Episodios

  • EP 271.5: It's Not About the Food ~ Understanding Eating Disorders, Who They Really Affect & How to Heal

    EP 271.5: It's Not About the Food ~ Understanding Eating Disorders, Who They Really Affect & How to Heal
    Feb 27 2026
    Hey girl, welcome back to the Her Best Self Podcast. This week is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week and Lindsey is getting real with you about the truth behind eating disorders — the statistics that will stop you in your tracks, the signs that are easy to miss, and the hope that recovery is absolutely possible for you. Whether you are personally in the thick of your own battle with food and your body, loving someone who is struggling, or simply wanting to understand eating disorders on a deeper level, this episode is for you. What You'll Learn in This Episode In this powerful episode, Lindsey pulls back the curtain on the most misunderstood mental illness and shares what the research actually says, who eating disorders really affect, and what you can do today to take the next step toward freedom. Lindsey covers the real mortality rate of eating disorders and why early intervention changes everything, the truth about who develops eating disorders and why the stereotype is dead wrong, the most common signs to watch for in yourself or someone you love, how to approach a loved one who is struggling without pushing them further away, and why recovery is not only possible but waiting for you on the other side. Key Stats From This Episode Eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of any mental illness, surpassed only by opioid addiction. Someone dies every 52 minutes as a direct result of an eating disorder. About 30 million Americans will struggle with an eating disorder in their lifetime. Less than 6% of people with eating disorders are classified as underweight. Only about one third of people with eating disorders will ever receive treatment. Lindsey's Personal Message to You If your eating disorder is telling you that you need it to survive, that you're not sick enough for help, or that you'll never recover — those are lies. Every single one of them. Lindsey has been where you are and she is living proof that freedom is real, that it is possible, and that life on the other side is better than you can imagine. Ready to Take the Next Step? Join the Her Best Self Society — Free Private Facebook Community You were never meant to do this alone. The Her Best Self Society is Lindsey's free private Facebook community where women just like you are finding support, encouragement, and a safe place to heal together. No judgment. No pressure. Just real women walking the road to recovery side by side. Come hang out with us at www.hersbestselfsociety.com. Work With Lindsey 1:1 If you are ready to stop white-knuckling recovery on your own and finally get the personalized support, tools, and coaching you deserve, Lindsey would love to walk alongside you. Her 1:1 coaching is designed specifically for women who are ready to break free from disordered eating and reclaim their life, their joy, and their identity beyond the eating disorder. To learn more about working with Lindsey directly, visit www.herbestself.co or send her a DM on Instagram at @thelindseynichol. Come to our every other week support group! You can find more details at www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective. Resources Mentioned National Eating Disorder Association — www.nationaleatingdisorders.org Alliance for Eating Disorder Awareness — www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com Her Best Self Society Private Facebook Community — www.hersbestselfsociety.com Loved This Episode? If this episode spoke to your heart, please take 30 seconds to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps more women find this show and find their way to freedom. And share this episode with a friend or someone you love who needs to hear it today. The more we talk openly about eating disorders, the more we break the stigma keeping so many women suffering in silence. ______________________ Her Best Self with Lindsey Nichol is a podcast for women in eating disorder recovery who are ready to break free from perfectionism, people-pleasing, and diet culture to live authentically and wholeheartedly. *While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.
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    17 m
  • EP 271: Is Your Career Feeding Your Eating Disorder? High Performance Culture & Why 73% of Professional Women Struggle

    EP 271: Is Your Career Feeding Your Eating Disorder? High Performance Culture & Why 73% of Professional Women Struggle
    Feb 24 2026
    When people hear "eating disorder," they picture a young stick-figure girl in ballet class. But what I see every day? CEOs with anorexia. Lawyers binge eating in office bathrooms. Doctors struggling in silence with exercise compulsion. Corporate executives who haven't eaten lunch in six months because they're "too busy." 73% of women in corporate and professional environments report engaging in at least one disordered eating behavior. And if you're a high-performing woman who feels trapped but can't connect the dots—this episode is for you. Because your workplace might be feeding your eating disorder. And it's time we talked about it. You'll discover: The chilling parallels between corporate culture and eating disorder logicHow "dedication" and "discipline" can actually be disordered eating in disguiseWhy corporate wellness programs trigger eating disorders instead of preventing themThe toxic beliefs high-performer culture promotes that fuel disordered eatingSigns everyone misses in successful women who are strugglingHow to audit your workplace culture for ED-triggering behaviorsWhy your traits might be symptoms—not personality flawsHow to redefine success to include your wellbeing The truth: You can be successful AND recovered. Recovery doesn't mean giving up your ambition—it means reclaiming it. THE CHILLING PARALLELS Corporate Culture Says: "I have to earn my lunch—I haven't been productive enough yet""I can't take a break—everyone's counting on me""If I rest, I'm falling behind" Eating Disorder Logic Says: "I have to earn my food—I haven't burned enough calories yet""I can't eat—I have to stay in control""If I eat, I'm losing control" It's the same framework: Your worth is conditional. Your value is based on performance. And this mindset gets you promoted—while secretly destroying your relationship with food and your body. TOXIC BELIEFS THAT FEED BOTH "Results over rest" - Your body becomes just a vehicle for performance "Discipline equals success" - Until discipline becomes rigid food rules "Mind over matter" - Glorifying disconnection from your body's signals "Optimize everything" - Your body becomes a project to control and perfect "Hustle culture" - Normalizing deprivation of food, rest, and pleasure For someone who's perfectionistic and already anxious, these messages are gasoline on a fire. SIGNS EVERYONE MISSES ✅ First one in, last one out—always "on," can't rest ✅ Skipping meals because you're "too busy" (praised as dedication) ✅ Rigid food rules disguised as "wellness" ("I don't eat carbs," "only clean foods") ✅ Over-exercising every day, even when sick or injured ✅ Talking about your body transactionally ("I earned this meal," "I have to burn this off") ✅ Avoiding work social events that involve food ✅ Exhausted but won't slow down Most of these behaviors are celebrated in high-performer culture—so you don't realize you need help. YOUR WORKPLACE CULTURE AUDIT Ask yourself: Am I praised for skipping meals or working through lunch?Does my company tie wellness to competition or performance metrics?Do I feel pressure to track, optimize, or perform my health?Are boundaries seen as weakness in my workplace?Do I feel like I have to "earn" rest, food, or self-care? Then ask: Am I using work stress as an excuse to control my food?Do I restrict when work gets overwhelming?Do I "earn" meals based on productivity?Am I exercising compulsively to manage work anxiety? If you answered yes to any of these—you're not alone. And you're not crazy. THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR "TRAITS" Those traits you think define you? They might not be who you ARE. They might be symptoms. Symptoms of working in an environment that rewards disordered behaviors. Symptoms of impossible standards that tell you your worth is tied to your output. You are not broken. You're responding exactly how anyone would respond to these systems. REDEFINING SUCCESS True high performance: ✅ Rest is part of the strategy - not a sign of weakness ✅ Nourishment is non-negotiable - your brain needs fuel to perform ✅ Boundaries are a strength - saying no, delegating, protecting your energy ✅ Worth isn't tied to output - you're valuable because you exist ✅ Success includes wellbeing - how you feel matters as much as results Recovery doesn't take away your drive. It redirects it. You stop using discipline to destroy yourself and start using it to build the life you actually want. KEY QUOTES 💛 "73% of women in corporate environments report engaging in at least one disordered eating behavior." 💛 "The same traits that make you exceptional at your job—perfectionism, discipline, control—those are the EXACT traits that eating disorders exploit." 💛 "When wellness is tied to productivity, competition, or external validation, it's not wellness anymore. It's just another way to perform." 💛 "Those traits you think define you? They might not be who you ARE. They might be symptoms." 💛 "Recovery doesn't mean ...
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    26 m
  • EP 270: Why You Don't Trust Yourself to Recover (& How to Build That Self-Trust Back)

    EP 270: Why You Don't Trust Yourself to Recover (& How to Build That Self-Trust Back)
    Feb 20 2026
    If you're ready for recovery but freeze when it comes time to actually invest in yourself and commit to the work—this episode is for you. The real reason you're not taking action isn't because you don't want freedom. It's not because you can't afford it. It's not because you don't believe recovery is possible. It's because you don't trust yourself to actually do it. You don't trust yourself to follow through, to succeed, to recover. And after years of the eating disorder systematically destroying your self-trust, plus being burned by therapy or treatment programs that didn't work—of course you don't trust yourself. But that lack of trust? It's not your fault. And it's not permanent. In this episode, I break down why high-performing women especially struggle with self-trust in recovery, how past "failed" attempts were actually preparing you for the right approach, and how to rebuild that trust through partnership rather than trying to do it alone. You'll discover: Why the eating disorder has systematically destroyed your self-trustHow being a high performer makes recovery feel impossible when your usual strategies don't workWhy therapy/treatment programs may have failed before (and why this time IS different)The difference between coaching and transformation through partnershipHow to build self-trust through small, kept promisesWhy you don't need perfect self-trust to start—just willingnessHow to overcome the "I need to talk to my husband" and investment objectionsWhy waiting for the "perfect time" keeps you stuck while the ED steals your life The truth: You ARE trustworthy. You ARE capable. You ARE ready. Even if you don't feel like it yet. WHY YOU DON'T TRUST YOURSELF The eating disorder has spent YEARS: Convincing you to break promises to yourselfMaking you set goals you couldn't keepForcing you to start recovery attempts you couldn't finishSabotaging commitments your disorder wouldn't let you honor Plus, you've been burned before: Therapy that was lovely but left you feeling stuckTreatment programs with skills you couldn't maintain in real life"Recovery" approaches that felt like diet culture in disguiseSystems and people who didn't truly GET where you are And as a high performer: You're used to succeeding at everything you put your mind toWhen recovery feels like the one thing you can't figure out, it shakes your entire identityYour usual strategies (perfectionism, control, pushing through) actually keep you stuck in EDsRecovery requires surrender, trust, and support—the opposite of what got you success elsewhere The truth: The problem wasn't YOU. The problem was you hadn't found the RIGHT approach yet. WHY THIS TIME IS DIFFERENT This isn't therapy. This isn't treatment. This isn't coaching. This is transformation through partnership. When we work together: ✅ I've been exactly where you are—I know what it feels like to not trust yourself ✅ I'm not coaching you from a textbook—I'm partnering with you from experience ✅ I hold hope for you when you can't hold it for yourself ✅ I see your strength when all you can see is struggle ✅ I trust you to recover until you can trust yourself ✅ You don't have to rebuild trust alone—we build it together The difference: I know the voice of freedom, and I know how to help you hear it again. REBUILDING SELF-TRUST What self-trust really means: Self-trust isn't about never failing or being perfect. Self-trust is showing up for yourself even when it's hard, imperfect, and uncertain. How we build it together: Start with micro-commitments ("I trust myself to eat breakfast tomorrow")Acknowledge every kept promise ("I said I'd eat breakfast and I did—I'm trustworthy")Focus on promises that actually matter (the ones that move you toward freedom, not more rules)Partner through the process (you're not doing it alone) The secret: You don't have to trust yourself to recover perfectly. You just have to trust yourself to start. THE FEAR BEHIND THE FEAR You're not just afraid of failing again—you're afraid of succeeding. Because the eating disorder has been your: IdentityCoping mechanismSource of controlWay to feel special, disciplined, "together"Excuse for not fully living Recovery means facing: "Who am I without this?" The truth: Who you are without the eating disorder is who you were ALWAYS meant to be. The ED buried the best parts of you—it didn't create them. KEY QUOTES 💛 "That lack of trust? It's not your fault. And it's not permanent." 💛 "The eating disorder has spent YEARS systematically destroying your self-trust. Of course you don't trust yourself." 💛 "The problem wasn't YOU. The problem was you hadn't found the RIGHT approach yet." 💛 "This isn't coaching. This is transformation through partnership." 💛 "I will trust you to recover until you can trust yourself." 💛 "Self-trust is showing up for yourself even when it's hard, imperfect, and uncertain." 💛 "You don't have to trust yourself to recover perfectly. You just have...
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    21 m
  • EP 269.5: What Are Your NOW Needs? Maslow's Hierarchy & How to Honor Yourself in ED Recovery **Must Listen Fav!**

    EP 269.5: What Are Your NOW Needs? Maslow's Hierarchy & How to Honor Yourself in ED Recovery **Must Listen Fav!**
    Feb 17 2026
    If your goal is to "recover from your eating disorder," what happens when you get there? Then what? Here's the problem: When you set the goal to recover, you're setting a goal with a finish line. But recovery isn't a destination. It's a journey of BECOMING. In this episode, I'm challenging you to shift your focus from what you want to change to who you need to become to achieve freedom. And it starts with understanding your NOW needs. Using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, I break down why you can't move forward in recovery if your basic needs aren't even being met—and what to do about it RIGHT NOW. In this episode, you'll discover: Why setting a goal to "recover" sabotages your successWhat recovery will make OF you (not just what it will give you)The problem: You're reinforcing a belief that you can't find freedomMaslow's Hierarchy explained: Basic needs → Psychological needs → Self-fulfillmentWhy you can't function without basic needs met (food, water, sleep, safety, stability)How the eating disorder hijacks your brain and keeps you from meeting essential needsWhy low self-esteem and broken relationships stem from unmet BASIC needsThe shift: Stop focusing on what you want to change, start focusing on who you want to BECOMEOne challenge: Do one thing every day you don't want to doHow to validate your feelings, own your needs, and grant yourself permissionThe truth: No one is going to recover FOR you—you have to do something about it The wake-up call: You decide where your time goes. And if you don't decide, the world will decide for you. MASLOW'S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS & ED RECOVERY The 5-Tier Model: 1. BASIC/SURVIVAL NEEDS (Foundation) Food, water, air, sleep, shelter, clothing, safety, stability, predictability The problem: When your brain has been hijacked by an eating disorder, you're not even getting these basic needs met. Without nourishment, you literally can't function. 2. PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS (Built on Basic Needs) Social connections, relationships, self-esteem, confidence, intimate connection, friendships, accomplishments, independence, self-respect The truth: If your basic needs aren't met, your psychological needs WON'T be met. This is why you have low self-esteem. This is why relationships feel broken. 3. SELF-FULFILLMENT NEEDS (Top of Pyramid) Problem-solving, growth, exploration, creativity, purpose, meaning The reality: You can't get here if you're not nourishing your body. Without basic needs met, self-fulfillment is impossible. THE SHIFT: FROM RECOVERING TO BECOMING Stop asking: "How do I recover from this eating disorder?" Start asking: Who do I need to BECOME to gain freedom?What does freedom look like to me?What are my NOW needs?What can I do TODAY to honor where I want to go TOMORROW? The truth: Your past and current distorted identity has created your current reality. It sabotages your success. This false identity creates negative habits that lead to negative outcomes—and reinforces the cycle. The problem isn't that you can't do it. The problem is you're consistently staying in the cycle that reinforces the belief that you CAN'T. YOUR NOW NEEDS: THE CHALLENGE This week, do ONE thing every day that you don't want to do. Then ask yourself: How am I currently meeting my needs today?What needs do I need met RIGHT NOW?Are my BASIC needs even being met? Remember: Without nourishment, you can't even begin to move into love, belonging, self-esteem, or purpose. THE 4 STEPS TO HONOR YOUR NOW NEEDS STEP 1: VALIDATE YOUR FEELINGS & OWN YOUR NEEDS Admit and identify a NOW need: Do I need to eat breakfast earlier?Do I need two more hours of sleep?Do I need to feel safe and protected? How will I create that? Set the goal of WHO you're becoming in the process. STEP 2: GRANT YOURSELF PERMISSION & SET PRIORITIES Give yourself permission to put yourself FIRST. Permission + Priorities = Power We give grace and compassion to everyone else, but struggle to do the same for ourselves. Today, WEAR permission. Rock it out. STEP 3: REFLECT, PRAY, JOURNAL, THINK Don't overthink. Just think. Ask yourself: What are my NOW needs?What do I need to feel satisfied, purposeful, joyful, happy?What do I have to do RIGHT NOW from a basic need standpoint to step into what I ultimately want for my life? STEP 4: DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT No one is going to recover FOR you. No one is going to: Gain the weight for youSit in your head for youBe at the finish line for you You have to do something different. Because the truth is: You can listen to this show on repeat, but if you don't DO something about it, you're going to sit here stuck. THE TRUTH ABOUT RECOVERY When I actually recovered from my eating disorder, I didn't recognize my old self. I didn't even know who she was. I was fully transformed. Recovery isn't about checking a box. You still wake up. You still look at yourself in the mirror. You're still learning, growing, doing, BECOMING. Change your focus: From what you're trying to achieve → To WHO you need to be to ...
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    17 m
  • EP 269: 💜Eating Disorder Awareness 2026💜 ~ Ozempic, Social Media & Rising Trends Every Woman Should Know

    EP 269: 💜Eating Disorder Awareness 2026💜 ~ Ozempic, Social Media & Rising Trends Every Woman Should Know
    Feb 13 2026
    February is Eating Disorder Awareness Month. And if you're stuck in quasi-recovery, telling yourself "I'm fine," avoiding help because you're ashamed—this is your wake-up call. I'm sharing 2026 statistics you haven't heard, alarming trends getting WORSE, and the truth about Ozempic, social media, and eating disorders. Because sis, you are not a statistic. At least not a negative one. But you need to hear this. What you'll learn: Why eating disorders increased 15% since 2020 (28.8 million Americans affected)The shocking truth: Every 52 minutes someone dies, only 10% get treatmentMidlife crisis: 42% increase in hospitalizations for women 45-65Ozempic danger: 300% prescription increase, 40% of users have ED histories, 45% relapse when stoppingSocial media impact: 3+ hours/day = 60% higher ED riskPost-pandemic fallout: 25-30% global increase still climbingMy story: When I refused to be a negative statistic3-question self-assessment to know if you need help NOW The wake-up call: Every day you wait, you're missing out on life. KEY STATISTICS 📊 28.8 million Americans will have an ED in their lifetime (15% increase since 2020) 📊 Every 52 minutes someone dies from an eating disorder 📊 Only 10% receive treatment (women 40+ wait 6-8 years longer) 📊 42% increase in midlife ED hospitalizations (women 45-65) 📊 60% higher ED risk with 3+ hours daily social media use 📊 300% increase in Ozempic/GLP-1 prescriptions (60-70% for weight loss, not diabetes) 📊 40% increase in ED patients requesting weight loss drugs 📊 45% relapse rate when stopping GLP-1s (rapid weight regain triggers ED) 📊 25-30% global increase in EDs since 2020 (still climbing) THE 5 ALARMING TRENDS 1. MIDLIFE EATING DISORDERS EXPLODING 42% increase in hospitalizations for women 45-65. If you're over 40 thinking "I'm too old for this"—you're wrong. 2. SOCIAL MEDIA FEEDING THE CRISIS 3+ hours/day = 60% higher risk. #Ozempic has 1.3 billion views. You're being fed anti-aging, menopause weight loss, restriction disguised as wellness. 3. OZEMPIC NORMALIZING DISORDERED EATING 12 million Americans using GLP-1s. 30% of ED treatment centers treating patients whose ED was triggered by these drugs. These suppress appetite, reinforce that hunger is the enemy, bypass actual healing. Ask yourself: Am I healing my relationship with my body? Or medicalizing my eating disorder? 4. DIET CULTURE AS "WELLNESS" Orthorexia rising. Gluten-free, intermittent fasting, cleanses—these are eating disorders in disguise. If you have rigid food rules and anxiety around "unclean" foods, that's disordered eating. 5. POST-PANDEMIC CRISIS CONTINUES Six years later, anxiety up, depression up, eating disorders up. If your ED got worse during the pandemic and you've been saying "later"—later is NOW. LINDSEY'S STORY Years ago, someone told me most people with eating disorders don't fully recover. That I'd probably struggle forever. That the odds were against me. Something inside me snapped. I got angry—not at them, but at the eating disorder. So I decided: I'm not going to be that statistic. I refuse. I stopped avoiding, denying, pretending. I got help. I did the work. I recovered. I'm NOT a negative statistic. I'm a RECOVERY statistic. And you can be too. 3-QUESTION SELF-ASSESSMENT Answer honestly: Am I engaging in unhealthy behaviors but telling myself they're "not that bad"? (Skipping meals, restricting, overexercising, weighing obsessively, purging, binging, using appetite suppressants)Am I avoiding help because I'm ashamed, scared, or in denial? ("I'll deal with it later," "I can handle it alone," "It's not serious enough")Is my relationship with food/body stealing my joy, energy, presence, LIFE? (Missing moments, obsessing, sacrificing relationships, constant anxiety) If you said YES to even ONE: You need support! THE ONE THING YOU CAN DO TODAY Share this episode with someone who needs itDo the self-assessment - be honestIf you need help—REACH OUT Don't wait 6-8 more years. Don't become another statistic. Don't waste the second half of your life. You deserve recovery. You deserve freedom. You deserve to LIVE. WORK WITH LINDSEY 💛 THE RECOVERY COLLECTIVE Group coaching for women in midlife ready to break free. Monthly calls, sisterhood, access to me. www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 💛 1:1 PERSONALIZED COACHING Deep work to reclaim your life. Limited spots available. www.herbestself.co KEY QUOTES 💛 "You are not a statistic. At least not a negative one." 💛 "Every 52 minutes, someone loses their life to this illness." 💛 "If you're waiting for it to get bad enough, you're already in danger." 💛 "Ask yourself: Am I healing my relationship with my body? Or am I just medicalizing my eating disorder?" 💛 "I'm NOT a negative statistic. I'm a RECOVERY statistic. And you can be too." 💛 "Every day you wait, you're missing the second half of your life." Connect with Lindsey: 🌟 Website: www.herbestself.co 🌟 Instagram: @...
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    19 m
  • EP 268.5: If I Was Trapped in My Eating Disorder Right Now, Here's Exactly What I'd Do ~ The No BS Relapse Recovery Roadmap

    EP 268.5: If I Was Trapped in My Eating Disorder Right Now, Here's Exactly What I'd Do ~ The No BS Relapse Recovery Roadmap
    Feb 10 2026
    The opposite of quitting is recommitting. And sometimes that means you need a spelled-out roadmap to help you define what steps you can take to recommit to recovery. Today's episode is different. I'm not speaking in theoretical terms or giving advice I wouldn't follow myself. I'm sharing exactly what I would do if I was trapped in an eating disorder right now. The actual steps. The concrete path forward. The golden nugget roadmap I would follow myself. Whether you're experiencing a relapse, stuck in your recovery, or wish you could go back and tell your younger self what to do—this episode is your clear, actionable guide. In this episode, you'll discover: The 6-step roadmap I'd follow if I was trapped in an eating disorder todayWhy relapse is normal and doesn't mean you've failedStep 1: Recognition and acceptance—how to get out of denial fasterStep 2: Immediate outreach—breaking the isolation that keeps you stuckStep 3: Implementing structure—what to do RIGHT NOW to support yourselfStep 4: Investigating triggers—what's really driving this beneath the surfaceStep 5: Developing a crisis response plan—how to create lasting recoveryStep 6: Reconnecting with your WHY—the values your ED is violatingWhat I wish I could tell my younger self 15+ years agoWhy recovery isn't about perfection—it's about progressHow to recommit to your best self starting TODAY If you're in the trenches, if you've relapsed, if you're struggling—this roadmap is for you. Not theory. Just honest, practical steps. THE 6-STEP RECOVERY ROADMAP STEP 1: RECOGNITION AND ACCEPTANCE The hardest step: Admitting where you are is no longer where you want to be. If I was relapsing today, I know I'd experience a strong pull toward denial. I might tell myself: "I'm just being more careful about what I eat""I'm having a few bad days""I can handle this on my own" What I'd do instead: ✅ Name what's happening - Get out of denial faster ✅ Ask myself: Am I skipping meals? Preoccupied with food thoughts? Anxious around mealtimes? Weighing myself? ✅ Practice self-compassion - Not excusing the behavior, but acknowledging eating disorders are complex illnesses, not personal failures ✅ Say to myself: "This is really hard. I don't have to do this alone." This step creates the foundation to move forward in ACTION instead of sitting in denial. STEP 2: IMMEDIATE OUTREACH Eating disorders thrive in isolation. My counter-attack would be CONNECTION. What I'd do: ✅ Contact someone I trust - In my case, my mom. I'd say: "I'm struggling with my thoughts and behaviors. I need support." ✅ Get professional help immediately If I had a treatment team: Contact them and say "I'm experiencing relapse. I need an appointment ASAP."If I didn't: Call primary care doctor, get a referral, look into local ED treatment centers ✅ Get accountability - Schedule meals, keep appointments with myself, check in with someone Key truth: Don't wait until things get "bad enough." Early intervention makes a tremendous difference. Breaking isolation doesn't mean everyone needs to know. It means strategically connecting with people who can provide support. STEP 3: IMPLEMENTING STRUCTURE What I'd put in place immediately: ✅ Regular eating patterns - Have a plan ready, no reinventing the wheel during vulnerable times. Use the same meals daily to reduce decision fatigue. ✅ Clean up social media & entertainment Unfollow accounts that trigger comparison or food obsessionAvoid shows glorifying thinness or dietingCurate recovery-supportive contentJoin communities like Her Best Self Society (HerBestSelfSociety.com) ✅ Set clear boundaries with exercise - Temporarily pause formalized exercise, focus on gentle movement (This requires support—I couldn't do this alone) ✅ Document thoughts & feelings - Not to be perfect, but to increase awareness of patterns and triggers. Rebuild trust with body and mind. Structure = support. Not rigidity, but safety. STEP 4: INVESTIGATING TRIGGERS Eating disorders aren't just about food or weight. What's really happening beneath the surface? Questions I'd ask myself: ❓ What changes in my life have happened recently? (Transition, loss, increased responsibility, relationship change) ❓ What emotions am I struggling to manage? ❓ What am I trying to numb, distract from, or control? ❓ What needs aren't being met right now? ❓ What external pressures am I responding to? ❓ What beliefs am I believing about my worth, body, or identity? The truth: Eating disorders flare during periods of change and loss of control. Understanding triggers helps you heal beyond just the behaviors—you learn to process emotions in healthier ways. STEP 5: DEVELOPING A CRISIS RESPONSE PLAN Lasting recovery requires more than just putting out fires. What I'd create: ✅ Coping strategies - Tools to use when urges arise ✅ Relapse prevention plan - Document early warning signs, high-risk situations, actions to take ✅ Support system - Who to call, when, and...
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    22 m
  • EP 268: Eating Disorders in Midlife ~ Women 40+ Are Finally Recovering After Decades (Here's Why NOW Is the Perfect Time)

    EP 268: Eating Disorders in Midlife ~ Women 40+ Are Finally Recovering After Decades (Here's Why NOW Is the Perfect Time)
    Feb 6 2026
    I just turned 40 last month. And I don't know what shifts inside at midlife, but something changes when you hit this milestone. You start asking different questions: "Is this it?" "Is this who I really am?" "Is this all there is for me?" And if you've been battling an eating disorder for decades—maybe 10 years, maybe 20, maybe 30—you're asking an even harder question: "Who am I without this?" It's Eating Disorder Awareness Month. And this year, I want to talk about something we don't talk about enough—eating disorders in midlife. Did you know that eating disorder hospitalizations for women aged 45-65 have increased by 42% in the last decade? And yet, we still act like eating disorders are just a "young woman's problem." But if you're a woman in your late 30s, 40s, 50s, or beyond, and you're still struggling, I see you. This is NOT just a young woman's issue. And this episode? This one's for you. Because here's the truth: Midlife is an identity crisis. And breaking up with your eating disorder? That's an identity crisis too. And when those two collide, it can feel overwhelming. But what if this collision isn't a crisis at all? What if it's a crossroads? What if midlife is the PERFECT time to finally break free? IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why midlife identity crisis and ED identity crisis are shockingly similarThe statistics: 42% increase in ED hospitalizations for women 45-65, 13% of women over 50 engage in disordered eatingWhy more women are reaching out for support in midlife (and why that's powerful)The 5 reasons why NOW is the perfect season to go all in on recoveryWhy menopause/perimenopause can actually SUPPORT your recovery, not hinder itHow to answer "I've had this for 30 years—how can I possibly recover now?"Real client stories: Women who recovered at 47, 52, and 61What life AFTER ED in midlife actually looks likeThe reframe: This isn't a crisis, it's a crossroadsWhy the second half of your life is waiting for you to reclaim it KEY QUOTES 💛 "Midlife is an identity crisis. And breaking up with your eating disorder? That's an identity crisis too." 💛 "In midlife you ask: 'Who am I now that my kids don't need me?' In ED recovery you ask: 'Who am I without my eating disorder?' And the hardest question: 'I don't recognize myself anymore. So who AM I?'" 💛 "Eating disorder hospitalizations for women aged 45-65 have increased by 42% in the last decade. This is NOT just a young woman's issue." 💛 "You don't want to waste the second half of your life still trapped in this. You've already given the eating disorder the first half. You're not giving it the second." 💛 "Your body is changing whether you restrict or not. So what if you nourished it through this transition instead of punishing it?" 💛 "The question isn't 'How can I recover during menopause?' The question is 'How can I NOT recover during menopause?' 💛 "Recovery doesn't have an age limit. And it's not too late for you. The only thing that's too late? Waiting another decade to start." 💛 "This isn't a crisis. It's a crossroads. Midlife isn't the end. It's the beginning of the second half." 💛 "This is YOUR era. This is YOUR time." THE STATISTICS 📊 42% increase in eating disorder hospitalizations for women aged 45-65 in the last decade 📊 13% of women over 50 report disordered eating behaviors 📊 62% of women in midlife report weight and shape concerns significantly impact quality of life 📊 Women who seek treatment in their 40s and 50s have recovery rates comparable to—and sometimes BETTER than—younger women The truth: It is NOT too late. THE 5 REASONS WHY MIDLIFE IS THE PERFECT TIME TO RECOVER 1. You're running out of patience, not time You've tried everything. You're DONE. That urgency is your fuel. 2. "If not now, then when?" You're not wasting the second half of your life on this. 3. Your kids need less of you = space for YOU Finally, permission to ask: "What do I need?" 4. You're wiser now You're chasing presence, connection, LIFE—not perfection. 5. You have the resources now Financial, emotional, relational—you're ready to invest in yourself. MENOPAUSE & RECOVERY: WHY THEY WORK TOGETHER Your body is changing whether you restrict or not → Nourish it through the transition Hormonal shifts require MORE nourishment, not less → Support bone density, muscle mass, mental health Perimenopause forces you to let go of control → Exactly what recovery requires Recovery sets you up for a healthier second half → Bone health, heart health, energy, longevity REAL CLIENT STORIES ✨ Age 52: 33 years with bulimia. Today she's free, travels, eats without fear, rebuilding relationships. ✨ Age 47: Restricted her entire adult life. Today she's in the best health of her life—strong, energized, PRESENT. ✨ Age 61: "I spent 40 years believing I'd never be free. But I'm free now. And I have so much life left to live." WHAT LIFE AFTER ED IN MIDLIFE LOOKS LIKE 🌟 You wake up without immediately ...
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    25 m
  • EP 267.5: The Cost of Perfection ~ “Be Thin but Not Too Thin” (& Other Impossible Standards Destroying Your Mental Health)

    EP 267.5: The Cost of Perfection ~ “Be Thin but Not Too Thin” (& Other Impossible Standards Destroying Your Mental Health)
    Feb 3 2026
    The cost of perfection left me perfectly exhausted. Be thin, but not too thin. Be confident but not overly confident. Be successful, but not too successful. If you're with me and you experience the pressure to be perfect, this is a perfect paradox—and it is time to dump the impossible standards that are destroying your mental health and that are so tied to eating disorders. In this episode, I'm diving into the relentless pressure to be perfect and how it's literally rewiring your brain to keep you stuck. Whether you're just starting your recovery journey or you've been on this path for years, perfectionism might feel like both an old friend and your biggest obstacle. And when you couple perfectionism with the pressure from culture and society to be Instagram-ready? The output you receive is simply exhaustion. You're exhausted, sis. And trying to live up to these impossible standards. But today, we're going to dissect this. We're going to look at what science says about breaking free. Because you don't just have to take my word for it—research shows your brain can actually change. In this episode, you'll discover: The impossible standards we're all trying to live up to (and why they're literally impossible)The shocking statistics: 68% of individuals with eating disorders display clinically significant perfectionismWhy perfectionism often appears YEARS before any eating disorder behaviorsThe deep roots of perfectionism: family dynamics, trauma, social media (users who spend 3+ hours/day are 60% more likely to develop body image issues)The neuroscience: How perfectionists have heightened activity in the brain's "error detection center"How altered serotonin and dopamine systems make it harder for perfectionists to feel "good enough" or satisfiedThe vicious cycle: threat detection → anxiety → perfectionist behaviors → temporary relief → reinforced neural pathwaysThe HOPE: How mindfulness, self-compassion, and exposure to imperfection can actually change your brainWhy true recovery happens when you stop trying to do it perfectly and start doing it honestlyA powerful devotional insight: "God won't bless who you pretend to be"The truth: Your worth isn't measured by impossible standards—it's measured by your courage to show up If you're tired of being tired, if you're exhausted from trying to be "perfect," if you feel stuck in the perfect paradox—this episode will give you both the science and the hope you need to break free. KEY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE 💛 "The cost of perfection left me perfectly exhausted." 💛 "Be thin, but not too thin. Be confident but not overly confident. Be successful, but not too successful. This is a perfect paradox and it is time to dump the impossible standards that are destroying your mental health." 💛 "That perfection you're chasing? It's like trying to catch smoke with your bare hands. Not humanly possible. It's just not possible." 💛 "I remember thinking that if I could just get everything perfect—my meals, my exercise, my body—then finally I'd be enough." 💛 "Research shows that up to 68% of individuals with eating disorders display clinically significant perfectionism. And perfectionism often appears even years before any eating disorder behaviors." 💛 "Perfectionists have heightened activity in the brain's error detection center. It acts like this oversensitive alarm system that's constantly scanning for things you're doing wrong or for mistakes." 💛 "The 'feel good' chemical—serotonin—is altered if you're a perfectionist, meaning the chemical that affects your mood regulation, your satisfaction, and the ability to feel good enough is altered." 💛 "Altered dopamine reward circuits make it harder to feel satisfied. It makes it harder for you to feel good enough. This creates that constant drive, that constant need to do better, to achieve more, to be smaller." 💛 "This cycle is created: Your threat detection system becomes hyperactive. This leads to increased anxiety. Anxiety triggers perfectionist behaviors. This gives you temporary relief. But it simply reinforces the cycle." 💛 "There is hope. With mindfulness practices, with self-compassion, with the opposite of perfection—being exposed to situations where you're almost forced to be imperfect—research shows you can actually change that hyperactivity in the brain." 💛 "Even if you feel like recovery is impossible, even if you feel like you've been doing this forever, I want you to understand that there is a neurobiological connection and research shows you can change. Your brain can change." 💛 "True recovery happens when you stop trying to do it perfectly and you start doing it honestly." 💛 "In a world filled with protocol, a never-ending list of do's and don'ts, and the pressure to be perfect, it can seem impossible to discover who you really are. But God uniquely made you. Nothing about you is a mistake, and He won't bless who you pretend to be." 💛 "Stop ...
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    16 m