Her Best Self: Freedom from Disordered Eating, Body Obsession & Perfectionism

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, and build self-trust. 🙅‍♀️ Stop people pleasing: You don't need to be for everyone. It's okay to not have a seat at everyone's table. Quotes from This Episode: "Perfectionism is rejection prevention. It's the way that our brain and our mind tries to avoid the pain and the emotional trauma of feeling the not enoughness." "In trying to protect yourself from rejection, you begin rejecting parts of yourself—movement you enjoyed, activities that bring you joy, nourishment, rest, and eventually connection with people you cherished." "The eating disorder promises to fix everything, promises that everyone will accept you, promises to fix any future rejection. But the only real thing it does is lead to the deepest rejection of all: rejecting your own worthiness." "Whatever story you've been replaying on repeat, you can learn to take up space, feel free again, and reject the rejection that was never yours to carry." "Rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of a better path. When we start looking at it like that, it becomes the most powerful motivator in your life." "No one needs to like you but you. The cycle of fear of rejection leads to false control, which leads to isolation, which reinforces rejection fears and prevents you from being seen, heard, and loved." "Rejection is God's protection. It is His redirection. If those doors had stayed open, what would you have missed?" "You're not rejected, you're redeemed. You're not bad. Maybe you just shine a little too bright for someone who couldn't handle it." "Recovered people reject rejection." 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 . Subscribe & Review: If this episode resonated with you—if you saw yourself in Lindsey's rejection story—please subscribe to Her Best Self wherever you listen to podcasts and leave a review. Your reviews help other women who are tired of perfectionism and people-pleasing find this show and realize they're not alone. Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear that her rejection story can become her redemption story. 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'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, not just for IT to get better? Am I refusing to move forward and making this hard time my identity? Ready to Choose Outcome #3? If you're ready to stop staying stuck and start getting better, you don't have to do it alone. Inside The Recovery Collective, Lindsey's support group program, you get: Live 2x coaching calls with Lindsey per month A community of women also choosing to get better Tools and frameworks to move through hard times instead of staying stuck Support to actively participate in your healing journey Learn more and join 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 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.

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 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.  

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 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, 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 achievement Special Founding Member Pricing: First 10 members: $47/month (over 50% off!) Regular membership: $97/month Recovery doesn't require perfection - it requires showing up. Let's show up together. Ready to join? Visit www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective for more information 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: 🎉 Upcoming this fall: Masterclass, giveaways, and exciting new offerings 🎉 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 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.

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 your values ✨ You don't have to be perfect at recovery to be successful For Supporters and Family: Understanding that: Recovery looks different when faith is integrated Meal planning helps reduce decision fatigue Supporting flexible eating is more helpful than food policing Accountability can look like simply eating together Faith-based recovery often progresses faster Love this episode? Here's how you can support: 💕 Rate and review to help more women find faith-based recovery content 💕 Share with a friend who's struggling with food and faith integration 💕 Follow Brittany's podcast Faith-Filled Food Freedom 💕 Connect in comments about your biggest takeaway 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.

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 application See if you're a good fit for 1:1 recovery coaching Get support focusing on the here and now of recovery What You'll Get: Practical recovery strategies that work Accountability from someone who's been there Focus on present-moment healing and future growth Support from a recovered anorexic turned recovery coach Connect with Lindsey: 🌟 Website: www.herbestself.co 🌟 Private Facebook Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com  🌟 Email List: Join at www.herbestself.co for upcoming announcements about new services Love this episode? Here's how you can support: 💕 Rate and review the podcast to help more women find freedom 💕 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear about trauma healing 💕 Join the private Facebook community for ongoing support 💕 Connect on social media and let Lindsey know how this impacted you Special Announcement: 🎉 Podcast Anniversary Coming! Her Best Self Podcast anniversary is 10/10 - don't miss out on joining the Recovery Collective! You can find more details on how you can join our special support group for women here: www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective  If You're Struggling with Trauma and Recovery Today: Remember that whatever you've experienced, whatever trauma you're carrying, you're still worthy of a life free from pain. Your past has served a purpose, but it doesn't have to define where you're going. You have the power to take what you've learned and use it to catapult yourself into your highest and best self. Your healing journey matters, and you deserve nothing less than complete freedom.   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.

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 like extreme hunger, support each other through scary phases, and celebrate victories along the way. 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 whatever recovery phase you're experiencing Community of women who understand what it's like to question your hunger Practical guidance from someone who's navigated extreme hunger herself 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 groceries for bi-weekly coaching and community support Imagine having a safe space where you could share that you're experiencing extreme hunger and receive understanding and practical support instead of judgment or confusion. Your body's wisdom deserves to be celebrated, not questioned. Ready to learn more? Join us in the collective! 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. 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.   *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. Experiencing Extreme Hunger Right Now? Remember: Your hunger is not your enemy. Your body is not trying to trick you or hurt you. When extreme hunger shows up, it's your body saying "I trust you enough now to ask for what I really need." Honor that trust. Honor that hunger. Honor that incredibly wise body of yours that's working so hard to heal. You deserve nourishment, you deserve recovery, and you deserve to trust your body's wisdom. Progress over perfection, always.

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. 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 identify the core beliefs feeding your eating disorder, 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. Love this episode? Here's how you can support: 💕 Share it with a woman who's feeling alone in her recovery journey 💕 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help other women find hope and community 💕Reach out if you're interested in The Recovery Collective founding member spots Feeling Isolated in Your Recovery? Remember: You were never designed to heal alone. The exhaustion you feel from battling thoughts by yourself, the loneliness of feeling like no one understands - that's not how recovery has to be. Community changes everything, and you deserve to be seen, heard, and valued in your healing journey. Your worth is not measured by how perfectly you recover alone. Healing is meant to happen in relationship, with support, and with women who can look you in the eye and say "I've been there too, and you're going to be okay." 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.  

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: info@lindseynichol.com  🌐 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 💕 Screenshot and tag @thelindseynichol if any of these steps help you this week! 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.  

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 fears" Journal Prompts for Core Belief Work "What beliefs about myself are keeping me stuck in ED patterns?" "How much influence am I allowing others to have in my recovery?" "What worldview am I holding that makes me feel unsafe?" "Which core beliefs are reinforcing my unhealthy coping mechanisms?" The Call to Action Be the Change: Challenge societal messages about body image and success Stand up for your truth "Stay away from processed bodies rather than processed foods" Stop creating negative cycles for future generations Signs You're Ready to Transform Core Beliefs You recognize these beliefs are "idols" you've created You're tired of caring what everyone else thinks You want to break generational cycles You're ready to become someone you've never been before You understand recovery requires belief transformation, not just behavior change Ready to Break the Chains of Limiting Core Beliefs? If you're ready for personalized support in transforming the core beliefs keeping you stuck, Lindsey has one slot available for personal coaching, plus amazing support coaches on her team. Fill out a client application at herbestself.co and get the help you need to see yourself, others, and the world differently. 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 identify the core beliefs feeding your eating disorder, 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 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 The thought of gaining weight terrifies you You're tired of living with constant food and body thoughts You keep making excuses for why "now isn't the right time" The Son's Success Story Parallel Felt nervous about first day without big brother Could have played it safe (stayed home) Chose to feel the butterflies and walk into brave Result: Made three new friends, came home with huge smile Everything he feared losing, he actually gained This Week's Challenge Stop waiting to feel ready. Ready comes AFTER action, not before. Notice when you feel butterflies about recovery Recognize this as your compass pointing toward growth Take one brave action despite the fear Apply for help at herbestself.co while feeling scared Ready to Feel the Fear and Apply Anyway? Those butterflies you feel about getting help aren't your intuition telling you to wait - they're your soul telling you you're about to change your entire life. Stop analyzing your fear and start acting despite it. Go to www.herbestself.co right now and apply to work with Lindsey. Feel the fear. Apply anyway. Your freedom is waiting. 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 believes the butterflies you feel about recovery aren't warning you away from help - they're pointing you directly toward your freedom. If this episode gave you the push to finally take action, share it with someone who needs to hear that fear is their compass, not their enemy. Your support helps more women discover their brave.

"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: info@lindseynichol.com  🌐 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: info@lindseynichol.com  🌐 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: info@lindseynichol.com  🌐 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 eating disorder.