4 Things I Learnt This Week: Introversion, High Fibre Keto, What Doctor's Don't Tell You, Failing & Flying

Happy Friday!

First of all, I have 2 freebies for you this week:

1. If you’re reading my new book Metamorphosis, I’ve created a free 35-page printable PDF of Activation Exercises here. These exercises correspond to the first 6 chapters of the book and have been designed to enhance your own metamorphosis.
2. I’ve written a short, permanently free ebook called 25 Things I Wish I’d Been Born Knowing. This is a selection of short essays on the life lessons I’ve learnt over the years, lessons that would have served me greatly if I’d worked them out earlier! Examples are "Vulnerability is a Strength, Not a Weakness”, and "If You Can Stop Fearing Death, You Can Live Like You're Meant To”. It’s on Amazon but hasn’t been reset to free yet (due to Amazon’s processes on perma-free books), but you can download it to your e-reader device here. 

What I learnt this week:

1. I had my world rocked by Susan Cain’s book, Quiet, about the power of introverts. I am a few years late to this book, but it’s one of the most beautiful and important books I’ve ever read. If you know me socially or through business, you’re likely to think I’m a textbook extrovert. I react and behave like an extrovert in social or group situations but the toll it takes on my energy and health is massive. Quiet has helped me to make sense of, and embrace, the multitude of personality traits that I’ve always beaten myself up for - wanting to stay in every evening, hating the phone, hating conflict, my many fears, my very strong adhesion to rules, and my painfully high levels of empathy. Now that I have a framework for understanding myself better, I can deploy my energies better. It’s also a wonderful blueprint for raising sensitive kids. Her TED Talk is divine. 
2. High-fibre keto: I’ve been interested in the benefits of doing a ketogenic diet properly for a while (by properly, I mean ‘clean’ keto, with very high quality sources of good fats) but I’ve been warned that we women can find it really doesn’t suit us, or make us feel good, because of our hormone cycles which require more carbs to regulate. What I hadn’t properly understood was that it’s the fibre in carbs that we need (as opposed to net carbs). Fibre nourishes our microbiome, balances our hormones and prevents the energy slumps and brain-fog that standard keto can cause. All this from Naomi Whittle on the Bulletproof Radio podcast. Her new book, High Fibre Keto, is out now. PS - artichokes and avocado are great fibre sources according to Whittle.
3. I learnt what the doctors don’t tell you: literally, there is a magazine called What the Doctors Don’t Tell You. I was introduced to it by my functional doctor (who is also an experienced GP and former head of a London hospital’s diabetes unit). It’s full of wonderful articles that will make traditional doctors really irate! Bring it on. 
4. I discovered the poet Jack Gilbert. I love his poem 'Failing and Flying'. It opens with the line: 'Everyone forgets that Icarus also flew'. Whether it's a business or a marriage, it's good to be able to remember the triumphs without tarring them with the failure brush. Here's the poem: it's beautiful. 

Have a great weekend

Sara