#2- Health Gadgets, Hormones, and the Hidden Cost of Stress

SUMMARY In this deeply personal and refreshingly honest episode of the Within podcast’s “I Wish I Would’ve Known” series, the speaker (name not specified) opens up about her year-and-a-half-long struggle with a seemingly simple goal: losing five pounds. Despite being a dedicated runner with healthy habits, sleep tracking via an Oura Ring, balanced blood glucose levels, and functional medicine check-ins, the scale wouldn’t budge. What unfolded was a raw exploration of how even the most optimized health routines can be derailed by one invisible saboteur: chronic stress.

The conversation evolves into a shared therapy session of sorts, as the group unpacks stress responses, cortisol, and how even “rest” in overstimulating environments fails to restore us. From trying PEMF mats to abandoning nightly social scrolls, the episode delves into the emotional and physiological toll of modern wellness culture. It’s a must-listen for high-achievers wondering why data, devices, and discipline still fall short, and what it might actually take to feel well.

ABOUT WITHIN Within is a podcast hosted by Nicky Wallace and Ali Payne, founders of The People Co. It explores what happens when organizations stop chasing surface-level solutions and start doing the real work from within. Each episode unpacks stories of leadership, burnout, growth, culture, and the messiness of being human at work. Whether you’re in HR, leading a team, or just rethinking how work fits into your life, Within offers a candid and refreshing look at how people-first business gets built.

Connect with them on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/nwallace515/ or www.linkedin.com/in/alipayne/ and www.linkedin.com/in/heidibuttolph/