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Kelsey Buchalter is a Nutrition Network Practitioner, Metabolic Health Coach, Sankofa Peer Recovery Coach, TEDx speaker, and host of The Human Theater Podcast. After experiencing severe anorexia, bulimia, anxiety, and digestive issues, she became an advocate for exploring metabolic health and lifestyle interventions in eating disorder recovery. Kelsey shares how changing her nutrition helped her feel as though her brain was “turning back on,” while musical theater, creativity, and meaningful work helped her reconnect with herself. We discuss why recovery extends beyond food to include nervous system regulation, identity, rest, relationships, and purpose. Here's what we explore: Why Kelsey considers the carnivore diet a turning point in her recoveryThe connection between metabolic and mental healthHow stress affects nourishment and the body’s ability to healWhen health optimization begins to resemble restrictionUsing creativity and purpose to reconnect with yourselfWhy asking for help is an act of courageThe “blue dog and red dog” metaphor for feeding your authentic self Recovery is deeply individual. Kelsey’s story offers a powerful reminder to keep nurturing the parts of yourself connected to passion, purpose, community, and life. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Come to the Meat & Movement Retreat in Costa Rica! https://www.MeatandMovement.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Kelsey on Instagram: @kelseybuchalter Visit Kelsey’s Podcast here: The Human Theatre Podcast (Spotify) The Human Theatre Podcast (Apple) Watch Kelsey’s TEDx Presentation and Makhulu Docu-interview ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:11 Kelsey’s eating disorder recovery story 02:10 The nutrition experiment that changed her direction 03:06 How her mental clarity began to shift 04:32 Why recovery is multifactorial 06:17 Meeting the health coach who introduced carnivore 08:27 IBS, gluten, and conventional treatment 11:25 The biological and emotional sides of recovery 13:14 Finding her voice through musical theater 15:16 Why passion and purpose matter 18:50 The nervous system’s role in recovery 19:30 When health optimization becomes orthorexia 22:34 Why a stressed body cannot heal 25:16 What would your symptoms say? 28:24 Practical ways to slow down 30:38 Music, singing, and nervous system regulation 30:59 The panic attack before Kelsey’s TEDx talk 33:53 Creating space away from screens 36:05 Moving beyond black-and-white thinking 37:32 Can the carnivore diet become disordered? 39:06 The body as hardware and psychology as software 40:46 Supporting clients without dietary dogma 44:24 Lifestyle, metabolism, and chronic illness 46:27 Creativity as a mental health check-in 49:07 Psychodrama and embodied healing 53:44 Kelsey’s advice for anyone struggling 54:45 The blue dog and red dog metaphor 55:28 Where to connect with Kelsey ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

Dani Conway is a functional medicine practitioner and founder of Nutrition the Natural Way, where she helps women navigate nutrition, hormones, and sustainable fat loss. After years of restrictive dieting, excessive cardio, food cravings, and hormone and gut issues, Dani began questioning conventional weight-loss advice. In this conversation, she shares what she learned about finding a sustainable nutrition approach, supporting midlife health, and building strength without getting caught up in diet rules. Here's what we explore: Why restrictive, low-fat dieting didn't work for DaniKeto, carnivore, and why one nutrition approach doesn't fit everyoneProtein, dietary fat, and finding a sustainable way to eatFasting, meal timing, and why getting your nutrition right comes firstGut health, digestion, and their relationship to overall well-beingHormone health and navigating perimenopause and midlifeStrength training, progressive overload, and building muscle as we ageWhy sleep, nutrition, and consistent habits matter before adding biohacks Dani's central message: build a solid foundation before chasing the next optimization tool. The most useful approach is one that considers your individual needs, goals, and response. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Come to the Meat & Movement Retreat in Costa Rica! https://www.MeatandMovement.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Dani: Instagram: @daniconwayofficial Nutrition the Natural Way: nutritionthenaturalway.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: Finding a Sustainable Approach to Nutrition 01:28 Dani's Story: Restrictive Dieting, Cravings, and Hormone Issues 03:45 Why Functional Nutrition Became Her Foundation 04:50 Supporting Health and Vitality After 40 07:18 Moving Beyond Conventional Diet Advice 08:32 Low-Fat Dieting, Food Cravings, and Dietary Fat 09:01 Why One Nutrition Approach Doesn't Fit Everyone 11:57 Food Preferences, Sustainability, and Diet Dogma 13:01 Reintroducing Foods and Improving Food Tolerance 14:01 Consistency, Experimentation, and Metabolic Resets 16:07 Fasting: Fueling Before Extending Your Eating Window 18:07 Meal Timing, Family Life, and Individual Needs 22:15 How to Know When Your Nutrition Foundation Is Working 23:09 Why Tracking Data Doesn't Guarantee Results 25:34 Gut Health, Detoxification, and Hormone Balance 30:28 Dani's Favorite At-Home Wellness Practices 33:35 Saunas, Rebounders, and Other Optimization Tools 35:11 How Digestion Relates to Nutrient Absorption 38:28 Can You Have Good Gut Health Without Fiber? 41:44 Fermented Foods and Food Tolerance 42:25 Strength Training and Progressive Overload 44:02 Building Muscle While Managing Training Volume 46:36 Exercise Form, Reps, and Time Under Tension 49:10 Dani's Favorite Exercises 49:42 Dani's Biggest Tip for Better Health 50:48 Where to Find Dani Conway ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

In this episode of Beyond Binge Eating, I sit down with Michele Andrews, a certified nutritionist, personal trainer, former therapist, and retired professional ballet dancer, to talk about healing our relationship with food, exercise, and our bodies. Michele shares her personal journey from extreme calorie restriction, compulsive exercise, and body shame to the moment she began to see food and her body differently. Here's what we explore: Why “I want to lose weight” may not get to the real reason behind your goalsHow calorie counting, restriction, and exercise can become forms of punishmentThe connection between food, control, and emotional patterns Why Michele doesn’t use blanket meal plans with her clientsLearning to trust your body instead of letting the scale define successWhat healing can look like beyond simply changing how you eat ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Come to the Meat & Movement Retreat in Costa Rica! https://www.MeatandMovement.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Michele through her social media channels: @coachmicheleandrews ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps00:00 Introduction 01:05 Michele’s journey from ballet dancer to nutrition and wellness coach 09:18 Why “I want to lose weight” isn’t always the real goal 11:12 Why no two women need the same approach to health 14:32 Michele’s experience with extreme calorie restriction and menopause 16:57 How Michele discovered the carnivore/ketogenic lifestyle 26:27 How ballet shaped Michele’s relationship with food and her body 30:30 Body dysmorphia, punishment exercise, and calorie restriction 31:38 Why Michele gave up the scale for nine years 34:58 The pregnancy moment that changed how Michele saw her body 36:55 Learning to trust yourself beyond the science and the scale 37:39 Food freedom, healing, and reducing “food noise” 40:04 How Michele helps women break old patterns around food 46:27 Where to find Michele Andrews ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

Anita Breeze, known online as Ketogenic Woman, is a health and wellness advocate who shares her experience with low-carb, ketogenic, and carnivore eating. In her mid-50s, she began making lasting changes after years of struggling with food, eventually losing 150 pounds from her highest weight. Here's what we explore: Anita's lifelong struggles with food and her experience with food addiction support groupsHow changing her eating patterns affected her cravings and relationship with foodRecognizing trigger foods and deciding which boundaries work for herWhy she follows an animal-based ketogenic approach and monitors her blood sugar and ketonesThe four pillars of health: nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress reductionBuilding daily habits around your deeper reasons for wanting better healthWhy progress means more than the number on the scaleAnita's upcoming book, Carnivore for Ageless Living ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Come to the Meat & Movement Retreat in Costa Rica! https://www.MeatandMovement.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about Anita here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KetogenicWoman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ketogenic.woman/ Mighty Network Community: https://carnivore-keto-for-ageless-living.mn.co/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get Anita’s new book, Carnivore for Ageless Living, here: https://www.amazon.com/Carnivore-Ageless-Living-Lifelong-Vitality/dp/1628606495/ Claim Preorder Bonus here: https://forms.gle/sox2Nygy4G2XJNRV9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps00:00 Introduction 01:11 A lifelong struggle with food 02:46 Food addiction and support groups 04:24 What changed in her 50s 05:22 Why she stopped trying to moderate certain foods 06:49 When keto treats and nuts triggered cravings 08:35 Finding her approach to carnivore eating 10:26 Recognizing foods she struggles to moderate 11:48 Setting boundaries without all-or-nothing thinking 14:24 Why brain health matters to Anita 17:39 Her approach to entering ketosis 19:38 What changed when her cravings quieted 22:14 The four pillars of health 23:24 Morning light, movement, and habit stacking 24:41 Adapting movement after a knee injury 26:16 Sleep routines and stepping away from social media 28:07 How Anita started her YouTube channel 30:10 Finding her deeper reason for change 31:36 Why goals need daily actions 34:20 Focusing on health instead of the scale 36:00 Maintaining weight loss and building lasting habits 37:39 How greater mobility gave Anita more freedom 38:30 The story behind Carnivore for Ageless Living 40:35 What ageless living means to Anita 41:57 Her book and preorder bonus 43:11 Where to find Anita and her community ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

Dr. Autumn Smith is a former celebrity fitness trainer, eating psychology educator, and co-founder of Paleo Valley and Wild Pastures. After struggling with an eating disorder as a young dancer, Autumn eventually discovered a different way of approaching food—one centered on nourishment, body awareness, and learning to listen to her body. Here's what we explore: Autumn's experience with an eating disorder and the body-image pressures she faced as a dancerHow eating psychology and body awareness changed the way she approached foodWhy regular nourishment, protein, and dietary fat became important parts of her recoveryMoving from body-focused thinking toward a broader definition of healthSimple ways to reconnect with your body, including breathing and mindful mealtimesHow screen use and social media can influence body image and daily wellbeingAutumn's research into grass-fed and regenerative meatWhy she considers omega-3s and glycine important nutrientsThe shift from trying to "look the part" to focusing on feeling well and living fully ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Come to the Meat & Movement Retreat in Costa Rica! https://www.MeatandMovement.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Dr. Autumn on her social channels: @drautumnsmith Visit Autumn’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@autumnsmithdr Learn more about Paleovalley here: https://paleovalley.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps00:00 Introduction 01:11 Autumn's journey from ballet to eating disorder 03:19 How changing her diet transformed her health 05:16 Building Paleo Valley and Wild Pastures 07:46 How eating psychology changed her relationship with food 10:22 Shifting focus from body size to health and purpose 12:41 Why nourishment changed her relationship with food 13:30 Exercise as a "moving meditation" 14:06 Learning to listen to your body's feedback 14:46 From "Princess" to "Queen": Your worth beyond your body 16:30 Where to start reconnecting with your body 17:47 Using mealtimes to practice body awareness 18:50 The Big Mac experiment: What happens when you actually pay attention? 20:35 Simple daily practices for feeling more grounded 21:13 Creating healthier boundaries with screens 25:17 What her research found about beef quality 30:29 Grass-fed meat, omega-3s and inflammation research 33:14 Fish, omega-3s and brain health 37:39 Why glycine may be an underrated nutrient 43:07 Glycine-rich foods and bone broth 44:53 What Autumn believes about health now 46:35 From looking the part to feeling well ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

Amy Berger is a certified nutrition specialist, US Air Force veteran, author of The Alzheimer's Antidote and The Stall Slayer, and co-author of End Your Carb Confusion. She has spent nearly two decades exploring low-carb and ketogenic nutrition and is known for her approach of doing “keto without the crazy.” Here's what we explore: Who may benefit from a low-carb or ketogenic approach—and who may not need itWhy ketone and glucose tracking can be useful for some people but anxiety-provoking for othersHow to approach trigger foods, cravings, and loss of control without shameWhy Amy believes keto should be kept as simple as possibleHow sleep, stress, and your environment can affect your ability to follow a planWhat Amy thinks about keto, carnivore, red meat, and inflammationWhy more nutrition information isn't always betterHow to become more discerning about the health content you consume online ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Come to the Meat & Movement Retreat in Costa Rica! https://www.MeatandMovement.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about Amy here: https://www.ketowithoutthecrazy.com/ Connect with Amy on her social channels: @tuitnutrition Visit Amy’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@amyberger-ketowithoutthecrazy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps00:00 Introduction 02:05 Amy’s journey into keto and nutrition 04:39 Who should consider low-carb or keto? 07:17 Finding the right level of restriction 09:11 Do you really need to track ketones? 11:21 CGMs, blood glucose, and anxiety 12:23 When tracking becomes obsessive 14:51 Tailoring keto to different goals 16:04 How much fat should you eat? 17:57 The role of sleep, stress, and support 18:58 What to do about trigger foods 22:53 Finding your personal “green light” foods 24:06 Keto, carnivore, and inflammation 28:03 When and how to use MCT oil 29:26 The principles of “keto without the crazy” 32:00 A simple starting point for keto 34:26 What has changed in keto over the years 36:49 The future of keto for mental health 38:30 What to do when keto isn’t working 40:07 Stop letting social media scare you about food 41:12 Be discerning about the media you consume 42:14 Where to find Amy Berger ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

Patricia Odone is a wellness and keto coach, author, and creator of Loving Life Over 50, where she shares practical insights on nutrition, metabolism, health, and navigating changing bodies after 50. In this conversation, Patricia shares what she learned from decades of experimenting with food and nutrition—including the moment she realized that the constant “food noise” in her head had finally quieted. Here's what we explore: Patricia’s long and complicated relationship with foodWhy keto helped but didn’t completely quiet her food noiseWhat changed when she transitioned to carnivoreWhat her continuous ketone monitor taught her about metabolism and movementWhy she stopped doing OMAD and returned to two meals a dayHow menopause changed her relationship with food, emotions, and her bodyWhy muscle, sleep, exercise, and self-care matter after 50Learning to experiment without beating yourself up ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Come to the Meat & Movement Retreat in Costa Rica! https://www.MeatandMovement.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about Patricia here: lovinlifeover50.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get Patricia’s book, The Ultimate Guide to Gut Health for Women over 50, here: amzn.to/416WucS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit Patricia’s channel, Loving Life Over 50, here: https://www.youtube.com/@LovingLifeOver50 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps 00:00 – Patricia’s Journey With Food and Health 01:20 – A Lifelong Struggle With Food Noise 04:34 – From Atkins to a Deeper Interest in Nutrition 07:35 – Why Keto Helped but Didn’t Silence Food Noise 09:58 – Discovering Carnivore 11:40 – The Food Noise Finally Went Silent 15:32 – What Patricia Eats on Carnivore 18:26 – Following the Science While Listening to Your Body 21:25 – What Continuous Ketone Monitoring Revealed 24:44 – Why a Ketone Number Isn’t a Grade 25:48 – Fasting, OMAD, and Finding Her Sweet Spot 28:09 – Why Patricia Stopped OMAD 32:40 – Food, Emotions, and Menopause 35:17 – Why Patricia Is Passionate About Empowering Women 40:25 – How to Love Your Life More After 50 42:13 – Sleep, Muscle, Exercise, and Self-Care 44:40 – Managing Stress and Making Change a Priority 45:30 – Where to Find Patricia ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

Maria Emmerich is a nutritionist and internationally bestselling author of more than 20 books, including The Carnivore Cookbook and The Art of Metabolic Health. For more than 25 years, she has worked with people around weight loss, insulin resistance, hormone health, and chronic conditions using ketogenic, carnivore, and protein-focused nutrition. Here's what we explore: Why binge eating may not always be about hunger or foodHow stress and sleep can affect cravings and eatingWhy Maria puts so much emphasis on protein and muscle preservationStrength training, walking, and NEAT as part of metabolic healthNutrition considerations during perimenopause and postmenopauseWhen tracking macros can be useful—and when it may not need to last foreverHow Maria approaches nutrition while traveling around the worldHer strategies for managing jet lag and protecting sleepWhy she eventually gave up coffee after years of loving itWhat she would tell someone who feels like they've "tried every diet" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Come to the Meat & Movement Retreat in Costa Rica! https://www.MeatandMovement.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about Maria here: https://ketomaria.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps00:00 Why Muscle Loss Matters During Weight Loss 00:59 Maria's Personal Story & What Led Her to Nutrition 04:23 Making Healthy Eating Work While Traveling 06:24 Food as Information, Not Just Calories 08:44 When Binge Eating Isn't Really About Food 10:17 Sleep, Cravings & Hunger 11:16 Hormones, Perimenopause & Postmenopause 13:04 Protein, Fat & Metabolic Health 15:24 Strength Training, Walking & Simple "Biohacks" 18:00 NEAT: The Power of Everyday Movement 19:51 When Weight Loss Isn't the First Priority 21:32 Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting & Tracking Macros 27:00 How to Lose Weight Without Losing Muscle 30:00 Tracking Food While Traveling 32:50 Why Travel Matters to Maria 36:34 Maria's Approach to Jet Lag 38:40 Why Maria Quit Coffee 41:14 The Habits She Won't Compromise on While Traveling 43:27 What Maria Would Tell Someone Who's Tried Every Diet 45:57 Where to Find Maria & Her Resources ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

Donika Hristova is a certified Keto for Mental Health coach trained by psychiatrist Dr. Georgia Ede. She is also the co-author of three publications on ketogenic therapy for psychiatric conditions and brings lived experience of achieving remission from bipolar II depression and binge eating disorder. In this episode, Donika shares how childhood food restriction and weight criticism developed into secret eating, overexercise, and severe binge eating. We explore the mental health crisis that followed, the medication she credits with saving her life, and how ketogenic therapy became part of her recovery. Here's what we explore: How early food rules shaped Donika’s relationship with eatingThe connection between chronic stress, binge eating, and depressionHow medication and ketogenic therapy supported different stages of her recoveryKeto’s effects on her mood, hunger, energy, sleep, and cognitionWhy ketosis alone did not resolve every disordered eating patternHow she moved toward a more flexible, whole-food approachThe importance of sleep, movement, stress management, and community Donika’s story is a personal experience, not medical advice. Changes to psychiatric medication or diet should always be made with appropriate professional support. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Come to the Meat & Movement Retreat in Costa Rica! https://www.MeatandMovement.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about Donika here: https://transformationevoked.com/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Be part of the Keto Lifestyle for Mental Health Group: MeetUp: https://www.meetup.com/keto-lifestyle-for-mental-health/?utm_medium=referral ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit Donika’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TransformationEvoked ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Donika on her social channels: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/donika-hristova-b27479b1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/transformation_evoked/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Transformation-Evoked/61563432614166/# ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps00:00 Introduction 00:29 Meet Donika Hristova 01:39 How Donika’s Struggle With Food Began 05:14 Secret Eating and Childhood Restriction 06:40 Dieting, Weight Praise, and Compulsive Exercise 08:34 Replacing Smoking With Food 10:31 Immigration Stress and Escalating Binge Eating 12:28 Hitting Rock Bottom With Emotional Eating 15:04 Bipolar II Diagnosis and Starting Medication 19:26 The Benefits and Side Effects of Medication 21:35 Searching for Additional Treatment Options 22:19 Discovering Ketogenic Therapy 24:39 Beginning Keto With Limited Clinical Support 26:09 An Important Warning About Medication Tapering 27:24 Binge Urges, Ketosis, Fasting, and Exercise 28:14 Feeling Satisfied Without Guilt 29:03 Changes in Mood, Sleep, Energy, and Cognition 31:50 Moving Beyond Strict Therapeutic Keto 34:28 Donika’s Relationship With Food Today 36:13 Turning Lived Experience Into Professional Work 39:58 What Donika Has Learned From Supporting Clients 42:09 Why Metabolic Mental Health Is More Than Keto 43:04 Donika’s Practice and Free Support Community ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

People often question whether their struggles with food and health are metabolic, psychological, nervous system-based, or rooted in trauma. However, framing these as separate compartments can be misleading because they are actually different lenses of one single embodied system. For centuries, healthcare has operated as if the mind and body were completely separate, with meditation framed as mental and metabolic health as physical. In this episode, we explore how bridging that gap can change your relationship with food. By using ketogenic or carnivore-style diets to potentially reduce "food noise" and steady your energy, you can create the space needed to tune into your nervous system and respond to your body's true signals. Here's what we explore: - Why your struggles are not just a matter of willpower, but are shaped by the condition of the system trying to do those things. - How stress physiology affects appetite, digestion, and the urgency of food cues. - The concept of interoception and the ability to distinguish true hunger from anxiety, fatigue, grief, or habit. - How ketogenic and carnivore therapies can change background conditions and reduce persistent cravings. - Building the crucial pause between a physical sensation and a behavioral reaction. - Why traditional seated meditation is not automatically safe or regulating for everyone, especially those with significant trauma. - Trauma-informed mindfulness alternatives, such as walking, stretching, or noticing the support of a chair. - The iterative process of stabilizing, noticing, responding, adjusting, and repeating. If you’ve ever perfectly understood your own patterns but still struggled to interrupt them because your body was constantly signaling urgency, this conversation offers a flexible, integrated way to build trust with yourself and find what genuinely supports you. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Come to the Meat & Movement Retreat in Costa Rica! https://www.MeatandMovement.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps 00:00 Introduction: One embodied system 01:17 The false separation between mind and body 02:12 Signal versus noise and interoception 03:13 Where keto, carnivore, and ketogenic therapies may fit 04:30 What nervous system work adds to metabolic shifts 05:38 This is an iterative process 06:33 When meditation is not the answer 08:20 Wrap up: Stabilize, notice, respond, adjust, repeat

Most people in food addiction and binge eating recovery know they need structure. Clear lines. Foods that don't work, behaviors that aren't up for negotiation. That structure can be deeply freeing — when the decision is already made, the mental bargaining quiets down. But structure doesn't mean perfection. And perfectionism in recovery can be just as dangerous as the binge itself. In this episode, I'm talking about the abstinence violation effect — also known as the "screw it" effect — and why a single slip doesn't have to spiral into a week, a month, or longer. Real recovery isn't about never falling. It's about how quickly you return to center. What You'll Learn: • Why the "all or nothing" mindset can make a small slip catastrophic • What the abstinence violation effect is and how to interrupt it • The mindset shift that changes everything: recovery is increasing stability, not perfection • How your nervous system and self-awareness grow over time in recovery • What it actually looks like to return to center — quietly, without drama ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- More info about Dr. Kristina's upcoming carnivore wellness retreat: https://www.MeatandMovement.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – The paradox of structure in recovery 0:25 – Why black-and-white thinking works for food addiction 0:56 – Structure is freeing — when the decision is made 1:03 – But you're still human 1:36 – The abstinence violation effect ("screw it" effect) 2:00 – The mindset shift: recovery is how fast you return 2:18 – What changes over time in recovery 2:35 – From days of shame to an hour of reflection 2:51 – Real recovery = increasing stability 3:10 – A quiet return, no self-destruction 3:21 – You are not broken. You are human. 3:38 – The real goal: a nervous system that lets you stand back up 3:59 – Community question

Jessica, also known as The Curious Carnivore, is an Australian content creator who openly shares her personal experience with the carnivore diet. After years of IBS symptoms, binge eating, bulimia, chronic fatigue, and trying countless approaches to feel better, she began experimenting with a meat-based way of eating. Jessica’s story will resonate with anyone who has spent years negotiating with food, managing unpredictable digestive symptoms, or wondering why a seemingly “healthy” diet still leaves them feeling out of control. She speaks candidly about the uncomfortable parts of changing how she ate, including cravings, digestive adjustments, dehydration, and discovering that dairy could still trigger bingeing. Her experience offers a thoughtful reminder that progress often requires paying close attention to your own patterns, admitting when something is not working, and letting go of comparison. Here's what we explore: How Jessica’s family environment shaped her early eating habitsThe connection she experienced between restriction, digestive distress, and bingeingHer history with bulimia and the excuses that kept the behavior hiddenWhy she moved from veganism to a whole-food diet and eventually carnivoreThe difficult first three months of adapting to carnivoreHow dairy brought back cravings and binge-eating patternsWhy public accountability helped her complete 40 days without dairyHow simplifying her food choices reduced mental negotiation and food noiseEating carnivore while living and travelling in BaliThe freedom she found after years of planning her life around digestive symptoms Wherever you are in your relationship with food, I hope this conversation reminds you that you’re not alone—and that it’s okay to keep searching for the support and approach that help you feel safe, nourished, and more at home in your body. Jessica’s experience is personal and should not be taken as medical or nutritional advice. If you are struggling with an eating disorder, digestive condition, or medication concerns, please seek support from a qualified professional who understands your individual needs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Come to the Meat & Movement Retreat in Costa Rica! https://www.MeatandMovement.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Jessica (The Curious Carnivore) here: Instagram: @thecuriouscarnivore_ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:03 Meet Jessica, The Curious Carnivore 01:42 How family habits shaped her relationship with food 04:18 The sudden onset of fatigue, anxiety, and digestive symptoms 06:35 Years of diets, testing, and unanswered questions 08:48 How restriction developed into bingeing and bulimia 10:26 Medication, chronic fatigue, and losing her sense of self 12:25 The turning point that changed her direction 14:20 Rebuilding her life after stopping medication 18:08 Understanding the timeline of her eating struggles 18:51 When bingeing and purging became impossible to ignore 20:13 How Jessica discovered the carnivore diet 23:01 The difficult first three months of carnivore 24:49 When dairy triggered bingeing again 25:29 Recognizing trigger foods and staying accountable 26:12 The 40-day no-dairy challenge 26:51 Being honest about addiction, shame, and regret 27:43 Why “just a little cheese” can snowball 27:54 How carnivore changed her relationship with food 28:52 Simplifying meals to quiet the food noise 29:29 What it is like eating carnivore in Bali 31:23 The challenges of finding satisfying food while travelling 33:16 Finding physical and mental freedom 35:22 Where to follow Jessica ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.

A lot of people assume that eating carnivore automatically puts you in ketosis. It doesn't — and for those of us exploring nutrition as a tool for recovery, that distinction matters. In this episode, I'm breaking down the difference between a carnivore way of eating and nutritional ketosis, why the two don't always overlap, and what you actually need to do if measurable ketosis is one of your goals. What You'll Learn: • Why carnivore and ketosis are not the same thing • How protein intake affects your ability to produce ketones (and what gluconeogenesis actually means for you) • When ketosis matters — and when it genuinely doesn't • The macro ratio I used to start consistently producing ketones • The tools I used to measure and track: Carb Manager + Keto-Mojo • Why this is relevant to binge eating recovery and neurological stability If you've been eating carnivore and wondering why your ketones aren't showing up — or why you feel good but curious about going deeper — this one's for you. Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- More info about Dr. Kristina's upcoming carnivore wellness retreat: https://www.MeatandMovement.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ --- TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – Carnivore vs. ketosis: the common assumption 0:18 – What ketosis actually looks like (blood ketone ranges) 0:40 – When ketosis matters — and when it doesn't 0:54 – Ketosis for mental health, neurological stability & addictive eating 1:09 – Why carnivore alone wasn't enough for me 1:23 – The fat-to-protein ratio that makes the difference 1:53 – Getting meticulous: tracking macros with Carb Manager 2:13 – Testing blood glucose and ketones with Keto-Mojo 2:39 – Carnivore = food choice; ketosis = metabolic state 2:53 – When precision matters more than just cutting carbs 3:13 – Outro

In this episode, I sit down with Tricia Pierce — the creator behind @CommittedCarnivore on YouTube, and a passionate advocate for understanding food addiction as a neurological issue, not a moral failing. Tricia has lost almost 100 pounds, maintained that loss through radical consistency, and built a life on the other side of compulsive eating that would have seemed impossible during her darkest days. Tricia's story starts in the Midwest: a controlled food environment at home, shaming at the dinner table, her father asking her to publicly list everything she'd eaten in a day. By fifth grade she was gaining weight; by seventh grade she was on her first diet; by high school, she was caught in a cycle of restriction, bingeing, and shame that nearly cost her her own future. The turning point came during her high school play. Mid-performance, she felt the compulsion — an urge so powerful she left the stage, went to McDonald's, and came back. That moment, she realized: this isn't about willpower. This is addiction. Here's what we cover: ✨ The role of "whys" in sustaining motivation: keeping index cards of reasons she's doing this so that when motivation dips (especially in perimenopause), she can return to what actually matters ✨ How she lost almost 100 pounds through carnivore and has maintained it through consistent YouTube uploads and daily accountability — showing up even when she's still figuring it out ✨ Why starting before you're ready matters more than waiting for perfect conditions: "Don't wait for Monday. Don't wait for everyone to support you. Just start." Tricia brings something rare to this space: brutal honesty about still being on the journey, still learning, still navigating perimenopause and hormonal shifts. She's not here to sell you a solved problem. She's here to show you what consistency actually looks like. If you've ever felt like your own brain was your enemy when it comes to food — or wondered if people like you can actually heal and maintain that healing — this conversation is for you. Come to the Meat & Movement Retreat in Costa Rica! https://www.MeatandMovement.com Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com Connect with Tricia here: Committed Carnivore on FB and YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Committedcarnivore Committed Carnivore on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/committed.carnivore/ Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating. Timestamps: 00:47 — Guest Intro 02:30 — Controlled Food Environment 03:35 — Weight Gain & Grandma's Overeating 04:36 — Dinner Table Shame 05:58 — First Diet: Weight Watchers Breakthrough 06:47 — Independence & Weight Gain 34:30 — Food Addiction Realization 35:27 — Addictive Personality 35:57 — AA/OA & 12-Step Framework 36:32 — The "Whys" Practice 37:17 — Perimenopause & Motivation Loss 37:51 — HRT & Sugar Cravings 38:42 — Maintaining 100 lbs & Consistency 40:00 — Just Start Advice 40:32 — Where to Find Tricia 40:50 — Outro

Coach Bronson specializes in ketogenic sports performance, helping athletes improve their strength, recovery, and overall health. He has nearly 20 years of experience in human performance, holds a master’s degree in exercise science, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Health Science degree. So much fitness advice tells us there is one right way to eat, train, and recover. But what if the best approach depends on how your body actually responds? In this conversation, Coach Bronson encourages a more curious and individualized approach—one that values consistency, recovery, and real-life results over rigid rules and complicated protocols. Here's what we explore: What current research suggests about carbohydrates and athletic performanceWhy Coach Bronson shifted from conventional sports nutrition to an animal-based ketogenic dietThe difference between fueling exercise and supporting recoveryWhy consistency matters more than complicated nutrition protocolsHow overtraining can limit strength and performanceThe role of work, sleep, and everyday stress in recoveryWhy women may need to lift heavier to build muscleHow electrolytes support low-carb athletesWhy higher ketone readings do not always mean better resultsWhat mobility really means and why Coach Bronson recommends Turkish get-ups If you’ve ever wondered whether you need carbohydrates to perform, struggled to recover from your workouts, or felt overwhelmed by complicated fitness and nutrition rules, this conversation offers a more flexible way to think about strength, health, and athletic performance. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Come to the Meat & Movement Retreat in Costa Rica! https://www.MeatandMovement.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Follow Beyond Binge Eating Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.com Newsletter: https://beyondbingeeating.com/Newsletter/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Grab your FREE Eat-With-Awareness Bundle to slow down, stay present, and reclaim peace with food: https://beyondbingeeating.com/opt-in/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Keep in touch with Kristina: https://www.DrKristinaDobyns.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about Coach Bronson here: https://coachbronson.com Visit Coach Bronson on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@coach.bronson Follow Coach Bronson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/@coach.bronson ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps00:00 Introduction 00:37 Meet Coach Bronson 01:15 His personal health and fitness turning point 03:11 Why fitness is about more than weight loss 04:33 How nutrition changed his health 07:13 Coaching athletes with ketogenic nutrition 08:46 What the research says about keto and performance 13:43 Performance, recovery, and metabolic flexibility 18:26 Does nutrient timing really matter? 20:20 Consistency and learning from your own results 22:05 Recovery, adaptation, and overtraining 28:39 Exercise, work, sleep, and total stress 31:57 The biggest muscle-building mistake women make 33:24 Electrolytes on a low-carb diet 35:14 Does keto adaptation time affect performance? 37:09 Ketones, ketosis, and common misconceptions 42:25 Burpees, mobility, and Turkish get-ups 46:35 Coach Bronson’s final advice ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The information on this channel is for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice or therapy. The views and opinions expressed by podcast guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Kristina Dobyns or Beyond Binge Eating.