440-Healing Relationship to Food Using Creative Writing with Kayla McDonald

In this powerful episode, I talk with Kayla MacDonald, a former personal trainer whose journey took a radical turn after attending one of my workshops.Without ever working with me one-on-one, Kayla completely transformed her life—and her business—by choosing integrity, creativity, and a new way of supporting women’s healing.She now helps women rewrite their relationship with food through a unique blend of internal family systems, character archetypes, and AI storytelling.This conversation is a bold reminder of the impact we make when we stand in our truth—and what’s possible when we let creativity lead the way.What you’ll learn in this episode:How one workshop shifted Kayla’s entire career pathThe hidden impact of “being the brand” in wellnessWhy ethical marketing matters more than you thinkHow storytelling can transform your relationship with foodMentioned in the show:Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://bit.ly/ndccpodcastsnGuide - What To Say When Clients Want to Lose Weight: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/guideNon-Diet Coaching Client Assessment Tool: https://bit.ly/podcastsnassessmentWeight-Neutral Coaching Training: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/shop/Work With Me: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/work-with-stephanie/

This is the final enrollment for our Non-Diet Coach Training Program until 2026 — and I’m taking you behind the scenes.If you’ve been curious about what actually happens inside the Non-Diet Coaching Certification, this episode is your roadmap.I walk you through the full curriculum, our coaching method, and how we help you become a confident, weight-neutral coach who changes lives — starting with your own.Whether you're a health coach, therapist, fitness pro, or nutritionist, this might be the missing link in your practice.In this episode, you’ll learn:• What makes our Non-Diet Coach Training Program different • How we teach cognitive behavior coaching and trauma-informed care • Why coaching body image is the key to sustainable change • How the curriculum is structured for real-life application • What to expect from the small group format and live coaching • The time commitment (and how we keep our 95% completion rate) • What business tools are included to help you growMentioned in the show:Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://bit.ly/ndccpodcastsn

How To Coach Without Co-Opting Diet CultureRegister for the training here: https://bit.ly/podcastsnoct2025class

Thinking about becoming a non-diet coach? Hear directly from the women inside the program!In this episode, I hand the mic over to my current students in Cohort 12 of the Non-Diet Coaching Certification.They’re answering YOUR questions and sharing their unfiltered experiences—from why they joined, to how their confidence and coaching has evolved.Whether you're exploring this path or just curious about what makes this certification unique, this is the episode you need to hear.No fluff, no filter—just real talk.Here's what you'll learn:Why our students chose the Non-Diet Coaching CertificationHow they’re growing both personally and professionallyWhat surprised them most once inside the programWhat makes this certification unlike anything elseMentioned in the show:Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://bit.ly/ndccpodcastsnConnect with our guests: Norma TrevinoExecutive and Life CoachConnect with Norma on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ntrevino/Elena RossiWeight-Neutral Herbalist & Cognitive Behaviour CoachElena's website: http://www.kindredherbals.comConnect with Elena on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KindredherbalsAmber GageNon-diet & Body Image CoachConnect with Amber on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambergage.coachingKate StauntonCognitive therapist and coachConnect with Kate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stauntonkateCaroline KlemensCaroline's website: https://www.carolineklemens.com/Connect with Caroline on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolineklemens/

Feel lost when starting with a new non-diet client? This episode gives you the exact tool and steps to confidently assess them.Whether you're brand-new to non-diet coaching or making the shift from a weight-focused model, this mini training will help you build clarity, structure, and trust in your coaching sessions.I’m walking you through the Non-Diet Coaching Assessment Tool — and yes, it’s totally free. You’ll learn how to use this powerful resource to assess mindset, eating behavior, and body image in a way that supports real, lasting change.Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:How to confidently assess new non-diet clientsWhy doing assessments live creates stronger coaching relationshipsHow to use assessments to personalize coaching goalsWhy mindset, eating behavior, and body image are essential pillars of non-diet workMentioned in the show:Non-Diet Coaching Client Assessment Tool: https://bit.ly/podcastsnassessmentFree Guide: What To Say When Clients Want to Lose Weight: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/guide Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://bit.ly/ndccpodcastsn

What if your client gains weight—and wants to quit?This is one of the toughest moments you’ll face as a non-diet coach. But it doesn’t have to shake your confidence.In this episode, I’m sharing how to confidently coach through weight gain without ever selling a diet—and without losing your client.You’ll learn:Why weight gain isn’t the real problemHow to meet your client in their fear (without fixing or freezing)The 7-step coaching process to move clients from panic to peaceWhat to say when clients catastrophize their weightTools to stay grounded and confident as a coachMentioned in the show:Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://bit.ly/ndccpodcastsnFree Guide - What to Say When Clients Want to Lose Weight: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/guideWeight-Neutral Coaching Training: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/shop/Work With Me: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/work-with-stephanie/

Is it really possible to coach health without diet culture? The answer is yes — and in this episode, I show you how.I break down what it means to take a weight-neutral approach to health and why it’s essential for creating lasting behavior change. You’ll learn eight practical strategies to help clients improve their health without focusing on weight or restrictive food rules.Whether you’re a coach, dietitian, or fitness professional, this conversation will give you a new framework to support clients with compassion and sustainability.Mentioned in the show:Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://bit.ly/ndccpodcastsnFree Guide - What to Say When Clients Want to Lose Weight: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/guideWeight-Neutral Coaching Training: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/shop/Work With Me: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/work-with-stephanie/Research Health At Every Size approach: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4386524/Research on weight neutral approach to health: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24400816/Social Determinant of health: https://www.goinvo.com/vision/determinants-of-health/Link between body dissatisfaction and health behaviors: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5644896/Podcast on the failure of dieting - 286: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/episodes/dieting-failure/Podcast on set point-214: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/episodes/set-point/Podcast on BMI- 216: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/episodes/everything-the-bmi-gets-wrong/Podcast on Wellness Culture & Healthism – 228: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/episodes/healthism-wellness-culture-101/Podcast Health Goals versus Weight Loss Goal – 264: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/episodes/health-goal/Podcast on weight neutral approach to health – 208: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/episodes/health-beyond-diet-and-weight-loss/

What if your client wants to lose weight—but you don’t coach weight loss?In this episode, I’m giving you the exact tools and mindset shifts to navigate that moment with confidence and compassion.You’ll learn how to coach through the desire to lose weight—without gaslighting your client or abandoning your non-diet values.We’ll explore where this desire comes from and how to respond in a way that builds trust and drives real behavior change.You’ll learn:Why the desire to lose weight is a thought—not a factHow to uncover what’s really behind your client’s weight loss goalsThe truth about “putting weight loss on the back burner”What to say when a client says, “But I need to lose weight”Why intrinsic motivators create lasting health changesThe one question that changed my life—and how it can shift your client’s journey tooA free script you can use in your next client sessionMentioned in the show:1. In a study of midlife women, those exercising for weight loss walked 2.5x less than those motivated by stress relief or energy (Segar et al., 2006). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21884579/2 People who exercised for well-being reasons (e.g., better mood) stuck with it 1 year later.Those who exercised for appearance or weight loss reasons did not maintain the habit. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30314419/Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://bit.ly/ndccpodcastsnFree Guide - What to Say When Clients Want to Lose Weight: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/guideWeight-Neutral Coaching Training: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/shop/Work With Me: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/work-with-stephanie/

Behavior change doesn’t start with a fix—it starts with understanding.If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to help your clients change their habits, this episode is your breakthrough.I’m sharing the #1 mistake most coaches make—and how to shift your approach to create lasting change without trying to “fix” your clients.You’ll learn a simple, powerful 4-step method to coach behavior change that actually sticks.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why fix-it coaching leads to short-term changeHow behavior is created from thoughts and emotionsWhat a weight-neutral, sustainable approach looks like6 coaching questions to uncover a client’s inner storyThe role of compassion and safety in lasting transformationWhy cognitive behavioral coaching is the future of wellnessMentioned in the show:Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://bit.ly/ndccpodcastsn Non-Diet Coaching Client Assessment Tool: https://bit.ly/podcastsnassessment Weight-Neutral Coaching Training: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/shop/ Work With Me: www.stephaniedodier.com/work-with-stephanie/ 

Feel like you're not ready to coach? You're not alone—and this episode is your turning point.If you're waiting to feel ready before you start coaching, you're likely stuck in a cycle of doubt, perfectionism, and overthinking.In this episode, I walk you through the exact steps to build confidence, take action, and finally feel ready to coach—no matter where you're starting from.You’ll learn:Why waiting to feel “ready” is keeping you stuckWhat coaching really is—and isn’tThe biggest mindset blocks holding aspiring coaches backA 6-step process to feel ready and take action nowTools to shift your mindset and create real belief in yourselfMentioned in the show:Self-discovery Questions (as cited in the episode)What experiences have shaped my desire to coach?Think about times you've naturally taken on a coaching role, mentored others, or felt fulfilled by helping someone learn or grow.What challenges have I overcome that have given me valuable insights that can help others?Personal challenges can be powerful motivators for helping others navigate their own.What experiences have shaped my desire to coach?Think about times you've naturally taken on a coaching role, mentored others, or felt fulfilled by helping someone learn or grow.What challenges have I overcome that have given me valuable insights?Personal challenges can be powerful motivators for helping others navigate their own.What feedback have I received that suggests I have coaching potential?Look for patterns in positive feedback about your ability to guide, support, or inspire others. What feedback have I received that suggests I have coaching potential?Look for patterns in positive feedback about your ability to guide, support, or inspire others. Powerful question to help you build your belief in your readinessWhat would I believe about myself as a coach if I could believe anything?What would I believe about my coaching business if I could believe anything?What if I believe the opposite of what is currently creating my fear (doubt/ uncertainty)?When I believe that I’m ready to be a great coach/ transition my business/ start a new career, what will be different?Non-Diet Coaching Certification Waitlist: https://bit.ly/ndccpodcastsnNon-Diet Coaching Client Assessment Tool: https://bit.ly/podcastsnassessmentWeight-Neutral Coaching Training: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/shop/Work With Me: https://www.stephaniedodier.com/work-with-stephanie/