Why Collagen is the new longevity molecule
Biohackher
Collagen is one of the most talked-about supplements in women’s health — but is it actually absorbed, or is it just expensive pee? In this episode of the Biohackher Podcast, Azra Alagic is joined by Lauren Dewsbury, Senior Research Scientist and Product Formulator at Vida Glow, to unpack the real science behind collagen. Together, they bust common myths, explore collagen’s role beyond beauty, and dive deep into menopause, ageing, gut health, joints, stress, and longevity. If you’ve ever wondered whether collagen works, how to choose the right one, or whether it can genuinely...
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Why Horses Are the Ultimate Nervous System Regulators
Biohackher
In this deeply moving and eye-opening episode of the Biohackher Podcast, Azra sits down with Australia’s pioneering wellness leader and equine-assisted learning practitioner, Sharon Kolkka, to explore the powerful, science-backed ways horses help humans heal. Sharon unpacks why horses — as prey animals with extraordinary energetic sensitivity — can read our nervous systems more accurately than we can. You’ll hear how they sense our cortisol, mirror our emotional truth, and gently guide us out of stress, anxiety, burnout, trauma patterns and the “doing” brain… and back into...
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Biohacking intimacy and debunking sex myths
Biohackher
Are you struggling with intimacy, has your body changed with time and you're worried about what your partner will think, or do you need tips on how to better communicate your needs? Isiah McKimmie is one of Australia’s leading Sexologists and Relationship Therapists, known for helping individuals and couples reconnect with their confidence, pleasure, and emotional wellbeing. In this episode, Azra sits down Isiah to explore how women can biohack their intimacy by understanding the real science behind desire, hormones, stress, and connection. Together, they debunk the biggest myths...
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The Midlife Reset: Hormones, Health and Hope with Dr. Ceri Cashell
Biohackher
Menopause has been surrounded by misinformation for decades — and too many women, myself included, have been left to suffer in silence. That’s why I invited Dr. Ceri Cashell onto the Biohackher Podcast. Ceri is not only a physician but also a passionate advocate for women’s health, and in this conversation we go deep into the truths about hormones, ageing, and what women really need in midlife. We unpack the flawed study that scared a generation of women away from hormone therapy, and explore why body identical hormones are not only safe but essential for protecting our hearts, bones,...
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Unlocking the Power of Red Light Therapy
Biohackher
In this episode, I sit down with Andy Mant, CEO and Co-Founder of Bon Charge, to shed light (literally) on one of the most overlooked tools in the biohacking toolbox: light. Andy shares how modern lighting environments are silently hijacking our circadian rhythms, sleep, hormones, and metabolic health — and what you can do about it. We bust myths, explore red light therapy, and dive into practical hacks for reclaiming your health in a screen-saturated world. Whether you're struggling with energy crashes, sleep issues, or just want to feel and look better, this episode is your blueprint for...
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How epigenetics and the lifestyle choices you make impact your health
Biohackher
Can you actually change your genes? Spoiler: yes, you can. Most of us grow up thinking our genes are like our eye colour — unchangeable, fixed, and totally out of our hands. But today’s guest on the Biohackher Podcast, Chris Barnes, is here to flip that script. Chris isn’t your average health expert — he’s a Epigenetic Health Strategist, keynote speaker, and total brain when it comes to DNA-driven wellness, peak performance, and longevity. He’s on a mission to help high-achieving women (and men!) ditch burnout and unlock next-level energy and vitality using personalised,...
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The Future of Financial Security: Planning for Longevity
Biohackher
Most of us have planned for our retirement by having some superannuation tucked away or property investments, but are those savings and investments going to be enough if you live longer than you expected? That's what I dive in to today with my guest Nadine Esposito. Nadine is the Head of Risk at Radicant Bank and Co-Founder of Health 2 Wealth. She is a finance professional passionate about the intersection of longevity, risk management, and sustainable finance and a thought leader in longevity finance and health-wealth integration. We delve into: the emerging field of longevity finance,...
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How natural remedies can support you through perimenopause and menopause.
Biohackher
Did you know there are over 100 menopausal symptoms? And each of these symptoms can impact us in very different ways? Thankfully, my guest today Toni Baker is here to help break it all down. Toni Baker, founder of Hotties Hormones, is a Naturopath, Herbalist, Nutritionist, and Holistic Counsellor with over 20 years of experience. Practising in Sydney, Bali, and Singapore, she specialises in women’s health, focusing on hormonal balance, menopause support, gut health, stress reduction, and anxiety relief. With a holistic approach to wellbeing, Toni empowers women through life transitions by...
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How supplements can supercharge your longevity
Biohackher
In this chat, the Founder and Clinical Research Advisor of Do Not Age shares his journey into the longevity space, inspired by Dr David Sinclair's research on ageing. He discusses why he founded Do Not Age, and his focus on providing trustworthy supplements backed by research. Alan reflects on his personal health transformation and the importance of quality in the supplement industry. We also discuss the definition of successful ageing, his biohacking routines, the significance of NAD and resveratrol, and the comparison between pharmaceutical longevity drugs and supplements. We touch on...
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The power of breath for sleep, fitness, health and longevity
Biohackher
Today, Breath and Mindset Coach Paula Amsler teaches us how to breathe...properly. Paula discusses her empowering experiences during childbirth and how breathwork empowerd her birthing experience. She walks us through the different types of breathing techniques you can leverage off and we dive in to the importance of breath in managing stress and anxiety and its longevity benefits. She emphasizes the significance of functional breathing and introduces the BOLT score as a measure of breathing efficiency. She explains what can impact how we breathe and how breath can impact mental and...
info_outlineCollagen is one of the most talked-about supplements in women’s health — but is it actually absorbed, or is it just expensive pee?
In this episode of the Biohackher Podcast, Azra Alagic is joined by Lauren Dewsbury, Senior Research Scientist and Product Formulator at Vida Glow, to unpack the real science behind collagen. Together, they bust common myths, explore collagen’s role beyond beauty, and dive deep into menopause, ageing, gut health, joints, stress, and longevity.
If you’ve ever wondered whether collagen works, how to choose the right one, or whether it can genuinely support healthy ageing — this episode is a must-listen.
🧬 What We Cover in This Episode
✔️ What actually happens when you ingest collagen
✔️ Why peptide size (di- & tri-peptides) matters for absorption
✔️ Collagen’s role in skin, joints, gut, bone, brain & longevity
✔️ Why women lose collagen faster during perimenopause & menopause
✔️ Marine vs bovine collagen — what the research really shows
✔️ The truth about vegan collagen
✔️ How stress, sleep & lifestyle accelerate collagen breakdown
✔️ How long collagen takes to work (and why consistency matters)
✔️ What to look for on a collagen label
✔️ The biggest collagen myths — busted
✔️ Emerging innovations in collagen & peptide science
✔️ Why beauty is an inside-out, systems-biology conversation
⏱️ Episode Chapters
00:00 – Welcome & episode overview
Why collagen needs serious myth-busting
00:34 – What happens when you ingest collagen?
Absorption, digestion & distribution in the body
02:09 – What are di- & tri-peptides (and why they matter)?
The key to collagen effectiveness
04:29 – Collagen as a signalling molecule
Why collagen isn’t just “building blocks”
05:19 – Is collagen only about beauty?
Skin vs joints, bones, brain & longevity
06:40 – How collagen declines with age
Why women lose up to 30% around menopause
08:12 – Estrogen, fibroblasts & accelerated collagen loss
The menopause connection explained
09:45 – Marine vs bovine collagen
What the research actually shows
11:57 – Why hydrolysed collagen matters most
Peptide size, Daltons & absorption
12:46 – How to choose a quality collagen supplement
Dosage, purity & heavy metal testing
16:16 – Collagen & the brain
What emerging research suggests
18:03 – Collagen for joints & pain reduction
What the studies say (and dosing differences)
19:28 – Collagen & gut health
Glycine, gut lining & traditional diets
22:59 – Collagen, healthspan & ageing well
Function, mobility & independence
24:57 – Can collagen reverse biological age?
DNA methylation clocks & early data
25:51 – Are women represented in collagen research?
A rare win for female-focused science
29:26 – Does ethnicity affect collagen ageing?
What we know — and what we don’t
31:31 – Skin elasticity & clinical evidence
Why collagen actually works for skin
33:39 – How long before you see results?
Why collagen is a marathon, not a sprint
36:44 – Collagen cofactors & nutrients
Vitamin C, minerals & synthesis
38:50 – Collagen myth-busting
Absorption, dosing & misinformation
45:20 – Vegan collagen: fact or fiction?
Why true collagen isn’t plant-based
47:15 – Is collagen a protein replacement?
Why it won’t prevent sarcopenia alone
49:18 – Stress, cortisol & collagen breakdown
How lifestyle accelerates ageing
53:37 – Glycation, AGEs & skin ageing
Why sugar, stress & cooking methods matter
55:31 – The future of collagen & peptides
Collagen 2.0, tripeptides & postbiotics
58:43 – Rethinking beauty from a healthspan lens
Skin as a marker of internal health
01:00:02 – What does it mean to live well longer?
Lauren’s personal definition of longevity
CONNECT WITH LAUREN
@lauren_dewsburyphd
@vida_glow
1–6 May 2026 | Revīvō Wellness Resort, Bali
Live Well Longer Retreat has been named Group Retreat of the Year 2025 by the prestigious Destination Deluxe Awards.
Following this global recognition, we’re thrilled to return to Revīvō Wellness Resort in Bali, 1–6 May 2026, for a deeply personalised, science-led retreat created exclusively for women ready to reclaim their vitality and redesign their future.
Co-founded by renowned biohacking experts Camilla Thompson and Azra Alagic, this award-winning women-only experience blends cutting-edge biohacking with soulful rituals and ancient practices to deliver lasting transformation.
At this intimate retreat, limited to just 16 women, you’ll experience:
- Daily biohacking workshops tailored to women’s health
- Private coaching, DNA testing, and optional hormone/gut diagnostics with naturopath
- Hot/cold therapy, hydrotherapy, meditation and MOVEŌ movement classes
- A curated, functional medicine-inspired gourmet menu
- Spa treatments, traditional Balinese blessings, full moon ceremony
- 1:1 consult with Cocoon medical Dr
Whether you’re curious about biohacking or already on your longevity path, this retreat delivers the clarity, support, and practical tools to thrive at every stage of life.
Spaces are extremely limited — and this retreat will sell out so get in quick :)
Next Steps
Find out more here www.livewelllongerretreats.com
Contact Revivo Retreat directly with any questions or to book directly (deposit required) reservation-nusadua@revivoresorts.com
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WANT TO LEARN MORE?
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