Tired of waking up in reaction mode—immediately checking your body, obsessing over yesterday’s food choices, or spiraling into anxiety about what you’ll eat today? You’re not alone, and there’s a better way.

💝 Rate and review to help more perfectionists find freedom 💝 Share with a friend who's stuck in the perfection trap 💝 Join the Facebook community for recovery hugs and support 💝 Apply for 1:1 coaching if you're ready for personalized guidance

🎉 Subscribe to the email list at www.herbestself.co to get your free recovery journal download 🎉 Free FB Community at www.herbestselfsociety.com 

Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. She understands how core beliefs formed in childhood can create and maintain eating disorder patterns, and she's passionate about helping women identify and transform these beliefs to find lasting freedom.

If this episode helped you feel hopeful again and remember your worth isn't found in your body or on your plate, please share it with someone who needs to hear this message. Your support helps more women break the chains of limiting beliefs.

*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.

What does success really mean in recovery? In this powerful solo episode, Lindsey gets real about perfectionism, the fear of success vs. fear of failure, and why trying to be an "A-student" at recovery keeps you stuck. If you've ever felt like you're not trying hard enough, not far enough along, or wondered what life would look like if you actually succeeded at recovery - this episode is for you.

Discover why traditional definitions of success are keeping you trapped and learn a new perspective that will transform how you approach your recovery journey.

⚡ The perfectionist's dilemma: Why wanting recovery to be flawless keeps you stuck ⚡ Two types of fear: Fear of failure vs. fear of success in recovery ⚡ Redefining success: From what you accomplish to who you become ⚡ The pressure of "A-student recovery": Why this mindset leads to relapse ⚡ Surrender and empowerment: Research on how letting go creates better outcomes ⚡ Daily choices over gold medals: Success when no one is watching

Success = Who you become in the process, not what you accomplish

Success equals:

🤔 Where do I spend my time and energy?

🤔 Am I putting one foot in front of the other?

🤔 What would success look like if I lived in accordance with:

🤔 Am I being honest to myself and others?

🤔 Am I contributing to the world or being consumed by it?

💡 "Success doesn't equal full recovery - success equals your best self"

💡 "You don't get a PhD for healing - there's no 'better' way to heal than anyone else"

💡 "The most valuable thing you can make is a mistake - you can't learn anything from being perfect"

💡 "You weren't called to be perfect - you're just called to be better"

💡 "The more you surrender and let be, the higher you rise"

💡 "If you thought you're not gonna fail because you're just gonna keep going until you arrive, it takes the pressure off"

📊 Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology: Individuals who surrendered to God or a higher power in recovery had increased feelings of personal empowerment and happiness

📊 Addiction Sciences and Clinical Practice: Surrender was associated with the highest positive recovery outcomes

✨ You don't get applause for daily recovery choices ✨ There's no gold medal for healing ✨ Success is in the daily choices when no one is watching ✨ You're allowed to be perfectly flawed ✨ Constant growth leads to happiness and contentment ✨ The eating disorder doesn't know what to do when you surrender control

A client came to Lindsey after a "bad day" expecting judgment. Instead, Lindsey asked:

"Do you want me to sit in that pity party with you, or do you want me to ask: Where do we go from here? What's next?"

The client's response: "You're right. I need to put this down. Tomorrow's a new day. I need to surrender this."

This is true for you too.

Stop driving for perfection - it simply doesn't exist Embrace mistakes - they're where momentum comes from Measure small wins - daily progress over perfection Surrender control - to gain ultimate control, courage, acceptance, and trust Focus inward - character growth over external validation

If you're tired of trying to be perfect at recovery, if you're caught between fear of failure and fear of success, if you want support from women who understand the pressure of high-performing perfectionism - The Recovery Collective is for you.

What You'll Find:

Special Founding Member Pricing:

Recovery doesn't require perfection - it requires showing up. Let's show up together.

Ready to join? Visit www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective for more information

💝 Rate and review to help more perfectionists find freedom 💝 Share with a friend who's stuck in the perfection trap 💝 Join the Facebook community for recovery hugs and support 💝 Apply for 1:1 coaching if you're ready for personalized guidance

🎉 Upcoming this fall: Masterclass, giveaways, and exciting new offerings 🎉 Subscribe to the email list at www.herbestself.co to get first access 🎉 Free FB Community at www.herbestselfsociety.com 

You don't have to be perfect at recovery. You don't have to check all the boxes. You don't have to be further along than you are.

Success is showing up today, even when yesterday was hard. Success is choosing growth over perfection. Success is becoming who you're meant to be, not achieving some impossible standard.

You are worthy. You are strong. You are perfectly capable right now, today, to lean into the biggest struggle of your life.

Consider this your virtual hug from Lindsey. You've got this, beautiful.

Her Best Self with Lindsey Nichol is a podcast for women in eating disorder recovery who are ready to break free from perfectionism, people-pleasing, and diet culture to live authentically and wholeheartedly.

*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.

In this powerful interview, Lindsey sits down with Brittany Braswell, a registered dietitian, food freedom coach, and host of Faith-Filled Food Freedom podcast. Brittany shares her unique approach to eating disorder recovery that integrates evidence-based nutrition with Christian faith, creating lasting transformation for women struggling with food guilt and body shame.

In this episode you will discover practical strategies for menu planning without restriction, overcoming fear foods, and why having a strong faith foundation accelerates recovery progress.

This episode is perfect for: Christian women in eating disorder recovery, anyone struggling with meal planning anxiety, and those seeking faith-based approaches to food freedom.

🎓 Registered Dietitian with 12+ years experience 🎤 Public Speaker and Podcast Host of Faith-Filled Food Freedom 💝 Specializes in: Food freedom and body image coaching for Christian women 🏡 Life: Wife and mom of three in small-town Alabama ✨ Mission: Helping women break free from food guilt and body shame through Christ-centered coaching

Brittany's Go-To Mexican Bowl:

💡 "Our bodies were created by the Lord, so He knows them better than we do"

💡 "Clients who integrated faith made progress faster and sustained it longer"

💡 "You don't have to do recovery like an A-student - there's no perfect way"

💡 "Having a plan doesn't mean you can't be intuitive - it means ingredients are available when cravings hit"

💡 "Everything will feel scary first when incorporating new foods"

"Having total peace about saying no and setting boundaries"

✅ Provides solid foundation beyond personal willpower ✅ Offers truth to combat eating disorder lies ✅ Reduces pressure of carrying recovery weight alone ✅ Creates sustainable progress vs. white-knuckling ✅ Addresses identity and worth at the core level ✅ Prevents relapse behaviors from perfectionist pressure

🙏 Your faith matters in your food freedom journey 🙏 God designed your body and knows what it needs 🙏 Recovery doesn't have to be perfect - grace covers the messy middle 🙏 Community and accountability accelerate healing 🙏 Your identity is in Christ not in food control or body size 🙏 Boundaries are biblical and necessary for wholeness

🎧 Podcast: Faith-Filled Food Freedom (wherever you listen to podcasts) 🌐 Website: www.brittanybraswellrd.com 📚 Free Resources: www.brittanybraswellrd.com/herbestself  

Visit www.brittanybraswellrd.com/herbestself for:

✨ Menu planning can support intuitive eating when done flexibly ✨ Faith provides the foundation recovery needs to be sustainable ✨ Fear foods become manageable with education and gradual exposure ✨ Quick meal strategies prevent eating disorder thoughts from winning ✨ Accountability accelerates progress in recovery ✨ Boundaries protect your recovery and honor your values ✨ You don't have to be perfect at recovery to be successful

Understanding that:

💕 Rate and review to help more women find faith-based recovery content 💕 Share with a friend who's struggling with food and faith integration 💕 Follow Brittany's podcast Faith-Filled Food Freedom 💕 Connect in comments about your biggest takeaway

Her Best Self with Lindsey Nichol is a podcast for women in eating disorder recovery who are ready to break free from perfectionism, people-pleasing, and diet culture to live authentically and wholeheartedly.

If you've been fighting eating disorder recovery for 10, 20, or even 40+ years, this episode is specifically for you. You've probably been to therapy, worked with dietitians, read all the books, and know more about nutrition than most professionals - but you're still struggling. Why?

In this deeply personal episode, I'm sharing real stories from women who've been in this battle for decades and revealing the missing piece that most traditional treatment approaches overlook. Plus, I'm introducing something I've been dreaming about for months that goes beyond individual therapy to address what your recovery journey might actually need.

If you've ever thought "I should be over this by now" or "I can't keep doing this alone," this episode will remind you that you're not broken - you just might need a different approach.

"You probably know more about nutrition than most dietitians. The missing piece isn't more information - it's support and community."

"Isolation is eating disorder fuel, and support and community is recovery fuel."

"Research shows us that peer support - connecting with others who truly understand your experience - is one of the most powerful predictors of lasting recovery."

"You were never meant to do recovery alone."

The Recovery Collective - A bi-weekly virtual support group for women in eating disorder recovery

What it includes:

Founding Member Special:

Note: The Recovery Collective is designed to complement, not replace, professional treatment.

Ready to find your recovery family? Apply to become a founding member of The Recovery Collective at www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 

The process just takes a few minutes and could be the step that changes everything for your recovery journey.

Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. She understands how core beliefs formed in childhood can create and maintain eating disorder patterns, and she's passionate about helping women identify and transform these beliefs to find lasting freedom.

If this episode helped you feel hopeful again and remember your worth isn't found in your body or on your plate, please share it with someone who needs to hear this message. Your support helps more women break the chains of limiting beliefs.

*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.

If you've been struggling with feeling like you're not good enough, constantly falling short, or carrying the weight of perfectionism on your shoulders, this episode is your gentle reminder that you are already enough. Host Lindsey Nichol shares a heartfelt message about breaking free from the shame cycle that keeps us trapped in eating disorder patterns and perfectionist thinking.

✨ You don't need to weigh yourself to determine your worth

Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. She understands how core beliefs formed in childhood can create and maintain eating disorder patterns, and she's passionate about helping women identify and transform these beliefs to find lasting freedom.

If this episode helped you feel hopeful again and remember your worth isn't found in your body or on your plate, please share it with someone who needs to hear this message. Your support helps more women break the chains of limiting beliefs.

*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.

In this powerful episode, Lindsey gets vulnerable about the connection between trauma and eating disorders, sharing why sometimes it's okay to look at our past to catapult us into our future. If you've experienced trauma and are wondering how it connects to your eating disorder, this episode will provide hope, healing insights, and practical steps forward.

Discover the 6 essential things to remember about your past that can transform your recovery journey and help you move from survival to thriving.

Note: This episode addresses sensitive topics around trauma. Lindsey emphasizes that as a recovery coach, she focuses on the here and now of recovery, while encouraging professional therapy support for trauma processing.

💔 The trauma-eating disorder connection: Why 81% of people with eating disorders have experienced trauma

🧠 Understanding trauma types: Acute vs. chronic trauma and how it relates to ED development

🛡️ Eating disorders as coping mechanisms: How restriction becomes a false sense of control

🌅 6 powerful reminders about your past that can transform your recovery journey

🕊️ The role of forgiveness in healing and moving forward

💪 Why your deepest pain can become your greatest triumph

📊 25% of those with eating disorders also meet criteria for PTSD

📊 81% of people with eating disorders had at least one traumatic experience

📊 68% experienced trauma before any eating disorder symptoms appeared

These numbers show you're not alone and that the connection between trauma and eating disorders is real and valid.

⚡ Childhood abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) ⚡ Bullying or social ostracism ⚡ Body shaming and weight stigma ⚡ Loss and grief experiences ⚡ Accidents or medical trauma ⚡ Intergenerational or cultural traumatic events

Remember: Trauma is subjective - what's traumatic for one person may not be for another, and that's completely valid.

🔍 Eating disorders as control: When the world feels chaotic, restricting food can feel like the one thing you can control

🔍 Numbing mechanism: ED behaviors often serve to numb overwhelming emotions from traumatic experiences

🔍 False sense of safety: The eating disorder creates an illusion of control and perfection

🔍 Survival strategy: You turned to these behaviors because you needed to survive in that moment

💭 "The deepest, hardest, darkest pain you've been through is most often what's going to catapult you into your highest, best, and truest version of yourself."

💭 "Your wound is not your fault, but your healing is most certainly your responsibility."

💭 "You do not need to judge your past self with your current wisdom."

💭 "You now know better, so you can now do better."

💭 "You aren't damaged. You're not broken. Nothing needs to be fixed, including your body."

✨ Trauma-informed care is crucial for eating disorder recovery ✨ Professional therapy support is essential for processing trauma ✨ Recovery coaching focuses on the here and now, not digging up past trauma ✨ Forgiveness is part of the healing equation ✨ You're worthy of a life free from pain, regardless of your past

🤔 What am I holding onto and why? 🤔 What can be released from my past? 🤔 What needs to be forgiven? 🤔 How can my past serve as a teacher rather than a prison? 🤔 What version of myself am I ready to let go of?

If you're ready for accountability, support, and freedom from your eating disorder, and you're done playing small, Lindsey would love to connect with you.

Next Steps:

What You'll Get:

🌟 Website: www.herbestself.co 🌟 Private Facebook Community: www.herbestselfsociety.com  🌟 Email List: Join at www.herbestself.co for upcoming announcements about new services

💕 Rate and review the podcast to help more women find freedom 💕 Share this episode with someone who needs to hear about trauma healing 💕 Join the private Facebook community for ongoing support 💕 Connect on social media and let Lindsey know how this impacted you

🎉 Podcast Anniversary Coming! Her Best Self Podcast anniversary is 10/10 - don't miss out on joining the Recovery Collective! You can find more details on how you can join our special support group for women here: www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 

Remember that whatever you've experienced, whatever trauma you're carrying, you're still worthy of a life free from pain. Your past has served a purpose, but it doesn't have to define where you're going.

You have the power to take what you've learned and use it to catapult yourself into your highest and best self. Your healing journey matters, and you deserve nothing less than complete freedom.

Her Best Self with Lindsey Nichol is a podcast for women in eating disorder recovery who are ready to break free from perfectionism, people-pleasing, and diet culture to live authentically and wholeheartedly.

*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.

Are you experiencing intense hunger in recovery and wondering if something is wrong? Feeling like you can't get full no matter how much you eat? In this essential episode, Lindsey breaks down everything you need to know about extreme hunger in eating disorder recovery - why it happens, what it looks like, and most importantly, that it's completely normal and necessary for healing.

Whether you're early in recovery or experiencing hunger waves after years of healing, this episode will help you understand your body's wisdom and navigate this phase with self-compassion instead of fear.

Today's Truth: Extreme hunger is your body's way of healing and honoring it is one of the bravest things you can do in recovery.

🍽️ What extreme hunger actually is - The different types and what they feel like in your body

🧠 Why extreme hunger happens - The science behind your body's need for extra nourishment

⏰ When it can occur - Early recovery, years later, or anytime your body needs healing

🚫 Myth-busting - Why extreme hunger isn't binge eating and doesn't mean you'll "blow up"

💪 Practical coping strategies - How to navigate extreme hunger with confidence and self-compassion

🤝 Dealing with others - How to handle comments from people who don't understand recovery

🔹 Mechanical Hunger: Physical growling, gnawing sensations, feeling like a bottomless pit

🔹 Mental Hunger: Obsessive food thoughts, inability to concentrate on anything but eating

🔹 Reactive Eating: Eating large amounts quickly, especially previously restricted foods

🔹 Primal Hunger: Desperate, urgent need to eat that feels impossible to ignore

What this might look like:

Remember: All of this is your body's wisdom in action.

✅ Metabolic restoration - Your metabolism needs extra energy to speed back up to normal levels

✅ Physical repair - Your body is repairing damage to organs, bones, hair, skin, and tissues

✅ Replenishing stores - Restoring depleted fat stores, glycogen, and energy reserves

✅ Trust building - Your body needs to learn that food will be consistently available

Key insight: Extreme hunger can happen at ANY stage of recovery - sometimes years later when your body feels safe enough to ask for what it really needs.

❌ Myth: "Everyone experiences extreme hunger in recovery" ✅ Truth: Not everyone does, and that's okay - every body is different

❌ Myth: "Extreme hunger is bad or means something is wrong" ✅ Truth: It's your body's intelligence and healing in action

❌ Myth: "Extreme hunger means you're binge eating" ✅ Truth: This is biological necessity, not psychological binge eating

❌ Myth: "If you honor it, you'll gain too much weight" ✅ Truth: Your body will settle at its natural weight when fully nourished

🌟 Honor Your Hunger - Eat when hungry, as much as you're hungry for, whatever you're craving

🌟 Challenge ED Voice - Replace "This is too much" with "My body is healing"

🌟 Don't Compensate - No extra exercise, meal skipping, or restricting the next day

🌟 Include All Foods - Your body often craves calorie-dense foods for important reasons

🌟 Practice Self-Compassion - Remember your "why" and thank your body for its wisdom

🌟 Handle Outside Comments - You don't owe explanations for nourishing your body

🌟 Remember It's Temporary - Extreme hunger normalizes as your body heals and trusts

✨ Hunger cues become more predictable ✨ You can go longer between meals comfortably

💝 Your hunger is not your enemy - It's your body's wisdom guiding your healing

💝 This is normal and necessary - Extreme hunger is part of recovery, not a sign of failure

💝 Trust your body - It knows exactly what it needs to heal, even when it feels scary

💝 You're not binge eating - This is biological necessity driven by your body's needs

💝 It's temporary - Hunger will normalize as your body heals and learns to trust

💝 You don't need to justify nourishing yourself - To anyone, ever

What NOT to say:

What TO say:

Finally, a recovery community that normalizes experiences like extreme hunger.

If this episode resonated with you, you're exactly who The Recovery Collective was created for. This is where women in all phases of eating disorder recovery come together every other week to normalize confusing experiences like extreme hunger, support each other through scary phases, and celebrate victories along the way.

What You Get:

Special Founding Member Pricing:

Imagine having a safe space where you could share that you're experiencing extreme hunger and receive understanding and practical support instead of judgment or confusion.

Your body's wisdom deserves to be celebrated, not questioned.

Ready to learn more? Join us in the collective! www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 

Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. She understands how core beliefs formed in childhood can create and maintain eating disorder patterns, and she's passionate about helping women identify and transform these beliefs to find lasting freedom.

*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.

Your hunger is not your enemy. Your body is not trying to trick you or hurt you. When extreme hunger shows up, it's your body saying "I trust you enough now to ask for what I really need."

Honor that trust. Honor that hunger. Honor that incredibly wise body of yours that's working so hard to heal.

You deserve nourishment, you deserve recovery, and you deserve to trust your body's wisdom. Progress over perfection, always.

Have you ever felt completely alone in your eating disorder recovery? Like you're the only one dealing with food thoughts, body image struggles, and the exhaustion of pretending you're "fine"? In this vulnerable episode, Lindsey shares her personal story of trying to recover mostly in isolation and why she's now passionate about creating healing communities for women.

Discover the research-backed reasons why community isn't just nice to have in recovery—it's essential. Plus, learn about The Recovery Collective, a new support group launching in October 2025 specifically for women in eating disorder recovery.

Today's Truth: You were never meant to heal alone, and community isn't just nice to have in recovery - it's essential.

🤝 Lindsey's personal story: What it felt like to recover mostly alone with limited community support

🧠 The science behind community healing: Research-backed evidence of why support groups transform recovery

💔 The isolation trap: How eating disorders thrive in secrecy and why healing alone is harder than it needs to be

✨ What community provides: Normalization, accountability, shared wisdom, and hope

🌟 The Recovery Collective: A new support group launching October 2024 for women in all phases of recovery

📊 Support groups reduce symptoms: Studies show support groups helped reduce post-meal distress in young people with anorexia and can prevent disordered eating

📊 Connection drives recovery: Research confirms that eating disorder recovery is largely influenced by the individual's sense of connection to self and others

📊 Isolation increases struggle: When socially isolated, you lack the support and connection that can help protect against negative self-perception and low self-esteem

📊 Community decreases stigma: Eating disorder support groups offer safe spaces that decrease isolation and stigma while increasing engagement and motivation

📊 29 million affected: Nearly 30 million Americans will experience an eating disorder at some point during their lifetime

💬 Language for your experience - Finally having words for what you're going through instead of feeling "crazy"

🔍 Perspective and reality checks - Others who can distinguish between your eating disorder voice and your true self

💕 Accountability that feels like love - Gentle support that comes from care, not judgment

🌈 Proof that recovery is possible - Seeing women further along in recovery living free, vibrant lives

🛡️ Protection against isolation - Regular connection that prevents the dangerous spiral of being alone with ED thoughts

🎯 Practical wisdom - Real-life strategies from women who've faced similar challenges

✨ You don't have to heal alone - Recovery was never meant to be a solo journey

✨ Community isn't replacement for therapy - It's the ongoing support that helps you live your recovery, not just survive it

✨ The right kind of community matters - Led by someone with lived experience who understands both clinical and personal aspects

✨ Consistency is crucial - Regular, ongoing support rather than crisis-only intervention

✨ Isolation fuels eating disorders - Breaking the cycle of secrecy and shame is essential for healing

Finally, a recovery community that truly gets it.

The Recovery Collective is where women in all phases of eating disorder recovery come together every other week to lock arms, share real struggles, and heal together in a safe, supportive environment.

What You Get:

What Makes This Different:

Special Founding Member Pricing:

Who This Is For:

Recovery is possible, and it's so much sweeter when you're not doing it alone.

Ready to learn more? www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 

Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. She understands how core beliefs formed in childhood can create and maintain eating disorder patterns, and she's passionate about helping women identify and transform these beliefs to find lasting freedom.

If this episode helped you identify the core beliefs feeding your eating disorder, please share it with someone who needs to hear this message. Your support helps more women break the chains of limiting beliefs.

*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.

💕 Share it with a woman who's feeling alone in her recovery journey 💕 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help other women find hope and community 💕Reach out if you're interested in The Recovery Collective founding member spots

You were never designed to heal alone. The exhaustion you feel from battling thoughts by yourself, the loneliness of feeling like no one understands - that's not how recovery has to be. Community changes everything, and you deserve to be seen, heard, and valued in your healing journey.

Your worth is not measured by how perfectly you recover alone. Healing is meant to happen in relationship, with support, and with women who can look you in the eye and say "I've been there too, and you're going to be okay."

Her Best Self with Lindsey Nichol is a podcast for women in eating disorder recovery who are ready to break free from perfectionism, people-pleasing, and diet culture to live authentically and wholeheartedly.

What does recovery actually look like years later? Do bad body image days ever completely disappear? In this vulnerable episode, Lindsey pulls back the curtain on her life after eating disorder recovery and shares exactly what she does when difficult body image moments show up - because yes, they still do sometimes.

If you've ever wondered what to expect from recovery or you're struggling with perfectionism around your healing journey, this episode will give you hope and practical tools you can use today.

Today's Truth: Recovery doesn't mean perfection - it means having the tools to navigate difficult moments with love instead of war.

🌟 The reality check: Do bad body image days ever completely stop?

🌟 Why having difficult moments doesn't mean you're "not recovered enough"

🌟 The difference between struggling in active eating disorder vs. recovery

🌟 8 practical tools for navigating bad body image days

🌟 How thoughts about your body directly impact how you feel in your body

✨ Give Yourself Grace Upon Grace

✨ Throw on Comfy, Baggy Clothes

✨ Get to the Root: What Am I Trying to Control?

✨ Resist Mirror-Checking Temptation

✨ Honor Yourself with Mindful Eating

✨ Notice Exercise Compulsions and Pause

✨ No Social Media Scrolling

✨ Ask "How Do I Want to Feel?"

💝 Recovery isn't about never struggling - it's about struggling with love instead of war

💝 Bad days don't mean bad weeks or months - you have tools now

💝 Your humanity doesn't disqualify your recovery - difficult moments are normal

💝 Progress over perfection, always - you're exactly where you need to be

💝 You can do hard things - including sitting with uncomfortable feelings

Studies show that when we focus on how we want to feel in our bodies rather than how we think we look, it directly impacts our actual body image experience. Our thoughts about our bodies influence how we experience being in our bodies - which means we have more power than we realize!

Finally, a recovery community that gets it.

If this episode resonated with you, you're exactly who The Recovery Collective was created for. This is where women in all phases of eating disorder recovery come together every other week to normalize the messy parts of healing, celebrate victories, and support each other with practical tools and genuine understanding.

What You Get:

Special Founding Member Pricing:

Imagine having a safe space where you could share that you're having a difficult body image day and receive understanding, practical support, and gentle reminders of your worth instead of judgment.

Recovery is possible right now, and it's so much more beautiful when we do it together.

Ready to sign up? www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective 

📧 Email Lindsey: [email protected] 

Limited spots available for fall coaching - only 2 slots remaining

🌟 Website: www.herbestself.co 🌟 Instagram: @thelindseynichol 🌟 Client Application: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms

💕 Share it with a woman who might need to hear this message 💕 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts - it helps other women find the show 💕 Screenshot and tag @thelindseynichol if any of these steps help you this week!

Remember, beautiful: Your worth is not measured by how perfectly you do recovery. Healing isn't linear, progress over perfection always, and you are exactly where you need to be right now.

Her Best Self with Lindsey Nichol is a podcast for women in eating disorder recovery who are ready to break free from perfectionism, people-pleasing, and diet culture to live authentically and wholeheartedly.

*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.

Are you tired of self-help books that sound good but don't create real change in your recovery journey? In this episode, Lindsey shares 7 current book recommendations that she's actively using with clients and in her own healing - books that will meet you right where you are and support your next brave step toward freedom.

Whether you're just beginning to question your relationship with food and your body, or you're years into recovery and ready for that next level of freedom, there's something here for you.

Today's Truth: You deserve resources that support your healing, and recovery is possible right now....but sometimes you just need an extra boost of belief!

📚 "Feed Yourself" by Leslie Schilling

📚 "You're Not Enough (And That's Okay)" by Allie Stuckey

📚 "Goodbye Perfect" by Homaira Kabir

📚 "Already Enough: A Path to Self-Acceptance" by Lisa Olivera

📚 "Don't Believe Everything You Think" by Joseph Nguyen

📚 "A Crown That Lasts: You Are Not Your Label" by Demi Tebow

📚 "The Gifts of Imperfection" by Brené Brown

✨ Recovery is possible right now - You don't have to wait until you're "ready enough"

✨ You are not your eating disorder - Your thoughts and diagnosis don't define your worth

✨ Progress over perfection - Healing isn't linear, and that's completely normal

✨ You can do hard things - And you don't have to do them alone

✨ Your journey is unique - What works for others might look different for you, and that's okay

Finally, a recovery community that gets it.

The Recovery Collective is where women in all phases of eating disorder recovery come together bi-weekly to share wins, navigate challenges, and build lasting freedom in a safe, supportive community.

What You Get:

Special Founding Member Pricing:

Recovery isn't a destination - it's a journey best taken together.

www.herbestself.co/recoverycollective

🌟 Website: www.herbestself.co 🌟 Instagram: @thelindseynichol 🌟 Client Application: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms

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Remember, beautiful: Your worth is not measured by how perfectly you do recovery. Healing isn't linear, progress over perfection always, and you are exactly where you need to be right now.

Her Best Self with Lindsey Nichol is a podcast for women in eating disorder recovery who are ready to break free from perfectionism, people-pleasing, and diet culture to live authentically and wholeheartedly.

*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.