related issues and helpful guidance on what you can do to manage it.

This podcast is proudly powered by Mayfair Health, your trusted partner in recovery, performance and proactive wellness. If you’re dealing with pain, rehabilitating from an injury or looking to optimise your health, their team of specialist clinicians is here to help.

Contact Us:

Website: www.mayfairhealth.co.uk

Email: info@mayfairhealth.co.uk

In this episode of the podcast Simon sits down with Sam Rajaratnam, a leading expert in degenerative knees from the Cleveland Clinic, to explore the latest breakthroughs in knee replacement surgery.

This conversation dives into the rapid growth of total knee replacements and what’s driving innovation in the field. Sam breaks down what makes a good diagnosis, the role of x-rays and MRIs and how treatment plans are tailored to each patient’s needs. 

Expect to learn:

• How today’s knee replacements last 25-30 years
• Why getting the right scans is key to a good outcome
• How rehabilitation programmes are crucial to recovery
• What the rise in total knee replacements says about lifestyle, aging and orthopedic care

Whether you’re a health care professional, a patient considering surgery or simply curious about medical innovation, this episode contains valuable insights into one of the most common and transformative procedures in modern wisdom.

This podcast is proudly powered by Mayfair Health, your trusted partner in recovery, performance and proactive wellness. If you’re dealing with pain, rehabilitating from an injury or looking to optimise your health, their team of specialist clinicians is here to help.

Contact Us:

Website: www.mayfairhealth.co.uk

Email: info@mayfairhealth.co.uk

Phone: 020 3985 1500

Why do stress fractures keep happening, even in elite athletes?
And what actually separates a great rehab process from one that fails?

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Jon Houghton, Sports Medicine Consultant at the Fortius Clinic and Chief Medical Officer for the Football Association of Wales and Surrey Cricket Club, for an exclusive deep dive into bone stress injuries, rehab and recovery across elite sport and everyday athletes.

With experience spanning elite football, international cricket, endurance sport and military performance, Jon shares rare insight into why bones fail, how stress fractures develop, and what truly drives successful rehabilitation, beyond rest and guesswork.

We explore how training load, biomechanics, RED-S, hormones, sleep and recovery behaviours interact to either build resilience or create injury risk, and why many athletes return too soon, or never fully recover.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why stress fractures happen, and why some athletes tolerate load while others break
• The hidden role of RED-S and low energy availability in bone failure
• Pars injuries in cricketers and lower-limb stress fractures in runners & footballers
• How biomechanics and loading shape bone strength and injury risk
• What elite athletes do differently during rehab, and why it works
• Tools like MBST, LIPUS and when medication can support bone healing
• How to structure a safe, confident return-to-play pathway
• Practical strategies to reduce injury risk and recover smarter

Who this episode is for:

• Athletes dealing with recurring stress fractures or bone injuries
• Runners, footballers, cricketers and endurance athletes
• Clinicians, coaches and rehab professionals
• Anyone currently rehabbing an injury and worried about long-term recovery

🎙️ Powered by Mayfair Health

At Mayfair Health, we specialise in recovery, performance and proactive wellness. If you’re navigating ongoing symptoms, rehabilitating from injury, or looking to optimise your long-term health, our multidisciplinary team is here to help.

🔗 Website: https://www.mayfairhealth.co.uk
📩 Contact: info@mayfairhealth.co.uk
📞 Phone: 020 3985 1500
📱Instagram: @mayfairhealth