Many of us think of nutrition as something separate from the rest of life – what you eat on one side, and how you feel, think and perform on the other.
But this week, I sat down with Jackie Bowker, award-winning functional nutritionist, PhD candidate and CEO of the Global Feel Better Institute, to explore why food is so often the missing link between energy, mood, sleep and decision-making – and why it underpins everything from health to wealth.
Jackie shares her journey into nutrition, which began after years of riding a blood sugar roller coaster fuelled by sugar addiction, chronic fatigue and feeling "wired but tired". When traditional medicine couldn't offer answers, she turned to real food and discovered just how powerful our diet can be when the body is struggling. Our conversation unpacks how unstable blood sugar affects sleep, focus and emotional regulation, how ultra-processed foods are disruptive to hormones and gut health, and how closely the gut and brain are connected.
We also explore practical, realistic ways to support better health without chasing perfection. Jackie explains why small changes matter, how sleep and nutrition reinforce each other, and why there is no single "right" diet. If you've ever felt flat, foggy or wondered why willpower alone isn't enough, this conversation reframes nutrition as a foundation for energy, clarity and better decisions in every area of life.
I've certainly found it to be food for thought, and I hope you do too.
FIND OUT MORE:
https://feelbetterinstitute.com
ABOUT IT'S NEVER ABOUT MONEY:
Joe Stephan is a Financial Planner with Stephan Independent Advisory, based in Melbourne, Australia: https://siadvisory.com.au/
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