“You are allowed to enjoy your life. Satisfaction counts, rest is part of health, and your worth was never meant to be measured by a to-do list, a tracker, or a plate.”
Are you tired of feeling like your worth is measured by how productive you are, how disciplined you eat, or how perfectly you show up? This episode exposes the deep connection between hustle culture, diet culture, and wellness culture – and how their unrealistic expectations can silently fuel food struggles, anxiety, perfectionism, and toxic striving. I sit down with Dr. Paula Freedman-Diamond, a licensed clinical psychologist and certified Intuitive Eating Counselor, whose powerful message helps us break free from the constant chase for external approval and perfection.
Dr. Paula and I unpack perfectionism’s sneaky grip: from rigid food rules to obsessing over exercise, work, relationships, and even rest. We open up the conversation about how societal pressures keep so many of us chasing standards that disconnect us from our bodies, values, and authentic selves. Paula shares her own journey of overcoming perfectionistic tendencies, the addictive cycle of praise and validation, and how finding self-acceptance can radically shift your relationship with food, and every area of life.
This episode goes beyond theory and self-reflection. You’ll get actionable practices to help you neutralize judgment around your “flaws,” self-soothe in moments of discomfort, and set healthy boundaries to protect your energy from diet and hustle culture pressures. My hope is that this conversation gives you permission to slow down, reevaluate the standards you’re living by, and realign your life with what truly feels good for you.
What You’ll Learn:
- How hustle culture, diet culture, and wellness culture overlap to create toxic striving and perfectionism
- Why food struggles and anxiety are deeply intertwined with the relentless pursuit of external validation
- What it looks like to step out of “do more, be more, control more” mode and build self-trust and flexibility
- Practical ways to set boundaries that protect your time, energy, and self-worth
- How to move towards body trust, rest, satisfaction, and living by your values (not someone else’s rules!)
- Why your humanity matters more than any productivity hack, diet plan, or wellness “should”
Connect with Dr. Paula Freedman-Diamond:
- Toxic Striving: Why Hustle and Wellness Culture Are Leaving Us Anxious, Stressed, and Burned Out―and How to Break Free
- HumanKind Psych (Therapy for overthinkers)
If you’ve ever thought, “Why is it so hard to stop eating when I’m full?” – you’re not alone. And spoiler alert: it’s not about willpower or control. It goes so much deeper than that. Grab the free Honoring Fullness Checklist right now at DietCultureRebel.com/Checklist to start building a more positive relationship with food.
Come back next week for another episode and connect with me over on Instagram at @diet.culture.rebel.
Struggling with food, but not sure where to start?
You don’t have to feel 100% ready to get support. If you’re tired of obsessing over food or feeling stuck in the diet cycle, my team of Registered Dietitians is here to help. We offer one-on-one nutrition counseling—and we accept insurance! Spots are limited, so head to https://dietculturerebel.com/insurance to see if we’re covered in your state and learn how to get started.
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