Breaking free from the diet-binge cycle with Dr. Iruka

In this episode, Victoria Kleinsman interviews eating disorder recovery coach Tabitha Farrar about her experiences helping clients recover from eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. They discuss the recovery process for those with additional diagnoses like autism or OCD, dealing with fears around weight gain and health implications of eating more, as well as Tabitha's own journey to recovery. Expect candid stories and practical advice for supporting loved ones with eating disorders. Main Discussion Points: - Recovery process and adaptations needed for those with autism, OCD, or trauma histories [00:00:20] - Knowing when you are fully recovered and your brain is "rewired" [00:03:54] - Taking a "sledgehammer" approach at first by acting opposite to eating disorder urges [00:01:10] - Missing extreme hunger once it's passed - it's normal [00:38:58] - Tabitha's journey giving up excessive exercise cold turkey [00:23:56] - Ideas around taking time off work to focus on recovery [00:45:52] Guest Bio: Tabitha Farrar struggled with anorexia and compulsive exercise for 10+ years before recovering. She shares her story and advice freely on her website, podcast, and YouTube channel. Tabitha now coaches limited clients part-time while running her horse farm. Quotes: "We have to be accountable for our actions. Your eating disorder cannot physically make your legs run a 10k every morning." [00:14:52] "I decided, look. You're gonna gain weight. It's gonna happen. So you may as well enjoy it because I could choose to gain weight and engage with all those negative emotions and have an awful time." [00:31:53] On giving up exercise: "I just decided I'm I'm stopping, and I meant it, and I stopped...I thought that all hell would break loose, and it just kinda didn't. It was just fine." [00:24:55] Join my free support group: https://victoria-kleinsman.circle.so/c/free-support-group/  Free masterclass “How To Stop Bingeing” https://victoriakleinsman.com/how-to-stop-binge-eating-without-the-need-for-willpower/  Join my group coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/group-coaching/  1:1 coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/11-coaching/

In this week's episode of The Binge Love Podcast, host Victoria Kleinsman interviews her previous coaching client Amanda Dixon about her journey to recovery from an eating disorder. Listeners can expect to learn about Amanda's decades-long struggle with various disordered eating behaviours, what finally led her to seek help, and how she was eventually able to achieve full recovery with Victoria's guidance. Key Discussion Points: - Amanda traces her issues with food back to childhood, when she would sneak downstairs at night to binge eat without her family's knowledge - She cycled through years of restrictive dieting, bingeing, cutting, and over-exercising in an attempt to numb her trauma - Hitting rock bottom after a failed attempt to make herself throw up, Amanda discovered Victoria's podcast and law of attraction work and reached out for coaching - With Victoria's help, Amanda practised mirror work, sat with anxiety and learned to surrender rather than fight her extreme hunger and exercise addiction - now in a fully recovered and peaceful state, Amanda shares insights with those still struggling and prepares to start her own coaching business Connect with Amanda Website Podcast Key Quotes: "I would wake my sister up in the night when I was probably 4 or 5 to go downstairs and eat snacks that we were not supposed to eat during the day, like cookies and things like that." (00:07:53) "And I remember I just laid on the floor, and my throat was bleeding and throbbing. And I was like, I can't do this anymore." (00:12:17) "You have opened me up to this the me that I was, and I can see my potential and my strength, and I feel it." (00:50:37) Join my free support group: https://victoria-kleinsman.circle.so/c/free-support-group/  Free masterclass “How To Stop Bingeing” https://victoriakleinsman.com/how-to-stop-binge-eating-without-the-need-for-willpower/  Join my group coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/group-coaching/  1:1 coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/11-coaching/

In this empowering solo podcast episode, Victoria courageously shares her personal journey with overcoming body shame and reconnecting with pleasure and intimacy. Listeners can expect raw vulnerability as Victoria guides us through the tools and mindset shifts that enabled her to fully embrace her sensuality. Main Discussion Points: - The extreme lengths Victoria went to in order to hide her body and avoid intimacy - The journey of healing her relationship with her body and sexuality by hiring a coach and committing to the work - Practical tips for building body confidence like naked mirror work, focusing on sensations over appearances, and giving herself permission to receive pleasure - The importance of open communication with her partner about her feelings and challenges - Adopting the attitude of "he really doesn't seem to be giving a shit about what I'm worried about in my head right now" - Allowing herself and her partner to see the real, authentic her - How embracing herself transformed intimacy from a performative act focused solely on her partner's pleasure into a mutually fulfilling, deeper connection Key Quotes: "I would fake noises. I would fake moaning." (03:04) "I was basically performing during intimacy." (03:36) "Relaxation is the gateway to pleasure." (05:57) "I would literally pretend that he absolutely loved pleasuring me." (07:24) "Women take longer ❤️ and that is okay." (04:13) Join my free support group: https://victoria-kleinsman.circle.so/c/free-support-group/  Free masterclass “How To Stop Bingeing” https://victoriakleinsman.com/how-to-stop-binge-eating-without-the-need-for-willpower/  Join my group coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/group-coaching/  1:1 coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/11-coaching/ 

This podcast episode features life coach Victoria Kleinsman interviewing her former coaching client Iruka. They discuss Iruka's decades-long struggles with disordered eating, body image issues, restrictive dieting, and compulsive exercise. Listeners can expect to gain insight into Iruka's journey to recovery, including what finally enabled her to break free of restrictive dieting for good. Main Discussion Points - Iruka first started dieting around age 9-10 when she had negative thoughts about her body after wearing an ill-fitting PE uniform - She suffered from years of restrictive eating, "good food/bad food" outlooks, calorie counting, over-exercise and recurring cycles of bingeing - A realisation that even her attempts at moderate eating plans kept failing her was an "aha moment" that doing more of the same wouldn't cut it - Working with Victoria taught her that stopping restriction is key to ending binge urges and finding balance with all foods - Exercise was previously compulsive and led to injury; now she works out for mental/physical health without tracking or calories goals Quotes "It's not about any bullshit, quite frankly, which is all short termist and temporary, and external...This is about, you know, what feels good inside." [00:39:16-00:39:36] "I truly didn't believe that it was possible to be at this point where I'm at now." [00:28:21-00:28:29] "The cost at the beginning of recovery, this was my experience anyway...that cost isn't as it doesn't feel as big now as it did when you made that decision of, like, right. I'm gonna go forward with Victoria, and then these things might happen as a consequence of that." [00:47:07-00:47:25] Bios Iruka is a 44 year-old general practitioner (doctor) and mother of two. Victoria Kleinsman is a certified eating psychology coach who helps women heal their relationship with food and body using a non-diet, Health At Every Size® aligned approach. Join my free support group: https://victoria-kleinsman.circle.so/c/free-support-group/  Free masterclass “How To Stop Bingeing” https://victoriakleinsman.com/how-to-stop-binge-eating-without-the-need-for-willpower/  Join my group coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/group-coaching/  1:1 coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/11-coaching/ 

Join Julia Trehane and Victoria Kleinsman, two ED recovered women, as they have an enlightening discussion around eating disorders and body image. In this candid conversation, they share their personal recovery journeys, insights, and advice for overcoming fears around weight gain and self-acceptance. Key Discussion Points: - The importance of self-compassion in recovery - Letting go of restrictive rules and behaviours - Not settling for "quasi-recovery" - Surrendering control and trusting your body's wisdom Key Quotes: "When I truly realised that nothing means anything, that the way we feel about, let's say, weight gain...it was just a story I'd been told my entire life that I believed." (Julia at 00:01:51) "Self compassion is the biggest game changer of all." (Victoria at 00:01:18) "It's not healthy to exercise if you are not fuelling your body. No matter what society says, it's just not." (Victoria at 00:31:02) Join my free support group: https://victoria-kleinsman.circle.so/c/free-support-group/  Free masterclass “How To Stop Bingeing” https://victoriakleinsman.com/how-to-stop-binge-eating-without-the-need-for-willpower/  Join my group coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/group-coaching/  1:1 coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/11-coaching/

In this episode of the Body Love Binge Podcast, host Victoria Kleinsman interviews Tracey Yokas, an advocate for mental health and wellness. Tracey shares her family's journey with mental illness to help others know they are not alone. The conversation focuses on Tracey's experience as a mother to a daughter struggling with disordered eating and depression. She provides insight into how a parent's past can impact how they show up for their children, especially when difficulties arise. Overall, listeners can expect to gain perspective on mothering children with mental health issues. There is also helpful advice around self-care, healing generational trauma, and embracing imperfection. Guest Bio: Tracey Yokas is dedicated to supporting women on their wellness journeys. She earned her master's degree in counseling psychology and lives with her family in California. Tracey creates art and writes about mental health to help destigmatize related issues. She recently published a memoir entitled "Bloodlines: A Memoir of Harm and Healing." Tracy's book: https://traceyyokascreates.com Main Discussion Points: - The grief over Tracey's mother's passing preceded the onset of her daughter's eating disorder symptoms at age 13 (06:50). She believes death and grief can trigger mental health struggles. - As a parent, Tracey felt confused, scared and angry in response to her daughter's eating disorder behaviors (12:02). She sought professional help, but her daughter continued declining. - Tracey emphasizes the importance of parents getting therapy to heal themselves. This enables them to be better support systems (14:44). - Her daughter ultimately spent time in intensive outpatient therapy as well as two residential treatment centers. Tracey says there's no one answer, but time and engagement played a big role in recovery (29:02). Quotes: "I realised that the only thing I could do was start doing my own work to heal that and then allow my daughter to see me taking my own journey seriously." (39:44) "The relationship we want with other people is on the other side of the one we have with ourselves." (43:11) "Our children are people. Can we look at them without all of that baggage that was put on us by our parents?" (52:01) Join my free support group: https://victoria-kleinsman.circle.so/c/free-support-group/  Join my group coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/group-coaching/  1:1 coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/11-coaching/

Free masterclass: https://victoriakleinsman.com/how-to-stop-binge-eating-without-the-need-for-willpower/ In this week's episode, I dives into the challenging topic of facing loved ones after gaining weight while recovering from an eating disorder. I share vulnerable insights into my own journey, along with practical strategies to navigate self-consciousness and fear of judgement. What you'll learn: - Ways to practice self-compassion after weight gain - Tips for setting boundaries with loved ones - Reframing negative thoughts and old stories - Living fully now instead of waiting to lose weight Main Points - Seek specialised support for binge eating and emotional struggles ❤️ - Replace negative self-talk with kindness and focus on inner qualities - Accept the reality of weight gain and process difficult emotions - Ask loved ones not to comment on your body; set boundaries - Focus on self-care over physical appearance - Live fully now instead of waiting to lose weight - Change the narratives you tell yourself about your body Key Quotes "I practiced pouring a whole lot of compassion into myself. This wasn't easy as my normal narrative in my head was based in self flagellation." [00:05:28] "I choose to let go of the attachment to a certain body size. I choose to live my life regardless of whether I like the way my body looks or not." [00:28:33] "Why not allow yourself to actually fully live? Because if not now, when?" [00:24:41] Join my free support group: https://victoria-kleinsman.circle.so/c/free-support-group/  Join my group coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/group-coaching/  1:1 coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/11-coaching/ 

Today I chat with my former coaching client Aga about her journey recovering from an eating disorder and improving her body image. Aga shares openly about her struggles with feeling fat, food guilt, and low self-worth, and how coaching helped her shift to intuitive eating, self-love, and living more aligned with her values. Key Discussion Points: - Aga's history with an eating disorder that stemmed from childhood trauma and using restriction to "disappear" - Her daily battles with body image, feelings of fatness and shame around eating - The impact of the eating disorder on her social life and relationships - Trying therapy and realising she needed specialised support - Deciding to invest in coaching and the self-discovery work she did - Shifts towards body neutrality, intuitive eating, increased self-worth - The power of group coaching calls in realising you're not alone Guest Bio: Aga lives in Barcelona and works as an agile coach. She struggled with an eating disorder and severe body image issues for years before discovering Victoria's coaching. Key Quotes & Timestamps: "I had very much the feeling of being fat. So every time I passed by a mirror or somewhere where I could see my reflection, I would look at myself and the kind of feeling of hate would just grow." [00:09:43] "If we don't do anything about it now, tomorrow might be too late." [00:21:39] "You're very authentic, and you have lived experience, which I think is very important in this scenario." [00:31:52] describing Victoria Join my free support group: https://victoria-kleinsman.circle.so/c/free-support-group/  Join my group coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/group-coaching/  1:1 coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/11-coaching/

In this podcast episode, I discuss the differences between extreme hunger and binge eating in eating disorder recovery. I provide an in-depth explanation of the underlying drivers of both to help you understand why they happen and how to overcome them. Expect to gain clarity and reassurance around extreme hunger and binge eating through my candid wisdom and personal recovery story. Main Discussion Points: - Extreme hunger is a biological and psychological response to restriction and past starvation, while binge eating tends to be a reaction to current restriction - Binge eating cannot happen if you keep allowing extreme hunger without attempting to restrict or compensate - Emotional eating is using food to cope with emotions, not the same as binge eating - Physical deprivation (dieting), mental deprivation (fear or guilt around food), and emotional deprivation (not letting yourself enjoy food) lead to binge eating - The only way out is to eat freely without restriction forever Key Quotes: "Binge eating is simply a healthy response to any type of restriction." (00:10:53) "The quickest way to the other side in freedom is allowing all foods." (00:16:08) "The only way to full recovery and mental freedom is to eat unrestrictedly for the rest of your life." (00:18:17) Join my free support group: https://victoria-kleinsman.circle.so/c/free-support-group/  Join my group coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/group-coaching/  1:1 coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/11-coaching/

This podcast episode features Victoria chatting with Marla Mervis Hartmann, a body image expert, about loving your body and yourself. Listeners can expect to learn Marla's journey to self-love and tips on overcoming disordered eating and negative body image. Main Discussion Points: - Marla's struggles with food, exercise and body image growing up as a dancer and actress, and her journey to self-acceptance - The role of spiritual practices like mindfulness, prayer and surrender in building self-trust and compassion - Tangible tools like thinking of yourself as a friend and asking "would I treat my friend this way?" - The paradox of learning to surrender and hold space for discomfort in order to experience real pleasure and joy - Preview of Marla's forthcoming book "Befriend Yourself" Guest Bio: Marla Mervis Hartmann is a body image expert, Reiki master and lifestyle coach based in Maui. She struggled with food and body image while pursuing acting and dance, and now helps other women make peace with their bodies through self-compassion practices. Marla has been featured at TEDx Salinas and works at eating disorder recovery centers. Key Quotes: "We don't have to do it all on our own. We don't have to figure it all out. We don't have to figure out how to love ourselves, eat well...There's support and there's care and there's love, and it's totally possible to let go of that control and find a deeper, more loving way." [00:06:04] "Pleasure is how am I talking to myself? Is that bringing me a pleasurable experience? How am I moving my body? And for me that was a big one." [00:21:18] "Surrender is not giving up. It's actually completely the opposite because surrender can be really hard." [00:48:47] Connect with me Join my free support group: https://victoria-kleinsman.circle.so/c/free-support-group/  Join my group coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/group-coaching/  1:1 coaching: https://victoriakleinsman.com/11-coaching/ Connect with Marla BOOK: :https://www.loveyourbodyloveyourself.com/book Breaking the Cycle of Emotional Eating Free Gift: https://goloveyourbodyloveyourself.com/emotionaleating Website www.LoveYourBodyLoveYourself.com TEDx Talk :Watch my Tedx Talk Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/marlamervis Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveyourbodyloveyourselfalways Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loveyourbodyloveyourself https://www.facebook.com/marla.mervis