Thought Experiment Called Life

I’m very excited to introduce you to my friend, one of my teachers, and an incredibly inspiring human, Nick Hughes.Nick has spent most of his adult life dealing with real-world violence, not the theoretical kind. He served in the French Foreign Legion’s parachute regiment, worked worldwide as a professional bodyguard for Saudi royalty, VIPs, and rock stars, and has taught self-defense and Krav Maga for over 40 years.He’s also a professional boxer, author of How To Be Your Own Bodyguard, and holds black belts in basically every martial art.I actually met Nick when I was 15, when he would come spar us teenagers for our belt tests. At 6’8” and 270 lbs, he was just a little intimidating. 😂 Those sessions were about finding the courage to stand toe-to-toe with someone who could absolutely wreck you…not about winning haha.But Nick’s work goes far beyond fighting. In recent years, he has become a hypnotherapist and coach, helping people get “under the hood” of their minds, update the programming they’ve been carrying since childhood, and break through beliefs that may be holding them back.In this conversation, we go deep into the psychology of violence, self-defense, fear, the subconscious mind, personal transformation, and why training the mind and body matters, especially for women.I hope you enjoy this conversation. If you do, liking, commenting, subscribing, and sharing helps more people find the podcast.In gratitude,GretaLearn more about Nick:Krav Maga Alliance of Knoxville / Nick HughesCheck out my awesome SPONSOR:If I could recommend one longevity supplement, it’d be this one. Liposomal NAD+, glutathione, methylated B vitamins, and more to support cellular energy, healthy aging, and everyday vitality. Get 10% off with my code.Use my code: THOUGHTEXPERIMENThttps://sunnywithin.com/THOUGHTEXPERIMENT

A few weeks ago, my podcast nightmare happened in real life. I had an awesome interview with up-and-coming indie filmmaker Evan Alderson, signed off, and then realized I hadn’t recorded ANY of it. Mortified doesn’t even begin to cover it. Thankfully, Evan was incredibly gracious and agreed to do it all over again. The irony of not pressing record while interviewing a filmmaker is not lost on me. 😅Evan made the unexpected choice to turn down a “deal of a lifetime” in Hollywood because he decided he wasn’t for sale. Instead, he left LA, moved to Colorado, started his family, and continued building his career as an independent filmmaker on his own terms.In this conversation, we talk about indie filmmaking, creativity, risk, Hollywood, making your own opportunities, and what happens when you stop waiting for permission and start following your own path.Evan is currently in post-production on his feature-length horror film Devil in the Trunk, filmed entirely in Colorado with an all-Coloradan cast and crew.We also talk about why constraints can actually make you more creative, the business of filmmaking, storytelling, following the doors that open, and why you have to decide what you’re willing to sacrifice for the life you want.As someone also building a creative life and career here in Colorado, I’ve loved discovering the incredible community of filmmakers and creatives here who are proving that you don’t have to wait for permission to make the thing you’re called to make.If you’re a filmmaker, Evan is also teaching a four-day Film Intensive starting October 4th, covering how to develop, finance, produce, and distribute a feature film. Go here for more info: www.filmintensive.comWhatever your creative pursuit is, I hope this conversation leaves you feeling a little more inspired to trust that call from within and go for what lights your soul up.Please share this with anyone you think might benefit from this conversation. ❤️As always, join me on Substack for more information, behind the scenes, and more: https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlifeSPONSOR: If I could recommend one longevity supplement, it'd be this one. Liposomal NAD+, glutathione, methylated B vitamins, and more to support cellular energy, healthy aging, and everyday vitality. Get 10% off with my code.Use my code: THOUGHTEXPERIMENThttps://sunnywithin.com/THOUGHTEXPERIMENT

This week I'm excited to introduce you to a dear friend and fascinating human, Paul Landreth-Smith.Paul spent 18 years in British policing, including time as a counterterrorism firearms instructor and operator, later became a paramedic, and now manages security for five hospitals in the Kansas City area. He's also a martial artist, BJJ practitioner, rescue dog dad, husband, and a Brit turned American.But what I've always appreciated most about Paul isn't his impressive resume. It's the compassion, curiosity, and humanity he brings to all of it. His life has revolved around service, and he has a unique perspective on what it means to stay calm, help people, understand different cultures, and live a good life.In this episode, we talk about:• British policing & counterterrorism• Moving from the UK to America• Becoming a paramedic• Hospital security & crisis response• Staying calm under pressure• BJJ & martial arts• Compassion and kindness• British vs. American culture• Religion, politics & common ground• How our brains perceive reality• Rescue animals & unconditional love• Curiosity and questioning assumptions• What it means to live a good life• Leaving things better than you found themI hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did, and leave with a few new ideas, questions, and perspectives to carry with you.Please share with someone who you think may benefit from this conversation.xo,GretaAs always, join me on Substack for more information, behind the scenes, and more: https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlifeSPONSOR: If I could recommend one longevity supplement, it'd be this one. Liposomal NAD+, glutathione, methylated B vitamins, and more to support cellular energy, healthy aging, and everyday vitality. Get 10% off with my code.Use my code: THOUGHTEXPERIMENThttps://sunnywithin.com/THOUGHTEXPERIMENT

If you're overwhelmed by the endless supplement recommendations online, this episode is for you.I'm sharing the foundational supplements and herbs I actually use after years of studying therapeutic herbalism and integrative nutrition, living with chronic Lyme disease, and training as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt.We'll cover multivitamins, fish oil, vitamin D, magnesium, digestive enzymes, NAC, fiber, herbal infusions like nettle and oatstraw, and how to choose high-quality supplements backed by science.Whether you're just getting started or looking to simplify your routine, this episode focuses on building a strong foundation instead of chasing the latest wellness trends.Full links & coupon codes to everything I mentioned on my Substack:https://thoughtexperimentcalledlife.substack.com/p/the-supplements-and-herbs-i-never

What can martial arts teach us about confidence, resilience, parenting, and living with purpose?In this episode, I sit down with martial artist, stunt performer, entrepreneur, and coach Tim Rook to talk about overcoming childhood bullying, building confidence through martial arts, teaching self-defense to kids, setting healthy boundaries, leadership, and why choosing difficult things often leads to the most meaningful life.We also dive into stunt work, personal growth, and how the challenges we survive can become the foundation for helping others.If this conversation resonates with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment, share it with someone who could use it, and if you enjoyed the episode, please like, subscribe, and leave a review. Those simple actions make a huge difference in helping these conversations reach more people.As always, join me on Substack for more information, behind the scenes, and more: https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlifeSPONSOR: If I could recommend one longevity supplement, it'd be this one. Liposomal NAD+, glutathione, methylated B vitamins, and more to support cellular energy, healthy aging, and everyday vitality. Get 20% off with my code.Use my code: THOUGHTEXPERIMENThttps://sunnywithin.com/THOUGHTEXPERIMENT

Sometimes we can get caught in a loop of always trying to fix ourselves when on our healing journey. Our culture supports this mindset as well with its endless advertising cycles that exist nearly everywhere. You could be thinner, smarter, richer, happier, etc, etc. What happens when we stop trying to fix ourselves and remember our wholeness? That is what I am beginning to explore in this episode. This is a huge topic and one that I will likely return to but for now I am here to share a message that I have had to remember many times…there is nothing wrong with you or me…it doesn’t mean we don’t continue to grow, it just means we don’t look at growth as a sign of something about us that needs to be fixed. We can grow without judging ourselves, trusting that there is something within us that wishes to unfold when we simply allow it to and when we give ourselves the nurturing that we need.If this episode speaks to you, please share it with someone you think might resonate with it. Thank you for being here.Greta ❤️Join me on Substack for the full details of this episode: https://substack.com/@UCkXpZJPV3QL6bsBuSvRw4PQ 👉 Get 20% off and help your cells age brilliantly with liposomal NAD+, glutathione, and more from Sunny Within. Supporting your body's natural cellular repair processes as you age.Use my code: THOUGHTEXPERIMENThttps://sunnywithin.com/THOUGHTEXPERIMENT

Thank you for your patience with this week’s episode. Our schedules have been a little upside down as we’ve adjusted to new care protocols for our senior kitty, Maynard. The good news is he’s responding well and has been back to his usual rascal self, which has never made me happier.For the next few weeks, I’ll likely be releasing episodes every other week so I have more time for editing, these conversations, and sharing the many gems each guest brings to the table. Thank you for being part of this adventure with me.This week’s guest is Jeff Mount, author of Seeking Thin Places: How Sacred Travel Heals, Awakens, and Restores the Soul. I first knew Jeff as a larger-than-life Krav Maga instructor, but reading an advance copy of his book revealed a deeply thoughtful and soulful explorer devoted to the inner journey.We talked for nearly two hours about healing, pilgrimage, spirituality, masculinity, and what it means to pursue a more meaningful life. In a culture that often teaches men to armor up and suppress their emotions, Jeff offers a powerful example of emotional depth, self-awareness, and healthy masculinity.His book releases August 11 and is available for pre-order now. I have a feeling this won’t be his last appearance on the podcast.Pre-order:https://a.co/d/0iQEJFziWebsite:www.jeffmountcoaching.comInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/jmountcoachingIf these conversations resonate with you, sharing a favorite episode with a friend is one of the best ways to help them reach more people.From my heart to yours, have a beautiful week.Greta ❤️Join me on Substack for the full details of this episode: https://substack.com/ ⁨@ThoughtExperimentCalledLife⁩ 👉 Get 20% off and help your cells age brilliantly with liposomal NAD+, glutathione, and more from Sunny Within. Supporting your body's natural cellular repair processes as you age.Use my code: THOUGHTEXPERIMENThttps://sunnywithin.com/THOUGHTEXPERIMENT

If you've ever traveled somewhere beautiful and thought, what if I just moved here?...this week's guest did exactly that.I've known Christy Capano and her family since we were kids, and over the last few years I've been completely captivated by the life she's built in Italy. What started as an opportunity to help renovate a farmhouse in Florence became a complete reinvention of her life. Christy left behind a career in interior design, returned to school in her 40s, earned certifications in Italian gastronomy and a Master's in Food Studies, and is now creating immersive travel experiences through her business, The Slow Travel Lab.This is a conversation about curiosity, courage, and what happens when you choose a life that feels more aligned with your heart.In this episode we discuss:• Leaving an unhealthy marriage and starting over in Italy• Reinventing yourself in your 40s• Following intuition and taking big leaps of faith• The Slow Food movement and food sustainability• Food as culture, connection, memory, and medicine• Ancestry, identity, and reconnecting with your roots• Going back to school later in life• Curiosity as a path through depression• Living in Florence and adapting to Italian culture• Foraging, herbalism, and reconnecting with the land• Food diplomacy and how meals bring people together• The healing power of nature, travel, and community• Romanticizing everyday life• Why getting older might be something to celebrateI left this conversation feeling very inspired. In fact, after talking with Christy about foraging, I wandered into the woods behind our house and discovered an abundance of wild spinach growing everywhere. I've been harvesting it for omelets ever since.As always, thank you for being here. It has been such a joy to share these conversations with you, and I hope they offer a little inspiration, a fresh perspective, or simply a little space to dream for a while.If this podcast has meant something to you, sharing it with a friend is one of the best ways to help it grow.From my heart to yours, have a beautiful week.Greta ❤️Join me on Substack to get two recipes from Christy: https://substack.com/@thoughtexperimentcalledlife👉 Get 20% off and help your cells age brilliantly with liposomal NAD+, glutathione, and more from Sunny Within. Supporting your body's natural cellular repair processes as you age.Use my code: THOUGHTEXPERIMENThttps://sunnywithin.com/THOUGHTEXPERIMENT