#259 Building Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Amanda Beckwith on Emotional Eating and Food Mindset

Welcome back to another powerful episode of the Nutrition and Life podcast! Today, host Lisa Franz sits down with Amanda Beckwith, therapist and mindset expert, to unlock the transformative principles behind sustainable weight loss, overcoming mindset barriers, and coping mechanisms that sabotage progress. Amanda's deeply personal journey, from childhood struggles with nutrition to losing and maintaining over 100 pounds, brings rare authenticity and expertise to our discussion.

If you’ve felt alone in your health journey, or found it difficult to break free from negative cycles, this episode will show you that lasting transformation requires more than a meal plan, it’s about changing your mind, your habits, and your identity.

Timestamp Overview:

[00:00] - Welcome & Introduction[00:14] - Amanda’s #1 Message for Listeners: You Are Not Alone[01:30] - Amanda’s Weight Loss Story: Childhood Habits, Identity Crisis, and Coping Mechanisms[03:42] - Rock Bottom & Starting Over: Health Concerns and Early Mistakes[05:25] - False Expectations and the Reality of Major Weight Loss[06:27] - Healing, Coaching, and Learning the Missing Pieces to Success[07:54] - Why Mindset Matters More Than Any Plan[10:14] - Strategies for Trusting a Coach and Facing Change[13:07] - Evidence, Positive Reinforcement, & Making Change Stick[15:28] - The Willingness Factor: Want vs. Willingness to Change[16:44] - Discomfort, Practicing New Habits, and Sustainable Success[19:39] - Identity Shifts and Leaving the Past Behind[21:26] - Social Pressures, Fitting In, and Bravery in Change[22:08] - Combating Emotional Eating: Harm Reduction & Self-Awareness[23:57] - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Thoughts, Behaviors, and Managing Triggers[24:33] - Harm Reduction & Setting Roadblocks in Eating Habits[25:33] - Why Facing Consequences and Stepping on the Scale Matters[27:13] - Guilt vs. Accountability: Separating Actions from Self-Worth[28:08] - Cheat Meals vs. Free Meals: The Value of Moderation[30:04] - Extremes vs. Moderation: Building a Sustainable Relationship with Food[32:20] - Addressing Overtraining & Nutrition Extremes with Clients[36:19] - Customized Coaching: Assessing Client Readiness & Root Issues[39:09] - The Childhood Connection: Food Scarcity, Body Image, & Binge Eating[41:39] - The Art of Coaching: Guiding Self-Discovery[42:24] - Final Reflections & Appreciation

Follow Amanda Beckwith:

Instagram: @amandatzivia https://www.instagram.com/amandatzivia/Tiktok: @amandatzivia

Episode Availability: Listen to this powerful episode with Amanda Beckwith on all major podcast platforms (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts), or visit our website for more episodes and resources.

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