Imagine waking up one day, and nothing feels right. Life as you knew it — your career, your family, your joy — starts slipping away, replaced by relentless, intrusive thoughts. This is the reality Erica Lugo, fitness coach and former Biggest Loser trainer, faced when she was blindsided by a diagnosis that changed everything: OCD.

In this eye-opening episode of Get to Know OCD, Erica shares the raw and vulnerable truth behind her battle with OCD, the therapy sessions that pushed her to the brink, and the moments of doubt that nearly derailed her. But through it all, Erica found a way to “live on my terms, not OCD’s.” Now she’s on a mission to break OCD stereotypes and educate other women about the twisted nature of onset OCD.

Don’t miss Erica’s powerful message on living life beyond OCD’s grip and reclaiming the joy you thought you’d lost forever.

If you or a loved one is struggling with OCD, know there is help. Visit ⁠⁠⁠https://learn.nocd.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠ to learn more.

Show notes:
0:00 Intro

1:45 Erica’s fitness background

3:37 OCD struck Erica seemingly overnight 

6:30 Erica struggled with ERP at first

8:20 Just how real OCD felt to Erica

10:36 OCD never tells you the truth

14:01 “I’m so OCD” bugs Erica

16:02 Hormone changes can lead to onset OCD

18:11 Erica’s intrusive thoughts while pregnant 

20:37 “What if OCD comes back?”

24:50 OCD has no end

30:32 Why Erica is such an advocate for women’s health

33:11 Educating family members about OCD

37:41 The downside of speaking publicly about OCD

39:36 Erica’s advice to those struggling with OCD

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