Free Spirit Academy Podcast

What it's like to say "I trust myself" (with food and beyond)

What does it actually mean to trust yourself, especially after years of trying to control every part of your life, your body, or your impulses?

In this episode, I share how years of shame, "self-improvement", and control kept me trapped in cycles of compulsion and self-judgment - and what it was like to finally build trust with myself.

Through personal story, trauma-informed insight, and a surprising experiment called Rat Park, this episode explores why compulsive urges aren’t failures or moral flaws - they’re messages. And when we start to listen with curiosity instead of control, trust becomes possible.

 In This Episode, You’ll Hear:

  • Why compulsive behaviors aren’t about willpower or weakness
  • How childhood disconnection, shame, and unmet needs shape our coping patterns
  • The surprising science of Rat Park - and what it reveals about safety and connection
  • How I learned to shift from control to curiosity
  • What self-trust looks like in real life 

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