Episode 136: The Truth About the Loneliness Epidemic (It’s Not What You Think) with Sarah Stein Lubrano

EPISODE 136:

The Truth About the Loneliness Epidemic (It’s Not What You Think) with Sarah Stein Lubrano

SHOW NOTES

We hear a lot about the “loneliness epidemic,” but what if the real problem isn’t that we feel lonelier? What if it’s that we’re spending more and more of our lives alone… and slowly forgetting how to connect in the first place?

This conversation with political theorist and writer Sarah Stein Lubrano absolutely blew my mind. We got into the neuroscience of what happens when we spend too much time isolated, including how our brains literally start pruning away the social skills we’re not using. Which honestly explains why texting someone back can suddenly feel like preparing for battle.

Sarah shares why social interaction is a little bit like exercise. Most of us don’t feel like doing it beforehand, but we almost always feel better afterward. We talk about the surprising research on talking to strangers, why introverts probably still need more connection than they think, and how our increasingly individualistic lives might be affecting everything from happiness to democracy itself.

We also got into the hidden risk that keeps people isolated. It’s not laziness. It’s fear. Fear of awkwardness, rejection, inconvenience, vulnerability, or just feeling weird for knocking on someone’s door. The less we practice connection, the riskier connection starts to feel.

And honestly, this episode changed me a little. Since recording it, I joined a French conversation group, a women’s finance group, and started going to karaoke at the Legion here on Salt Spring. And guess what? Every single time I leave my cozy little house and force myself into the world, something good happens.

Turns out humans might actually need other humans after all.

WHAT’S INSIDE:

Why we’re spending more time alone without necessarily feeling lonelier
How social isolation changes the brain and weakens social skills over time
The surprising science behind talking to strangers and why it boosts happiness
Why rebuilding community matters for our health, relationships, and even democracy

This episode made me realize that connection isn’t something that magically happens. It’s something we practice, maintain, and sometimes awkwardly fight for. DM me on Instagram and tell me: what’s one small social risk you want to start taking again?

Mentioned in This Episode:

ABOUT THE SHOW

Join Oonagh Duncan (fitness expert and bestselling author of Healthy As F*ck/Ditch The Diet) as she examines the habits of kicking ass every day - so you can create a life of no regrets.

Because your dream life (and your dream bod) isn’t just going to happen because you made a vision board. It takes Goals. It takes Grit. And it takes some woo-woo sh*t."

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Episode 126: The 9/11 Story You’ve Never Heard Before with Diane Davis

EPISODE 126:

The 9/11 Story You've Never Heard Before with Diane Davis

SHOW NOTES

This episode wrecked me in the very best way.

On September 11th, 2001, while most of the world was glued to their TVs watching unimaginable horror unfold, Diane Davis was teaching Grade 3 French immersion in Gander, Newfoundland, an airport town of about 10,000 people that would suddenly become home to nearly 7,000 stranded airline passengers.

What happened next is the part of the 9/11 story you probably don’t know.

Diane walks me through those surreal days when 38 planes were diverted to Gander and an entire community quietly, efficiently, and compassionately mobilized. Teachers turned schools into shelters. Bus drivers walked off strike to shuttle passengers. Churches, camps, and tiny outport towns filled trucks with food, bedding, and toothbrushes. Bulletin boards replaced the internet. Tim Hortons boxes became filing systems. No one waited to be told what to do. People just did what they could.

Diane’s story became part of Come From Away, the Broadway musical inspired by Gander’s response to 9/11. Yes, there is literally a character based on her. But what struck me most wasn’t the red carpets or the Tony Awards. It was her belief that none of this was extraordinary. It was simply people showing up with whatever skills they had.

We also talk about the other side of being a lifelong helper, learning how to receive. Diane shares candidly about her current cancer treatment, the discomfort of accepting support, and how community once again is carrying her through. This conversation is about kindness, grit, humility, and the quiet magic that happens when strangers choose to care for each other.

You might cry. I definitely did. And you’ll walk away remembering what humans are capable of when we’re at our best.

WHAT’S INSIDE:

What really happened in Gander when thousands of planes were diverted on 9/11
How ordinary people self-organized to care for thousands of strangers
The real-life story behind Come From Away
Why learning to receive help can be just as powerful as giving it

So here’s what I want you thinking about after this episode. What does being rich actually mean to you? Is it having more than enough for yourself or being so resourced that you can show up for others without hesitation? Diane’s story is a masterclass in emotional wealth, generosity, and community. And look, that kind of life is built one choice at a time.

I want to hear from you. What kind of world do you want to help create, and what role do you want to play in it? DM me on Instagram and let’s talk about it. I read every message.

Mentioned in This Episode:

ABOUT THE SHOW

Join Oonagh Duncan (fitness expert and bestselling author of Healthy As F*ck/Ditch The Diet) as she examines the habits of kicking ass every day - so you can create a life of no regrets.

Because your dream life (and your dream bod) isn’t just going to happen because you made a vision board. It takes Goals. It takes Grit. And it takes some woo-woo sh*t."

Be sure to hit subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

Subscribe on iTunes

Subscribe on Play

Listen on Spotify

Sign up below to join Oonagh's exclusive podcast newsletter and get each episode (plus extra insights) delivered right to your inbox.

Warning! Gluten ahead!

After a year of collecting recipes from our Bootcampers, recruiting friends to do recipe testing and trading personal training for design and illustration services, I’m so psyched to introduce our Food Feels Good community cookbook! Have a look at the Forward to learn a bit more about our food philosophy, check the back for some awesome resources about everything from food politics to disordered eating and then dig in to some delicious recipes!

(from the forward of the Food Feels Good Cookbook)

Warning! Gluten ahead!

None of these recipes will promise to make you lose weight or look like a celebrity or be bikini ready in 3 weeks. Be warned that they might contain fat and meat and dairy and deliciousness. These are a collection of recipes chosen by people like you; busy people with families and jobs who like to make and eat food that makes them feel good.

I know you want to be buff and beautiful and have a flat stomach. And you’ve probably heard that people who cook are more likely to have a healthy body weight and live longer. In fact, the decline in home cooking closely tracks the rise in obesity and all the chronic diseases linked to diet. Research even indicates that children who enjoy home cooked meals with their parents do better in school and are less likely to drink, smoke and suffer from eating disorders.

This book was designed to evoke a time when people cooked at home about twice as often as we do now. Cookbooks were not glossy hardcover kitchen decor but smudged with lard grease, chocolate fingerprints and years of wear. Those 1970’s cooks may have been making jellied ham salads, but at least they were making their own and not outsourcing their food to industry. And they were a lot thinner and healthier than we are today.

You may think that a cookbook by a Personal Trainer and a Nutritionist should be a bit more prescriptive. If you want food advice, I would quote my favourite food writer, Michael Pollan, in saying: “Eat real food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” And then I would add: Eat with people you love. And pay attention to how it makes you feel (physically, emotionally, psychologically).

If you want some ideas from active and awesome people such as yourself, check out these recipes.

Oonagh Duncan

Personal Trainer, Fitness Educator & founder of Fit Feels Good

The Food Feels Good Community Cookbook!

June 2015 BootcamperS of the Month: Claire and David!

Meet Claire and David! One of the best things about having a co-ed bootcamp is that we get couples who are getting fit and feeling amazing together! Claire stumbled upon us in a park and we invited her to join us and we are so glad she did. Claire and David are an inspiration to the 6am High Park crew and to anyone who thinks they are too busy to exercise!

How has being an FFG Bootcamper changed your life?
With 4 kids of our own, aging parents, demanding careers and a very gregarious cat named Max, it would be easy to let our fitness programs lapse. In fact, 6:00 a.m. is about the only time of day that we can both be sure we are available. Fit Feels Good gives us a challenging and fun fitness It allows us to be at the top of our game and meet the challenges life throws at us. And it’s a GREAT thing to do as a couple.

What do you do when you are not Bootcamping?

We live a very hectic life from sunrise to sunset every day. We’re very involved with our kids, parents, careers, volunteer activities and so much more. In our spare time (whatever that is), Claire loves to garden while David is very involved in several volunteer pursuits. We also love to dance, watch a great movie, and when possible, read.

What’s your major fitness goal right now?

We did the Alpha Obstacle Course last year and it was a blast (read here about the hidden benefits of signing up for a race) We’d like to get in great shape to tackle that again. We also run in the Terry Fox each year and would like to expand the number of fun runs we do each year. David would also like to shed a few pounds over the next few months – Fit Feels Good will be crucial toward reaching these goals.

What about coming to Bootcamp makes you jump out of bed at 5am singing the Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music?

We love exercising as the sun rises in High Park. We look forward to whatever our excellent instructor Scott will have for us today – it’s always something new. The people we exercise with at High Park are awesome and a lot of fun to work-out with – we encourage one another and have lots of laughs.

What exercise or drill makes you cower under your bed covers and pretend you don’t hear your alarm?

For David, it is the dreaded burpee (although he’s a lot better at it now); for Claire it’s running backwards.

What advice would you give someone who is just starting out with FFG Bootcamps or just thinking about it?

Make a commitment to attend every session for at least 4 weeks. It takes a while to get into an early morning exercise routine – but once you’re in the groove you can’t imagine skipping a class. It’s completely addictive.

What is the accomplishment or personal milestone you are most proud of?

We are most proud that we have firmly established fitness as a regular part of our crazy lives. We feel younger and more energetic than most of our friends who don’t exercise.

May 2015 Bootcamper of the Month: Maija!

Meet Maija from the 6am Christie Pits class! The self-described ‘awkward, uncoordinated fat kid in gym class’ is now someone who shows up early for the 6am class, takes every option for higher intensity and is well on her way to becoming a trainer herself. Maija is an inspiration to our 6am Christie Pits crew…even if there are still a few exercises that make her hide under her covers…

What made you sign up for a FFG Bootcamp? How long have you been training with us?

Haha! I never had any intention of signing up for a bootcamp. I was volunteering with an organization that held a silent auction at a fundraising event. One of the items up for auction was a month of bootcamp. Soon Oonagh emailed and informed me that not only was I starting the next day but that it would be before the crack of dawn. And that was the first time Oonagh made me sweat.

This was October of 2013, 18 months ago.

How has being an FFG Bootcamper changed your life?

I honestly feel like becoming a bootcamper has changed my life entirely. I never thought of myself as an athletic person. I had no interest in sports and could not understand their appeal. Being the awkward, uncoordinated fat kid in gym class made me feel like I could never possibly enjoy physical activity. I’ve been a gym goer on and off but it’s never been fun. Working out with Oonagh feels like all of the best parts of gym class without the middle school bullies. It is so much fun! I’ve become hooked on trying new things, tackling challenges and making goals in all aspects of my life. I’ve learned how to snowboard from scratch, acquired brand new software skills, run my first 10K and half marathon, and have taken a Personal Training Certification course. Losing 60 pounds isn’t so shabby, either. I feel strong, with a clear mind and a super positive outlook. And I became a morning person.

What do you do when you are not Bootcamping?

Most of the time I’m doing the stay at home mom thing. When I can squeeze it in I make custom jewellery (I’m a goldsmith by trade), and any other hand crafted thing I can think of. I’m currently tuning my craft habit into an Etsy shop.

What’s your major fitness goal right now?

My current goal is to finish the Sporting Life 10K (happening next weekend) in under one hour.

What about coming to Bootcamp makes you jump out of bed at 5am singing the Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music?

The Glute Challenge. Slam ball. Bill breaking into song. Sprints. Any class with a holiday theme.

What exercise or drill makes you cower under your bed covers and pretend you don’t hear your alarm?

Bear crawls with sliders. Mountain climbers.

What advice would you give someone who is just starting out with FFG Bootcamps or just thinking about it?

Relax and have fun. This isn’t military style bootcamp. No one is going to yell at you if you can’t do a pushup. Just keep showing up and you will get stronger.
What is the accomplishment or personal milestone you are most proud of?

Finishing the 2014 Scotiabank waterfront half marathon.