Her Best Self | Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast, Disordered Eating, Anorexia, Bulimia, Orthorexia, Body Image, Food Freedom, Calorie Counting, Obsessive Exercise, Food Restriction

EP 222: Terrified to Gain Weight This Summer? Here's Your Sign & Personal Invitation to Take Radical Responsibility✨

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.

EP 221.5: Which Recovery Phase Are You In? The 10-Stage Roadmap Every Woman in Recovery Needs **Must Listen Fav**

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.

EP 221: Present Over Perfect ~ How Food Obsession Steals Your Life (& 4 Strategies to Get It Back)

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
🎯 The Real Cost of Food Obsession
Eating disorders aren't just about food - they're mental energy drains that steal your presence from your own life
The constant mental chatter about food planning, guilt, and rules exhausts you before your day even begins
Your pursuit of food perfection is sacrificing your ability to be fully present with the people you love
💡 The Sacrifice Revelation "If you don't sacrifice for what you ultimately want, then you become the ultimate sacrifice."
What you ultimately want: Connection, presence, energy for what matters, peace of mind
What's actually being sacrificed: Time with your spouse, conversations with your kids, your ability to be fully present in your own life
🔄 The Present Over Perfect Shift Your family doesn't need a perfect you - they need a present you. Stop waiting to be worthy of love when you "figure out" the food thing. You're worth loving right now, struggles and all.
4 Practical Strategies to Reclaim Your Presence
Strategy #1: The 3-Second Check-In
Throughout your day, pause and ask: "Where is my mind right now?"
If caught in food thoughts during important moments, simply notice without judgment
Ask: "What would it look like to be fully here right now?"
Strategy #2: The Energy Audit
Track for one day how often you catch yourself in food-related thoughts
Make a mark on your phone each time you're planning, worrying, calculating, or obsessing about food
Count them at day's end - this is how much life force is being redirected from what matters
Strategy #3: The Presence Practice
Choose one meal/snack daily to eat with complete presence
Put phone away, don't plan next meal, ignore calorie counting
Focus on taste, texture, satisfaction - practice being fully there
Strategy #4: The Connection Redirect
When spiraling into food thoughts, immediately reach out to someone you love
Text your teenager, call your spouse, hug your pet
Redirect mental energy toward connection instead of obsession
Real-Life Application: The Dinner Table Revolution
Make dinner time device-free AND food-rule-free for your mind:
No mental calorie counting or meal planning during family time
Ask about everyone's day and really listen
Share something about your day unrelated to food
Practice being completely present with your family
This Week's Homework
Choose one person in your life and commit to being fully present with them for at least 10 minutes every day:
Morning coffee with your spouse
After-school time with your child
Phone call with a friend or family member
No phone, no food thoughts, no mental planning - just you, fully there
Episode Quotes
"Every moment you spend obsessing about food is a moment you're not fully living your life."
"Your kids don't need a perfect mom. Your spouse doesn't need a perfect partner. They need YOU. Present, engaged, fully there YOU."
"You are not your thoughts about food. You are a woman with purpose, with love to give, with a life that's happening right now."
Resources & Next Steps
Join Our Community
Her Best Self Society - Our private community where women support each other in choosing present over perfect every day.
Stay Connected
Visit www.herbestself.co to join our email list and be the first to know about upcoming events and services.
Remember
Stop sacrificing your presence for the pursuit of perfection. Your people need you here. Your life needs you here. You deserve to be fully present for your own beautiful, imperfect, real life.
If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend who needs to hear this message. Together, we're choosing presence over perfection, one moment at a time.
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.
 

EP 220: The #1 Phrase That is Toxic to Your Best Self + The Decision-Making Framework That Actually Works

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.
 
 
 

EP 219: The Body Story That's Keeping You Trapped with Poor Body Image (+ How to Change It & Write Your Next Chapter!)

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.

EP 218: Recovery Is Like a Roller Coaster ~ Why the Scary Parts Actually Mean You’re on the Right Track 🎢

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.

EP 217.5: What’s Your Recovery Spirit Animal? Listen to This Fav, Then Take My FREE Recovery Quiz to Help Jumpstart Your Healing Journey 🦁

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.
 

EP 217: From Ankle-Deep to ALL IN ~ The #1 Question to Ask Yourself to Find the Courage to Fully Commit to Your Recovery

In this powerful episode of the Her Best Self podcast, Lindsey explores what it truly means to go ALL IN on your recovery journey. Inspired by a church sermon on faith, she unpacks the different levels of commitment in recovery—from ankle-deep hesitation to full blown surrender—and challenges you to identify where you're holding back. If you're tired of partial results and ready to experience true freedom from disordered eating, this episode offers both inspiration and practical next steps for going ALL IN on yourself and your healing.
What You'll Learn
The four levels of commitment in recovery: ankle-deep, knee-deep, waist-deep, and ALL IN
How staying in your comfort zone blocks your healing progress
The exhausting reality of wearing the "eating disorder mask" and the freedom that comes from removing it
Practical examples of what going ALL IN looks like in everyday recovery
Biblical wisdom that supports full surrender in the recovery process
One tangible action step to move toward going ALL IN this week
Highlights From This Episode
On Partial Commitment (3:12) "Partial commitment yields partial results. To experience the full freedom that recovery offers, you have to go ALL IN. That means complete surrender. Complete trust. Complete willingness to feel ALL of your feelings without using food or exercise to numb them."
On Getting Out of Your Own Way (5:45) "How often are YOU getting in the way of your own recovery? How often are you blocking your own healing because you're trying to control everything? Because you're not willing to trust the process? Because you're holding onto the false comfort of your eating disorder?"
On Removing the Mask (8:30) "The eating disorder has pulled a mask over you - a false identity that you might have worn for years or even decades... Going ALL IN means pulling away that mask and saying, 'This is who I really am. This is what I'm really struggling with. This is what I really need.'"
On Redirecting Energy (10:15) "When you go ALL IN on recovery, you get to redirect all that energy toward actually living your life. Toward your relationships, your passions, your purpose. Toward the woman God created you to be."
Scripture Referenced
Romans 12:2 – "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Proverbs 3:5-6 – "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
Psalm 139:14 – "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
Your Recovery Action Step
Identify ONE area where you've been holding back in recovery, and take ONE step toward going ALL IN in that area this week. Write it down, share it with someone who will hold you accountable, and commit to taking that step even when it feels uncomfortable.
Connect With Lindsey
Ready to go ALL IN on your recovery with professional support? Visit www.herbestself.co to apply for one-on-one coaching.
Follow on Instagram: @thelindseynichol
Email: info@lindseynichol.com
Join our community: www.herbestselfsociety.com
Subscribe to Her Best Self Podcast
If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Your support helps more women find the courage to go ALL IN on their recovery journey.
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.

EP 216: When Healing Feels Messy & Impossible ~ Your Permission to Find Peace in the “Not Okay” Moments

In this powerful episode of Her Best SELF podcast, Lindsey shares why the messy, difficult moments in eating disorder recovery aren't signs of failure—they're actually where the deepest healing happens. If you've been beating yourself up for struggling, if recovery feels impossibly hard, or if you're wondering why you're not "further along," this episode offers the permission and compassion you need to keep going.
What You'll Discover:
Why the myth of "perfect recovery" sets us up for unnecessary shame
The three dimensions where it's normal to struggle: body, mind, and soul
How to distinguish between normal recovery challenges and actual setbacks
Practical tools for embracing difficult moments without giving up
Why self-compassion accelerates healing more than perfectionism ever could
Featured Quotes: "Recovery isn't about becoming perfect. It's about reclaiming your voice in a world that tried to silence you with impossible standards." - Geneen Roth
Key Moments:
[00:03:45] Lindsey shares a personal breakthrough moment from her anorexia recovery
[00:06:30] The science behind why recovery feels chaotic (and why that's normal!)
[00:09:15] Understanding the body, mind, and soul dimensions of healing
[00:12:00] Five practical strategies for embracing "not okay" moments
[00:14:00] How to know you're still making progress even when it doesn't feel like it
Practical Tools Mentioned:
Creating a personal "comfort menu" for difficult moments
The "pause and breathe" technique for interrupting shame spirals
Documentation practices to recognize non-scale victories
Community-building strategies for authentic recovery support
Listener Action Step: The next time you feel like you're failing at recovery because it feels so hard, place a hand on your heart and say: "This is really hard right now, and that's okay. I'm doing my best." Notice how giving yourself permission to struggle actually creates space for healing.
Ready for personalized recovery support? Lindsey's Freedom Formula Experience offers 1:1 coaching designed to help you break free from food rules through healing body, mind, and soul. Limited spots available each month – learn more and apply at www.herbestself.co 
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.

EP 215.5: The 5 Biggest Pitfalls Sabotaging Your Eating Disorder Recovery (& How to Overcome Them) **Must Listen Fav!**

Sister,
I literally cannot wait to share with you the 5 "D's"....
What am I talking about?
The 5 "D's" are what I believe are the BIGGEST challenges you will ever face as you navigate freedom from food & that 'crazy thinking' controlling your every day.
~
In today's replay, I discuss these 5 pitfalls, so that you can recognize where you may be stuck in them...not to shame game you, but to push you to overcome!
Let's rewind for a minute as I take you back to my own struggle with disordered eating...
I was lost. Exhausted. Constantly thinking about what I could eat next & when I could eat it. I was miserable. & I spent years in the same wonky cycle trying to convince myself that everything was fine & I was fine....I was far from fine.
Fast Forward to my "ah-ha"....I hated life & I craved a better way. But in the process of creating more for myself I came across these 5 biggest challenges.
The only way out girl, was through. & the same goes for you. But the good news is, if you are in the "doldrums" right now, maybe not sure where to turn to next because your mind is constantly filled with thoughts around food & your body, then today's podcast episode will speak straight to your soul.
But before you go listen, here is a quote to help you hold on to hope today:
"Remember not to dig up in doubt what you planted in faith." You deserve more sis!
~
Ready to escape the 5 biggest challenges? Don't worry girl, I got you!
Listen in to discover what these 5 pitfalls are & let me show you the way out to find the true & real you...the BEST you yet!
xo,
lindsey
Find All the Things -＞ wwww.herbestself.co
______
Coach with Me -＞Client Application
______
Email me directly -> info@lindseynichol.com
______
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.