In her mid-forties, Claer Barrett, associate editor at the Financial Times, turned to weight loss medication, a decision that transformed her health, her habits, and her outlook on life.

In this episode, Claer explains what it feels like when “food noise” finally stops. She tells Dr Hilary how portion control became possible for the first time, and why she invested in medical monitoring, body scans and therapy. She also speaks honestly about the side effects, the discipline required to keep the weight off, and the challenge of doing all this while being open with her readers.

Beyond the personal story, the discussion explores the wider issues raised by these new drugs. From the black-market risks and rising costs to the question of whether the NHS should fund treatment; a frank look at obesity, health and longevity, and the difficult choices many people face when trying to live better for longer.

Ask Dr Hilary
Whether it’s advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now’s your chance to get answers. Each week, Dr Hilary answers your health and wellness questions. If it’s on your mind, he wants to help.

Send your questions to Ask@drhilaryjones.com
Sign up for the weekly newsletter with tips and advice on health and wellbeing: https://drhilaryjones.com

Follow Dr Hilary
X: @DrHilaryJones
Instagram: @thedrhilaryshow/

What does it mean to live a life through music? Dr Hilary speaks with world-renowned soprano Lesley Garrett about her extraordinary career on the global stage — and how singing has been her anchor through life’s biggest challenges.

From her beginnings at the English National Opera to show-stopping nights at Wembley and beyond, Lesley reflects on the joys of music, memory and community. She also shares her health battles, including a rare thymus tumour and an early menopause, showing how her voice and spirit endured through resilience, medical innovation and the healing power of song.

Lesley also talks about why choirs transform health, her time on Strictly Come Dancing, and why — at 70 — she has no plans to retire.

Ask Dr Hilary
Whether it’s advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now’s your chance to get answers. If it’s on your mind, Dr Hilary wants to help.

Send your questions to Ask@drhilaryjones.com

For more information about the show and to sign up for the weekly newsletter: https://drhilaryjones.com

At 14, Tyler West shut himself away. His parents broke up, there was a murder outside his home, and he spent two years barely leaving his bedroom.

In this conversation with Dr Hilary, Tyler talks about the turning points that followed: playing handball for Great Britain, a chance break on TV, and reaching the Strictly Come Dancing semi-finals. He explains why therapy mattered, what body image has meant to him, and why he chose to be open about his hair transplant.

He also recalls running a marathon in the middle of Strictly rehearsals — a decision that took a heavy toll on his body.

Ask Dr Hilary
Whether it’s advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now’s your chance to get answers. Each week, Dr Hilary answers your health and wellness questions. If it’s on your mind, he wants to help.

Send your questions to Ask@drhilaryjones.com
More about the show and to sign up for weekly newsletter: https://drhilaryjones.com

In this episode, Sir Steve Redgrave — the only Briton to win five consecutive Olympic golds between 1984 and 2000, and a nine-time world champion — speaks with Dr Hilary about the health battles that shaped his career. He recalls colitis striking before Barcelona 1992, the treatment that required official clearance to let him compete, and the pain he endured to stay on the world stage.

He also explains being diagnosed with diabetes at 35, learning to balance insulin with punishing training sessions, and still going on to claim his fifth gold medal at Sydney 2000.

After retiring, Steve says he felt adrift when the Olympic flame finally went out. He speaks candidly about depression, why seeking help matters, and the role testosterone treatment played in restoring his confidence.
Steve also remembers being one of the first people involved in London’s Olympic bid, later helping to deliver the Games, and reflects on how London 2012 and his own career raised the profile of rowing in Britain.

Ask Dr Hilary
Whether it’s advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now’s your chance to get answers. Send your questions to Ask@drhilaryjones.com

More about the show and to sign up for weekly newsletter: https://drhilaryjones.com

Thinking about taking weight loss drugs? In this eye-opening episode, Dr Hilary speaks with leading nutrition therapist Ian Marber about the guilt we attach to food and the confusion surrounding nutrition.

From diet trends and probiotic hype to ultra-processed food and emotional eating, the conversation tackles what we all get wrong — and what we need to hear before changing how we eat.

Ian also opens up about his coeliac diagnosis, his time running The Food Doctor brand, and why he believes nuance is the missing ingredient in today’s health conversations.

Ask Dr Hilary
Whether it’s advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now’s your chance to get answers. Each week, Dr Hilary answers your health and wellness questions. If it’s on your mind, he wants to help.

Send your questions to Ask@drhilaryjones.com
More on Ian Marber: https://www.ianmarber.com
More about the show and to sign up for weekly newsletter: https://drhilaryjones.com

In this moving episode, Pete Cohen (https://www.petecohen.com/) talks about love, loss, and the mindset shifts that shape a meaningful life. Pete reflects on the death of his wife, Hannah, after a remarkable 12-year journey through brain cancer—and how that experience changed his relationship with himself.

He speaks candidly about how grief challenged him to face his thoughts and emotions, let go of “busyness,” and live more intentionally. The conversation explores how phobias form and can be overcome, how visualising the future can shape behaviour, and why helping others begins with knowing yourself. Pete also shares powerful insights from working with elite athletes like Ronnie O’Sullivan and Sally Gunnell, and why pressure, trauma, and identity can define performance.

With humour and heart, Pete and Dr. Hilary revisit their early TV collaborations—fire walks, costume talks, and health campaigns that used playfulness to spark change. The episode is a wide-ranging reflection on resilience, perspective, and the quiet power of showing up.

Ask Dr Hilary
Whether it’s advice on sleep, diet, mental well-being, or everyday medical concerns, now’s your chance to get answers. Each week, Dr Hilary answers your health and wellness questions. If it’s on your mind, he wants to help.

Send your questions to Ask@drhilaryjones.com

For more information on Pete Cohen visit: https://www.petecohen.com/

For more information about the show, visit drhilaryjones.com