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

EP 207: The Rookie Season of Recovery ~ How to Build Upon Setbacks & Step Up to the Plate with Confidence⚾

In this heartfelt episode, we explore the parallel between rookie seasons in baseball & the early stages of eating disorder recovery. Through a personal story about my 11-year-old son, I share with you powerful lessons about perseverance, finding purpose in setbacks, and recognizing God's work in challenging seasons.
Whether you're just beginning your recovery journey or facing a difficult setback, this episode offers both spiritual encouragement and practical tools to help you step up to the plate with renewed confidence.
Here are a few key points:
Why setbacks in recovery are like strikeouts in baseball—necessary parts of the growth process
The story of a young baseball player learning to value progress over perfection
How God uses "rookie seasons" to develop dependence, resilience, and character
The difference between the scoreboard mentality and the growth mentality in recovery
Biblical perspectives on finding purpose in struggle and disappointment
Transform your setbacks into stepping-stones by creating a Recovery Learning Log. After experiencing a slip in your recovery journey, ask yourself these three questions:
What was happening right before I felt triggered? (Identify patterns)
What need was I trying to meet through this behavior? (Uncover underlying issues)
What's one small adjustment I can make next time I face this situation? (Build practical wisdom)
This simple practice shifts your relationship with struggle from shame to growth and invites God into your development process.
I hope you loved today's episode, just as I have so very much enjoyed recording it for you sis!
xo,
lindsey
Find All the Things -＞ www.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.

EP 206:✨Unlocking the Freedom Formula Experience™ ~ Your Personal Invite to Find Lasting Freedom From Disordered Eating✨

Your Path to Freedom: The Freedom Formula Experience with Lindsey Nichol
THE PROBLEM: Trapped in the Cycle
You wake up every morning with that familiar heaviness. Another day of obsessing over food, second-guessing every bite, and feeling like you're never doing recovery "right." Despite your best efforts, you feel stuck in an endless cycle:
You're exhausted from constantly thinking about food and your body
You feel like you should be "further along" in recovery by now
Traditional treatment gave you tools, but you struggle to apply them in real life
You're tired of having the same conversations with yourself day after day
You're living in "the gap" – always focusing on how far you still have to go, never acknowledging how far you've come
You feel isolated because nobody seems to truly understand what you're going through
You wonder if complete freedom is even possible for someone like you
The worst part? You're doing this alone. You're piecing together advice from books, podcasts, and social media, but without consistent guidance from someone who's actually walked this path, you keep falling back into the same patterns.
THE SOLUTION: The Freedom Formula Experience!
Girl, I've been exactly where you are. I know what it's like to feel trapped in an eating disorder, to try everything and still feel stuck, to wonder if you'll ever feel normal around food again.
That's why I've created my 1:1 Recovery Coaching program – a personalized approach designed to help you break free from food obsession and finally experience the freedom you deserve.
Unlike generic programs or traditional therapy alone, my coaching:
Is tailored specifically to YOUR unique struggles, patterns, and recovery phase
Combines practical tools with deep mindset work to address the root causes of your disorder
Focuses on real-life implementation, not just concepts
Offers consistent support between sessions when triggers and challenges arise
Brings in the spiritual dimension often missing from traditional approaches
Draws from my personal experience of complete recovery – I'm not speaking from theory, but from LIVING this transformation
Through our work together, we'll untangle the complex web of your eating disorder – addressing not just the food behaviors, but the perfectionism, people-pleasing, and "never enough" mindset that keeps you trapped.
THE TRANSFORMATION: What You'll Gain
Working with me isn't just about stopping behaviors – it's about reclaiming your entire life. Here's what my clients experience:
Freedom from the constant mental chatter about food, calories, and body size
The ability to eat intuitively without rules, restriction, or compensatory behaviors
A compassionate relationship with yourself, replacing the harsh inner critic
Skills to manage difficult emotions without using food
The confidence to show up authentically in relationships instead of hiding behind perfectionism
A renewed sense of purpose beyond your body and appearance
The ability to live in "the gain" – celebrating progress and practicing self-compassion
The joy of redirecting all that mental energy toward the things that truly matter to you
Imagine waking up and not having food be your first thought. Imagine enjoying meals with loved ones without anxiety. Imagine having the mental space to pursue your passions. This isn't just possible – it's what I help my clients achieve every day.
You can find more about how to apply for the FFE here: https://www.herbestself.co/services 
xo,
lindsey
Find All the Things -＞ www.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.

EP 205: Are You Living in the Gap or the Gain? + The #1 Regret I Have From My Personal Healing Journey With Anorexia & Exercise Bulimia

In this deeply personal episode, I share my biggest regret from my eating disorder recovery journey – how focusing too intensely on "being recovered" almost caused me to miss the beautiful growth happening along the way. Drawing on Dr. Benjamin Hardy's powerful concept of "living in the gap vs. living in the gain," I explore how this mindset shift can transform the recovery experience and help you  find meaning even in your most challenging moments.
xo,
lindsey
Find All the Things -＞ www.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.

EP 204: Struggling With Never Feeling Good Enough? Conquer the “Never Enough” Trap With This 3 Part Strategy That Only Takes 5 Minutes

 Hey sis, welcome back to the podcast. Am I on one right now or what?
I legit just got off a client call and I was talking to my client about what she feels is not working in her life right now. She said, I just have this constant nagging feeling that I'm not doing enough. I'm not enough. I'm not productive enough.
Gosh does this resonate! I wanted to bring this in to the show content because I have been right where you are if you are feeling stuck with never feeling good enough.
In fact, many days I feel like I'm not performing enough in my business, but when you're trapped in an eating disorder, you feel not thin enough. You feel not disciplined enough around food and honestly not good enough AT ANYTHING. And this feeling of never enough is like a shadow that follows you everywhere, friend.
It is making you feel perpetually behind. Where you're constantly striving and never quite measuring up to this invisible standard. If you are nodding your head right now, then today's episode is for you. But before we dive in, I just wanna acknowledge that talking about these feelings can bring up a lot of emotion for you.
So I want you to take care of yourself as you listen. Pause if you need to. And remember that you're not alone in the struggle. I am right here with you. I'm holding your hand. In fact, I'd love to meet you. If you're looking for additional support in your journey as you navigate freedom, look no further.
Listen in to Episode 204 where I share the 3 part strategy to conquer "never feeling good enough". + if you are searching for support to help you navigate freedom from your disordered relationship with food then go to www.herbestself.co and fill out a client application!
xo,
lindsey
Find All the Things -＞ www.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.

EP 203.5: How To Heal Your Gut After Years of Food Restriction ~ 7 Practical Ways to Reduce Bloating & Digestive Pain

Hey girlfriend,
How dis your week beginning? I'd love to hear all the stories of how your spring is starting off! I spent the weekend recording the pod for you, practicing yoga with my hubby & having a movie night snuggled up next to the boys.
But none of that is what I wanted to chat with you about today.
Today, I wanted to dive right in to GUT HEALTH! So here it goes....
How is your gut?
Weird question to ask right? Well, maybe not so strange after all.
If you experience high levels of anxiety or stress, don't be surprised if that comes alongside gas, bloat or other gut health issues.
Another fun fact...
Did you know your gut is your 2nd brain?
Yep!
Research shows that your gut & brain are directly linked & it's actually very common if you are stressed or overwhelmed to experience GI disfunction.
In Episode 203.5, I talk all things gastro, bloat, constipation & how you can tame those tummy troubles while navigating freedom from food controlling your life!
The truth in recovery from disordered eating is that you most likely will experience stomach discomfort, but the good news is that it won't last forever.
So if you are currently in the thick of it, then this one is a must listen!
I'll meet you on the podcast!
xo,
lindsey
Find All the Things -＞ www.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.
.

EP 203: Here’s Your Recovery Roadmap! The 6 Steps I Would Take Today if I Was Trapped in an Eating Disorder + What I Would Do Next if I Had a Relapse🛣️

Happy Friday!
 & I am so here for it. It has been the longest week. Both of my boys, including my husband, (so all three boys) here in the Nichol household have had the worst sickness of literally the past five years of our life. I feel like it has just been constant and it has gone on all week long, and quite honestly, I'm just excited to get my house back.
As crazy as that sounds, I'm glad that everybody's at work and everybody's at school, and I can sit here and enjoy some time with me and my coffee and of course you. (And yes I am so happy that my crew is on the mend!)
So welcome to the show sis! Thank you so much for listening.
In Episode 203 of the podcast today. I share with you the exact steps I would take if I fell back into the trap of an eating disorder. This episode is going to help you if you are are just beginning understanding the recovery process or if you have been stuck in relapse after relapse. It's indeed a MUST listen!
~
I personally feel like God has put in my heart and has called me to help as many women as possible get through to the other side and to recover from this devastating illness. And I don't want you to sit on that anymore. If you've been listening to the show, I hope you feel like this is a safe place for you and that this is your home.
And I am so encouraged that you keep coming back and listening to episodes here. But here's your personal invitation. Let's take this up a notch. 
It's one thing to listen and apply, and I love that you're soaking up all of the content because it's absolutely free and it is my gift to you, but I want you to take it up a notch. Let's work together sis! Go on out to www.herbestself.co and fill out a client application so that I can get you on the books for spring!
I don't want you to miss out on all that God has for you! I don't want you to miss out on your version of freedom.
You are worthy.
You are able.
You are capable.
You are enough.
xo,
lindsey
Find All the Things -＞ www.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.

EP 202: Get Back to the Basics - The 8 Foundational Human Needs to Reclaim Your Motivation & Move Past a Recovery Slump

Hey there sis!
Whew it has been a start to my week.
Both of my boys are sick with something awful (negative flu and strep tests) but it has got this mama worn slam out! And it got me thinking what the doctor said..."it's time to get back to the basics mom." Huh? You want my kids to "just rest" and get better? No magic antibiotic that I can refill on our way home today sir?
Sadly....Nope.
ARGHHHH!!!!
~
This fun story (yet not really) gave me the inspiration to share on the podcast today about how important it is to go back to the basics when you may be in a recovery slump.
Recovery isn't about becoming a different person sis, it's about reclaiming the person you were always meant to be. And gosh can I not wait for you to do that! (And I can't wait for my boys to get that much needed R & R themselves.)
Your worth is not measured in your productivity. In Episode 202, I share with you the 8 fundamental and foundational human needs to reclaim your motivation for recovery.
You won't want to miss this one.
I'll meet you on the podcast!
xo,
lindsey
Find All the Things -＞ www.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.

EP 201: “Good Girl Syndrome” & Disordered Eating ~ 7 Steps to Break the Cycle of Perfectionism & People Pleasing

 Hey girl! Happy Friday!
Oh my gosh...am I so glad to talk with you today. In Episode 201 of the Her Best Self Podcast, we are diving in to 7 different ways that you can break the cycle of "Good Girl Syndrome". Never heard of it before? Tune in if you find yourself constantly striving for perfection and people pleasing...this one is going to blow your mind.
I don't know about you, but I grew up in an environment of always wanting to be good. The fear of disappointing my parents or my figure skating coach led me right into the grip of an eating disorder because the desire to be perfect took over all areas of my life. But with if you decided to stop measuring success based on your accomplishments, appearance, or other peoples opinions of you?
~
Food is a basic right friend. You don't have to earn it. You don't have to be "good" with your food choices in order to be "good" as a person. You deserve nourishment, just because.
I'll meet you on the podcast!
xo,
lindsey
Find All the Things -＞ www.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.

EP 200.5: The Identity Crisis ~ 17+ Questions to Ask Yourself to Help You Discover Your TRUE SELF Beyond Food Control & Exercise Obsession **MUST Listen FAV!**

How is your week going sis? I am in baseball mom mode over here. Yep, this past weekend we geared up for another season of travel baseball! 
I never thought I'd actually feel proud wearing bright yellow, as it's not really "my color"....(lol, Go Pirates!), but it sure was fun over the weekend spectating, screaming & living life in the present moment.
When I sat down to bring content to you on the podcast today, I thought I MUST share all about identity. I recorded this one during last baseball season and it fits perfectly with my spring ball vibes!
I was reminded of all the years that being outside of my normal weekend routine would have completely thrown me for a loop. I remembered how "tied" & "chained" I felt. I remembered how I wasn't able to enjoy the moments because I was consumed with thoughts about food. Thoughts like, "when can I eat next? what am I allowed to have? haven't I already had too much today? I guess I'll save my calories for later", & God forbid I went to a sporting event....I would have ordered a diet coke, secretly wanting a bite of anything other than my chewing gum, yet never allowing myself one. I probably would have spent majority of the game wondering how other people around me could even take one bite of their hotdog. 
I lived paralyzed by shame, guilt and fear. Maybe you can relate.
What I came to find out, was that the only way I was ever going to escape my mind, was to realize it had been hijacked. I had to realize that I was not my anorexia. I didn't cause it. I couldn't control it. I couldn't cure it. 
BUT....I could no longer contribute to the patterns and the behaviors that were keeping me chained to it.
In order to do just that.....I had to separate myself FROM my ED.
In Episode 200.5, I share with you the importance of separating yourself from your eating disorder. I ask you questions for you to challenge yourself this week. Yep, you won't want to miss this one girl!
Bring a notebook & a pen & listen in!
And remember...YOU my sweet friend may have a disordered relationship with food, but you are NOT disordered. You are not broken!
You are healing. You are a warrior.
xo,lindsey 
Find All the Things -＞ www.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.

EP 200:🎉What Is Your “Perfect Weight”? How Do You Find It? (+ Learn 5 Ways to Weigh Yourself Without the Scale)

Hey there sister, friend~
I'm so glad to drop a new message of truth into your inbox today! I cannot wait for you to listen to Episode 200 on the Her Best Self Podcast. I don't even know how we got here. I feel like I blinked and we're at episode 200. This has to be the best project I've ever done outside of completely healing myself from a toxic relationship with food and my body for years.
In Episode 200, I talk about your perfect weight, what it is, how you can find it, and ultimately how you can redefine what you're looking at in terms of measurement.
We live in a culture obsessed with numbers on the scale. Magazine covers wellness influencers on Instagram and even healthcare providers push this idea that there's a magical number that will solve all of your problems. But what if I told you friend that your perfect weight has nothing to do with a number? Are you mind blown yet?
Well, if you've been listening to the show for some time, you already have been preached at by me regarding this topic, so stick with me long enough and I will have you believing that you deserve a free life.
But I wanted to start today's show with a question. How much mental and emotional energy do you spend thinking about your weight? Maybe it's a significant amount.
I wanna ask a follow up question: Is it worth it? Is all that energy actually improving your life? Is it making you better?  Is it making you worth more?
Is it making you happier?  
Today, I wanted to offer a different perspective because I just felt this calling on my heart, not only to make Episode 200 freaking epic, because hey, that's why you're here is to listen to some good stuff that's actually gonna change your life. But to have you shifting your mindset a bit.
Sis, what if your perfect weight isn't a number at all, but rather a state of being?
You'll have to listen to the full episode for all the good parts of this message...
I'll meet you on the podcast!
xo,
lindsey
Find All the Things -＞ www.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.