As a Hypnosis for Permanent Weight Loss Coach, I know how hard constantly dieting and exercising can be. That's why I'm giving you my top tips and tactics for getting free from the traditional diet mentality. Whether you've just started your journey to self-awareness, or you're already established and looking for new ways to let go of your anxieties and stress around food, you've come to the right place!
What happens when the pursuit of perfection becomes a way to escape pain? In this deeply personal conversation, marriage proposal planner and photographer Ash Fox shares her journey through anorexia, bulimia, body image struggles, and the emotional wounds that fueled them. She opens up about growing up in a family where dieting and body shame spanned generations, how the fashion industry reinforced unhealthy beliefs, and the courage it took to begin healing. Ash explains how recovery wasn't about finding another diet; it was about finding purpose, healthy relationships, and learning to release the need for control. Together, Leslie and Ash explore how boundaries, trauma, self-worth, and emotional regulation are often the hidden drivers behind food and weight struggles, and why lasting freedom comes from addressing the deeper emotional patterns rather than the symptoms. The episode also highlights the transformative power of self-love, meaningful work, meditation, and supportive relationships. Whether you're battling food obsession, healing from past experiences, or searching for a more peaceful relationship with yourself, this conversation offers hope that true healing is possible. Highlighted Quote "What we're really chasing isn't the weight loss it's the dopamine, the feeling of control. Real healing begins when we learn to feel our emotions instead of controlling them." Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 – 02:40 – Food addiction, the "high" of weight loss, and why control becomes addictive 02:40 – 05:19 – Introducing guest Ash Fox and her unique career as a marriage proposal planner 05:19 – 10:17 – How Ash accidentally pioneered the proposal planning industry and built a purpose-driven business 10:17 – 12:28 – Memorable proposal stories and why Ash believes in celebrating healthy love 12:28 – 18:36 – Ash's family history with eating disorders and how generational patterns shaped her relationship with food and body image 18:36 – 21:55 – Leslie's invitation to ask anything: healing food addiction, travel, relationships, career, and life transformation (Sponsor/Community Invitation) 21:55 – 24:29 – Modeling pressure, perfectionism, trauma, and the development of bulimia 24:29 – 28:18 – Therapy, supportive relationships, and the first steps toward recovery 28:18 – 31:43 – Triggers, GLP-1 medications, body image, and the healing power of loving relationships 31:43 – 34:01 – Generational trauma, maternal influence, and reframing perfectionism 34:01 – 37:14 – The "high" of restriction, dopamine, control, and understanding eating disorders beyond food 37:14 – 42:57 – Emotional mastery, boundaries, finding purpose, and how meaningful work supports healing 42:57 – 47:13 – COVID, meditation, spirituality, and discovering identity beyond achievement and appearance 47:13 – 50:06 – Self-love, healthy relationships, proposal planning, final reflections, and Leslie's free hypnosis masterclass invitation Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, Would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
What if the behaviors you're trying to change overeating, emotional eating, alcohol, or constant scrolling aren't the real problem, but symptoms of something much deeper? In this heartfelt conversation, Leslie welcomes recovery coach and entrepreneur Danny Sumner to explore how shame, trauma, and unresolved emotions fuel addictive behaviors, and why true healing begins with self-awareness rather than self-judgment. Danny shares her powerful journey from addiction and alcoholism to nearly 16 years of sobriety, revealing how recovery helped her rediscover herself and ultimately build a life centered around helping others. Together, Leslie and Danny discuss emotional healing, the importance of processing difficult feelings instead of numbing them, and why everyone's recovery journey looks different. Whether your struggle is with food, alcohol, or another coping mechanism, this episode offers hope that freedom is possible. The conversation also dives into finding purpose after pain, rewriting the stories we tell ourselves, and using our hardest experiences to create meaningful lives and careers. If you've ever felt trapped by shame or wondered whether your past could become your greatest gift, this episode will leave you feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to take the next step toward healing. "If it's a problem to you, it's a problem to you. Don't compare your addiction to anyone else's healing begins when you're honest with yourself." Key Topics & Timestamps 2:46 – Meet Danny Sumner and her mission to help others transform pain into purpose 4:15 – Danny shares her personal recovery journey and becoming nearly 16 years sober 6:24 – Leslie reflects on food addiction, sobriety, and discovering her authentic self 8:46 – Entrepreneurship, addiction, and finding fulfillment through serving others 12:25 – Why self-awareness is the foundation of lasting transformation 14:37 – Can painful experiences become our greatest gifts? 17:02 – Leslie's invitation to Ask Me Anything about healing, weight loss, and life transformation 18:18 – Danny explains gratitude, resilience, and finding purpose after trauma 22:04 – How personal loss inspired Danny's commitment to helping others live 23:40 – The connection between food struggles, shame, trauma, and suicidal thoughts 26:22 – Why shame is often the hidden root of addiction and emotional suffering 28:21 – The importance of community, vulnerability, and emotional processing 31:02 – Leslie explains the HEAL Method and emotional mastery 33:39 – Why comparing your addiction to others keeps you stuck 36:24 – Recovery, moderation, and honoring your unique healing journey 41:35 – Danny shares how she helps people turn their stories into service 45:17 – Danny's free workshop and final words of encouragement 46:55 – Leslie shares her free masterclass for overcoming food noise naturally Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, Would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
Millions of people are gaining access to GLP-1 medications, and while these drugs can dramatically reduce food noise, Leslie explains why quieting cravings isn't the same as healing the root cause. In this episode, she shares her own painful journey through extreme dieting, binge eating, and weight regain, offering a compassionate perspective for anyone considering or currently using GLP-1 medications. Leslie explores what happens beneath the surface when food is used to cope with stress, emotions, and unresolved beliefs. She explains why medications can create an opportunity for change, but lasting freedom comes from addressing the subconscious patterns driving overeating rather than simply silencing the symptoms. If you're looking for permanent weight loss instead of another temporary solution, this episode will help you understand how to use the "quiet" created by GLP-1 medications or any season of change to build a healthier relationship with food that lasts. "Quiet is not the same as healed." Timestamps 00:51 – Leslie's reaction to expanded GLP-1 medication coverage 02:09 – Her personal story of extreme dieting, weight regain, and binge eating 03:26 – How GLP-1 medications reduce food noise and why that's a gift 04:47 – What research shows about weight regain after stopping GLP-1s 08:42 – Why medications don't address the root cause of food cravings 09:32 – The deeper emotional reasons food noise exists 14:00 – Why subconscious beliefs drive eating behaviors 14:29 – The "beach ball" analogy for dieting, restriction, and GLP-1 medications 15:52 – Using the quiet created by GLP-1s to do the deeper healing work 17:06 – The HEAL Method: hypnosis, emotional mastery, and lasting self-care 18:51 – Can you heal your relationship with food while using GLP-1 medications? 20:22 – How to keep the weight off after coming off medication 22:24 – A client success story of lasting transformation beyond dieting 23:59 – Why permanent weight loss requires healing the root cause, not just managing symptoms Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, Would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
Food noise isn't a lack of discipline; it's a signal from your nervous system. In this episode, Leslie explains why constant thoughts about food, nighttime eating, and emotional overeating aren't problems of willpower, but subconscious survival patterns. She shares why diets, restriction, and even medications may quiet the noise temporarily without addressing what's creating it. You'll learn how the unconscious mind responds to emotional pain, why your brain isn't broken, and how rewiring subconscious patterns can create lasting freedom around food. Through real client stories, Leslie reveals how changing the "radio station" behind food noise not just turning down the volume can transform your relationship with eating. If you've been stuck in the cycle of overeating, guilt, and starting over, this episode offers a new perspective on healing the root cause instead of managing symptoms. "The food noise doesn't go away until you change what is generating it." Timestamps 00:00 – Why food noise is created by the nervous system, not a lack of discipline 02:02 – A client's nighttime eating cycle and why self-judgment makes it worse 03:19 – Your nervous system is doing exactly what it was designed to do 05:58 – Why nighttime eating isn't a willpower problem 08:56 – How the unconscious mind responds to emotional pain 13:15 – Why food becomes the brain's fastest form of emotional relief 16:26 – Your unconscious mind is trying to protect you, not sabotage you 18:41 – What GLP-1 medications can and can't change about food noise 21:37 – How hypnosis helps rewire subconscious eating patterns 24:35 – A client's experience of eliminating food noise in the first week 25:37 – Why diets are like holding a beach ball underwater 26:57 – You're not out of control; you're triggered 29:34 – Changing the subconscious "radio station" instead of managing the noise 31:27 – Free hypnosis training and next steps to begin healing Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, Would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
In this episode of the Hypnosis for Permanent Weight Loss Podcast, Leslie sits down with performance health specialist Seamus Sullivan to explore the deeper connection between identity, body image, and lasting health. Seamus shares his personal journey from competitive wrestling and body image struggles to becoming a longevity specialist helping people optimize their health through science-backed coaching. Together, they discuss how perfectionism, comparison, and shame can keep people stuck, while self-awareness and authenticity create lasting transformation. The conversation dives into the emotional side of weight loss, including the impact of childhood experiences, sports culture, and body dysmorphia. Seamus explains why sustainable health isn't about eliminating foods or following the perfect plan it's about building practical skills, creating supportive habits, and making small adjustments that fit your real life. Leslie and Seamus also discuss how changing your identity often leads to lasting behavioral change. Whether you're struggling with emotional eating, perfectionism, or simply trying to build healthier habits that last, this episode offers practical wisdom and encouragement. You'll walk away with a fresh perspective on health, confidence, and why taking imperfect action today is far more powerful than waiting for the perfect moment. Quote: "No one's going to come save you... but no one's going to stop you either." – Seamus Sullivan Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to Seamus Sullivan 01:40 – Why lifelong learning matters in health and wellness 03:39 – Seamus' journey from the Philippines to competitive wrestling 07:08 – Body image struggles and body dysmorphic tendencies 10:48 – Changing perspective through gratitude and resilience 11:31 – Wrestling, food guilt, and healing after sports 15:33 – Childhood experiences, validation, and identity 20:13 – Rewriting your personal story 23:31 – Discovering authenticity and building confidence 26:07 – Why coaching is about small sustainable changes 28:18 – A coaching story that changed Seamus' perspective forever 34:00 – Weight loss, identity, and building lasting habits 36:06 – Becoming the future version of yourself 39:08 – "No one's going to come save you... but no one's going to stop you either." 40:34 – Why imperfect action beats the perfect plan 41:48 – Taking small steps even when life feels overwhelming 44:04 – Final thoughts and where to connect with Seamus Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, Would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
In this inspiring episode, Leslie welcomes Nicole Cramer , a former high school math teacher who transformed her life by stepping outside her comfort zone and following unexpected opportunities. Nicole shares how feeling stuck, unhappy, and disconnected from her purpose led her to question the path she was on and open herself to new possibilities. Nicole recounts her remarkable journey from teaching math for 15 years to becoming the #1 nationally ranked salesperson in the country twice. Through a series of seemingly coincidental events, intuitive "breadcrumbs," and bold decisions, she discovered the power of changing the stories we tell ourselves. She explains how alignment, intention, and human connection played a far greater role in her success than experience or credentials. The conversation explores manifestation, personal growth, overcoming fear, and embracing life's challenges as opportunities for transformation. Nicole and Leslie discuss how discomfort often serves as a signal for change, why sharing our stories can inspire others, and how shifting our mindset can unlock possibilities we never thought were available to us. "You either have the life you want, or you have the list of reasons why not." Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and introduction to Nicole Cramer 02:25 Why personal growth is an ongoing journey 05:00 The power of sharing your story 07:30 Leaving a 15-year teaching career behind 10:23 Discovering sales through unexpected opportunities 14:13 "I've been selling math to teenagers for 15 years" 19:45 Setting the goal to become #1 in sales 22:18 Mistakes, synchronicities, and manifestation 26:25 The reality behind taking big risks 29:03 Finding meaning in life's challenges 31:05 How discomfort creates transformation 33:04 Nicole's TEDx experience and future goals 35:33 Where to find Nicole online and closing thoughts Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
After 16 years of teaching internationally and raising a family abroad, Mary McCallion found herself burned out, overwhelmed, and increasingly disconnected from her body. What began as concerns about weight gain and health symptoms eventually led her to discover that the real struggle wasn't food it was years of unresolved grief, stress, fear, and self-doubt. In this powerful conversation, Mary shares how taking a sabbatical from teaching created the space for deeper emotional healing. Through hypnosis, NLP, timeline therapy, and emotional mastery tools, she learned to quiet food noise, rebuild trust with her body, and release the belief that something was "wrong" with her that needed fixing. Mary's story is a reminder that lasting transformation doesn't come from another diet, supplement, or quick fix. It comes from addressing the emotional roots beneath the surface and learning how to approach yourself with compassion instead of fear. "The extra weight was the entry point to uncovering something much deeper." — Mary McCallion In this episode: 02:18 – Mary explains why she decided to take a sabbatical after years of international teaching and burnout 08:20 – The unexpected moment she discovered the podcast and immediately felt understood 13:32 – How unresolved grief from losing her father was impacting her relationship with food and her body 15:51 – Why weight struggles are often just the tip of the iceberg 21:24 – Understanding food noise and learning to trust herself around food again 23:23 – Letting go of guilt around leftovers and emotional eating habits 26:37 – How hypnosis helped rewire years of negative self-talk and fear-based thinking 32:48 – Mary's experience considering GLP-1 medications and what made her pause 36:29 – The health anxiety spiral that led her to fear serious illness 39:34 – Why this healing work became the missing piece in her life transition 42:51 – Mary's advice for anyone feeling called to take the first step toward food freedom 45:00 – Meeting the universe halfway and trusting the next step in your healing journey Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
In this episode, Leslie sits down with hormone health coach Dana Dinnawi to discuss the powerful connection between food, hormones, inflammation, and overall well-being. Dana shares her personal journey from years of unexplained symptoms, including weight gain, cystic acne, frozen shoulder, exhaustion, and severe ovulation pain, to discovering how food and lifestyle changes transformed her health. Dana explains how conventional approaches often focus on managing symptoms rather than addressing root causes. She describes how a simple nutrition-based intervention helped her recognize that many chronic health issues were messages from her body signaling deeper imbalances. That experience eventually inspired her to become a health coach and spend the last 13 years helping women reverse hormonal and inflammatory conditions naturally. Leslie and Dana explore the emotional side of health transformation, discussing the challenges of perfectionism, diet culture, guilt, and shame. They explain why true healing requires more than simply changing what you eat; it also involves understanding emotional needs, stress patterns, self-sabotage, and the deeper reasons behind food choices. The conversation also highlights the importance of developing a healthy relationship with food rather than chasing perfection. Dana shares how she learned to balance enjoying life's special moments while still supporting her health goals, and why becoming the "CEO of your own health" is a journey that unfolds over time through self-awareness, experimentation, and compassion. Standout Quote "Your body is always communicating with you. Symptoms aren't random; they're messages showing you that something needs attention." Timestamp Highlights 00:00 – Dana shares her personal health struggles and the symptoms that led her to seek answers. 02:34 – Leslie welcomes hormone health coach Dana Dinnawi to the podcast. 05:27 – Dana explains how years of dieting and unexplained symptoms led her to explore natural healing. 08:30 – Discovering health coaching and learning about inflammation as a root cause. 10:24 – A two-week nutrition reset produces unexpected improvements beyond weight loss. 11:03 – Understanding symptoms as messages from the body rather than isolated problems. 12:13 – Dana's life-changing realization that inspired her to become a health coach. 13:21 – Leslie shares her own experiences using food to improve health and reduce inflammation. 15:31 – Moving beyond weight loss and embracing a broader definition of health. 16:39 – The moment Dana realized her energy and vitality had returned. 19:04 – Leslie discusses orthorexia and the challenge of becoming overly focused on healthy eating. 20:14 – Primary food vs. secondary food: addressing emotional needs alongside nutrition. 22:11 – Why healing requires flexibility instead of perfection. 24:00 – Mid-episode invitation to schedule a free consultation with Leslie. 26:35 – How emotional needs often drive food choices and self-sabotaging behaviors. 29:00 – The role of community, support, and accountability in long-term change. 31:03 – Leslie discusses how personal growth often reveals deeper layers of healing. 34:15 – Dana shares her journey through perfectionism and restrictive dieting mindsets. 36:12 – Learning from setbacks and recognizing the body's responses to food choices. 39:00 – Finding balance between health goals and enjoying life's special occasions. 41:58 – Why becoming the CEO of your own health requires experimentation and self-trust. 43:56 – Dana shares her coaching programs and ways listeners can work with her. 45:00 – Final reflections on food freedom, health, and sustainable transformation. 46:11 – Closing remarks and information about Leslie's free Food Noise masterclass. Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
In this episode, Leslie sits down with brand coach, creative director, and podcast host Raquel Furman to explore the connection between authenticity, alignment, personal storytelling, and lasting transformation. Raquel shares her 20-year journey from photography and creative work to helping entrepreneurs uncover the deeper meaning behind their brands. Together, they discuss how authenticity has become a buzzword and why true alignment comes from understanding your own experiences rather than looking outside yourself for answers. The conversation dives into the power of personal stories and how our life experiences become our credibility. Raquel explains how the most effective marketing isn't about polished messaging or perfect branding it's about clearly communicating the truth of who you are and why you do what you do. Leslie relates this to her work helping clients heal food and weight struggles, emphasizing how alignment with your authentic self often creates positive changes in health, relationships, and business. Leslie and Raquel also discuss human design, energy management, and recognizing when you're operating out of alignment. They explore common patterns such as abandoning healthy routines during stressful periods, overworking to solve emotional discomfort, and using food or productivity as coping mechanisms. The key, they explain, is developing awareness without judgment and becoming curious about what your behaviors are trying to communicate. The episode concludes with an empowering discussion about perfectionism, flexibility, and leadership. Both women share how releasing the need to be perfect allowed them to grow successful businesses and help more people. They encourage listeners to embrace imperfection, trust their experiences, and remember that meaningful transformation often comes from showing up authentically rather than waiting until everything feels ready. Standout Quote "Your experience is your credibility. That story that you have is all the proof that's needed. You're like, 'I know because I walked it.'" Timestamp Highlights 00:00 – Authenticity, purpose, and alignment: separating buzzwords from genuine self-discovery. 02:36 – Leslie introduces brand coach and creative director Raquel Furman. 05:28 – Raquel's journey from photography and creative work to brand strategy and coaching. 07:33 – Why authentic branding begins with uncovering deeper meaning and purpose. 11:03 – Personal storytelling as the foundation of credibility and connection. 13:32 – Client example: connecting neuroscience, creativity, and entrepreneurship. 15:22 – Leslie shares her personal tipping point involving food struggles and relationship healing. 17:05 – Branding versus marketing: meaning first, promotion second. 19:17 – Overcoming visibility fears and finding confidence in your voice. 22:26 – Why clear communication beats clever marketing language. 24:02 – The power of simple, direct messaging. 25:20 – Leslie's invitation to book a discovery call. 27:31 – Human Design, energy management, and understanding your natural work style. 31:42 – Recognizing misalignment and how resistance creates suffering. 35:34 – Awareness without judgment and developing curiosity about behavioral patterns. 37:02 – Why stress causes people to abandon supportive habits. 39:06 – Scarcity thinking, burnout, and learning when to step away. 40:46 – A real-life example of asking for flexibility instead of forcing productivity. 42:46 – Perfectionism, dieting, and behavioral flexibility. 44:21 – NLP principle: "The person with the most flexibility controls the system." 48:18 – Giving yourself and others more grace. 50:40 – Leadership lessons on flexibility versus micromanagement. 53:00 – How perfectionism delays progress and growth. 55:09 – Building a business before everything feels ready or perfect. 57:08 – Raquel shares where listeners can connect with her and learn more. 58:13 – Episode conclusion and resources for Leslie's free Food Noise masterclass. Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
In this deeply emotional and inspiring conversation, Leslie sits down with entrepreneur and coach Xander Fryar to explore how pain, purpose, faith, and emotional healing can completely transform a person's life. Xander shares the devastating experience of losing his best friend, AJ, to suicide and how that moment forced him to confront mortality, question society's definition of success, and ultimately leave his six-figure engineering career at Cisco to pursue a more heart-led mission. Together, Leslie and Xander discuss how so many people stay trapped in logic, overthinking, and emotional suppression while desperately searching for fulfillment through external success. The conversation dives deeply into meditation, subconscious healing, and why emotional processing is essential for both personal growth and physical health. Xander explains how meditation helped him stop operating from fear and instead take courageous action aligned with his intuition and heart. Leslie and Xander also unpack the connection between emotional avoidance and behaviors like overeating, emotional eating, addiction, and burnout. They discuss the importance of fully feeling difficult emotions instead of trying to "positive think" them away, and how emotional release creates space for clarity, peace, and authentic healing. Xander also opens up about one of the most traumatic experiences of his life — when his wife Maddie nearly died from internal bleeding after a miscarriage complication in Costa Rica. In a raw and vulnerable moment, he shares how he believed he was losing the love of his life, the profound spiritual experience he had while waiting outside the operating room, and how the experience deepened his understanding of faith, service, and the fragility of life. The story becomes a powerful reminder that pain and suffering can often reconnect us to what matters most. Throughout the episode, Leslie and Xander emphasize that true success requires stepping beyond social conditioning, embracing discomfort, and believing in something greater than yourself. Whether listeners are struggling with emotional eating, fear, shame, lack of purpose, or simply feeling disconnected from themselves, this episode offers a powerful perspective on healing, conscious living, and finding fulfillment through purpose, connection, and courageous action. Standout Quote: "Success by definition is illogical. If you want more love, more impact, more freedom, and more fulfillment than average, you can't live by average logic." — Xander Fryar Timestamp Highlights: 0:01 – Introduction to Xander Fryar and his mission-driven work 1:29 – Losing his best friend AJ to suicide changed everything 4:46 – Why Xander quit his six-figure Cisco engineering career 5:54 – "Everybody knows they're going to die, but nobody accepts it" 6:38 – Leslie shares her own experience with grief and awakening 9:40 – Xander's meditation practice and how it transformed his life 11:21 – Why people chase tangible success instead of emotional fulfillment 12:22 – The law of attraction vs. courageous action 13:48 – How meditation creates clearer, more aligned decisions 16:59 – Xander shares the terrifying story of his wife nearly dying 21:18 – A spiritual moment in the hospital parking lot changed him forever 23:36 – Why pain gave him deeper clarity around purpose and service 24:11 – Leslie and Xander discuss emotional suppression and overeating 27:05 – "The only way through an emotion is through an emotion" 29:35 – How suppressed emotions stay trapped in the subconscious mind 31:04 – Xander's "emotional dump" practice for emotional healing 33:24 – Why fully feeling pain creates freedom and wisdom 36:00 – Emotional eating, crying, and authentic self-soothing 38:49 – Shame, fear of judgment, and fear of being seen failing 41:08 – Why success requires faith in something bigger than yourself 43:07 – Self-preservation vs. self-realization 44:30 – How purpose and connection impact emotional health and fulfillment 47:10 – Final advice: take scary action and trust the process Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
In this deeply personal solo episode, Leslie opens up about one of the hardest seasons she's experienced in years. Over the last 60 days, she found herself struggling with anxiety, seasonal depression, emotional overwhelm, business stress, and feeling disconnected from joy, her body, and her relationship with God. Instead of hiding it, she shares the experience honestly to show listeners how emotional pain and unprocessed stress directly impact our relationship with food, weight, and health. Leslie explains how even after years of healing and freedom from food addiction, she could still feel the pull toward comfort eating, numbing, and wanting to escape her body during difficult times. She reflects on cravings for dairy and comfort foods, not from a place of shame, but from a deeper awareness that her body was signaling a need for safety, nurturing, and emotional support. Rather than panicking about the scale, she recognized that the real issue wasn't food. It was the emotional and subconscious pain underneath the surface. This episode is a powerful reminder that weight struggles are rarely about willpower, discipline, or finding the perfect diet plan. Leslie explores how unresolved grief, relationship pain, stress, fear, trauma, and emotional disconnection can quietly manifest through the body. She also shares stories from clients who experienced breakthroughs in their relationships and emotional lives, only to see their bodies naturally begin to change as a result. If you've been feeling exhausted, disconnected, emotionally overwhelmed, or stuck in cycles with food and body image, this episode offers compassion, honesty, and a reminder that healing begins when we stop trying to "fix" ourselves and start listening to what's actually hurting underneath the surface. "The weight is never just about the weight." Episode Highlights 0:02 – Leslie opens up about the hardest 60 days she's had in years 1:20 – Why emotional struggles often show up through the body and weight gain 2:18 – Feeling disconnected from joy, purpose, and everyday happiness 3:14 – Cravings for dairy and comfort foods during emotional distress 3:54 – Responding to weight gain without panic or self-hatred 4:30 – Feeling disoriented, overwhelmed, and emotionally exhausted 5:01 – The website glitch that impacted Leslie's business for two months 5:45 – The desire to numb, disconnect, and escape the body during stress 6:37 – Why weight loss struggles are not about discipline or willpower 7:18 – The deeper emotional causes underneath food and weight issues 8:28 – How unprocessed emotions stay stored in the body 9:22 – What happens when women ignore their emotional pain for too long 10:04 – Stories of illness, life changes, and finally listening to the body 11:07 – A client breakthrough: healing relationship struggles and body changes 11:36 – "The weight is never just about the weight." 12:14 – Feeling the emotional heaviness finally begin to lift 12:48 – The connection between mother wounds and not investing in yourself 13:11 – Leslie shares what she truly wants for women beyond weight loss 13:41 – Why healing and support should not be done alone 14:03 – Leslie invites listeners to explore "what's actually eating you" 14:33 – Using hypnosis and deep inner work to heal the root cause of emotional eating Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
In this episode, Leslie sits down with Cytel Schultz for a deep conversation about authenticity, intuition, astrology, business alignment, and the connection between body, purpose, and success. Together, they explore how understanding yourself more deeply can transform not only your business and relationships but also your relationship with food, body image, and emotional well-being. Cytel shares her unexpected journey into astrology and entrepreneurship, explaining how learning to trust her intuition and spiritual guidance completely changed the direction of her life and business. Leslie and Cytel discuss the power of honoring your authentic communication style, why some people thrive through speaking while others thrive through writing, and how self-awareness creates confidence, alignment, and healthier relationships. The conversation also dives into emotional eating, body trust, spirituality, AI, feminine energy in business, and how caring for your body can dramatically expand your capacity for creativity and impact. Leslie reflects on how healing the deeper emotional patterns underneath food and weight struggles allows women to finally create lives that feel meaningful, aligned, and fulfilling. Whether you're struggling with perfectionism, trying to find your purpose, or looking for a more aligned way to grow your business and life, this episode is a reminder that true transformation begins with understanding yourself. "The more you know yourself, the better everything goes." Episode Highlights 0:01 – Introduction to Cytel Schultz and her work combining astrology and marketing 1:24 – Leslie shares why purpose matters more than obsessing over weight 3:12 – Using astrology as a tool for emotional awareness and healing 4:50 – Cytel's journey from skepticism about astrology to fully embracing it 6:55 – Why Cytel never originally planned to become an entrepreneur 8:13 – Cytel explains how she experiences intuitive "downloads." 9:42 – Leslie shares how intuition transformed her coaching approach 11:47 – Meditation, trance states, and receiving guidance 13:37 – Faith, spirituality, and respecting different beliefs 18:46 – Marketing as authentic communication and connection 20:39 – Why some people are naturally better at speaking vs. writing 24:43 – Following your own communication style instead of trends 26:04 – Leslie shares the spiritual moment that led her to leave nursing 28:24 – Cytel explains Leslie's astrology chart and spiritual business alignment 30:24 – The connection between body health and business growth 31:50 – Leslie discusses choosing purpose over perfectionism with food 33:34 – Why eating more actually helped both women feel healthier 34:44 – Learning to trust your body instead of fighting it 36:18 – AI, alignment, and creating a life by design 38:58 – How Cytel uses AI alongside astrology and intuition 41:18 – Creating personalized routines based on astrology 43:33 – Why AI should support human wisdom, not replace it 46:00 – The importance of human connection, intuition, and heart-led work 47:11 – Where listeners can connect with Cytel Schultz Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
In this episode, Leslie shares a deeper look into her private coaching experience and why some transformations go far beyond food and weight loss. She opens up about her personal journey, how her work has evolved, and why many clients discover that the real breakthroughs come from healing relationships, emotions, and patterns beneath the surface. If you've done "everything right" but still feel stuck, this episode shows why a more personalized, deeper approach might be what's missing. "When you work on what's underneath the surface, everything else starts to shift, including your relationship with food." Key Takeaways Weight loss struggles are often rooted in deeper emotional and relationship patterns Private coaching allows for deeper, personalized transformation beyond group work Many clients uncover hidden challenges like codependency, people-pleasing, and relationship stress Working on what's underneath the surface naturally reduces emotional eating True change comes from shifting identity, behaviors, and inner patterns—not dieting Consistent coaching + customized tools (like hypnosis) create faster breakthroughs Personal growth in one area (relationships, confidence) often impacts weight and health Timestamps 0:01 – Introduction to private coaching 1:15 – Leslie's personal journey with food and healing 3:20 – Why this work goes beyond weight loss 5:00 – Who private coaching is for 6:30 – Client story: relationship breakthroughs + weight loss 8:15 – Common theme: marriage and emotional patterns 9:50 – "Untangling" deeper life patterns explained 11:30 – Confidence, people-pleasing, and personal growth 13:30 – How to apply for private coaching Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
If you've ever felt out of control around food, this episode will completely shift how you see it. Instead of blaming willpower, discipline, or yourself, you'll learn what's actually happening beneath those moments and why nothing has worked long-term. This conversation breaks down the hidden "trigger → relief → repeat" loop that keeps you stuck, and introduces a new way to finally change the pattern at its root. "You're not out of control. You're triggered, and that changes everything." Key Takeaways Feeling out of control with food doesn't mean something is wrong with you; you're triggered The real issue isn't discipline, it's an automatic pattern happening beneath awareness Dieting, restriction, and "trying harder" often make the cycle worse The brain prioritizes relief and safety , not logic, in triggered moments The temporary relief from eating is what reinforces the cycle Understanding the pattern is not enough; you need tools to change it True freedom means less mental noise, not perfect eating Timestamps 0:01 – Why this approach is different from traditional weight loss 1:00 – "There's nothing wrong with you" explained 2:14 – Why discipline-based advice fails 4:26 – The feeling of being "out of control" with food 7:10 – What actually needs to change 11:27 – The real reason the pattern keeps repeating 12:35 – Trigger vs willpower explained 14:15 – The trigger → relief → repeat loop 18:03 – Why diets, therapy, and knowledge aren't enough 21:29 – Orthorexia and the "new rules, same cage" problem 23:39 – How NLP helps change the pattern 25:00 – What life looks like when you're untriggered 29:00 – Why understanding alone doesn't create change 31:52 – What a Food Freedom Call is 33:08 – Final mindset shift: you're not broken Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
Anne Cunningham shares her inspiring journey of breaking free from decades of dieting and food obsession. After years of feeling consumed by food, weight, and constant mental chatter, she discovered a completely different approach, one that focuses on emotional awareness, self-connection, and learning to listen to the body instead of controlling it. Through the program, Anne shifted from living in her head to truly connecting with her body, which helped her understand the deeper emotional patterns driving her behaviors. In this conversation, Anne opens up about how tools like emotional mastery, re-parenting, and belief work helped her uncover the root causes behind overeating. Rather than labeling herself as a "food addict," she learned to approach herself with compassion and curiosity. This shift not only improved her relationship with food but also created positive changes across her entire life, including her relationships, mindset, and daily peace. Now, Anne describes her life as freer and more balanced. She no longer follows strict rules or diets; instead, she checks in with her body, makes mindful choices, and lets go of guilt. While cravings still arise, she responds differently, with awareness rather than reaction. Her story is a powerful reminder that lasting transformation comes from within, and that real change is possible at any stage of life. "Get out of your head and into your body, that's where real change begins." Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction & Anne's story 1:10 – Dieting exhaustion and shifting to body awareness 3:20 – Discovering a new approach through the podcast 6:40 – Emotional mastery and uncovering root causes 12:00 – How this work impacts life beyond food 16:00 – Making peace and "friends" with food again 19:30 – Moving from fear-based to love-based decisions 22:30 – The 3 steps to lasting transformation 25:30 – Daily life without food rules or obsession 28:30 – Handling cravings and improving self-talk 31:00 – Mindfulness, patience, and letting go of control 33:30 – Why real change happens in hard moments 36:30 – Final advice: give yourself a chance 38:00 – Closing and Anne's music Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
Have you ever noticed how a vacation, something meant to be relaxing, can turn into stress, anxiety, and constant overthinking about food, weight, and how you look? In this episode, Leslie shares a powerful before-and-after transformation of her relationship with food, body, and weight, specifically around vacations. What used to feel like pressure, fear, and an exhausting mental loop has now become ease, balance, and presence. She walks you through the contrast between living in constant food noise and finally experiencing freedom where decisions feel natural, guilt disappears, and life is no longer controlled by "being on or off track." This episode is an invitation to step out of the all-or-nothing cycle and into a more peaceful, confident way of living where food is no longer the center of everything. "You can either spend your life worrying about food and weight… or you can learn how to live without that noise." — Leslie Thornton What you'll learn from this episode: 00:01 – Birthday reflections and why this transformation matters 01:14 – Before vs after: identity shift around food, body, and vacations 02:29 – Pre-trip anxiety: fear of weight gain, clothes, and "staying on track." 06:52 – Vacation patterns: being overly strict vs completely letting go 10:05 – The guilt cycle after vacation and trying to "fix it" 15:01 – Why the diet cycle never ends (holidays, events, routines) 17:53 – What true health really means beyond just food and weight 18:57 – Life now: no food anxiety, just presence and balance 22:09 – Ending food obsession and creating a normal relationship with eating 24:10 – The "mental chatter" problem and why it needs to be addressed 28:28 – Building confidence and self-trust through this journey 31:10 – Growth, coaching, and transforming your entire life Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, Would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
Have you ever felt like your struggle with food is something you just need to "fix" with more control, more discipline, or more willpower? In this episode, Leslie shares a powerful truth that challenges everything diet culture has taught us: it's not about the food. If you've been stuck in cycles of overeating, binge eating, or constantly thinking about food, this conversation will help you understand what's really going on underneath. She opens up about her own journey with weight, going from strict dieting to regaining it all back, and the guilt, shame, and frustration that came with it. Like many, she knew exactly what to do but still felt stuck. Leslie explains why focusing only on food is outdated and ineffective, and how true change happens when you address the deeper emotional patterns, triggers, and life experiences driving your behavior. From family dynamics and work stress to trauma and self-judgment, this episode uncovers the real reasons behind eating habits and how awareness and curiosity can help you finally break free. This episode is an invitation to stop fighting with food and start understanding yourself on a deeper level. "If you fix what causes the eating, you fix the eating." What you will learn from this episode: 00:00 – It's not about the food 01:13 – Why trying to control food doesn't work 02:02 – Dieting is outdated and not the real solution 03:29 – What actually causes overeating behaviors 04:19 – Fixing the root cause vs fixing the food 06:31 – Why knowledge is not the problem 07:13 – Understanding triggers and patterns 10:10 – Asking "why" behind eating habits 11:24 – How patterns control your behavior 13:05 – Family dynamics as a major trigger 15:59 – Work stress and career challenges 17:09 – Trauma and its impact on eating 18:29 – Self-judgment and diet mindset 21:14 – The importance of taking action 21:30 – Overthinking and mental exhaustion 22:36 – Biggest root causes recap 23:16 – Learning a healthy relationship with food 24:27 – Human connection vs AI 27:48 – Relationships and emotional eating 29:05 – Lowering your tolerance for feeling bad 30:12 – Final reminder: it's not about the food Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, Would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
Have you ever felt like you've tried everything to lose weight, diets, programs, rules, only to end up back in the same cycle? In this episode, Leslie sits down with Donna, a program graduate, who shares her deeply personal journey from years of dieting, emotional eating, and control patterns… to finally experiencing peace with food. Donna opens up about her past struggles with anorexia, growing up in a dysfunctional household, and how control over food became her way of coping. From people-pleasing tendencies to hiding food, rewarding herself with snacks, and navigating a toxic marriage, her story highlights how weight struggles are never just about food; they're about emotions, identity, and unmet needs. Through the program, Donna discovered something radically different from traditional diets: instead of rules and restrictions, she learned to understand her hunger, process her emotions, and set boundaries in her relationships. For the first time, she began eating like a "normal person" without guilt, obsession, or constant cravings. The shift wasn't just physical, but emotional and even spiritual. This conversation is a powerful reminder that real, lasting change doesn't come from willpower; it comes from doing the deeper inner work. When you stop trying to control food and start understanding yourself, everything changes. "You will actually be able to eat like a normal person… and you'll never have to diet again." — Donna Wilson What you will learn from this episode: 00:18 – The real reason behind emotional eating and weight struggles 01:17 – How trauma and life experiences shape eating behaviors 03:01 – Introduction to Donna and her background 05:30 – Donna's experience with anorexia and control patterns 07:01 – How food became a way to cope with a chaotic environment 09:14 – The impact of family and childhood conditioning on weight 10:48 – Why traditional diets fail long-term 11:27 – Recognizing emotional triggers behind eating habits 12:32 – How boundaries with people reduce emotional eating 13:33 – Breaking people-pleasing patterns and reclaiming self-worth 16:47 – What led Donna to finally seek a different solution 18:36 – Discovering hypnosis and trusting intuition 19:20 – Early results: weight loss without hunger or cravings 21:03 – The power of group support and subconscious work 21:52 – How hypnosis rewires habits and decision-making 22:56 – Using food as a reward and how that pattern shifts 24:17 – The connection between relationships, guilt, and eating 25:39 – Leaving a toxic marriage and reclaiming personal happiness 27:29 – How hiding, perfectionism, and low self-worth show up in food behaviors 29:20 – Overcoming fear, finances, and taking control of your life 32:50 – Why this work is "priceless" compared to traditional weight loss methods 34:31 – Letting go of cravings and emotional attachment to food 35:00 – Who this program is for (and who it's not for) 37:24 – Why belief and readiness are key for transformation 37:48 – The promise of never dieting again 38:24 – The importance of support and community in long-term success 39:18 – How to stop obsessing about food and finally feel free Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, Would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
Have you ever felt like your mind is constantly attacking you about food, what you ate, what you shouldn't have eaten, what you'll eat next, and why you can't just "get it together"? In this episode, Leslie takes you inside that nonstop mental loop the exhausting cycle of being "perfect" on a diet one moment, and completely off track the next. She shares her own experience of living in this all-or-nothing pattern for years, where confidence only existed when everything was controlled and disappeared the moment it wasn't. The constant self-criticism, guilt, and pressure to get back "on track" create a cycle that feels impossible to escape. Leslie challenges the idea that dieting is the solution and instead presents a deeper truth: you can keep doing this forever, but it may cost you your peace, your happiness, and most of your life. She introduces a powerful shift from controlling food to understanding your relationship with it, revealing that the real issue isn't food, it's what's happening underneath. This episode is an invitation to make a decision: continue the cycle, or choose a new path, one where you face the real drivers behind your behaviors and finally create freedom around food, body, and weight. "You can spend 80% of your life worrying about your weight… or you can decide that you're not available for that anymore." — Leslie Thornton What you will learn from this episode: 00:02 – The exhausting cycle of dieting, weight gain, and self-criticism 01:28 – The 24/7 mental loop of food thoughts and self-judgment 02:24 – The "all-or-nothing" pattern: perfection vs. total frustration 03:09 – Why you can keep dieting forever but at what cost 04:30 – The 80/20 realization: most of life spent unhappy with food and weight 06:12 – The moment of decision to stop living in that cycle 07:00 – Option A: strict dieting, control, and forced accountability 09:10 – Option B: healing your relationship with food and your body 10:53 – Why life stress directly impacts your eating behaviors 11:30 – The role of lack of support in weight gain and emotional eating 14:24 – The deeper issues: people-pleasing, avoidance, and suppressed emotions 16:08 – Why both overeating and dieting are forms of numbing 17:34 – "There is intelligence in your suffering" – what that really means 18:45 – Breaking the cycle of guilt, dieting, and starting over 20:29 – Why dieting alone doesn't create lasting results 21:29 – Stop judging yourself, your struggle is valid 22:36 – Why you need support from people who truly understand 23:10 – The real root: emotional and identity-based issues, not just food 25:01 – The identity shift needed to master weight and eating habits Connect With Leslie Thornton: Book A Clarity Call Website Facebook LinkedIn Email: Leslie@hpwl.co If you enjoy the podcast, Would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!
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Observed July 31, 2026.
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