EPISODE 1: From Trauma to Triumph — A 90-Pound Weight Loss Journey with Frances Vogel

In this powerful premiere episode of Bariatric Mindset Success, we’re not sugarcoating a damn thing.

I’m joined by one of our very own Bariatric Mindset team coaches, Frances Vogel, who shares her deeply personal journey — from childhood trauma and emotional eating to reclaiming her health, her body, and her identity.

Seven years post-op and 90 pounds down, Frances gets real about what the before-and-after photos don’t show: the emotional excavation, the identity unraveling, the grief no one warned her about, and the inner work it took to rebuild from the inside out.

This conversation is honest, healing, and a powerful reminder that the weight coming off is not the end of the story — it’s the beginning.

We explore essential topics like:

* How unhealed trauma shapes eating patterns and body image

* Navigating perimenopause and hormonal shifts after weight loss surgery

* The power of strength training for body composition and confidence

* GLP-1 medications and hormonal balance — what to know

* Why sleep, stress, and self-awareness matter more than you think

And we pull back the curtain on:

* What no one prepares you for after the weight comes off

* How trauma impacts transformation (and what to do about it)

* The pivotal mindset shifts that helped Frances rise

* Why psychological resilience — not just weight loss — is the real success story

As you’ll hear, Frances brings wisdom, compassion, and real-world insight into what true transformation takes — and it goes far beyond just losing weight.

🎧 Tune in now and get inspired to rise beyond your past.

Whether you’re just starting your journey or you're deep in the trenches, this episode is your reminder: you are not alone. And your healing goes way deeper than the scale.

Chapters

00:00:01 - Frances Vogel's Bariatric Journey

00:01:53 - My Weight Loss Journey

00:04:28 - Importance of Movement for Mental Health

00:07:11 - Journey Through Plastic Surgery Experiences

00:10:06 - Trusting Yourself on the Weight Loss Journey

00:11:36 - Trusting the Healing Process

00:14:50 - Expectations Around Weight Loss Surgery

00:17:20 - Mindset Shifts Before Weight Loss Surgery

00:20:05 - Transforming My Eating Habits

00:22:18 - Understanding GLP-1s and Weight Loss Surgery

00:25:43 - Bariatric Surgery and Lifelong Healing

00:28:26 - Importance of Joy and Sleep

00:30:09 - Mindful Eating and Life Priorities

00:32:15 - Balancing Indulgence and Health

00:34:42 - Empowerment Through Food Choices

00:36:31 - Overcoming Food Shame and Triggers

00:40:17 - Mindset vs. Motivation in Weight Loss

Key Takeaways

Here are key insights from Frances’s journey:

1. **Mindset Matters**: Your relationship with food often stems from deeper emotional issues. Understanding these can help reshape habits.

2. **Redefining Success**: The scale doesn’t define health. Focus on strength training and overall well-being instead.

3. **Empower Your Choices**: Adopt the 80-20 lifestyle—80% healthy choices, with room for indulgences to combat binge mentality.

4. **Embrace Tools for Growth**: Medications like GLP-1s are not failures but tools that assist in your journey towards health.

5. **Prioritize Joy**: Mindfulness in food choices leads to a positive mindset and a more fulfilling life.

How have you prioritized mindset in your journey? Share your thoughts below!

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