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225 - The Myth of Control
Manage episode 513988863 series 2954669
This week’s conversation zooms in on what Michelle calls “the myth at the heart of them all”: the belief that control equals peace.
She begins by unpacking why control is so seductive. In a chaotic world, rules around food, body, work, or routines promise certainty, safety, and belonging. But as Michelle illustrates, control is like squeezing water in your hands—the tighter the grip, the more it slips away.
Through stories and science, she explores how this plays out:
- Food rules create pressure, which fuels rebellion and the binge–restrict cycle.
- Rigid movement plans collapse the moment life throws a curveball.
- Hustle culture’s perfect routines crumble under real-world stress, leaving shame and “all-or-nothing” thinking.
Michelle explains the biological and psychological costs: restriction triggers hunger hormones and cravings; stress spikes cortisol and dysregulates mood; autonomy violations ignite inner rebellion. The result? Exhaustion, brittleness, shame, and lost self-trust.
But there’s another way: trust. Michelle shares how shifting from control to trust through intuitive eating and flexible rhythms brought her more stability, joy, and freedom than she ever found in rigid discipline. Trust, she reminds us, is not passivity—it’s active listening and responding with compassion instead of rules.
Stay connected
If this series resonated, make sure you’re subscribed so you won’t miss what’s next. Share this episode with a friend who’s tired of living under rules, and leave a quick rating or review to help others find Thrive Beyond Size.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
227 episodes
Manage episode 513988863 series 2954669
This week’s conversation zooms in on what Michelle calls “the myth at the heart of them all”: the belief that control equals peace.
She begins by unpacking why control is so seductive. In a chaotic world, rules around food, body, work, or routines promise certainty, safety, and belonging. But as Michelle illustrates, control is like squeezing water in your hands—the tighter the grip, the more it slips away.
Through stories and science, she explores how this plays out:
- Food rules create pressure, which fuels rebellion and the binge–restrict cycle.
- Rigid movement plans collapse the moment life throws a curveball.
- Hustle culture’s perfect routines crumble under real-world stress, leaving shame and “all-or-nothing” thinking.
Michelle explains the biological and psychological costs: restriction triggers hunger hormones and cravings; stress spikes cortisol and dysregulates mood; autonomy violations ignite inner rebellion. The result? Exhaustion, brittleness, shame, and lost self-trust.
But there’s another way: trust. Michelle shares how shifting from control to trust through intuitive eating and flexible rhythms brought her more stability, joy, and freedom than she ever found in rigid discipline. Trust, she reminds us, is not passivity—it’s active listening and responding with compassion instead of rules.
Stay connected
If this series resonated, make sure you’re subscribed so you won’t miss what’s next. Share this episode with a friend who’s tired of living under rules, and leave a quick rating or review to help others find Thrive Beyond Size.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
227 episodes
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