Recovery Reclaimed: Older Women on Body Image, Menopause & Diet Culture

Meditation for inner worth and freedomEnjoy 💛

In this solo episode, I’m diving into my hot take on CBT — cognitive behavioural therapy — and why, although it’s helpful for eating disorder recovery, it’s absolutely not enough if you’re looking for full, lasting freedom.I’m sharing openly and passionately about:✨ What CBT does well (and why I still use parts of it in my coaching)✨ Why mindset work alone can’t heal trauma responses✨ How to translate “I feel fat” into what’s really going on underneath✨ What I believe is truly missing in most eating disorder recovery work✨ How to stop relapsing by getting to the root of it all — emotionally, spiritually, somatically✨ My own step-by-step recovery map that combines inner child work, nervous system healing, soul retrieval, and parts workThis one’s packed with insight — whether you’re in therapy, doing self-recovery, or supporting someone else. It’s time to go deeper, and I’m here to walk you through it.📌 I also mention:– My free support group with coaching calls & replays: https://victoriakleinsman.com/free-taste-test/– How to join the Body Love Binge group or apply for 1:1 support: https://victoriakleinsman.com/11-coaching/– Come hang on IG: @victoriakleinsmanofficial

In this deeply honest and uplifting conversation, I sat down with the beautiful Tegan Louise to chat all things recovery, healing, trauma, and how our beliefs about food and bodies are formed long before we even realise it.We went everywhere in this chat—attachment styles, inner child wounds, parenting, body image, sex, intimacy, fear of weight gain, people pleasing, and that moment you finally say, “I’ve had enough.”If you’ve ever felt stuck in the same cycle, or like your self-worth is hanging on the size of your jeans—this one’s for you.💥 In this episode, we cover:Why your food/body struggles always start in childhoodHow to recognise (and rewire) your attachment styleFeeling safe in your body after traumaReclaiming pleasure, joy & desireWhat recovery really means beyond just “eating more”My real-life moments of change: in the mirror, at the BBQ, and in bedHow coaching can transform your healing & what I offerIf you’ve ever asked yourself “Why do I still feel like this?” or “Is recovery actually possible for me?”—this episode will land like a warm, empowering hug.🔥 5 Epic Quotes to Highlight:“Have you had enough yet? If so—then it’s time to choose something different.”“Recovery isn’t about fixing your body. It’s about freeing your mind.”“You don’t have to wait to hit rock bottom. You just have to decide this isn’t good enough to stay.”“I used to cover my legs to ‘protect’ others from seeing my cellulite. Now I wear the damn dress.”“You are allowed to want more, just because you want it. Full stop.”📌 Useful links:💜 My free support group: https://victoriakleinsman.com/free-taste-test/🌍 Website: https://victoriakleinsman.com/📸 Instagram: @victoriakleinsmanofficial

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by my incredible client Tara, who opens up about her 30-year journey with anorexia—and what finally helped her step into true freedom.This conversation is a deep, emotional, and honest exploration of what it really takes to recover after decades of struggle, secrecy, and perfectionism. Tara shares how a milestone birthday cracked her open, how trauma shaped her need for control, and how letting go of that control changed everything.💥 In this episode, we talk about:How childhood trauma planted the seeds of disordered eatingThe link between people pleasing, perfectionism, and restrictionWhy traditional routes didn’t work—and what didNavigating fear, body image shifts, and “future tripping”The decision to choose life, freedom, and fun over controlWhat real support looks like when it’s about YOU—not just the foodLife after recovery: confidence, invincibility, and finally being yourselfThis is one of the most inspiring recovery stories I’ve had the honour to share. If you’ve ever felt like it’s “too late” or that freedom just isn’t available for you… this episode will blow that myth wide open.💖 Tara’s message to you?The fear is so much worse than the reality. And the lightness in your head is so worth the heaviness in your body.🔥 5 Epic Quotes to Highlight:“The fear couldn’t hurt me. But the eating disorder could.”“I didn’t realise I was trying to fix two problems—until I learned they were one.”“I don’t want to be extra, extra small. My mind isn’t small anymore.”“You don’t need to go back. You just need to decide.”“I didn’t just gain weight—I gained peace, energy, and a whole new life.”📌 Useful links:💜 My free support group: https://victoriakleinsman.com/free-taste-test/🌍 Website: https://victoriakleinsman.com/📸 Instagram: @victoriakleinsmanofficial

In this raw, unfiltered episode, I reunite with the incredible Susan and Christina to answer YOUR questions about recovery, body image, menopause, and navigating the complexities of diet culture—especially as women in their later years of life.We open up about the real symptoms of recovery, how our bodies and minds changed through the journey, and the deeper emotional shifts that come with true healing. From feeling out of breath during a walk to redefining what movement means, we speak to the very human experience of recovery.💬 Topics We Dive Into:The hardest physical symptoms in recovery (and how we coped)Recovery during and after menopauseWhat it really means to feel “part of the club” and how that changesLetting go of feeling superior through restrictionOur experiences with puberty, body change, and emotional impactHow we coped with weight gain (including scale addiction!)Why diet culture is not just harmful—but oppressiveTools we use daily to keep grounded in food and body freedomWhy true connection becomes possible only through authentic recovery💫 This is an especially important listen if you’ve ever thought:“I’ve been trying to recover but keep wanting to lose weight again”or“I feel like recovery isn’t for me at my age.”Spoiler: It absolutely is.🎧 Listen in and walk away with compassion, clarity, and a fresh breath of freedom. Recovery is possible at any age—and it is so worth it.Read Glennon Doyle's wise words here: https://community.kleinsman.co/c/free-support-group/glennon-doyle-s-wise-words📌 CONNECT WITH ME:✨ Instagram: @victoriakleinsmanofficial✨ Website: https://victoriakleinsman.com/✨ Email me with your thoughts or questions – I love hearing from you!🖤 And as always… you are worthy of love, freedom, and rest—no matter your size, no matter your age.

In this episode, I joined Emily for a deep and soulful conversation on the mini series she’s created – diving into real, raw, and essential truths about healing from an eating disorder.Here’s what we explored together:✨ My three most important lessons from recovery (and how they shifted everything).✨ The power of owning that no one is coming to save you – and why that’s the ultimate key to freedom.✨ How true healing goes far beyond food and body image… it’s about loving and fully accepting your authentic self.✨ Why fighting can only take you so far, and why surrender was my secret weapon.✨ What full recovery feels like (and why it’s so worth it).I also shared a personal story about how my healing journey unlocked self-expression, love, and deep peace – and how it still shapes the way I show up in my life today.Emily and I both agreed: Recovery was the hardest thing we’ve ever done. And it’s worth every second.💜 If you’re questioning whether to leap into recovery… let this be the nudge you need.Connect with me:🌍 Website: https://victoriakleinsman.com/💜 Free support group: https://victoriakleinsman.com/free-taste-test/📸 Instagram: @victoriakleinsmanofficialAs always, I’d love to hear what landed most for you – drop me a message!

This episode is living proof that full recovery is possible—even without coaching or therapy. Michelle bravely shares how she fully healed her relationship with food and body using only podcast support… and a fierce decision to choose freedom.We talk about:✨ Her journey from subtle body checking and dieting to full food freedom✨ The turning point where she decided “enough is enough”✨ What it felt like to face weight gain, shame, and body image triggers—without turning back✨ How she learned to trust her body again (and the fears she had to walk through daily)✨ The unexpected freedom of not giving a f*ck about the number on the scale✨ Why “just eating” feels so revolutionary in a world that praises restrictionMichelle’s story is deeply validating for anyone who thinks they’re “not sick enough” or feels like recovery is only possible with 1:1 support. This conversation is a gentle but powerful reminder: you are not broken, you are not alone, and you are absolutely capable of full freedom.🔥 Epic Quotes:“I couldn’t begin to recover until I admitted I had something to recover from.”“I proved my fears wrong, over and over again. Nothing bad happened.”“You don’t need a new food system. You need to let go of needing one.”“It’s amazing to not know how much you weigh… and not care.”“Recovery is possible without support. But you have to show up for yourself. Fully.”💜 Connect & Explore More:👯‍♀️ Join my free support group: https://victoriakleinsman.com/free-taste-test/🌐 Visit my website: https://victoriakleinsman.com/📲 IG: @victoriakleinsmanofficial

🎙️ Monthly Q&A with Julia: The Truth About Recovery, Fear & FreedomJoin Victoria and Julia for a short but power-packed Q&A session where they role-play the voices of the eating disorder vs. the healthy self (with some hilarity!), explore physical recovery symptoms, and get radically honest about the fears, resistance, and beautiful truths of choosing recovery.From dealing with exhaustion and edema to navigating the emotional highs and lows of healing, this episode is raw, real, and ultimately hopeful. Plus, they dive into listener questions around waiting to “have to” recover, creating a life beyond bulimia, and the real pros and cons of full recovery.This one’s a quickie—but oh so juicy.🎧 Topics include:A playful (and uncomfortable!) ED vs. Healthy Self dialoguePhysical symptoms of recovery like bloating, fatigue, brain fog, and more“Will I ever want recovery enough?”—navigating fear and avoidanceHow to start creating a life bigger than your eating disorderThe real (and surprising) pros and cons of recoveryVictoria’s personal postpartum shift in fitness & self-careWhy compassion is the most powerful recovery tool🧠 Quotes to remember:“You are not here to be normal. You’re here to be free.”“If it’s costing you your self-expression, love, and freedom… It’s too expensive.”“Your eating disorder is costing you the life you secretly want.”“Letting go is the way to grow.”🔗 Resources & Links:🎧 Julia’s episodes on recovery symptoms: Episodes 105 & 106🧡 Free Support Group: https://victoriakleinsman.com/free-taste-test/💻 Website: https://victoriakleinsman.com/📸 Instagram: @victoriakleinsmanofficialNote from Victoria 💛I value authenticity deeply. These show notes were created with the help of AI, but they come directly from my heart and my words, drawn from the podcast I created. Every sentence reflects the message I intended to share. I use AI as a tool—but the soul, the stories, and the truth are all mine.

How to Get Out of Quasi Recovery with Livia SaraThis episode is one of the most powerful and expansive conversations I’ve had on the podcast to date. Livia Sara is back—author, coach, and absolute soul sister—and we’re diving deep into the sneakiest trap of all: quasi recovery.We unpack what it really means to be stuck in that space where you’ve gained weight, maybe even “look” recovered, but inside? You’re still living in fear, control, and limitation.This episode will shake something loose inside of you. We talk truth, drop f-bombs (you know me!), and hold nothing back.We cover:Why quasi recovery can actually feel worse than the EDHow to know when you’re still stuck in control (even if you’re “eating more”)The difference between acting from freedom vs reacting from fearWhy perfectionism and comparison keep you trappedHow to choose freedom, even if you’re terrifiedWhy YOUR recovery path gets to look how YOU want it toLivia’s new book How to Get Out of Quasi Recovery is a must-read if you’re truly ready to go all in. And if you’re feeling a spark after this episode? Don’t ignore it. That’s your truth calling.5 Quotes from this episode:🔥 “Being 99% committed is hell. Being 100% committed is simple.”🔥 “There’s no right way to recover—there’s only your way.”🔥 “Your eating disorder is not who you are—it’s an adaptation, not your identity.”🔥 “Freedom means deciding to stop pretending and start living in alignment with your truth.”🔥 “No one’s coming to save you—but you don’t need saving. You just need to choose.”💜 Join my free support group: https://victoriakleinsman.com/free-taste-test/🌍 Visit my website: https://victoriakleinsman.com/📸 Come hang with me on Instagram: @victoriakleinsmanofficial🫶 Join Livia’s newsletter & get her free resources: https://www.livlabelfree.com/join

Welcome back my loves! 💜 In this episode, Julia and I are diving into your brilliant questions about recovery. This is raw, real, emotional, funny and deep — basically, all the things we are!We chat about:What moment I’d relive without my eating disorderHealing mother/daughter codependency while both recoveringFeeling guilty for resting (and why that’s actually a GOOD thing)Why gaining weight feels unsafe — and how I rewired that fear myselfSensory overload in a changing body (and what helped me cope)How to stop obsessive movement and exercise guiltWhether it’s realistic to go all-in after 30+ years of an EDMaking peace with the lies I told during my eating disorderAnd why life WITHOUT an ED is the real life you deserveThis conversation is packed with tough love, heart, deep truth and so much encouragement.Healing is messy. Healing is brave. Healing is YOURS. Let’s do it together.5 Quotes You’ll Love From This Episode:“Trying is asking for permission to fail. Choose it. Commit to it.”“Feeling guilt in recovery doesn’t mean you’re failing – it means you’re healing.”“Your eating disorder helped you survive – but it’s not helping you live.”“The unfamiliar becomes familiar. You can feel like an alien at first – and still belong in your body.”“Freedom, joy, connection… that’s what’s waiting for you on the other side of fear.”Links to Dive Deeper:🧡 Free support group: https://victoriakleinsman.com/free-taste-test/🧡 Website: https://victoriakleinsman.com/🧡 Instagram: @victoriakleinsmanofficial💛 Recovery Circle community and courses: https://www.edrecoverycircle.com/