531: Obesity And Hopelessness: A Teen’s Story Of Processed Food Addiction And Its Consequences With Helene Leeds & Penelope Popken

Have you ever felt addicted to ultra-processed foods---like you knew they were bad for you, but you couldn't stop indulging? This happened to our guest today who at age 15 weighed over 300 lbs. And she didn’t know who she was anymore.

Today, Penelope Popken is 19 and she's overcome her addictive behavior.

During this revealing interview, mother and daughter discuss what led to Penelope’s struggles with weight, the drugs she took, the (mostly unhelpful) therapists’ recommendations and more. They go over how most weight loss drugs (including Ozempic) and other quick fixes (like gastric bypass surgeries) have dire consequences. And they cover what it took to turn things around for Penelope. By the way, her healing path included not just returning to real nourishing food but addressing dysfunctional family patterns that contributed to unhealthy behavior.

Since both Helene and Penelope have had to overcome their individual struggles with unhealthy eating and obesity, they have started the Step it UP program to help other women in just their position. After failed attempts at diets, injections, and pills, they are on a mission to help everyone learn how to nourish themselves more deeply and to thrive.

Visit Helene and Penelope's websites: Step it UP and Step It UP Accountability Group

Register for the Wise Traditions conference at wisetraditions.org

Check out our sponsors: Optimal Carnivore and Alive Waters