Her Best Self with Lindsey Nichol | Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast — Less Food Noise. More Life.

EP 261: From Blah to Becoming in 2026 ~ Your Word of the Year Can Change Your Life & Recovery (Here's How to Find It)

Can I be real with you for a second? 2025 was blah.
Not bad. Not terrible. Just... blah. Some wonderful moments. Some not-so-wonderful moments. A lot of ordinary, messy, in-between moments that felt really uncomfortable for someone like me who's used to pushing, achieving, and making things happen.
Sound familiar? Because that's exactly what recovery from disordered eating feels like too, doesn't it? Some days are good. Some days are hard. Most days are just... blah. You're not in crisis, but you're also not experiencing the freedom you're aching for. You're just stuck in the gray.
But here's what I'm learning as I step into 2026: I don't need perfect. I need to become.
In this episode, I'm getting raw and honest about my word for 2026—becoming—and why it terrifies me and excites me all at the same time. I'm sharing how my 2025 word "leadership" showed up in ways I never expected (including firing staff, getting burned by a coach, and learning what NOT to be as a leader). And I'm challenging you to find your own word for 2026.
Because sis, having a word of the year in eating disorder recovery? It's a game-changer.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Why 2025 felt "blah" for me (and why that's okay)
How my word "leadership" in 2025 taught me hard lessons I didn't see coming
What "becoming" means for me in 2026—and why it's the scariest and most freeing word I could choose
Why becoming is about transitioning from structure to being okay in the gray
How a word of the year gives you a North Star in recovery when you feel lost
Why your identity isn't lost in the eating disorder—it's buried (and recovery is the process of becoming your true self)
Practical questions to help YOU choose your word for 2026
Why your word doesn't have to be perfect to be powerful
If you're ready to stop waiting for perfect and start leaning into who you're becoming—even if you don't have all the answers yet—this episode is for you.
Let's make 2026 the year of becoming. Together.
KEY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE
💛 "2025 wasn't a bad year. It wasn't a terrible year. But it also wasn't this explosive, breakthrough, 'oh my gosh, everything is amazing' kind of year either. It was just... blah."
💛 "That's exactly what recovery from disordered eating feels like too. Some days are good. Some days are hard. Most days are just... blah. You're not in crisis, but you're also not experiencing the freedom you're aching for. You're just stuck in the gray."
💛 "I don't need the perfect word. I need the right word. The word that's going to challenge me, stretch me, and call me into who I'm becoming."
💛 "Becoming means becoming more aligned and grounded in my purpose—knowing what's for me and what isn't. It means becoming a more present mom and wife, not just existing in the same space as my family but actually being there with them."
💛 "Becoming also means transitioning from so much structure and control to becoming someone who is okay in the gray. Someone who doesn't need to have it all figured out to move forward. And let me tell you, that is terrifying. But it's also freeing."
💛 "Your identity isn't lost in the eating disorder, sis. It's buried. And recovery is the process of becoming your true and best self—an identity that isn't based on weight or image or what other people think of you."
💛 "You don't have to have it all figured out. You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to know exactly who you're becoming or what that looks like. You just have to keep showing up."
WHAT "BECOMING" MEANS FOR 2026
In this episode, I share what my word "becoming" means for me personally:
✨ Becoming more aligned and grounded in my purpose – knowing what's for me and what isn't✨ Becoming a more present mom and wife – not just existing in the same space but actually being there✨ Becoming more honest with myself around people-pleasing – finally laying down the boundaries I've been too scared to set✨ Becoming the businesswoman who is ready to embrace the next season and all the favor God has for me✨ Transitioning from structure to being okay in the gray – someone who doesn't need to have it all figured out to move forward
The truth? This terrifies me. But it's also freeing. And that's exactly why it's the right word.
WHY A WORD OF THE YEAR MATTERS IN RECOVERY
Having a word of the year in eating disorder recovery is powerful for three reasons:
1. It gives you a North Star.When you're in the thick of recovery, when the eating disorder is loud, when you feel lost or stuck—your word can ground you. It reminds you of who you're becoming and why you're doing this hard work.
2. It shifts your identity.The eating disorder has convinced you that your identity is tied to your weight, your body, your food rules, your control. But your word? It reminds you that you are becoming someone deeper. Someone truer. Someone who isn't defined by the lies the ED has been feeding you.
3. It gives you permission to be in process.Recovery isn't linear. It's messy. It's uncomfortable. It's full of blah days and setbacks. But when you have a word like "becoming," you remember that you don't have to be perfect. You just have to keep becoming.
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR WORD FOR 2026
Ready to find your word? Here's what I want you to do:
Sit down with a journal. Get quiet. Get honest. And ask yourself:
✍️ What do I need more of this year?✍️ What am I ready to let go of?✍️ Who am I becoming in my recovery?✍️ What is God calling me into?✍️ What would freedom feel like for me?
Your word might be something like:
Brave
Trust
Nourish
Grace
Enough
Present
Surrender
It might be a word you've never thought of before. But when you land on it, you'll know. You'll feel it.
Then: Write it down. Put it somewhere you can see it every single day. Let it be your reminder when the eating disorder gets loud. Let it be your anchor when recovery feels impossible.
LESSONS FROM 2025: LEADERSHIP
In this episode, I share the raw truth about how my 2025 word "leadership" showed up:
I had to make the really hard decision to fire some of my support staff and go back to running my business solo
I invested a large amount of money in a business coach who didn't deliver and didn't keep her commitment—and I was left feeling burned and frustrated
But that experience taught me what NOT to be as a leader and who I wanted to attract into my life and business
It eventually led me to an incredible coach and mentor who has been exactly what I needed
Leadership meant I had to lead myself first—push forward without second-guessing, stop questioning myself, and just trust
The lesson? Leaders keep going. Even when it's hard. Even when it's uncomfortable. Even when they want to quit.
READY TO STEP INTO WHO YOU'RE BECOMING IN 2026?
If you're thinking, "Lindsey, I love this. I want to choose a word. I want to step into who I'm becoming. But I don't know how to do this alone"—I get it. And you don't have to do this alone.
WORK WITH ME IN 2026
💛 THE RECOVERY COLLECTIVE
My group coaching community where women just like you come together to do the deep work of recovery. You'll have support, accountability, and a sisterhood that gets you. We meet monthly for coaching calls, and you'll have access to a community that will remind you who you're becoming when you forget.
www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 
💛 1:1 PERSONALIZED COACHING
If you're ready to go all in, if you're ready for deep transformational work, if you're ready to step into the fullness of who you're becoming—let's work together. I'll walk beside you, hold you accountable, and help you dismantle the eating disorder once and for all.
I'm taking applications right now for 2026.
👉 Head to www.herbestself.co and fill out a client application.
Let's make 2026 the year of becoming. Together.
A NOTE FROM LINDSEY
You don't have to have it all figured out. You don't have to be perfect. You don't have to know exactly who you're becoming or what that looks like.
You just have to keep showing up. Keep choosing yourself. Keep leaning into the uncomfortable, messy, gray space of recovery.
Because that's where the magic happens, sis. That's where transformation lives. That's where you become who you were always meant to be.
So here's to 2026. Here's to becoming. Here's to choosing yourself. And here's to stepping into the freedom that's been waiting for you all along.
I love you, girl. I believe in you. And I can't wait to see who you're becoming this year. 💛
Connect with Lindsey:
🌟 Website: www.herbestself.co 🌟 Instagram: @thelindseynichol 🌟 Client Application: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms
Love this episode? Here's how you can support the show:
💕 Share it with a woman who might need to hear this message 💕 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts - it helps other women find the show 💕 Screenshot and tag @thelindseynichol if any of these steps help you this week!
Remember, beautiful: Your worth is not measured by how perfectly you do recovery. Healing isn't linear, progress over perfection always, and you are exactly where you need to be right now.
Her Best Self with Lindsey Nichol is a podcast for women in eating disorder recovery who are ready to break free from perfectionism, people-pleasing, and diet culture to live authentically and wholeheartedly.
*While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.

EP 260: The 5 BEST Eating Disorder Recovery Episodes of 2025 (Most Downloaded & Life-Changing)

 
Can you believe we're at the end of 2025? What a year it's been.
As we close out this incredible year, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate YOU—and reflect on the five episodes that resonated most deeply with this community. These are the most downloaded, most loved, and most life-changing episodes of the entire year.
If you've been part of this journey all year long, this episode is your reminder of just how far you've come. And if you're new here? Welcome. This is your crash course in the content that has sparked the most transformation, healing, and freedom for women in eating disorder recovery.
Today, I'm counting down the top five episodes of 2025—from number five all the way to the #1 most downloaded episode of the year. Each one of these episodes represents a breakthrough. A shift. A moment where you chose yourself and your recovery over the eating disorder's lies.
My hope for this episode? That it reminds you of the tools you already have, inspires you to keep forging forward, and lights a fire in you as we head into 2026.
In this episode, you'll hear about:
The #5 episode that helped you connect your emotions to your eating disorder thoughts
The #4 episode that called out what's keeping you stuck (and gave you permission to stop)
The #3 episode that showed former athletes how to use their competitive edge for recovery, not restriction
The #2 episode that gave you a 3-step framework to end all-or-nothing thinking forever
And the #1 MOST DOWNLOADED episode of 2025—the one that helped you move beyond the mirror and overcome body image distortion
Plus, I'm sharing how you can take the next step in your recovery as we head into 2026—because listening is powerful, but implementation is where the magic happens.
Let's dive in, sis. This one's for you. 💛
 
KEY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE
💛 "These five episodes represent transformation. Growth. Breaking free from the lies. And stepping into your truth."
💛 "Listening to episodes is amazing. But implementation? That's where the magic happens."
💛 "You are not stuck. You are not broken. And freedom is not just possible for you—it's already yours. You just have to choose it."
💛 "The same drive that made you an incredible athlete is the same drive that's going to set you free."
💛 "Recovery is not about perfection. It's about progress."
💛 "The mirror is not the enemy. Your perception is."
READY TO MAKE 2026 YOUR YEAR OF FREEDOM?
If you're sitting here thinking, "Lindsey, I've listened to all these episodes, but I still feel stuck. I still need more support. I still can't do this alone"—I hear you. And I want you to know that you don't have to do this alone.
As we head into 2026, I want to invite you to take the next step in your recovery. You deserve more than just consuming content. You deserve personalized support. You deserve a coach who's going to walk beside you, hold you accountable, and remind you who you are when the eating disorder tries to convince you otherwise.
WORK WITH ME IN 2026
💛 THE RECOVERY COLLECTIVE
My group coaching community where women just like you come together to heal, support each other, and do the deep work of recovery in a safe, sacred space. You get access to me, to the community, to monthly coaching calls, and to a sisterhood that gets it. That gets YOU.
www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 
💛 THE FREEDOM FORMULA EXPERIENCE (1:1 Personalized Coaching)
My signature 1:1 coaching program for the woman who's ready to go all in. Who's ready for deep, transformational work. Who's ready to dismantle the eating disorder once and for all and step into the fullness of who she was created to be.
I'm taking applications right now for 2026. If you're hearing this and something in your spirit is saying, "Yes, this is my time. This is my year"—I want you to listen to that voice.
👉 Head to www.herbestself.co and fill out a client application.
Let's talk about what support looks like for you. Let's make 2026 the year you finally break free.
EPISODES MENTIONED
📍 Episode 212: What Is Body Dysmorphic Disorder? 6 Powerful Tips to Overcome Body Image Distortion So That You Can Move Beyond the Mirror📍 Episode 228: The Recovery Mindset Shift That Ends All-or-Nothing Food & Body Thinking Forever + The 3 Step Framework to Implement it Just for You!📍 Episode 223: Former Athletes & Eating Disorders ~ Why Freedom Feels Impossible (Until Now) + Your Competitive Edge Solution📍 Episode 210: STOP Doing These 10 Things if You Feel Stuck & Chained to Disordered Patterns ~ Part 1📍 Episode 190: Did You Know 92% of Eating Disorder Thoughts Are Hidden Emotions? Here Is the Scientific Truth Behind 'Feeling Fat' + 2 Tools to Help You Silence the Voice
LOVED THIS EPISODE?
If this year-end recap resonated with you: ⭐ Rate and review Her Best Self on Apple Podcasts—it helps more women find freedom💬 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear these top 5 episodes📲 Tag me on Instagram with which episode was YOUR favorite this year!
A NOTE FROM LINDSEY
Thank you so much for being here this year. Thank you for trusting me with your story, your struggle, and your journey. Thank you for showing up, even when it's hard.
As we close out 2025, I want you to remember this: You are not stuck. You are not broken. And freedom is not just possible for you—it's already yours. You just have to choose it.
So here's to 2026. Here's to choosing yourself. Here's to showing up. Here's to doing the work. And here's to stepping into the freedom that's been waiting for you all along.
I love you, sis. I believe in you. And I can't wait to see what God does in your life this year.
Until next time, keep forging forward. You've got this. 💛
📧 Email Lindsey: info@lindseynichol.com 🌐 Apply for Recovery Coaching: www.herbestself.co 💕 Join the Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com 
Limited spots available for January coaching - only 2 slots remaining
Connect with Lindsey:
🌟 Website: www.herbestself.co 🌟 Instagram: @thelindseynichol 🌟 Client Application: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms
Love this episode? Here's how you can support the show:
💕 Share it with a woman who might need to hear this message 💕 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts - it helps other women find the show 💕 Screenshot and tag @thelindseynichol if any of these steps help you this week!
Remember, beautiful: Your worth is not measured by how perfectly you do recovery. Healing isn't linear, progress over perfection always, and you are exactly where you need to be right now.
Her Best Self with Lindsey Nichol is a podcast for women in eating disorder recovery who are ready to break free from perfectionism, people-pleasing, and diet culture to live authentically and wholeheartedly.
*While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.

EP 259: Metabolism Myths Debunked ~ Why Your Body Isn't Broken After Disordered Eating + Hypermetabolism in Recovery

Worried that years of disordered eating have permanently damaged your metabolism? You're not alone. In this Coaching Over Coffee episode, Lindsey addresses one of the most common fears in eating disorder recovery: "Is my metabolism broken?"
The truth might surprise you—and it's actually incredibly hopeful.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
The truth about metabolism: What it actually is and how it works in your body
Can you break your metabolism? Spoiler alert: No, but you can slow it down (and speed it back up!)
The myth of "calories in vs. calories out" and why this oversimplified formula doesn't tell the whole story
What happens to your body during restriction: How your metabolism, digestion, heart rate, and body temperature all slow down to conserve energy
Hypermetabolism in recovery: Why your body goes into "high gear" during the restoration process
Science-backed hope: Research showing metabolic changes are fully reversible
How to boost your metabolism: Practical steps to work WITH your body instead of against it
Set point weight explained: Understanding when your body reaches its optimal performance state
Key Takeaways
Your metabolism isn't broken—it's adaptive. When you restrict food intake over months or years, your body learns to conserve energy by slowing down non-essential functions. Think of it like turning off lights in the house to save power.
Research proves recovery is possible. A University of North Carolina study found zero metabolic differences between women who never had eating disorders and those fully recovered from anorexia and bulimia. All metabolic changes are fully reversible.
50-80% of your energy goes to resting functions. Your body needs fuel for basic organ function, tissue repair, fighting infections, physical activity, and digesting food—all before you even get out of bed.
The opposite of the disorder is the path to healing. Stop restricting. Start fueling. Embrace food variety. Let go of rigid routines. Prioritize hydration, quality sleep, and self-care.
Your body knows better than you think. At set point weight, your metabolism normalizes and your body operates at peak performance—not where society says you should be, but where your body thrives.
Quotes from This Episode
"You can slow down your metabolism and you can speed up your metabolism, but you can't break your metabolism. It's not ruined, it's not wrecked."
"Your body doesn't care how you think it should look, or what society says is the best or the trendiest. Your body cares about its optimal function."
"The lie that your eating disorder mind is telling you—that your metabolism is ruined—is just to keep you stuck, to make you believe there's nothing you can do to fix this."
"Your body will heal itself, but you must learn to trust and to honor it. It's a two-way street."
Resources Mentioned
Harvard Medical School research on metabolism variability
University of North Carolina and Chapel Hill study on metabolic recovery
What's Next?
If you're tired of missing the magic in your life because you're trapped in those eating disorder thoughts that are eating away at your mind—I want you to take a stand.
💛 Fill out a client application and let's talk about how we can make this season about presence, not perfection.
💛 I'm taking a couple more applications for the new year for personalized coaching and my Freedom Formula experience.
👉 Visit www.herbestself.co to apply
No more missing moments. No more letting the ED steal your holidays. Let's make this season different.
Ready to sign up for our recovery support group? www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 
📧 Email Lindsey: info@lindseynichol.com 🌐 Apply for Recovery Coaching: www.herbestself.co 💕 Join the Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com 
Limited spots available for fall coaching - only 2 slots remaining
Connect with Lindsey:
🌟 Website: www.herbestself.co 🌟 Instagram: @thelindseynichol 🌟 Client Application: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms
Love this episode? Here's how you can support the show:
💕 Share it with a woman who might need to hear this message 💕 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts - it helps other women find the show 💕 Screenshot and tag @thelindseynichol if any of these steps help you this week!
Remember, beautiful: Your worth is not measured by how perfectly you do recovery. Healing isn't linear, progress over perfection always, and you are exactly where you need to be right now.
Her Best Self with Lindsey Nichol is a podcast for women in eating disorder recovery who are ready to break free from perfectionism, people-pleasing, and diet culture to live authentically and wholeheartedly.
*While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.

EP 258.5: Missing Christmas Magic Because of Your ED? 3 Ways to Choose Presence Over Perfection🎄**Must Listen Fav!**

The holidays are here. And if you're struggling with an eating disorder, you know exactly what that means—anxiety, overwhelm, and missing the magic happening right in front of you because you're stuck in your head, counting, calculating, and controlling.
But what if this year could be different?
In this fan fav, I'm getting real about how the eating disorder literally steals decades of precious moments from your life.
How many Christmases have you missed because you were trapped in those ED thoughts? How many family gatherings have you sat through physically present but mentally a million miles away?
Here's the truth: The present moment is your present. And it's time to stop letting your eating disorder be the Grinch that steals your holiday joy.
I'm sharing a powerful realization I had while standing in line with my boys to see Santa—how they were fully immersed in the magic while everyone else (myself included) was rushing, stressing, and missing it. And it reminded me: recovery happens in the NOW. Not in the past with regrets. Not in the future with anxiety. Right here. Right now.
In this episode, you'll discover:
Why the eating disorder wants to pull you out of the present moment (and how to fight back)
The shocking statistics about anxiety during the holidays (and why being present is actually a recovery tool)
How 89% of individuals who practice mindfulness during recovery report better outcomes
3 practical ways to choose presence over perfection this holiday season
Why your recovery is the most magical gift you can give yourself
How to focus on connections over calculations at family gatherings
If you're tired of missing the magic. If you're done letting your ED steal another Christmas. If you're ready to be HERE for the moments that matter—this episode is your holiday recovery guide.
The present is your present, sis. Let's unwrap it together.
KEY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE
💛 "The present is your present. And what I wanted to show up and talk to you about today was how you can be present right now in the magic of the season."
💛 "When you're struggling with an eating disorder, it literally sucks decades, all the good moments from your life. So many moments are missed because you were caught up in those eating disorder thoughts."
💛 "The magic of recovery, just like the magic of Christmas, it happens in the now. It happens in the present. And it happens when we choose to be here, even when it's super, super uncomfortable."
💛 "The eating disorder wants to pull you into the past with regrets or push you into the future with anxiety. But recovery, recovery happens right here, sis. It's right now."
💛 "Connections over calculations. Remember, perfect moments aren't perfectly planned."
💛 "While your eating disorder is trying to steal your holiday joy, she is a true Grinch. You have the power to choose differently."
POWERFUL STATISTICS SHARED IN THIS EPISODE
📊 The average person spends 47% of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they're currently doing—and for those in recovery, that percentage can be even higher.
📊 92% of people report higher anxiety during the holidays
📊 73% of those in recovery say they struggle more with being present during celebrations
📊 89% of individuals who practice being in the moment and are mindful during recovery report better outcomes—not only in how they experience the holidays, but in how they supercharge their recovery forward.
The takeaway? Being present isn't just a nice idea. It's not just a Christmas card quote. It's actually a recovery tool.
3 PRACTICAL WAYS TO STAY PRESENT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
1. CREATE A PRESENT ANCHOR
Choose a holiday symbol—a Christmas tree, a star, an ornament, whatever is meaningful to you. When you see it, take three deep breaths (check out my mindful meditation episode for guidance). Use this symbol as a grounding tool to come back to the present moment. We're not going to let our minds tell us the direction we're going. We're going to be intentional about what we give our thoughts and time to.
2. PRACTICE THE GIFT OF PRESENCE
Put your phone away. Seriously. Don't just say you're going to do it—actually do it during family activities. Engage in conversations. Notice what you can see, touch, and hear around you. Get fully immersed.
Example: If you have kids, commit to watching a Christmas movie WITHOUT getting up to do the next thing on your to-do list. Sit there. Be present. Let your mind have space where you're not thinking about the next thing.
3. HONOR YOUR RECOVERY IN THIS MAGICAL MOMENT
Take each meal one bite at a time. Focus on connections over calculations. Remember: perfect moments aren't perfectly planned. The eating disorder will leave you isolated, wanting to avoid conversations—but engage in them anyway. This gives you the gift of presence and lets your mind have space.
THE TRUTH ABOUT HOLIDAY GATHERINGS IN RECOVERY
I shared a personal story from a recent family gathering—the kind that in past years would have sent me into a tailspin. Charcuterie boards, espresso martinis, cookies, brownies, shortbread, banana pudding—all the festive treats.
But my recovered self? I enjoyed every bite of nourishment. And I realized how fast time flies. I questioned myself: Do I live here in all the right now moments? Or am I living back there in how it used to be, or fast forward to what hasn't even arrived yet?
The answer: I want to remember all these moments that I have left. All of them.
And so do you.
IF THE HOLIDAYS TRIGGER YOU
I know that if you're drained, overwhelmed, or the holidays just aren't your thing because of past traumas, the eating disorder, or lost loved ones—I totally get that. But there is still something so magical about this time of year. And it's important to live in these moments.
Yes, it might feel uncomfortable. Yes, it might be challenging. But that's where the transformation actually happens. And not only that—that's how it sticks.
If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. In the transformation is the magic. And personally, there's nothing more magical this time of year than true self-transformation. Because that is giving God all the glory in your life—and that is the purpose of the season.
READY TO MAKE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON DIFFERENT?
If you're tired of missing the magic in your life because you're trapped in those eating disorder thoughts that are eating away at your mind—I want you to take a stand.
💛 Fill out a client application and let's talk about how we can make this season about presence, not perfection.
💛 I'm taking a couple more applications for the new year for personalized coaching and my Freedom Formula experience.
👉 Visit www.herbestself.co to apply
No more missing moments. No more letting the ED steal your holidays. Let's make this season different.
Ready to sign up for our recovery support group? www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 
📧 Email Lindsey: info@lindseynichol.com 🌐 Apply for Recovery Coaching: www.herbestself.co 💕 Join the Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com 
Limited spots available for fall coaching - only 2 slots remaining
Connect with Lindsey:
🌟 Website: www.herbestself.co 🌟 Instagram: @thelindseynichol 🌟 Client Application: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms
Love this episode? Here's how you can support the show:
💕 Share it with a woman who might need to hear this message 💕 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts - it helps other women find the show 💕 Screenshot and tag @thelindseynichol if any of these steps help you this week!
Remember, beautiful: Your worth is not measured by how perfectly you do recovery. Healing isn't linear, progress over perfection always, and you are exactly where you need to be right now.
Her Best Self with Lindsey Nichol is a podcast for women in eating disorder recovery who are ready to break free from perfectionism, people-pleasing, and diet culture to live authentically and wholeheartedly.
*While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.

EP 258: Start Eating Disorder Recovery Before You Feel Ready ~ Taking Your First Step to Freedom + 100K HBS🎙️Celebration🎉

Sis, if you've been waiting to feel ready before starting your eating disorder recovery journey, this episode is for you. The truth is, you'll never feel completely ready—and that's exactly why you need to start now.
In this powerful episode, I'm sharing why waiting for perfect conditions is just another way the eating disorder keeps you trapped, the personal story of how my own eating disorder began (and why I waited years to start recovering), and the faith step that changed everything for me.
Plus, we're celebrating a HUGE milestone: 100,000 podcast downloads! Thank you for being part of this community of brave women choosing freedom over fear.
As we head into 2026, don't let another year pass while you're still stuck. This could be the moment everything changes—if you're willing to start before you're ready.
🎯 IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL DISCOVER:
✨ Why you'll never feel "ready" to start recovery (and why that's okay)✨ The moment my eating disorder began at age 13 in a dance studio—and the rejection that changed everything✨ What a "faith step" really means and how it differs from feeling confident✨ The brutal truth about waiting for the "right time"—and how many New Years have already passed✨ Scripture-based wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6) on trusting God's path even when you can't see the full journey✨ How starting creates momentum—even when you're terrified✨ Two ways to get support on your recovery journey right now✨ Why inspiration without action keeps you stuck (and what to do instead)
💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS
"You will never feel ready. And that's exactly why you need to start now."
Starting creates momentum. You don't need to see the whole path—you just need to take the next step.
Recovery doesn't wait for readiness. I didn't wait to feel ready to develop an eating disorder. Why should recovery be different?
Faith steps > Perfect conditions. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: "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." Start walking, and THEN the path becomes clear.
The eating disorder lies to you. It tells you to wait until after the holidays, after you lose weight, after you feel more in control. Those "afters" never come.
Another year will pass regardless. You can end 2025 exactly where you are now, or you can look back at THIS moment as when everything changed.
Inspiration without action is just noise. That stirring in your heart? That's God inviting you into something greater. But you have to respond.
🙏 FEATURED SCRIPTURE
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."
Notice it doesn't say, "Wait until the path is straight and THEN start walking." It says submit to Him, start walking, and THEN the path becomes straight.
📖 MY STORY: THE DANCE STUDIO
At thirteen years old, I was a competitive figure skater who lived for the ice and the studio. During dance conditioning, the instructor called out, "Get in line by size!"
Everyone shuffled around, sizing each other up. I stood there frozen, unsure where I belonged.
When I took a step, I heard: "Not here."
Not mean. Just matter-of-fact. But in that moment, everything changed. The joy I felt became fear. Every mirror became an assessment. Within weeks, I started making excuses and eventually stopped going altogether.
That's when I began changing what I ate. Trying to shrink myself to fit into a line where I thought I belonged.
That was the beginning of my eating disorder.
I didn't wait to feel ready for that. But recovery? I waited for YEARS thinking I needed to feel ready first.
🎉 CELEBRATING 100K DOWNLOADS!
We just hit 100,000 downloads on the Her Best Self Podcast!
This milestone isn't just about numbers—it's about YOU. Every brave woman who presses play and says yes to healing. Every person who keeps showing up even when it's hard.
And here's the full-circle moment: I started this podcast before I felt ready. I had no idea it would reach 100,000 downloads. I had no guarantee anyone would listen. But I did it scared. I did it imperfect. I did it before I had it all figured out.
And look where we are now.
The same is possible for YOUR recovery journey. ❤️
💪 READY TO TAKE ACTION?
If you're feeling that stirring in your heart—that little voice saying "maybe it's time"—I want to invite you into something:
OPTION 1: The Recovery Collective (Group Support)
A small, intimate group of brave women who meet every other week to:
Share recovery wins and struggles
Gain accountability and support
Receive coaching in a sacred space
Show up as the messy, imperfect, beautiful work-in-progress you are
Investment: $97/monthLearn More: www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 
OPTION 2: 1:1 Private Coaching
Personalized support where we dive deep into:
YOUR specific struggles and food rules
YOUR unique triggers
A customized path forward designed just for you
Next Step: Fill out a client application at www.herbestself.co 
What You Need to Do RIGHT NOW:
👉 Go to www.herbestself.co  and fill out a client application
That's it. Just fill it out. You don't have to commit to anything yet. You don't have to have all the answers. You just have to take that first step.
🔥 CHALLENGE FOR THIS WEEK
What would your life look like a year from now if you started today?
Write it down. Imagine it. Feel it. Then ask yourself: What's the very next step I can take RIGHT NOW?
Don't wait another year. Don't let another 365 days pass with you trapped in this same place.
Start before you're ready.
📱 CONNECT WITH LINDSEY
Website: www.herbestself.co Recovery Collective: www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective Facebook Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com Instagram: @thelindseynicholEmail: info@lindseynichol.com
🎧 SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
If this episode empowered or blessed you, I'd be honored if you:
⭐ Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen
📲 Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear this message
💌 Join our email list at herbestself.co for exclusive content and updates
Your rating and review helps more women find the show and start their journey to freedom!
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.

EP 257.5: Silence Your Inner "Mean Girl" ~ The 7 Voices Keeping You in Quasi-Recovery (& How to Stop Them) **Must Listen Fav!**

That voice inside your head—the one that tells you you're not good enough, that you need to be perfect, that you're a failure if you rest—she's keeping you stuck. And it's time to silence her.
In this episode, we're diving deep into the seven inner critics that are holding you hostage in quasi-recovery. These voices? They're the reason you can't move forward. They're the reason you feel trapped in the exhausting cycle of trying and failing, restricting and controlling, never feeling like you're doing it right.
But here's the truth: 80% of your thoughts are negative, and 95% of them are repetitive. No wonder you feel stuck. No wonder you lack motivation. No wonder you believe the lies that you'll always be this way.
The good news? You can change your thoughts. And when you change your thoughts, you change your entire life.
In this episode, you'll discover:
What your inner critic is and how it developed in early childhood
The 7 types of inner critics: Perfectionist, Inner Controller, Taskmaster, Destroyer, Underminer, Molder/People Pleaser, and Guilt Tripper
Which inner critic is running the show in YOUR mind (and how to identify it)
Why your inner critic isn't wrong—it's just a part of you that needs more love
How to reframe your negative thoughts and shift your perspective
A powerful reflection exercise to help you silence your mean girl once and for all
If you're tired of feeling controlled by that voice in your head, if you're ready to stop believing the lies, and if you're done staying stuck in quasi-recovery—this episode is for you.
It's time to be the boss of you. Not your eating disorder. Not your inner critic. You.
KEY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE
💛 "It's not who you are that holds you back, sis. It's who you think you're not."
💛 "Your inner critic is just that part of you that needs more love, more compassion. You're the boss, not your eating disorder."
💛 "When you change the way that you think, you change your entire life. When you can change your mind, you can recover from your eating disorder."
💛 "80% of our thoughts are negative and 95% of our thoughts on the daily are repetitive. No wonder why you lack motivation. No wonder why you think you're always gonna be here."
💛 "You are the boss of you. You are not a quitter. You are creating a new version of you."
THE 7 INNER CRITICS EXPLAINED
1. THE PERFECTIONISTSets unrealistic standards and makes you feel inadequate when you don't achieve them. Your self-worth depends on achievement, and mistakes feel catastrophic.
2. THE INNER CONTROLLERTries to control impulsive behaviors around eating, drinking, or spending. When you slip up, this voice shames you: "You should have known better. You have no willpower."
3. THE TASKMASTERPushes you to keep going without rest. Fears you'll become "lazy" if you stop. Makes you believe you have to exercise every day or you're unworthy.
4. THE DESTROYERMakes direct attacks on who you are as a person. Tells you you're worthless, broken, a waste of space. This one breeds depression and keeps you trapped.
5. THE UNDERMINERKeeps you small and afraid to take risks. Paralyzes you from believing freedom is possible. Says, "Why try when you're gonna fail anyway?"
6. THE MOLDER (People Pleaser)Makes you adapt and mold yourself to fit in with others. You cut calories, follow rules, stay in your lane—all to be liked and accepted by everyone else.
7. THE GUILT TRIPPERKeeps a record of all your wrongs and never lets you move forward. Reminds you of past failures and says, "This is just who you are. This is your karma."
REFLECTION EXERCISE (5-10 MINUTES)
As you listen to this episode, I want you to identify which inner critic(s) show up most frequently for you. Then, spend 5-10 minutes reflecting:
✨ What are the constant nagging thoughts she says to you?✨ What is the voice inside your mind constantly telling you?✨ How are these thoughts simply not true?✨ What data do you have to prove your mind could be lying?
Now, act as your own BFF, your own ally, your own coach:
If your thought is: "I'll never recover" → Shift it: "I'm healing and learning. I'm not there yet, but I'm going there."
If your thought is: "This is just too hard" → Shift it: "The more I practice doing the opposite action, the easier it gets."
If your thought is: "I always go back to unhealthy patterns" → Ask: "What are some different actions I can take right now so that doesn't happen? How can I show up for my true self?"
RESEARCH MENTIONED
📊 According to the National Science Foundation:
You think approximately 60,000 thoughts per day
80% of those thoughts are negative
95% of those thoughts are repetitive
This is why you feel stuck. But you can change this pattern starting today.
RESOURCES + SUPPORT
Ready to silence your inner critic with personalized support?
💛 Work With Me 1:1 - I provide deep accountability, connection, and personalized coaching to help you navigate your inner critics, shift your perspective, and find freedom from food and body. If you're exhausted from these voices running your life, let's work together.
👉 Apply for coaching: Visit www.herbestself.co  and fill out a client application
💛 Join Our Private Community - Connect with other women in recovery who understand what you're going through. Find support, hope, and healing. www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 
👉 Hope and Healing for Eating Disorder Recovery Facebook Group www.herbestselfsociety.com 
Connect with Lindsey Nichol:
Website: www.herbestself.co
Apply for Coaching: www.herbestself.co
Instagram: @thelindseynichol 
Facebook Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com 
Share This Episode:
Know someone who desperately needs to hear this? I'd love for you to share this one.
+If this shifted something in you, please:
Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts
Share on social media and tag @thelindseynichol
Screenshot your favorite quote and post it
Subscribe & Review:
If this episode resonated with you—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 living trapped in their mind and body find this show and realize they're not alone.
Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear the truth!
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.

EP 257: Cozy, Not Lazy ~ Why Rest is Revolutionary in Eating Disorder Recovery + What "Wintering" Teaches Us

What if rest isn't laziness—it's wisdom? What if slowing down isn't a setback—it's the most revolutionary thing you can do in recovery?
In this episode, we're diving into the concept of "wintering"—the intentional act of stepping back, slowing down, and allowing yourself to rest and recharge, just like nature does. 
If you're in eating disorder recovery, this might feel like an absolute riot. Because your ED has convinced you that rest is weakness, that comfort must be earned, and that slowing down means you're flawed.
But sis, it's time to dismantle those lies.
Winter is the season of recovery. It's preparation time. It's when the earth takes what it needs so that spring can even happen. And you? You're allowed to do the same.
In this episode, you'll discover:
What "wintering" really means and why it's essential for recovery
Why the eating disorder makes you feel bad about comfort (and why that's a lie)
How to reframe rest as "cozy" instead of "lazy"
Why your body knows exactly what it needs—and how to start listening
The beautiful truth about finding your own spark in the gray season
How winter's silence gives you the choice to finally hear yourself
If you've been running on empty, pushing through exhaustion, or feeling guilty every time you slow down—this episode is your permission slip. Rest is not laziness. Rest is natural. And you deserve it.
KEY QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE
💛 "You are allowed comfort. You are allowed to wrap yourself in a soft blanket. To eat warm, nourishing food. To sleep in. To say no. To take up space without earning it."
💛 "What if wintering isn't lazy—it's cozy? What if it's not weakness—it's wisdom? What if rest isn't a setback—it's natural?"
💛 "If plants and the earth are resting, so can you. The trees aren't apologizing for losing their leaves. The ground isn't hustling through winter. Nature understands that rest is not optional; it's essential."
💛 "Winter is the slow-down, the search for self. It's the pause that says, 'Who am I when I'm not running? Who am I when I stop proving? Who am I when I just... am?'"
💛 "This is not laziness. This is survival. This is healing. This is how you prepare for your spring."
IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE:
✨ The concept of "wintering" and why it matters in eating disorder recovery✨ How the ED voice makes rest feel impossible—and how to challenge it✨ Why comfort is not something you have to earn✨ The difference between "cozy" and "lazy" (spoiler: rest is natural, not flawed)✨ How your body already knows what it needs—you just have to listen✨ Why winter's gray helps you see your own color and spark✨ The gift of silence and choosing to listen to yourself✨ How to give yourself permission to rest without guilt or shame
Ready to Get Support for the New Year Ahead?
You don't have to winter alone.
Recovery Collective: Group support program with 2x monthly coaching calls and community chat~ www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 
One-on-One Coaching: Personalized support to help you discover your true identity and walk in freedom.
Learn more and apply at www.herbestself.co
Connect with Lindsey Nichol:
Website: www.herbestself.co
Apply for Coaching: www.herbestself.co
Instagram: @thelindseynichol 
Facebook Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com 
Share This Episode:
Know someone who desperately needs to rest and give herself grace but refuses to "winter"? I'd love for you to share this one.
+If this shifted something in you, please:
Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts
Share on social media and tag @thelindseynichol
Screenshot your favorite quote and post it
Subscribe & Review:
If this episode resonated with you—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 living trapped in their mind and body find this show and realize they're not alone.
Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear the truth!
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.

EP 256: Press Play When Anxious▶️~ 3 Guided Meditations to Calm Pre-Meal Panic + Body Image Struggles in ED Recovery

Sis, this season can be all the chaos. It's time you be present with yourself, take a step back, allow yourself rest, peace, and grace. Friend, you owe you.
This episode is DIFFERENT. This isn't just host Lindsey Nichol talking - it's Lindsey GUIDING you through 3 calming meditations specifically designed for your recovery journey.
Save this episode. Bookmark it. Come back to it whenever you need it.
This time of year, anyone can feel overwhelmed by holiday chaos. But for someone with an eating disorder, the anxiety can be crippling. Pre-meal panic. Body image triggers. Overwhelming thoughts that feel impossible to quiet.
Lindsey has walked this path. She knows how overwhelming those thoughts and feelings get, especially during the holidays. That's why she created these simple, powerful meditations to be your companion whenever you need to:
Calm pre-meal anxiety before eating with family
Ground yourself during a body image crisis
Show yourself compassion on the hardest days
Whether you're struggling with pre-meal anxiety, having a hard day with your body image, or just need a moment to ground yourself - press play on this episode.
Come back to this episode when you're feeling overwhelmed, when you're feeling not enough, and when that anxiety feels like it's on overdrive.
The 3 Guided Meditations:
Meditation #1: Pre-Meal Calming Meditation (For Anxiety Before Eating)
When to use this:
Before lunch or dinner when anxiety feels highest
When sitting down with family for meals
When you feel panic rising about food choices
When the ED voice is loudest before eating
What Lindsey guides you through:
Finding comfortable seated position
Gentle breathing to become present
Noticing thoughts like clouds passing in the sky
Hand-on-heart, hand-on-belly grounding
Affirmations:
"I give my body permission to be nourished"
"I choose to feed my body with compassion"
"Food is my medicine. This is a good thing"
"This is one step in my recovery journey"
Breathing mantras:
"I am stronger than the eating disorder voice"
"I have the wisdom to nourish my body"
"I am more than my body"
Duration: ~5 minutes
Key truth: These quiet moments of connection with yourself are powerful. This helps you separate from the ED voice and reconnect with your TRUE self.
Meditation #2: Body Image Grounding Meditation (For Body Hate Days)
When to use this:
When you're having a hard body image day
When "feeling fat" is overwhelming
When critical thoughts about your body won't stop
When you need to reconnect with gratitude for your body
Important reminder: "Feeling fat" isn't actually a feeling - it's often your body's way of telling you something else is going on emotionally.
What Lindsey guides you through:
Comfortable position (seated or lying down)
Noticing where your body contacts the ground (grounding)
Body scan from feet to head with gentle awareness:
Feet: Connecting to the ground, wiggling toes
Legs: Getting stronger, supporting you
Core/Stomach: Your true strength, your center (not to be micromanaged)
Chest: Rising and falling with each breath
Arms/Hands: Tools to express love, create amazing things
Head: Houses thoughts AND dreams, desires, wishes
Acknowledging judgmental thoughts without judgment
Thanking your body for what it allows you to do
Self-hug + gratitude: "Thank you for allowing me to walk, breathe, be grounded"
Key practice: When critical thoughts arise, simply say "I notice I'm having a judgmental thought," then return to observing with curiosity.
Duration: ~7 minutes
Key truth: Your body is not your enemy. It's not up for negotiation. It's your HOME - where you live.
Meditation #3: Self-Compassion Meditation (For Suffering + Hard Moments)
When to use this:
When you're feeling overwhelmed
When you don't honor or love yourself
When you don't know where to turn next
When you need to be as kind to yourself as you'd be to a friend
What Lindsey guides you through:
Thinking of a recent challenge in recovery
Noticing emotions and physical sensations
Hand over heart, feeling steady heartbeat
Affirmations:
"This is a moment of suffering"
"Suffering will pass - it's part of life and recovery"
"I can be kind to myself in this process"
Imagining a friend facing the same challenges
Asking: "What would I say to them? How would I support them?"
Offering yourself that same grace:
"I'm doing the best I can"
"Recovery takes time"
"I'm worthy of patience and understanding"
Key practice: You deserve the same kindness you'd offer your friend, mom, or sister.
Duration: ~5 minutes
Key truth: Your ED voice may be loud this season, but it doesn't have to control you or your actions.
Key Reminders Throughout:
Thoughts Are Like Clouds: They can come in (like your breath) and flow out (like your exhale) without you grabbing onto them.
Your Truth:
These thoughts can pass like clouds in the sky
You are MORE than these thoughts
This voice is NOT your truth
You can choose recovery in this exact moment
Your worth will NEVER be determined by food or weight
You are SAFE here
For Beginners: This isn't about doing it perfectly. It's about giving yourself permission and the gift of being present and compassionate.
How to Use This Episode:
Save it. Bookmark it. Add it to a playlist.
Press play:
Before meals when anxiety rises
During body image struggles
On overwhelmingly hard days
Whenever you need grounding
Come back often: These meditations get easier with regular practice. Each time you return to this episode, you're strengthening your recovery toolkit.
Pause anytime: Lindsey guides you through, then gives you space to practice on your own. Feel free to pause and extend any meditation as long as you need.
Powerful Truths from This Episode:
"Since your body, it is worthy of nourishment"
"These thoughts are like clouds passing in the sky - they can come in and go out without you grabbing onto them"
"Your body is not your enemy. It's your home. It's where you live"
"Feeling fat isn't actually a feeling - it's often your body's way of telling you something else is going on emotionally"
"Your core is your true strength, your center - it's not to be micromanaged"
"You deserve the same kindness you would offer to your friend"
"Your eating disorder voice may be loud, but it doesn't have to control you"
"Recovery isn't about perfection - it's about progress"
"These quiet moments of connection are so powerful"
Why These Meditations Work:
They're Specific to ED Recovery: Not generic mindfulness - these address pre-meal panic, body image, and self-compassion specific to eating disorder struggles.
They're Quick: 5-7 minutes each. You can do them anywhere, anytime.
They're Guided: Lindsey walks you through every step. No meditation experience needed.
They're Repeatable: Come back to this episode again and again. Build these into your recovery routine.
They Separate You From the ED Voice: These practices help you recognize that the ED thoughts are NOT you - they're just thoughts passing through.
Your Recovery Toolbox:
These meditations are TOOLS in your recovery toolbox. Use them whenever you need extra support.
Before meals → Meditation #1Body image crisis → Meditation #2Hard day/overwhelm → Meditation #3
Remember: You are stronger than you know. You don't have to do this alone.
Ready for More Support?
If you're looking for an extra hand guiding you along the way from somebody who has been there, who has recovered - not just a therapist, but a COACH who has recovered - Lindsey offers:
Recovery Collective Group support with other women on the recovery journey. Community that understands: www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 
One-on-One Recovery Coaching Personalized guidance from someone who's walked this path and found freedom.
Learn more and apply at www.herbestself.co
Connect with Lindsey Nichol:
Website: www.herbestself.co
Apply for Coaching: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/13WDpvmQNoVvAytBdqM72FIp1AqXMfSFrqzQVvBWrwHY/edit 
Email: info@lindseynickel.com
Facebook Community: Her Best Self Society - www.herbestselfsociety.com 
Instagram: @thelindseynichol
How to Support This Show:
If you found value in today's episode:
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (this helps us reach more women!)
Share this episode with someone who needs these meditations
Save/bookmark this episode to come back to
Join the Her Best Self Facebook community
Your reviews truly help us keep showing up week after week with recovery truth and awareness.
Share This Episode:
Know someone struggling with pre-meal anxiety or body image? Send them this episode. It's a gift they can use again and again.
How to share:
"Press play on this when you're anxious before meals"
"Saved this meditation episode for you"
"This helped me calm down - thought you might need it too"
Remember, Friend:
You are stronger than you know.
You do not have to do this alone.
Recovery isn't about perfection - it's about progress. And that means showing up for yourself one moment, one breath at a time.
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.

EP 255.5: 11 Recovery Wins That Have Nothing to Do with the Scale (Celebrate Your Small Victories)🎉

Sister, friend, we've got to celebrate all that you're accomplishing in eating disorder recovery. And one of those accomplishments? Maybe you're listening to today's show and starting to recognize this is a problem in your life. Celebrate that win.
Your life has been measured around LESS. Less food, less weight, less energy. You're more successful by being less, running on less, weighing less, consuming less. But today, we're celebrating victories that have nothing to do with the scale.
Host Lindsey Nichol shares 11 recovery wins to celebrate that measure MORE goodness in your life - not lack, not weighing less, not being less. Because girlfriend, you're gaining so much more than the weight you're terrified to gain.
This process of recovery, of letting yourself BE (not letting yourself go, but surrendering to who you truly are inside) - that's what we're celebrating today.
Stop measuring your worth by a number. Start celebrating these wins.
The 11 Recovery Wins to Celebrate:
Win #1: When You Eat MORE
Celebrate: That snack. Adding nuts to your oatmeal. Adding something versus restricting. Truth: When you eat more, you think bigger. Your mind uses fuel to function. Action: Add one extra thing today - more protein, more than coffee for breakfast, something.
Win #2: When You Challenge THAT Thought
The thought: "You shouldn't have had that. Now you have to wait until dinner. You need to run an extra hour." Celebrate: When you sit that thought down and tell it to shut up. Truth: "Not today. I'm not running 45 minutes because I had carbs. I'm taking a walk and nourishing my body."
Win #3: When You Face a Fear Food
Not: Going from nothing to 50 donuts (that's not what we're doing). Celebrate: Integrating something that's been a struggle. Breaking a rigid rule. Examples: Having cashews at dinner when you only "allowed" almonds at breakfast. Two tablespoons of peanut butter instead of one. Action: Try something outside your normal rigid routine. Eat at a different time. Try a new snack. Get conscious with your eating.
Win #4: When You Get Intuitive and Reflect
Celebrate: Journaling. Getting present with your feelings. Truth: "Today sucks. I don't want to gain weight. I'm feeling heavy. I'm not sure I'm all in. I'm going to let these feelings in, sit with them, and move on." Remember: We cannot heal what we cannot feel.
Win #5: When You Exercise for Enjoyment (Or Don't Exercise at All)
Celebrate: Moving your body for FUN, not punishment. Examples: Taking a walk just to reflect. Going to yoga to try something new. Skipping exercise to REST. Truth: No one said you weren't allowed. Grant yourself permission.
Win #6: When You Want STRENGTH Over Skinny
The shift: Wanting to feel STRONGER versus wanting to be skinnier. Celebrate: When you're putting yourself first, nourishing your body, starting to believe in the process. Truth: You're going to feel liberated, clearer minded, STRONGER. That's winning.
Win #7: When You Go Out to Dinner Without Anxiety
Not overnight: You don't go from making excuses to avoid restaurants to enjoying dinner stress-free immediately. Celebrate: When you can be PRESENT in the moment. When you hear the nasty thoughts and say "Not for these 45 minutes." Win: Saying yes to events instead of isolating.
Win #8: When You Get OFF the Scale
The game changer: No longer allowing the scale to define your worthiness. Truth: Not looking at the number to define what you can eat today or what you have to restrict tomorrow. Celebrate: If you're not weighing yourself every second and you're starting to lay that down - that's MASSIVE.
Win #9: When You Notice More Energy and Better Sleep
Celebrate: Having more brain function. Getting clearer, more sound sleep. Truth: Your body's not running on SILENCE anymore. Things underneath are working properly because you're nourishing yourself. Notice: Different energy spikes after eating. Give yourself props for this.
Win #10: When You Let Go of Shame and Guilt After Meals
Celebrate: "I gave myself permission to eat something I normally don't eat. I'm on this pathway to recovery. I know I'm fearful, but I'm creating a healthier place for me." Action: Set down the shame. Ask yourself: "What do I need to do right now to not let this consume me?" Win: That's MASSIVE. Celebrate that victory.
Win #11: When You Get SUPPORT and Commit
The biggest win: Acknowledging you need help and support. Truth: You weren't meant to do this alone. You just weren't. Question: Wouldn't you want help from somebody who's been there? Wouldn't you want to fast-track the process instead of struggling longer?
Key Takeaways:
✨ Your life has been measured by LESS - recovery is measured by MORE
✨ Eating disorders become a game - the more successful at restriction, the more achievement we feel
✨ We need to measure with a NEW measuring stick - small victories
✨ When you eat more, you think bigger - your mind needs fuel
✨ Challenge the thought - sit it down and tell it to shut up
✨ We cannot heal what we cannot feel - sit in the discomfort
✨ Want STRENGTH over SKINNY - that's the breaking point toward triumph
✨ Getting off the scale is where the game changes
✨ Recovery takes time - celebrate the small wins in the messy middle
✨ Every single thing against negative behaviors needs to be PRAISED
Powerful Quotes:
"Your life is measured around success of LACK. Your life is measured off of having less"
"Eating disorders become a game - the more successful we are at restriction and manipulation, the more personal achievement we have"
"We are not measuring lack. We are measuring the small wins creating more goodness in our life"
"You are gaining so much more than weight that you're terrified to gain"
"When you eat more, you think bigger"
"We cannot heal what we cannot feel"
"Celebrate wanting to feel STRONGER versus wanting to be skinnier"
"Recovery takes time. Sometimes you live in this messy middle place where it feels hard, it feels mundane"
"Your success is a series of small victories and small wins"
"The first and greatest victory is to conquer you" - Plato
"Today is your opportunity to create the tomorrow that you want"
Why Celebrating Small Wins Matters:
The Perfectionist Trap: Living in black and white thinking makes it hard to find wins because we measure against an unrealistic stick. But counting each win grants compassion and grace to create momentum.
The Messy Middle: Recovery isn't linear. You slip backwards, move forwards, slip backwards again. You throw your hands up and wonder "Was I really that miserable before?" THIS is where measuring small victories matters most.
The Scale Obsession: When you've been chained, obsessed, and addicted to taking personal worth inventory over the scale, it's hard to measure differently. But we MUST celebrate victories that have nothing to do with that number.
The Truth: Every single thing you do against negative behaviors keeping you stuck is something that needs to be PRAISED. This creates the momentum you need to keep going.
If You're Not There Yet:
Listen: If you're thinking "I want to celebrate recovery wins but I'm not in recovery yet" - STOP.
Celebrate THIS: You're listening to this podcast. You're not here by accident. You're not searching for the new craze diet. You're here because you know something is going on. You're tired of this struggle.
Praise that. Hold that close to your heart. You were brought here for a reason.
The reason? It has more to do than just experiencing freedom from food controlling your life. When you start finding your purpose because you have more brain capacity, because you're nourishing yourself, because you're finally LIVING - that's where life lives. That's where you're supposed to be.
Ready to Stop Doing This Alone?
You weren't meant to do recovery by yourself. Wouldn't you want help and support from somebody who's been there? Wouldn't you want to fast-track the process instead of struggling longer?
Recovery Collective Group support program with accountability outside of yourself. Bi-weekly coaching calls, supportive community, and the focus and action you need to get from one place to the other.
One-on-One Recovery Coaching Personalized support to help you celebrate these wins and create more of them. We literally walk over the bridge together - from where you are to where you want to be.
Why it matters: Accountability is a MUST. Recovery coaching is an extra layer to your care team that's going to get you THRIVING.
Learn more and apply at www.herbestself.co
Connect with Lindsey Nichol:
Website: www.herbestself.co
Apply for Support: www.herbestself.co
Facebook Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com 
Instagram: @thelindseynichol
Your Challenge:
Pick ONE of these 11 wins and celebrate it today. Then come share it in the Her Best Self Facebook community. We want to celebrate WITH you.
Remember: Simple, still moments bring the most peace, clarity, and confirmation for your success. Your success is a series of small victories and small wins.
Share This Episode:
Know someone who needs to celebrate recovery wins beyond the scale? Send them this episode.
If this touched your heart today, please:
Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts
Share on social media and tag @thelindseynichol
Screenshot your favorite win and post it
Join the Facebook community and celebrate your wins with us
Remember, Friend:
"The first and greatest victory is to conquer you." - Plato
Start believing in YOU. Start believing this is possible for you. Look around and believe you're worthy of it - because you are.
Celebrate your small wins that have absolutely nothing to do with the measurement of a scale.
Subscribe & Review:
If this episode resonated with you—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 living trapped in their mind and body find this show and realize they're not alone.
Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear the truth!
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.

EP 255: Sis, Stop Identifying as Disordered! You're Not a Number, a Diagnosis, or a Label ~ Get Rooted in the RIGHT Identity for the New Year

Girlfriend, if you want freedom from your eating disorder in the new year, you can't keep identifying AS the eating disorder.
In this powerful new episode, host Lindsey Nichol gets vulnerable about being defined by labels - the number on the clothing tag, the OSFED diagnosis that made her feel "not sick enough," then the anorexia diagnosis that felt like she'd "earned" being officially sick. She shares the moment she realized the energy it took to be everyone's label was debilitating - and how everything changed when she stopped identifying as disordered and started living from her TRUE identity.
Here's the truth: If you are defined by your labels, you're also confined by your labels. And no label - no matter how authoritative, no diagnosis, no number, no title - can contain the full perspective and constellation of who you might become.
You are NOT your eating disorder. You are NOT your diagnosis. You are NOT the number on the tag.
You are a saint. An heir. A daughter of the Most High. Royalty.
This episode will shift how you see yourself and give you a tangible exercise to discover your true identity as we head into a new year.
What You'll Learn:
The Label Trap
Arianna Huffington's truth: No label can contain who you might become
How the ED voice defines you by WHAT you have/do, never WHO you are
Why being defined by labels means you're also confused by them
Lindsey's Vulnerable Label Story
Obsessed with the number on clothing tags
OSFED diagnosis: feeling "not sick enough"
Anorexia diagnosis: feeling "officially sick"
The shift: When being someone else's label became debilitating
Realizing she wasn't designed to be a label - she was designed to be HER
The Labels Keeping You Stuck
"Anorexic," "bulimic," "the girl with the eating disorder"
"The fit one," "the vegan," "the one on a diet"
"Perfectionist," "people pleaser," "the sick one"
Even "recovered" can become a trap
Research: 80% of New Year's resolutions fail because they're rooted in outcomes, not identity
Who God Says You REALLY Are
Fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
Chosen - royal priesthood, holy nation (1 Peter 2:9)
Deeply loved - nothing can separate you (Romans 8:38-39)
A new creation - old is gone, new is here (2 Corinthians 5:17)
An heir - daughter of the King, royalty (Galatians 4:7)
The New Year Identity Shift
Most resolutions fail because they're about WHAT you want to do
Identity-based change is more powerful than outcome-based goals
You can't identify as "the girl with the eating disorder" and expect to live free
When you change your identity, your behavior follows
Stop identifying as disordered, start identifying as WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE
Your Tangible Exercise:
Step 1: Write down FALSE labels you've been carrying (Anorexic, bulimic, the number on the tag, not good enough, the sick one, etc.)
Step 2: Cross them ALL out (These are NOT your identity - they're lies that cannot contain who you might become)
Step 3: Write down WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE
I am fearfully and wonderfully made
I am chosen
I am deeply loved
I am a new creation
I am an heir
I am a daughter of the Most High
I am royalty
I am a saint
I am NOT my eating disorder
I am created for freedom
Step 4: Read these truths OUT LOUD (Let your ears hear what God says about you)
Step 5: Live from THIS identity (Not from labels, not from diagnosis, not from what people call you)
Key Takeaways:
✨ If you're defined by your labels, you're also confused by your labels
✨ No label can contain who you might become
✨ The ED voice tells you WHAT you have/do, never WHO you are
✨ You are NOT: your eating disorder, your diagnosis, your size, your past
✨ You ARE: a saint, an heir, a daughter of the Most High, royalty
✨ 80% of New Year's resolutions fail - identity-based change is what works
✨ Stop identifying as disordered, start identifying as who God says you are
✨ When you change your identity, your behavior follows
Powerful Quotes:
"No label, no matter how authoritative - one given to you by a doctor or a boss - no title, no dollar sign can ever contain the full perspective and constellation of who you might become." - Arianna Huffington
"If you are defined by your labels, you're also confused by your labels"
"The eating disorder voice loved defining me by WHAT I had and WHAT I did. But it never told me WHO I was"
"The energy it took to remain someone else's label was absolutely debilitating"
"I wasn't designed to be a label. I was designed to be ME"
"You weren't designed to be 'anorexic.' You were designed to be a daughter of the Most High"
"If you keep identifying as 'the girl with the eating disorder,' you will keep living like the girl with the eating disorder"
"You are NOT your eating disorder. You are a saint, an heir, a daughter of the Most High, royalty"
"When you're rooted in THAT identity - when that becomes your foundation - everything changes"
"You can't keep identifying AS the eating disorder and expect to live free"
"No label can contain the full perspective and constellation of who you might become"
Ready to Get Support for the New Year Ahead?
You don't have to root yourself in the right identity alone.
Recovery Collective: Group support program with bi-weekly coaching calls and community chat~ www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 
One-on-One Coaching: Personalized support to help you discover your true identity and walk in freedom
Learn more and apply at www.herbestself.co
Connect with Lindsey Nichol:
Website: www.herbestself.co
Apply for Coaching: www.herbestself.co
Instagram: @thelindseynichol 
Facebook Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com 
Share This Episode:
Know someone who's been identifying as their eating disorder? Send them this episode.
If this shifted something in you, please:
Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts
Share on social media and tag @thelindseynichol
Screenshot your favorite quote and post it
Do the identity exercise and share your breakthrough
Remember, Sis:
You are NOT your eating disorder.
You are NOT your diagnosis.
You are NOT a number or a label.
You are a saint. An heir. A daughter of the Most High. Royalty.
That's your TRUE identity. Now go live like it.
You really can move from perfection to purpose. Let's break the chains together.
Subscribe & Review:
If this episode resonated with you—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 living trapped in their mind and body find this show and realize they're not alone.
Share this episode with a friend who needs to hear the truth!
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.