From Food Fear to Food Freedom: When “Healthy Eating” Goes Too Far (A Mother-Daughter Story)

This episode is a really special one. I’m joined by a mom and daughter I’ve had the privilege of working with over the past year: Kristen and Brooklyn.

Brooklyn is a middle school athlete, and her story is one I know so many families are going to relate to.

One year ago, Kristen was working out listening to a podcast I was a guest on… and something just clicked. As she listened, she thought, “This is exactly what Brooklyn is going through… and maybe this is what she needs.”

At the time, Brooklyn was severely restricting. She was only eating “healthy” foods, counting calories, losing weight… and had lost her period.

As a mom, Kristen knew something was wrong, but didn’t know what to do.

In this episode, Kristen and Brooklyn share their full story — from how it started, to the early warning signs, to the turning points that changed everything.

We talk about:
• How “clean eating” can quietly turn into under-fueling
• The pressure from social media and body image
• What it actually feels like to have constant food noise
• The fear of eating more and gaining weight
• The moment Brooklyn got her period back (we all cried)
• And what life looks like now — eating pizza, going out with friends, and feeling free around food again

This episode is for moms, athletes, and anyone who feels stuck in food rules or chasing the “perfect” body.

Because what looks healthy on the outside… isn’t always what’s going on inside.

And the goal isn’t just to eat more — it’s to feel free around food again.