#29. Dr. Charlotte Marriott. Why We Need Nature to Feel Well

This week, Andrew speaks with Dr Charlotte Marriott - NHS Consultant Psychiatrist, Certified Lifestyle Medicine Physician, medical educator and nature-based coach. Charlotte works with people living with complex mental health challenges, while also championing evidence-based lifestyle change and accessible, community-led movement.Together they explore why health is simple but society makes it hard, and how nature, physical activity and social connection transform mental wellbeing. They discuss the pitfalls of optimisation culture, smartwatches, hustle wellness, and the systems-level barriers that shape our choices long before willpower ever enters the picture.Charlotte shares stories from her NHS practice, explains how movement changes the brain, and makes the case for designing environments - not just interventions - that help people thrive.In this episode:• The six pillars of lifestyle medicine, without the guilt• Nature as a core mental health intervention• Why enjoyment may be the most important metric in movement• The dark side of trackers, optimisation and wellness grift• How movement boosts brain health, mood and memory• Social determinants of health and the limits of “better choices”• Real patient stories: from ready-meals to boxing gyms• Why the first small step always matters the most.Books, articles, projects that came up in conversation and you might find interesting: 1. Losing Eden: Why Our Minds Need the Wild — Lucy Jones2. British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM)4. Nutri-Tank (Nutrition in Medical Education)5. SHAPE Programme – Supporting Health and Promoting Exercise6. Bee Network – Greater Manchester Active Travel