Getting The Best From Life - by Fred Wood

COURSE

Getting The Best From Life

With Fred Wood

This course is presented in ten episodes, each building on the last, and is designed to offer listeners constructive, practical and insightful information to allow them different ways of seeing common issues and obstacles in life. Employing compelling research and real life examples to offer new ways to consider life is the objective of these 10 episodes.


Meet your Teacher

Fred Wood is a college and university professor in Canada. He draws on his students' experiential explorations with gratitude and meditation to offer insights into our everyday lives. Professor Wood is also a guest lecturer, offering insights into meditation and hypnotic healing, and providing strategies for enhancing our well being.

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10 Days

3.3k students

4.8 stars

13 min / day

Wisdom

English


Lesson 1

Purpose and Belonging

This session is an introduction to the course material. We look at research into perspectives and explore the characteristics of purpose and belonging through a continuum of joy to despair. Examples from research and college student experiences help listeners evaluate their own values. This introduction includes a thought experiment.

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Lesson 2

Perception and Stress Part 1

Understanding the foundations of perception through a brief review of nervous system functions. Following a deeper look at how we percieve our environment, we experience a practical exercise to help reduce stress immediately. One extraordinary case study is reviewed.

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Lesson 3

Perception and Stress Part 2

Understanding the foundations of neurophysiology towards perception and experience through two case studies of prison inmates. Extending our review of nervous system function as it relates to perception, we look at how environment, epigenetics, and behaviour influence our experience.

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Lesson 4

Placebo and suggestibility Part 1

Research from Irving Kirsch on placebo, as well as other case studies highlight the power of expectation in our lives. Further evidence is provided to show that our belief and expectation influence our lives in ways that seem beyond the scope of normal experience.

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Lesson 5

Placebo and Suggestibility Part 2

Additional research from CBC, McGill University, and Dr. John Sarno highlight the potential for our systems to modulate bodily function. There is also an opportunity to participate in an experiment that tests suggestibility.

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Lesson 6

Gratitude and Attitude Part 1

Here we explore the benefits of gratitude and learn of college student experiences. In additon, listeners are invited to evaluate their own feelings while listening to authentic expressions of gratitude.

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Lesson 7

Gratitude and Attitude Part 2

More evidence-based research (empirical and anecdotal) on gratitude and the benefits of this experience. Introduction to breath work.

Lesson 8

Approaches to breath work, Circadian rhythms and sleep

There are combined themes in this episode, including Wim Hof, Stan Grof, and the Stoics. In addition, we look more deeply into Circadian rhythms and their influence on our well being. Specifically, the incalculable value of sleep.

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Lesson 9

Nature's effects on your life

This episode looks at the value of being in nature and references research that supports and recommends that we spend time in nature. Illustrations where shifting perspective can bring changes in our relationship to nature are explored.

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Lesson 10

Recap and release

A brief recap of some of the issues discussed in the course, as well as a powerful, but little known, Ericksonian meditation called the Ultradian Healing Response Protocol. Listeners will know how and when to use it.

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4.8 (196)

Recent Reviews

Bruce

January 21, 2026

Fred is excellent at communicating the tools to actively restore the best in life with the practices described in this 19 day course.

SteveL

SteveL

December 11, 2025

An interesting & comprehensive series which I thoroughly enjoyed. In particular, as a clinical hypnotherapist, your concise overview of shifting the perspective (& indeed shifting the perception), placebos and mindfulness/breathing are superb, aligning with therapeutic use of trance state 🙏

Coral

Coral

November 16, 2025

Really enjoyed the 10 days and looked forward to each episode. I feel enlightened by Fred’s words and ideas, in fact I’m even sleeping better. I going to listen to all the episodes again, in case I missed something. Thank you Fred

Steven

October 21, 2025

Excellent course in the power of perception and it’s importance in improving our lives in the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social realms. Doctor Wood instructs using myriads of research and examples to validate the premise. He has a kind and gentle approach to instruction that I find therapeutic in itself! Bravo!

Linda

August 29, 2025

Insightful and helpful

Annemiek

Annemiek

July 17, 2025

A wonderful course packed with science 🙏🏻 Thank you Fred

Mary

May 27, 2025

Very interesting content. I wish course had been longer.

Tara

May 22, 2025

Fred’s course was a remarkable blend of research, felt experience and “self-empowerment”, keeping choice and action as our own. Tools to use, not a master to defer to. I learned a lot, felt and embodied a lot. There’s also a lot to follow up on, given the many simple practices and research citations. And of course there are the lovely piano interludes, Fred expressing himself in another way. Thank you.

Bine

Bine

May 17, 2025

Beautifully done. It’s rare to find a course that’s this informative, well-structured, and genuinely helpful. Each day was packed with insight, and your research truly shows. Clear, practical, and engaging, thank you for a powerful 10-day journey. 🙏Namaste

Kemi

Kemi

February 19, 2025

Thank you ! This course is life changing ☀️

Nada

Nada

February 14, 2025

Thank you Fred this was amazing course. Till next time May the force be with you 🙏🏻🕊️

lee

lee

February 12, 2025

Several topics presented; each in such a beneficial way. At first, I was wondering how each lesson would either dovetail, or introduce the next. What was most helpful is the direction was made clear as each segment progressed, and the way you brought it all together in the end provided many 'aha' moments, for me. Very thought provoking as well. Beautifully done. Your explanations and the way you pulled the information together has piqued my curiosity to learn more about the works of the authors and professionals that you referred to. What I also liked were the suggestions we could try. Thank you. Truly.

Rena

Rena

February 11, 2025

Wonderful, insightful course from a gifted teacher and storyteller. Highly recommend!

Arianne

Arianne

February 5, 2025

Very interesting, informative, and inspiring!

Shanti

Shanti

February 4, 2025

The best course I’ve taken on Insight Timer, appreciate the research and thoughtfulness that went into this. Many thanks to Fred.

Ana

Ana

December 26, 2024

I loved this course! Very interesting data, personal stories and New ideas and practices. Thank you so much for sharing 💞🙏✨🌷

Robin

Robin

November 16, 2024

Super course! Thank you!

Debi

Debi

August 6, 2024

This course was like taking a long, satisfying drink of water when you're very thirsty. It is wonderfully presented and thought provoking. Mr. Wood lays the groundwork for opening up one's life to new and better possibilities. I didn't want this course to end and I will repeat it several times to absorb the lessons more deeply. A bonus is Mr. Wood's soothing voice and cadence. His delivery is spot on.

Elaine

Elaine

July 21, 2024

Excellent❤️🌻

Tom

Tom

May 21, 2024

Well done! I’ll be revisiting this one soon.