Her Best Self ~ Eating Disorder Recovery, Anorexia, Bulimia & Food Freedom

Hey girlfriend, happy day after Thanksgiving. Maybe yesterday was really hard for you. Maybe you broke a boundary. Maybe you're beating yourself up right now. Maybe you barely survived Thanksgiving dinner and you're exhausted. You made it through. You're here. And today, we're going to talk about gratitude anyway. In this special mini episode, host Lindsey Nichol gets vulnerable about a season when she couldn't feel grateful for anything - when she was so trapped in her eating disorder that gratitude felt impossible. She shares what she's genuinely, deeply thankful for this season, and invites you to find your own gratitude too - even in the mess, even in the middle of the struggle. Because here's the truth: Gratitude doesn't require perfection. It doesn't require having it all together. It doesn't require that yesterday went well. Gratitude just requires being willing to look for the light, even in the hard. Plus: A special Black Friday opportunity to invest in yourself and your recovery (because the best investment you'll ever make is in your own healing). This is a quick dose of hope, vulnerability, and possibility for the day after Thanksgiving. You survived yesterday. Now let's find the gratitude together. In This Mini Episode, You'll Hear: If Yesterday Was Hard Maybe you broke a boundary at Thanksgiving dinner Maybe you're beating yourself up today Maybe you barely survived and you're exhausted You made it through - and that matters Today we're talking about gratitude anyway When Gratitude Felt Impossible Lindsey's vulnerable truth: there was a season she couldn't FEEL gratitude Not that she wasn't grateful - she literally couldn't access the feeling Trapped in the eating disorder, consumed, numb, disconnected Sitting at Thanksgiving tables saying generic things but not feeling it Just surviving, just getting through, counting and calculating If that's where you are today - Lindsey sees you, she's been you Recovery gave her gratitude back - the ability to not just say it but FEEL it That's possible for you too What Lindsey Is Thankful For This Season: #1: Her Clients and Listeners (YOU) This community of women fighting for their freedom Doing the hard things, showing up even when it's scary Women in one-on-one coaching keeping promises to themselves Women in Recovery Collective supporting each other Messages saying "this episode came at the exact right time" You inspire her every single day You remind her why she does this work You remind her that recovery is possible Thank you for trusting her with your stories #2: Recovery Is a Journey That it's not linear Constantly evolving, growing, teaching Used to think recovery meant "fixed" - arriving at perfection But recovery taught her it's not about arriving, it's the JOURNEY Learning and growing and evolving Becoming more of who she's meant to be, one choice at a time Grateful she gets to keep learning and discovering Grateful she gets to mess up and extend herself grace Recovery isn't a destination - it's a way of life Choosing yourself every day #3: Keeping Promises This might sound small, but it's everything For so long, she broke every promise to herself Every broken promise reinforced she couldn't trust herself Recovery taught her that keeping promises builds self-trust Proves to herself she's worthy of showing up for Now she keeps her promises - not perfectly, but consistently That has changed everything She can look in the mirror and know when she says she'll do something, she does it That's freedom. That's recovery. Your Gratitude Invitation What are YOU thankful for this season? It might feel hard, especially if yesterday was rough But look for it anyway - gratitude doesn't require perfection Maybe you're thankful you made it through Thanksgiving (even if messy) Maybe you're thankful for one person who showed up for you Maybe you're thankful you're still here, still fighting, still trying Maybe you're thankful for your body (even if you don't love it) because it's carrying you Maybe you're thankful that recovery is possible, even if you're not there yet Find it. Write it down. Speak it out loud. Let yourself feel it. Gratitude is a practice - the more we practice, the more we can access it Black Friday Investment Opportunity Today is Black Friday - you're getting a million emails about sales But Lindsey wants to offer something different: investing in YOURSELF The best investment you'll ever make is in your own healing Two special opportunities available today through Sunday Special Black Friday Offers (Through Sunday Only): Option 1: Recovery Collective - $47/month What You Get: Live group coaching calls every other week (one hour each) Texting chat community for support between calls Connection with other women who GET IT Accountability, tools, and strategies for your recovery journey This is for you if: You need community and support You want guidance but aren't ready for one-on-one yet You're tired of doing this alone You want connection wit

Your family doesn't understand your eating disorder. They make comments about your food. They trigger you at every holiday gathering. You're walking on eggshells, feeling attacked, and wondering if recovery is even possible around them. Girlfriend, this episode is for you. Host Lindsey Nichol shares an incredibly vulnerable moment - her mom called crying after listening to the podcast for the first time, saying "I had no idea what I was doing during your recovery. I just knew I needed to help you." This emotional conversation revealed a profound truth: families don't understand because they're trying to understand while dealing with their own pain. In this powerful episode, Lindsey addresses both sides of the struggle - what to do when your family doesn't understand your eating disorder, AND what loved ones need to know about supporting someone in recovery. Because the truth is, hurt people hurt people. And your family's "attacks" might actually be their way of coping with fear, denial, and their own feelings of helplessness. Whether you're dreading Thanksgiving dinner, anxious about Christmas gatherings, or just trying to survive family events without being triggered - this episode gives you the boundaries, scripts, and strategies you need to protect your recovery while staying connected to the people you love. This is for you if you're struggling. This is for you if you're supporting someone. This is for all of us navigating the complexity of family, recovery, and the holidays. In This Episode, You'll Hear: Lindsey's Mom's Tearful Phone Call Her mom called crying after listening to the podcast for the first time "I had no idea what I was doing through your healing journey" "I just knew you were my only child and I wasn't gonna have it" How she educated herself about eating disorders but still felt lost "Most of the time I had no idea what to do next" The growth that's happened over the years in their relationship Why this conversation was so powerful and needed The Truth About Family Not Understanding When your family doesn't understand, it can be paralyzing Even though Lindsey's mom didn't understand HOW to support her, she loved her The message: Love doesn't always know how to show up correctly There is so much happening in your mind that family can't see The growth that happens over time as you work through recovery together Why This Matters for YOU You don't have to sit in this mess and let it become who you are This is just a speed bump in your journey If you're a parent struggling with what to do next, you don't have to have it all figured out It's important to get as educated as possible to support your loved one The importance of boundaries on BOTH sides during recovery The Reality: Your ED Affects Everyone This illness affects and hurts every person close to you Yes, it's isolating, but it echoes to everyone around you like dominoes You can be in your own feelings thinking it's not harming people, but it is If you don't have energy, you're snapping at your kids If you aren't nourishing yourself, you're not giving your best to others You may be triggered by family comments, but they're dealing with their own emotions too Why Your Family Seems Unsupportive Everyone in your life has their own way of coping with what you're struggling with If you're resisting recovery, your family might be resisting change too They may seem unsupportive or attacking, but this is THEIR way of handling and coping Lindsey's mom was terrified and avoiding judgment from others She told NO ONE - not even immediate family She took it on as self-blame: "What did I do wrong as a parent?" Your illness is NOT isolated - it's impacting everyone, even if it feels isolating to you The Walking on Eggshells Reality Lindsey's mom felt like she was walking on eggshells She never knew if she'd trigger Lindsey or push her in the opposite direction She never knew what mood Lindsey was in or what she'd eaten last When she asked questions, it was to gain understanding But Lindsey couldn't give that understanding because she was trying to figure it out herself There was positive intent 9 times out of 10 Even anger or denial often comes from positive intent The Phases of Denial Lindsey was in denial of the disorder Her mom was ALSO in denial that this could happen to her child Her mom was angry - all those feelings were valid and real Being in denial works in many ways on both sides You might not feel "sick enough" but that's not the point Even loved ones go through phases of denial before they can help Hurt People Hurt People This is how pain gets passed on generation after generation Lindsey doesn't want you to just break chains of ED She wants you to break chains FOR your loved ones and yourself Meet anger with kindness and understanding Be compassionate while honoring your path This is hard because we want to be left alone in the disorder Boundaries & Strategies You Can Set: Strategy #1: Use Your Voice Brené Brown says: "When we are

Okay girlfriend, we're going there. We're talking about the thing nobody talks about when it comes to eating disorders: sex, intimacy, and what's happening (or NOT happening) in your bedroom. If you've noticed your sex drive has disappeared, you're avoiding intimacy with your partner, you can't be present during sex because you're too busy worrying about what your body looks like, or your relationship is suffering and you don't know why - this episode is for you. Host Lindsey Nichol gets incredibly vulnerable about her own experience with blocked intimacy during her eating disorder - how she was physically shut down, emotionally unavailable, and performing instead of experiencing. She shares the research-backed reasons why eating disorders completely sabotage intimacy (spoiler: your body is literally in survival mode), and gives you practical tools to address it. This isn't just about emotional connection - we're talking about SEX. Physical intimacy. The bedroom. Your relationship with your spouse or partner. Because your eating disorder isn't just stealing your relationship with food and your body. It's stealing your relationship with your partner too. In this episode, you'll learn: The 5 reasons why intimacy gets completely blocked when you have an eating disorder Why your libido has disappeared (hint: hormones, energy, survival mode) How body shame follows you into the bedroom Why you can't experience pleasure when you're disconnected from your body How to check your "intimacy temperature" and get honest about where you are Exactly what to say to your partner about what's going on Practical steps to start reconnecting This is real talk. This is vulnerable. This is the conversation we need to have. So grab your favorite Tarjay journal and let's get into it. Content Note: This episode discusses sexual intimacy and eating disorders openly. Best listened to in a private space. In This Episode, You'll Hear: Lindsey's Vulnerable Truth What intimacy looked like when she was in the thick of her eating disorder Being in a relationship while physically and emotionally shut down Not being present during sex - performing instead of experiencing Constantly worried about what her body looked like during intimacy Anxious thoughts: "Is my stomach flat enough? Can he feel certain parts? Should the lights be off? Should I keep my shirt on?" The realization: She wasn't experiencing intimacy, she was performing it The Research Nobody Talks About Women with eating disorders experience significantly higher rates of sexual dysfunction Lower libido, avoidance of intimacy, relationship dissatisfaction are common We suffer in silence, fake it, avoid it, make excuses And our relationships suffer while we pretend everything is fine The Question We're Answering Why is intimacy blocked when you struggle with an eating disorder? And what can you actually DO about it? The 5 Reasons Why Intimacy Gets Blocked: Reason #1: Your Body is Literally Shutting Down When you restrict food, your body goes into survival mode Sex, reproduction, intimacy are NOT essential for survival Your hormones tank: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone plummet Your libido disappears completely You lose your period (amenorrhea) Your energy is non-existent Research shows women with anorexia and bulimia have significantly disrupted hormone levels All of these hormones impact sexual desire and function If you have zero sex drive, if intimacy feels like a chore, if you're exhausted - your body is saying "I don't have resources for this" Your body is trying to keep you alive, not reproduce Reason #2: You're Disconnected From Your Body When you spend every day hating, criticizing, punishing your body - you disconnect You dissociate from physical sensations The problem: You can't experience pleasure in a body you're not connected to Intimacy requires being IN your body, feeling sensations, being present But when you're trapped in your head analyzing what you look like - you're performing, not experiencing Research: Women with eating disorders report significantly higher body image concerns during sexual activity This directly correlates with lower sexual satisfaction and avoidance behaviors You can't enjoy intimacy when you're worried about appearance the entire time Reason #3: The Shame is Paralyzing Body shame doesn't stay in the mirror - it follows you into the bedroom When you feel disgusting in your own skin, how are you supposed to let someone see it? Touch it? The shame is so heavy that many women avoid intimacy altogether Making excuses, shutting down, pulling away Being vulnerable and exposed when you feel shame about your body is terrifying Intimacy requires vulnerability - shame blocks that completely Reason #4: You're Emotionally Unavailable When you're consumed by an eating disorder, there's no room for anything else Your entire mental and emotional bandwidth is taken up by food thoughts, body checking, planning, restricting, compensating You don't have cap

Girlfriend, if you're struggling with self-worth, feeling like you'll never measure up, or can't separate yourself from your eating disorder - this episode is for you. Host Lindsey Nichol shares an incredibly vulnerable and inspiring episode about finding worth from within and discovering your true identity beyond the eating disorder. After a powerful moment during yoga listening to Lauren Daigle's "You Say," Lindsey was reminded of a truth that changed everything: You are not your eating disorder. Your true, authentic self lives underneath all of that. In this encouraging episode, Lindsey walks you through: Why eating disorders consume our identity over time How to separate yourself from the disorder The trap of measuring your worth by external things (weight, appearance, achievements, others' opinions) A beautiful self-compassion exercise you can do right now when you feel unworthy How to cultivate self-acceptance and kindness toward yourself The difference between your false identity (the ED) and your true identity (who you really are) This isn't just inspiration - this is an invitation to remember who you are beyond the eating disorder. To find worth from within. To practice self-compassion on the hard days. And to stop settling for a false version of yourself. If you're having a down day or need encouragement, grab your favorite Tarjay journal and let's sit together. You are worthy just because you are. In This Episode, You'll Hear: The Yoga Moment: Lauren Daigle's "You Say" How Lindsey was practicing yoga with Christian music When Lauren Daigle's song "You Say" came on and brought all the feels The powerful lyrics about fighting voices that say "I'm not enough" How the song speaks about finding worth and identity The theme of surrender: laying failures and victories at God's feet Why Lindsey encourages everyone (Christian or not) to listen to this song The Worth Trap: Measuring Yourself by External Things How people struggling with eating disorders tie worth to external factors The trap: worth measured by weight, appearance, achievements, what others think Why this gives temporary relief but not lasting joy How it leaves you feeling you'll never measure up or be enough The cycle of seeking external validation that never satisfies Identity Consumed: You Are Not Your Eating Disorder The truth: Eating disorders consume our identity over time In order to truly heal, we must separate ourselves from the disorder Your true, authentic, best self is NOT the voice on repeat in your mind That voice saying you're not enough, you'll never measure up, you're weak - that's the ED, not you Your real self, your warrior self, your champion self lives underneath The false identity vs. the true identity Finding Worth From Within (And Above) Your identity must be rooted in who you are at your core Your journey to internal worth is filtered by false identity right now Your true, authentic identity lives underneath all of that You're worthy just because you ARE - you cannot earn it For those with faith: trusting that God has you right where you are For everyone: your worth is inherent, not earned Creating Awareness: The Identity Shift How to become aware that you are not your eating disorder Observing the difference between your thoughts and the ED's thoughts Getting in community with people who support and build you up Listening to music that reminds you of truth Investing in yourself and seeking support (coaching, therapy, community) The importance of separating yourself from the disorder voice The Self-Compassion Research Kristin Neff: world-leading expert on self-compassion Research on self-compassion's impact on positive mental health What self-compassion means: treating yourself with love and understanding Even when life is full of pain and failure, choosing kind words over criticism Choosing to stop judging yourself and start honoring yourself Leaning into believing there is more for you Mindful Awareness Practice Eating disorders are framed around exaggerated, negative beliefs The ability to observe negative thoughts with clarity and openness Learning that feelings and thoughts aren't truths - they're just feelings and thoughts It's okay to not feel enough in this moment - that doesn't mean you aren't enough This moment doesn't define your forever The land of "not knowing what to do next" is temporary The Self-Compassion Exercise: Hand Over Heart A guided practice you can do right now (or come back to) Think of your biggest challenge - the thing you're most terrified of Place your hand over your heart Feel the warmth, the touch, the beat Acknowledge: You're human. You're here. You have purpose. You're worthy just because Let the heaviness of the challenge be there - don't fight it Breathe in, breathe out the heaviness Talk to yourself with compassion: "This is just a season" Validate the hard: "This moment is so hard. This day is so much. I'm scared" Let the feeling sit, then breathe it out - it's temporary Offer ki

"Lindsey, I hate my stomach. I can't stop thinking about it. It's ruining my day, my mood, my recovery. What do I do?" If your stomach is your biggest trigger in recovery - if you can't stop looking at it, obsessing over whether it looks bigger, spiraling every time you see your reflection - this episode is for you, girlfriend. Host Lindsey Nichol gets real about stomach hate in recovery and shares something her client needed to hear today: "I may not love my stomach every day, but if I'm being honest? I didn't love my stomach every day when I was in the trenches of my eating disorder either." So here's the question: Which hard do you want? Hard #1: Hating your stomach while you're restricting, obsessing, body checking, over-exercising, and missing your life. Hard #2: Sometimes not loving your stomach, but being FREE. Living your life. Eating with family. Being present. Having energy. Both are hard. But only one leads to freedom. In this episode, Lindsey shares her own stomach struggles - how she used to search for evidence it was "blowing up," how it would send her into spirals of restriction and over-exercise, and what she does NOW on the days when she doesn't love her stomach. Plus, she gives you 7 practical tools you can use on your hardest days. This is real talk with practical help. No toxic positivity. No "just love yourself." Just honest truth and actionable tools for when your stomach triggers you. In This Episode, You'll Hear: Lindsey's Stomach Story: The Disorder Days How she was super conscious of her stomach feeling or looking bigger Searching for evidence it was "blowing up" - every mirror, reflection, window The spirals: restriction, over-exercise, mood switches Feeling out of control and reacting - being short or avoidant with loved ones How stomach hate controlled her entire day, every day The Truth Bomb: Choose Your Hard Hard #1: Hating your stomach while trapped in the eating disorder Hard #2: Sometimes not loving your stomach but being FREE The reality: Even at her lowest weight, Lindsey STILL didn't love her stomach The question: What other options do you have? Why you have to choose which hard you want to live with Why the Stomach Specifically? Why the stomach is such an easy target for self-criticism How society and social media have trained us to hate our stomachs Why the stomach becomes the "safe" target instead of dealing with real feelings The truth: Restriction makes stomach issues WORSE (digestion, bloating) Reality check: Stomachs are SUPPOSED to change throughout the day Aren't stomachs supposed to be FULL? That's their job What Lindsey Does NOW on Hard Days Wears baggy clothes, not restrictive clothing Avoids opportunities to stare in the mirror and body check Reminds herself of the truth: stomachs are allowed to change Thinks about her little girl self who never cared about her stomach Remembers being pregnant and LOVING watching her stomach grow Accepts that not loving her stomach doesn't mean she's failed The Shift That Changed Everything The realization: She was NEVER going to like her stomach at any size or weight Her stomach wasn't the problem - it was a tool for self-sabotage Used stomach hate when feeling out of control or "not enough" The only way through was acceptance and perspective shift Understanding that stomach hate is usually about something else entirely 7 Tools for Your Hardest Days Stop the Body Checking - Walk away from mirrors, put on baggy clothes Ask the Real Question - What am I really feeling? What am I avoiding? Function Over Form - Your stomach digests food, that's its job Remember Your Little Girl Self - You didn't care about your stomach as a kid Choose Your Hard - Trapped and hating it OR free and sometimes not loving it Wear Comfortable Clothes - Stop punishing yourself with restrictive clothing Talk Back to the Voice - "My stomach is allowed to change and that's okay" Key Takeaways: ✨ You didn't love your stomach in the disorder either - so what are you really choosing? ✨ There are two hards: choose yours - trapped with stomach hate OR free with occasional stomach discomfort ✨ Your stomach is not the problem - it's a symptom, a distraction from real feelings ✨ Restriction makes stomach issues WORSE - bloating, digestion problems increase with restriction ✨ Stomachs are supposed to change - throughout the day, after meals, when sitting vs standing ✨ The stomach is an easy target - easier to hate your stomach than deal with underlying fears ✨ You'll never be satisfied at any size - if stomach hate is really about control and self-sabotage ✨ Body checking makes it worse - the more you look, the more you spiral ✨ Function over form - your stomach's job is to digest food, not be flat 24/7 ✨ Little girl you didn't care - the goal isn't loving your stomach, it's living without it controlling you ✨ You don't have to love it to live - freedom doesn't require stomach love, just stomach acceptance Powerful Quotes from This Episode: "I may not love my sto

Hey sis, here is hope. You can turn your worries and your wishes into your true realities, and you can surely find freedom from the debilitating disease of an eating disorder and disordered eating. In this powerful episode, host Lindsey Nichol speaks truth directly to your heart, spirit, and mind. If you're stuck in the same place year after year - same worries, same wishes, same Thanksgiving anxiety, same holiday struggles - this is your wake-up call. Lindsey reveals why your worries and anxieties can actually HELP you move forward (or keep you stuck in the safe zone), and why your wishes and dreams must become greater than your fears. She introduces her 3-step battle plan for turning wishes into reality: align with your biggest challenge, align with your greatest dream, and study your enemy - that nagging voice keeping you in the cycle. This isn't just another motivational episode. This is a strategic battle plan for warriors ready to stop wishing and start living. Because girlfriend, warriors don't go into battle without a shield, a sword, or a plan. And you're not meant to go alone. If you've been waiting for the "magic pill" to create peace in your life, this episode will show you that YOU have the power to transform everything - starting right now. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why Worries Can Help You (Or Keep You Stuck) Your worries and anxieties can nudge you toward the future you're dreaming of They can propel you forward on your journey to freedom But they can also keep you stuck in the safe zone if you do nothing about them The difference between productive worry and paralyzing worry Why Wishes Aren't Enough Wishes and dreams are great, but they can keep you stuck too Without action, wishes remain fantasies year after year Life is hard, especially with an eating disorder - but wishes alone won't change that Your wishes must become greater than your worries to create real change The Biggest Challenges Women Face in Recovery When Lindsey asks her one-on-one clients "What is your biggest challenge?" she hears: Fear of weight gain Recovery feels totally impossible "I want to eat the way I should, yet I don't" Anxiety around food Over-exercising and calorie counting Worrying about how others see me Struggling to give up control Rigid routines and bad habits that are hard to break Eating differently than family Decades of disordered relationship with food and body Always relapsing when life happens The Greatest Wishes Women Have When Lindsey asks "What is your greatest wish?" she hears: I want to live life FREE I want to be healthier and better I want to eat "normal" (whatever that is) I want to nourish my body I want to be happy and healthy I want to stop thinking about food constantly I want to eat without fear of weight gain I want to go out to eat and enjoy it without looking at the menu beforehand I want flexibility I want to be present I want to LIVE The Bridge: Freedom IS Your Reality Freedom is possible no matter how you feel right now Feelings aren't forever - they change If you feel stuck year after year, same holidays, same struggles - it's time to stop the madness You have to stop the nagging voice keeping you in the cycle The Hard Truth You Need to Hear YOU have the power to transform your life completely - you, no one else If you had the "magic pill of power" to create peace, would you take it? You have to stop loving the drama of the cycle Your wishes must become GREATER than your worries This only happens when you come PREPARED FOR THE BATTLE Warriors don't go into battle without a shield, sword, or team You need a PLAN and you need to EXECUTE The 3-Step Battle Plan to Turn Wishes Into Reality: Step 1: Get in Alignment with Your Biggest Challenge In order to defeat the enemy, you need a strategy What is your biggest worry? Your biggest challenge? You have to identify it clearly to fight it effectively Be specific - name the fear, the behavior, the thought pattern Step 2: Get in Alignment with Your Greatest Dream What is your biggest wish? Your greatest desire? Close your eyes - where do you see yourself in 1 year? 5 years? Your dream is achievable if you can imagine it This becomes your "why" - what you're fighting FOR Step 3: Study Your Opponent (Your Enemy) How can you fight what you can't see? How can you put in your all when you can't define it? How can you go to battle if you don't know what you're up against? What is your reward when you conquer? Study the enemy like no other: What does that voice inside your head say to you? She's constantly bargaining, right? "You don't need that" / "You can eat later" / "It's too early for a meal" What is she trying to manipulate you with? When you can SEPARATE your thoughts from HER thoughts, you can build your plan of attack Key Takeaways: ✨ Worries can work FOR you or AGAINST you - they can propel you forward or keep you stuck ✨ Wishes without action keep you in the same place - year after year, holiday after holiday ✨ Feelings aren't fore

Girlfriend, if you've fallen in your recovery - if you've had a setback, slipped back into old behaviors, or feel like you're not where you "should" be - this episode is for you. This morning, Lindsey was walking her 7-year-old son Blake to school when he fell hard while skipping in Crocs. Through his tears, he looked up and said, "I guess I shouldn't skip so fast to school." And in that moment, Lindsey realized something profound: Sometimes the fall is required. Not because we want to hurt, but because without the fall, we wouldn't learn any other way. In this vulnerable episode, Lindsey shares her own painful fall in recovery - when she was lying to her treatment team, telling everyone she was "doing the things" while secretly still restricting out of fear. Her results weren't matching her actions, and she felt defeated. But that fall? It became her turning point. Drawing from her figure skating background (landing her first double loop took countless falls), Lindsey reveals why falls aren't failures - they're required education. She addresses the shame that comes with relapsing, gives you permission to be right where you are, and shows you how to get back up without beating yourself up. If you've been too afraid to risk falling or too ashamed to get back up, this episode will change everything. In This Episode, You'll Hear: Blake's Fall: The Morning Walk to School How her 7-year-old fell hard while skipping in Crocs The mama moment of dusting him off and helping him up His profound realization: "I guess I shouldn't skip so fast" Why she knew he needed that fall to learn The parallel to recovery that changed her perspective Lindsey's Recovery Fall: The Painful Truth When she was lying to her treatment team about doing "the things" The internal defeat of results not matching actions One side wanting weight gain, the other side feeling betrayed and terrified Beating herself up for not being "further along" The turning point: getting real and honest with herself Why that fall propelled her forward more than smooth sailing ever could The Figure Skating Metaphor: Landing the Double Loop Falling over and over trying to land her first double loop jump How each fall taught her something new (angle, timing, fear, adjustment) Why it became her favorite jump BECAUSE of the falls, not in spite of them The parallel: recovery is learning a jump you've never done before The Shame of Falling in Recovery Why Blake was embarrassed when he fell (other kids watching, teacher saw) The truth: shame isn't about the fall, it's what you make it mean about you Your fall doesn't mean you're a failure, weak, or not worth the effort It just means you're learning Why Lindsey eventually saw her falls as necessary How falls are setups for breakthroughs, not just setbacks You Are Right Where You Need to Be Not where you want to be, but where you need to be You can't skip ahead or bypass the lesson The truth: you can't change what you won't acknowledge You can't heal what you won't feel You can't grow without falling The fall isn't the end of your story - it's the beginning of your breakthrough Key Takeaways: ✨ Sometimes the fall is required - without it, we wouldn't learn any other way ✨ Falls aren't failures, they're required education - each one teaches you something ✨ Shame isn't about the fall - it's about what you're making the fall mean about you ✨ You are right where you need to be - not where you want to be, but exactly where you need to be to learn and grow ✨ You can't change what you won't acknowledge - getting honest is the first step to getting back up ✨ The fall is setup for your breakthrough - not a setback, but preparation for progress ✨ Recovery is learning a jump you've never done before - of course you're going to fall multiple times ✨ Staying stuck is its own kind of fall - it's just slower, more painful, and doesn't teach you anything ✨ You don't have to get up alone - reach out for help, let someone stoop down to your level Powerful Quotes from This Episode: "Sometimes the fall is required. Not because I want you to hurt, but because without the fall, we wouldn't learn any other way" "I guess I shouldn't skip so fast to school" - Blake, age 7 "I was telling everyone I was doing the things, but in reality I wasn't because I was scared" "The results weren't matching my actions and I felt so defeated internally" "One side of me wanted weight gain because I knew I needed it. The other side felt betrayed and terrified" "That fall was my turning point. Once I got real and honest with myself, I could finally do something about it" "I fell SO many times trying to land that double loop. It became my favorite jump not in spite of the falls, but BECAUSE of them" "The falls weren't failures. The falls were required education" "The shame isn't about the fall. The shame is about what you're making the fall mean about you" "Your fall doesn't mean you're a failure. It just means you're learning" "I eventually saw my falls as necessa

Girlfriend, maybe you've been struggling with disordered eating for decades and you don't want to put your life on hold to go into a full-blown treatment facility. Maybe you have kids at home, aging parents to care for, or a career you can't walk away from. Or maybe you don't even know what options are available, so you just stay stuck thinking you'll manage it all by yourself. Girl, you weren't meant to do this alone. In this episode, host Lindsey Nichol breaks down the 6 different levels of eating disorder treatment and care - from outpatient support to acute medical stabilization - so you can understand what's available and what might be best for YOUR unique situation and life circumstances. Lindsey shares her own treatment journey through IOP and day treatment, and why finding the right level of care that fits your life is so important. Whether you're a busy mom, working woman, caregiver, or someone who simply can't leave home for residential treatment, this episode will help you understand all your options - including recovery coaching as a personalized support option. You deserve a life free from the chains of disordered eating. And it starts with knowing what treatment options are out there. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The 6 Levels of Eating Disorder Treatment: Level 1: Outpatient Care What it is: Weekly sessions with a care team while living at home Who it's for: Those deemed medically stable who need ongoing support What's included: Dietitian, therapist, medical doctor, support groups Best for: Maintaining school, work, family life while getting treatment Level 2: Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) What it is: Multiple sessions per week in specialized settings Where it happens: Treatment centers or hospitals What's included: Group therapy, individual therapy, structured programming Lindsey's experience: This is where she spent the majority of her recovery Level 3: Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) / Day Treatment What it is: 5-6 days per week, 6-8 hours per day Structure: More intensive than outpatient, includes meals and therapies What happens: You return home in the evenings Lindsey's experience: Combined with IOP while in school - included therapies and support groups Level 4: Residential Treatment What it is: 24-hour care and supervision (inpatient experience) Who it's for: Those medically stable but requiring intensive support Where it happens: Medical hospitals, centers, or homelike facilities Structure: Full-time structured environment with comprehensive care Level 5: Inpatient Hospitalization What it is: Most appropriate for high-intensity medical/psychiatric needs Structure: 24-hour medical psychiatric facility Who it's for: Those not responding to other treatments, experiencing self-harm, severe depression, or needing intensive medical oversight Level 6: Acute Medical Stabilization What it is: The highest level of critical care for eating disorders Who it's for: Those medically unstable due to severity or medical complications Primary focus: Physical stabilization before moving to other treatment levels Plus: Recovery Coaching as a Treatment Option What it is: One-on-one virtual support for guided accountability and actionable recovery steps Who it's for: Those who can't or won't go into residential but need support How it works: Weekly sessions focused on action, not diagnosis Can be layered: Works alongside therapy, dietitian, and medical care Key Takeaways: ✨ Treatment is personalized - what works for someone else may not work for you, and that's okay ✨ You don't have to choose residential - there are multiple levels of care that allow you to stay home ✨ Recovery is NOT black and white - you can get support at various levels based on your life circumstances ✨ You weren't meant to do this alone - even if you can't go to residential, you need SOME level of support ✨ Everyone's recovery is their own - your journey is unique and valid regardless of which level of care you choose ✨ Recovery coaching is a valid option - especially when layered with other care team members ✨ You owe you, sister - putting yourself first isn't selfish, it's necessary ✨ More options exist now - compared to years ago, there are so many more treatment options available Powerful Quotes from This Episode: "You deserve a life that's free from the chains of disordered eating" "Maybe you don't even know what options are available for you, so you just stay here thinking you're gonna manage it all by yourself" "Everyone's recovery is your recovery. Your journey is your journey" "What's best for you might not be best for me. What worked for me might not work for someone else" "You weren't meant to do life alone. You definitely weren't meant to do the hard things alone" "You owe you, sister" "It's not black and white. There's so many other options" "What matters is that you're standing up for you" "You are worth it. You deserve it" "Everyone else in your life is gonna benefit when you can start putting you first" Im

Happy Halloween, girlfriend! But let's talk about what's TRULY scary - the lies your eating disorder has been telling you that keep you trapped, paralyzed, and missing out on your life. In this special Halloween episode, host Lindsey Nichol unmasks the 5 scariest stories your eating disorder tells you and reveals why they're complete fiction. If you're a woman over 40 who's been haunted by food fears, candy panic, and the belief that you've been struggling "too long" to ever find freedom, this episode is your wake-up call. Lindsey shares her own triggering Halloween experience - dressing up as a plastic surgery victim in her mid-20s, complete with bandages and circles marking her "imperfections" - and how that costume revealed just how deep her denial really was. Then she walks you through each scary story, debunking the lies and replacing them with truth. This isn't just a Halloween episode. This is permission to finally unmask your eating disorder and step into the freedom you deserve - no matter your age, no matter how long you've been struggling. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Lindsey's Halloween Confession: Why Halloween was always triggering (candy panic, food fear, restriction spirals) The plastic surgery victim costume story that revealed her denial How eating disorders convince you the horror show is normal The moment she realized she was literally wearing her body dysmorphia as a costume The 5 Scary Stories (Lies) Your ED Tells You: Scary Story #1: "If I Eat Candy, I'll Lose All Control" Why restriction and deprivation CREATE the loss of control How scarcity breeds obsession and leads to binging The truth about trusting yourself around "forbidden" foods What you're really missing when you avoid Halloween treats with your family Scary Story #2: "I'll Gain Weight Immediately If I Stop Restricting" Why your body is not a calculator waiting to punish you The truth about initial weight fluctuation during healing How restriction has NEVER given you the body you thought it would What set point really means and why fighting it exhausts you Scary Story #3: "I Can't Trust Myself Around Food" Why you've forgotten what trust feels like after years of external rules How every restriction reinforces the lie that you're not capable What you're modeling for your kids or grandkids when you don't trust yourself The truth: trust is rebuilt one choice at a time Scary Story #4: "Everyone Will Judge Me If I Gain Weight (And So Will I)" The double lie: external judgment + internal harsh critic Why the people who matter want you PRESENT, not perfect What people are actually judging (your obsession, not your body) The scary truth: you're already miserable, the ED isn't protecting you FROM misery Scary Story #5: "I've Been Struggling So Long, I'll Probably Always Be This Way" Why the length of time struggling has NOTHING to do with recovery potential The truth for women in their 40s, 50s, 60s+ finding freedom Why "I wish I had started sooner" means TODAY is your sooner How to stop wasting one more Halloween believing this is your fate The Unmasking: Why you're exhausted from wearing the ED mask How to stop hiding and pretending this is sustainable What it means to take off the costume and show up as your real self The truth about who you are underneath the eating disorder Key Takeaways: ✨ The ED convinces you the horror show is normal - it puts a mask over your eyes so you can't see reality ✨ Fear of losing control actually CREATES loss of control - restriction is what makes you feel out of control ✨ Your body has a set point - fighting against it is what's exhausting you, not the weight itself ✨ You CAN trust yourself - but trust is rebuilt one choice at a time after years of external rules ✨ The people who matter want you present, not perfect - they're judging your obsession, not your body ✨ It's NOT too late - recovery is possible at ANY age after ANY amount of time struggling ✨ You're already miserable - the ED isn't protecting you from misery, it IS the misery ✨ Today is your "sooner" - stop waiting for the perfect time to unmask and get free Powerful Quotes from This Episode: "These aren't the fun kind of scary stories. These are the lies that keep you trapped." "I was literally wearing my body dysmorphia as a costume" "Your fear of losing control is actually what creates the loss of control" "You've spent DECADES restricting and you STILL don't have the body you thought restriction would give you" "You're trading temporary weight fluctuation for permanent freedom - and that's the best trade you'll ever make" "Every time you follow a rule instead of listening to your body, you're telling yourself 'I can't handle freedom'" "The people who matter don't care about your body size. The people who care about your body size don't matter" "You're ALREADY miserable. The eating disorder isn't protecting you from misery - it IS the misery" "The length of time you've been struggling has NOTHING to do with whether you can recover

Girlfriend, it's time for some real talk. If you keep saying you want recovery but your actions don't match your words, this episode is your wake-up call. Host Lindsey Nichol delivers tough love with compassion as she breaks down the truth: there are two types of people in this world - those with reasons and those with results. Which one are you? In this powerful episode, Lindsey shares her own struggle with desperately wanting recovery while still restricting, lying to her treatment team, and choosing the "safe" option every single time. She'll teach you how one simple shift - replacing "I can't" with "I won't" - can completely transform your recovery journey by helping you own your choices and reclaim your power. If you're tired of making excuses, breaking promises to yourself, and staying stuck in the same cycle, this is the episode that will challenge you to finally show up for yourself and your family. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The Two Types of People Framework: Those with REASONS vs those with RESULTS - which one are you? Why having a list of excuses keeps you stuck in disordered eating patterns How to shift from wanting recovery to DOING recovery The "I Can't" vs "I Won't" Truth Bomb: Why "I can't" gives away your power and keeps you playing victim How replacing "I can't" with "I won't" creates awareness and ownership The massive difference between these two phrases in your recovery journey Lindsey's Personal Story: When she desperately wanted to get better but her actions didn't match How she was still restricting while saying she wanted freedom The moment she realized she was tired of her own BS and didn't want to be a statistic What finally shifted her from reasons to results The Reality Check You Need: Why your fear isn't protecting you - it's imprisoning you How every broken promise reinforces the belief that you can't trust yourself The truth about what breaking promises is really doing to your recovery Key Takeaways: ✨ There are two types of people: those with reasons and those with results - you get to choose which one you'll be ✨ "I can't" is a lie - what you really mean is "I won't" and that's a choice you have power over ✨ Wanting recovery and DOING recovery are completely different things - listening to podcasts isn't the same as taking action ✨ You cannot want recovery more than you want the eating disorder - your actions reveal what you truly want ✨ Your recovery isn't just for you - it's for your family too - they need to see you model what keeping promises looks like ✨ Every action you take is a vote for who you're becoming - what are you voting for today? Powerful Quotes from This Episode: "Recovery isn't happening because you keep breaking promises to yourself" "There are two types of people in this world - those with reasons and those with results" "Every time you say 'I can't,' what you really mean is 'I won't'" "My desires and my future wants didn't match my daily actions" "I was tired of my own BS. I didn't want to be a statistic" "Wanting recovery and DOING recovery are two completely different things" "Your fear is not protecting you. It's imprisoning you" "You cannot want recovery more than you want the eating disorder" "Your family can't see what you're not modeling" "You are one decision away from a completely different life" "Those with reasons stay stuck. Those with results change their lives" Featured Wisdom: Brené Brown: "You either walk inside your story and own it, or you stand outside your story and hustle for your worthiness." James Clear (Atomic Habits): "Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become." Mel Robbins: "You are one decision away from a completely different life." Important Truth: Did you know? Eating disorders have the HIGHEST mortality rate of any mental illness. This isn't small. This is life and death. If you're stuck in the cycle of wanting recovery but not doing recovery, it's time to get honest about what's at stake. Your Two Challenges (Do Them NOW): Challenge #1: The "I Won't" Awareness Exercise For the next 24 hours, every time you catch yourself saying "I can't," PAUSE. Take a breath. Replace it with "I won't." Examples: "I can't eat that" → "I won't eat that" "I can't rest today" → "I won't rest today" "I can't be honest right now" → "I won't be honest right now" Notice how different that FEELS. When you admit it's a choice, you suddenly have the power to make a different one. Challenge #2: Make ONE Promise and Keep It Just ONE. Not ten. Not a complete recovery overhaul. ONE promise. Maybe it's: "I will eat breakfast tomorrow, even if it scares me" "I will take a rest day this week" "I will order something different at the restaurant" "I will tell my therapist one true thing I've been hiding" Write it down. Then DO IT. Prove to yourself that you're someone who keeps promises. Reflection Questions to Journal On: What excuses have I been using to avoid recovery? Where is the gap between what I SAY I want and wh

Girlfriend, if you're tired of the never-ending cycle of body checking, comparing yourself to everyone around you, and feeling trapped in a body you don't recognize, this episode is for you. Host Lindsey Nichol breaks down the 4 categories of body image according to the National Eating Disorder Collaboration and walks you through practical exercises to challenge the negative body ideals that are keeping you stuck. In This Episode, You'll Discover: The 4 Categories of Body Image: Perceptual - The way you SEE your body Affective - The way you FEEL about your body (shape, weight, emotions) Cognitive - The way you THINK about your body Behavioral - How you REACT and engage based on the first three Plus, You'll Learn: How to identify where your "body ideal" came from (and why it might not be real) The truth about social media comparison and "comparisonitis" Why achieving your ideal body still won't make you feel "enough" How conditioning from a young age programmed false beliefs about your body The difference between focusing on being skinny vs. focusing on strength and health Practical ways to shift from body dissatisfaction to body appreciation Key Takeaways: ✨ You are NOT your body - Your body is a vessel, not your identity ✨ Body ideals are conditioned, not truth - Society programmed you to believe skinny is good and fat is bad ✨ Your true beauty is who you are WITHOUT restrictive behaviors ✨ Choice is your superpower - You can choose appreciation right now, today ✨ You can change the way you see, feel, and think about your body - And that changes everything Powerful Exercises to Try Today: 1. The Body Ideal Inventory Write out every detail of your "perfect body." Then ask yourself: Where did this image come from? Is there a specific person (celebrity, friend, family member) that comes to mind? Has social media contributed to this ideal? Would I care about this if I lived alone on an island with no one to compare myself to? 2. The Appreciation Practice Today, look at someone in your life without judging or comparing their body to yours. Find ONE thing you can admire or appreciate about their body. Then reflect on what this reveals about your own body ideals. 3. The Mirror Challenge Look at yourself face-to-face in the mirror and say OUT LOUD: "I am willing to do the hard things. I am willing to make changes in my life. I may not be seeing what is real and true because of false distortion, but I can choose right now to appreciate, respect, and care for me regardless." 4. The Reframe Exercise Choose one body part you criticize. Now reframe it - what can you appreciate about this part? Just like you appreciated something about someone else, extend that same grace to yourself. 5. The Shift from Skinny to Strong Instead of idolizing being skinny, focus on STRENGTH. Instead of weighing less, focus on HEALTH. What would change in your life if you made this shift? Questions to Journal On: What would my ideal body be if I had no one to compare myself to? Would I be restricting food if I lived on an island alone? At what point in my life did someone make me feel "less than" about my body? What if this belief I've held for so long isn't even true - just a programmed distortion? What do I want to be KNOWN for beyond my appearance? Who am I outside of my body? What can I appreciate about myself RIGHT NOW? Powerful Quotes from This Episode: "You are not your body. Your body is a vessel." "Comparisonitis is real and it's poison to your being" "Your true beauty is who you are without restrictive behaviors" "You can be 80 pounds or 400 pounds and you're still YOU" "What if this belief in your heart that you've been believing for so long is not even true?" "Do you not know that your body is a temple? You were bought at a price. Honor your body to honor your creator." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Who This Episode Is For: This episode is for you if you're: Tired of the never-ending cycle of disordered eating Sick of restricting some days and eating other days Done with the shame game and feeling "not good enough" Exhausted from hating your body while simultaneously punishing it Ready to stop comparing your body to everyone around you Wanting to feel happy, confident, and empowered in your skin Wondering if body acceptance is even possible after years of struggle Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 - "Do you not know that your body is a temple? You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Honor your body to honor your creator." Resources & Next Steps: Join the Community: Connect with other women on the recovery journey in Lindsey's private Facebook community - www.herbsestselfsociety.com ! Work with Lindsey: Ready for one-on-one support? Lindsey offers personalized recovery coaching. Visit www.herbestself.co/services to book a complimentary consultation and see if coaching is the right fit for you. Take Action: Grab your journal, do the exercises from this episode, and share your insights in the Her Best Self Facebook

What if I told you that the eating disorder you're battling isn't really about food at all—it's about rejection? In this deeply personal episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my own rejection story and how those painful moments shaped my relationship with food, my body, and control. From being told to "get in line by size" at dance practice to corporate disappointments and broken friendships, I'm sharing the rejection wounds that led me down the path of disordered eating. Here's the truth: perfectionism is rejection prevention. It's the way your brain tries to avoid the emotional trauma of feeling "not enough." And your eating disorder? It offers the illusion of protection—a false comfort that promises to fix everything and prevent future rejection. But the only thing it really does is lead to the deepest rejection of all: rejecting your own worthiness. Today, we're dissecting rejection together. I'm meeting you in that painful place so you can discover what I've learned: your rejection story can become your redemption story. Rejection isn't the end—it's God's protection, His redirection, and often the most powerful motivator for transformation. If you've been shrinking yourself to fit into spaces you were rejected from, this episode is your invitation to take up space again, feel free again, and reject the rejection that was never yours to carry. What You'll Learn: [02:30] The moment everything changed: My dance practice rejection story and how one comment shifted my entire relationship with my body [05:00] Why perfectionism is actually rejection prevention—and how it fuels your eating disorder [07:15] The cycle that keeps you stuck: Fear of rejection → False control → Isolation → Disordered eating behaviors → Reinforced rejection fears [09:45] How early experiences shape your relationship with safety (and why you desperately want to be seen, heard, and loved) [12:00] Protection strategies your brain uses: Numbing through restriction, creating physical armor through body changes, food rituals as predictable comfort [15:30] My personal rejection timeline: From Disney on Ice to corporate promotions, college boyfriends to broken friendships—the moments that shaped my story [18:00] The powerful reframe: Rejection is God's protection and redirection. What would you have missed if those doors had stayed open? [20:30] How recovered people reject rejection—practical steps to heal and move forward [23:00] The three questions to ask when rejection voices show up: "So what? Says who? Who cares?" Key Takeaways: 💔 Perfectionism = Rejection Prevention: Your eating disorder isn't about food. It's your brain's attempt to avoid the pain of feeling "not enough." 🔄 The Rejection Cycle: Fear of rejection leads to false control (food/body manipulation), which leads to isolation, which reinforces rejection fears, which prevents you from being seen, heard, and loved. ✨ Rejection → Redemption: Your rejection story matters because it can become your redemption story. Every painful moment can be transformed into power. 🚪 If those doors had stayed open, what would you have missed? Rejection is often God's redirection toward a better path you couldn't have imagined. 🛡️ Protection Strategies Keeping You Stuck: Numbing emotional pain through food restriction Creating physical armor through weight manipulation Using food rituals as predictable comfort Turning inward to "fix" things that don't need fixing 💪 Recovered People Reject Rejection: They show up imperfectly, embrace progress over perfection, create healthy boundaries, build self-trust, and sit with uncomfortable emotions. 🎯 The Most Powerful Truth: No one needs to like you but you. You are approved by God who created you and put a seal of worthiness on your birth certificate. You're not rejected—you're redeemed. Reflection Questions for Your Journal: 📝 What are your rejection stories? What moments made you feel unseen, unheard, or unloved? 📝 How did those rejections shape your relationship with food and your body? When did you start "the exhausting project of trying to shrink yourself"? 📝 What parts of yourself have you rejected? Movement you loved? Activities that brought joy? Nourishment? Rest? Connection? 📝 If those doors had stayed open, what would you have missed? What blessings came from closed doors? 📝 What rejection are you still carrying that isn't yours? What old wound keeps replaying as current truth? Action Steps: ✍️ Write out your rejection story. This isn't to create trauma—it's to find freedom in laying it down, forgiving it, and moving forward. 🗣️ Practice the three questions: Next time rejection voices show up ("you're not good enough," "you can't eat that"), respond with: "So what? Says who? Who cares?" 🔄 Reframe your rejections: List your biggest rejections, then write what you would have missed if those doors had stayed open. 💪 Start doing the next right thing: Show up imperfectly, embrace progress over perfection, create healthy boundaries,

If you're in the thick of eating disorder recovery right now and wondering if it's ever going to get easier, this episode is for you. Maybe you had a rough week with food. Maybe you're exhausted from fighting the same battles in your head every single day. Maybe you're wondering if recovery is even worth it because right now it just feels so incredibly hard. In this episode, Lindsey gets real about hard times in recovery and shares a truth that will change how you see your struggle: there are only three possible outcomes when you're going through something hard, and what you choose determines everything about your recovery and your future. This isn't a "just think positive" pep talk. This is truth-telling, no-nonsense guidance about why hard times don't last forever—but only if you refuse to stay stuck in them. If you're ready to stop waiting for recovery to magically get easier and start building the resilience you need to actually get better, this episode will show you how. What You'll Learn: The only 3 possible outcomes when you're in a hard season of recovery (and why understanding this changes everything) Why quitting doesn't actually end the hard time—it just makes it last longer The difference between "it getting better" and "you getting better" (and why only one leads to lasting freedom) How to stop waiting for circumstances to change and start actively participating in your own healing Why hard times only end when you decide they end—not when you feel ready How to make decisions from your healed self instead of your wounded self What it really means to move through hard times instead of staying stuck in them The 3 Outcomes of Hard Times: Outcome #1: You Quit Quitting looks like going back to restriction because it feels safer. It's skipping meals after a bad body image day. It's choosing what's familiar over what will set you free. When you quit moving forward, the hard time doesn't end—it just becomes your new normal. Outcome #2: It Gets Better Sometimes circumstances change and the external situation improves. But if YOU don't change? You're just waiting for the next hard time to come along. You'll always be one comment away from spiraling, one trigger away from old patterns. Outcome #3: You Get Better This is where your power lives. This is where transformation happens. When YOU get better, you learn to nourish your body even when you don't feel deserving. You challenge food rules. You sit with emotions instead of controlling them through food or exercise. You make decisions from your healed self. Key Takeaways: ✨ Hard times don't last forever—but they also don't end just because you want them to. They end when you choose to move through them. ✨ There are only 3 outcomes: you quit, it gets better, or you get better. Only one leads to lasting freedom. ✨ When you quit, the hard time doesn't disappear—it just continues and becomes your normal. ✨ Relying on circumstances to improve keeps you at the mercy of triggers and external situations. ✨ You getting better means actively participating in your own healing, not just hoping things change. ✨ The hard time becomes your identity when you refuse to move forward—it becomes who you are instead of something you're moving through. ✨ Choosing to get better is hard, but staying stuck is harder. Wake up a year from now in the same place or choose to do the work now. Powerful Quotes from This Episode: "Hard times don't last forever. They don't. But only if you refuse to stay stuck in them." "Hard times end when you decide they end. Not when circumstances are perfect. Not when you feel ready. Not when it's easy. They end when you decide to keep moving forward even when it's hard." "When you quit, the hard time doesn't actually end. It just continues. It stretches out. It becomes your new normal." "When YOU get better, it doesn't matter as much what the circumstances are. When YOU get better, you have tools to work through triggers." "You don't have to stay here. You don't have to live in this hard time forever. But you do have to choose to move through it." "The hard time you're in right now? It's not forever. It's not your ending. It's not your identity. It's just a chapter. And you get to write what comes next." Real Talk: This episode delivers no-nonsense truth: the eating disorder wants you to believe you'll always feel this way, but that's a lie. You don't have to stay stuck. But you do have to choose outcome #3—to get better. That means showing up when you don't feel like it, doing the opposite of what the disorder tells you, and trusting the process even when you can't see results yet. What's harder than doing the work? Waking up years from now still fighting the same battles because you never chose to get better. Questions to Ask Yourself: Am I quitting on myself in this moment? Am I waiting for circumstances to change, or am I choosing to change? Am I making decisions from my healed self or my wounded self? What would it look like for ME to get better

You're at a family dinner. Someone makes a comment about your body or what's on your plate. Suddenly your chest is tight, your mind is racing, and you're already planning tomorrow's restriction or extra workout. Sound familiar? In this episode, Lindsey Nichol gives you a real-time, actionable game plan for working through triggers as they happen—not tomorrow, not after the holidays, but RIGHT NOW. Whether it's an upcoming holiday gathering, a comment from a loved one, or scrolling social media, you'll learn exactly what to do in those moments when you feel completely out of control. Lindsey walks you through six powerful steps to move through triggering situations without falling back into restriction, over-exercising, or shame spirals. This isn't theory—this is practical, do-it-now guidance that will help you act from your healed self instead of your wounded self. What You'll Learn: Why your body's physical response to triggers is actually giving you valuable information The 6-step method to work through any triggering situation in real-time How to identify what your body and emotions are actually asking for (hint: it's not restriction) The "Act As If Now" principle that changes everything about how you respond to triggers A real client story of working through a triggering family gathering Why you have to stop operating from your unhealed self and start making decisions from freedom Key Takeaways: ✨ Your body isn't broken—it's trying to protect you based on old experiences that aren't happening right now ✨ You can't heal what you won't feel—naming your emotions is essential to moving through triggers ✨ The emotions you feel during triggers exist because they once kept you safe, but you get to choose differently now ✨ What would your best self do? Your future self who's already free? Act as if you're already her—because you are ✨ One triggering moment doesn't define your recovery—how you respond does The 6-Step Trigger Game Plan: Notice Your Body - Is your chest tight? Shoulders tense? Jaw clenched? Your body is giving you information Breathe - Hand on belly, breathe in for 4 counts, out for 6. Create space between the trigger and your reaction Name the Sensation - Where is the tension? The tightness? The heaviness? What is your body saying? Name the Emotion - I feel scared. Sad. Ashamed. Out of control. Unworthy. Name it out loud Compassion - That emotion exists because it once kept you safe. Your body is being reminded of an old experience. Give yourself grace Meet Your Now Needs - What do you need right now? A break? A phone call? Food? To do the opposite action? Then ACT AS IF you're already recovered Powerful Quotes from This Episode: "What you do in the next few minutes after you feel triggered will either keep you stuck in the same cycle or move you one step closer to the freedom you're desperately craving." "You can't heal what you won't feel." "That old experience isn't happening right now. You're not that little girl anymore who learned she had to earn love or approval." "Stop operating from your unhealed self. Stop letting the wounds make the decisions. Stop letting the fear drive the bus." "You ARE that future version of yourself. She's not some distant dream. She's you—making the next right choice in this moment." Ready for More Support? If you need help working through triggers and breaking free from the restrict-binge cycle, join The Recovery Collective—Lindsey's group support program where you get live weekly coaching, a supportive community, and the exact tools you need to find lasting food freedom. Learn more at: www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective Connect with Lindsey Website: www.herbestself.co Private Facebook Community: Her Best Self Society www.herbestselfsociety.com 1:1 Client Applications: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms Love this episode? Here's how you can support: 💝 Rate and review to help more perfectionists find freedom 💝 Share with a friend who's stuck in the perfection trap 💝 Join the Facebook community for recovery hugs and support 💝 Apply for 1:1 coaching if you're ready for personalized guidance Special Announcements: Subscribe to the email list at www.herbestself.co to get first access 🎉 Free FB Community at www.herbestselfsociety.com If You're Reading This and Struggling: You don't have to be perfect at recovery. You don't have to check all the boxes. You don't have to be further along than you are. Success is showing up today, even when yesterday was hard. Success is choosing growth over perfection. Success is becoming who you're meant to be, not achieving some impossible standard. You are worthy. You are strong. You are perfectly capable right now, today, to lean into the biggest struggle of your life. Consider this your virtual hug from Lindsey. You've got this, beautiful. 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 c

In this insightful conversation originally recorded with dietitian Brittany Braswell on Faith-Filled Food Freedom podcast, I open up about the restrict-binge cycle that keeps so many women trapped—saving calories all day only to overeat at night. This episode dismantles the myth that it's about willpower and reveals the biological and spiritual truths behind this destructive pattern. What You'll Learn Why saving calories backfires: Understanding the biological response to restriction and how scarcity thinking drives the restrict-binge cycle The worthiness wound: How diet culture has taught women they need to earn, ration, and delay food instead of deserving consistent nourishment Lindsey's personal story: Her years-long struggle with anorexia and calculating every meal, and how she found freedom Practical action steps: Four concrete strategies to start eating earlier in the day and breaking the restrict-binge pattern Identity in Christ: How knowing you're fearfully and wonderfully made changes how you treat your body as a temple Key Takeaways ✨ The restrict-binge cycle is biological, not about willpower - When you don't eat enough during the day, your body forces a response ✨ Scarcity thinking is rooted in worthiness issues - Diet culture has taught us food must be earned, rationed, and controlled rather than something we deserve consistently ✨ Comfort isn't the goal, freedom is - Breaking the cycle requires doing uncomfortable opposite actions ✨ Ask yourself: Is this decision from fear or love? - If you're making food choices out of fear, that's a signal to do the opposite ✨ You are fearfully and wonderfully made - Your identity is larger than the vessel you came here with Practical Strategies Discussed 1. Combat the Lie of Unworthiness Recognize you are deserving of good things NOW, not later Your worth is tied to being made in God's image—period Feelings aren't facts when you feel undeserving 2. Set New Non-Negotiables Create mechanical eating boundaries (2-3 meals + snacks) regardless of hunger cues Commit to eating 1-2 hours earlier than your current pattern Make a specific plan: What time? What food? Write it down. 3. Do the Opposite Action When the voice says "wait until later," immediately do the opposite Rewire your brain by not taking orders from "Regina George" anymore Break the rules that keep you trapped—the world won't fall apart 4. Start with Half Portions Earlier If eating a full meal earlier feels overwhelming, start with half Build consistency with small steps, not overnight overhauls Change happens with consistent small actions 5. Get Logical About Time Challenge arbitrary eating times—it's already mealtime somewhere else in the world Do the hard thing first to get it out of the way Make concrete plans, not optional intentions Powerful Quotes "You were created by God, made in His image, and you are so worthy of love and nourishment—period. There's no arguing, no bargaining about that." "Comfort isn't the goal. Freedom is the goal." "Your body deserves consistent fuel. What would I tell my daughter, my best friend, you over coffee? I would never tell you that you can't have that coffee because there's cream in it." "Is this decision coming from a place of fear or a place of love? If it's fear, pluck that thought." "God's grace is built from abundance. Your identity is something larger than the vessel that you came here with." Key Questions for Reflection What am I believing that is false? What do I know is true when I'm feeling I don't deserve nourishment? What rules am I following that I need to break? Am I making this decision out of fear or out of love? What does my body deserve right now? About This Episode This conversation was originally recorded as a guest appearance on Brittany Braswell's podcast, Faith-Filled Food Freedom. Adapted and shared with the Her Best Self Podcast community because the message was too powerful not to share with you. Resources & Links Join The Recovery Collective Ready to break free from the restrict-binge cycle for good? The Recovery Collective is Lindsey Nichol's signature group support program where you'll get the support, strategies, and community you need to finally find freedom. Inside The Recovery Collective, you'll receive: Every other week group coaching calls with Lindsey A proven framework to break disordered eating patterns A supportive community of women on the same journey Practical tools and resources for lasting recovery Biblical foundation for healing your relationship with food and body Learn more and join The Recovery Collective at www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective Connect with Lindsey Nichol Website: www.herbestself.co One-on-One Coaching: Limited spots available - apply at herbestself.co Facebook: www.herbestselfsociety.com Connect with Brittany Braswell Check out Faith-Filled Food Freedom podcast for more faith-based nutrition and food freedom content at www.brittanybraswellrd.com ___________________________ If this episode hel

In this powerful episode, host Lindsey Nichol explores the dual nature of distraction in eating disorder recovery—how it can either support your healing journey or keep you trapped in unhealthy patterns. Drawing wisdom from Proverbs, Lindsey breaks down when distraction becomes a helpful tool versus when it's a form of avoidance that prevents true recovery. What You'll Learn The two faces of distraction: Understanding when distraction works for you versus against you in recovery Identifying unhealthy distractions: Recognizing when you're using circumstances, people, or timing as excuses to deprioritize your healing Strategic distraction techniques: Practical ways to interrupt urges for compulsive exercise, body checking, restrictive eating, and other disordered behaviors The "Stop, Drop, and Go" method: How to immediately shift your environment when triggering urges arise Questions for self-reflection: What your soul, body, and mind truly need in this moment Key Takeaways ✨ Distraction can be leveraged temporarily to prevent unhealthy actions—like reaching out to support, journaling, changing your environment, or having a dance party ✨ Unhealthy distraction looks like telling yourself "now isn't the right time" or using life circumstances to avoid recovery work ✨ Common urges to distract from include: compulsive exercise, repetitive safe foods, body checking in mirrors, scale obsession, and other OCD-like behaviors ✨ The "messy middle" of recovery is normal—that awkward phase where you're better than before but haven't fully arrived ✨ Important questions to ask yourself: How can I honor myself right now? What does my soul need? What does my body need? What does my mind need? Episode Quotes "Guard your heart above all else for it determines the course of your life. Look straight ahead and fix your eyes on what lies before you." - Proverbs "Nothing good, including progress, occurs when you're confused or when you're completely sidetracked." "If today is not a good day for this, then when is going to be a good day to put yourself first, to put your health first?" "A distraction is simply a thing that prevents you from giving your complete attention to something else." Healthy Distraction Ideas Mentioned Reaching out to your support person (friend, family, coach, therapist) Leaving the triggering environment immediately Journaling and reflection Self-care and pampering activities Getting fresh air (sitting on a park bench, going outside) Dancing to music on blast Household activities (vacuuming, organizing) Spending quality time with loved ones Watching comforting shows with cozy blankets Reading Scripture or inspirational material Resources Mentioned Work with Lindsey: One-on-one personalized recovery coaching available at www.herbestself.co Join the Community: Private Facebook group "Hope and Healing for Eating Disorder Recovery" www.herbestselfsociety.com Recovery Collective Support Group: www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 1:1 Client Applications: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms Love this episode? Here's how you can support: 💝 Rate and review to help more perfectionists find freedom 💝 Share with a friend who's stuck in the perfection trap 💝 Join the Facebook community for recovery hugs and support 💝 Apply for 1:1 coaching if you're ready for personalized guidance Special Announcements: 🎉 Subscribe to the email list at www.herbestself.co to get your free recovery journal download 🎉 Free FB Community at www.herbestselfsociety.com About the Host Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. She understands how core beliefs formed in childhood can create and maintain eating disorder patterns, and she's passionate about helping women identify and transform these beliefs to find lasting freedom. If this episode helped you feel hopeful again and remember your worth isn't found in your body or on your plate, please share it with someone who needs to hear this message. Your support helps more women break the chains of limiting beliefs. *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.

Tired of waking up in reaction mode—immediately checking your body, obsessing over yesterday’s food choices, or spiraling into anxiety about what you’ll eat today? You’re not alone, and there’s a better way. In this episode, I’m sharing the exact 3-question ritual that helped me break free from the constant body checking and food obsession that kept me stuck in my eating disorder. This practice takes less than 5 minutes but will completely shift how you start your day—from reaction mode to intention mode. You’ll discover: - Why living in reaction mode keeps you trapped in your eating disorder’s grip - The neuroscience behind why this simple ritual actually works to rewire your brain - The 3 powerful questions I use every morning (and whenever I’m triggered) - How to shift from avoidance motivation to approach motivation in recovery - Specific examples of how to apply each question to eating disorder recovery - Why gratitude isn’t just “toxic positivity” when done right If you’re ready to stop giving your eating disorder the power to dictate your entire day, this quick win is for you. ----- **The 3-Question Ritual:** 1. What am I grateful for? (Look for evidence of goodness and progress) 1. What am I focused on gaining? (Move toward something, not away from fear) 1. What am I choosing to release? (Let go of what’s weighing you down) **From Reaction to Intention:** Your eating disorder thrives when you’re reactive. Intention gives you back your power. **Approach vs. Avoidance:** Research shows you’re significantly more likely to succeed when you focus on what you’re moving toward (freedom, energy, peace) rather than what you’re running from (weight gain, judgment, discomfort). **Start Small:** On hard days, “I’m grateful I woke up today” is enough. Progress over perfection, always. ----- Resources Mentioned: - **The Recovery Collective:** Bi-weekly community calls where we practice living recovery with intention together. Founding member pricing: $47/month for the first 6 months. Learn more and apply at www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective ----- Action Steps: **Grab your journal and answer these three questions right now:** 1. What are 3 things I’m grateful for? (At least one recovery-related) 1. What am I focused on gaining this week in my recovery? 1. What am I choosing to release today? **Commit to asking yourself these questions every morning this week** and notice how it shifts your day **Next time you catch yourself body checking or food obsessing,** pause and run through the 3 questions to ground yourself back in intention ----- Quotes from This Episode: *“Your eating disorder loves when you’re reactive—it feeds off your panic, your fear, your overwhelm. But when you start with intention, you take that power back.”* *“You can’t gain what you want while holding onto everything from your past. You can’t move forward while gripping tightly to old beliefs, old behaviors, old versions of yourself.”* *“When you’re living with intention instead of reaction, recovery becomes something you’re actively creating rather than something you’re just trying to survive.”* *“We’re not white-knuckling our way through recovery anymore. We’re intentionally choosing what we want to gain.”* *“Recovery is so much sweeter when you’re not white-knuckling it by yourself.”* Connect with Lindsey Website: www.herbestself.co Private Facebook Community: Her Best Self Society www.herbestselfsociety.com 1:1 Client Applications: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms Love this episode? Here's how you can support: 💝 Rate and review to help more perfectionists find freedom 💝 Share with a friend who's stuck in the perfection trap 💝 Join the Facebook community for recovery hugs and support 💝 Apply for 1:1 coaching if you're ready for personalized guidance Special Announcements: 🎉 Subscribe to the email list at www.herbestself.co to get your free recovery journal download 🎉 Free FB Community at www.herbestselfsociety.com About the Host Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. She understands how core beliefs formed in childhood can create and maintain eating disorder patterns, and she's passionate about helping women identify and transform these beliefs to find lasting freedom. If this episode helped you feel hopeful again and remember your worth isn't found in your body or on your plate, please share it with someone who needs to hear this message. Your support helps more women break the chains of limiting beliefs. *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.

What does success really mean in recovery? In this powerful solo episode, Lindsey gets real about perfectionism, the fear of success vs. fear of failure, and why trying to be an "A-student" at recovery keeps you stuck. If you've ever felt like you're not trying hard enough, not far enough along, or wondered what life would look like if you actually succeeded at recovery - this episode is for you. Discover why traditional definitions of success are keeping you trapped and learn a new perspective that will transform how you approach your recovery journey. Key Topics Covered: ⚡ The perfectionist's dilemma: Why wanting recovery to be flawless keeps you stuck ⚡ Two types of fear: Fear of failure vs. fear of success in recovery ⚡ Redefining success: From what you accomplish to who you become ⚡ The pressure of "A-student recovery": Why this mindset leads to relapse ⚡ Surrender and empowerment: Research on how letting go creates better outcomes ⚡ Daily choices over gold medals: Success when no one is watching The Two Fears That Keep You Stuck: Fear of Failure "What if I don't recover?" "What if this is just who I am?" Staying in denial feels safer because you can't fail if you stay stuck Believing you'll never be successful at recovery, so why try? Fear of Success "What if I do recover? Then what?" "What would it mean for my life if I quit playing small?" "What would it mean if I fully surrendered knowing it didn't need to be perfect?" Fear of the unknown person you'll become without your eating disorder Redefining Success: Traditional (False) Definition: Professional achievements and career advancement Material worth and financial status Luxurious lifestyle and social media image Social status, influence, and popularity Body image and physical appearance True Definition of Success: Success = Who you become in the process, not what you accomplish Success equals: Growth of character Developing skills and wisdom Growing in faith Constant growth leading to happiness and contentment Becoming your best self Powerful Questions for Self-Reflection: 🤔 Where do I spend my time and energy? Inner focused (to be better) or outer focused (to look better)? 🤔 Am I putting one foot in front of the other? Growing character and fostering positive changes? Isn't that success? 🤔 What would success look like if I lived in accordance with: My core values Resilience Grace Balance Faith 🤔 Am I being honest to myself and others? Or am I consumed by what other people think? 🤔 Am I contributing to the world or being consumed by it? Key Insights from This Episode: 💡 "Success doesn't equal full recovery - success equals your best self" 💡 "You don't get a PhD for healing - there's no 'better' way to heal than anyone else" 💡 "The most valuable thing you can make is a mistake - you can't learn anything from being perfect" 💡 "You weren't called to be perfect - you're just called to be better" 💡 "The more you surrender and let be, the higher you rise" 💡 "If you thought you're not gonna fail because you're just gonna keep going until you arrive, it takes the pressure off" Research Highlights: 📊 Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology: Individuals who surrendered to God or a higher power in recovery had increased feelings of personal empowerment and happiness 📊 Addiction Sciences and Clinical Practice: Surrender was associated with the highest positive recovery outcomes The Reality Check: ✨ You don't get applause for daily recovery choices ✨ There's no gold medal for healing ✨ Success is in the daily choices when no one is watching ✨ You're allowed to be perfectly flawed ✨ Constant growth leads to happiness and contentment ✨ The eating disorder doesn't know what to do when you surrender control From One Client's Story: A client came to Lindsey after a "bad day" expecting judgment. Instead, Lindsey asked: "Do you want me to sit in that pity party with you, or do you want me to ask: Where do we go from here? What's next?" The client's response: "You're right. I need to put this down. Tomorrow's a new day. I need to surrender this." This is true for you too. Moving Forward: Stop driving for perfection - it simply doesn't exist Embrace mistakes - they're where momentum comes from Measure small wins - daily progress over perfection Surrender control - to gain ultimate control, courage, acceptance, and trust Focus inward - character growth over external validation Ready for Community Support? Join The Recovery Collective! If you're tired of trying to be perfect at recovery, if you're caught between fear of failure and fear of success, if you want support from women who understand the pressure of high-performing perfectionism - The Recovery Collective is for you. What You'll Find: Bi-weekly 60-minute group coaching calls via Zoom Safe space of women who understand perfectionist struggles Permission to be imperfect in your recovery journey Support for navigating the "messy middle" of recovery Community that celebrates character growth over ach

In this powerful interview, Lindsey sits down with Brittany Braswell, a registered dietitian, food freedom coach, and host of Faith-Filled Food Freedom podcast. Brittany shares her unique approach to eating disorder recovery that integrates evidence-based nutrition with Christian faith, creating lasting transformation for women struggling with food guilt and body shame. In this episode you will discover practical strategies for menu planning without restriction, overcoming fear foods, and why having a strong faith foundation accelerates recovery progress. This episode is perfect for: Christian women in eating disorder recovery, anyone struggling with meal planning anxiety, and those seeking faith-based approaches to food freedom. Meet Brittany Braswell: 🎓 Registered Dietitian with 12+ years experience 🎤 Public Speaker and Podcast Host of Faith-Filled Food Freedom 💝 Specializes in: Food freedom and body image coaching for Christian women 🏡 Life: Wife and mom of three in small-town Alabama ✨ Mission: Helping women break free from food guilt and body shame through Christ-centered coaching Key Topics Covered: Brittany's Journey to Food Freedom How traditional nutrition education created food polarization Discovering the connection between restrictive teaching and client struggles Working in eating disorder treatment centers and seeing faith's impact Why evidence-based recovery + faith = faster, sustained progress The Power of Faith in Recovery Why bodies created by God respond better when we trust His design How faith provides a solid foundation vs. carrying recovery weight alone Breaking free from "A-student recovery" perfectionism Using truth to combat eating disorder lies Menu Planning vs. Meal Plans Meal Plans: Structured like a cast - helpful for stability during healing Menu Planning: Flexible approach focusing on available ingredients When to transition from rigid structure to intuitive flexibility Brittany's $5 menu board system for decision fatigue Practical Strategies Shared: Quick 5-Minute Meal Formula Brittany's Go-To Mexican Bowl: Canned black beans (protein) Microwaveable rice pouch Salsa for seasoning Shredded cheese Optional: pre-cooked shredded chicken from freezer Menu Planning Made Simple Create a "par stock" list of always-available ingredients Plan 3-4 flexible meals per week Use visual menu board with clip-on recipe cards Build in backup options for exhausting days Prep shredded chicken in bulk for quick protein Overcoming Fear Foods Get education about feared nutrients (challenge the lies) Use accountability - eat with others when possible Categorize fears: least scary → moderately scary → terrifying Start with least scary foods first Rename trigger words (carbs = "components" or "cactuses") Powerful Insights: 💡 "Our bodies were created by the Lord, so He knows them better than we do" 💡 "Clients who integrated faith made progress faster and sustained it longer" 💡 "You don't have to do recovery like an A-student - there's no perfect way" 💡 "Having a plan doesn't mean you can't be intuitive - it means ingredients are available when cravings hit" 💡 "Everything will feel scary first when incorporating new foods" Brittany's Definition of "Best Self": "Having total peace about saying no and setting boundaries" Learning that "no" is a complete sentence Prioritizing values over people-pleasing Creating margin in calendar to avoid anxiety and rushing Protecting time with family and serving clients authentically Why Faith + Nutrition Works: ✅ Provides solid foundation beyond personal willpower ✅ Offers truth to combat eating disorder lies ✅ Reduces pressure of carrying recovery weight alone ✅ Creates sustainable progress vs. white-knuckling ✅ Addresses identity and worth at the core level ✅ Prevents relapse behaviors from perfectionist pressure For Christian Women in Recovery: 🙏 Your faith matters in your food freedom journey 🙏 God designed your body and knows what it needs 🙏 Recovery doesn't have to be perfect - grace covers the messy middle 🙏 Community and accountability accelerate healing 🙏 Your identity is in Christ not in food control or body size 🙏 Boundaries are biblical and necessary for wholeness Connect with Brittany Braswell: 🎧 Podcast: Faith-Filled Food Freedom (wherever you listen to podcasts) 🌐 Website: www.brittanybraswellrd.com 📚 Free Resources: www.brittanybraswellrd.com/herbestself Free Resources Mentioned: Visit www.brittanybraswellrd.com/herbestself for: Simple menu planning strategies without restriction Guilt-free meal planning guides Related podcast episodes Faith-based recovery resources Key Takeaways: ✨ Menu planning can support intuitive eating when done flexibly ✨ Faith provides the foundation recovery needs to be sustainable ✨ Fear foods become manageable with education and gradual exposure ✨ Quick meal strategies prevent eating disorder thoughts from winning ✨ Accountability accelerates progress in recovery ✨ Boundaries protect your recovery and honor

If you've been fighting eating disorder recovery for 10, 20, or even 40+ years, this episode is specifically for you. You've probably been to therapy, worked with dietitians, read all the books, and know more about nutrition than most professionals - but you're still struggling. Why? In this deeply personal episode, I'm sharing real stories from women who've been in this battle for decades and revealing the missing piece that most traditional treatment approaches overlook. Plus, I'm introducing something I've been dreaming about for months that goes beyond individual therapy to address what your recovery journey might actually need. If you've ever thought "I should be over this by now" or "I can't keep doing this alone," this episode will remind you that you're not broken - you just might need a different approach. What You'll Learn: Why traditional therapy alone often isn't enough for lasting recovery Real testimonials from women who've fought this battle for 20-40+ years The missing component that research shows predicts recovery success Why your recovery journey needs both professional support AND peer community What to do when you feel stuck despite having all the "right" tools A new approach that addresses the isolation eating disorders create This Episode is For You If: You've been struggling with disordered eating for 10+ years You've done therapy but still feel stuck in patterns You feel like you "should be better by now" You're tired of fighting this battle alone You want to try a community-based approach to recovery You're ready to go beyond traditional treatment methods You feel isolated in your recovery journey Key Quotes from This Episode: "You probably know more about nutrition than most dietitians. The missing piece isn't more information - it's support and community." "Isolation is eating disorder fuel, and support and community is recovery fuel." "Research shows us that peer support - connecting with others who truly understand your experience - is one of the most powerful predictors of lasting recovery." "You were never meant to do recovery alone." Client Stories Featured: The mom who's been fighting anorexia for years and wants to model recovery for her daughter The woman who's been in "remission" before but found herself back in the "mental prison" The client who said "I cannot do this alone" and rated her urgency for change as 10/10 What's Announced in This Episode: The Recovery Collective - A bi-weekly virtual support group for women in eating disorder recovery What it includes: Bi-weekly 60-minute Zoom calls with 10-15 women maximum Safe space to share wins, challenges, and real recovery life Professional guidance combined with peer support Optional check-in prompts and private community chat For women at ANY stage of recovery Founding Member Special: Only 10 founding member spots available Special pricing: $47/month for first 6 months (less than $1.50/day) Regular pricing: $97/month after founding period First session: Early October 2025 Help shape the community from the beginning Why This Goes Beyond Therapy: Therapy focuses on individual healing - community provides ongoing support Therapy happens weekly - community offers real-time encouragement Therapy addresses past trauma - community helps navigate daily recovery Therapy is professional support - community offers peer understanding Therapy has an end date - community provides long-term connection Note: The Recovery Collective is designed to complement, not replace, professional treatment. Take Action: Ready to find your recovery family? Apply to become a founding member of The Recovery Collective at www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective The process just takes a few minutes and could be the step that changes everything for your recovery journey. Connect with Lindsey Website: www.herbestself.co Private Facebook Community: Her Best Self Society www.herbestselfsociety.com 1:1 Client Applications: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms About the Host Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. She understands how core beliefs formed in childhood can create and maintain eating disorder patterns, and she's passionate about helping women identify and transform these beliefs to find lasting freedom. If this episode helped you feel hopeful again and remember your worth isn't found in your body or on your plate, please share it with someone who needs to hear this message. Your support helps more women break the chains of limiting beliefs. *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.

If you've been struggling with feeling like you're not good enough, constantly falling short, or carrying the weight of perfectionism on your shoulders, this episode is your gentle reminder that you are already enough. Host Lindsey Nichol shares a heartfelt message about breaking free from the shame cycle that keeps us trapped in eating disorder patterns and perfectionist thinking. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why the "never enough" feeling is a common trap in eating disorder recovery How to identify where your perfectionist beliefs originated The difference between feelings and facts when it comes to self-worth Why getting thinner will never make you feel "enough" Practical steps to challenge your "not enough" beliefs How to find evidence of your inherent worth Key Takeaways: ✨ You don't need to weigh yourself to determine your worth ✨ Feelings aren't facts - the fact is you are enough ✨ You can't hate yourself into a version you'll love ✨ Stop trying to be enough - you already are Action Steps: Dig into the why: When did you first start feeling "not enough"? Label the evidence: What data proves you ARE enough? Define enough: What would "enough" actually look like in your life? Challenge the belief: Is perfectionism actually helping you? Connect with Lindsey Website: www.herbestself.co Private Facebook Community: Her Best Self Society www.herbestselfsociety.com Client Applications: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms About the Host Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. She understands how core beliefs formed in childhood can create and maintain eating disorder patterns, and she's passionate about helping women identify and transform these beliefs to find lasting freedom. If this episode helped you feel hopeful again and remember your worth isn't found in your body or on your plate, please share it with someone who needs to hear this message. Your support helps more women break the chains of limiting beliefs. *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.

In this powerful episode, Lindsey gets vulnerable about the connection between trauma and eating disorders, sharing why sometimes it's okay to look at our past to catapult us into our future. If you've experienced trauma and are wondering how it connects to your eating disorder, this episode will provide hope, healing insights, and practical steps forward. Discover the 6 essential things to remember about your past that can transform your recovery journey and help you move from survival to thriving. Note: This episode addresses sensitive topics around trauma. Lindsey emphasizes that as a recovery coach, she focuses on the here and now of recovery, while encouraging professional therapy support for trauma processing. Key Topics Covered: 💔 The trauma-eating disorder connection: Why 81% of people with eating disorders have experienced trauma 🧠 Understanding trauma types: Acute vs. chronic trauma and how it relates to ED development 🛡️ Eating disorders as coping mechanisms: How restriction becomes a false sense of control 🌅 6 powerful reminders about your past that can transform your recovery journey 🕊️ The role of forgiveness in healing and moving forward 💪 Why your deepest pain can become your greatest triumph Shocking Statistics Revealed: 📊 25% of those with eating disorders also meet criteria for PTSD 📊 81% of people with eating disorders had at least one traumatic experience 📊 68% experienced trauma before any eating disorder symptoms appeared These numbers show you're not alone and that the connection between trauma and eating disorders is real and valid. Common Traumas Associated with Eating Disorders: ⚡ Childhood abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) ⚡ Bullying or social ostracism ⚡ Body shaming and weight stigma ⚡ Loss and grief experiences ⚡ Accidents or medical trauma ⚡ Intergenerational or cultural traumatic events Remember: Trauma is subjective - what's traumatic for one person may not be for another, and that's completely valid. 6 Things to Remember About Your Past: 1. Your Past Doesn't Exist Anymore Healing isn't linear - good and bad days are normal Some days it may feel real, but it's no longer your current reality Progress includes setbacks, and that's part of the process 2. Your Past Doesn't Define You Your experiences shape you but don't determine your worth You hold the power to grow, evolve, and change Only you have the key to become who you want to be 3. Your Past Can Only Serve as a Teacher All emotions about your past are valid There's no "right way" to feel about past experiences What matters is what you do next with that knowledge 4. Your Past Doesn't Have to Block Your Future Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness You can reinvent and recreate yourself No matter how many times you've tried recovery, you can start again 5. Holding On May Lead to Reliving Your wound is not your fault, but your healing is your responsibility Memories can be imperfect, especially trauma memories Holding on keeps you stuck in the struggle 6. Your Past Self Deserves Love and Forgiveness You did the best you could at the time Don't judge your past self with current wisdom You're not damaged or broken - you're worthy of healing Key Insights About Trauma and Eating Disorders: 🔍 Eating disorders as control: When the world feels chaotic, restricting food can feel like the one thing you can control 🔍 Numbing mechanism: ED behaviors often serve to numb overwhelming emotions from traumatic experiences 🔍 False sense of safety: The eating disorder creates an illusion of control and perfection 🔍 Survival strategy: You turned to these behaviors because you needed to survive in that moment Powerful Quotes from This Episode: 💭 "The deepest, hardest, darkest pain you've been through is most often what's going to catapult you into your highest, best, and truest version of yourself." 💭 "Your wound is not your fault, but your healing is most certainly your responsibility." 💭 "You do not need to judge your past self with your current wisdom." 💭 "You now know better, so you can now do better." 💭 "You aren't damaged. You're not broken. Nothing needs to be fixed, including your body." Important Reminders: ✨ Trauma-informed care is crucial for eating disorder recovery ✨ Professional therapy support is essential for processing trauma ✨ Recovery coaching focuses on the here and now, not digging up past trauma ✨ Forgiveness is part of the healing equation ✨ You're worthy of a life free from pain, regardless of your past Questions for Self-Reflection: 🤔 What am I holding onto and why? 🤔 What can be released from my past? 🤔 What needs to be forgiven? 🤔 How can my past serve as a teacher rather than a prison? 🤔 What version of myself am I ready to let go of? Ready for Support? Work with Lindsey: If you're ready for accountability, support, and freedom from your eating disorder, and you're done playing small, Lindsey would love to connect with you. Next Steps: Visit www.herbestself.co to fill out a client

Are you experiencing intense hunger in recovery and wondering if something is wrong? Feeling like you can't get full no matter how much you eat? In this essential episode, Lindsey breaks down everything you need to know about extreme hunger in eating disorder recovery - why it happens, what it looks like, and most importantly, that it's completely normal and necessary for healing. Whether you're early in recovery or experiencing hunger waves after years of healing, this episode will help you understand your body's wisdom and navigate this phase with self-compassion instead of fear. Today's Truth: Extreme hunger is your body's way of healing and honoring it is one of the bravest things you can do in recovery. Key Topics Covered: 🍽️ What extreme hunger actually is - The different types and what they feel like in your body 🧠 Why extreme hunger happens - The science behind your body's need for extra nourishment ⏰ When it can occur - Early recovery, years later, or anytime your body needs healing 🚫 Myth-busting - Why extreme hunger isn't binge eating and doesn't mean you'll "blow up" 💪 Practical coping strategies - How to navigate extreme hunger with confidence and self-compassion 🤝 Dealing with others - How to handle comments from people who don't understand recovery Types of Extreme Hunger Explained: 🔹 Mechanical Hunger: Physical growling, gnawing sensations, feeling like a bottomless pit 🔹 Mental Hunger: Obsessive food thoughts, inability to concentrate on anything but eating 🔹 Reactive Eating: Eating large amounts quickly, especially previously restricted foods 🔹 Primal Hunger: Desperate, urgent need to eat that feels impossible to ignore What this might look like: Eating a full meal and feeling hungry immediately after Waking up hungry in the middle of the night Needing snacks every hour Intense cravings for calorie-dense foods Remember: All of this is your body's wisdom in action. Why Extreme Hunger Happens: ✅ Metabolic restoration - Your metabolism needs extra energy to speed back up to normal levels ✅ Physical repair - Your body is repairing damage to organs, bones, hair, skin, and tissues ✅ Replenishing stores - Restoring depleted fat stores, glycogen, and energy reserves ✅ Trust building - Your body needs to learn that food will be consistently available Key insight: Extreme hunger can happen at ANY stage of recovery - sometimes years later when your body feels safe enough to ask for what it really needs. Myths About Extreme Hunger (DEBUNKED): ❌ Myth: "Everyone experiences extreme hunger in recovery" ✅ Truth: Not everyone does, and that's okay - every body is different ❌ Myth: "Extreme hunger is bad or means something is wrong" ✅ Truth: It's your body's intelligence and healing in action ❌ Myth: "Extreme hunger means you're binge eating" ✅ Truth: This is biological necessity, not psychological binge eating ❌ Myth: "If you honor it, you'll gain too much weight" ✅ Truth: Your body will settle at its natural weight when fully nourished Practical Coping Strategies: 🌟 Honor Your Hunger - Eat when hungry, as much as you're hungry for, whatever you're craving 🌟 Challenge ED Voice - Replace "This is too much" with "My body is healing" 🌟 Don't Compensate - No extra exercise, meal skipping, or restricting the next day 🌟 Include All Foods - Your body often craves calorie-dense foods for important reasons 🌟 Practice Self-Compassion - Remember your "why" and thank your body for its wisdom 🌟 Handle Outside Comments - You don't owe explanations for nourishing your body 🌟 Remember It's Temporary - Extreme hunger normalizes as your body heals and trusts Signs Hunger Is Normalizing: ✨ Hunger cues become more predictable ✨ You can go longer between meals comfortably ✨ Food thoughts become less obsessive ✨ You naturally desire a variety of foods ✨ Physical hunger matches mental satisfaction Key Takeaways: 💝 Your hunger is not your enemy - It's your body's wisdom guiding your healing 💝 This is normal and necessary - Extreme hunger is part of recovery, not a sign of failure 💝 Trust your body - It knows exactly what it needs to heal, even when it feels scary 💝 You're not binge eating - This is biological necessity driven by your body's needs 💝 It's temporary - Hunger will normalize as your body heals and learns to trust 💝 You don't need to justify nourishing yourself - To anyone, ever For Those Supporting Someone in Recovery: What NOT to say: "Are you sure you're still hungry?" "That seems like a lot of food" "You just ate an hour ago" What TO say: "I'm proud of you for nourishing your body" "Your body knows what it needs" "I'm here to support you" Ready for Community Support? Join The Recovery Collective! Finally, a recovery community that normalizes experiences like extreme hunger. If this episode resonated with you, you're exactly who The Recovery Collective was created for. This is where women in all phases of eating disorder recovery come together every other week to normalize confusing experiences

Have you ever felt completely alone in your eating disorder recovery? Like you're the only one dealing with food thoughts, body image struggles, and the exhaustion of pretending you're "fine"? In this vulnerable episode, Lindsey shares her personal story of trying to recover mostly in isolation and why she's now passionate about creating healing communities for women. Discover the research-backed reasons why community isn't just nice to have in recovery—it's essential. Plus, learn about The Recovery Collective, a new support group launching in October 2025 specifically for women in eating disorder recovery. Today's Truth: You were never meant to heal alone, and community isn't just nice to have in recovery - it's essential. Key Topics Covered: 🤝 Lindsey's personal story: What it felt like to recover mostly alone with limited community support 🧠 The science behind community healing: Research-backed evidence of why support groups transform recovery 💔 The isolation trap: How eating disorders thrive in secrecy and why healing alone is harder than it needs to be ✨ What community provides: Normalization, accountability, shared wisdom, and hope 🌟 The Recovery Collective: A new support group launching October 2024 for women in all phases of recovery Research Highlights: 📊 Support groups reduce symptoms: Studies show support groups helped reduce post-meal distress in young people with anorexia and can prevent disordered eating 📊 Connection drives recovery: Research confirms that eating disorder recovery is largely influenced by the individual's sense of connection to self and others 📊 Isolation increases struggle: When socially isolated, you lack the support and connection that can help protect against negative self-perception and low self-esteem 📊 Community decreases stigma: Eating disorder support groups offer safe spaces that decrease isolation and stigma while increasing engagement and motivation 📊 29 million affected: Nearly 30 million Americans will experience an eating disorder at some point during their lifetime What Community Provides in Recovery: 💬 Language for your experience - Finally having words for what you're going through instead of feeling "crazy" 🔍 Perspective and reality checks - Others who can distinguish between your eating disorder voice and your true self 💕 Accountability that feels like love - Gentle support that comes from care, not judgment 🌈 Proof that recovery is possible - Seeing women further along in recovery living free, vibrant lives 🛡️ Protection against isolation - Regular connection that prevents the dangerous spiral of being alone with ED thoughts 🎯 Practical wisdom - Real-life strategies from women who've faced similar challenges Key Takeaways: ✨ You don't have to heal alone - Recovery was never meant to be a solo journey ✨ Community isn't replacement for therapy - It's the ongoing support that helps you live your recovery, not just survive it ✨ The right kind of community matters - Led by someone with lived experience who understands both clinical and personal aspects ✨ Consistency is crucial - Regular, ongoing support rather than crisis-only intervention ✨ Isolation fuels eating disorders - Breaking the cycle of secrecy and shame is essential for healing Introducing The Recovery Collective (Launching October 2025!) Finally, a recovery community that truly gets it. The Recovery Collective is where women in all phases of eating disorder recovery come together every other week to lock arms, share real struggles, and heal together in a safe, supportive environment. What You Get: Bi-weekly 60-minute group coaching calls via Zoom Intimate community of 10-15 women maximum Real, honest conversations that create actual change Support for navigating triggers, celebrating wins, and handling difficult days Led by someone who's walked this path and understands the lived experience Ongoing support to help you live your recovery, not just survive it What Makes This Different: Led by someone with personal eating disorder recovery experience Focus on practical, real-life recovery challenges Community of women who truly understand the struggle Consistent, ongoing support (not just crisis intervention) Safe space free from judgment or competition Special Founding Member Pricing: First 10 members: $47/month for 6 months (over 50% off!) Regular membership: $97/month Less than what you spend on takeout for bi-weekly coaching and community support Who This Is For: Women in all phases of eating disorder recovery Those tired of feeling alone in their healing journey Anyone seeking understanding from others who've been there Women ready for ongoing support, not just weekly therapy appointments Recovery is possible, and it's so much sweeter when you're not doing it alone. Ready to learn more? www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective Connect with Lindsey Website: www.herbestself.co Private Facebook Community: Her Best Self Society www.herbestselfsociety.com Client Applications: HBS Co. Recov

What does recovery actually look like years later? Do bad body image days ever completely disappear? In this vulnerable episode, Lindsey pulls back the curtain on her life after eating disorder recovery and shares exactly what she does when difficult body image moments show up - because yes, they still do sometimes. If you've ever wondered what to expect from recovery or you're struggling with perfectionism around your healing journey, this episode will give you hope and practical tools you can use today. Today's Truth: Recovery doesn't mean perfection - it means having the tools to navigate difficult moments with love instead of war. Key Topics Covered: 🌟 The reality check: Do bad body image days ever completely stop? 🌟 Why having difficult moments doesn't mean you're "not recovered enough" 🌟 The difference between struggling in active eating disorder vs. recovery 🌟 8 practical tools for navigating bad body image days 🌟 How thoughts about your body directly impact how you feel in your body Lindsey's 8-Step Bad Body Image Day Toolkit: ✨ Give Yourself Grace Upon Grace Permission to feel without judgment Talk to yourself like your best friend Remember: recovery isn't about never struggling ✨ Throw on Comfy, Baggy Clothes Remove physical discomfort that amplifies emotional discomfort Focus on how you feel, not how clothes fit This isn't hiding - it's self-care ✨ Get to the Root: What Am I Trying to Control? Ask: "What's really going on here?" Often body image struggles are about something else entirely Address the actual issue, not just the symptom ✨ Resist Mirror-Checking Temptation Avoid body-checking and analyzing Body-checking always makes things worse Redirect energy toward things that serve you ✨ Honor Yourself with Mindful Eating Eat normally despite difficult feelings Choose nourishing foods that taste good Don't punish your body for emotional discomfort ✨ Notice Exercise Compulsions and Pause Ask: "Am I moving from love or punishment?" Choose gentle movement over intense workouts It's okay to rest when you're struggling ✨ No Social Media Scrolling Stay off platforms that trigger comparison Protect your mental space fiercely Choose books, friends, or creative activities instead ✨ Ask "How Do I Want to Feel?" Shift from "How do I look?" to "How do I want to feel?" Focus on strength, comfort, connection, gratitude Research shows this actually changes body image in real-time Key Takeaways: 💝 Recovery isn't about never struggling - it's about struggling with love instead of war 💝 Bad days don't mean bad weeks or months - you have tools now 💝 Your humanity doesn't disqualify your recovery - difficult moments are normal 💝 Progress over perfection, always - you're exactly where you need to be 💝 You can do hard things - including sitting with uncomfortable feelings Research Highlight: Studies show that when we focus on how we want to feel in our bodies rather than how we think we look, it directly impacts our actual body image experience. Our thoughts about our bodies influence how we experience being in our bodies - which means we have more power than we realize! Ready for Community Support? Join The Recovery Collective! Finally, a recovery community that gets it. If this episode resonated with you, you're exactly who The Recovery Collective was created for. This is where women in all phases of eating disorder recovery come together every other week to normalize the messy parts of healing, celebrate victories, and support each other with practical tools and genuine understanding. What You Get: Bi-weekly 60-minute group coaching calls via Zoom Safe, judgment-free space with 10-15 women maximum Real-time support for your current recovery challenges Community of women who understand what it's like to navigate recovery in real life Coaching insights that help you move forward with practical strategies Special Founding Member Pricing: First 10 members: $47/month for 6 months (over 50% off!) Regular membership: $97/month Less than $1.50/day for bi-weekly coaching and community support Imagine having a safe space where you could share that you're having a difficult body image day and receive understanding, practical support, and gentle reminders of your worth instead of judgment. Recovery is possible right now, and it's so much more beautiful when we do it together. Ready to sign up? www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective Ready for Support? 📧 Email Lindsey: [email protected] 🌐 Apply for Recovery Coaching: www.herbestself.co 💕 Join the Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com Limited spots available for fall coaching - only 2 slots remaining Connect with Lindsey: 🌟 Website: www.herbestself.co 🌟 Instagram: @thelindseynichol 🌟 Client Application: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms Love this episode? Here's how you can support the show: 💕 Share it with a woman who might need to hear this message 💕 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts - it helps other women find the show 💕 Scree

Are you tired of self-help books that sound good but don't create real change in your recovery journey? In this episode, Lindsey shares 7 current book recommendations that she's actively using with clients and in her own healing - books that will meet you right where you are and support your next brave step toward freedom. Whether you're just beginning to question your relationship with food and your body, or you're years into recovery and ready for that next level of freedom, there's something here for you. Today's Truth: You deserve resources that support your healing, and recovery is possible right now....but sometimes you just need an extra boost of belief! Books Featured in This Episode: 📚 "Feed Yourself" by Leslie Schilling Perfect for healing your relationship with food from the inside out Teaches intuitive eating and food freedom beyond diet culture 📚 "You're Not Enough (And That's Okay)" by Allie Stuckey Challenges toxic positivity and "be your own everything" mentality Offers permission to need support in your recovery journey 📚 "Goodbye Perfect" by Homaira Kabir Essential reading for recovering people-pleasers and perfectionists Subtitle: "How to Stop Pleasing, Proving, and Pushing for Others and Live for Yourself" 📚 "Already Enough: A Path to Self-Acceptance" by Lisa Olivera Medicine for anyone struggling with self-worth in recovery Focuses on genuine self-acceptance, not fake confidence 📚 "Don't Believe Everything You Think" by Joseph Nguyen Game-changer for dealing with loud eating disorder thoughts Teaches you that you are not your thoughts and don't have to believe them all 📚 "A Crown That Lasts: You Are Not Your Label" by Demi Tebow Powerful reminder that you are more than your eating disorder or diagnosis Perfect for finding identity beyond your struggles 📚 "The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brené Brown Life-changing research on shame, vulnerability, and wholehearted living Essential for anyone who's used perfectionism as armor Key Takeaways: ✨ Recovery is possible right now - You don't have to wait until you're "ready enough" ✨ You are not your eating disorder - Your thoughts and diagnosis don't define your worth ✨ Progress over perfection - Healing isn't linear, and that's completely normal ✨ You can do hard things - And you don't have to do them alone ✨ Your journey is unique - What works for others might look different for you, and that's okay Exciting News: The Recovery Collective is Launching October 2025! Finally, a recovery community that gets it. The Recovery Collective is where women in all phases of eating disorder recovery come together bi-weekly to share wins, navigate challenges, and build lasting freedom in a safe, supportive community. What You Get: Bi-weekly 60-minute group coaching calls via Zoom Safe, judgment-free space with 10-15 women maximum Real-time support for your current recovery challenges Optional check-in prompts and VIP offers Coaching insights that help you move forward, not backward Special Founding Member Pricing: First 10 members: $47/month (over 50% off!) Regular membership: $97/month Less than $1.50/day for bi-weekly coaching and community support Recovery isn't a destination - it's a journey best taken together. www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective Connect with Lindsey: 🌟 Website: www.herbestself.co 🌟 Instagram: @thelindseynichol 🌟 Client Application: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms Love this episode? Here's how you can support the show: 💕 Share it with a woman who might need to hear this message 💕 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts - it helps other women find the show 💕 Screenshot and tag @thelindseynichol if you're reading any of these books! Remember, beautiful: Your worth is not measured by how perfectly you do recovery. Healing isn't linear, progress over perfection always, and you are exactly where you need to be right now. 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.

Core beliefs are the fundamental, deeply held beliefs we develop in early childhood that shape how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. In this eye-opening episode, Lindsey breaks down how eating disorders stem from and reinforce negative core beliefs that can take years to heal from. Learn about the three types of core beliefs that are secretly feeding your disordered eating patterns and discover how to identify and transform these beliefs to break free from the cycle keeping you stuck. Key Takeaways Core beliefs are fundamental truths you've made into idols that need to be challenged Eating disorders stem from and reinforce negative core beliefs developed in childhood There are 3 types of core beliefs: how you see yourself, others, and the world You are becoming someone you've never been before - be patient with that process "You either quit or keep going - they both hurt. Choose your hurt wisely." The 3 Types of Core Beliefs Type 1: How You See Yourself What It Includes: Self-worth and personal value Self-competence, skills, and abilities Self-identity - who you are at your core Beliefs shaped by caretakers, feedback, and criticisms over your lifetime How It Feeds EDs: "I'm not good enough" leads to perfectionism, restriction, and rigidity False identity created by the eating disorder becomes your truth Tying worth and value to performance instead of inherent value How to Change It: Build self-compassion through recovery inspiration Embrace your identity as "daughter of the most high, warrior, queen" Recognize the voice in your head is a false narrative Understand you don't have to earn, restrict, or compensate for nourishment Type 2: How You View Other People What It Includes: Trustworthiness and reliability of others Beliefs about goodwill and kindness in people Prejudices and stereotypes Safety mechanisms developed from rejection or inconsistent caregiving How It Feeds EDs: "If I can just be perfect, I'll have less rejection" Using food and exercise to control how others perceive you "If I gain weight, will my husband/boyfriend still want me?" How to Change It: Stop comparing yourself to other people Understand most people don't actually care about your recovery journey Set boundaries with people who aren't in your corner Accept support from those who truly want what's best for you Type 3: Your Perception of the World What It Includes: Beliefs about safety vs. danger in your environment Abundance vs. scarcity mindset Beliefs about available resources and opportunities Level of control you have over your life and world events How It Feeds EDs: "The world is unsafe, so I must perform to prove my value" Searching for control and stability through food/body management Fear-based restriction during uncertain times How to Change It: Challenge wellness culture and societal body image messages Create personal meaning and purpose beyond the disorder "Stay away from processed bodies rather than processed foods" How Core Beliefs Create ED Cycles The Connection: Core beliefs affect your motivations, goals, life choices, and desires for freedom Negative self-perception breeds perfectionism and restriction Fear of others' judgment results in using food and exercise for control Worldview of unsafety heightens need to prove value through performance Powerful Quotes from This Episode "You are becoming someone you've never met before - and that's what I want you to take with you today." "What other people think of you is not your business." "No one truly cares what you are doing in your recovery outside of those closest to you." "You either quit or you get to keep going, and they both hurt. Choose your hurt wisely." "We have to stop living and breeding a culture where our daughters feel wrong for being in their own body." The Core Belief Transformation Process Step 1: Identification Recognize which of the 3 types of core beliefs are impacting your ED Identify the "fundamental truths" you've made into idols Understand these beliefs reinforce unhealthy coping mechanisms Step 2: Challenge Question beliefs about yourself, others, and the world Recognize many beliefs aren't even yours - they were inherited Challenge wellness culture and societal messages Step 3: Rebuild Build self-compassion and embrace your true identity Set boundaries and stop caring about bystanders' opinions Create meaning and purpose beyond the disorder Warning Signs Your Core Beliefs Are Feeding Your ED Tying your worth to your performance or appearance Believing you must be perfect to avoid rejection Using food/exercise to control how others see you Feeling unsafe in the world and needing control through restriction Believing you're "not good enough" or "unlovable" The Recovery Mindset Shifts From: "I'm not good enough" To: "I am a warrior becoming someone I've never been before" From: "I must be perfect to be loved" To: "I am worthy of love exactly as I am" From: "The world is unsafe" To: "I can create meaning and purpose beyond my fea

What if the fear you feel about getting help for your eating disorder isn't a warning to stay away - but actually your internal compass pointing toward freedom? In this powerful episode, Lindsey shares wisdom from her 7-year-old son who said, "When I feel those flutters in my tummy, I just know I'm about to do something really brave." If you're feeling afraid to ask for help, scared to gain weight, or terrified of actually getting better, this tough-love episode will show you why those butterflies are your invitation to do the bravest thing you've ever done. Key Takeaways Fear isn't a stop sign - it's a compass pointing toward your breakthrough If you could recover on your own, you already would have Those flutters aren't warning you away from help - they're pointing you toward it You don't feel brave first and then act brave - you act brave while feeling scared Ready is a feeling that comes AFTER you take action, not before Main Topics Covered The 7-Year-Old's Wisdom Lindsey's son facing his first day of second grade without his big brother "When I feel those flutters in my tummy, I just know I'm about to do something really brave" How children understand fear differently than adults Kids feel scared and do the thing anyway - adults build cases for why they should wait The Real Fears Keeping You Prisoner Fear of asking for help (admitting you can't do this alone) Fear of gaining weight (worth tied to a number on the scale) Fear of actually getting better (losing your eating disorder identity) Fear of investing in yourself (what if you spend money and don't change?) The Lie You've Been Believing About Fear If something feels scary, it must be wrong for you Heart racing when thinking about help = "not the right time" Anxiety about meal plans = "body not ready" Terror about recovery = "maybe not meant for me" Truth: Fear means it matters, it's important, you're about to grow Why Recovery Feels More Terrifying Than Staying Sick The "Safety" Illusion: Staying sick feels familiar = brain labels as "safe" Recovery feels unknown = brain labels as "dangerous" Reality Check - How "Safe" Is: Spending every moment thinking about food Missing life because you're afraid of restaurants Measuring worth by what you ate yesterday Living in constant body anxiety Isolating because eating around others feels impossible What Bravery Looks Like in Recovery Admitting you need help when you want to prove independence Following someone's guidance who has been there and recovered when ED voice screams it's too much Gaining weight when diet culture says smaller is better Investing money in recovery when you've never felt worth it Showing up to therapy and being honest instead of pretending you're fine The Wisdom Gap: Children vs. Adults Children: Feel scared → Do the thing anyway Adults: Feel scared → Analyze, overthink, research, wait Adult Excuses: "I'm not ready yet" "I need to think about this more" "I should try on my own one more time" "What if it doesn't work?" "I can't afford it right now" Fear as Your GPS System Sick feeling about calling a coach = "This way to freedom" Anxiety about meals = "This way to healing" Terror about recovering = compass pointing toward the life you've been dreaming about Powerful Quotes from This Episode "Fear isn't a stop sign. Fear is a compass pointing you toward your breakthrough." "If you could recover on your own, you already would have." "Fear doesn't mean it's wrong. Fear means it matters." "Those flutters aren't telling you to run from recovery - they're telling you you're about to do something incredibly brave." "You don't feel brave first and then do brave things. You do brave things while feeling scared." The Cost of Playing It Safe Questions to Consider: How's playing it safe working out for you? How's trying to manage this ED on your own been going? How's waiting until you feel "ready" been serving your recovery? The Reality: Everything you're afraid of losing by being brave, you'll replace with something infinitely better Playing it safe = staying in a familiar prison Taking action despite fear = walking toward freedom What Going All In Actually Means Not perfection, but: Being willing to be imperfect in the direction of healing Reaching out for professional help despite vulnerability Following meal plans despite ED resistance Gaining weight despite diet culture programming Investing in yourself despite never feeling worth it Showing up to therapy even when you want to cancel The Decision Point Two Choices: Let fear drive your bus (stay stuck in eating disorder) Feel the fear and drive anyway (choose recovery despite butterflies) The Truth: Butterflies aren't telling you to turn around They're telling you you're at the edge of your comfort zone All growth happens outside your comfort zone Signs This Episode Is For You You feel afraid to ask for help with your eating disorder You're waiting to feel "ready" before taking action You've been trying to recover on your own without success

"I'm fine." "I don't have a problem." "Everyone else is overreacting." Sound familiar? If people around you are expressing concern about your relationship with food but you genuinely feel okay, this episode is essential listening. Recovery coach Lindsey Nichol gets raw about the difference between denial and anosognosia—and why your malnourished brain might literally be unable to recognize the problem. She shares her own story of feeling "on top of the world" while struggling with anorexia, and introduces one powerful question that can break through the fog of eating disorder denial. This episode is for you if: Others say you have a problem but you feel fine You're questioning whether you're "sick enough" You feel like you just have more willpower than others You're confused about whether your eating patterns are normal You've been told you need help but don't understand why What You'll Discover ✨ The difference between denial and anosognosia (and why it matters for your recovery) ✨ Why malnourishment literally impairs your ability to recognize disordered eating patterns ✨ Lindsey's personal story: How she felt superior and in control while her body was failing ✨ The science behind eating disorder awareness and brain function ✨ One crucial question that can shatter the illusion and start your healing journey ✨ How to tell if your eating patterns are actually normal or adopted behaviors Understanding Eating Disorder Denial Anosognosia vs. Denial Anosognosia: "Without knowledge" - physiological brain damage that creates complete unawareness of the problem. You literally cannot perceive your disordered behaviors. Denial: Knowing you have a problem but refusing to address it. Using defense mechanisms to avoid facing the truth. Signs Your Brain Might Be Lying to You Feeling "on top of the world" while restricting food Superiority complex about your "willpower" Believing everyone else is jealous or crazy Wearing restrictive eating like a "badge of honor" Feeling energized despite severe calorie restriction Complete confusion when others express concern Lindsey's Personal Story "When I was struggling with anorexia, I felt like I was on top of the world. I had this superiority complex, like everyone else was just jealous that they didn't have the willpower that I had. The more I restricted, the more satisfaction I achieved and the more in control I felt." The One Question That Changes Everything "How are you? No, but how are you REALLY?" Why This Question Works Challenges automatic "I'm fine" responses Forces honest self-assessment Breaks through subconscious denial Reveals underlying unsureness and hesitancy How to Use This Question Sit with yourself honestly - don't give the surface-level answer Challenge your patterns - are these behaviors you've always had or recently adopted? Listen to trusted voices - if people you love are concerned, investigate why Assess your daily reality - survival mode isn't the same as thriving Red Flags to Consider 🚩 Constantly telling yourself you don't need to eat 🚩 Never feeling hungry (when you used to) 🚩 Bargaining and finding ways to restrict 🚩 Terror of weight gain controlling decisions 🚩 Rigid food rules that feel like "identity" 🚩 Behaviors that started as dieting but intensified Powerful Moments from This Episode "That voice is not you. With a healthy brain, you can assume positive intent from your internal voice. When you have a malnourished brain, it's important to challenge your mind with every tiny little thing." "You can't change something you can't name. You can't change patterns and behaviors that you can't accept are patterns and behaviors." "You are not a failure for getting help and support. The only way you fail is if you quit." Your Next Steps If You Recognize Yourself in This Episode: Answer the question honestly: How are you really? Look at your patterns: Are these normal behaviors or adopted restrictions? Listen to loved ones: If trusted people are concerned, investigate their perspective Seek professional support: You don't have to figure this out alone Ready for Support? 📧 Email Lindsey: [email protected] 🌐 Apply for Recovery Coaching: www.herbestself.co 💕 Join the Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com Limited spots available for fall coaching - only 2 slots remaining Key Takeaways 💡 Malnourishment literally impairs your ability to recognize eating disorder symptoms 💡 "I'm fine" often masks underlying confusion and unsureness 💡 Eating disorders progress gradually - you didn't wake up sick overnight 💡 Trusted voices matter - if loved ones are concerned, listen 💡 Awareness is the first step - you can't change what you won't acknowledge If this episode helped you recognize patterns you hadn't seen before, please leave a 5-star rating and review. Your support helps more women break through denial and find the help they deserve.

Feeling stuck in the "waiting room" of recovery? You're not alone. If you've been telling yourself you'll start living your life "when you're better," this episode is for you. Recovery coach Lindsey Nichol gets real about why your eating disorder wants you to wait—and why you don't have to. In this intimate 10-minute conversation, she shares three concrete steps you can take today to start pursuing your dreams, even in the messy middle of healing your relationship with food. This episode is for you if: You've put dreams on hold until you're "recovered enough" Recovery feels like two steps forward, four steps back You're tired of life passing you by while you struggle in secret You need hope that recovery is possible, even when it feels impossible What You'll Discover ✨ Why waiting for "perfect recovery" is just another way your eating disorder controls your life ✨ The mindset shift from "waiting to recover" to "living your recovery" ✨ Real client story: How one woman realized she was using recovery as an excuse to stay small ✨ 3 immediate steps you can take today to start making life happen instead of waiting for it ✨ Permission to pursue your purpose even when healing isn't linear The 3 Steps to Start Living While Healing Step 1: Name One Dream You've Put on Hold Get honest about one thing you've been telling yourself you'll do "when you're better." Don't judge it—just name it. Step 2: Take the Smallest Possible Step Not the perfect step, not the biggest step—the smallest step. The eating disorder wants all-or-nothing; recovery is built on tiny, consistent actions. Step 3: Remind Yourself: "I Am Living My Recovery" Shift from waiting to live until recovery is complete to understanding that living IS part of your recovery. Powerful Moments from This Episode "Your eating disorder wants you to wait. It wants you to believe that you need to be 'fixed' before you're worthy of pursuing your dreams." "Life doesn't pause while you figure out your relationship with food. Your dreams don't go on hold. Your purpose doesn't wait." "You don't have to wait until those hard days are gone to start living. You don't have to have it all figured out to take up space in this world." "Your eating disorder is not your whole story. It's not even the most interesting part of your story." Client Spotlight Hear from one of Lindsey's current clients who had a breakthrough realization: "I keep thinking I need to wait until I'm 'recovered enough' to apply for that role, to book that trip with my friends. But I'm realizing that waiting for perfect recovery is just another way the eating disorder is controlling my life." Key Takeaways 💫 Recovery isn't linear—and that's okay. Four steps forward, two steps back is still progress. 💫 Living your life IS part of recovery, not something you do after recovery. 💫 You're allowed to want things, dream, and take up space even in the middle of healing. 💫 Struggling doesn't mean you're doing recovery wrong—it means you're human and doing something brave. 💫 Your life is happening right now, not when you're thinner or "better." Your Reflection Prompt "What is one dream I've put on hold, and what's the smallest step I can take toward it today—not when I'm 'recovered enough,' but right now?" Take Action Today Ready to stop waiting and start living? Here's how to connect: 📧 Email Lindsey: [email protected] 🌐 Apply for Recovery Coaching: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms 💕 Get Support: www.herbestself.co & FB: www.herbestselfsociety.com If this episode gave you hope or helped you take that first small step, please leave a 5-star rating and review. Your support helps more women discover that they don't have to wait for permission to start living. *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.

Struggling with exercise addiction? You're not alone. If you're working out every single day, feeling intense guilt when you miss a session, or using exercise to compensate for food intake, this episode is your roadmap to freedom. Recovery coach Lindsey Nichol, who overcame her own compulsive exercise patterns (working out twice daily at her worst), shares the exact 5-step framework that helped her and countless clients break free from exercise addiction and develop a healthy relationship with movement. This episode is essential if you: Exercise daily without rest days Feel anxiety or panic when you can't work out Alter vacations or skip social events for workouts Restrict food on days you exercise less Use fitness to "earn" your meals Experience guilt when missing planned workouts What You'll Learn About Exercise Addiction Recovery ✅ The Hidden Connection between eating disorders and compulsive exercise patterns ✅ Lindsey's Recovery Story: From cardio queen doing 2-hour daily sessions to finding movement freedom ✅ Real Client Success: How one woman reduced her routine from 7 days/week (1 hour 45 minutes daily) to just 3 days (30 minutes each) ✅ The Science Behind Exercise Addiction and why it's so common in eating disorder recovery ✅ 5 Proven Steps to Overcome Exercise Addiction (detailed action plan included) The 5-Step Framework to Healthy Movement Step 1: Assess Your Current Exercise Routine Document frequency, duration, and intensity Track emotional responses to missed workouts Identify compulsive exercise patterns Recognize anxiety triggers around rest days Step 2: Master the Power of Permission Grant yourself permission to rest Challenge exercise-related guilt Reframe rest as essential for recovery Practice self-compassion during routine changes Step 3: Visualize Your Future Recovered Self Imagine life beyond daily workouts Consider enjoyable movement alternatives Identify non-exercise activities you're missing Question whether current exercise brings joy or obligation Step 4: Set Small, Tangible Goals Start with 5-minute workout reductions Replace one workout with restful activities Schedule rest days in advance Plan alternative self-care activities Step 5: Embrace Progress Over Perfection Expect setbacks as part of recovery Practice self-forgiveness for "slip-ups" Recognize growth in small changes Challenge diet culture messaging about exercise Powerful Recovery Insights "Rest is required in recovery—it's non-negotiable." "We don't even realize we're doing this to our body because we get so trapped in the cycle." "I didn't start working out two times a day overnight. It was the disorder that came on over time." "If you're listening to me and you're on the treadmill, get off of it." Client Transformation Spotlight Hear from Sabina, Lindsey's client who worked together for over a year to overcome people-pleasing, perfectionism, and exercise compulsion. Her powerful testimony demonstrates that recovery from exercise addiction is possible with proper support and guidance. Sabina's words: "Lindsey gave me feedback on how to reframe with positive intent rather than staying stuck in negativity... Since working with Lindsey, a new concept of myself is emerging, one free from deprivation and restraint." Exercise Addiction Warning Signs Physical Signs: Working out despite injury or illness Exercising multiple times daily Inability to take rest days Fatigue from overtraining Emotional Signs: Anxiety when missing workouts Guilt after rest days Exercise-based self-worth Social isolation for workout time Behavioral Signs: Rigid exercise schedules Compensatory exercise after eating Vacation planning around gym access Prioritizing workouts over relationships Recovery Resources & Next Steps Ready to Break Free from Exercise Addiction? 📧 Email Lindsey: [email protected] 🌐 Apply for Recovery Coaching: www.herbestself.co 👥 Join the Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com Your Permission Slip for Today: Choose one workout to skip this week. Use that time for: Coffee with a friend Journaling or meditation Reading a book Simply resting without guilt Key Takeaways for Exercise Addiction Recovery Exercise addiction is common in eating disorder recovery due to learned restriction patterns Cold turkey approach may be necessary for some individuals Gradual reduction works for others - find your approach Rest days are essential for physical and mental recovery Professional support accelerates the healing process If this episode expanded your vision of what's possible, please share it with someone who needs to make peace with exercise. Your support helps more women discover the abundant life waiting beyond their eating disorder. *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

Tired of being held hostage by thoughts like "When can I eat next?" or "I need to work this off"? In this game-changing episode, Lindsey introduces her signature Triple Threat Tool that stops ED thoughts from spiraling and puts YOU back in control of your mind. Learn the exact 3-step framework to go from being controlled by eating disorder thoughts to being completely in control of your recovery. Key Takeaways You can't fight what you don't acknowledge, and you can't change what you don't challenge Your ED thoughts aren't actually YOUR thoughts - they're learned responses The Triple Threat Tool threatens the lies, the spiral, and the ED's power over your choices You're allowed to have the thought - but you don't have to believe it or act on it Deciding your comeback in advance stops spirals before they start The Triple Threat Tool Breakdown Step 1: NAME IT - Who's Really Talking Here? Purpose: Identify whether this is your ED voice or your authentic voice How to Do It: Give your ED voice an actual name (Restriction Rachel, Control Freak Carla, Body Critic Betty) Separate the ED voice from who you really are Recognize these aren't YOUR thoughts - they're learned responses from diet culture Example: ED Thought: "I shouldn't eat this cookie" Name It: "That's Restriction Rachel trying to control my food choices" Step 2: TAME IT - Take Your Power Back Purpose: Acknowledge the thought without giving it power How to Do It: Refuse to let the ED voice drive the bus Thank the voice but decline to take orders Set boundaries with your ED thoughts like you would with a demanding person Example: Tame It: "Thanks for sharing, Restriction Rachel, but I'm not taking orders from you today" Lindsey's Example: "Rachel, you've been fired. I'm in charge of my nourishment now" Step 3: FRAME IT - Create Your New Truth Purpose: Replace ED lies with recovery-aligned thoughts How to Do It: Create thoughts that feel true and move you toward recovery Not fake positive affirmations - authentic recovery truths Choose thoughts that serve your healing journey Example: Frame It: "My body needs consistent fuel throughout the day, and this cookie is part of my recovery" Real-Life Triple Threat Examples Food Thought Scenario: ED Thought: "I need to work out extra today because I ate something different last night" Name It: "That's Control Freak Carla" Tame It: "Carla, exercise isn't punishment for eating" Frame It: "I move my body because it feels good, not to earn or burn off food" Body Image Scenario: ED Thought: "I look disgusting in this dress" Name It: "That's Body Critic Betty" Tame It: "Betty, your harsh comments aren't welcome here" Frame It: "My body deserves to be treated with respect, and I choose clothes that make me feel comfortable" ED Voice vs. Authentic Voice Guide Your ED Voice: Is harsh, critical, and demanding Uses words like "should," "can't," "need to," "have to" Makes you feel anxious, guilty, or ashamed Wants you to be smaller, eat less, control more Your Authentic Voice: Is kind, curious, and flexible Uses words like "I choose," "I want," "I deserve" Makes you feel peaceful, empowered, or hopeful Wants you to be nourished, rested, and free Common ED Thoughts to Practice With Food Thoughts: "When can I eat next?" "What am I allowed to eat?" "How can I avoid eating?" "I need to work this off" "I shouldn't eat this" Body Image Thoughts: "I look huge in this outfit" "If I eat that, I'll gain weight" "I'm bigger than everyone else" "People are judging my body" "I'm disgusting" Powerful Quotes from This Episode "You can't fight what you don't acknowledge, and you can't change what you don't challenge." "Your eating disorder thoughts aren't actually YOUR thoughts." "You're allowed to have the thought. There's no judgment in having an ED thought pop up." "You are not your thoughts. You are the thinker of your thoughts." "Your ED voice is loud, but your authentic voice is stronger." When to Use the Triple Threat Tool In front of the mirror when body image thoughts attack At meal times when food anxiety kicks in The moment any ED thought enters your mind - don't wait for it to spiral During social eating situations When getting dressed or shopping for clothes Before, during, and after exercise This Week's Homework Give your ED voice a name (make it specific to your struggles) Identify your 3 most common ED thoughts Write out your Triple Threat response for each one Practice your comebacks - decide in advance what you'll say Use the tool immediately when any ED thought pops up Lindsey's Personal Example Situation: Standing in front of closet, choosing what to wear ED Thought: "You can't wear that dress, you look huge, everyone will notice how much weight you've gained" Name It: "That's Gina trying to make me hide my body" Tame It: "Gina, you don't get to dictate my wardrobe choices anymore" Frame It: "I'm choosing clothes that make me feel comfortable and confident in my recovery" Result: Wore the dress, had an amazing day, realiz

Are you tired of living small? Of missing out on life because your mind is consumed with food thoughts, calorie calculations, and body obsession? In this expansion-focused episode, Lindsey paints a vivid picture of what your life looks like when you stop settling for the crumbs of existence and start feasting on the fullness of freedom. If you've been thinking this eating disorder life is just "how things are" for you, prepare to have your world expanded as Lindsey shows you what abundant recovery actually looks like. Key Takeaways You've been settling for surviving when you were made for thriving When you focus on less, you get more of less; when you focus on more, you get more Sometimes you have to make peace with what is to grab onto what's waiting The abundant life is waiting for you on the other side of food thoughts "So what?" is the question that changes everything about weight gain fears Main Topics Covered 💔 What You've Been Settling For (The Small Life) Saying no to dinner with friends because you can't control the menu Missing conversations because you're calculating calories in your head Choosing the gym over your daughter's soccer game because you "have to" work out Canceling date nights because restaurants feel too scary Living in sweatpants because nothing else feels "safe" Spending vacations obsessing over food instead of making memories ✨ What MORE Looks Like (Lindsey's Personal Examples) More Presence: Actually being THERE at dinner instead of calculating what everyone's eating Laughing at husband's jokes and listening to boys' stories Present in your own life instead of held hostage by food thoughts More Energy: Not exhausted from mental gymnastics of restriction and over-exercise Energy to play with kids and show up fully in business Living FOR something instead of managing against something More Purpose: When your brain isn't consumed 24/7, you discover what you're passionate about Remembering what brings you joy beyond food and body control More Authentic Relationships: Ordering what you actually want at dinner Traveling without packing your entire kitchen Being fully present because you're not monitoring every bite 🧠 The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything From Scarcity to Abundance Thinking: ED Focus: Less food, less calories, less space, less needs Recovery Focus: More nourishment, more rest, more joy, more presence Maya Angelou Quote: "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." 😰 The Fear That Keeps You Small The Weight Gain Terror + The "So What?" Breakthrough: What are you really afraid of if you gain weight? "So what if you gain weight? So what if people have opinions?" "I'd rather be 20 pounds heavier and present at my son's birthday party than be the 'perfect' weight and miss the joy" "I'd rather wear a size 8 and go on adventures than fit in tiny clothes and live a tiny life" 🚀 Expansion Thoughts for Daily Life 1. Expand Your Food Choices Instead of: "I can only eat these 5 safe foods" Expansion: "I'm exploring what my body actually craves and enjoys" 2. Expand Your Social Life Instead of: "I can't go out to eat because I won't know the calories" Expansion: "I'm choosing connection over control" 3. Expand Your Self-Talk Instead of: "I need to exercise to earn this food" Expansion: "I'm nourishing my body because I deserve to feel good" 4. Expand Your Identity Instead of: "I'm the girl who always orders salad" Expansion: "I'm the woman who chooses what sounds good to her" Powerful Quotes from This Episode "That's not living. That's surviving." "Sometimes we have to make peace with what is so that we can grab onto what's waiting for us." "When we focus on less, we get more of less. When we focus on more, we get more." "So what if you gain weight? I'd rather be 20 pounds heavier and actually present." "Your life - your REAL life - is waiting for you on the other side of these food and body thoughts." Scripture Reference John 10:10: "I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly." - Not restricted, controlled, or conditional life, but ABUNDANT life. The Two Ways Happiness Comes Change your circumstances (choose recovery, expand your life) Change the way you think about your circumstances (reframe fears, focus on abundance) The Three Steps to Start Settling for More Step 1: Notice Where You're Playing Small Catch yourself choosing the eating disorder option over the life option Are you skipping work happy hours? Avoiding family barbecues? Step 2: Ask "What Would More Look Like?" Before automatically choosing restriction, ask: "If I were living in abundance instead of scarcity, what would I choose?" Step 3: Take One Expansion Action Daily Order the sandwich instead of the salad Say yes to the invitation Take the rest day your body is asking for The Vision of Your Future Self One year from now: Your first thought isn't about food or your body You're planning weekend trips excited about adventure, not anxious about resta

Ready to break the lies that have kept you trapped in disordered eating? In this fire-filled episode, Lindsey delivers one golden nugget that could change everything: it's time to evaluate your agreement. The direction of your life is based on agreements you've made along the way - and if you're still stuck, you're standing in agreement with lies that no longer serve you. Learn how to fall out of agreement with false beliefs and make the most powerful commitment you'll ever make: putting yourself first and choosing recovery. Key Takeaways The direction of your life is based on agreements you've made along the way You must fall out of agreement with lies that keep you trapped No one's coming to save you - this agreement is yours to make The goal of life is living in agreement with who you were made to be You must give yourself permission to succeed instead of searching for evidence of failure Main Topics Covered 🤝 What an Agreement Actually Is Definition: A meeting of the mind, acceptance and action of future commitment The most powerful commitment: putting yourself first A transaction of trust and faith from where you are to where you want to be The difference between silent self-agreements and shared commitments 💔 The Problem with Eating Disorders and Agreements You're not living in agreement with who you are - you're believing lies about who you need to be The division between heart (wanting freedom) and mind (feeling unable to give up control) Living at war with yourself instead of in alignment How lies about perfection, size, and worth create false agreements 🚫 Lies You Need to Fall Out of Agreement With "You're not good enough" "You have to be perfect" "You have to be the smallest" "You're going to gain all this weight and hate your life" "You're just not ever going to change" ✨ The Power of Making THE Agreement Choosing to stand in agreement in both heart and mind Rebuking the division between what you want and what you believe is possible The courage required to step forward with hope and trust Making the choice to follow through no matter what it takes 🔥 The Reality Check Section "No one's coming to save you" - hard truth about personal responsibility No one will give you a permission slip to freedom This life is yours and yours alone When you accept 100% responsibility, you gain your power back ⚔️ The Fighting Questions Lindsey challenges you to ask: Are you fighting FOR yourself or AGAINST yourself? Are you fighting FOR recovery or against it? Are you fighting FOR your future or against it? Are you standing in your truth or believing the enemy's lies? Which side are you agreeing with? 🙏 The Biblical Foundation Matthew 18:19: "If two of you agree here on Earth about anything you ask for, it will be done" Lindsey stands in agreement with listeners (1 + 1 = 2) The enemy wants to kill, steal, and destroy - but you can stand against it Your obligation to stand no matter what opposition comes Powerful Quotes from This Episode "Life is too short, sister, to spend it at war with you." "The goal of this life is living in agreement with who you are." "No one's coming to save you. No one has got a life vest for you." "You must give yourself permission to succeed instead of searching for evidence of why you're going to fail." "It is my duty. It is my destiny. It is in my design to become the woman I was created to be." The Agreement Declarations Declaration #1: "Even though I don't know what it's like yet to break free from this disordered relationship that I have with food and myself, I can rebuke the lies that I've been believing. Today I deeply choose to love and accept and honor myself and my body. Today I choose to stand in agreement." Declaration #2: "It is my duty. It is my destiny. It is in my design to become the woman I was created to be. I break the agreement of lies that I've been believing for so long. I break them because I'm free to be me. This is my time and today is my day to honor me." Journal Prompts for Your Agreement "What lies am I believing that I need to fall out of agreement with?" "What must I give up in order to heal my life?" "Who am I standing in agreement with?" "What do I truly want for my future self?" "What evidence am I searching for that I'll fail, and how can I redirect this?" The Agreement Process Step 1: Identify what you truly want (or start with what you no longer want) Step 2: List the lies and beliefs that are keeping you trapped Step 3: Fall out of agreement with these false beliefs Step 4: Make your personal treaty with your future self Step 5: Stand in agreement daily, even when opposition comes Signs You Need to Make This Agreement You feel divided between wanting freedom and feeling unable to change You're searching for evidence of why recovery won't work for you You're still believing lies about your worth, body, or ability to heal You're waiting for someone else to give you permission to recover You're fighting against yourself instead of for yourself What

Feeling exhausted from fighting the same eating disorder thoughts every single day? Tired of trying to navigate recovery alone while swimming against what feels like an impossible current? In this hope-filled episode, Lindsey uses powerful ocean metaphors to help you understand why recovery feels so hard and why you don't have to do it alone. If you're in the thick of the hard season and desperately want to stop carrying this burden by yourself, this episode will speak directly to your heart and give you the one step you need to finally say yes to support. Key Takeaways Recovery feels like swimming against the current because you're fighting it alone You're not broken - you're a seashell in the making, getting stronger through the storms You're not actually in control right now - your eating disorder is Putting yourself first isn't selfish - it's putting on your oxygen mask The hardest thing isn't doing recovery perfectly - it's admitting you can't do it alone Main Topics Covered 🌊 The Ocean Current Metaphor Why recovery feels like swimming against an impossible current The eating disorder voice as the force pushing you backward How every woman who found freedom had to swim this same current The difference between fighting the waves and learning to ride them 🐚 The Seashell Wisdom How seashells become beautiful through pressure and storms Every hard day in recovery is forming another layer of strength You're not broken in the storm - you're becoming a treasure The process of becoming beautiful requires surviving the tumbling 😨 The Fear That Keeps You Swimming in Circles The illusion of control that your eating disorder provides Why holding onto your ED is actually keeping you drowning Fear of weight gain, losing control, and trusting the process Reality check: You're not in control right now anyway 🙏 What Stepping Into Faith Actually Looks Like Faith as taking one stroke toward shore instead of treading water Practical faith actions in recovery (meal plans, rest, support) Trusting the process instead of controlling the outcome 💪 The Hard Things You're Trying to Carry Alone The exhaustion of managing everything by yourself Why "I should be stronger" thinking keeps you stuck The difference between being strong and being wise Even the strongest swimmers need a lifeguard ✨ What Putting Yourself First Really Means Why "putting yourself first" feels selfish but isn't The oxygen tank analogy Setting boundaries that support your recovery You can't pour from an empty cup 🌟 The Ripple Effect of Your Recovery How your healing impacts everyone around you Becoming a lighthouse for other women in the storm Modeling freedom for daughters, friends, and coworkers Your recovery story creates ripples of hope Powerful Quotes from This Episode "You think holding onto your eating disorder is keeping you safe, but it's actually keeping you drowning." "You're not broken because you're in the storm right now. You're in the process of becoming the treasure." "The hardest thing isn't doing recovery perfectly. The hardest thing is admitting you can't do it alone." "You don't have to figure out how to become a beautiful seashell while you're still in the middle of the storm." "The current is strong, but you are stronger." The Reality Check What feels like control vs. What's actually happening: You think you're controlling your food → Your ED is controlling when/what/how much you eat You think you're managing your body → Your ED is dictating your clothes, activities, social events You think you're staying safe → Your ED is keeping you drowning in the same spot Signs You're Swimming in Circles Waking up fighting the same thoughts every day Trying to manage recovery completely alone Exhausted from "being stronger" all the time Making the same promises to yourself that you can't keep Feeling like you're treading water instead of moving toward freedom The One Step That Changes Everything Stop swimming in circles and reach out your hand for help. Not tomorrow. Not next week. TODAY. Because when you reach out for support: The current doesn't disappear, but you stop fighting it alone You learn to ride the waves instead of being crushed by them You get a guide who knows the way to freedom What Professional Support Looks Like Having a guide who's already made it to the shore Learning to work with the current instead of fighting against it Getting a map for territory you've been trying to navigate alone Having someone protect you while you're forming your strength (like the seashell in deeper water) Action Step Go to herbestself.co and fill out an application to partner with Lindsey in your recovery journey. This is your moment to: Stop doing the hard things alone Say yes to the support you deserve Take one brave step toward freedom Let someone help you swim to shore Ready to Stop Swimming Alone? You don't have to earn support. You don't have to be perfect first. You just have to be brave enough to reach out your hand. Connect with Lindsey W

Ready for some tough love, sis? If you've been walking around asking "Why me? Why do I have to struggle with this eating disorder? Why do I even bother trying to recover?" - this episode is your wake-up call. Lindsey delivers the reality check you need to stop playing victim in your own recovery story and start asking the question that changes everything: WHY NOT YOU? With 60-70% of women recovering from eating disorders, it's time to stop making yourself the exception and start making yourself the example. Key Takeaways You are the author of your own story - stop writing yourself as the victim 60-70% of women with eating disorders make a full recovery Your past thinking is driving your current reality - change your thoughts, change your story You're not too broken, too far gone, or too different to recover Recovery Warriors ask "Why NOT me?" instead of "Why me?" Main Topics Covered 🎭 The Story You're Telling Yourself How you've become the main character in a story you hate Why victim questions keep you stuck in the disorder cycle The difference between facts and the meaning you assign to facts How your current identity as "Woman with Eating Disorder" drives your thoughts 📊 The Recovery Statistics That Should Wake You Up 60-70% of people with eating disorders make full recovery 80% recovery rates with proper treatment (Journal of Clinical Medicine) 85% of people who complete treatment maintain long-term recovery People who believe in recovery are 3x more likely to achieve it 🚫 Stop Making Yourself the Exception Why "my eating disorder is different" keeps you stuck How victim identity protects you from scary recovery work The uncomfortable truth about avoiding weight gain fears Why playing small feels safer than playing powerful ⚡ The Identity Shift from Victim to Recovery Warrior Changing your default brain setting from ED thoughts to recovery thoughts How Recovery Warriors think vs. how victims think The power of deciding your recovery in advance New identity statement: "I am a Recovery Warrior" 🔄 The "Why NOT You" Reframe Old Questions → New Questions: "Why me?" → "Why NOT me?" "Why can't I be normal?" → "Why NOT me to have complete food freedom?" "Why do I even bother?" → "Why NOT me to inspire others with my recovery?" "What if I'm too broken?" → "Why NOT me to be fully recovered by next year?" Powerful Quotes from This Episode "You are literally writing yourself as the victim in your own life story, and then getting mad that you're playing the victim role." "Your past and current thinking is driving your entire life. How's that working for you, sis?" "Stop making yourself special in all the wrong ways." "You are one decision away from changing your entire life trajectory." "You are not a victim of your eating disorder. You are a Recovery Warrior." Scripture References 1 Corinthians 10:13: "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind." Romans 8:37: "We are more than conquerors." The Come-to-Jesus Reality Check You have been playing small in your own life You're not too broken, too far gone, or the exception The women who recover aren't special - they just decided to stop being the victim You are one decision away from changing everything Recovery is not just possible for you - it's PROBABLE Your New Power Statement "I am not a victim of my eating disorder. I am a Recovery Warrior who is actively choosing healing over hiding, growth over staying small, and freedom over fear. If 60-70% of women recover, then I choose to be in that majority. Why? Because WHY NOT ME?" Homework & Action Steps Write down: "I am a Recovery Warrior, and recovery is my new identity" Memorize and repeat the Power Statement daily Replace every "Why me?" with "WHY NOT ME?" Decide in advance that you WILL recover (not hope, not maybe - WILL) Apply to work with Lindsey at herbestself.co Signs This Episode is For You You've been struggling with ED thoughts for years but are ready for real support Your biggest fear about recovery is weight gain You catch yourself asking "Why me?" or "Why do I even bother?" You feel like you might be "too far gone" or "too broken" You're tired of being the victim in your own life story The Direct Challenge Stop asking: "Why me? Why can't I recover? Why do I even bother?" Start declaring: "Why NOT me? Why NOT full recovery? Why NOT complete food freedom?" Ready to Stop Playing Victim? If this episode hit you right in the heart and you're ready to shift from "Why me?" to "WHY NOT ME?" - it's time to take action. Head to www.herbestself.co right now and fill out a client application to work with Lindsey personally. Stop doing this alone and let her help you rewrite your story from victim to Recovery Warrior. Connect with Lindsey Website: www.herbestself.co Private Facebook Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com Client Applications: www.herbestself.co About the Host Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. She spe

Ready to make the hardest shift in eating disorder recovery? In this powerful episode, Lindsey tackles the most challenging aspect of healing: letting go of weight loss goals completely. If you're a high achiever who's built your identity around being "weight conscious," this episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about recovery. Learn why you can't truly recover while still wanting to lose weight and get practical steps to shift your primary goal from weight loss to recovery freedom. Key Takeaways You cannot recover while still holding onto weight loss as a goal Recovery requires complete surrender and a total shift in perspective Weight loss goals keep you stuck in eating disorder behaviors Your identity isn't based on a number - it's based on who you choose to become Action before belief: You must act differently before you feel differently Main Topics Covered 🔄 The Identity Shift That Changes Everything Why high achievers struggle to let go of weight loss goals The difference between false self (diet culture) vs. true self (recovery) How "thin = win" mentality keeps you trapped Moving from weight loss as primary mission to recovery as primary goal 💔 Why Weight Loss Goals Sabotage Recovery The programming of diet culture: "You can't trust yourself with food" How before/after photos and diet products reinforce harmful beliefs Why "maintenance mode" is still diet culture thinking The slippery slope of counting macros, calories, and measuring 🧠 The Three-Step Process to Surrender Weight Loss Step 1: Self-Compassion Recognizing you've been programmed by diet culture Understanding you're not like other people - and that's okay Giving yourself grace for past beliefs about weight Step 2: Acceptance Accepting that weight loss may be okay for some, but not for you Understanding your eating disorder history changes the rules Believing you can never diet again - and that's your strength Step 3: Strategic Planning Making concrete changes to support your new mindset Discarding clothes that don't fit your natural body Setting boundaries with diet culture influences 🚫 What Has to Go (The Boundary List) Stop following diet culture social media accounts Eliminate body checking behaviors Remove scales, step trackers, and calorie counting apps Distance yourself from people who talk about restricting calories Stop contributing to wellness culture that harms women ✅ What to Focus on Instead Health and happiness as primary goals Nourishing your body to function at its highest level Getting your body to its natural state through adequate nutrition Building trust between you and your body Surrounding yourself with supportive recovery community Powerful Quotes from This Episode "You have to shift perspective of your goal... recovery requires complete surrender." "Weight loss isn't good at all costs and weight gain isn't bad." "When you give trust to your body, your body learns to trust you." "It's okay for them, but not for me." "Your identity is not based on a number, a metric, a step count, or a calorie." Expert Quote Featured Dr. Maria Rego, President of the National Eating Disorder Association: "When you no longer value the eating disorder, you don't buy in to the idea that you should be engaging in weight loss or unhealthy eating patterns." The Reality Check Questions Do you identify as someone who is super weight conscious constantly? Are you only allowing yourself to recover up to a certain weight? Are you terrified of gaining over your "maintenance zone"? Why is it okay for others to eat freely but not you? Journal Prompts for This Week "What am I so scared of when I think about not trying to lose weight?" "Where have I not been giving myself compassion and grace?" "What beliefs about weight loss am I holding onto that aren't serving me?" "How would my life change if I made health and happiness my primary goals?" "What boundaries do I need to set to support my recovery mindset?" Action Steps to Take This Week Choose ONE and go all in: Unfollow all diet culture social media accounts Throw away your scale Donate clothes that don't fit your natural body size Stop tracking calories, macros, or steps Have an honest conversation with someone about your recovery needs Join a supportive recovery community The Mindset Reframes Old Thinking → New Thinking "I need to lose weight" → "My body needs nourishment to function" "Weight gain is bad" → "Weight restoration is healing" "I can't trust myself with food" → "I'm learning to trust my body's wisdom" "I need rules around food" → "Rules have kept me trapped" "Thin = successful" → "Healthy and happy = successful" Signs You're Ready for This Shift You're tired of the constant mental chatter about weight You recognize that weight loss goals keep you stuck You're willing to challenge beliefs that no longer serve you You want freedom more than you want to be thin You're ready to take action even when it feels scary Community Support Join other women on the same journey

Struggling with watching your husband grab a banana and head out for his 5-mile run while you're sitting with your full breakfast? Feeling guilty about eating meals when your friend skips lunch because she's "too busy"? This episode tackles the comparison trap that's keeping you stuck in eating disorder recovery. Lindsey gets raw and real about why other people's food and exercise choices have absolutely nothing to do with your healing journey. Key Takeaways Other people's food and exercise choices have nothing to do with your recovery You're not comparing apples to apples - you're comparing apples to pineapples Comparison is literally increasing your risk of ED relapse Your recovery is not up for a vote Stop giving mental energy to other people's plates and start celebrating your own healing 🧠 The Hidden Truth About Why You Compare The science behind your comparison brain (Social Comparison Theory) How your ED voice hijacks normal brain processes Why comparison feels logical but leads you away from healing The difference between recovering and "normal" relationships with food 🔍 The Three Comparison Traps Exercise Comparison: "Why does he get to run when I need rest?" Food Comparison: "She only ate half her meal and I finished mine" Body Comparison: "They look amazing and barely work out" ⚡ The Real Cost of Comparison 2020 study: Social comparison = strongest predictor of ED relapse How comparison steals your present moment Why shame keeps you stuck in the disorder cycle The difference between shame vs. grace in recovery 🛠️ Practical Tools to Break Free Tool #1: The Reality Check Questions "Am I comparing my recovery to someone's normal?" "What would I tell my best friend thinking this?" "Is this thought moving me toward or away from healing?" Tool #2: The Information Gathering Technique Get curious instead of assuming Remember you don't see the full picture Challenge your assumptions about "normal" Tool #3: The Redirect and Refocus Name it: "I'm comparing again" Redirect: "My recovery is about MY healing" Refocus: "What does MY body need right now?" Powerful Quotes from This Episode "You're not comparing apples to apples - you're comparing apples to trauma recovery." "Your recovery is not a democracy. It's not up for a vote." "Comparison is the thief of joy, but it's also the thief of recovery progress." "The most rebellious thing you can do against your eating disorder is to stop caring what everyone else is doing." Scripture References Proverbs 14:12: "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." Isaiah 43:19: "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" Research & Studies Mentioned 2019 Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology: Limiting social comparison reduced depression/anxiety in one week 2020 International Journal of Eating Disorders: Social comparison as strongest predictor of ED relapse Dr. Leon Festinger's Social Comparison Theory Journal Prompts "When I compare myself to others, what am I really afraid of?" "What lies is my eating disorder voice telling me when I compare?" "If I stopped caring about what others ate or exercised, what would change?" "What would I do differently if I truly believed my recovery was worth prioritizing?" "How is comparison serving my eating disorder rather than my healing?" New Identity Statement "I am not my husband. I am not my friend. I am not social media. I am a woman in recovery, and my healing journey is sacred. Other people's choices have nothing to do with my recovery needs. I choose progress over comparison, healing over hiding, and my recovery over everyone else's opinion." The Opposite Action Challenge This Week's Homework: Compare to your PAST self, not others When you catch comparison: Thank your brain → Remind yourself comparison doesn't help → Take one recovery action → Celebrate that action Practice the new identity statement daily What Recovery Really Looks Like Your meal plan matters more than what's on anyone else's plate Rest days are as important as workout days Your healing journey takes priority over fitting in Doing what YOUR body needs, regardless of others Connect with Lindsey Website: www.herbestself.co Private Facebook Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com Client Application: Client Application About the Host Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. After finding freedom from her own eating disorder, she now helps women break free from obsessive food thoughts and comparison traps to live their best lives in recovery. If this episode called you out (in the best way), please leave a rating and review! Your support helps more women break free from the comparison trap that's keeping them stuck. * 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 & b

If you exercise too much but can't stop, if rest days fill you with anxiety, if you've convinced yourself that constant movement equals worthiness—this episode is your permission slip to finally rest. Lindsey shares her personal journey from exercise addiction to freedom, revealing the powerful 4-letter word and method that saved her life: REST. You'll discover why your brain equates rest with laziness, learn the REST acronym that breaks the compulsive exercise cycle, and understand why rest isn't a reward for work—it's part of the recovery work itself. What You'll Learn ✨ Why exercise addiction is common in eating disorders (and how to recognize it) ✨ The false beliefs that keep you trapped in compulsive exercise patterns ✨ How "dedicated" becomes destructive (and when to be concerned) ✨ The REST method: A practical 4-step approach to breaking exercise addiction ✨ Why rest days anxiety is normal in recovery (and how to manage it) ✨ Biblical perspective on rest and recovery (Matthew 11:28) Exercise Addiction Warning Signs Do you recognize yourself in these patterns? Exercising every single day, multiple times per day Eating while standing to "burn more calories" Doing random exercises throughout the day (crunches, etc.) Believing rest makes you lazy or weak Feeling anxious or guilty about missing workouts Exercising even when injured or exhausted Viewing movement solely through a calorie-burning lens Isolating from friends/activities that involve sitting The REST Method Breakdown R - RELAX Surrender and give up control Pause, pray, stop, step away Let go of the bondage to constant movement Practice: Try stopping your workout 1 minute earlier each day E - EVALUATE Get in tune with your feelings and emotions Reframe emotions with facts Challenge thoughts: "Will I really 'blow up' if I don't go to the gym?" Ask: "Am I actually going to heal my disordered relationship with exercise?" S - SET AN INTENTION Define what your best self means to you Plan and pre-decide your actions Ask: "What's one thing I can do to step in her direction?" Focus on who you want to become, not what you want to avoid T - TAKE ACTION Put that step in motion and practice The hardest part: actually doing what you've been thinking about Don't wait for your eating disorder to give permission Remember: The action here IS resting Key Mindset Shifts Rest Isn't Laziness—It's Living "You aren't lazy, you're living. You're allowed rest." Rest Is Part of Recovery Work "Resting isn't a reward for work. It's part of the work. It's part of the recovery work." Your Body Needs Repair "If you don't rest, you can't repair. If you don't rest, you can't restore. If you don't rest, you can't reflect." Cultural Lies vs. Recovery Truth Culture says: Hustle and go, go, go Recovery truth: Two rest days in a row is exactly what you need to heal The Deeper Issue: Fear of Self Why Rest Feels Impossible Fear of sitting with yourself Not knowing who you are without constant motion Anxiety about having more time to think about food Fear of "losing control" around food when home longer The Weekend Challenge Weekends felt harder because more time at home More food available = more food thoughts Fear of "going off the rails" Solution: Learning to sit with discomfort Biblical Foundation for Rest Matthew 11:28: "Come to me, all you who feel weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." God himself rested after creation Rest is divinely designed, not humanly weak Weariness and burden are invitations to rest Rest is both physical and spiritual restoration Practical Steps to Implement This Week Start Small One Minute Method: Stop your workout 1 minute earlier each day Sitting Practice: Sit for 5 minutes without doing anything productive Weekend Rest: Allow yourself one full rest day this weekend Challenge the Thoughts When you think "I'm being lazy": Remind yourself "I'm healing" When you feel guilty: Remember "Rest is part of recovery work" When you fear weight gain: Focus on "My body needs repair" Find Your Rest Activities Rest isn't just napping—it's anything that makes your nervous system feel safe: Yoga or gentle stretching Meditation or prayer Reading for pleasure Warm baths Nature walks (for joy, not calorie burn) Professional Support Recommendations Lindsey emphasizes the importance of working with qualified professionals: Clinicians: For DBT therapy and emotion management Dietitians: For nutrition guidance during recovery Coaches: For lived experience and practical support "The best thing you can do is give yourself permission and work with someone who has lived experience." Recovery Encouragement You're Not Alone Exercise addiction is common in eating disorders Your struggle with rest is valid and normal Recovery is possible, even from severe exercise addiction Permission Granted You have permission to rest You deserve to discover who you are without constant motion Your worth isn't determined by calories burned The Promise "If I can have an addiction with exercis

If you're trapped in the exhausting cycle of all-or-nothing thinking around food and recovery, this episode will revolutionize your entire approach. Fresh back from vacation, Lindsey shares the powerful "Both/And Recovery" strategy that finally breaks you free from black-and-white extremes and helps you find the beautiful gray area where real healing happens. You'll discover why perfectionist recovery keeps you stuck, learn specific Both/And reframes for common recovery struggles, and walk away with a tangible 3-step practice to implement this week. This isn't about being perfect at recovery—it's about being human while healing. What You'll Learn ✨ Why all-or-nothing thinking keeps you trapped in recovery cycles ✨ The revolutionary Both/And approach that changes everything ✨ Specific reframes for "good vs. bad" food thinking ✨ How to hold space for fear AND commitment simultaneously ✨ Why the "gray area" is where your freedom actually lives ✨ A practical 3-step method to implement Both/And thinking this week Key Takeaways The All-or-Nothing Prison Your brain categorizes everything as perfect or disaster, on-track or off-track, good foods or bad foods. This binary thinking keeps you swinging between extremes and never experiencing the freedom you crave. The space between extremes isn't the danger zone—it's where all the magic happens. The Both/And Revolution You can hold two seemingly opposite truths simultaneously, and this is where real healing occurs. Recovery isn't about choosing sides—it's about embracing complexity and being beautifully, imperfectly human. Why This Changes Everything The Both/And approach removes the pressure that keeps you stuck. When you stop trying to be perfect at recovery, you actually start recovering. Recovery isn't about eliminating difficult thoughts—it's about learning to hold space for all of it. Powerful Both/And Recovery Examples Fear & Courage Instead of: "I have to be brave to start recovery" Both/And: "I can be both scared of recovery AND committed to it" Restriction & Nourishment Instead of: "I either restrict or I'm out of control" Both/And: "I can both want to restrict AND choose to nourish myself" Body Image Struggles Instead of: "I have to love my body all the time" Both/And: "I can both love my body AND have days when I struggle with it" Food Morality Instead of: "Foods are either good or bad" Both/And: "I can be both 'good' at eating AND have chaotic food days" Recovery Process Instead of: "I'm either perfect at recovery or failing" Both/And: "I can be both in recovery AND not perfect at it" Weight & Health Instead of: "I'm either fat or skinny" Both/And: "I can both be my natural weight AND not love every inch every day" Structure & Flexibility Instead of: "I need rigid routine or I'm lost" Both/And: "I can both crave routine AND need flexibility" Your Both/And Recovery Practice (This Week) Step 1: Notice Your All-or-Nothing Thoughts Catch yourself thinking in extremes about food, body, or recovery. Examples: "I ruined the day" "I'm either on track or off track" "I have to be perfect at this" Step 2: Practice the Both/And Reframe Transform extreme thoughts with "both/and" language: "I both had a challenging food day AND I can nourish myself at my next meal" "I both struggled today AND I'm still committed to my healing" Step 3: Choose Your Next Right Action From this Both/And space, take one small step toward recovery: Eat your next planned meal Call a friend for support Practice self-compassion instead of self-criticism Revolutionary Quotes to Remember "The gray area you've been afraid of? That's not the danger zone—that's where your freedom lives." "Recovery isn't about eliminating all the difficult thoughts and feelings. Recovery is about learning to hold space for all of it—the fear AND the courage, the struggle AND the strength." "The moment you stop trying to be perfect at recovery is the moment you actually start recovering." "You can both feel uncertain about this approach AND try it anyway. You can both be scared of letting go of control AND take one small step toward freedom." "Your recovery doesn't have to be perfect to be powerful. Your healing doesn't have to be linear to be real." Personal Story: Post-Vacation Recovery Evolution Lindsey shares her transformation from post-vacation restriction panic to flexible re-entry into routine. Learn how the Both/And approach allows you to both crave structure AND ease back into real life without rigidity—a perfect metaphor for recovery itself. The Science Behind Both/And Thinking Why All-or-Nothing Thinking Develops Eating disorders thrive on binary thinking Perfectionism creates impossible standards Black-and-white thoughts feel "safer" but create more suffering How Both/And Thinking Heals Reduces perfectionist pressure Allows for human complexity Creates space for growth and mistakes Normalizes the recovery process Ready to Live the Both/And Approach? If this episode resonated but you're unsu

On this MUST listen episode I share a listener question that will probably resonate with you: "I want to nourish my body more, but I save my calories until the end of the day. Why do I do this? Is this part of my eating disorder or just who I am?" If you find yourself waiting to eat certain foods until later, saving up calories for dinner, or only allowing treats at specific times, this episode is for you. Lindsey breaks down the psychology behind this behavior and gives you 7 concrete steps to break free from the scarcity mindset that's keeping you stuck. What You'll Learn The real reason you save calories (hint: it's not about hunger) Why this is classic eating disorder behavior rooted in scarcity mindset The difference between scarcity and abundance thinking with food 7 practical steps to start eating earlier and honoring your body How to challenge the rules you've created around "worthy" foods The "Best First Rule" - why you should tackle the hardest thing first Key Concepts Explained Scarcity Mindset vs. Abundance Mindset Scarcity: Living from lack, believing you don't deserve abundance Abundance: Allowing food in and out like energy/currency The Truth: You were created to have all things abundantly Why You Save Calories Classic eating disorder tactic based on scarcity Underlying belief that you don't deserve good things now Fear of overeating if you have something earlier Coping mechanism that turned sour 7 Steps to Stop Saving Calories 1. Honor Your Mornings Make a new rule: "Why wait for later what I can nourish now?" Question where your restrictions came from Pre-decide the night before to challenge morning rules 2. Eat Consciously Every 1-2 Hours Start with every 2 hours if needed Eat even when not hungry to create consistent patterns Break the "save up for later" cycle 3. Address Negative Emotions Ask "why" repeatedly to get to root fears Challenge illogical thoughts ("Will toast really make me gain weight?") Lean into uncomfortable feelings to change them 4. Honor Yourself - Act Now If you're dreaming of food freedom, act on it NOW Don't procrastinate on things you want Apply the "hardest thing first" principle 5. Remove All Rules Mentally Ask: "If all foods were zero calories and my rules didn't exist, what would I choose?" Give yourself permission to want things Make that choice without guilt 6. Switch Up Meal Times Try "breakfast for dinner" or eating 2 hours earlier Make it a game with small, achievable goals Focus on one goal at a time 7. Daily Reflection Journal each evening about restriction patterns Identify when unpleasant emotions came up Look for opportunities to do the opposite Powerful Episode Quotes "Stop fooling yourself into thinking that you aren't worthy. This is a classic eating disorder tactic based on a scarcity mindset." "The way to experience life is living life in abundance. We were made to have all things abundantly." "No amount of food can fill an emotional void. And no amount of food restriction can fill it either." "You are deserving of the now. You are deserving of a now life." "Put the salad later in the day. Start with the hard thing first." The Best First Rule Core Concept: Put the thing that will help you become your best self FIRST in your day. Don't save the challenging foods for later - tackle them first thing in the morning. Mindset Shifts Old Thinking: "I need to save calories for later when I really want them" New Thinking: "I deserve abundance now, not later" Old Thinking: "I'll overeat if I have this earlier" New Thinking: "Food is energy that flows in and out naturally" Old Thinking: "I'm not allowed to have carbs in the morning" New Thinking: "Who made this rule? I'm making a new one." Resources Mentioned Private Facebook Community: www.herbestselfesociety.com Submit Questions: [email protected] for Coaching Over Coffee episodes One-on-One Coaching: www.herbestself.co (currently accepting waitlist applications) Share the Revolution If this episode revolutionized your perspective on belonging and worthiness, please: ✨ Leave a 5-star review - Your words help this message reach more women who need to hear it ✨ Share with a friend - Tag someone who needs permission to stop earning their worth xo, lindsey Coach with Me -＞Client Application * 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.

Summer schedules, vacations, and seasonal changes can trigger intense anxiety for those in eating disorder recovery. Host Lindsey Nichol shares how to navigate BBQs, beach trips, bathing suit season, and schedule disruptions while prioritizing your healing journey. Learn practical tools used in private coaching sessions to "armor up" for summer recovery success. Key Takeaways Your eating disorder doesn't take a vacation, so your recovery can't either Summer is actually the PERFECT time to prioritize recovery and put yourself first The brain feels unsafe with change - use this knowledge to your advantage Create structure that supports recovery, not rigid control Practice "doing the opposite" of what your ED voice demands Main Topics Covered 🌞 Why Summer Triggers Eating Disorders Schedule changes and routine disruptions Cultural pressure around "bikini bodies" Increased social eating situations Vacation anxiety and food fears The restrict-before-and-after-vacation cycle 🛡️ Your Summer Recovery Armor Creating a flexible summer schedule that supports healing Pre-planning and pre-deciding for events and vacations Setting boundaries with family and friends Packing recovery essentials for travel Choosing comfort over societal expectations 🎯 Practical Recovery Tools The Opposite Action Strategy: Do the opposite of what your ED voice tells you Truth-Telling Conversations: Being honest with friends about your recovery needs Comfort-First Approach: Choosing clothing and activities that honor your body Permission and Grace: Allowing flexibility without shame Powerful Quotes from This Episode "Your eating disorder doesn't take a vacation, so your recovery can't either." "We wouldn't go into battle without armor - we're not gonna do that in recovery either." "You're allowed to put your recovery first." "There is never shame in standing against the version of you that isn't serving you anymore." Lindsey's Personal Story Lindsey shares her recent experience at her brother-in-law's wedding, contrasting her current freedom with past wedding anxiety. She also tells the powerful story of ordering pizza after a weekend away - choosing recovery over restriction. Action Steps for Listeners Map out your summer schedule and identify potential trigger situations Practice the opposite action when your ED voice speaks up Create your summer recovery toolkit (snacks, journal, comfortable clothes) Set boundaries and communicate your needs to loved ones Remember your why - where do you want to be next summer? Questions for Reflection What am I waiting for in my recovery journey? How can I prepare for upcoming events in a way that supports my healing? What boundaries do I need to set this summer? What would freedom look like in my summer experience? Connect with Lindsey Website: www.herbestself.co Private Facebook Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com Client Applications: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejRMF7DKM5Zf9pGFDqA9crfSHD2y0UGjvvbkuTfuxTsR8lrg/viewform About the Host Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. After finding freedom from her own eating disorder, she now helps women break free from obsessive food thoughts and disordered behaviors to live their best lives. If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review! Your support helps more women find freedom from food and body struggles. xo, Lindsey Coach with Me -＞Client Application * 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.

Happy Independence Day! In this inspiring episode, Lindsey connects the spirit of American independence to your personal freedom from disordered eating. Drawing from Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People," she breaks down the four human endowments that give us ultimate freedom: self-awareness, conscience, independent will, and creative imagination. If you're tired of living for everyone else's approval and ready to declare independence from your eating disorder, this episode will show you exactly how to break free using the power you already have within you. What You'll Learn The 4 human endowments that create ultimate freedom (from Stephen Covey) How your eating disorder hijacks your internal guidance system Why you get stuck in the "capacity to act" phase of recovery How to reconnect with your creative imagination and dreams The power of asking "What's the best that could happen?" How to put on your "full armor" against disordered eating The 4 Keys to Ultimate Human Freedom 1. Self-Awareness Allows you to think about your thoughts Key to taking responsibility for where you are and where you want to go Action Step: Write your Best Self Statement (Episode 51 reference) 2. Conscience Your internal guidance system for right and wrong Connects actions to your highest values (your "True North Compass") Gets jaded when eating disorder is in the driver's seat 3. Independent Will Your capacity to act and break patterns Where many people get stuck in recovery The part of you that's "starving for independence" 4. Creative Imagination Gives you purpose and dreams beyond current reality Hard to access when living "chained in the disorder" When attached to willpower, makes you unstoppable Key Questions to Ask Yourself "What's the best that could happen if..." I surrender control? I sit with my dreams and imagine life without unhealthy behaviors? I stop counting calories or weighing myself? I become the natural version of me I'm supposed to be? Powerful Episode Quotes "Independence is freedom from the need of everyone else's approval." "You have the key. No one else. Freedom isn't really free - it's won by you, but you don't have to go at it alone." "When your willpower is attached to your creative imagination, nothing can stop you." "Fears keep us stuck. The fear of weight gain is real... but it kept me stuck for so long. These are the handcuffs around you, and you have the key." Biblical Foundation - Ephesians 6:10-18 Lindsey references putting on the "full armor of God" to stand against the eating disorder, including: Belt of truth Breastplate of righteousness Shield of faith Helmet of salvation Sword of the Spirit Resources Mentioned Best Self Statement: Pinned in Her Best Self Society Facebook community Episode 51: "Why Some Find Freedom from Disordered Eating and Others Don't" Stephen Covey: "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" Private Facebook Community: www.herbestselfesociety.com Ready for Recovery Coaching? Lindsey offers personalized recovery coaching for women ready to do the work. If you're in the "messy middle" and feel stuck despite listening to inspirational content, working with someone who's walked the path could be your game changer. Next Steps: Visit www.herbestself.co Fill out the client application See if you're a good fit for coaching If not the right match, Lindsey will connect you with other qualified coaches on her team or additional resources to support you along your journey to freedom Take Action This Week Practice self-awareness - Reflect on what you truly want vs. what your ED wants Honor your True North - Connect with your real values and conscience Exercise your independent will - Make one choice that goes against ED thoughts Use creative imagination - Dream about life without obsessive food thoughts Ask the key question: "What's the best that could happen?" Connect & Share Love this episode? Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Share with someone who needs to hear this message Join the private Facebook community for ongoing support Tag @thelindseynichol on social media with your independence declaration Independence Challenge: This week, declare independence from one ED behavior or thought pattern. Share your declaration in the Facebook community for support and accountability! xo, lindsey Coach with Me -＞Client Application * 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.

In this raw and vulnerable episode, Lindsay shares the one truth about eating disorder recovery that no one wants to discuss: it gets harder before it gets easier. She opens up her personal recovery journal from 2007 to give you an unfiltered look at what the healing journey really looks like. If you're struggling with disordered eating or an eating disorder, this episode will prepare you for the reality of recovery while giving you the encouragement to keep fighting for your freedom. What You'll Learn The #1 thing about eating disorder recovery that no one talks about Why your eating disorder voice gets louder when you start healing What to expect during the "stuck" phase of recovery How to push through when recovery feels impossible Why zero women who've recovered live with regret The difference between existing and truly living your life Key Takeaways "If it's hard, it's working. If it's hard, it's worth it." "Things tend to scream before they die." - Your eating disorder will fight harder as you get stronger "Maybe life isn't about avoiding the bruises. Maybe life is actually about collecting the scars to prove that you showed up for it." Raw Recovery Journal Entry Lindsey reads from her November 13, 2007 journal entry, revealing her internal struggle with: Trying to restrict while knowing it's harmful Feeling guilty for even thinking about food rules The exhaustion of analyzing every meal and calorie The confusion between hunger and forced eating The obsession with control and letting go Resources Mentioned Her Best Self Society: www.herbestselfesociety.com One-on-One Recovery Coaching: Limited slots available at www.herbestself.co Connect with Lindsey Ready to start your recovery journey? Lindsey has two one-on-one coaching slots available. Fill out the client application at herbestself.co to discuss what personalized recovery support looks like for you. Love This Episode? If this episode resonated with you: Rate and review on Apple Podcasts (85+ five-star reviews help other women find the show!) Share with someone who needs to hear this message Join the private Facebook community for ongoing support Episode Quotes "The world isn't gonna stop for your unhealthy relationship with food. People are going to still experience life - the beauty, the fear, the joy of it all - and maybe you'll be 40 or 50 or 30 or 60 or 89 and you will have just existed. Is that what you want?" "While it may be painful for a while, you are a conqueror, you are a warrior. Hold on one more second, one more day." "The hard is temporary and what you experience on the other side of recovery - that my friend, that's permanent." Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical or psychological treatment. If you're struggling with an eating disorder, please seek help from qualified healthcare professionals.

If you're a high-achieving woman who has built an empire of accomplishments but still feels like an outsider looking in, this episode will revolutionize everything you thought you knew about your relationship with food and your body. Today we're exposing the truth behind the staggering statistic that 91% of women diet to belong, and why your weight obsession is actually a belonging crisis in disguise. You'll discover the research-backed connection between restriction and worthiness, learn why your "disciplined" identity is actually a prison, and walk away with 4 revolutionary strategies to reclaim your power this summer. This isn't just another episode about food freedom—this is your call to revolution. What You'll Discover ✨ Why 91% of women use dieting as a belonging strategy (and why it backfires) ✨ The Harvard research that proves relationships matter 10x more than weight for happiness ✨ How your "disciplined identity" around food is actually keeping you small ✨ Why validation addiction through restriction is sabotaging your authentic connections ✨ The revolutionary truth about weight, worth, and belonging that changes everything ✨ 3 power practices you can implement this week to break free from the cycle Shocking Statistics Revealed The Belonging Crisis Numbers 91% of women surveyed on college campuses had attempted to control their weight through dieting 22% of women diet "often" or "always" (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders) 95% of people struggling with food restriction report feeling "different" or "misunderstood" (Center for Mindful Eating) The Research That Changes Everything Harvard's Study of Adult Development: Quality of relationships determines happiness and health more than any other factor—not dress size, not workout routine 95% of diets fail long-term, yet women continue the cycle of restriction 85% of eating disorders start as "normal" dieting behavior Key Revelations The Belonging Wound Your obsession with weight has nothing to do with your weight and everything to do with your wounded belief that you don't belong. You've convinced yourself that belonging is conditional—requiring the right size, perfect discipline, most controlled relationship with food. The Identity Prison You've made restriction your religion and your body your altar. The identity keeping you "safe" from rejection is the same identity keeping you small. When you define yourself as "the disciplined one," you're not building strength—you're building a prison with bars made of other people's opinions. The Validation Addiction Every compliment about your discipline gives you a temporary hit, but validation addiction works like any other addiction—the highs get shorter and the lows get deeper. You need more external approval to feel momentarily worthy. Powerful Quotes to Remember "True belonging only happens when we present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world." - Brené Brown "The belonging you're seeking through their approval will never be sustainable because it's not real. Real belonging comes from the inside out, not the outside in." Your Belonging Revolution Toolkit: 3 Power Practices Practice 1: The Belonging Mirror Method Every morning before checking your phone, stand in front of your mirror and say: "I belong here. In this body, in this life, in this world. Not because of what I weigh, but because of who I am." Then name three things you're grateful your body can do. This rewires your brain from criticism to celebration. Practice 2: The Summer Freedom Food Challenge This week, choose one food you've been restricting and eat it mindfully in a social setting. Maybe it's ice cream on a date, bread at dinner with friends. The goal isn't the food—it's practicing belonging while nourishing yourself. Notice how no one cares what you're eating as much as you think they do. Practice 3: The Energy Reclaim Ritual Instead of over-exercising to earn belonging, move your body in ways that make you feel powerful. Dance in your living room. Walk in nature. Stretch on your porch. Ask: "How does my body want to move today?" then honor that answer. Transform movement from obligation to celebration. Bonus Practice: The Validation Redirect When you catch yourself seeking approval about food choices, body, or discipline—pause and ask: "What validation do I need to give myself right now?" Then give it to yourself. Out loud. With conviction. The Summer Revolution Challenge This summer, stage a revolution for your body, not against it. For freedom, not restriction. For your soul, not your size. Ask Yourself: What would it look like to show up to summer gatherings as the woman who belongs because she's claimed it through courage? What would it feel like to order what you want because you want it, not because you've "earned" it? What would it mean to wear the swimsuit because you realize your body was always perfect for living your life? Research Sources Brené Brown's belonging and vulnerability resea

If you're the woman everyone sees as "having it all together" but you secretly battle food thoughts every day, this episode is for you. Today we're exposing the lies high-achieving women tell themselves about carbs and revealing why your fear of bread, pasta, and fruit has nothing to do with discipline and everything to do with identity. You'll discover the science behind why your brain needs carbohydrates to function, hear a powerful client transformation story, and walk away with 3 tangible strategies you can implement this week to start eating freely this summer. What You'll Learn ✨ Why your identity as "the disciplined one" might actually be keeping you trapped ✨ The scientific truth about carbs and brain function that diet culture doesn't want you to know ✨ How restriction is literally impacting your cognitive performance and mood ✨ Why the most successful women struggle most with food freedom ✨ 3 immediate action steps to break free from carb fear this summer Key Takeaways The Identity Trap Your fear of carbs isn't really about carbs—it's about who you think you'll become if you eat them Being "the woman who doesn't need carbs" has become a prison disguised as discipline True discipline looks like nourishing your body, not restricting it The Science You Need to Know Your brain uses 120 grams of glucose daily (480 calories worth of carbohydrates) Glucose is the primary fuel source for your prefrontal cortex (decision-making center) Low-carb diets can impair cognitive performance and mood regulation Carbs are essential for serotonin production (your happiness neurotransmitter) The Summer Shift This summer can be different, but it requires challenging the identity you've built around restriction and embracing a new definition of what it means to be disciplined and successful. 3 Strategies to Break Free From Fear Foods This Summer Strategy 1: The Summer Food Dare Choose one carb you've been avoiding and eat it mindfully this week. Notice how your body feels and remind yourself: "I am safe. I am nourished. I am worthy of enjoyment." Strategy 2: The Identity Reframe Journal Practice Every morning write: "I am a woman who nourishes herself well." List what you WILL eat to fuel your life instead of what you WON'T eat. Strategy 3: The Carb Curiosity Experiment For one week, approach carbs with curiosity instead of fear. When the voice says "you don't need that," respond with "I'm curious how this will make me feel." Featured Client Story Hear how Lindsey's client, a doctor by trade and marathon runner, went from being unable to eat a bagel without spiraling to enjoying pizza with her kids and pasta on date nights—while actually improving her energy and work performance. Research Mentioned American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Brain glucose requirements Journal of Nutrition: Cognitive performance and carb intake MIT Research: Carbohydrates and serotonin synthesis International Journal of Eating Disorders: Flexible vs. rigid eating patterns Quotes to Remember "Your fear of carbs isn't about the carbs—it's about losing control of an identity built on restriction." "The only bad thing about carbs is the people who tell you not to eat them." "Your brain runs on glucose, not willpower." "You don't earn carbs. You deserve them because you're alive." Ready to Go Deeper? If this episode hit you right in the chest and you're ready to break free from food fear this summer, you don't have to do this alone. Take the Next Step: Fill out a client application at www.herbestself.co to learn about partnering with Lindsey through her Breakthrough Experience or Freedom Formula programs. These aren't quick fixes—they're deep identity work that helps you become the woman who eats freely while living fully. Your future self—the one eating pasta at sunset dinners and ice cream with your kids—is waiting for you to take the first step. Connect With Lindsey 🎙️ Website: www.herbestself.co 📱 Instagram: @thelindseynichol 💌 Email: [email protected] 👥 Private Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com Leave a Review If this episode resonated with you, I'd be so grateful if you'd leave a rating and review. Your words help this podcast reach more women who need to hear that food freedom is possible. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear that she's worthy of nourishment and that breaking free from food rules is the most disciplined thing she can do. xo, Lindsey Coach with Me -＞Client Application * 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.

In this deeply personal and transformative episode, Lindsey shares a powerful message that came to her during her morning devotions: "It is possible to miss who you've been called to be because you're addicted and attached to who you've settled to be." If you've been settling for a life controlled by your eating disorder, this episode will open your eyes to the incredible life waiting for you on the other side of recovery. What You'll Learn: The powerful devotional quote that sparked this entire episode Why settling for your eating disorder is actually addiction in disguise 8 specific ways life becomes dramatically better in recovery The shocking statistics about eating disorders and relationships that no one talks about How to identify where you're settling vs. truly living Why your brain chooses "guaranteed misery" over uncertain freedom The exact moment Lindsey knew she had to stop pretending and start living The 8 Things Better Than Settling for Disordered Eating: 1. ENERGY ☕ Energy to tackle today with cream in your coffee No more "I don't drink my calories" badge of honor True nourishment vs. running on empty 2. CARBS & FREEDOM 🥞 Pancake breakfasts without guilt Snacks on snacks on snacks Being known as the "snack queen" instead of the restriction queen 3. PRESENCE WITH YOUR PEOPLE 👥 Breaking the isolation cycle Showing up fully for those who matter most No more avoiding social situations due to food fear 4. HEALTHY HAIR & YOUTHFUL SKIN ✨ Trading thin, brassy hair for healthy locks Getting your glow back through proper nourishment Looking younger, not older, through recovery 5. SAYING YES TO LIFE 🎉 Ice cream with your kids just because Dinner with friends without menu anxiety Breaking rigid rules and embracing spontaneity 6. INTIMACY & CONNECTION 💕 Restored libido and energy for relationships No longer too tired for life's pleasures 80% higher sexual satisfaction in recovery 7. CAPACITY FOR PEACE 🕊️ Mental freedom from obsessive food thoughts Learning to distinguish your voice from ED voice Getting out of your own way 8. FREEDOM FROM METRICS 📊 Walking without counting steps Grocery shopping without reading every label Eating dinner without pre-checking menus Cooking without calorie counting Key Takeaways: ✨ "Settling for crumbs doesn't keep you fed - it keeps you starving" ✨ "At any given second, you have the power to say 'this is not the life that I want'" ✨ "We prefer 100% certainty of something, even when it doesn't benefit us" ✨ "You're not alone and you don't have to live like this" Episode Highlights: [Opening] The devotional quote that changed everything [Energy Section] Why "I don't drink my calories" was a lie Lindsey told herself [Presence Section] How eating disorders create dangerous isolation [Intimacy Section] The 80% statistic about sexual health and eating disorders [Peace Section] Learning to distinguish your voice from your eating disorder voice [Certainty Effect] Why our brains choose guaranteed $30 over potential $45 Powerful Statistics Mentioned: Women with eating disorders have 80% fewer sexual encounters than those without According to the certainty effect, people choose guaranteed lesser gains over potential greater gains Research shows our brains constantly search for comfort and certainty, even when it harms us Reflection Questions: Where are you settling in your life right now? Are you living or just surviving? What would you tell your best friend if she shared your settling list with you? Are you missing who you've been called to be because you're attached to who you've settled to be? Action Steps: Make your settling list - Write down all the areas where you're settling for less Respond with compassion - Answer as if advising your best friend Choose one area to stop settling in today Take radical responsibility for the life you want to create Rate & Review: If this episode resonated with your athletic experience and gave you hope that freedom is possible, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps other former athletes find the specialized support they need to reclaim their lives. xo, lindsey Coach with Me -＞Client Application * 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.

In this powerful episode, Lindsey breaks down why former athletes face unique challenges in eating disorder recovery that go far beyond what most people understand. If you're a former athlete struggling with an eating disorder and wondering why freedom feels so impossible, this episode will finally give you the answers you've been searching for - plus a roadmap to use your competitive edge as your greatest recovery asset. What You'll Learn: The shocking statistics about eating disorders in former athletes that no one talks about Why your athletic training is actually making your eating disorder stronger (and how to reverse this) The 4 specific reasons freedom feels impossible when you have an athletic background How your perfectionism became your eating disorder's best friend (and worst enemy) The strength misconception that's keeping you trapped in restriction Why asking for help feels like admitting weakness (and why that's actually your eating disorder talking) How to turn your competitive edge into your recovery superpower The ultimate game plan for athletic-minded recovery Key Takeaways: ✨ "You're not failing at recovery. You're just applying the wrong strategy." ✨ "Your eating disorder isn't your perfectionism. Your eating disorder is a counterfeit version of perfectionism." ✨ "The strongest thing you can do is feel scared about gaining weight and eat the meal anyway because you value your freedom more than your fear." ✨ "Breaking free from an eating disorder requires more mental toughness than any sport you've ever played." Episode Highlights: [1:30] The International Skating Company moment that changed everything [4:30] Why former athletes are 60% less likely to seek treatment [7:00] The perfectionist's paradox in eating disorder recovery [9:00] What real strength looks like vs. what your ED tells you [11:00] How to compete against your eating disorder instead of other women [12:30] Your step-by-step game plan for freedom Powerful Statistics Mentioned: Athletes are 2-3 times more likely to develop eating disorders than non-athletes Former athletes are 60% less likely to seek treatment for eating disorders 89% of elite athletes score high on perfectionism scales vs. 32% of general population 78% of former athletes fear recovery will make them "soft" or "undisciplined" Athletes who reframe competitive drive toward recovery have 73% higher success rates Action Steps: Redefine strength - Strength isn't restriction, it's resilience Reframe your competition - You're competing against your ED, not other women Apply athletic goal-setting to recovery milestones Embrace the training mindset - expect good days and challenging days Stop trying to recover perfectly - aim for freedom, not perfection Resources Mentioned: Best Self Breakthrough Program - Apply at www.herbestself.co/services National Eating Disorders Association statistics Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology research Stanford University eating disorder studies Perfect For: Former competitive athletes struggling with eating disorders High-achievers who feel like they "should be able to handle this alone" Women whose perfectionism feels like both their biggest asset and biggest problem Anyone who's been told they're "too disciplined" to have an eating disorder Former athletes afraid that recovery will make them weak or undisciplined About the Host: Lindsey Nichol is an eating disorder recovery coach, former professional figure skater, and founder of Her Best Self Co. After her own journey from elite athletic performance to eating disorder struggle to complete freedom, she now specializes in helping former athletes and high-achieving women break free from eating disorders using strategic, results-driven approaches. She understands the unique challenges former athletes face because she's lived them. Rate & Review: If this episode resonated with your athletic experience and gave you hope that freedom is possible, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps other former athletes find the specialized support they need to reclaim their lives. xo, lindsey Coach with Me -＞Client Application * 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.

In this no-holds-barred episode, Lindsey shares the shocking moment that forced her to stop making excuses and take radical responsibility for her eating disorder recovery. If you're terrified of gaining weight this summer and tired of blaming everyone except yourself, this episode will give you the wake-up call you need to reclaim your power and choose freedom. What You'll Learn: The life-changing moment when Lindsey had her "come to Jesus" wake-up call Why playing victim keeps you stuck in your eating disorder cycle The hard truth about who's really responsible for your recovery (spoiler: it's you) How to stop blaming external factors and start making empowering choices Why "radical responsibility" is the key to breakthrough in recovery Specific action steps to take control of your recovery journey today Key Takeaways: ✨ "Your eating disorder is not happening TO you. It's happening BECAUSE of choices you're making every single day." ✨ "Either get help or don't. But stop pretending this is okay." ✨ "You will never feel ready. There will never be a perfect time. You will always have excuses available to you." ✨ "Recovered women don't wait for perfect timing. They take action despite the fear." Episode Highlights: [02:30] The shower incident that changed everything [05:15] How I blamed everyone except myself for my eating disorder [08:45] The victim mentality that keeps you stuck [11:20] What radical responsibility actually looks like [13:10] The choice you have to make today Resources Mentioned: Best Self Breakthrough Summer Intensive - Apply at Her Best Self Co. here: Client Application National Eating Disorders Association recovery statistics Her Best Self Society Facebook Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com Action Steps: Stop the blame game - Write down who/what you've been blaming for your eating disorder Take radical responsibility - Admit where you're choosing your ED over recovery Make one different choice today - Even if it's scary, even if you don't feel ready Apply for the Best Self Breakthrough - If you're ready to stop making excuses Connect with Lindsey: Website: www.herbestself.co Email: [email protected] About the Host: Lindsey Nichol is an eating disorder recovery coach, former competitive figure skater, and the founder of Her Best Self Co. After her own journey from restriction and perfectionism to freedom, she now helps women break the chains of their eating disorders and step into their best lives. She's passionate about helping high-achieving women realize that recovery is possible - even when they're terrified to gain weight. Rate & Review: If this episode gave you the breakthrough you needed, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps other women find the support they need to start their own recovery journey. xo, lindsey Coach with Me -＞Client Application * 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.

In this essential episode, Lindsey breaks down the 10 distinct phases of eating disorder recovery, drawing from Carolyn Costin's research while adding her own spiritual and practical insights. From the initial denial phase of "I don't think I have a problem" all the way to complete recovery, this roadmap helps you identify exactly where you are in your journey and what comes next. If you've ever felt confused about your progress or wondered if you're "doing recovery right," this episode provides the clarity you've been searching for. The 10 Phases of Recovery (Quick Reference) Phase 1: "I don't think I have a problem" - Complete denial, "this is just who I am" Phase 2: "I might have a problem, but it's not that bad" - The "I'm fine" and "not sick enough" phase Phase 3: "I have a problem but I don't care" - Awareness without motivation to change Phase 4: "I want to change but don't know how and I'm terrified" - The breakthrough moment Phase 5: "I tried to change but couldn't" - Previous attempts didn't work, feeling hopeless Phase 6: "I can stop some behaviors but not all" - Partial progress, selective recovery Phase 7: "I can stop behaviors but thoughts remain" - Actions changing, mindset lagging Phase 8: "Often free from behaviors and thoughts, but something feels missing" - The spiritual component gap Phase 9: "Free from behaviors and thoughts, surrendered control" - Nearly complete freedom Phase 10: "I am recovered" - 6+ months of complete freedom, helping others Key Insights You'll Gain On Recovery Reality (4:00-5:00) "The secret to recovery isn't forgetting the pain existed or diminishing the damage that occurred. It's allowing it to be there, but that pain and damage no longer controls and defines every ounce of who you are." On Getting Stuck in Phases (18:00-19:00) "We can get trapped in wanting recovery to go perfectly, that we stay in one of these phases too long because we're not sure that we've mastered it yet. Every single day is an opportunity to grow and move forward." On the Missing Ingredient (13:00-15:00) "There's gonna be days where your promise to yourself, your commitment to yourself is just not enough... There's gonna be days where you need a higher motivator." On Progress Over Perfection "These different phases of recovery are all about progression over perfection. You don't have to master each phase - you just have to keep moving through them." Why This Framework Changes Everything Eliminates confusion about where you are in recovery Normalizes the non-linear nature of healing Provides hope when you feel stuck or lost Identifies specific support needs for each phase Prevents perfectionist paralysis in recovery Highlights the importance of spiritual/soul work in lasting freedom Perfect for Women Who: Feel confused about their recovery progress Wonder if they're "doing recovery right" Have tried recovery before and want to understand what went wrong Are considering getting professional help but aren't sure they're "ready" Want to understand the long-term recovery journey Need hope that complete freedom is actually possible Are supporting someone else in recovery Throughout this episode, Lindsey weaves in her own experience spending extended time in various phases, particularly Phase 3 ("I have a problem but I don't care") and Phase 8 (feeling like something was missing until she incorporated spiritual surrender). Her vulnerability about getting stuck and her insights about the soul component of recovery make this more than just clinical information. Ready to Move to Your Next Phase? If you're in Phases 4-5 (wanting change but scared or having tried before), this is the perfect time to get personalized support. Lindsey specializes in meeting women exactly where they are and creating a path forward that honors your unique situation and fears. Apply for coaching: www.herbestself.co/services Personalized recovery roadmap based on your current phase Support through the scary transitions between phases Tools to accelerate your progress without perfectionist paralysis Spiritual integration if that resonates with your journey Connect & Continue Your Journey Her Best Self Society: Join our private Facebook community at www.herbestselfsociety.com Instagram: @thelindseynichol Website: www.herbestself.co If This Replay Helped You Please rate, review, and share this episode. Many women have told us this single episode provided the clarity that shifted their entire recovery journey. Your review helps more women discover this roadmap when they're feeling lost and confused about their progress. Tag a friend who needs to hear this framework - sometimes knowing exactly where you are is the first step to moving forward. Remember: You don't repeat what you repair. Identifying your phase isn't about judgment - it's about empowerment. Every phase serves a purpose, and every phase leads to the next when you're ready to move forward. Your recovery is possible. Your freedom is waiting. And now you know exac