Her Best Self | Eating Disorders, ED Recovery Podcast, Disordered Eating, Relapse Prevention, Anorexic, Bulimic, Orthorexia

"Lindsey, I hate my stomach. I can't stop thinking about it. It's ruining my day, my mood, my recovery. What do I do?" If your stomach is your biggest trigger in recovery - if you can't stop looking at it, obsessing over whether it looks bigger, spiraling every time you see your reflection - this episode is for you, girlfriend. Host Lindsey Nichol gets real about stomach hate in recovery and shares something her client needed to hear today: "I may not love my stomach every day, but if I'm being honest? I didn't love my stomach every day when I was in the trenches of my eating disorder either." So here's the question: Which hard do you want? Hard #1: Hating your stomach while you're restricting, obsessing, body checking, over-exercising, and missing your life. Hard #2: Sometimes not loving your stomach, but being FREE. Living your life. Eating with family. Being present. Having energy. Both are hard. But only one leads to freedom. In this episode, Lindsey shares her own stomach struggles - how she used to search for evidence it was "blowing up," how it would send her into spirals of restriction and over-exercise, and what she does NOW on the days when she doesn't love her stomach. Plus, she gives you 7 practical tools you can use on your hardest days. This is real talk with practical help. No toxic positivity. No "just love yourself." Just honest truth and actionable tools for when your stomach triggers you. In This Episode, You'll Hear: Lindsey's Stomach Story: The Disorder Days How she was super conscious of her stomach feeling or looking bigger Searching for evidence it was "blowing up" - every mirror, reflection, window The spirals: restriction, over-exercise, mood switches Feeling out of control and reacting - being short or avoidant with loved ones How stomach hate controlled her entire day, every day The Truth Bomb: Choose Your Hard Hard #1: Hating your stomach while trapped in the eating disorder Hard #2: Sometimes not loving your stomach but being FREE The reality: Even at her lowest weight, Lindsey STILL didn't love her stomach The question: What other options do you have? Why you have to choose which hard you want to live with Why the Stomach Specifically? Why the stomach is such an easy target for self-criticism How society and social media have trained us to hate our stomachs Why the stomach becomes the "safe" target instead of dealing with real feelings The truth: Restriction makes stomach issues WORSE (digestion, bloating) Reality check: Stomachs are SUPPOSED to change throughout the day Aren't stomachs supposed to be FULL? That's their job What Lindsey Does NOW on Hard Days Wears baggy clothes, not restrictive clothing Avoids opportunities to stare in the mirror and body check Reminds herself of the truth: stomachs are allowed to change Thinks about her little girl self who never cared about her stomach Remembers being pregnant and LOVING watching her stomach grow Accepts that not loving her stomach doesn't mean she's failed The Shift That Changed Everything The realization: She was NEVER going to like her stomach at any size or weight Her stomach wasn't the problem - it was a tool for self-sabotage Used stomach hate when feeling out of control or "not enough" The only way through was acceptance and perspective shift Understanding that stomach hate is usually about something else entirely 7 Tools for Your Hardest Days Stop the Body Checking - Walk away from mirrors, put on baggy clothes Ask the Real Question - What am I really feeling? What am I avoiding? Function Over Form - Your stomach digests food, that's its job Remember Your Little Girl Self - You didn't care about your stomach as a kid Choose Your Hard - Trapped and hating it OR free and sometimes not loving it Wear Comfortable Clothes - Stop punishing yourself with restrictive clothing Talk Back to the Voice - "My stomach is allowed to change and that's okay" Key Takeaways: ✨ You didn't love your stomach in the disorder either - so what are you really choosing? ✨ There are two hards: choose yours - trapped with stomach hate OR free with occasional stomach discomfort ✨ Your stomach is not the problem - it's a symptom, a distraction from real feelings ✨ Restriction makes stomach issues WORSE - bloating, digestion problems increase with restriction ✨ Stomachs are supposed to change - throughout the day, after meals, when sitting vs standing ✨ The stomach is an easy target - easier to hate your stomach than deal with underlying fears ✨ You'll never be satisfied at any size - if stomach hate is really about control and self-sabotage ✨ Body checking makes it worse - the more you look, the more you spiral ✨ Function over form - your stomach's job is to digest food, not be flat 24/7 ✨ Little girl you didn't care - the goal isn't loving your stomach, it's living without it controlling you ✨ You don't have to love it to live - freedom doesn't require stomach love, just stomach acceptance Powerful Quotes from This Episode: "I may not love my stomach every day, but if I'm being honest? I didn't love my stomach every day when I was in the trenches of my eating disorder either" "Your stomach is a huge pain point in recovery. I get it. I've been there. It's real, it's valid, and it's one of the hardest parts" "I would search - like literally SEARCH - for evidence that it was blowing up" "My mood would switch on a dime. I'd feel totally out of control" "Your stomach doesn't have to control you. It doesn't have to dictate your mood, your choices, or your day" "Both are hard. But which hard do you want?" "Even at my lowest weight, I STILL didn't love my stomach. Even then. Even at my sickest" "So what other options do you have? Stay in the disorder and hate your stomach, or recover and sometimes not love it but have your LIFE back" "The stomach is easy for us to tear ourselves apart over" "Restriction makes stomach issues WORSE. When you're not eating enough, your digestion slows down. You get more bloated" "Aren't stomachs supposed to be full? That's their job. To hold food. To digest. To nourish you" "I was never going to like my stomach. No matter my size. No matter my weight" "Hating my stomach wasn't actually about my stomach. It was just a part of me that I used to self-sabotage when I felt out of control or not enough" "When you hate your stomach, ask yourself: What am I really afraid of right now?" "99% of the time, it's not actually your stomach" "You don't have to love your stomach to live your life. You don't have to love your stomach to recover" "Your stomach is not the enemy. Your stomach is just a stomach. It's allowed to exist. It's allowed to change. It's allowed to be full" "Choose your hard, girlfriend. Choose freedom" The 7 Tools Explained: Tool #1: Stop the Body Checking When you feel the urge to look in the mirror, pull your shirt tight, or analyze your stomach - STOP. Literally stop. Walk away. Do something else. Put on baggy clothes. The more you body check, the worse the obsession gets. Tool #2: Ask the Real Question Stop asking "Why does my stomach look like this?" and start asking "What am I really feeling right now? What am I avoiding?" Get to the root. Your stomach is almost never the actual problem. Common real feelings underneath stomach hate: Feeling out of control in some area of life Fear about something coming up Feeling "not enough" in comparison to others Anxiety about a situation Avoiding deeper emotional work Tool #3: Function Over Form Remind yourself: Your stomach digests food. It nourishes you. It expands when you eat because that's its JOB. It's not supposed to be flat 24/7. That's not realistic, healthy, or even possible. Tool #4: Remember Your Little Girl Self You didn't care about your stomach as a kid. You just lived. You played. You ate. You didn't analyze your body. THAT is the goal - not loving your stomach every day, just LIVING without it controlling you. Also remember: When you were pregnant (if applicable), you LOVED watching your stomach grow. You celebrated what your body could do. Why do you hate it now? Tool #5: Choose Your Hard On the hard days, say this out loud: "I can hate my stomach and be trapped in restriction, obsession, and isolation - OR I can sometimes not love my stomach but be FREE to live my life. Which hard do I want?" Tool #6: Wear Comfortable Clothes Stop punishing yourself with restrictive clothing. Stop wearing things that make you hyper-aware of your stomach all day. Wear what feels good. Your comfort matters more than how your stomach looks. Baggy clothes aren't "giving up" - they're choosing peace. Tool #7: Talk Back to the Voice When that critical voice says "Your stomach is too big," you talk back with truth: "My stomach is allowed to change" "My stomach is doing its job" "My stomach does not define my worth" "I didn't love my stomach at my lowest weight either, so this isn't about size" "Stomachs are supposed to be full" Questions to Reflect On: About Your Stomach Hate: When did you first start hating your stomach? What do you do when you hate your stomach? (body check, restrict, over-exercise, avoid people?) Does hating your stomach actually solve anything? Did you love your stomach at your lowest weight? (Be honest) About the Real Feelings: What are you REALLY feeling when you hate your stomach? What are you avoiding by focusing on your stomach? When does stomach hate show up most? (after meals, stressful situations, comparison moments?) What would happen if you couldn't focus on your stomach anymore - what would you have to deal with? About Your Choices: Which hard do you want: trapped and hating it OR free and sometimes not loving it? What is stomach hate costing you? (relationships, experiences, peace, presence?) What would change if your stomach wasn't your focus anymore? Are you ready to stop letting your stomach control your life? About Your Little Girl Self: When was the last time you thought about your body the way you did as a little girl? What would little-girl-you think about how much time you spend hating your stomach? What did you do with your time before stomach hate consumed you? Who This Episode Is For: This episode is essential listening if you: Hate your stomach and it's ruining your recovery Can't stop body checking your stomach throughout the day Search for "evidence" your stomach is getting bigger Spiral into restriction or over-exercise when you hate your stomach Let your stomach dictate your mood, choices, and entire day Feel triggered by your stomach after every meal Compare your stomach to everyone else's Thought you'd love your stomach in recovery but you don't Feel like your stomach is the one body part you can't accept Need real talk and practical tools, not toxic positivity Are stuck between hating your stomach in the disorder vs. sometimes not loving it in freedom Need permission to not love your stomach but live your life anyway Important Truths About Stomachs in Recovery: Stomachs Change Throughout the Day: Flatter in the morning Fuller after meals Different when sitting vs. standing Bloated sometimes (especially in recovery) This is NORMAL and HEALTHY Restriction Makes It Worse: Slows digestion Increases bloating Creates more discomfort Makes you MORE obsessed with your stomach Stomach Hate Is Usually About Something Else: Control issues Fear and anxiety Feeling "not enough" Comparison to others Avoiding deeper feelings You Didn't Love It at Your Lowest Weight Either: If you still hated your stomach at your sickest, size isn't the issue Stomach hate is a symptom, not the problem No amount of restriction will make you love it Function Over Form: Your stomach's job is to digest food It's supposed to expand after eating It's supposed to be FULL Flat stomachs 24/7 are not realistic or healthy What Lindsey Does Now (Practical Examples): Morning Routine: Puts on comfortable, baggy clothes first thing Avoids standing in front of mirror analyzing Brushes teeth, does hair, moves on Doesn't give herself opportunity to spiral After Meals: Expects stomach to be fuller - that's its job Reminds herself: "Stomachs are supposed to be full" Doesn't body check or analyze Focuses on how she FEELS, not how she LOOKS On Triggering Days: Acknowledges: "I don't love my stomach today and that's okay" Asks: "What am I really feeling? What's really bothering me?" Remembers: "I didn't love it in the disorder either - choose your hard" Takes action on the real feeling instead of obsessing about stomach Clothing Choices: Wears what feels comfortable, not what's restrictive Doesn't punish herself with tight clothes Chooses outfits that let her focus on living, not analyzing The "Choose Your Hard" Framework: Hard Option #1: Hating Your Stomach While Trapped Constant body checking Restriction and over-exercise Mood swings and irritability Avoiding loved ones Missing life experiences Obsessive thoughts Still hating your stomach anyway Hard Option #2: Sometimes Not Loving It But Being Free Eating meals with family Having energy for life Being present in moments Not spending hours body checking Living without constant obsession Having relationships Experiencing joy Still sometimes not loving your stomach The Question: Which hard do you want? The Truth: You're going to have hard days with your stomach either way. At least in recovery, you get your LIFE back. Ready for Support? Option 1: The Recovery Collective Join Lindsey's group coaching program where you'll get: Community support from women who understand Weekly guidance and tools Accountability for hard days Strategies for stomach triggers and body image struggles Option 2: One-on-One Personalized Coaching work directly with Lindsey for: Custom plan for YOUR triggers and challenges Weekly support and accountability Tools specific to your recovery journey Personal guidance through the hardest moments Learn more about both options at www.herbestself.co You don't have to navigate stomach hate alone. Let's walk through this together. 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.

Hey sis, here is hope. You can turn your worries and your wishes into your true realities, and you can surely find freedom from the debilitating disease of an eating disorder and disordered eating. In this powerful episode, host Lindsey Nichol speaks truth directly to your heart, spirit, and mind. If you're stuck in the same place year after year - same worries, same wishes, same Thanksgiving anxiety, same holiday struggles - this is your wake-up call. Lindsey reveals why your worries and anxieties can actually HELP you move forward (or keep you stuck in the safe zone), and why your wishes and dreams must become greater than your fears. She introduces her 3-step battle plan for turning wishes into reality: align with your biggest challenge, align with your greatest dream, and study your enemy - that nagging voice keeping you in the cycle. This isn't just another motivational episode. This is a strategic battle plan for warriors ready to stop wishing and start living. Because girlfriend, warriors don't go into battle without a shield, a sword, or a plan. And you're not meant to go alone. If you've been waiting for the "magic pill" to create peace in your life, this episode will show you that YOU have the power to transform everything - starting right now. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why Worries Can Help You (Or Keep You Stuck) Your worries and anxieties can nudge you toward the future you're dreaming of They can propel you forward on your journey to freedom But they can also keep you stuck in the safe zone if you do nothing about them The difference between productive worry and paralyzing worry Why Wishes Aren't Enough Wishes and dreams are great, but they can keep you stuck too Without action, wishes remain fantasies year after year Life is hard, especially with an eating disorder - but wishes alone won't change that Your wishes must become greater than your worries to create real change The Biggest Challenges Women Face in Recovery When Lindsey asks her one-on-one clients "What is your biggest challenge?" she hears: Fear of weight gain Recovery feels totally impossible "I want to eat the way I should, yet I don't" Anxiety around food Over-exercising and calorie counting Worrying about how others see me Struggling to give up control Rigid routines and bad habits that are hard to break Eating differently than family Decades of disordered relationship with food and body Always relapsing when life happens The Greatest Wishes Women Have When Lindsey asks "What is your greatest wish?" she hears: I want to live life FREE I want to be healthier and better I want to eat "normal" (whatever that is) I want to nourish my body I want to be happy and healthy I want to stop thinking about food constantly I want to eat without fear of weight gain I want to go out to eat and enjoy it without looking at the menu beforehand I want flexibility I want to be present I want to LIVE The Bridge: Freedom IS Your Reality Freedom is possible no matter how you feel right now Feelings aren't forever - they change If you feel stuck year after year, same holidays, same struggles - it's time to stop the madness You have to stop the nagging voice keeping you in the cycle The Hard Truth You Need to Hear YOU have the power to transform your life completely - you, no one else If you had the "magic pill of power" to create peace, would you take it? You have to stop loving the drama of the cycle Your wishes must become GREATER than your worries This only happens when you come PREPARED FOR THE BATTLE Warriors don't go into battle without a shield, sword, or team You need a PLAN and you need to EXECUTE The 3-Step Battle Plan to Turn Wishes Into Reality: Step 1: Get in Alignment with Your Biggest Challenge In order to defeat the enemy, you need a strategy What is your biggest worry? Your biggest challenge? You have to identify it clearly to fight it effectively Be specific - name the fear, the behavior, the thought pattern Step 2: Get in Alignment with Your Greatest Dream What is your biggest wish? Your greatest desire? Close your eyes - where do you see yourself in 1 year? 5 years? Your dream is achievable if you can imagine it This becomes your "why" - what you're fighting FOR Step 3: Study Your Opponent (Your Enemy) How can you fight what you can't see? How can you put in your all when you can't define it? How can you go to battle if you don't know what you're up against? What is your reward when you conquer? Study the enemy like no other: What does that voice inside your head say to you? She's constantly bargaining, right? "You don't need that" / "You can eat later" / "It's too early for a meal" What is she trying to manipulate you with? When you can SEPARATE your thoughts from HER thoughts, you can build your plan of attack Key Takeaways: ✨ Worries can work FOR you or AGAINST you - they can propel you forward or keep you stuck ✨ Wishes without action keep you in the same place - year after year, holiday after holiday ✨ Feelings aren't forever - no matter how stuck you feel right now, it can change ✨ You have to stop loving the drama of the cycle - the cycle only continues if you participate ✨ Your wishes must become GREATER than your worries - this is the tipping point ✨ Warriors don't go into battle unprepared - you need a shield, sword, helmet, and plan ✨ You're not meant to do this alone - going solo into battle is a losing strategy ✨ YOU have the power to transform your life - no one else can do this for you ✨ Freedom is already yours - it's been granted to you, you just have to claim it ✨ Commit to ONE action today - your future self will thank you Powerful Quotes from This Episode: "You can turn your worries and your wishes into your true realities" "Your worries can help you move forward or keep you stuck in the safe zone" "Wishes can keep you stuck if you do nothing about them" "If you feel like year after year you're stuck - Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving, Christmas after Christmas - you have to stop the madness" "Feelings aren't forever, friend. Feelings aren't forever" "You have power to completely transform your life. You. No one else" "If I gave you the magic pill of power to create peace in your life, would you do whatever it took?" "You have to stop loving the drama of the cycle" "Your wishes and dreams have to become GREATER than your worries and anxiety" "You will only find freedom if you become prepared for the battle" "Warriors don't go into battle without a shield. Would you go into battle without a sword? How about going into battle alone?" "Why are you going to battle without a plan or without others fighting with you?" "How can you fight what you can't see? How can you put your all when you can't define it?" "When you can separate your thoughts from HER thoughts, then you can build your plan of attack" "You are a mighty warrior. There is no doubt you're strong" "What are you waiting for? Freedom is yours. It's already been granted to you" "Feelings aren't forever. You are a warrior" "It's time to stop going to battle without a helmet and a sword, and it's time to stop going as if you're going at it alone" Scripture: You Are a Mighty Warrior Zechariah 10:5-12 (paraphrased): You shall be mighty in battle, trampling the foe in the mud of the streets. You shall fight because God is with you and you will put to shame the riders on horses. He will strengthen you. He will save you. He will bring you back because he has compassion for you. And you will be enough. You won't be rejected. For he is God and he will deliver you. You shall become a mighty warrior and your heart will be glad and your children will see it and rejoice. God will whistle for you and gather you in because he is redeeming you and you shall be as you were before. He will bring you home from the desert land and gather you. He will pass through the sea of troubles with you and strike down the waves, and all the depths will dry up. The enemy shall depart. He will make you strong and you shall walk in his name. Questions to Reflect On: About Your Challenges: What is your BIGGEST challenge right now in recovery? What worry keeps you up at night? What anxiety feels heaviest on your shoulders? Be specific - name it, define it, see it clearly About Your Dreams: What is your greatest wish for your life? What is your deepest desire? Why are you here? What do you truly want? If you close your eyes and see yourself in 1 year or 5 years free from this - what does that look like? About Your Enemy: What does that nagging voice say to you? What lies is she constantly telling you? What manipulations does she use to keep you stuck? How does she bargain with you throughout the day? Can you separate YOUR thoughts from HER thoughts? About Your Battle Plan: Do you have a strategy, or are you winging it? Are you going into battle with a shield, sword, and helmet? Are you trying to do this alone? What is ONE action you can take today that your future self will thank you for? The Big Question: What are you waiting for? 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.

Girlfriend, if you've fallen in your recovery - if you've had a setback, slipped back into old behaviors, or feel like you're not where you "should" be - this episode is for you. This morning, Lindsey was walking her 7-year-old son Blake to school when he fell hard while skipping in Crocs. Through his tears, he looked up and said, "I guess I shouldn't skip so fast to school." And in that moment, Lindsey realized something profound: Sometimes the fall is required. Not because we want to hurt, but because without the fall, we wouldn't learn any other way. In this vulnerable episode, Lindsey shares her own painful fall in recovery - when she was lying to her treatment team, telling everyone she was "doing the things" while secretly still restricting out of fear. Her results weren't matching her actions, and she felt defeated. But that fall? It became her turning point. Drawing from her figure skating background (landing her first double loop took countless falls), Lindsey reveals why falls aren't failures - they're required education. She addresses the shame that comes with relapsing, gives you permission to be right where you are, and shows you how to get back up without beating yourself up. If you've been too afraid to risk falling or too ashamed to get back up, this episode will change everything. In This Episode, You'll Hear: Blake's Fall: The Morning Walk to School How her 7-year-old fell hard while skipping in Crocs The mama moment of dusting him off and helping him up His profound realization: "I guess I shouldn't skip so fast" Why she knew he needed that fall to learn The parallel to recovery that changed her perspective Lindsey's Recovery Fall: The Painful Truth When she was lying to her treatment team about doing "the things" The internal defeat of results not matching actions One side wanting weight gain, the other side feeling betrayed and terrified Beating herself up for not being "further along" The turning point: getting real and honest with herself Why that fall propelled her forward more than smooth sailing ever could The Figure Skating Metaphor: Landing the Double Loop Falling over and over trying to land her first double loop jump How each fall taught her something new (angle, timing, fear, adjustment) Why it became her favorite jump BECAUSE of the falls, not in spite of them The parallel: recovery is learning a jump you've never done before The Shame of Falling in Recovery Why Blake was embarrassed when he fell (other kids watching, teacher saw) The truth: shame isn't about the fall, it's what you make it mean about you Your fall doesn't mean you're a failure, weak, or not worth the effort It just means you're learning Why Lindsey eventually saw her falls as necessary How falls are setups for breakthroughs, not just setbacks You Are Right Where You Need to Be Not where you want to be, but where you need to be You can't skip ahead or bypass the lesson The truth: you can't change what you won't acknowledge You can't heal what you won't feel You can't grow without falling The fall isn't the end of your story - it's the beginning of your breakthrough Key Takeaways: ✨ Sometimes the fall is required - without it, we wouldn't learn any other way ✨ Falls aren't failures, they're required education - each one teaches you something ✨ Shame isn't about the fall - it's about what you're making the fall mean about you ✨ You are right where you need to be - not where you want to be, but exactly where you need to be to learn and grow ✨ You can't change what you won't acknowledge - getting honest is the first step to getting back up ✨ The fall is setup for your breakthrough - not a setback, but preparation for progress ✨ Recovery is learning a jump you've never done before - of course you're going to fall multiple times ✨ Staying stuck is its own kind of fall - it's just slower, more painful, and doesn't teach you anything ✨ You don't have to get up alone - reach out for help, let someone stoop down to your level Powerful Quotes from This Episode: "Sometimes the fall is required. Not because I want you to hurt, but because without the fall, we wouldn't learn any other way" "I guess I shouldn't skip so fast to school" - Blake, age 7 "I was telling everyone I was doing the things, but in reality I wasn't because I was scared" "The results weren't matching my actions and I felt so defeated internally" "One side of me wanted weight gain because I knew I needed it. The other side felt betrayed and terrified" "That fall was my turning point. Once I got real and honest with myself, I could finally do something about it" "I fell SO many times trying to land that double loop. It became my favorite jump not in spite of the falls, but BECAUSE of them" "The falls weren't failures. The falls were required education" "The shame isn't about the fall. The shame is about what you're making the fall mean about you" "Your fall doesn't mean you're a failure. It just means you're learning" "I eventually saw my falls as necessary. I don't think I would have made the progress I made without falling multiple times" "The falls weren't setbacks. They were setups for my breakthrough" "You are right where you need to be. Not where you want to be, but where you need to be" "You can't change what you won't acknowledge. You can't heal what you won't feel. You can't grow without falling" "The fall isn't the end of your story. It's the beginning of your breakthrough" "Recovery isn't about never falling. Recovery is about learning to get back up" "Staying stuck is its own kind of fall. It's just slower, more painful, and doesn't teach you anything" How to Get Back Up After You Fall: Step 1: Stop Beating Yourself Up Stop making the fall mean something about your worth. The fall is data. It's information. It's feedback. It's not a judgment on who you are. Step 2: Get Honest Really honest. With yourself first, then with your treatment team, support system, and your people. Say: "I fell. Here's where I am. Here's what I need." Step 3: Reach Out for Help Just like Lindsey stooped down to Blake's level to dust him off - you don't have to get up alone. In fact, you shouldn't. Let someone help you back up. Step 4: Take the Lesson Forward Blake learned not to skip so fast. What are YOU learning from this fall? What does this fall need to teach you that you couldn't have learned any other way? Step 5: Keep Moving Forward Maybe a little slower. Maybe a little more carefully. Maybe with more honesty this time. But keep going. Because recovery isn't about never falling - it's about learning to get back up. Questions to Reflect On: About Your Falls: Where have you fallen recently in your recovery? What is that fall trying to teach you? Are you making the fall mean something about your worth? Have you gotten honest about where you really are? About Growth: What fall might you need to RISK in order to grow? What must you go through in order to evolve? Are you staying stuck because you're too afraid to risk falling? What lesson can't you learn any other way except through falling? Specific Scenarios: Maybe you've restricted when you said you wouldn't - what is that teaching you about your fear? Maybe you've isolated when you said you'd reach out - what is that teaching you about shame? Maybe you've lied to your treatment team - what is that teaching you about control? The Risk Question: Do you need to risk eating a fear food and falling into discomfort? Do you need to risk being honest and falling into vulnerability? Do you need to risk resting and falling into fear of losing control? Who This Episode Is For: This episode is essential listening if you: Have fallen or relapsed in your ED recovery recently Are lying to your treatment team about what you're really doing Feel ashamed about "falling again" in your recovery Beat yourself up for not being "further along" Think you're a failure because you keep slipping back Are too afraid to risk falling, so you stay stuck Feel defeated because your results don't match your stated actions Need permission to be imperfect in recovery Want to understand why falls are necessary, not shameful Are ready to get honest and finally change Have kids and relate to the parenting/learning moments Are a mom who sees your own journey in your child's lessons Important Truths About Falls in Recovery: Falls Are Not Failures: They're required education. Each fall teaches you something you couldn't learn any other way. The Length of Your Struggle Doesn't Matter: Whether this is your first fall or your hundredth, you can still get back up and keep going. Results Not Matching Actions Is a Sign: It means you're not being fully honest - with yourself or others. That realization IS the breakthrough. You Can't Skip the Lesson: Just like Blake couldn't skip learning to slow down without falling, you can't bypass the lessons recovery requires. Honesty Is the Turning Point: Once you get real about where you are, you can finally do something about it. Blake's Lesson Applied to Your Recovery: Blake was skipping too fast → You might be rushing recovery, trying to do it perfectly Lindsey kept warning him to be careful → Your body, treatment team, loved ones have been giving you signals He fell hard and got hurt → You've had a setback, relapse, or painful realization He reached out for help → You don't have to get up alone - reach out Lindsey stooped to his level → The right support meets you where you are, doesn't shame you She dusted him off → You can clean yourself up and start fresh He learned the lesson → "I shouldn't skip so fast" = awareness leads to change He got back up and kept going to school → You get back up and keep moving toward recovery The Figure Skating Lesson: Just like Lindsey fell countless times before landing her first double loop jump - and it became her favorite jump BECAUSE of all the falls - your recovery falls are teaching you: What angle is wrong (what approach isn't working) What timing is off (maybe you're not ready for this step yet) What fear you're holding onto (what's really keeping you stuck) What adjustment you need to make (how to do it differently next time) And eventually, when you land it, recovery will become your favorite part of your story. Not in spite of the falls, but because of them. Permission Slip: You have permission to: Fall and not be a failure Be right where you are, even if it's on the ground Get honest about lying or hiding Reach out for help getting back up Learn slowly, one fall at a time Be imperfect in your recovery journey Risk falling in order to grow Stop beating yourself up Start fresh today, right now Ready to Get Back Up? If you need support getting back up after a fall, Lindsey has spots open for one-on-one recovery coaching. She'll meet you exactly where you are - no judgment, no shame - and help you find your footing again. Visit www.herbestself.co to book your complimentary consultation. Let's turn your fall into your breakthrough. 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.

Girlfriend, maybe you've been struggling with disordered eating for decades and you don't want to put your life on hold to go into a full-blown treatment facility. Maybe you have kids at home, aging parents to care for, or a career you can't walk away from. Or maybe you don't even know what options are available, so you just stay stuck thinking you'll manage it all by yourself. Girl, you weren't meant to do this alone. In this episode, host Lindsey Nichol breaks down the 6 different levels of eating disorder treatment and care - from outpatient support to acute medical stabilization - so you can understand what's available and what might be best for YOUR unique situation and life circumstances. Lindsey shares her own treatment journey through IOP and day treatment, and why finding the right level of care that fits your life is so important. Whether you're a busy mom, working woman, caregiver, or someone who simply can't leave home for residential treatment, this episode will help you understand all your options - including recovery coaching as a personalized support option. You deserve a life free from the chains of disordered eating. And it starts with knowing what treatment options are out there. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The 6 Levels of Eating Disorder Treatment: Level 1: Outpatient Care What it is: Weekly sessions with a care team while living at home Who it's for: Those deemed medically stable who need ongoing support What's included: Dietitian, therapist, medical doctor, support groups Best for: Maintaining school, work, family life while getting treatment Level 2: Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) What it is: Multiple sessions per week in specialized settings Where it happens: Treatment centers or hospitals What's included: Group therapy, individual therapy, structured programming Lindsey's experience: This is where she spent the majority of her recovery Level 3: Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) / Day Treatment What it is: 5-6 days per week, 6-8 hours per day Structure: More intensive than outpatient, includes meals and therapies What happens: You return home in the evenings Lindsey's experience: Combined with IOP while in school - included therapies and support groups Level 4: Residential Treatment What it is: 24-hour care and supervision (inpatient experience) Who it's for: Those medically stable but requiring intensive support Where it happens: Medical hospitals, centers, or homelike facilities Structure: Full-time structured environment with comprehensive care Level 5: Inpatient Hospitalization What it is: Most appropriate for high-intensity medical/psychiatric needs Structure: 24-hour medical psychiatric facility Who it's for: Those not responding to other treatments, experiencing self-harm, severe depression, or needing intensive medical oversight Level 6: Acute Medical Stabilization What it is: The highest level of critical care for eating disorders Who it's for: Those medically unstable due to severity or medical complications Primary focus: Physical stabilization before moving to other treatment levels Plus: Recovery Coaching as a Treatment Option What it is: One-on-one virtual support for guided accountability and actionable recovery steps Who it's for: Those who can't or won't go into residential but need support How it works: Weekly sessions focused on action, not diagnosis Can be layered: Works alongside therapy, dietitian, and medical care Key Takeaways: ✨ Treatment is personalized - what works for someone else may not work for you, and that's okay ✨ You don't have to choose residential - there are multiple levels of care that allow you to stay home ✨ Recovery is NOT black and white - you can get support at various levels based on your life circumstances ✨ You weren't meant to do this alone - even if you can't go to residential, you need SOME level of support ✨ Everyone's recovery is their own - your journey is unique and valid regardless of which level of care you choose ✨ Recovery coaching is a valid option - especially when layered with other care team members ✨ You owe you, sister - putting yourself first isn't selfish, it's necessary ✨ More options exist now - compared to years ago, there are so many more treatment options available Powerful Quotes from This Episode: "You deserve a life that's free from the chains of disordered eating" "Maybe you don't even know what options are available for you, so you just stay here thinking you're gonna manage it all by yourself" "Everyone's recovery is your recovery. Your journey is your journey" "What's best for you might not be best for me. What worked for me might not work for someone else" "You weren't meant to do life alone. You definitely weren't meant to do the hard things alone" "You owe you, sister" "It's not black and white. There's so many other options" "What matters is that you're standing up for you" "You are worth it. You deserve it" "Everyone else in your life is gonna benefit when you can start putting you first" Important Information About Each Treatment Level: When to Consider Outpatient: You're medically stable You can maintain work/school/family responsibilities You need ongoing support and accountability You're in maintenance or relapse prevention phase When to Consider IOP: You need more structure than weekly appointments You can still live at home You benefit from group support You need multiple therapy modalities When to Consider PHP/Day Treatment: You need daily structure but can return home at night You require meal support You need more intensive care than IOP You're transitioning from residential or preventing residential When to Consider Residential: You need 24-hour support but are medically stable Your home environment isn't supportive of recovery You need complete immersion in treatment Outpatient options haven't been effective When to Consider Inpatient: You're experiencing severe symptoms There's self-harm or suicidal ideation You need medical and psychiatric oversight You require the highest level of structure When to Consider Recovery Coaching: You can't or won't do residential treatment You have kids, aging parents, or career obligations You want actionable support, not diagnosis You're looking for relapse prevention You want to layer support with existing care team What Makes Recovery Coaching Different: Not therapy: Coaches don't diagnose or address trauma - they focus on forward action Accountability structure: Weekly sessions keep you committed to your recovery goals Actionable support: Focused on practical steps like facing fear foods, getting off the scale, eating out with family Virtual and flexible: Fits into busy lives with kids, work, caregiving responsibilities Layered care: Works alongside dietitians, therapists, and medical professionals Relapse prevention: Helps maintain recovery after intensive treatment Questions to Ask When Choosing Treatment: What level of medical stability am I at currently? What are my life circumstances? (Kids, work, caregiving, school) Can I leave home for treatment, or do I need to stay local? What treatment options are available in my area? What does my insurance cover? Do I need 24-hour support or can I manage with weekly sessions? Am I willing to commit to doing the work required at each level? What has or hasn't worked for me in the past? Do I have a support system at home? What does my healthcare team recommend? Action Steps After This Episode: Assess where you are: Are you medically stable? What symptoms are you experiencing? Talk to a healthcare professional: Schedule appointments with your doctor to discuss which level of care is appropriate Research local options: Google treatment centers, IOP programs, PHP programs in your area Consider online options: Virtual recovery coaching, online support groups, telehealth therapy Build your care team: Even if you can't do residential, assemble support (dietitian, therapist, coach, doctor) Stop doing this alone: Commit to getting SOME level of support starting today Reach out: If recovery coaching interests you, visit lindseynickel.com to learn more Who This Episode Is For: This episode is essential listening if you: Don't know what eating disorder treatment options exist Think residential is your only option (and you can't do it) Have been doing this alone and need to know what help is available Are a busy mom, working woman, or caregiver who can't leave home Have been in treatment before and need to know what's next Are researching options for a loved one struggling with disordered eating Want to understand the difference between IOP, PHP, and residential Need permission to choose the treatment level that fits YOUR life Are looking for alternatives to inpatient treatment Want to layer recovery coaching with your existing care team Resources Mentioned: National Alliance for Eating Disorders: Information on treatment levels and resources National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA): Comprehensive treatment information and support Recovery Coaching with Lindsey: One-on-one virtual support, weekly sessions, actionable recovery tools Her Best Self Facebook Community: Support group for women in recovery Important Reminder: Lindsey is NOT a medical professional. The information in this episode is based on her personal experience and education but should not replace consultation with a licensed healthcare professional. Always speak with your doctor, therapist, or treatment team to determine which level of care is most appropriate for your specific situation. 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.

Happy Halloween, girlfriend! But let's talk about what's TRULY scary - the lies your eating disorder has been telling you that keep you trapped, paralyzed, and missing out on your life. In this special Halloween episode, host Lindsey Nichol unmasks the 5 scariest stories your eating disorder tells you and reveals why they're complete fiction. If you're a woman over 40 who's been haunted by food fears, candy panic, and the belief that you've been struggling "too long" to ever find freedom, this episode is your wake-up call. Lindsey shares her own triggering Halloween experience - dressing up as a plastic surgery victim in her mid-20s, complete with bandages and circles marking her "imperfections" - and how that costume revealed just how deep her denial really was. Then she walks you through each scary story, debunking the lies and replacing them with truth. This isn't just a Halloween episode. This is permission to finally unmask your eating disorder and step into the freedom you deserve - no matter your age, no matter how long you've been struggling. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Lindsey's Halloween Confession: Why Halloween was always triggering (candy panic, food fear, restriction spirals) The plastic surgery victim costume story that revealed her denial How eating disorders convince you the horror show is normal The moment she realized she was literally wearing her body dysmorphia as a costume The 5 Scary Stories (Lies) Your ED Tells You: Scary Story #1: "If I Eat Candy, I'll Lose All Control" Why restriction and deprivation CREATE the loss of control How scarcity breeds obsession and leads to binging The truth about trusting yourself around "forbidden" foods What you're really missing when you avoid Halloween treats with your family Scary Story #2: "I'll Gain Weight Immediately If I Stop Restricting" Why your body is not a calculator waiting to punish you The truth about initial weight fluctuation during healing How restriction has NEVER given you the body you thought it would What set point really means and why fighting it exhausts you Scary Story #3: "I Can't Trust Myself Around Food" Why you've forgotten what trust feels like after years of external rules How every restriction reinforces the lie that you're not capable What you're modeling for your kids or grandkids when you don't trust yourself The truth: trust is rebuilt one choice at a time Scary Story #4: "Everyone Will Judge Me If I Gain Weight (And So Will I)" The double lie: external judgment + internal harsh critic Why the people who matter want you PRESENT, not perfect What people are actually judging (your obsession, not your body) The scary truth: you're already miserable, the ED isn't protecting you FROM misery Scary Story #5: "I've Been Struggling So Long, I'll Probably Always Be This Way" Why the length of time struggling has NOTHING to do with recovery potential The truth for women in their 40s, 50s, 60s+ finding freedom Why "I wish I had started sooner" means TODAY is your sooner How to stop wasting one more Halloween believing this is your fate The Unmasking: Why you're exhausted from wearing the ED mask How to stop hiding and pretending this is sustainable What it means to take off the costume and show up as your real self The truth about who you are underneath the eating disorder Key Takeaways: ✨ The ED convinces you the horror show is normal - it puts a mask over your eyes so you can't see reality ✨ Fear of losing control actually CREATES loss of control - restriction is what makes you feel out of control ✨ Your body has a set point - fighting against it is what's exhausting you, not the weight itself ✨ You CAN trust yourself - but trust is rebuilt one choice at a time after years of external rules ✨ The people who matter want you present, not perfect - they're judging your obsession, not your body ✨ It's NOT too late - recovery is possible at ANY age after ANY amount of time struggling ✨ You're already miserable - the ED isn't protecting you from misery, it IS the misery ✨ Today is your "sooner" - stop waiting for the perfect time to unmask and get free Powerful Quotes from This Episode: "These aren't the fun kind of scary stories. These are the lies that keep you trapped." "I was literally wearing my body dysmorphia as a costume" "Your fear of losing control is actually what creates the loss of control" "You've spent DECADES restricting and you STILL don't have the body you thought restriction would give you" "You're trading temporary weight fluctuation for permanent freedom - and that's the best trade you'll ever make" "Every time you follow a rule instead of listening to your body, you're telling yourself 'I can't handle freedom'" "The people who matter don't care about your body size. The people who care about your body size don't matter" "You're ALREADY miserable. The eating disorder isn't protecting you from misery - it IS the misery" "The length of time you've been struggling has NOTHING to do with whether you can recover" "You've been wearing the eating disorder mask for how long now? It's time to unmask" "Wanting freedom isn't enough. You have to DO it" Your Halloween Challenge: Part 1: Identify and Unmask Your Scariest Lie Write down the SCARIEST lie you've been believing - the one that has the most power over you. Then unmask it by writing the TRUTH next to that lie. Examples: Lie: "I can't trust myself around food" Truth: "I am learning to trust myself one choice at a time" Lie: "I'm too old to recover" Truth: "Recovery is possible at any age, and I'm starting today" Lie: "If I gain weight, I'll be miserable" Truth: "I'm already miserable. Freedom is worth more than a number on the scale" Part 2: Face One Food Fear This Halloween Weekend Take one action that scares you: Have one piece of candy without guilt Order the food you actually want Take a rest day without panic Eat Halloween treats with your family without restriction One unmasked lie. One fear faced. That's how recovery starts. Reflection Questions: Which of the 5 scary stories has the most power over me? How long have I been wearing the eating disorder "mask"? What am I missing out on while I'm trapped in food fear? If my kids or grandkids are watching, what am I modeling about trust and food? What would change in my life if I stopped believing the scariest lie? Am I ready to unmask and show up as my real self? What's ONE fear I can face this Halloween weekend? Who This Episode Is For: This Halloween episode is for you if: You experience candy panic and food fear during holidays You've been struggling for 10, 20, 30+ years and think it's "too late" You're in your 40s, 50s, or 60s and wonder if recovery is possible at your age You can't trust yourself around "trigger foods" You're terrified of gaining weight if you stop restricting You're missing out on holiday memories with family because of food obsession You're exhausted from wearing the ED mask and pretending everything is fine You're ready to stop being haunted by lies and start living in truth You need permission to believe change is possible after all this time Special Episode Note: EPISODE 250! This milestone episode falls on Halloween, making it the perfect time to unmask the eating disorder and celebrate how far you've come. Whether this is your first episode or you've been listening since day one, thank you for being part of this community. Recovery is possible, girlfriend - and it starts with unmasking the lies. Important Truth: Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. This isn't small. This is life and death. If you're trapped in the cycle of food fear, restriction, and believing you've been struggling "too long" to ever find freedom, please hear this: It's not too late. Recovery is possible. And you deserve to live without being haunted. Ready to Unmask Your Eating Disorder and Find Freedom? Lindsey has spots open for one-on-one recovery coaching. If you're done being haunted by scary stories and ready to live in truth, visit www.herbestself.co to book your complimentary consultation. Let's make this the last Halloween you spend trapped in these lies. 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:

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

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

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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

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

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?

Tired of being held hostage by thoughts like "When can I eat next?" or "I need to work this off"? In this game-changing episode, Lindsey introduces her signature Triple Threat Tool that stops ED thoughts from spiraling and puts YOU back in control of your mind. Learn the exact 3-step framework to go from being controlled by eating disorder thoughts to being completely in control of your recovery. Key Takeaways You can't fight what you don't acknowledge, and you can't change what you don't challenge Your ED thoughts aren't actually YOUR thoughts - they're learned responses The Triple Threat Tool threatens the lies, the spiral, and the ED's power over your choices You're allowed to have the thought - but you don't have to believe it or act on it Deciding your comeback in advance stops spirals before they start The Triple Threat Tool Breakdown Step 1: NAME IT - Who's Really Talking Here? Purpose: Identify whether this is your ED voice or your authentic voice How to Do It: Give your ED voice an actual name (Restriction Rachel, Control Freak Carla, Body Critic Betty) Separate the ED voice from who you really are Recognize these aren't YOUR thoughts - they're learned responses from diet culture Example: ED Thought: "I shouldn't eat this cookie" Name It: "That's Restriction Rachel trying to control my food choices" Step 2: TAME IT - Take Your Power Back Purpose: Acknowledge the thought without giving it power How to Do It: Refuse to let the ED voice drive the bus Thank the voice but decline to take orders Set boundaries with your ED thoughts like you would with a demanding person Example: Tame It: "Thanks for sharing, Restriction Rachel, but I'm not taking orders from you today" Lindsey's Example: "Rachel, you've been fired. I'm in charge of my nourishment now" Step 3: FRAME IT - Create Your New Truth Purpose: Replace ED lies with recovery-aligned thoughts How to Do It: Create thoughts that feel true and move you toward recovery Not fake positive affirmations - authentic recovery truths Choose thoughts that serve your healing journey Example: Frame It: "My body needs consistent fuel throughout the day, and this cookie is part of my recovery" Real-Life Triple Threat Examples Food Thought Scenario: ED Thought: "I need to work out extra today because I ate something different last night" Name It: "That's Control Freak Carla" Tame It: "Carla, exercise isn't punishment for eating" Frame It: "I move my body because it feels good, not to earn or burn off food" Body Image Scenario: ED Thought: "I look disgusting in this dress" Name It: "That's Body Critic Betty" Tame It: "Betty, your harsh comments aren't welcome here" Frame It: "My body deserves to be treated with respect, and I choose clothes that make me feel comfortable" ED Voice vs. Authentic Voice Guide Your ED Voice: Is harsh, critical, and demanding Uses words like "should," "can't," "need to," "have to" Makes you feel anxious, guilty, or ashamed Wants you to be smaller, eat less, control more Your Authentic Voice: Is kind, curious, and flexible Uses words like "I choose," "I want," "I deserve" Makes you feel peaceful, empowered, or hopeful Wants you to be nourished, rested, and free Common ED Thoughts to Practice With Food Thoughts: "When can I eat next?" "What am I allowed to eat?" "How can I avoid eating?" "I need to work this off" "I shouldn't eat this" Body Image Thoughts: "I look huge in this outfit" "If I eat that, I'll gain weight" "I'm bigger than everyone else" "People are judging my body" "I'm disgusting" Powerful Quotes from This Episode "You can't fight what you don't acknowledge, and you can't change what you don't challenge." "Your eating disorder thoughts aren't actually YOUR thoughts." "You're allowed to have the thought. There's no judgment in having an ED thought pop up." "You are not your thoughts. You are the thinker of your thoughts." "Your ED voice is loud, but your authentic voice is stronger." When to Use the Triple Threat Tool In front of the mirror when body image thoughts attack At meal times when food anxiety kicks in The moment any ED thought enters your mind - don't wait for it to spiral During social eating situations When getting dressed or shopping for clothes Before, during, and after exercise This Week's Homework Give your ED voice a name (make it specific to your struggles) Identify your 3 most common ED thoughts Write out your Triple Threat response for each one Practice your comebacks - decide in advance what you'll say Use the tool immediately when any ED thought pops up Lindsey's Personal Example Situation: Standing in front of closet, choosing what to wear ED Thought: "You can't wear that dress, you look huge, everyone will notice how much weight you've gained" Name It: "That's Gina trying to make me hide my body" Tame It: "Gina, you don't get to dictate my wardrobe choices anymore" Frame It: "I'm choosing clothes that make me feel comfortable and confident in my recovery" Result: Wore the dress, had an amazing day, realized Gina's opinion had nothing to do with reality Signs You Need This Tool Food thoughts consume your mental energy throughout the day You spiral from one negative thought into restriction or shame You feel controlled by thoughts about your body or food You believe every critical thought about yourself You can't distinguish between ED voice and authentic voice What Mastering This Tool Looks Like You catch ED thoughts before they spiral You feel empowered instead of controlled by your mind You can enjoy meals and social situations without mental chatter You respond to body image thoughts with compassion instead of criticism You're present in your life instead of trapped in your head Ready to Master Your Mental Game? If you want to learn how to use the Triple Threat Tool in every situation and build an entire toolkit of weapons against ED thoughts, go to www.herbestself.co and fill out an application to work with Lindsey. Stop trying to figure this out alone. Your ED voice has had you for years - but it doesn't get to have your future. Connect with Lindsey Website: www.herbestself.co  Private Facebook Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com  Client Applications: www.herbestself.co/services  About the Host Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. She created the Triple Threat Tool during her own recovery journey and now teaches women how to boss around their ED thoughts instead of being bossed by them. If this tool empowered you, please share it with someone who needs to learn how to control their ED thoughts. Your support helps more women discover they don't have to be held hostage by every thought that pops into their head. *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 living small? Of missing out on life because your mind is consumed with food thoughts, calorie calculations, and body obsession? In this expansion-focused episode, Lindsey paints a vivid picture of what your life looks like when you stop settling for the crumbs of existence and start feasting on the fullness of freedom. If you've been thinking this eating disorder life is just "how things are" for you, prepare to have your world expanded as Lindsey shows you what abundant recovery actually looks like. Key Takeaways You've been settling for surviving when you were made for thriving When you focus on less, you get more of less; when you focus on more, you get more Sometimes you have to make peace with what is to grab onto what's waiting The abundant life is waiting for you on the other side of food thoughts "So what?" is the question that changes everything about weight gain fears Main Topics Covered

Ready to break the lies that have kept you trapped in disordered eating? In this fire-filled episode, Lindsey delivers one golden nugget that could change everything: it's time to evaluate your agreement. The direction of your life is based on agreements you've made along the way - and if you're still stuck, you're standing in agreement with lies that no longer serve you. Learn how to fall out of agreement with false beliefs and make the most powerful commitment you'll ever make: putting yourself first and choosing recovery. Key Takeaways The direction of your life is based on agreements you've made along the way You must fall out of agreement with lies that keep you trapped No one's coming to save you - this agreement is yours to make The goal of life is living in agreement with who you were made to be You must give yourself permission to succeed instead of searching for evidence of failure Main Topics Covered

Feeling exhausted from fighting the same eating disorder thoughts every single day? Tired of trying to navigate recovery alone while swimming against what feels like an impossible current? In this hope-filled episode, Lindsey uses powerful ocean metaphors to help you understand why recovery feels so hard and why you don't have to do it alone. If you're in the thick of the hard season and desperately want to stop carrying this burden by yourself, this episode will speak directly to your heart and give you the one step you need to finally say yes to support. Key Takeaways Recovery feels like swimming against the current because you're fighting it alone You're not broken - you're a seashell in the making, getting stronger through the storms You're not actually in control right now - your eating disorder is Putting yourself first isn't selfish - it's putting on your oxygen mask The hardest thing isn't doing recovery perfectly - it's admitting you can't do it alone Main Topics Covered

Ready for some tough love, sis? If you've been walking around asking "Why me? Why do I have to struggle with this eating disorder? Why do I even bother trying to recover?" - this episode is your wake-up call. Lindsey delivers the reality check you need to stop playing victim in your own recovery story and start asking the question that changes everything: WHY NOT YOU? With 60-70% of women recovering from eating disorders, it's time to stop making yourself the exception and start making yourself the example. Key Takeaways You are the author of your own story - stop writing yourself as the victim 60-70% of women with eating disorders make a full recovery Your past thinking is driving your current reality - change your thoughts, change your story You're not too broken, too far gone, or too different to recover Recovery Warriors ask "Why NOT me?" instead of "Why me?" Main Topics Covered

Ready to make the hardest shift in eating disorder recovery? In this powerful episode, Lindsey tackles the most challenging aspect of healing: letting go of weight loss goals completely. If you're a high achiever who's built your identity around being "weight conscious," this episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about recovery. Learn why you can't truly recover while still wanting to lose weight and get practical steps to shift your primary goal from weight loss to recovery freedom. Key Takeaways You cannot recover while still holding onto weight loss as a goal Recovery requires complete surrender and a total shift in perspective Weight loss goals keep you stuck in eating disorder behaviors Your identity isn't based on a number - it's based on who you choose to become Action before belief: You must act differently before you feel differently Main Topics Covered

Struggling with watching your husband grab a banana and head out for his 5-mile run while you're sitting with your full breakfast? Feeling guilty about eating meals when your friend skips lunch because she's "too busy"? This episode tackles the comparison trap that's keeping you stuck in eating disorder recovery. Lindsey gets raw and real about why other people's food and exercise choices have absolutely nothing to do with your healing journey. Key Takeaways Other people's food and exercise choices have nothing to do with your recovery You're not comparing apples to apples - you're comparing apples to pineapples Comparison is literally increasing your risk of ED relapse Your recovery is not up for a vote Stop giving mental energy to other people's plates and start celebrating your own healing

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

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

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

Summer schedules, vacations, and seasonal changes can trigger intense anxiety for those in eating disorder recovery. Host Lindsey Nichol shares how to navigate BBQs, beach trips, bathing suit season, and schedule disruptions while prioritizing your healing journey. Learn practical tools used in private coaching sessions to "armor up" for summer recovery success. Key Takeaways Your eating disorder doesn't take a vacation, so your recovery can't either Summer is actually the PERFECT time to prioritize recovery and put yourself first The brain feels unsafe with change - use this knowledge to your advantage Create structure that supports recovery, not rigid control Practice "doing the opposite" of what your ED voice demands Main Topics Covered

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

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

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

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

In this deeply personal and transformative episode, Lindsey shares a powerful message that came to her during her morning devotions: "It is possible to miss who you've been called to be because you're addicted and attached to who you've settled to be." If you've been settling for a life controlled by your eating disorder, this episode will open your eyes to the incredible life waiting for you on the other side of recovery. What You'll Learn: The powerful devotional quote that sparked this entire episode Why settling for your eating disorder is actually addiction in disguise 8 specific ways life becomes dramatically better in recovery The shocking statistics about eating disorders and relationships that no one talks about How to identify where you're settling vs. truly living Why your brain chooses "guaranteed misery" over uncertain freedom The exact moment Lindsey knew she had to stop pretending and start living The 8 Things Better Than Settling for Disordered Eating: 1. ENERGY ☕ Energy to tackle today with cream in your coffee No more "I don't drink my calories" badge of honor True nourishment vs. running on empty 2. CARBS & FREEDOM

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

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

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

In this powerful episode, Lindsey explores how eating disorders and food obsession act as "time thieves" and "energy vampires," stealing your presence from the moments and people that matter most. She shares the life-changing realization that when we don't sacrifice for what we ultimately want, we become the ultimate sacrifice - and our relationships pay the price. Key Takeaways

Are you stuck in the cycle of starting and stopping recovery? Always "trying" but never fully committing? In this game-changing episode, Lindsey reveals how one simple phrase is sabotaging your progress and keeping you trapped in what she calls "decision defaulting." Learn the neuroscience behind why "I'm trying" programs your brain for failure, and discover the powerful mindset shift that transforms chronic restarters into recovery success stories. If you're tired of living in the "maybe someday" space and ready to make decisions that stick, this episode will revolutionize your approach to healing. What You'll Learn in This Episode The psychology behind "decision defaulting" and why your brain prefers it How the phrase "I'm trying" creates neural pathways for partial commitment The difference between illusion of control vs. real personal power Specific language shifts that activate "implementation intention" Why your eating disorder wants you to stay in "trying" mode A concrete challenge to break the decision defaulting cycle this week How to know when you're ready for professional support vs. continued self-help Key Moments & Timestamps Opening CTA for Consultation (0:30-2:00) Lindsey speaks directly to chronic restarters and those hesitant to start recovery What is Decision Defaulting? (2:00-5:00) "'Trying' is just a socially acceptable way of avoiding responsibility for your choices." Client Story: Emma's 3-Year Trying Cycle (3:30-4:30) How one client's language shift changed everything in recovery The Neuroscience of Decision Defaulting (5:00-8:30) Why undernourished brains default to tentative language and how trauma responses play a role From Trying to Deciding: The Power Shift (8:30-12:00) Specific examples of language that creates commitment vs. escape routes Your Decision-Making Challenge (12:00-14:00) Two concrete options to practice decisive action this week Powerful Quotes from This Episode On Decision Defaulting: "Decision defaulting is when you avoid making definitive choices because not deciding feels safer than deciding 'wrong.'" On the Trying Trap: "When you say 'I'm trying,' you're leaving yourself an escape route. You're keeping one foot out the door. You're protecting yourself from the vulnerability of full commitment." On Neural Pathways: "Every time you make a definitive choice and follow through, you strengthen the neural pathways associated with self-efficacy and personal agency. Every time you default on a decision, you reinforce the pathways associated with helplessness." On Eating Disorder Strategy: "Your eating disorder wants you to keep 'trying.' It wants you to stay in that wishy-washy space where you're sort of committed but not really. Because as long as you're just trying, you're not a real threat to its control over your life." On Real Power: "The power isn't in making perfect decisions. The power is in making decisions and sticking with them long enough to see what happens." Language Shifts That Change Everything Instead of: "I'm trying to eat regular meals" Decide: "I'm deciding to eat breakfast at 8am, lunch at 1pm, and dinner at 6pm, regardless of how I feel about it" Instead of: "I'm trying to be less active" Decide: "I'm deciding to take three complete rest days this week and limit exercise to 30 minutes on active days" Instead of: "I'm trying to stop weighing myself" Decide: "I'm deciding to remove the scale from my house and ask my roommate to hide it" Instead of: "I'm thinking about getting help" Decide: "I'm deciding to schedule consultation calls with three recovery coaches this week" This Week's Decision Challenge Option 1: The Immediate Action Decision Choose ONE thing you've been "trying" to do in recovery and make a definitive decision about it today. Write it down: "I am deciding to _______." Take one concrete action within 24 hours. Option 2: The Support Decision If you've been "thinking about" getting help, either decide you're going to take action and schedule consultations or decide you're not ready and stop the maybe-someday torture. Scientific Research Referenced Dr. Carol Dweck's studies on language and behavior creating neural pathways Dr. Peter Gollwitzer's research on implementation intentions (2-3x more likely to follow through) Dr. Kristin Neff's research on self-compassion and decision-making fear Ready to Stop Decision Defaulting? Free Consultation with Lindsey If you're ready to stop the cycle of starting and stopping recovery, or finally take that first real step into healing, Lindsey is offering complimentary consultation calls. During your call, you'll get clarity on: Where you are vs. where you want to be in recovery What kind of support would best serve your specific situation Whether working together makes sense for your journey Your next right step forward (with no pressure or obligation) Schedule your call: www.herbestself.co Lindsey personally responds to every application within 48 hours Connect With Lindsey Instagram: @thelindseynichol Website: www.herbestself.co  Email: info@lindseynichol.com If This Episode Hit Home Please rate, review, and subscribe to the Her Best Self podcast. Your support helps more women discover that they have the power to stop "trying" and start deciding their way to freedom. Share this episode with someone who's been stuck in the "trying" cycle - they need to hear that their power lives in their decisions, not their intentions. Remember: You are not broken. You are not weak. You are just ready to stop defaulting and start deciding. Your future self is waiting for you to choose her over your eating disorder, your dreams over your fears, your healing over your habits.      

In this episode, Lindsey speaks directly to the exhausted high-achieving woman, who's spent decades restricting food and over-exercising while trying to lead in every area of life. Drawing from her personal recovery from anorexia and years of coaching experience, Lindsey helps you understand how your "body story" - those deep-rooted messages about what your body should look like and what it means about your worth - was written by diet culture, not by you. Learn how to identify the costly messages you've been carrying and discover a framework for rewriting your relationship with your body from shame to self-compassion. What You'll Learn in This Episode How to identify the specific cultural messages that shaped your relationship with your body The hidden costs of carrying shame-based body stories (energy, presence, relationships, dreams) Why your body became a "project to control" rather than a "home to inhabit" The difference between health and size (and why conflating them keeps you trapped) A practical framework for rewriting your body story starting this week Specific daily practices to shift from body criticism to body appreciation Key Moments & Timestamps Opening (0:30-2:00) Lindsey speaks directly to exhausted high-achievers ready to break the restrict-exercise cycle The Body Story Begins (2:00-5:00) "When did you first learn that your body was a problem to be solved? You didn't start out hating your body. You learned to." Cultural Messages That Shaped You (5:00-8:00) "Good girls don't take up too much space" "Your body is your responsibility to control" "Thin equals healthy, healthy equals worthy" "Successful women have it all together, including their bodies" The True Cost of Body Shame (8:00-10:30) What carrying these stories has cost you in energy, presence, authentic self, health, relationships, and dreams Rewriting Your New Story (10:30-13:30) "Your body is not a problem to be solved. It's a miracle to be appreciated." Powerful Quotes from This Episode On Learning Body Shame: "You didn't start out hating your body. You learned to. You learned from a culture that profits from your insecurity." On the Prison of Control: "That same control that felt like freedom was actually building your prison, brick by brick, year by year." On Exhaustion: "You're successful in every other area of your life. You lead teams, you manage budgets, you solve complex problems... But when it comes to your body, you still feel like that confused young girl who learned that her worth was tied to her weight." On True Health: "True health includes your mental well-being, your energy levels, your ability to do the things you love, your hormonal balance, your sleep quality, your stress management. None of these things require you to be a certain weight or size." On Taking Up Space: "As a leader, as a woman, as a human being - you are allowed to have needs, to have desires, to exist fully in your body without apologizing for it." This Week's Body Story Rewrite Actions Morning Body Appreciation: Thank your body for something it did for you yesterday instead of immediately focusing on what you don't like Intuitive Nourishment: Ask "What would feel good and nourishing right now?" instead of "What should I eat according to my rules?" Joyful Movement: Choose movement based on how you want to feel, not calories you want to burn Compassionate Self-Talk: When you catch body criticism, ask "Would I talk to my best friend this way?" Your New Body Story Framework Old Story: "My body is a problem to be solved through restriction and exercise" New Story: "My body is a miracle to be appreciated and cared for with compassion" Old Story: "My worth depends on my size and what I eat" New Story: "My worth exists because I exist - my body is the vehicle for my life, not the determiner of my value" Old Story: "I must control my body to be successful" New Story: "I honor my body's wisdom and treat it as I would treat a dear friend's body" Ready for Personalized Support? One-on-One Coaching with Lindsey If you're a high-achieving woman ready to break free from the restrict-exercise cycle and rewrite your body story with expert guidance, apply for Lindsey's coaching program at www.herbestself.co  This intensive program is specifically designed for women who: Are exhausted from decades of fighting their bodies Lead successfully in other areas but struggle with food and body image Want to reclaim the energy they're spending on food rules and exercise obsession Are ready to model body peace for their families and teams Connect & Continue Your Journey Join Our Community Her Best Self Society Facebook Group: Connect with hundreds of women rewriting their body stories www.herbestselfsociety.com  Email List: Sign up at www.herbestself.co for exclusive resources, workshops, and offers for women breaking free from diet culture Follow Lindsay Instagram: @thelindseynichol Website: www.herbestself.co  Email: info@lindseynichol.com If This Episode Resonated With You Please rate, review, and subscribe to the Her Best Self podcast. Your support helps more women discover that they have the power to rewrite their body stories from shame to self-compassion. Share this episode with a woman who needs to hear that her body story doesn't have to end with restriction and exhaustion - the best chapters are yet to come. Remember: You are not too much, you are not too little, you are exactly enough, exactly as you are. Your body story is still being written, and you get to hold the pen. xo, lindsey Coach with Me -＞Client Application ______ Email me directly -> lindsey@herbestself.co ______ Join the free FB community -> www.herbestselfsociety.com ______ Need a helping hand guiding you girl!? You don't have to do this alone! Step 1: Go all IN! Decide to commit to yourself & your future! Do it scared girlfriend. Just do it! Step 2: Apply for limited 1:1 & let's work together -> Client Application Step 3: Leverage the FB community for support & stay tuned for all the resources up & coming to help serve you! YOU TOTALLY GOT THIS! * 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 shares a weekend experience with her son that completely reframes what recovery success looks like. Using the analogy of a terrifying roller coaster ride, she challenges the myth that recovery should feel comfortable and reveals why the hardest moments might actually be where the most important healing happens. If you've been beating yourself up because parts of recovery still feel impossible, or if you're waiting for healing to feel "good" before you fully commit, this episode will shift your entire perspective on courage, progress, and what it truly means to succeed in recovery. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why recovery doesn't have to feel good to be working effectively How to redefine recovery success beyond comfort and ease The difference between courage and confidence (and why courage is enough) Why the struggle IS the work, not a sign that you're failing Practical ways to honor your bravery even when recovery feels terrifying How to stay committed to healing when every instinct tells you to quit Key Takeaways & Quotes On Recovery Not Feeling Good (4:30) "You don't have to enjoy recovery for it to be changing your life... What if the victory isn't in loving the process, but in staying on the ride anyway?" On Redefining Success (8:45) "Every time you eat when your eating disorder says restrict - that's courage, even if it feels awful. Every time you choose rest over compulsive exercise - that's strength, even if your anxiety is through the roof." On Courage vs. Comfort (10:15) "Recovery success isn't never having eating disorder thoughts again. It's learning to recognize those thoughts and choosing not to act on them, even when they're loud and persistent." On The Hardest Moments (11:30) "When you're struggling the most, when recovery feels impossible, when every instinct is telling you to go back to your eating disorder - that's when you're doing the deepest healing work." This Week's Recovery Challenge Find one moment this week where you chose recovery despite it feeling hard. Instead of minimizing that moment or focusing on how uncomfortable it felt, say out loud: "I am proud of myself for doing that hard thing." Remember: You don't have to love recovery to be succeeding at it. You just have to keep showing up. Real Talk Recovery Reminders The struggle isn't a sign that recovery isn't working - the struggle IS the work You can be proud of your courage even when recovery doesn't feel good Discomfort doesn't equal danger - it often equals growth Your difficult recovery experience doesn't mean you're doing it wrong Building emotional strength happens in the uncomfortable moments Ready for support on your recovery roller coaster? If you're tired of navigating recovery alone and want someone to remind you of your strength when you can't see it yourself, Lindsey's one-on-one coaching program is designed for women ready to redefine what recovery success looks like. Apply for coaching: www.herbestself.co Instagram: @thelindseynichol Email: info@lindseynichol.com or lindsey@herbestself.co Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com If This Episode Helped You Please rate, review, and subscribe to the Her Best Self podcast. Your support helps more women discover that they don't have to wait for recovery to feel comfortable before they can be proud of their incredible courage. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear that their bravery in recovery - even when it's terrifying - is building the foundation for their freedom. Remember: Your bravery in this moment is building the foundation for your freedom tomorrow. You've got this, beautiful soul. xo, lindsey Coach with Me -＞Client Application ______ Email me directly -> lindsey@herbestself.co ______ Join the free FB community -> www.herbestselfsociety.com ______ Need a helping hand guiding you girl!? You don't have to do this alone! Step 1: Go all IN! Decide to commit to yourself & your future! Do it scared girlfriend. Just do it! Step 2: Apply for limited 1:1 & let's work together -> Client Application Step 3: Leverage the FB community for support & stay tuned for all the resources up & coming to help serve you! YOU TOTALLY GOT THIS! * 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.

Recovery isn't one-size-fits-all, and neither are you! Just like animals in the wild, each of us has a unique way of navigating challenges and finding strength. In today's episode, I share how discovering my spirit animal (hello, turtle energy!) transformed my approach to recovery and gave me the hope I desperately needed. Take the FREE Recovery Spirit Animal Quiz at www.herbestself.co/resources to discover whether you're a fierce lion pushing through obstacles, a steady turtle taking life one step at a time, or another powerful animal guide. Your results will reveal personalized insights about your recovery style and help you stop second-guessing your journey. Ready to find the hope, peace, and freedom you've been searching for? Your spirit animal is waiting to guide you home to yourself. xo, lindsey Coach with Me -＞Client Application ______ Email me directly -> lindsey@herbestself.co ______ Join the free FB community -> www.herbestselfsociety.com ______ Need a helping hand guiding you girl!? You don't have to do this alone! Step 1: Go all IN! Decide to commit to yourself & your future! Do it scared girlfriend. Just do it! Step 2: Apply for limited 1:1 & let's work together -> Client Application Step 3: Leverage the FB community for support & stay tuned for all the resources up & coming to help serve you! YOU TOTALLY GOT THIS! * 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.