The Method - Health in the Real World

Type 2 diabetes is a disease on the rise. It affects over 4 million people in the UK, with many living with it undiagnosed. So how can we recognise the signs, reduce our risks, or better live with it? 

This week, Greg and Charlie put these questions to Dr. Naveed Sattar, Professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine at the University of Glasgow and one of the world's most cited researchers in diabetes and obesity science. With over 1,400 peer-reviewed publications, a career spent working directly with patients, and his own first-hand experience of living with an elevated risk of diabetes, Naveed is a voice to be reckoned with on this subject.

Starting with the science, Naveed will explain what happens inside the body when we develop type 2 diabetes: why it’s different from type 1, and how ectopic fat (fat that gets stored around our middle and in non-fat organs like the liver or pancreas) hinders insulin production. We talk about the genetic and environmental factors that heighten our risks, and about why certain populations are more vulnerable. 

You will see that when it comes to diabetes, the science has changed over the last decade: moving away from focusing on sugar, toward prioritising weight loss instead, with GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy playing a part.

In our practice segment, Naveed, Greg, and Charlie get into what this all means for day-to-day life. Including:
  • How Naveed changed his lifestyle after being diagnosed at risk (23:21)
  • Screening and testing for diabetes (27:33)
  • The role of movement in reducing risks (30:05)
  • Where and how GLP-1 medications get factored in (33:39)

Finally, in the experience section, we turn to your listener questions. We hear from those navigating gestational diabetes, and from people who have been living with type 2 diabetes or are trying to lower their risks.
If you take only one thing away from this episode, remember that a type 2 diabetes diagnosis is not the result of lifestyle choices. This episode is for anyone who wants to make sense of a disease that has been driven by socio-economic factors, and moves faster than most of us realise.

If you'd like to send us your health questions for future episodes, you can email us a voice note or write in at themethod@thriva.co


To Explore Further:
About Thriva:

Thriva is a proactive health platform built for the modern age. The promise of longevity often comes with years spent in poor health. We want to bridge the gap between lifespan — how long we're living — and healthspan — how well we're living. We combine powerful at-home blood testing with wearable insights and expert guidance. So you can know exactly what's going on inside your body — and what to do about it — before issues arise. With this podcast, we hope to bring listeners confidence in everyday health decisions.
To learn more about Thriva's values and services, visit https://thriva.co/



What is The Method - Health in the Real World?

There’s no shortage of health advice out there, but how much of it actually works? Cold plunges, glucose monitors, protein timing, strength training, avoiding microplastics… How do we figure out what’s worth our time? Now there’s a method.

The Method – Health in the Real World unpacks the science and real-world application behind modern-day health. We speak with leading voices to help you make sense of your health, and we find out how we can live better now, and for longer.

Each episode, long-time friends Greg Potter and Charlie Edmondson will interview leading experts to put key health topics under the microscope, and unpack health questions through three lenses:
- The science: What the experts, data, and scientific research say.
- The practice: How to turn theory into habit and sustainable behaviour change.
- The experience: How the practice lives up to expectation in real life.

In an often chaotic world, we want to keep an eye on the long game: maximising your healthspan, not just your lifespan.

Whether it’s eating better, moving with intention, or getting quality sleep… We help you build good, evidence-based habits that stick. Let’s find out what works for you. The Method gives you the tools to chart your own path towards health confidence.

Expect deep dives into the science of health. We’ll cover topics like: supplements, brain health, personalised nutrition, biomarker tracking, zone 2 training, stress management, but also explore psychological wellness, the power of social connection, and good emotional resilience.
Whether you’re new to proactive health, or already experienced and looking for nuanced conversations and fresh insights, The Method will empower you to push what really matters when it comes to your health.

About your hosts:
Dr Greg Potter is a health consultant with a PhD in sleep, nutrition, and metabolic health, and a master’s in exercise physiology. A real chameleon in the health world, he works across product development, coaching, scientific advisory, and science communication. He also loves meeting people, exploring new places, and spending an unreasonable amount of money on specialty coffee. On this show, Greg is here to cut through the noise of the wellness world and help listeners focus on what truly moves the needle for long-term health.

Charlie Edmondson is a proudly Northern outdoors lover, with a growing passion for what it means to live well. She spent years firing her health questions at Greg over voice notes; a habit she now conveniently brings to the show. A real sports addict, Charlie has tried everything from swimming, to hockey, and cycling, to endurance racing representing Team GB in triathlon and duathlon across the globe. She is also a dog mum and doesn’t say no to the occasional Guinness. She brings her warmth to the Method to champion the voice of the everyday listener, who might not be an expert in health, but is brimming with questions.

About Thriva
The Method is brought to you by Thriva, a proactive health platform built for the modern age. The promise of longevity often comes with years spent in poor health. We want to bridge the gap between lifespan – how long we're living – and healthspan – how well we're living. We combine powerful at-home blood testing with wearable insights and expert guidance. So you can know exactly what’s going on inside your body - and what to do about it - before issues arise. With this podcast, we hope to bring listeners confidence in everyday health decisions.

To learn more about Thriva’s values and services, visit https://thriva.co/.