In this deeply honest and powerful conversation, Rachel sits down with Amber Romaniuk, emotional eating and binge eating expert, to unpack the real reasons women struggle with food, weight, hormones, digestion, and self-worth. This episode goes far beyond surface-level food advice. Together, Rachel and Amber explore how trauma, nervous system dysregulation, inner-child wounds, hormones, and gut health all intersect with binge and emotional eating—and what true healing actually looks like. If you've ever felt out of control around food, stuck in shame, or frustrated that "doing all the right things" still isn't working, this episode will make you feel seen—and supported. What You'll Learn in This Episode 1. How Binge & Emotional Eating Actually Begin Amber shares her personal story—from early body shame and dieting to bingeing, purging, and hitting rock bottom—and how denial kept the cycle alive until she was forced to face the truth. You'll hear why binge eating is not about willpower, discipline, or food choices. 2. Why Food Becomes a Coping Mechanism Food often becomes a way to: Numb emotional pain Soothe stress Feel comfort and safety Escape uncomfortable emotions Amber explains how dopamine, restriction, perfectionism, and societal conditioning all reinforce binge cycles—even with "healthy" foods. 3. The Nervous System Connection Chronic stress keeps the body stuck in fight-or-flight, making it nearly impossible to digest food properly, regulate appetite, or process emotions. You'll learn why: Discomfort feels threatening to the nervous system Familiar patterns (even painful ones) feel "safe" Healing requires patience, rewiring, and self-compassion 4. Trauma, Inner Child Wounds & Food Amber breaks down how both big and small traumas—bullying, dieting as a child, parental criticism, abuse, breakups, or feeling unsafe—can deeply impact body image and eating behaviors. This episode highlights why inner-child work is a critical part of healing emotional eating. 5. How Binge Eating Impacts Digestion & Gut Health You'll learn how binge eating and chronic stress can lead to: Poor digestion and nutrient absorption Low stomach acid Gut inflammation and leaky gut Brain fog, fatigue, bloating, and cravings Mood imbalances tied to inflammation 6. Hormones, Weight & Emotional Eating Amber explains how emotional eating affects: Cortisol (stress hormone) Thyroid function Progesterone & estrogen balance Sleep, mood, fertility, and weight regulation You'll hear why low progesterone can drive cravings, insomnia, anxiety, PMDD, and emotional disconnection—and why hormone testing is non-negotiable in healing. 7. The First Steps Toward Healing Amber outlines practical, compassionate steps you can begin now: Seeking safe, nonjudgmental support Admitting there's a problem without shame Identifying emotional vs. physical hunger Understanding your binge triggers Eating regularly and mindfully Supporting basic needs (sleep, hydration, protein) Learning new ways to cope with stress
