The Break-Up Diet

Breakups have a way of making you feel like you’ve been unpicked. Unchosen. Replaced.And suddenly you’re left wondering… who the hell am I without them?In Part 1, I’m joined again by Lydia Mae, breakup coach and Reiki therapist, and we’re talking about what really happens when a relationship ends. Not just losing them, but losing parts of yourself along the way. Why we tie our worth to being chosen, how we slowly abandon ourselves in love, and what it actually takes to rebuild self-trust after heartbreak.We talk about the truth that people come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime, and how accepting that can be the difference between staying stuck and moving forward.Because here’s the thing: knowledge is power. When you understand your patterns, your attachments, and your emotional triggers, you stop blaming yourself and start growing.And maybe the most important reminder of all, your body is your biggest compass. When you learn to listen to it, you stop chasing what isn’t meant for you.If you’ve ever felt “not enough,” stayed too long, or lost yourself trying to keep someone… this episode is your wake-up call.Press play. You’re not alone in this.Connect with Lydia Mae:TikTok: @LydiamaecoachingBook a 1:1 session with Lydia:https://www.lydiamaecoaching.com/book-a-session-1Explore Lydia’s breakup support courses:https://www.lydiamaecoaching.com/breakup-courses Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by my good friend Josephin Eklund and we’re talking about the emotional whiplash of Valentine’s Day — from expecting flowers that definitely weren’t from him, to realising you might’ve hyped the day up way more than the man did.We get into the confusion of mystery flowers, waiting around all day for a gesture that never comes, and the quiet spiral that follows when you tell yourself you don’t care (but obviously… you do). Josephin shares her worst and best Valentine’s Days — including crashing dates, fake accents in LA, Galentine’s plans, and why one of her favourite Valentine’s involved a walk to Whole Foods and a salad.We also talk about why Valentine’s Day feels so forced, why bare-minimum behaviour hurts more on this one specific day, and how to actually make the day about you — whether you’re single, dating, or deeply over it. Make this Valentine’s Day about you. Do what you enjoy doing.If you’ve ever waited for flowers, lowered your expectations in real time, or told yourself “it’s fine, I didn’t even want them” — this episode will feel uncomfortably familiar.🎧 Didn’t Get Flowers on Valentine’s Day? Same. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you needed a sign today, this is it.In this episode, I’m joined by one of my best friends Jemima Rhys (aka Mimi), and we’re getting painfully honest about love goggles, situationships, first loves, and why we all stay way too long when we already know the answer deep down.We talk about falling fast, romanticising potential, ignoring obvious red flags, and getting completely humbled by men who “aren’t ready” but somehow still want all the benefits. We also get into why situationships can actually hurt more than real breakups, how rebound eras spiral quickly, and why blocking, muting and choosing peace is sometimes the only option.This episode is for anyone who’s ever thought “but what if he changes?”, gone back “one last time”, or needed their friends to shake them and say get up.Spoiler: he’s not your husband — and that’s okay.If you’ve been feeling stuck, emotionally attached to potential, or just need a brutal but loving wake-up call from your girls, this one’s for you. 💔✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by my very good friend Josefin Eklund, and let’s just say… it escalates quickly.We’re talking rebounds (more than one), sleeping with your ex after the breakup, and the awkward reality of “no contact” when you suddenly have to message them about… antibiotics. Yes, that actually happened. We get into whether rebounds actually help, how to realise you’re not over someone at the worst possible time, and why sometimes your friend has to text your ex for you because the shame is too real.Josefin opens up about breaking up during lockdown, not being invited to her boyfriend’s birthday (while living together), Christmas sex with an ex, and the moment she finally got over him in Tulum. We also cover being friends with your ex (or absolutely not), closure conversations, forgiving people who hurt you, and why breaking up with a good guy can feel even worse.Plus: no-contact rules, post-breakup glow-ups (or lack of), saying “I love you” without meaning it, and the most niche ick you’ve ever heard involving snails and bare feet.If you’ve ever texted your ex when you said you wouldn’t, used a rebound as a coping mechanism, or convinced yourself chaos is character development — this episode is for you.🎧 Don’t Text Your Ex (Unless You Have To) - Josefin Eklund Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re exhausted, confused, and low-key over dating… this episode is for you.Dating in 2026 feels like a never-ending cycle of situationships, mixed signals, low-effort dates, and men who want all the benefits of a girlfriend — without the label. And honestly? I’m tired. The bare minimum isn’t enough anymore.In this episode, I’m talking about why dating apps feel soulless, why situationships seem to last longer than actual relationships, why “what are we?” feels like the scariest question ever, and why giving girlfriend energy without the commitment is the fastest way to burn yourself out. Breadcrumbing, ghosting, over-analysing texts, settling because you’re tired of dating, and staying longer than you should because being single feels scary — it’s all in here.STOP dating men who want GIRLFRIEND BENEFITS without actually committing.Girlfriend Benefits. No Label. No Thanks.This is your friendly (but firm) reminder to raise your standards, walk away when the red flags show up, and choose yourself.If you’ve ever deleted a dating app just to re-download it a week later, accepted the bare minimum, or stayed in something that left you feeling confused instead of secure — you need to listen to this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Break Up Diet, Yaz is in New York with Aris Yeager aka The European Kid for a very real, very honest conversation about breakups in big cities and why they somehow hurt more the older we get.Aris opens up about his worst breakup and why the ones from your teenage years do not even compare. We talk about how moving to a fast paced city like New York can completely shift your priorities, your relationships, and your sense of self. And like a lot of men, the heartbreak did not hit straight away. It crept in weeks later through the small things. Seeing something funny and instinctively wanting to text them. Reaching for your phone out of habit. Realising someone quietly became part of your everyday life.We get into modern dating in big cities, fake energy, surface level connections, and how social media makes it feel like there is always something better around the corner. Aris shares what it is like navigating relationships while having an online persona, why genuine people feel rarer than ever, and why closure actually matters when it comes to moving on.This episode is thoughtful, relatable, and very Break Up Diet coded. It is for anyone who has ever wondered why they are still hurting while their ex seems completely fine, or felt like a breakup is less about losing a person and more about losing a version of your life.Press play if you are healing, reflecting, or just want to feel a little less alone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Be honest… you don’t actually miss him — you miss the version of him you made up in your head.This week on The Break-Up Diet, we’re joined by breakup creator Madi Rouse, whose raw, no-BS advice has helped thousands of women navigate heartbreak, anxiety, and that “why can’t I let go?” phase.We get into:Why you’re not in love — you’re in limerenceHow hope after a breakup keeps you stuckFalling for potential (and why it’s your biggest red flag)Why stalking your ex is literally an addictionWhy men and women heal so differentlyHow to stop romanticising someone who couldn’t show up for youIf you’re “fine” but still checking his Instagram, replaying the relationship in your head, or secretly hoping he’ll come back… this episode is your reality check.It’s time to stop missing the fantasy — and start choosing yourself. 💔✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s the first episode of the year — and the first solo episode of The Break-Up Diet.No co-host, no script, and way too much pressure… until I realised that’s kind of the whole problem.In this episode, I’m talking about letting go of the January “glow-up” pressure, navigating a new era of the podcast alone, and why you don’t need to have your entire life figured out just because it’s a new year. After a year full of breakups — romantic and work — I’m reflecting on what I’ve learned, what I ignored, and how I’m approaching this next chapter differently.We get into:Why January can feel lonely (and why you’re not broken for feeling it)The difference between actually liking someone vs. just wanting to be chosenSituationship red flags you should not be entertaining this early in the yearHow to do a “reset” without burning yourself outSimple tools to figure out what areas of your life actually need attentionMy non-negotiable rules for a glow-up that’s about standards, not aestheticsThis isn’t a “new year, new me” episode.It’s a new year, less bullshit episode.Whether you’re fresh out of a breakup, questioning your dating patterns, or just trying to breathe your way into the year — this one’s for you.Happy New Year 🤍 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s officially the end of an era 😭In this episode, we’re closing out the year with zero holding back. We reflect on a year that felt like a collective purge — first breakups, divorces, career shifts, identity crises, and why it feels like everyone has been going through it. And yes… Ilma is leaving the pod ✈️🥺We talk about:Going through every type of breakup in one yearWhy 25 is the age where relationships suddenly feel seriousMaking up for lost pandemic years (hello 4am nights)Living in the present instead of falling in love with potentialNo contact, no revenge & choosing yourselfTherapy as a non-negotiable for healingQuitting jobs, building foundations & financial independenceWhy being alone is scary — but being with the wrong person is scarierStopping caring what people think (because they really don’t)This episode is raw, reflective, empowering, and marks a huge transition for The Break-Up Diet as we head into a new chapter.If you’re ending the year single, healing, questioning everything, or stepping into your main character energy — this one’s for you 🤍 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s cold. London is dark by 4pm. Raya is suddenly popping off. Which can only mean one thing… it’s cuffing season ❄️💔In this episode, Yaz & Ilmz get painfully honest about winter situationships, temporary boyfriends, and the very real question: are you actually lonely — or are you just cold? From the intimacy of doing the food shop together to cosplaying a relationship that has absolutely no future, cuffing season has a way of blurring the lines between comfort and commitment.We talk about why winter flings hit harder than summer ones, how easy it is to confuse closeness with intention, and why being single during the festive season might actually be elite. There’s Raya chaos, London dating droughts, the Great Lock-In, and a reality check on letting winter trick you into someone who won’t survive spring.If you’re debating texting your ex, settling for a “just for now” situation, or wondering why everyone suddenly has plans with a boy, this episode is for you. Grab a blanket, light a candle, and press play — hot water bottles over exes, always.🕯️✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Break-Up Diet, we’re joined by Holly Valentine — the TikTok breakup girlie who turned her heartbreak into a full-blown community of women healing right alongside her.Holly gets real about the breakup that made her lose herself: the on-again-off-again chaos, the begging and bargaining phase she’s now emotionally allergic to, and the moment she hit rock bottom and said, “Right. I’m done.”She talks about blocking literally half her hometown, skydiving two weeks after getting dumped (because why cry when you can jump out of a plane?), walking for hours just to feel human again, and the terrifying-but-freeing reality of realising she had no idea who she was without him.We get into losing your identity in a relationship, rebuilding your entire life from scratch, learning to be alone for the first time, and the power of choosing yourself even when your ex is 100% stalking your TikToks. (Hi babe — enjoy the content.)If you’ve ever rotted in bed after a breakup, checked his socials like it was a full-time job, or fallen in love with a man so deeply you forgot you even existed… this episode is a warm hug, a wake-up call, and a group chat all in one.Grab your iced latte, re-block your ex (again), and heal with us. 💅💔✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Break-Up Diet, we’re joined by Steven Springett from MAFS UK Season 10 and trust us, the drama did not end when the cameras stopped rolling. From marrying a complete stranger to surviving an edit that had everyone talking, plus Hinge chaos, hate DMs, and one breakup story so wild it sounds illegal… Steven is finally telling all.We dig into everything Season 10 didn’t show: the mess, the pressure, the off-camera conversations, and the therapy that followed. And yes — Steven shares the breakup moment that lives in our heads rent-free: the time he tried to return his ex’s things… and ended up hearing her with another man on the other side of the door. Truly cinematic trauma.It’s raw, shocking, hilarious, and everything we love on this podcast.If you’re addicted to reality TV tea, modern dating disasters, and men being painfully honest for once… this episode is your whole personality today. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is honesty actually the best policy in a breakup, or is it just the official excuse people use right before they emotionally drop-kick you? This week, we unpack the breakup truth spectrum — from the clarity you deserve to the chaos you definitely didn’t order.Ilma and I get into it: the difference between honesty and emotional sabotage, why some people romanticise closure like it’s a personality trait, and why the delivery of the truth can sometimes feel more villain-coded than the truth itself. We talk brutal timings, ego-fuelled confessions, shock-induced silence, and the breakup questions spiral we all pretend we’re above… until we’re in it.This episode is for anyone who’s ever thought: ‘Okay, fine, I can handle the truth — just don’t emotionally ruin me in the process.’ Because honesty? Gorgeous. Weaponised honesty? Jail, immediately.Think of this as your breakup survival guide, but actually fun — smart, warm, insightful, and full of bite-sized wisdom you’ll want to share straight to the group chat.Welcome back to The Breakup Diet — where we keep it real, keep it classy, and keep it very, very honest (minus the emotional arson). 🎧✨💋 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Break Up Diet, Yaz and Ilmz sit down with women’s trauma expert and author Jessica Ella to unpack the real reason your dating history looks like the same man copy pasted into different bodies.If you’ve ever said, “How do I keep ending up with this guy?” girl, this is your episode.Jessica breaks down why your brain (and your nervous system) gets hooked on people who feel “familiar”… even when “familiar” is actually toxic. We get into trauma bonds, attachment wounds, love bombing, anxious avoidant chaos, and why the “nice guy” gives you the ick when your body is addicted to red flag energy.Jessica also shares her own story, the kind that hits you straight in the chest, and how she turned some of her darkest moments into real, goosebump level strength.This episode is part therapy session, part reality check, and part girl talk intervention.You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll feel painfully seen… and you might rethink every situationship you’ve ever been in.⚠️ Listen with caution:Some parts may feel heavy or confronting. We talk about trauma, emotional abuse cycles, and toxic patterns, so take care of yourself while you listen.If you’re ready to break the cycle and finally stop confusing chaos with chemistry… this is your sign. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cheating isn’t a mistake. It’s a choice. And in this episode, Yaz and Ilma are saying what everyone’s thinking.From “once a cheater, always a cheater” debates to the FBI-level tactics girls use to catch them out (yes, we’re talking Uber reflections and memorising passcodes), this one gets personal, hilarious, and just a little bit savage.The girls unpack why people cheat. Is it boredom, lack of willpower, or just pure horniness? And what about the double standards that come with it? Why is it that when men cheat, it’s “just a mistake,” but when women do it, it’s war? Yaz opens up about her own experience with betrayal, Ilma confesses to a revenge cheat, and together they tackle everything from love bombing and lying to the brutal aftermath of rebuilding trust.They also question whether cheating should be illegal (yes, they said it), why social media has made everyone replaceable, and how the line between flirting and full-blown betrayal is blurrier than ever.It’s raw, funny, emotional, and painfully real. A mix of girl therapy and chaos you won’t want to miss. Whether you’ve been cheated on, cheated back, or just love hearing the tea, this episode will have you screaming “same” at least five times.Because at the end of the day?Cheating isn’t a mistake. It’s a choice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on The Break-Up Diet, we’re joined by Hannah Norburn, the unforgettable firecracker from Married at First Sight UK Season 9.Hannah opens up about what it was really like to marry a stranger on national TV from being misunderstood and trolled, to navigating heartbreak and finding herself again. We talk about confidence, chaos, and the pressure women face to tone it down or be “likable.”She shares how she learned to rebuild her self-worth after public scrutiny, recognise gaslighting, and turn the toughest moments into her biggest glow-up yet. Expect raw honesty, lots of laughter, and some seriously empowering advice about self-love, boundaries, and owning every part of who you are.If you’ve ever been told you’re too loud, too emotional, or just too much, this episode is your reminder that you’re exactly enough and it’s time to stop apologising for it. 💋 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spooky season is here and so are the ghosts!This week, Yazz and Ilmz are getting real about the modern-day plague: ghosting. Why people do it, when it’s fair, and when it’s just plain rude. From “hot matcha breath” dates to those tragic Monday-text-only men, the girls share their funniest and most brutal ghosting stories — plus some from you lot that are actually insane.They’re unpacking the icks, the vanishing acts, and the hard truth that sometimes silence really is the answer. But don’t worry — this isn’t a pity party. It’s your reminder that your peace is priceless, closure is optional, and standards are non-negotiable.So pour a glass, put your phone on Do Not Disturb, and get ready to laugh, heal, and haunt back. Because this Halloween, we’re ghosting with purpose. 💀 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They say every heartbreak hurts, but according to Sophie Milner, it also makes you hotter, happier, and maybe even Prime Minister material. 👑This week, Yaz and Ilmz sit down with content creator and certified It girl Sophie Milner to talk about the wild magic that happens after a breakup. From love bombing and “he wanted a dog, not a girlfriend” energy to finding yourself after losing someone else, Sophie shares why every split has made her stronger, sharper, and more successful.The girls chat about that viral TikTok moment where Sophie declared she is two breakups away from being Prime Minister, how women give too much of themselves in relationships, and why reclaiming your time, energy, and confidence is the ultimate revenge. Expect unfiltered laughs, honest confessions, and a few outrageous stories featuring love-bombers, glow-ups, and the occasional micropenis.If you have ever been left questioning your worth, this one is for you. Because as Sophie proves, every heartbreak is just a plot twist in your glow-up era, and sometimes losing him is how you find yourself. 💔✨ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What kind of friend are you when your bestie’s heart breaks? The fixer, the listener, or the one showing up with wine and a bad playlist?This week, Yaz and Ilmz unpack what being a really good friend after a breakup looks like because supporting someone through heartbreak isn’t as simple as sending a check-in text. They talk emotional first aid, reading the room before giving advice, and why sometimes sitting in silence says more than the perfect pep talk.From hyping her up on the hard days to helping her find her spark again (and yes, knowing when it’s time to throw the block party), this episode is your go-to guide for friendship in the heartbreak era.Whether your bestie’s going through it or you are, this one’s for you. Because healing doesn’t just happen alone. Sometimes, it takes a friend who knows when to show up, shut up, and pour the prosecco. 🥂 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the closure you’re waiting for isn’t theirs to give?This week, we sit down with Ashleigh Berry from Love Is Blind UK Season 2 for a raw and honest chat about heartbreak in the spotlight, healing in private, and the quiet courage it takes to choose yourself after a very public “no.”Ashleigh opens up about her journey with Billy, the man she married in the experiment, and what it was really like to relive their breakup on national TV. She shares how anniversaries can live in your body, the grounding rituals that kept her steady when the internet had opinions about her life, and what choosing peace over performance really looks like.We dive into balancing a career you love with the pressure to compromise, the fine line between flexibility and losing yourself, and what real partnership means when both people are still growing.Ashleigh also shares her favourite healing tool: voice-note check-ins — an easy but powerful way to hear your own growth in real time (and honestly, way less effort than journaling).If you’re going through heartbreak, figuring out long-distance love, or learning how to protect your peace while staying ambitious, this one’s for you. We talk boundaries, real communication, and why saying “no” is one of the kindest things you can do — for you.Press play, take what you need, and remember: closure isn’t always a conversation. Sometimes, it’s a decision. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.