Episodios

  • EP 275: Still Stuck After Years of Treatment? Stop Piecing Together Recovery Advice ~ The Freedom Formula Experience™

    EP 275: Still Stuck After Years of Treatment? Stop Piecing Together Recovery Advice ~ The Freedom Formula Experience™
    Mar 17 2026
    If you wake up every morning with that familiar heaviness—another day of obsessing over food, second-guessing every bite, feeling like you're never doing it right despite years of trying—this episode is your personal invitation to something different. Maybe you've had traditional treatment and got some great tools, but you still struggle to apply them in real life. Maybe you've worked with therapists and professionals but you're tired of having the same conversations with yourself day after day. You know what the worst part is? You're doing this alone. You're piecing together advice from books, podcasts, social media, but without consistent guidance from someone who's actually walked this path. And you keep falling back into the same patterns. Today I'm sharing my Freedom Formula Experience—a personalized approach designed to help you break free from food obsession and finally experience the freedom you deserve. In this episode, you'll discover: Why traditional treatment alone often isn't enough for lasting freedomHow doing recovery alone keeps you stuck in cyclesWhat the Freedom Formula Experience includes and how it worksReal transformation my clients are experiencingWhy you shouldn't be piecing this together by yourself anymoreHow to take the next step if you're ready to stop struggling alone THE REALITY OF DOING RECOVERY ALONE You're piecing together advice from books, podcasts, and social media, but without consistent guidance from someone who's actually walked this path, you keep falling back into the same patterns. How do I know this? Because I did the exact same thing (except there weren't cool podcasts to listen to during my recovery). I've been exactly where you are—feeling trapped, trying everything, yet still feeling stuck like you're in quicksand going nowhere. The truth: You're exhausted from constantly thinking about food and your body. You feel like you should be further along by now. You wonder if complete freedom is even possible for someone like you. WHAT IS THE FREEDOM FORMULA EXPERIENCE? This is a personalized approach designed to help you break free from food obsession and finally experience the freedom you deserve. Unlike generic programs or traditional therapy alone: ✅ My coaching is tailored specifically to your unique struggles, patterns, and where you are right now ✅ Combines practical tools with deep mindset work to get you moving ✅ Focuses on real-life implementation, not just concepts ✅ Offers consistent support between sessions when triggers and challenges arise ✅ Brings in a spiritual dimension often missing from traditional approaches ✅ Draws from my personal experience of complete recovery I'm not speaking from theory, sis, but from living this transformation myself. WHAT WE'LL WORK ON TOGETHER Through the Freedom Formula Experience, we'll untangle the complex webs of your eating disorder. We'll address: Not just the food behaviors but the perfectionism, people-pleasing, and "never enough" mindsetThe root causes keeping you trapped in cyclesReal-life implementation of recovery toolsBuilding trust with yourself and your bodyCreating lasting change beyond just stopping behaviors Working with me isn't just about stopping behaviors—it's about reclaiming your entire life. WHAT MY CLIENTS ARE EXPERIENCING Through the Freedom Formula Experience, my clients achieve: ✅ Freedom from constant mental chatter about food, calories, and body size ✅ The ability to eat intuitively without rules, restriction, or compensating ✅ A compassionate relationship with themselves, replacing the harsh inner critic ✅ Skills to manage difficult emotions without using food ✅ Confidence to show up authentically in relationships instead of hiding behind perfectionism ✅ A renewed sense of purpose beyond body and appearance ✅ The joy of redirecting energy toward things that truly matter You can't put a price tag on redirecting all that mental energy toward what actually matters to you. IMAGINE THIS LIFE Imagine waking up and food not being your first thought. Imagine enjoying meals with loved ones without anxiety. Imagine having the mental space to pursue your passions. This isn't just possible, friend. It's what I help my clients achieve every single day. HOW THE FREEDOM FORMULA WORKS You'll receive: 🌟 Weekly one-on-one coaching sessions tailored to your specific needs and challenges 🌟 Voice or text support between sessions for when you need guidance most 🌟 Customized tools, exercises, and science-based resources based on your unique recovery journey 🌟 My proven framework that addresses both practical and emotional aspects of recovery 🌟 Faith-based support that honors your spiritual healing journey WHY ME? I'm not just a coach who studied eating disorders. I lived one. I lived the nightmare and spent years trapped in the same cycle you're in right now. I tried every single approach and finally found my own way. I've synthesized everything I learned in ...
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    8 m
  • EP 274: Nobody Cares About Your Body ~ 9 Brutal Recovery Truths That Will Set You Free✨

    EP 274: Nobody Cares About Your Body ~ 9 Brutal Recovery Truths That Will Set You Free✨
    Mar 13 2026
    I'm about to tell you something that might sting: Nobody cares about your body. But stick with me, because that truth is going to set you free. We spend SO much energy terrified of what people will think if we gain weight, if we eat normally, if we stop restricting. We're scared of judgment. But here's the raw truth: People are way too busy worrying about their own bodies to spend time judging yours. Today I'm sharing 9 brutal recovery truths that no one will tell you—but I absolutely will. Because I'm tired of watching women stay stuck settling for "good enough," when full freedom is absolutely possible. These aren't feel-good platitudes. These are boss-babe-energy truths that will wake you up and change everything. The 9 Raw Truths: Your health is your wealthNobody cares about your body 2b. You will be judged no matter what—at least be judged for something meaningfulConsistency matters more than perfectionRecovery takes months or years—not weeks or daysYour comfort zone and "settling" will destroy your dreams of freedomNo one is coming to save youYou can't pray yourself away from ED behaviors—you must pray AND actTime never comes backYou cannot recover from an eating disorder alone. THE 9 BRUTAL TRUTHS BREAKDOWN Truth #1: Your health is your wealth. You can fake your health to the world for a while, but malnourishment catches up with you. Your bones will tell the story. Your hormones will tell the story. You can lie to everyone else, but your body keeps the receipts. When you look back in 10-30 years, your health is what will matter most—not the number on the scale. Truth #2: Nobody cares about your body. Everyone is way too worried about their own insecurities to spend time analyzing yours. The person at the grocery store? Worried about their own body. Your coworker? Stressed about their own appearance. The people who matter don't care what size you are. And the people who care what size you are don't matter. Truth #2b: You will be judged no matter what—at least be judged for something meaningful versus your pant size. Would you rather be judged for playing small, for restricting your life, for being the woman always "on a diet"? Or judged for being bold, for showing up fully, for living a life that actually matters? People will have opinions regardless. Make sure you're living a life worth having opinions about. Truth #3: Consistency matters more than perfection. Boss babes understand this in business but forget it in recovery. You can take random action, but it's what you do consistently that leads to true freedom. Recovery isn't built on perfect days—it's built on showing up day after day, even when it sucks. Truth #4: Recovery takes months or years—not weeks or days. Trying to rush recovery is like trying to rush building a business empire. You can't shortcut the process and expect lasting results. The women who understand this is an investment in their future are the ones running companies and living their dreams while others are still counting calories. Truth #5: Your comfort zone and "settling" will destroy your dreams of freedom. Quasi-recovery isn't boss babe energy—it's small energy. It's staying in the kiddie pool when you were meant to swim in the ocean. Settling for quasi-recovery is like building a business to 50K and stopping because you're "comfortable." Your eating disorder is betting on you settling. Truth #6: No one is coming to save you. Your parents can't fix this. Your partner can't love the eating disorder away. Your therapist can't want recovery more than you do. This is your life. Your recovery. Your empire to build. That's overwhelming but also the most empowering truth—you have ALL the power to change everything. Truth #7: You can't pray yourself or "try" to get yourself away from ED behaviors. Faith is powerful. Prayer is essential. But you must pray AND act like the boss babe God created you to be. God gave you a brain, body, and free will for a reason. Use them. Trying is just failing with intention. Stop trying. Start doing. Truth #8: Time never comes back. Every day you spend restricting is gone forever. Every opportunity missed because you're obsessed with food. Every relationship you half-show up to because you're mentally calculating calories. Boss babes understand time is the most valuable currency. Stop spending yours on something that will never pay dividends. THE FINAL TRUTH TO SET YOU FREE: #9: You cannot build an empire alone, and recover from an eating disorder is the exact same. Eating disorders thrive in isolation. Every successful woman has a team, support, someone who won't let them quit when things get hard. The women who recover are the ones who stop trying to figure it all out alone and invest in themselves. KEY QUOTES 💛 "Nobody cares about your body. People are way too busy worrying about their own bodies to spend time judging yours." 💛 "You can fake your health to the world, but your body keeps the receipts." 💛 "The ...
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    16 m
  • EP 273.5: Can't Stop Staring in the Mirror? Body Dysmorphia, Body Obsession & How to Break Free **Must Listen Fav!**

    EP 273.5: Can't Stop Staring in the Mirror? Body Dysmorphia, Body Obsession & How to Break Free **Must Listen Fav!**
    Mar 10 2026
    Do you spend way too much time checking yourself in the mirror? Fixating on flaws that nobody else seems to notice? Canceling plans because you feel like you look "off" that day? You're not alone, and this isn't about vanity—this is about a real struggle that deserves understanding. Today we're diving into Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) and how it shows up in eating disorder recovery. The statistics are eye-opening: while only 1 in 50 people in the general population experience BDD, 25-40% of people with eating disorders also struggle with body dysmorphic disorder. In this episode, you'll discover: What Body Dysmorphic Disorder actually is (beyond occasional insecurity)The shocking connection between eating disorders and BDDReal client story: How BDD stole years of living from a successful VP6 practical tools to break free from obsessive body thoughtsWhy "your body is an instrument, not an ornament"How to practice body neutrality when body positivity feels impossibleThe difference between healthy awareness and destructive obsession This goes beyond the mirror—it's about reclaiming the mental energy that's been stolen from you and learning to live present in your own life. THE EYE-OPENING STATISTICS 1 in 50 people in general population experience Body Dysmorphic Disorder 25-40% of people with eating disorders also struggle with BDD This means: If you're struggling with disordered eating, there's a much higher chance you're also dealing with body dysmorphic disorder. WHAT IS BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER? BDD is classified in the DSM-5 under Obsessive Compulsive and Related Disorders. It's when thoughts about your appearance become all-consuming—when they start stealing your joy and limiting your life. This isn't about vanity. This is about genuine struggle that deserves compassion and understanding. Common signs include: Spending hours checking your appearance in mirrorsConstantly comparing yourself to others (especially on social media)Avoiding social settings because you're convinced everyone is staringTaking dozens of photos from different angles to "capture what you really look like"Canceling plans when you feel you look "off"Fixating on specific body parts (face, stomach, skin, weight) CLIENT STORY: ELLA'S BREAKTHROUGH Ella was a VP at her company—successful, married, two kids. From the outside, everything looked perfect. But inside, she was crumbling. Ella spent hours fixating on what she perceived as facial asymmetry and "hating her stomach." She would: Cancel plans if her appearance didn't feel rightTake dozens of selfies from different anglesHibernate in loose clothing when her stomach wasn't "flat enough"Miss out on living because she was trapped in the obsession The truth: When I looked at Ella, I saw an amazingly beautiful and confident woman. The things she fixated on weren't visible to me or anyone else in her life. Six months later, Ella shared: "For the first time in years, I went to my daughter's birthday party and I didn't think about my appearance. I was just there. I was present. I laughed, and I played and I connected. This is what living feels like." 6 TOOLS TO BREAK FREE FROM BODY OBSESSION 1. Practice Awareness Notice when you're engaging in checking behaviorsObserve with compassion: "I notice I'm having thoughts right now"Technique: Set a timer when getting ready—when it goes off, walk away from the mirror no matter what 2. Challenge the Distortion Question absolute thoughts: "Everyone notices this about me" or "I look disgusting"Exercise: Write how you'd respond if your best friend shared the same concernsRemember: "Our minds distort our mirrors" 3. Reduce Comparison (Eliminate If Possible) Studies show increased social media correlates with worse BDD symptomsAction: Go on a social media detox or unfollow triggering accountsReplace scrolling time with something that feeds your soul 4. Redirect Your Focus Create a list of activities that fully engage your mindHave this list ready BEFORE the thoughts hitExamples: Reading, puzzles, nature walks, calling a friend 5. Practice Body Neutrality Focus on what your body can DO rather than how it looks"Can your legs carry you through the day? Can your arms hug people you love?"Remember: Your body is an instrument, not an ornament 6. Seek Help and Support BDD responds well to treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Working with specialists in body image issues makes an enormous differenceYou don't have to heal from this alone THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR BODY Your body was never meant to be your life's work. It was meant to champion you in doing your life's purpose and your life's work. You only have one precious life. You deserve to: Be present and laugh without wondering how your face looksEat cake without worrying about your stomach afterwardConnect deeply without background noise of how others view youLive without the mental prison of appearance obsession KEY QUOTES 💛 "This isn't about vanity. This is about genuine struggle ...
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    24 m
  • EP 273: 20 Minutes in the Peanut Butter Aisle ~ How One Decision Changed My Recovery (& Can Change Yours Too)

    EP 273: 20 Minutes in the Peanut Butter Aisle ~ How One Decision Changed My Recovery (& Can Change Yours Too)
    Mar 6 2026
    Today sis, let's time travel! I want to take you into the grocery store with me during my recovery. On this particular trip (actually most every trip to the store), I would stand in the peanut butter aisle...yes, for 20 minutes—staring at jars, reading labels, comparing calories. And I was exhausted with my own mess. Peanut butter was a total fear food. I'd tell people "I didn't like it" when in fact, I grew up on PB&J sandwiches and adored the taste pre-ED. But during ED, I just didn't trust myself around it. This day however, I got so tired of my usual ED pattern that I assigned myself a task: walk in, choose a jar, take it home, and make something with it. That one decision changed everything. You are one decision away from a completely different life. And it starts with giving yourself permission. In today's podcast episode you'll discover: How one grocery store decision became my recovery breakthroughWhy every decision is actually an act of permissionThe connection between indecision and staying stuckHow to pre-decide your way to freedomWhat permissions you might be withholding from yourselfWhy peanut butter now reminds me of freedomThe ripple effect one brave choice creates THE POWER OF ONE DECISION You are one decision away from a completely different life. Not ten decisions. Not a perfect plan. Not waiting until you feel ready. That day, I wasn't any less scared of peanut butter than before. But I decided I was the boss of me. I got to decide how I wanted to be defined. And I no longer wanted to be scared of peanut butter. Every decision is actually an act of permission. When I decided to buy that peanut butter, I gave myself permission to: Trust myself around a fear foodStop analyzing and start choosingAct differently than I had been actingTake up space in my own life WHY WE AVOID THE DECISION Standing in that aisle for 20 minutes wasn't really about comparing labels. It was about avoiding the decision entirely. As long as I was analyzing, I didn't have to choose. As long as I was researching, I didn't have to act. As long as I was stuck in indecision, I didn't have to face my fear. But indecision is actually a decision—it's the decision to stay exactly where you are. THE PRACTICE OF PRE-DECIDING What made that trip different: I pre-decided. Instead of hoping I'd feel brave, I decided ahead of time what I was going to do. Pre-deciding removes the option to get stuck in analysis paralysis. It removes the option to spend 20 minutes staring at labels. It removes the option to leave empty-handed. What could you pre-decide today? That you're going to eat lunch, no matter how anxious you feelThat you're going to order what sounds good, not what has fewest caloriesThat you're going to call a therapist or coach THE RIPPLE EFFECT That peanut butter decision was a turning point because it taught me: If I could decide and DO with peanut butter, I could do that with anything that scared me. One act of permission opened the door to others: Permission to eat other fear foodsPermission to trust my bodyPermission to be imperfect in recoveryPermission to choose freedom over control Permission creates momentum. One granted permission leads to another, and another. KEY QUOTES 💛 "You are one decision away from a completely different life." 💛 "I wasn't any less scared than the day before, but I decided I was the boss of me." 💛 "Every decision is actually an act of permission." 💛 "Indecision is actually a decision—it's the decision to stay exactly where you are." 💛 "The decision you're avoiding is usually the exact decision that will set you free." 💛 "Pre-deciding is an act of self-trust." 💛 "Don't wait to feel brave. Decide first, then act." 💛 "Granting yourself permission is not selfish—it's an act of love." 💛 "You don't need anyone else's permission to live your life. You just need your own." 💛 "Permission granted. Decision made. Life changed." YOUR ASSIGNMENT Identify one decision you've been avoiding. One permission you've been withholding from yourself. Then pre-decide. Decide right now, before you're face-to-face with the fear, what you're going to do. Don't wait to feel brave. Don't wait to feel ready. Decide first, then act. READY TO MAKE THE DECISIONS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE? If you're ready to have someone in your corner who's been exactly where you are: 👉 www.herbestself.co - Fill out a client application You are one decision away from a completely different life. One permission away from the freedom you're craving. 💛 THE RECOVERY COLLECTIVE My group coaching community where women come together to heal, let go of perfectionism, and do the deep work of recovery. You'll have access to me, monthly coaching calls, and a sisterhood that gets you. www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 💛 Take the Recovery Spirit Animal Quiz - Get insight into practical steps for your recovery based on your answers: Free Recovery Tools & Support | Quizzes, Journals, & Community...
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    19 m
  • EP 272: There's No Such Thing as a Perfect Weight⚖️(Your Perfect Weight Is Actually Perfect Freedom)

    EP 272: There's No Such Thing as a Perfect Weight⚖️(Your Perfect Weight Is Actually Perfect Freedom)
    Mar 3 2026
    How much mental and emotional energy do you spend thinking about your weight? And here's the follow-up question: Is it worth it? Is all that energy actually improving your life, making you happier, or making you worth more? Today I'm offering a completely different perspective: What if your perfect weight isn't a number at all, but rather a state of being? A way of moving through this world where food and your body just don't dominate your thoughts. If you get nothing else from this episode, write this down: Your perfect weight is perfect freedom. In this episode, you'll discover: Why there's no such thing as a perfect weight (and what to focus on instead)How to redefine "perfect weight" as perfect freedomReal-life examples of what perfect freedom looks likeThe science behind why fighting your natural weight range backfiresWhy restriction creates the food obsessions you're trying to escapeHow to use your mental energy for relationships, work, and dreams instead of weight monitoringStarting points for moving toward weight-inclusive healthThe truth: Your worth isn't tied to your size Your perfect weight is when you can: ✅ Enjoy dinner with friends without calculating calories ✅ Skip a workout because you're tired (without guilt) ✅ Be fully present on date night instead of scanning menus ✅ Go on vacation without needing a "detox" afterward ✅ Nourish your body with variety—free from restriction THE CORE MESSAGE Your perfect weight is perfect freedom. Instead of focusing on a perfect number, focus on finding perfect trust within yourself and your body. We've been conditioned to believe that constant vigilance around food and exercise is the only path to health. But what if that very vigilance itself is what's unhealthy? WHAT PERFECT FREEDOM LOOKS LIKE Your perfect weight is: Enjoying an evening out with friends without guilt as an uninvited guestLaughing over shared appetizers and ordering what sounds goodDriving home thinking about conversations, not calories consumedListening to your body and skipping workouts when tiredUnderstanding that rest is just as important as movementBeing fully present during date night—looking into your partner's eyes instead of secretly scanning menu calorie countsComing home from vacation with memories of experiences, not regrets about what you ate THE SCIENCE BEHIND FREEDOM Our bodies are incredibly diverse. Research increasingly shows that health can exist at many different sizes. Each of us has a genetically influenced weight range where our body functions best—I call this the "freedom point" (others call it set point). Fighting against this natural range requires constant effort and often results in harmful weight cycling. The truth about BMI: It was never designed to be an individual health marker. It was created as a population-level statistical tool, and its creator explicitly warned against using it for individual health evaluation. Health is about: Sustainable habitsMental wellbeingSocial connectionsPhysical markers like blood pressure and cholesterolMany of which improve through healthy behaviors regardless of weight changes WHY RESTRICTION BACKFIRES Your body and brain are wired to resist famine. When you severely restrict food groups or calories, your body fights back. This is where obsessive food thoughts come from—not lack of willpower. This is biology. The surprise: Food obsessions actually diminish when you start eating enough for your body, including previously forbidden foods. The rebellious urge to binge fades when no foods are labeled as "bad" or "good." REDEFINING YOUR RELATIONSHIP How would you eat if you knew your weight would never change? What would you accomplish if you weren't constantly monitoring your appearance or planning your next diet? Your perfect weight means: Days not consumed by food or body thoughtsUsing mental energy for relationships, work, passions, dreamsVacation doesn't end with detox or start with restrictionEnjoying local cuisines without anxietyComing home with memories, not regrets STARTING POINTS FOR FREEDOM 1. Work with weight-inclusive practitioners Dietitians specializing in intuitive eatingTherapists who understand body imageCoaches trained to focus on here and now without scale measurements 2. Curate your media consumption Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about your bodyUnfollow accounts promoting restrictive eatingDo a social media detox if it's not helping you make pro-recovery choices 3. Practice real self-compassion The path isn't linear—there will be ups and downsTreat yourself with kindness rather than judgmentThis makes the journey manageable and rewarding 4. Ground yourself in truth Your worth isn't tied to your sizeYou deserve respect, love, and dignity at any weightYour body is a vessel carrying you through this precious lifeIt deserves appreciation for what it does, not criticism for how it looks THE ULTIMATE TRUTH Your perfect weight isn't a destination you achieve once and check off a...
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    17 m
  • 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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