Solo Series Part 3: How to Embody Radical Acceptance and Why it Changes Everything
In this solo episode, Lisa examines radical acceptance as the foundation for change: acceptance is not approval, agreement, or resignation, but the willingness to be fully with “what is” without fighting reality. Drawing on Danielle LaPorte’s quote and the paradoxical theory of change—transformation begins by fully being where you are—Lisa emphasizes that acceptance reduces suffering and grounds orderly behavioral change. Integrating tender and fierce self-compassion, she outlines physiological safety as a prerequisite for action, practical somatic tools to embody acceptance, and a middle-path approach to food and body that avoids the extremes of diet culture and anti-diet complacency.
Topics Include:
Radical Acceptance
Paradoxical Theory of Change
Physiological Safety
Intentional Weight Loss
[4:28] Lisa clarifies the concept of radical acceptance, a foundational idea often misunderstood as approval, agreement, or resignation. She explains that it is presented as the paradoxical first step required for any meaningful personal change. Lisa explains that to achieve transformation, one must first fully accept their current reality, behaviors, and position without trying to force a change. This acceptance is not approval but the act of ceasing to fight against what is.
[13:49] Lisa explains that understanding acceptance conceptually is not enough; it must be an embodied practice. Lisa discusses that resistance to one's current situation often manifests physically as a fight-or-flight response which signals danger to the brain preventing healthy change and the key is to shift this physiological state.
[37:39] Lisa explains that it is possible to hold the duality of accepting the reality of a behavior's occurrence or a body's current state while simultaneously wanting to change it. The key is the order of operations: first, accept the reality without resistance to remove the internal conflict. Then, from that place of embodied safety, take intentional action toward change.
[57:50] Lisa challenges labeling the part of oneself that resists food rules as an "inner rebel." It reframes this energy as a protective instinct and distinguishes between productive and unproductive uses of anger. Lisa explains that recognizing that your behaviors aren't working is a moment of telling the truth and this act of taking ownership is a form of fierce self-compassion that motivates you to show up differently.
[1:04:14] Lisa explores Dr. Kristin Neff's concepts of tender self-compassion and fierce self-compassion, emphasizing that both are necessary for genuine change. Lisa talks about how diet culture exemplifies fierceness without tenderness, making it aggressive and disconnecting people from their bodies. The anti-diet movement can become tenderness without fierceness, leading to complacency and self-neglect. Lisa explains how a balanced, middle path is needed.
[1:14:17] Lisa wraps up this episode with a summary of what is coming next: stages of change, how to actually move through some changes, how this relates to intentional weight loss, and what it looks like to really, again, integrate not just the energies of tender and fear self-compassion, but the behaviors, the changes, and all of the other follow-up thoughts that she might have on this episode.
*The views of podcast guests do not necessarily reflect the views and beliefs of Lisa Schlosberg or Out of the Cave, LLC.
LISA IS NOW ACCEPTING: One-on-One Clients!
Purchase the OOTC book of 50 Journal Prompts
Leave Questions and Feedback for Lisa via OOTC Pod Feedback Form
Email Lisa: [email protected]
Out of the Cave Merch - For 10% off use code SCHLOS10
Lisa’s Socials: Instagram Facebook YouTube
More episodes from "The Out of the Cave Podcast"
Don't miss an episode of “The Out of the Cave Podcast” and subscribe to it in the GetPodcast app.
