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

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

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

By: Lindsey Nichol - Certified Health Coach Eating Disorder Recovery Coach Food Freedom Coach Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy Certified
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 Transform Your Relationship with Food and Your Body - Find Freedom from Eating Disorders Welcome to the Her Best Self podcast, where women discover lasting freedom from disordered eating, food obsession, and body shame. Hosted by Lindsey Nichol, eating disorder recovery coach and former anorexia survivor, this show provides hope, practical tools, and expert guidance for women ready to break free from the nightmare of disordered eating and reclaim their lives. Lindsey combines her personal recovery journey with professional coaching expertise to deliver actionable strategies for eating disorder recovery, intuitive eating, body image healing, and food freedom. Each episode addresses the real challenges women face when healing their relationship with food - from weight gain fears and exercise addiction to perfectionism and decision-making paralysis. This show is perfect for you if you: Struggle with chronic dieting, restriction or excessive exercise Are exhausted from food rules and calorie counting obsession Battle negative body image and weight preoccupation Feel controlled by exercise compulsion or movement anxiety Are high-achievers dealing with perfectionism in recovery Want to stop the start-stop recovery cycle and commit fully to healing Are ready to go ”all in” on recovery but need guidance and support Desire food freedom and body peace without endless therapy or diet programs Episode Topics Include: Eating disorder recovery strategies and mindset shifts Breaking food rules and challenging fear foods safely Body image healing and weight restoration support Exercise addiction recovery and joyful movement Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and control in recovery Decision-making, commitment, and overcoming recovery resistance Meal planning, intuitive eating, and mechanical eating guidance Family relationships, social eating, and recovery in real life Lindsey doesn’t just share recovery theory - she provides the raw truth about what recovery actually looks like, the uncomfortable parts no one talks about, and the specific tools that create lasting change. Her approach combines evidence-based recovery principles with spiritual foundation and practical implementation for busy women. Whether you’re just beginning to consider recovery, are in the early stages of healing, or are working to maintain long-term food freedom, this podcast meets you where you are with compassion, expertise, and actionable guidance. New episodes air twice per week (Tuesday’s and Friday’s) featuring solo deep-dives, client success stories, expert interviews, and listener Q&A sessions. Join thousands of women who are choosing recovery, embracing their worth beyond their weight, and discovering that food freedom is not only possible - it’s their birthright. Ready to take the next step? Visit www.herbestself.co for a coaching application, free resources, and community support. Your best self is waiting. Your freedom starts now. _____________________________________________________________________ **DISCLAIMER** Trigger warning: The episodes on Her Best Self podcast may, at times, cover sensitive topics including but not limited to eating disorders & mental health. You are advised to refrain from listening if you are likely to be triggered or adversely impacted by any of these topics. Neither Lindsey Nichol LLC, associates nor guests, shall at any time be liable for the content covered causing offense, distress or any other reaction. The information contained comes from personal insight & education but should not be viewed as clinical support or professional diagnosis. Anything said should NOT be taken as a replacement for medical intervention & is nothing is intended to establish a therapist-patient relationship, to replace the services of a trained therapist, doctor or other health professional, nor treatment. @ Copyright 2025 Lindsey Nichol LLCCopyright 2025 All rights reserved. Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • EP 228: The Recovery Mindset Shift That Ends All-or-Nothing Food & Body Thinking Forever + The 3 Step Framework to Implement it Just for You!

    EP 228: The Recovery Mindset Shift That Ends All-or-Nothing Food & Body Thinking Forever + The 3 Step Framework to Implement it Just for You!
    Jul 15 2025
    If you're trapped in the exhausting cycle of all-or-nothing thinking around food and recovery, this episode will revolutionize your entire approach. Fresh back from vacation, Lindsey shares the powerful "Both/And Recovery" strategy that finally breaks you free from black-and-white extremes and helps you find the beautiful gray area where real healing happens. You'll discover why perfectionist recovery keeps you stuck, learn specific Both/And reframes for common recovery struggles, and walk away with a tangible 3-step practice to implement this week. This isn't about being perfect at recovery—it's about being human while healing. What You'll Learn ✨ Why all-or-nothing thinking keeps you trapped in recovery cycles ✨ The revolutionary Both/And approach that changes everything ✨ Specific reframes for "good vs. bad" food thinking ✨ How to hold space for fear AND commitment simultaneously ✨ Why the "gray area" is where your freedom actually lives ✨ A practical 3-step method to implement Both/And thinking this week Key Takeaways The All-or-Nothing Prison Your brain categorizes everything as perfect or disaster, on-track or off-track, good foods or bad foods. This binary thinking keeps you swinging between extremes and never experiencing the freedom you crave. The space between extremes isn't the danger zone—it's where all the magic happens. The Both/And Revolution You can hold two seemingly opposite truths simultaneously, and this is where real healing occurs. Recovery isn't about choosing sides—it's about embracing complexity and being beautifully, imperfectly human. Why This Changes Everything The Both/And approach removes the pressure that keeps you stuck. When you stop trying to be perfect at recovery, you actually start recovering. Recovery isn't about eliminating difficult thoughts—it's about learning to hold space for all of it. Powerful Both/And Recovery Examples Fear & Courage Instead of: "I have to be brave to start recovery" Both/And: "I can be both scared of recovery AND committed to it" Restriction & Nourishment Instead of: "I either restrict or I'm out of control" Both/And: "I can both want to restrict AND choose to nourish myself" Body Image Struggles Instead of: "I have to love my body all the time" Both/And: "I can both love my body AND have days when I struggle with it" Food Morality Instead of: "Foods are either good or bad" Both/And: "I can be both 'good' at eating AND have chaotic food days" Recovery Process Instead of: "I'm either perfect at recovery or failing" Both/And: "I can be both in recovery AND not perfect at it" Weight & Health Instead of: "I'm either fat or skinny" Both/And: "I can both be my natural weight AND not love every inch every day" Structure & Flexibility Instead of: "I need rigid routine or I'm lost" Both/And: "I can both crave routine AND need flexibility" Your Both/And Recovery Practice (This Week) Step 1: Notice Your All-or-Nothing Thoughts Catch yourself thinking in extremes about food, body, or recovery. Examples: "I ruined the day""I'm either on track or off track""I have to be perfect at this" Step 2: Practice the Both/And Reframe Transform extreme thoughts with "both/and" language: "I both had a challenging food day AND I can nourish myself at my next meal""I both struggled today AND I'm still committed to my healing" Step 3: Choose Your Next Right Action From this Both/And space, take one small step toward recovery: Eat your next planned mealCall a friend for supportPractice self-compassion instead of self-criticism Revolutionary Quotes to Remember "The gray area you've been afraid of? That's not the danger zone—that's where your freedom lives." "Recovery isn't about eliminating all the difficult thoughts and feelings. Recovery is about learning to hold space for all of it—the fear AND the courage, the struggle AND the strength." "The moment you stop trying to be perfect at recovery is the moment you actually start recovering." "You can both feel uncertain about this approach AND try it anyway. You can both be scared of letting go of control AND take one small step toward freedom." "Your recovery doesn't have to be perfect to be powerful. Your healing doesn't have to be linear to be real." Personal Story: Post-Vacation Recovery Evolution Lindsey shares her transformation from post-vacation restriction panic to flexible re-entry into routine. Learn how the Both/And approach allows you to both crave structure AND ease back into real life without rigidity—a perfect metaphor for recovery itself. The Science Behind Both/And Thinking Why All-or-Nothing Thinking Develops Eating disorders thrive on binary thinkingPerfectionism creates impossible standardsBlack-and-white thoughts feel "safer" but create more suffering How Both/And Thinking Heals Reduces perfectionist pressureAllows for human complexityCreates space for growth and mistakesNormalizes the recovery process Ready to Live the Both/And Approach? If this episode resonated but you're...
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    21 mins
  • EP 227: The Real Reason You Save Food & Calories for Later + 7 Steps to Break This ED Pattern Now🙌

    EP 227: The Real Reason You Save Food & Calories for Later + 7 Steps to Break This ED Pattern Now🙌
    Jul 11 2025
    On this MUST listen episode I share a listener question that will probably resonate with you: "I want to nourish my body more, but I save my calories until the end of the day. Why do I do this? Is this part of my eating disorder or just who I am?" If you find yourself waiting to eat certain foods until later, saving up calories for dinner, or only allowing treats at specific times, this episode is for you. Lindsey breaks down the psychology behind this behavior and gives you 7 concrete steps to break free from the scarcity mindset that's keeping you stuck. What You'll Learn The real reason you save calories (hint: it's not about hunger)Why this is classic eating disorder behavior rooted in scarcity mindsetThe difference between scarcity and abundance thinking with food7 practical steps to start eating earlier and honoring your bodyHow to challenge the rules you've created around "worthy" foodsThe "Best First Rule" - why you should tackle the hardest thing first Key Concepts Explained Scarcity Mindset vs. Abundance Mindset Scarcity: Living from lack, believing you don't deserve abundanceAbundance: Allowing food in and out like energy/currencyThe Truth: You were created to have all things abundantly Why You Save Calories Classic eating disorder tactic based on scarcityUnderlying belief that you don't deserve good things nowFear of overeating if you have something earlierCoping mechanism that turned sour 7 Steps to Stop Saving Calories 1. Honor Your Mornings Make a new rule: "Why wait for later what I can nourish now?"Question where your restrictions came fromPre-decide the night before to challenge morning rules 2. Eat Consciously Every 1-2 Hours Start with every 2 hours if neededEat even when not hungry to create consistent patternsBreak the "save up for later" cycle 3. Address Negative Emotions Ask "why" repeatedly to get to root fearsChallenge illogical thoughts ("Will toast really make me gain weight?")Lean into uncomfortable feelings to change them 4. Honor Yourself - Act Now If you're dreaming of food freedom, act on it NOWDon't procrastinate on things you wantApply the "hardest thing first" principle 5. Remove All Rules Mentally Ask: "If all foods were zero calories and my rules didn't exist, what would I choose?"Give yourself permission to want thingsMake that choice without guilt 6. Switch Up Meal Times Try "breakfast for dinner" or eating 2 hours earlierMake it a game with small, achievable goalsFocus on one goal at a time 7. Daily Reflection Journal each evening about restriction patternsIdentify when unpleasant emotions came upLook for opportunities to do the opposite Powerful Episode Quotes "Stop fooling yourself into thinking that you aren't worthy. This is a classic eating disorder tactic based on a scarcity mindset." "The way to experience life is living life in abundance. We were made to have all things abundantly." "No amount of food can fill an emotional void. And no amount of food restriction can fill it either." "You are deserving of the now. You are deserving of a now life." "Put the salad later in the day. Start with the hard thing first." The Best First Rule Core Concept: Put the thing that will help you become your best self FIRST in your day. Don't save the challenging foods for later - tackle them first thing in the morning. Mindset Shifts Old Thinking: "I need to save calories for later when I really want them" New Thinking: "I deserve abundance now, not later" Old Thinking: "I'll overeat if I have this earlier" New Thinking: "Food is energy that flows in and out naturally" Old Thinking: "I'm not allowed to have carbs in the morning" New Thinking: "Who made this rule? I'm making a new one." Resources Mentioned Private Facebook Community: www.herbestselfesociety.com Submit Questions: info@lindseynichol.com for Coaching Over Coffee episodesOne-on-One Coaching: www.herbestself.co (currently accepting waitlist applications) Share the Revolution If this episode revolutionized your perspective on belonging and worthiness, please: ✨ Leave a 5-star review - Your words help this message reach more women who need to hear it ✨ Share with a friend - Tag someone who needs permission to stop earning their worth xo, lindsey Coach with Me -＞Client Application * While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.
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    16 mins
  • EP 226.5: Your Summer Recovery Survival Guide ~ How to Navigate BBQs, Vacations & Bathing Suit Season

    EP 226.5: Your Summer Recovery Survival Guide ~ How to Navigate BBQs, Vacations & Bathing Suit Season
    Jul 8 2025
    Summer schedules, vacations, and seasonal changes can trigger intense anxiety for those in eating disorder recovery. Host Lindsey Nichol shares how to navigate BBQs, beach trips, bathing suit season, and schedule disruptions while prioritizing your healing journey. Learn practical tools used in private coaching sessions to "armor up" for summer recovery success. Key Takeaways Your eating disorder doesn't take a vacation, so your recovery can't eitherSummer is actually the PERFECT time to prioritize recovery and put yourself firstThe brain feels unsafe with change - use this knowledge to your advantageCreate structure that supports recovery, not rigid controlPractice "doing the opposite" of what your ED voice demands Main Topics Covered 🌞 Why Summer Triggers Eating Disorders Schedule changes and routine disruptionsCultural pressure around "bikini bodies"Increased social eating situationsVacation anxiety and food fearsThe restrict-before-and-after-vacation cycle 🛡️ Your Summer Recovery Armor Creating a flexible summer schedule that supports healingPre-planning and pre-deciding for events and vacationsSetting boundaries with family and friendsPacking recovery essentials for travelChoosing comfort over societal expectations 🎯 Practical Recovery Tools The Opposite Action Strategy: Do the opposite of what your ED voice tells youTruth-Telling Conversations: Being honest with friends about your recovery needsComfort-First Approach: Choosing clothing and activities that honor your bodyPermission and Grace: Allowing flexibility without shame Powerful Quotes from This Episode "Your eating disorder doesn't take a vacation, so your recovery can't either.""We wouldn't go into battle without armor - we're not gonna do that in recovery either.""You're allowed to put your recovery first.""There is never shame in standing against the version of you that isn't serving you anymore." Lindsey's Personal Story Lindsey shares her recent experience at her brother-in-law's wedding, contrasting her current freedom with past wedding anxiety. She also tells the powerful story of ordering pizza after a weekend away - choosing recovery over restriction. Action Steps for Listeners Map out your summer schedule and identify potential trigger situationsPractice the opposite action when your ED voice speaks upCreate your summer recovery toolkit (snacks, journal, comfortable clothes)Set boundaries and communicate your needs to loved onesRemember your why - where do you want to be next summer? Questions for Reflection What am I waiting for in my recovery journey?How can I prepare for upcoming events in a way that supports my healing?What boundaries do I need to set this summer?What would freedom look like in my summer experience? Connect with Lindsey Website: www.herbestself.co Private Facebook Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com Client Applications: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejRMF7DKM5Zf9pGFDqA9crfSHD2y0UGjvvbkuTfuxTsR8lrg/viewform About the Host Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. After finding freedom from her own eating disorder, she now helps women break free from obsessive food thoughts and disordered behaviors to live their best lives. If this episode resonated with you, please leave a rating and review! Your support helps more women find freedom from food and body struggles. xo, Lindsey Coach with Me -＞Client Application * While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.
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    20 mins

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