106: Sleep Science Today with Andrew Colsky - Episode 106

106: Sleep Science Today with Andrew Colsky - Episode 106

Curious about how others manage their sleep, weight, and health all at once? This conversation between host Andrew Kolsky and guest Sharon Polsky is a straight-talking look at how sleep, stress and metabolism tie tightly together – especially if you’ve spent a lifetime trying “one more diet” or “one more quick fix”.

Sharon, an author and long-time coach, shares how she moved from “gym science” to functional medicine after watching her mum chase every new diet and end up worse off. She explains her five building blocks of health – sleep, stress management, hydration, movement and food – plus a sixth one gaining attention: personal relationships. For anyone in recovery or rebuilding their health, it’s a helpful reminder that you can’t just tweak one habit and expect miracles.

There’s plenty of humour and honesty as Sharon recalls being told, “you’ll sleep when you’re dead,” and then realising poor sleep was wrecking her own health and that of many of her 5,000-plus clients. She’s blunt about modern “health hacks”, arguing that “you cannot get anything usable from a six-second TikTok” and urging people to swap quick clips for deeper learning. A big chunk of the chat focuses on GLP weight loss medications like semaglutide and terzepatide.

Sharon talks about who they help, why they’re no magic bullet, and how poor sleep can make someone a “non-responder” to any weight-loss approach. She stresses believing patients who say they’ve “tried everything” and looks at why two kids in the same family can have totally different weight outcomes. If you’re trying to improve sleep, weight, mental health or sobriety habits, you’ll get a candid mix of science, real-life experience and practical basics.

Which of Sharon’s building blocks do you think you’re neglecting most right now?