As a follow-up to Saturday's podcast with Prof Richard Johnson, this one goes a bit more into practical eating strategies to minimise the negative effects of fructose on the body and brain.

As a follow-up to Saturday's podcast with Prof Richard Johnson, this one goes a bit more into practical eating strategies to minimise the negative effects of fructose on the body and brain.

Host Dr Paul Taylor, a Psychophysiologist, Neuroscientist, Exercise Scientist, and Nutritionist interviews experts from around the world on cutting edge research and practices related to improving hardiness in your mind, body and brain to become your best self.

Host Dr Paul Taylor, a Psychophysiologist, Neuroscientist, Exercise Scientist, and Nutritionist interviews experts from around the world on cutting edge research and practices related to improving hardiness in your mind, body and brain to become your best self.

Hardiness with Dr Paul Taylor

Host Dr Paul Taylor, a Psychophysiologist, Neuroscientist, Exercise Scientist, and Nutritionist interviews experts from around the world on cutting edge research and practices related to improving hardiness in your mind, body and brain to become your best self. 

Host Dr Paul Taylor, a Psychophysiologist, Neuroscientist, Exercise Scientist, and Nutritionist interviews experts from around the world on cutting edge research and practices related to improving hardiness in your mind, body and brain to become your best self.&nbsp;

Wisdom Wednesdays: Practical Nutritional Advice From The Podcast With Professor Richard Johnson

What if one of the most effective treatments for depression and anxiety in young people needs no prescription, has no withdrawal and makes you stronger?

In this episode, Dr Paul Taylor unpacks a 2024 meta-analysis from Victoria University. It found that resistance training produced large reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms in people aged 26 and under. He then sets it against the largest analysis of its kind, a BMJ network meta-analysis of 218 trials and more than 14,000 people. In that analysis, walking, jogging, yoga and strength training matched therapy and outperformed SSRIs.

In this episode:
Why strength training was overlooked for decades in mental health research
The training “recipe” behind the biggest effects: sets, reps, intensity and duration
Why harder exercise and clear structure produced better results
How few young people in Australia, the UK and the US meet activity guidelines
The case for prescribing exercise before medication for young people

Key studies:
Marinelli et al. (2024). Resistance training and combined resistance and aerobic training as a treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms in young people. Early Intervention in Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.13528
Noetel et al. (2024). Effect of exercise for depression: systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-075847

Survey data:
ABS National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2023
Sport England Active Lives Children and Young People Survey 2024-25
CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2025

This episode is for education, not medical advice. If you or your child takes medication, talk to your doctor before making any changes.

More at paultaylor.biz

What if one of the most effective treatments for depression and anxiety in young people needs no prescription, has no withdrawal and makes you stronger?
In this episode, Dr Paul Taylor unpacks a 2024 meta-analysis from Victoria University. It found that resistance training produced large reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms in people aged 26 and under. He then sets it against the largest analysis of its kind, a BMJ network meta-analysis of 218 trials and more than 14,000 people. In that analysis, walking, jogging, yoga and strength training matched therapy and outperformed SSRIs.
In this episode:
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>Why strength training was overlooked for decades in mental health research</li>
<li>The training &ldquo;recipe&rdquo; behind the biggest effects: sets, reps, intensity and duration</li>
<li>Why harder exercise and clear structure produced better results</li>
<li>How few young people in Australia, the UK and the US meet activity guidelines</li>
<li>The case for prescribing exercise before medication for young people</li>
</ul>
Key studies:
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>Marinelli et al. (2024). Resistance training and combined resistance and aerobic training as a treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms in young people. Early Intervention in Psychiatry. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.13528">https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.13528</a></li>
<li>Noetel et al. (2024). Effect of exercise for depression: systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMJ. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-075847">https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-075847</a></li>
</ul>
Survey data:
<ul dir="ltr">
<li>ABS National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2023</li>
<li>Sport England Active Lives Children and Young People Survey 2024-25</li>
<li>CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2025</li>
</ul>
This episode is for education, not medical advice. If you or your child takes medication, talk to your doctor before making any changes.
More at paultaylor.biz

Exercise First, Drugs Second

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/740301ac-f29c-4940-a68a-b4e9009bed34/transcript

The Trap of Perfectionism and What To Do About It With Carly Taylor

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/d0530c9f-e60a-4745-90b4-b4e70072637f/transcript

The biggest mistake in youth mental health? Treating kids like they’re broken instead of teaching them how to move, act, and build resilience. Mercedes Taaffe Cooper reveals why early intervention and education, not endless labels and talk therapy, are changing the game for young people. Paul  and Mercedes unpack the deeper problem with the medical model, how normal adolescent struggles get turned into diagnoses, and why that can create more harm than help. Mercedes shares the personal journey that took her from elite boxing and coaching the Irish team to clinical psychology, reality therapy, and ultimately building Counterpunch, a program designed to help kids learn through action, not just conversation.

You’ll discover:
Why reality therapy and choice theory focus on doing rather than overthinking
How the "front two wheels" car analogy helps kids understand thinking, feeling, and behaviour
Why combat sports can be powerful tools for confidence, regulation, and self-awareness
How a 24-week, three-phase program moves kids from connection to leadership
Why peer mentoring is often more powerful than adult advice for adolescents

Mercedes also explains how Counterpunch works in boxing gyms and youth-facing settings, why it’s especially effective for kids who feel isolated, and how the program is now scaling online so more facilitators can deliver it. From goal-setting and embodied learning to social connection and self-efficacy, this episode makes a compelling case for giving young people practical tools before problems become crises. Essential listening for parents, coaches, teachers, and anyone working with young people who wants to create real change, not just another conversation. If you care about building confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills, this one is for you.

Timestamps
(02:11) Mercedas Taaffe Cooper’s background in boxing, coaching, psychology, and moving to Australia
(03:59) Discovering reality therapy and choice theory through research and training
(05:48) Building Counterpunch from pilot program to scalable youth model
(07:56) Reality therapy explained - focusing on action instead of just thinking
(10:19) Why action is the real engine of change for young people
(13:43) Why Mercedas rejected the medical model and built a strengths-based program
(15:05) The harm of overusing labels and diagnoses with kids
(18:05) The original research, the boxing component, and the first curriculum ideas
(20:21) Moving from government pilot to a private program in South Australia
(21:19) Taking the training online and building a replicable system
(23:03) What a Counterpunch session looks like from induction to a 24-week structure
(24:21) VSMART goals and linking values to physical progress
(26:16) The three phases - body awareness, relationships, and leadership
(27:13) Why martial arts and team sport build resilience and confidence
(32:38) Why group connection and peer mentoring matter so much
(34:15) Why combat sports work for youth communication and trust-building
(36:31) Battle in the Hills and using boxing as a progression pathway
(39:03) How embodied learning and physical challenge reinforce psychological tools
(42:11) Why boxing is used as a medium, not the end goal
(43:29) Why combat sports are different from professional violence
(45:49) Respect, manners, and life skills learned through martial arts
(47:15) Who the program is for and how youth-facing professionals can use it
(49:08) How to get involved and the four Ps for potential facilitators
(50:12) Final reflections on skills, not labels, for young people

Quote                                                                                                                                              “The biggest difference between reality therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy is that it very much focuses on the doing rather than the thinking.”

 

Resources 

Website: https://counterpunch.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedas-taaffe-cooper-3b3623117/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counterpunch_life

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/counterpunchAU/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@counterpunchlife

 

Support the Podcast

If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.

The biggest mistake in youth mental health? Treating kids like they&rsquo;re broken instead of teaching them how to move, act, and build resilience. Mercedes Taaffe Cooper reveals why early intervention and education, not endless labels and talk therapy, are changing the game for young people. Paul &nbsp;and Mercedes unpack the deeper problem with the medical model, how normal adolescent struggles get turned into diagnoses, and why that can create more harm than help. Mercedes shares the personal journey that took her from elite boxing and coaching the Irish team to clinical psychology, reality therapy, and ultimately building Counterpunch, a program designed to help kids learn through action, not just conversation.
You&rsquo;ll discover:
<ul>
<li>Why reality therapy and choice theory focus on doing rather than overthinking</li>
<li>How the "front two wheels" car analogy helps kids understand thinking, feeling, and behaviour</li>
<li>Why combat sports can be powerful tools for confidence, regulation, and self-awareness</li>
<li>How a 24-week, three-phase program moves kids from connection to leadership</li>
<li>Why peer mentoring is often more powerful than adult advice for adolescents</li>
</ul>
Mercedes also explains how Counterpunch works in boxing gyms and youth-facing settings, why it&rsquo;s especially effective for kids who feel isolated, and how the program is now scaling online so more facilitators can deliver it. From goal-setting and embodied learning to social connection and self-efficacy, this episode makes a compelling case for giving young people practical tools before problems become crises. Essential listening for parents, coaches, teachers, and anyone working with young people who wants to create real change, not just another conversation. If you care about building confidence, resilience, and lifelong skills, this one is for you.
Timestamps (02:11) Mercedas Taaffe Cooper&rsquo;s background in boxing, coaching, psychology, and moving to Australia (03:59) Discovering reality therapy and choice theory through research and training (05:48) Building Counterpunch from pilot program to scalable youth model (07:56) Reality therapy explained - focusing on action instead of just thinking (10:19) Why action is the real engine of change for young people (13:43) Why Mercedas rejected the medical model and built a strengths-based program (15:05) The harm of overusing labels and diagnoses with kids (18:05) The original research, the boxing component, and the first curriculum ideas (20:21) Moving from government pilot to a private program in South Australia (21:19) Taking the training online and building a replicable system (23:03) What a Counterpunch session looks like from induction to a 24-week structure (24:21) VSMART goals and linking values to physical progress (26:16) The three phases - body awareness, relationships, and leadership (27:13) Why martial arts and team sport build resilience and confidence (32:38) Why group connection and peer mentoring matter so much (34:15) Why combat sports work for youth communication and trust-building (36:31) Battle in the Hills and using boxing as a progression pathway (39:03) How embodied learning and physical challenge reinforce psychological tools (42:11) Why boxing is used as a medium, not the end goal (43:29) Why combat sports are different from professional violence (45:49) Respect, manners, and life skills learned through martial arts (47:15) Who the program is for and how youth-facing professionals can use it (49:08) How to get involved and the four Ps for potential facilitators (50:12) Final reflections on skills, not labels, for young people
Quote&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &ldquo;The biggest difference between reality therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy is that it very much focuses on the doing rather than the thinking.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Resources&nbsp;
Website: <a href="https://counterpunch.com.au/">https://counterpunch.com.au/</a>
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedas-taaffe-cooper-3b3623117/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/mercedas-taaffe-cooper-3b3623117/</a>
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/counterpunch_life">https://www.instagram.com/counterpunch_life</a>
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/counterpunchAU/">https://www.facebook.com/counterpunchAU/</a>
YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@counterpunchlife">https://www.youtube.com/@counterpunchlife</a>
&nbsp;
Support the Podcast
If you found this conversation valuable, consider subscribing and leaving a review on your preferred podcast platform. Your feedback helps us continue to bring you insightful discussions on important health topics.

Counterpunch, reality therapy, and giving young people real tools for life with Mercedas Taaffe-Cooper

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/3e4e13ec-27f1-4e57-8ac7-b4e400886b14/transcript

Wisdom Wednesdays: Practical Nutritional Advice From The Podcast With Professor Richard Johnson

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Hardiness with Dr Paul Taylor

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