"Don't let your chronic illness get you down."
Hosted by Dr. Kevin J. Payne, the Your Life Lived Well Podcast brings both decades of practical experience living with a chronic illness (multiple sclerosis) and decades of professional experience as a social and behavioral scientist focused on answering the question: how can we live well with an awful health condition we can't get away from?
YLLW shows those diagnosed, loved ones, caregivers, and medical, health and wellness professionals that there is a science to crafting our better lives together.
Why You’re Bad at Rest and How to Fix It
Most of us are terrible at rest. We say we’re “relaxing” when we’re really just distracting ourselves — scrolling, binge-watching, dysfunctionally numbing, and zoning out. But real rest? The kind that actually recharges your brain and body? That’s something completely different.
And here’s the kicker: you can’t force relaxation. You can’t grind your way into it like a to-do list task. It’s not about doing nothing — it’s about doing the right kind of nothing. That invites our body’s natural restorative systems to get to work.
In this episode, we’re breaking it all down:
Why your nervous system makes rest harder than it should be
The difference between relaxation and distraction (and why it matters)
What actually activates your body’s recovery mode
Why stress, illness, and modern life keep you stuck in “high alert” mode
How to finally give your body the kind of rest it actually needs
Because rest isn’t a luxury — it’s fuel. It’s valuable for its own sake, but it’s also how you restore your capacity to do everything else. It’s even more crucial for those of who live with a chronic diagnosis and have far less margin. So if you feel like you’re running on fumes, this episode is for you.
Listen now. Your body will thank you.
Links at https://links.ylls.us/
13 Mar 2025
Bodies Need Movement
Let’s get one thing straight: this episode isn’t about “exercise.” It’s about movement. Because your body isn’t built for fitness trends, step counts, or guilt-driven workouts. It’s built to move well enough, often enough, and intentionally enough to keep you showing up for a life you care about.
But in today’s world? Movement feels optional. We sit more, we move less, and before we know it, the body that was designed for action starts breaking down from inactivity. Not because we’re lazy, but because we’ve been trained to think about movement all wrong.
This episode is about flipping that script.
• Why movement (not exercise) keeps you functional, independent, and resilient• How our brains were wired to resist movement unless it has an immediate purpose• Why strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance all matter — and how to train them without a daunting, overcomplicated plan• The overlooked importance of plyometrics and fall training (because staying upright is a skill none of us can afford to lose)• How to integrate movement into daily life without guilt, burnout, or unrealistic goals
This isn’t about getting “fit.” It’s about building a body that supports the life you want to live — for as long as possible.
So let’s talk about how to make that happen.
Listen now.
Links at https://links.ylls.us/
6 Mar 2025
Attention, part 2: The Art of Showing Up
What happens when you sit still and do nothing?
For most of us, the second we try, our minds go into overdrive — racing from one thought to the next, bouncing between worries, distractions, and random memories. And that’s exactly why meditation feels frustrating.
But here’s the truth: Meditation isn’t about stopping your thoughts. It’s about learning to work with them.In this episode, we break down what meditation actually is, how it works, and why it’s one of the most powerful tools for training your attention.
• Why meditation is mental training, not just relaxation
• Different styles of meditation & how to find the right fit
• Why wandering thoughts aren’t failure (they’re the practice)
• How even two minutes a day can change how you focus, think, and respond
• Practical ways to start — and stick with it
If mindfulness is about noticing where your attention goes, meditation is how you strengthen the skill of bringing it back.
It’s not about achieving some perfect state. It’s about learning to show up for your own life…again and again.
Listen now.
Links at https://links.ylls.us/
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
60
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.7 / 5
7 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 53 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
68
Social presence
0
YouTube
63
Engagement
32
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