EP147: Breaking Free from Diet Cycles: Kian’s Journey to Strength, Balance, and Self-Belief

In this episode, I sit down with Kian, a mum of two from Cumbria, who shares her incredibly raw and powerful journey through weight struggles, emotional healing, and building strength - both mentally and physically.

Kian opens up about her early struggles with body image, the unhealthy relationship she developed with food during difficult times, and the lessons she learned from years of trying to diet through Slimming World. She candidly talks about leaving a toxic marriage, rebuilding her life, finding love again, and, ultimately, finding herself.

We talk about the impact of grief, binge eating, falling into the all-or-nothing mindset, and how Kian has transformed her approach to food, fitness, and wellbeing by focusing on strength over scales. Her journey into hiking, cold dips, pole fitness, and working with an amazing coach (shoutout to Ashlee!) shows that true health is about so much more than a number on the scale -it’s about living a vibrant, strong, and fulfilling life.

Key Highlights:

Breaking free from toxic diet culture – Moving from “good” vs “bad” food rules to true food freedom.

Finding strength after grief – How Kian’s life changed after caring for her mum through terminal cancer.

Mindset shifts – Letting go of perfectionism, focusing on non-negotiables, and making health sustainable.

Building habits that stick – Why early morning routines, pole fitness, and setting appointments for yourself matter.

Choosing long-term health over quick fixes - The reality behind gastric surgery, jabs, and chasing fast results.

If Kian’s story inspired you, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or give us a rating on Spotify! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Your support helps us continue sharing these incredible stories.

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