Beyond Binge Eating

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 selfRecovery 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 EatingInstagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.comNewsletter: 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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps00:00 Introduction01:11 Kelsey’s eating disorder recovery story02:10 The nutrition experiment that changed her direction03:06 How her mental clarity began to shift04:32 Why recovery is multifactorial06:17 Meeting the health coach who introduced carnivore08:27 IBS, gluten, and conventional treatment11:25 The biological and emotional sides of recovery13:14 Finding her voice through musical theater15:16 Why passion and purpose matter18:50 The nervous system’s role in recovery19:30 When health optimization becomes orthorexia22:34 Why a stressed body cannot heal25:16 What would your symptoms say?28:24 Practical ways to slow down30:38 Music, singing, and nervous system regulation30:59 The panic attack before Kelsey’s TEDx talk33:53 Creating space away from screens36:05 Moving beyond black-and-white thinking37:32 Can the carnivore diet become disordered?39:06 The body as hardware and psychology as software40:46 Supporting clients without dietary dogma44:24 Lifestyle, metabolism, and chronic illness46:27 Creativity as a mental health check-in49:07 Psychodrama and embodied healing53:44 Kelsey’s advice for anyone struggling54:45 The blue dog and red dog metaphor55:28 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 biohacksDani'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 EatingInstagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.comNewsletter: 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: @daniconwayofficialNutrition the Natural Way:nutritionthenaturalway.com/-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps00:00 Introduction: Finding a Sustainable Approach to Nutrition01:28 Dani's Story: Restrictive Dieting, Cravings, and Hormone Issues03:45 Why Functional Nutrition Became Her Foundation04:50 Supporting Health and Vitality After 4007:18 Moving Beyond Conventional Diet Advice08:32 Low-Fat Dieting, Food Cravings, and Dietary Fat09:01 Why One Nutrition Approach Doesn't Fit Everyone11:57 Food Preferences, Sustainability, and Diet Dogma13:01 Reintroducing Foods and Improving Food Tolerance14:01 Consistency, Experimentation, and Metabolic Resets16:07 Fasting: Fueling Before Extending Your Eating Window18:07 Meal Timing, Family Life, and Individual Needs22:15 How to Know When Your Nutrition Foundation Is Working23:09 Why Tracking Data Doesn't Guarantee Results25:34 Gut Health, Detoxification, and Hormone Balance30:28 Dani's Favorite At-Home Wellness Practices33:35 Saunas, Rebounders, and Other Optimization Tools35:11 How Digestion Relates to Nutrient Absorption38:28 Can You Have Good Gut Health Without Fiber?41:44 Fermented Foods and Food Tolerance42:25 Strength Training and Progressive Overload44:02 Building Muscle While Managing Training Volume46:36 Exercise Form, Reps, and Time Under Tension49:10 Dani's Favorite Exercises49:42 Dani's Biggest Tip for Better Health50:48 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 EatingInstagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.comNewsletter: 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 Introduction01:05 Michele’s journey from ballet dancer to nutrition and wellness coach09:18 Why “I want to lose weight” isn’t always the real goal11:12 Why no two women need the same approach to health14:32 Michele’s experience with extreme calorie restriction and menopause16:57 How Michele discovered the carnivore/ketogenic lifestyle26:27 How ballet shaped Michele’s relationship with food and her body30:30 Body dysmorphia, punishment exercise, and calorie restriction31:38 Why Michele gave up the scale for nine years34:58 The pregnancy moment that changed how Michele saw her body36:55 Learning to trust yourself beyond the science and the scale37:39 Food freedom, healing, and reducing “food noise”40:04 How Michele helps women break old patterns around food46:27 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 EatingInstagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.comNewsletter: 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/@KetogenicWomanInstagram: 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 Introduction01:11 A lifelong struggle with food02:46 Food addiction and support groups04:24 What changed in her 50s05:22 Why she stopped trying to moderate certain foods06:49 When keto treats and nuts triggered cravings08:35 Finding her approach to carnivore eating10:26 Recognizing foods she struggles to moderate11:48 Setting boundaries without all-or-nothing thinking14:24 Why brain health matters to Anita17:39 Her approach to entering ketosis19:38 What changed when her cravings quieted22:14 The four pillars of health23:24 Morning light, movement, and habit stacking24:41 Adapting movement after a knee injury26:16 Sleep routines and stepping away from social media28:07 How Anita started her YouTube channel30:10 Finding her deeper reason for change31:36 Why goals need daily actions34:20 Focusing on health instead of the scale36:00 Maintaining weight loss and building lasting habits37:39 How greater mobility gave Anita more freedom38:30 The story behind Carnivore for Ageless Living40:35 What ageless living means to Anita41:57 Her book and preorder bonus43:11 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 EatingInstagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.comNewsletter: 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:@drautumnsmithVisit Autumn’s YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@autumnsmithdrLearn more about Paleovalley here: https://paleovalley.com/-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps00:00 Introduction01:11 Autumn's journey from ballet to eating disorder03:19 How changing her diet transformed her health05:16 Building Paleo Valley and Wild Pastures07:46 How eating psychology changed her relationship with food10:22 Shifting focus from body size to health and purpose12:41 Why nourishment changed her relationship with food13:30 Exercise as a "moving meditation"14:06 Learning to listen to your body's feedback14:46 From "Princess" to "Queen": Your worth beyond your body16:30 Where to start reconnecting with your body17:47 Using mealtimes to practice body awareness18:50 The Big Mac experiment: What happens when you actually pay attention?20:35 Simple daily practices for feeling more grounded21:13 Creating healthier boundaries with screens25:17 What her research found about beef quality30:29 Grass-fed meat, omega-3s and inflammation research33:14 Fish, omega-3s and brain health37:39 Why glycine may be an underrated nutrient43:07 Glycine-rich foods and bone broth44:53 What Autumn believes about health now46:35 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 EatingInstagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.comNewsletter: 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:@tuitnutritionVisit Amy’s YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/@amyberger-ketowithoutthecrazy-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps00:00 Introduction02:05 Amy’s journey into keto and nutrition04:39 Who should consider low-carb or keto?07:17 Finding the right level of restriction09:11 Do you really need to track ketones?11:21 CGMs, blood glucose, and anxiety12:23 When tracking becomes obsessive14:51 Tailoring keto to different goals16:04 How much fat should you eat?17:57 The role of sleep, stress, and support18:58 What to do about trigger foods22:53 Finding your personal “green light” foods24:06 Keto, carnivore, and inflammation28:03 When and how to use MCT oil29:26 The principles of “keto without the crazy”32:00 A simple starting point for keto34:26 What has changed in keto over the years36:49 The future of keto for mental health38:30 What to do when keto isn’t working40:07 Stop letting social media scare you about food41:12 Be discerning about the media you consume42:14 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 EatingInstagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.comNewsletter: 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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps00:00 – Patricia’s Journey With Food and Health01:20 – A Lifelong Struggle With Food Noise04:34 – From Atkins to a Deeper Interest in Nutrition07:35 – Why Keto Helped but Didn’t Silence Food Noise09:58 – Discovering Carnivore11:40 – The Food Noise Finally Went Silent15:32 – What Patricia Eats on Carnivore18:26 – Following the Science While Listening to Your Body21:25 – What Continuous Ketone Monitoring Revealed24:44 – Why a Ketone Number Isn’t a Grade25:48 – Fasting, OMAD, and Finding Her Sweet Spot28:09 – Why Patricia Stopped OMAD32:40 – Food, Emotions, and Menopause35:17 – Why Patricia Is Passionate About Empowering Women40:25 – How to Love Your Life More After 5042:13 – Sleep, Muscle, Exercise, and Self-Care44:40 – Managing Stress and Making Change a Priority45:30 – 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 EatingInstagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.comNewsletter: 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 Loss00:59 Maria's Personal Story & What Led Her to Nutrition04:23 Making Healthy Eating Work While Traveling06:24 Food as Information, Not Just Calories08:44 When Binge Eating Isn't Really About Food10:17 Sleep, Cravings & Hunger11:16 Hormones, Perimenopause & Postmenopause13:04 Protein, Fat & Metabolic Health15:24 Strength Training, Walking & Simple "Biohacks"18:00 NEAT: The Power of Everyday Movement19:51 When Weight Loss Isn't the First Priority21:32 Protein-Sparing Modified Fasting & Tracking Macros27:00 How to Lose Weight Without Losing Muscle30:00 Tracking Food While Traveling32:50 Why Travel Matters to Maria36:34 Maria's Approach to Jet Lag38:40 Why Maria Quit Coffee41:14 The Habits She Won't Compromise on While Traveling43:27 What Maria Would Tell Someone Who's Tried Every Diet45:57 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 communityDonika’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 EatingInstagram: / https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/ Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.comNewsletter: 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 Introduction00:29 Meet Donika Hristova01:39 How Donika’s Struggle With Food Began05:14 Secret Eating and Childhood Restriction06:40 Dieting, Weight Praise, and Compulsive Exercise08:34 Replacing Smoking With Food10:31 Immigration Stress and Escalating Binge Eating12:28 Hitting Rock Bottom With Emotional Eating15:04 Bipolar II Diagnosis and Starting Medication19:26 The Benefits and Side Effects of Medication21:35 Searching for Additional Treatment Options22:19 Discovering Ketogenic Therapy24:39 Beginning Keto With Limited Clinical Support26:09 An Important Warning About Medication Tapering27:24 Binge Urges, Ketosis, Fasting, and Exercise28:14 Feeling Satisfied Without Guilt29:03 Changes in Mood, Sleep, Energy, and Cognition31:50 Moving Beyond Strict Therapeutic Keto34:28 Donika’s Relationship With Food Today36:13 Turning Lived Experience Into Professional Work39:58 What Donika Has Learned From Supporting Clients42:09 Why Metabolic Mental Health Is More Than Keto43:04 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 EatingInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/BeyondBingeEating/Website: https://www.BeyondBingeEating.comNewsletter: 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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps00:00 Introduction: One embodied system01:17 The false separation between mind and body02:12 Signal versus noise and interoception03:13 Where keto, carnivore, and ketogenic therapies may fit04:30 What nervous system work adds to metabolic shifts05:38 This is an iterative process06:33 When meditation is not the answer08:20 Wrap up: Stabilize, notice, respond, adjust, repeat