What You Say in Your Mind, You See in the Mirror

Spandex & Wine

Ever wondered why you can't break free from the cycle of restricting food then binging, despite your best intentions? In this eye-opening conversation, therapist and fitness professional Christina Hathaway reveals the hidden psychology behind our relationship with food and our bodies.
"What you say in your mind, you see in the mirror," Christina explains, unveiling how our internal dialogue shapes our physical experience. As both a group fitness instructor and therapist, she noticed a critical gap in wellness resources: support for women struggling with body image and disordered eating patterns who don't meet clinical criteria for eating disorders. This realization led her to create Mindset to Matter, a revolutionary program where psychology meets biology.
Christina brilliantly unpacks why restrictive eating and binging are two sides of the same coin, revealing how perfectionism serves as a shield against deeper feelings of shame and worthlessness. When perfectionism inevitably burns out, binging emerges not as a failure of willpower but as a solution to rigid deprivation. This perspective shift alone can be transformative for listeners trapped in this exhausting cycle.
The most powerful moment comes when Christina shares her technique for managing negative self-talk. By naming the critical voice in your head (clients have chosen names like "Sir," "Karen," and "Ursula"), you create separation between yourself and that destructive narrative. This simple yet profound practice helps identify triggers and develop strategies to quiet that voice when it appears.
We also explore the connection between trauma and eating behaviors, distinguishing between major traumas and what Christina calls "trauma by 10,000 paper cuts" – subtle instances where something good should have happened but didn't. These experiences plant seeds that grow into perfectionism and achievement-oriented behaviors as coping mechanisms.
Ready to transform your relationship with food and your body? This episode offers more than temporary fixes – it provides the understanding needed for lasting change. Listen now and discover how addressing the emotional roots of eating behaviors can finally bring the peace you've been seeking.

Christina's web site: Mindset of Matter | Transform Your Health

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Chapters

1. Welcome to Spandex and Wine (00:00:00)

2. Meet Christina Hathaway (00:01:36)

3. Mindset to Matter Program (00:04:03)

4. Different Types of Eating Disorders (00:09:10)

5. Trauma's Impact on Body Image (00:14:21)

6. Naming Your Inner Critic (00:22:46)

7. Closing Thoughts and Storm Warning (00:30:58)