The Ryann Nicole Podcast

Time and time again, I hear so many women who struggle with food and their bodies.. try to change the food and their bodies to feel better. Yet, 9/10 times the problem is so much deeper than food and body. And once we can get to that real problem, the food and body issues work themselves out almost instantly! Today, Alana Van Der Sluys and I are going to be chatting about what those deeper problems could be. If you're currently struggling with food and/or your body, I highly recommend you listen to this episode!!

Links:

It can feel like special events are a food minefield—buffets, unfamiliar dishes, diet talk swirling in the air, and that nagging thought: What if I lose control?

In today’s episode, we’re breaking down how to show up to these moments without letting food noise steal the spotlight. Whether it’s Thanksgiving, a wedding, or any big celebration, I’ll help you navigate the tricky parts—like the panic around “special” foods, the urge to skip meals beforehand, and the temptation to just “throw it all out the window.”

When we let food dictate how we show up, we miss out on the real reason we’re there—connection, fun, and making memories.

We’ll talk about simple practices you can start right now (yes, before the event), how to handle diet talk with confidence, and why treating holiday meals like any other meal can shift everything. I’ll even share some of my personal moments where things didn’t go as planned—and what I learned about letting go of all-or-nothing thinking.

This isn’t about restriction or perfection; it’s about reclaiming these moments for yourself. Because you deserve to enjoy your life fully—without food running the show.

Let’s dive into it in EP161. Enjoying Special Events Without Losing Control Around Food

🎥 I am now on Youtube!! Watch this episode on Youtube here.

HIGHLIGHTS

2:20 Why special events can feel like a “food test” and how to start practicing now

5:50 Preparing for tricky situations: Different meal times, buffet-style setups, and unfamiliar foods

10:45 Handling diet talk: Setting boundaries and shifting your mindset

14:00 Treating holiday meals like normal meals (and why it makes a big difference)

16:55 The urgency trap: Overcoming panic about special or limited foods

19:30 Why skipping meals before big events backfires (and what to do instead)

21:40 A compassionate pep talk: Staying present and practicing food freedom

RESOURCES + LINKS

Instagram: @itsryannnicole

Work with me: BingeEatingUnchained.com

Facebook Group: IRN Community

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice.

Today I am welcoming guest Renae Saager to the Food Freedom Lab to share her personal story of being in recovery from bulimia, binge eating, and alcoholism.

TRIGGER WARNING: Renae is going to be sharing information regarding her personal experience of struggling with an eating disorder and alcoholism, if hearing about disordered eating / alcoholism behaviors is not supportive to your journey, please skip this episode

Renae Saager is a certified health & life coach and emotional eating expert who teaches go-getter women around the world how to start living a powerful, authentic life free from food and weight obsession. Tapping into her own unique journey with disordered eating and alcoholism, Renae connects with her clients on a deeper level, supporting them through the process of rewiring their brain with her no-BS approach. Renae is able to help clients challenge their mindset and begin healing, using her own sense of humor and unparalleled perspective which creates a more enjoyable and transformational process. Undoing the crazy you feel around food is Renae's specialty, the confidence and clarity gained is the guilt-free icing on the cake.

This is the year you're going to finally heal your relationship with food and here's how you're going to do it!

*EDIT: I knew something was wrong, it's 2,100 NOT 9,100 lol

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ABOUT RYANN

I’m Ryann Nicole, a licensed therapist and certified nutritionist. I help people transform their relationship with food and break free from binge eating. My mission is to empower others to find mental peace, embrace balance, and live life unchained from food noise.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice.

Do you ever feel like everything fun somehow revolves around food? Like, can't we do anything that doesn’t involve grabbing a bite? I think a lot of it comes down to how we connect in our culture. Coffee dates, dinner plans, brunch with friends... it's just what we do, right? And honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that! But sometimes, it’s nice to switch things up and do something that’s not centered around food. So let's talk about just that!

02:20 Why everything seems to revolve around food

05:10 Changing the story around food triggers

08:45 Making activities about connection, not just food

12:15 How to handle social events without focusing on food

15:30 Finding non-food activities that still feel fun

18:05 The importance of checking your mindset around food

20:40 Putting yourself out there to make new friends

23:15 Balancing friendships that revolve around food

⭐️ I'm offering free live group coaching every week in my Facebook group to support you through this journey. Don’t miss out!

Ryann: @itsryannnicole

Work with Ryann: BingeEatingUnchained.com

Join the IRN Community Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/itsryannnicole

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice.