June 20, 2025

EP 223.5: The Day I Stopped Pretending Black Coffee Was Enough + 8 Things That Are So Much Better Than Settling for Starving Must Listen Fav

17 minutes

In this deeply personal and transformative episode, Lindsey shares a powerful message that came to her during her morning devotions: "It is possible to miss who you've been called to be because you're addicted and attached to who you've settled to be." If you've been settling for a life controlled by your eating disorder, this episode will open your eyes to the incredible life waiting for you on the other side of recovery.

What You'll Learn:

The powerful devotional quote that sparked this entire episode

Why settling for your eating disorder is actually addiction in disguise

8 specific ways life becomes dramatically better in recovery

The shocking statistics about eating disorders and relationships that no one talks about

How to identify where you're settling vs. truly living

Why your brain chooses "guaranteed misery" over uncertain freedom

The exact moment Lindsey knew she had to stop pretending and start living

The 8 Things Better Than Settling for Disordered Eating:

1. ENERGY ☕

Energy to tackle today with cream in your coffee

No more "I don't drink my calories" badge of honor

True nourishment vs. running on empty

2. CARBS & FREEDOM 🥞

Pancake breakfasts without guilt

Snacks on snacks on snacks

Being known as the "snack queen" instead of the restriction queen

3. PRESENCE WITH YOUR PEOPLE 👥

Breaking the isolation cycle

Showing up fully for those who matter most

No more avoiding social situations due to food fear

4. HEALTHY HAIR & YOUTHFUL SKIN ✨

Trading thin, brassy hair for healthy locks

Getting your glow back through proper nourishment

Looking younger, not older, through recovery

5. SAYING YES TO LIFE 🎉

Ice cream with your kids just because

Dinner with friends without menu anxiety

Breaking rigid rules and embracing spontaneity

6. INTIMACY & CONNECTION 💕

Restored libido and energy for relationships

No longer too tired for life's pleasures

80% higher sexual satisfaction in recovery

7. CAPACITY FOR PEACE 🕊️

Mental freedom from obsessive food thoughts

Learning to distinguish your voice from ED voice

Getting out of your own way

8. FREEDOM FROM METRICS 📊

Walking without counting steps

Grocery shopping without reading every label

Eating dinner without pre-checking menus

Cooking without calorie counting

Key Takeaways:

✨ "Settling for crumbs doesn't keep you fed - it keeps you starving"

✨ "At any given second, you have the power to say 'this is not the life that I want'"

✨ "We prefer 100% certainty of something, even when it doesn't benefit us"

✨ "You're not alone and you don't have to live like this"

Episode Highlights:

[Opening] The devotional quote that changed everything

[Energy Section] Why "I don't drink my calories" was a lie Lindsey told herself

[Presence Section] How eating disorders create dangerous isolation

[Intimacy Section] The 80% statistic about sexual health and eating disorders

[Peace Section] Learning to distinguish your voice from your eating disorder voice

[Certainty Effect] Why our brains choose guaranteed $30 over potential $45

Powerful Statistics Mentioned:

Women with eating disorders have 80% fewer sexual encounters than those without

According to the certainty effect, people choose guaranteed lesser gains over potential greater gains

Research shows our brains constantly search for comfort and certainty, even when it harms us

Reflection Questions:

Where are you settling in your life right now?

Are you living or just surviving?

What would you tell your best friend if she shared your settling list with you?

Are you missing who you've been called to be because you're attached to who you've settled to be?

Action Steps:

Make your settling list - Write down all the areas where you're settling for less

Respond with compassion - Answer as if advising your best friend

Choose one area to stop settling in today

Take radical responsibility for the life you want to create

Rate & Review:

If this episode resonated with your athletic experience and gave you hope that freedom is possible, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts. Your review helps other former athletes find the specialized support they need to reclaim their lives.

xo,

lindsey

Coach with Me -＞Client Application

* While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.

...more

View all episodes

By Lindsey Nichol - Certified Health Coach, Eating Disorder Recovery Coach, Food Freedom Coach, Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy Certified

9797 ratings

June 20, 2025

EP 223.5: The Day I Stopped Pretending Black Coffee Was Enough + 8 Things That Are So Much Better Than Settling for Starving Must Listen Fav

17 minutes

What You'll Learn:

The powerful devotional quote that sparked this entire episode

Why settling for your eating disorder is actually addiction in disguise

8 specific ways life becomes dramatically better in recovery

The shocking statistics about eating disorders and relationships that no one talks about

How to identify where you're settling vs. truly living

Why your brain chooses "guaranteed misery" over uncertain freedom

The exact moment Lindsey knew she had to stop pretending and start living

The 8 Things Better Than Settling for Disordered Eating:

1. ENERGY ☕

Energy to tackle today with cream in your coffee

No more "I don't drink my calories" badge of honor

True nourishment vs. running on empty

2. CARBS & FREEDOM 🥞

Pancake breakfasts without guilt

Snacks on snacks on snacks

Being known as the "snack queen" instead of the restriction queen

3. PRESENCE WITH YOUR PEOPLE 👥

Breaking the isolation cycle

Showing up fully for those who matter most

No more avoiding social situations due to food fear

4. HEALTHY HAIR & YOUTHFUL SKIN ✨

Trading thin, brassy hair for healthy locks

Getting your glow back through proper nourishment

Looking younger, not older, through recovery

5. SAYING YES TO LIFE 🎉

Ice cream with your kids just because

Dinner with friends without menu anxiety

Breaking rigid rules and embracing spontaneity

6. INTIMACY & CONNECTION 💕

Restored libido and energy for relationships

No longer too tired for life's pleasures

80% higher sexual satisfaction in recovery

7. CAPACITY FOR PEACE 🕊️

Mental freedom from obsessive food thoughts

Learning to distinguish your voice from ED voice

Getting out of your own way

8. FREEDOM FROM METRICS 📊

Walking without counting steps

Grocery shopping without reading every label

Eating dinner without pre-checking menus

Cooking without calorie counting

Key Takeaways:

✨ "Settling for crumbs doesn't keep you fed - it keeps you starving"

✨ "At any given second, you have the power to say 'this is not the life that I want'"

✨ "We prefer 100% certainty of something, even when it doesn't benefit us"

✨ "You're not alone and you don't have to live like this"

Episode Highlights:

[Opening] The devotional quote that changed everything

[Energy Section] Why "I don't drink my calories" was a lie Lindsey told herself

[Presence Section] How eating disorders create dangerous isolation

[Intimacy Section] The 80% statistic about sexual health and eating disorders

[Peace Section] Learning to distinguish your voice from your eating disorder voice

[Certainty Effect] Why our brains choose guaranteed $30 over potential $45

Powerful Statistics Mentioned:

Women with eating disorders have 80% fewer sexual encounters than those without

According to the certainty effect, people choose guaranteed lesser gains over potential greater gains

Research shows our brains constantly search for comfort and certainty, even when it harms us

Reflection Questions:

Where are you settling in your life right now?

Are you living or just surviving?

What would you tell your best friend if she shared your settling list with you?

Are you missing who you've been called to be because you're attached to who you've settled to be?

Action Steps:

Make your settling list - Write down all the areas where you're settling for less

Respond with compassion - Answer as if advising your best friend

Choose one area to stop settling in today

Take radical responsibility for the life you want to create

Rate & Review:

xo,

lindsey

Coach with Me -＞Client Application

...more

More shows like Her Best Self: Freedom from Disordered Eating, Body Obsession & Perfectionism

View all

Food Psych Podcast with Christy Harrison

3,068 Listeners

Half Size Me

2,201 Listeners

Brain over Binge Podcast

701 Listeners

The Body Love Binge - Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast

47 Listeners

The Eating Disorder Therapist

111 Listeners

Just Eat Normally: Eating Disorder Recovery

21 Listeners

Diet Culture Rebel Podcast

398 Listeners

Adult Child

1,857 Listeners

Understanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image Healing

66 Listeners

The Mel Robbins Podcast

20,517 Listeners

Seems Like Diet Culture

156 Listeners

Recover To Flourish | Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast

32 Listeners

Recovering with Danie | Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast

20 Listeners

Unrestrict-ED

18 Listeners

Fly To Freedom: The anorexia recovery podcast

8 Listeners

Share EP 223.5: The Day I Stopped Pretending Black Coffee Was Enough + 8 Things That Are So Much Better Than Settling for Starving Must Listen Fav

Sign up to save your podcasts

EP 223.5: The Day I Stopped Pretending Black Coffee Was Enough + 8 Things That Are So Much Better Than Settling for Starving Must Listen Fav

EP 223.5: The Day I Stopped Pretending Black Coffee Was Enough + 8 Things That Are So Much Better Than Settling for Starving Must Listen Fav

More shows like Her Best Self: Freedom from Disordered Eating, Body Obsession & Perfectionism

Food Psych Podcast with Christy Harrison

Half Size Me

Brain over Binge Podcast

The Body Love Binge - Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast

The Eating Disorder Therapist

Just Eat Normally: Eating Disorder Recovery

Diet Culture Rebel Podcast

Adult Child

Understanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image Healing

The Mel Robbins Podcast

Seems Like Diet Culture

Recover To Flourish | Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast

Recovering with Danie | Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast

Unrestrict-ED

Fly To Freedom: The anorexia recovery podcast