September 4, 2024 • 36 mins
How do you find true happiness after spending years chasing an illusion?
Rachel Levine, body love educator, coach, and author of "The Donut Diaries," joins us to share her transformative journey from struggling with body image to embracing self-love.
At 40, after achieving society’s ideal physique, Rachel discovered that true contentment lies in self-acceptance, not a dress size. Tune in to hear her riveting story and how she now helps others break free from toxic diet culture.
Rachel opens up about her lifelong battle with body image, starting from age 11, and the profound impact it had on her relationships and mental health.
In a powerful recount, she shares the moment she realized that her happiness was not tied to being a size zero but to the daily practice of positive affirmations. By surrounding herself with uplifting messages, Rachel transformed her mindset, proving that small, consistent changes can lead to a more joyful and fulfilling life.
Discover the simple yet transformative power of self-kindness and positive reinforcement.
Join us to hear Rachel’s vision for the future and her ongoing mission to inspire small, daily improvements for a life of wellness and growth.
Connect with Rachel:
TEXT ME here - Have a question? Comment? Feedback? I’d love to hear from you.
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Dai M.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Dai Manuel (00:08):
Welcome to the 2% Solution Podcast, where small
changes lead to monumentalimpacts.
I'm your host, diamond Well,and today we're diving deep into
a topic that's close to myheart and I bet you likely yours
too.
Our guest today is RachelLevine, a published author,
professional speaker, body loveeducator and certified health
(00:30):
coach.
Rachel's journey is nothingshort of inspiring, from her
early struggles with body imageto her transformation into an
advocate for self-love andpositive body image.
Rachel's 2% moment came whenshe turned 40 and realized that
true happiness wasn't aboutfitting into a size zero, but
finding peace and love withinherself.
(00:51):
Her book, the Donut Diarieswhatever your title, by the way
is a testament to that journeyand a beacon of hope for anyone
who's ever felt less than intheir skin.
Today, rachel's here to shareinsights on how we can all walk
back to ourselves, to break freefrom the change of diet culture
and embrace a more nourishing,loving relationship with our
(01:13):
bodies and minds.
But here's the kicker Rachelisn't just about feel-good
mantras.
She has bold opinions on thefitness industry and how it
often perpetuates unhealthystandards.
If you've ever struggled withbody image, felt overwhelmed by
societal expectations, or wantto hear a fresh, empowering
perspective on health andwellness.
This episode's for you.
(01:34):
Trust me, you're not going towant to miss this conversation.
Rachel, welcome to the 3%.
Rachel Lavin (01:41):
Solution Podcast.
Thank you so much for having meso here we are.
Dai Manuel (01:50):
I know you were one of the first people that
actually applied to be on theshow, which I am very, very
grateful for.
Since then, lots has happened.
I always just think thingshappen on the perfect timing.
So you know the fact that we'remeeting today.
I'm just excited about this.
Also, you were so kind to senda copy of your books for me to
take a look at, which I had agreat but also, more importantly
, a very powerful message.
Rachel Lavin (02:09):
And.
Dai Manuel (02:09):
I thought you know what a great place to start
today, but what was sort of theinspiration that took you to the
place to write the DonutDiaries?
I love the title, by the way.
Yes, thank you, I love it too.
Rachel Lavin (02:29):
What really motivated me to do it was I knew
that I was not the only personwho felt this way about their
body, the way they sawthemselves.
Now that I was on this journeyto kind of getting on the other
side of that, I really wanted toprovide a message that would
help people go.
Oh yeah, I know what that feelslike.
Or, yeah, I get that 100%,without feeling like it was a
self-help book.
The last thing I wanted peopleto feel like was I had to go
journal for 30 minutes with alit candle and do all that.
(02:51):
I just there's so many outthere and, trust me, I read them
all and they're very helpful,but I just didn't want to create
a book like that.
I just wanted it to be like Iwas telling you my story.
So I feel like I did accomplishthat.
Dai Manuel (03:07):
What's the main takeaways that you always hope?
That I mean as an author myself, I know we always have the
greatest of intentions, butoften we write the story for
ourselves.
Right, it's that catharticnature that we write for
ourselves, but then we hope thatit makes impact in other
people's lives and I know yourbook is.
And I'm curious what are themain takeaways that you would
want the readers to really?
You know, once they finish thebook or as they read the book,
(03:27):
what are those sort of ahamoments that you're hoping to
instill in them?
Rachel Lavin (03:30):
My first one, that I even mentioned throughout the
book many times, that you arenot alone.
I really want my reader to getthat and that's why I say it
more than once.
And then the second thing thatI really want people, when they
click on that book, is to feellike they can at least attempt
to break free of diet cultureand they could try to have a
(03:52):
healthy, loving relationship notonly with themselves but with
food, because I really believein our society.
Dai Manuel (03:58):
how much food and our horrible relationship with
it is the culprit for thisentire movement in the first
place oh man, I I love how youdo address the diet culture, but
also just sort of thoseinfluences, because I, you know,
being a father of two daughtersmyself, you know they're 18 and
20 and just just seeing whatthey've had to navigate, you
(04:19):
know and even I have one clientand I remember her dealing with
this with their own mom and then, all of a sudden, you know her
daughter at nine years oldcoming home and saying mom, I
think I need to go on a dietlike a nine year old girl you
know, like, and it was justheartbreaking to hear this, you
know, and socan you just speak to that a
little bit like what, what isthe diet culture for those that
(04:40):
maybe aren't familiar with thatterminology?
Because I I think this is anice pushing off, because then I
also want to talk about yourstory and your relationship with
the understanding of dietculture.
And you've made some hugetransitions also, you know, ever
since, especially 40, I know itwas a big milestone for you, so
we'll dive into that first.
But why don't we talk aboutdiet culture first?
Rachel Lavin (04:59):
Absolutely.
I mean, even if you are notfamiliar with that term or that
expression, trust me, you areimmersed in it, whether you want
it to be or not.
Good point, I mean just lookaround you.
I mean there's magazines,there's commercials, there's the
new fun injectables that aregoing around.
So you are in it, even if youdon't know it, and that's the
(05:21):
sneaky, sad part of it thatmakes me so crazy.
I guess I try not to use thatword, but you're infuriated
because it sucked me in for,like you mentioned, for over 40
years.
And so diet culture iseverything that you're inundated
(05:41):
with, the thoughts that youhave on a daily basis of I can't
eat, that I shouldn't eat, thatI have to go to the gym in
order to earn that food.
I mean, it's all just thisrepetitive, horrible, horrible
thing, and it's been coined inthe past decade diet culture.
Dai Manuel (05:58):
I think very well said, and I mean you're
absolutely right.
You may not be familiar withthe term, but trust me, we're
all in it.
I remember being influenced,even as a kid, and back then we
didn't have the internet orGoogle like we do today, and so
I definitely feel for the newergenerations that have grown up
within just content.
Do you mind talking about yourstory, because I know your 40th
(06:19):
birthday was a huge milestoneand as well as a turning point
for you.
You know and I I remember youdescribing this as a realization
that basically it was theignition or the spark that got
you started to seek truehappiness, but also a better
relationship with your son, andI think we're all seeking that
in some level.
So I'd love to hear what was it, what?
What happened?
Rachel Lavin (06:39):
take us through that story of course, I really
love sharing this story becauseI think it's so fascinating to
know that I am turning 40.
It's a beautiful, huge birthday.
I'm excited.
I am a size zero.
I am a size zero for the firsttime in my life at 40.
(07:00):
And I am miserable.
I don't feel connected tomyself.
Even though I was having areally good career in New York
City as a personal trainer, Ididn't feel connected, period.
I just didn't feel connected.
But the most important thingwas I had strived for this body
my whole life.
11 years old is the first timeI remember knowing and being
(07:22):
conscious that my body was notokay or different, or I was
different.
And so here I am, turning 40.
I gotta say it again, and I wasreally sad and miserable and
that, to me, was a wake up girl.
I don't want to spend the nextfour years being unhappy and sad
(07:44):
and going through all thesethings I go through looking on
the outside to be happy.
I realized at that moment Ihave to start digging pretty
deep and heal from some traumasthat have been swirling around
inside me for a long, long time.
And so that's when I started todo.
Dai Manuel (08:05):
Thank you for one, for sharing that, but also two.
I was just curious because Ithink we can relate a lot I know
I can to a lot of what you justsaid and I'm curious how was it
showing up for you Sort of thisdisconnectedness with yourself,
just to sort of give it somemore color?
I know that there's people outhere listening to watching this.
They're like, oh, that soundslike me.
(08:26):
You know, sometimes we forgethow does it actually affect us
in our day to day life?
Like that's the thing.
Where is it making the impact,or negative impact in many cases
, and do you mind just expandingon that?
Rachel Lavin (08:36):
Of course.
So internally it looks like Ihave to think about myself, my
body, food, the size of my body,clothes, the size of my clothes
every day.
Externally, it's picking thewrong man, having tumultuous
relationships with people,cutting people off, being angry,
just not being a good person.
(08:57):
I'm not going to lie personbecause I was always so
self-involved with thinkingabout my body that was supposed
to fit into society so I couldbe loved and be, happy and all
of it.
It's literally the most viciousroller coaster and I know that
there are many people on it.
Dai Manuel (09:19):
There is, and it seems like there's lots of
people getting on and off thetrain constantly, and I think
that's also where a lot offrustration lies.
You know, it's just this ebband flow and I think it always
just leaves us feeling moreempty.
Yeah, and I hate to giggle atthat, but I do, because you know
, I found myself in thatwhirlwind many, many times.
We call it a cyclone ride, likeat the fairgrounds right, just
(09:43):
whips you around, you get out ofit and you're like what the
hell is that did?
Rachel Lavin (09:45):
I go on that.
Dai Manuel (09:46):
That's ridiculous you know and, and I know that
there's been a couple activitiesand I shouldn't say activities,
but more so habits that havebeen really influential, and you
sort of come me through thistransformation or realization
and and you talk about the powerof daily affirmations can, can
you walk everyone through sortof what is that specifically,
(10:06):
why is it important and also howcan they do it?
A little bit.
Rachel Lavin (10:10):
Absolutely.
I think the first thing.
We your listeners, myself, you,we all have to realize how
nasty we are to ourselves.
Right, we are our own worstcritic.
We are so nasty to ourselves,and I realized for me that
that's where I had to start.
I had to start shifting mymindset, shifting my actions and
(10:32):
shifting my voice, to startspeaking kindly to myself With
the knowledge and the acceptance.
There was no way in heck I wasgoing to believe it right away,
like it was going to be astruggle to say these things out
loud.
And so I was living at the timein a 400 square foot New York
(10:53):
City apartment and I got apackage of hot pink post-its and
I wrote three things I ambeautiful, I am smart and I am
capable and I put them in placesthat I knew I've had to look at
every day my refrigerator, mycoffee maker, my bathroom mirror
(11:14):
, whatever.
And I forced myself to say themout loud every day, every day,
and I was doing other things.
But this is a simple thing thatanyone can do, starting right
this moment, everyone has apackage of Post-its or no paper
at home and some tape right, soyou can do this right now.
And then I remember about amonth later, one morning, I was
(11:38):
like I am capable and then Ijust remember feeling like yeah,
I am.
So it took some time I'm notgonna lie like saying these
things, you start to believethem about yourself and then you
start to behave in a way thatyes, I am capable, I can do this
.
I can it.
Just just like our bad behaviorkind of spirals, so does good
(12:02):
behavior, and that's what workedfor me in the beginning.
Dai Manuel (12:06):
That's so cool.
I love this.
My wife she'll do mirrormessages so she'll take an iRace
marker and write it on thebathroom mirror very often and
she used to do that in ourgirls' bathroom, especially a
weekly message, and I justalways loved that.
But when I first talked to youand you talked about the post-it
note idea, I thought that wasjust genius, because what a
wonderful way to also just Imean, you can have it all over
(12:27):
the place.
The continuation of constantlyreinforcing that message is your
own subconscious and I thinkthat's the thing right.
when we can align the consciousthought with the subconscious
thought, big, big changes canhappen and it does feel easier,
you know, when those two thingsare aligned.
And so what else did you findmost helpful as you sort of
adopted this new mindset andperspective, especially on
(12:49):
yourself?
You know, I'm just reallyfascinated by what you did.
So I know you talk about anumber of things and obviously
I'll tell everybody read thebook.
The link to the book isobviously in the show notes as
well.
So those that are interestedcheck out the Donut Diaries.
But for now, what else would bean exercise that could really
help people get started withsomething similar?
Rachel Lavin (13:08):
I think that we have to realize that a lot of
people I talk to they have thisrelationship with the parent or
the primary caregiver which isvery negative and they feel very
traumatized by that.
And I know I did and I went totherapy, I journaled, I read
(13:29):
beautiful books.
I did all the things becausethe bottom line was I was really
exhausted emotionally,physically and mentally from
being that person and I knewthat it was going to take a lot
of effort to get out of that.
And so the other interestingthing was, through the help of
an amazing therapist I had wasyou're not your mother, you are
(13:52):
your own person, you don't haveto live in her trauma, it's not
your trauma, you are your ownperson.
And to have that kind ofawakening was like I mean, I
don't understand like to havethat thought, to be able to like
almost like separate from thatis just so freeing.
(14:14):
And I also feel like that helpsme just kind of move forward
with this new purpose and thisjourney and not give up.
Dai Manuel (14:25):
Well, thank you because your book is very
inspirational.
I think we forget at times thatwe aren't alone in our
suffering and our challenges,and it does as soon as you start
opening up about it.
Isn't it amazing how otherpeople put up their hands saying
, oh my gosh, me too.
I had no idea, I didn't thinkanybody would understand me, and
so thank you for yourvulnerability and for being the
(14:47):
one to go first.
You know, because it does.
It takes a lot to go first butit also gives others the courage
to go next.
And you know, I know you're notsomeone that's afraid of change,
especially with the adoption ofthis new mindset, and who you
are.
But so what's the deal with me?
From Northern California tobecoming literally a lifestyle
and wellness advocate inGreenville, south Carolina, like
(15:12):
that just seems like such ashift, especially to go from New
York as well, right, so I wantto hear about this, like why,
what spawned that move?
You know?
Rachel Lavin (15:19):
Well, ty, I'm a Sagittarius and we are like full
of wanderlust.
I'm not going to lie there's apart of me that just loves to
move.
I do, and I never really feltconnected growing up in Northern
(15:40):
California the San Jose, theBay Area, whatever you want to
call it I just never feltconnected to it.
The Bay Area, whatever you wantto call it I just never felt
connected to it.
And then I had the opportunity,with my first husband, to move
to the Northwest.
And after that, after thatexcitement, I got divorced and
decided in my mid-30s to go backto school and found a program
at Portland Community Collegethat was all about fitness and I
(16:00):
just remember feeling called todo that, just like writing this
book was my destiny.
Becoming a fitness professionalwas also my destiny.
So I completed this two-yeardegree program and I always knew
that I had a choice if I wantedto be a successful trainer, I
could go move to SouthernCalifornia, la, or I can move to
(16:22):
Manhattan, and I choseManhattan.
What?
Dai Manuel (16:26):
was that like?
Rachel Lavin (16:28):
I mean to go from.
Dai Manuel (16:29):
California to Manhattan.
It seems like a big contrast.
Rachel Lavin (16:34):
Yeah, but I went from Portland which was still,
at the time, super sleepy toManhattan.
Dai Manuel (16:40):
I will super sleepy to Manhattan.
Rachel Lavin (16:42):
I will not lie to you.
For the first six months Icried every single day.
I called my mom, I want to gohome.
It was rough, it was rough, itwas rough.
Then I found an apartment, Ifound a good job, I found my
footing, I figured out how tosubways work and then I just was
(17:03):
like, yeah, I'm in Georgia nowand I loved it for 15 years.
I loved it for 15 years andthen COVID hit and I just didn't
want to sit in a city in myapartment, paying rent and not
doing anything.
We just had no idea when or ifthe city was going to open back
up again.
So we sought some refuge withmy boyfriend family in florida
(17:27):
and then we just hung out thereuntil we figured out what we
were going to do.
And here we are now, ingreenville, south carolina well,
I love it.
Dai Manuel (17:37):
I've actually been through greenville before when
we were road tripping as afamily and I thought it was just
a beautiful little place, youknow, and I shouldn't say little
, but it's still a good size,but I mean, compared to Canadian
standards but it's justbeautiful.
I mean, the Carolinas is justgorgeous countries.
I can see why they didn't knowthat that's sort of this
(18:01):
direction that you're going andhow that could be a nice fit for
you.
Okay, so let's chat a littlebit about this idea of self-love
because you know, I think it'sa term that we hear a lot of
these days.
You know, self-love, self-care,self-self-self right, we're
hearing a lot of thisterminology, but I still think
people don't really understandwhat we mean by self-love.
Do you know what I mean?
Like I I find that people arespecifically men.
I just say it as it is.
I'm a man who identifies as aman and I've had the pleasure of
(18:22):
connecting with a lot of men ondifferent conversations, very
vulnerable, and you know, thisidea of self-love is not
something that they're open toeven discussing at times.
And I don't know if it's becauseof a lack of understanding, or
is it just something that makesthem really uncomfortable?
You know, and I'd love to getyour take on this.
Rachel Lavin (18:42):
I mean, listen, I think it could be all the above,
and in our culture, in oursociety, there's always been
buzzwords, and I think that thisbody positivity, body
neutrality, self-love, self-careis a simple way of explaining
and having a word for people toconnect to, what it really means
(19:06):
Heal yourself, come from aplace of love, and how you treat
yourself and how you treatothers.
Honestly, if you run yourselfragged and treat yourself poorly
and do all these things to yourbody, your future is going to
be spent in a hospital bedinstead of road tripping with
(19:26):
your family.
I use the term self-love toobecause, again, if I didn't love
myself and respect myself andhonor myself, we would not be
here today yes, absolutely.
Dai Manuel (19:42):
I think this would be interesting to get your take
on this, because I know we'vetalked about a number of
different subjects today, butit's all on the same theme and
that's the best way to ask us.
I guess you know the fitnessindustry.
I've been around it for almostthree decades now in my 30th
year actually and obviously I'veseen lots of changes right,
lots of trends come and go andopinions and misinformation as
(20:06):
well.
Lots of interesting gadgets andtools, but also perspectives,
and I know people are findingthemselves in certain situations
very desperate.
You know they're feeling verylow, feeling very sad.
I mean, every time I look inthe mirror they're wondering who
am I, how did I get here?
And if people don't relate tothat, well, I'm just repeating
back how I felt a couple timesin my life, I guess from your
(20:30):
experience as a personal trainer.
How does that influence you?
Because I think it'sinteresting having a foundation
in fitness but also see whereyou transition to and how you're
advocating for healthy living,healthy lifestyles, self-love,
positive self-talk, and I justthink it's a wonderful
transition.
But what are your thoughts onthe fitness industry?
(20:52):
I imagine you must have anopinion on it and where you
think it needs to mature or toevolve, and I'd love to just
hear your thoughts on that,because I definitely feel that
way.
I'm interested in yourperspective because you spend
time on both sides of that fence.
Let's hear what your thoughtsare, because I think this also
helped you with setting up towrite the Donut Diaries.
Rachel Lavin (21:11):
Right?
Well, I appreciate that,because you know I do try to
come from a place of.
When I hear current people inthe fitness industry spouting
that same old thing, I do rollmy eyes, but at the same time
it's like, hello, girl, you saidthose things for many years too
(21:38):
.
So you know, relax, but it doeswork temporarily.
But think about this, right.
Do you have a client who isconstantly in pain or constantly
focusing on the size of theirbody?
Or I've done it.
We got to step it up because Igot to get ready for my beach
vacation.
This is your opportunity toshare with them the consistency
(22:01):
part of exercise or theconsistency part of their diet,
and stop touting that fad dietswork because they only work for
a short period of time, andthat's why you guys gain the
weight back.
That's why you guys, yourjoints and your back and all
these things, hurt, becauseyou're not feeding your body
(22:24):
with the nutrients it needs.
And so I know I have a long wayto go in order to change this.
But, fitness professionals, ifyou're listening, this is your
opportunity to really helppeople, because I know that's
why you started.
That's why I started, because Iwant to help people, but you've
(22:45):
been fed a lie and now you'reregurgitating that lie and your
clients are suffering.
So, if you're worried about themoney, if you're worried about
the income, if you're worriedabout being different, I have
had clients that are still withme virtually 15 years later,
because I have just been honestwith them.
They've watched the way I'veevolved and they trust me.
(23:08):
If your clients trust you, theywill never leave your side.
Dai Manuel (23:14):
That's very well said and I appreciate that
you've taken a role as anadvocate and you're advocating
for a positive body image,especially, and I think I'd be
remiss if I didn't at least askfor your thought on this,
because I know that that's avery real concern for a lot of
the people in my audience,because the bulk of them are
between 35 and 55, you know ourdemographic.
(23:35):
You know, and, gosh, I know whatit's been like going from 35 to
even 47 and all the adjustmentsand changes and mental things
I've had to navigate.
You know, and, gosh, I know,what it's been like going from
35 to even 47 and all theadjustments and changes and
mental things I've had tonavigate, you know.
And so let's just say there'ssomebody listening right now
that is struggling with body,and what would be your, your
advice or invitation to them toget started.
Just get started, cause youknow that's the hardest part,
(23:58):
right, and that's the wholepoint of this show is is like
what can we do if we're gettingset aside 30 minutes or 2% of
every 24 hours to really setsome intentional boundaries
around our lives, but alsointentional actions to see that
needle move forward, see lifeget better, to experience more
happiness, you know joy,fulfillment.
What would be that activitythat you think would be best for
(24:19):
them to get started?
Rachel Lavin (24:28):
I think that in any struggle, especially with
body weight, we are conditionedto believe that I have to go on
a diet to decrease the size ofmy body.
I would ask your audience tosit with themselves, sit with
those thoughts for a minute andask myself is this working?
And if your answer is no, thenthat means you're open enough to
(24:48):
thinking that there's adifferent way.
And for me, that's where itstarted, because if you truly
believe that me living onchicken and steamed spinach is
the way to go and I'm going todo this for the rest of my life,
living on chicken and steamedspinach is the way to go, and
I'm going to do this for therest of my life You're not ready
, and that's okay.
I wasn't ready for many yearseither.
But if I ask myself this ortell myself or have a thought
(25:12):
this isn't working for meanymore, that means there's been
a seed planted and I'm ready tochange.
Dai Manuel (25:14):
I'm ready to think a different way, and that's when
you start to do the research andask questions and believe and
trust in yourself that you cando it.
Beautiful, I think that'sbeautifully said.
I'm curious, and I'm surepeople are too, because if this
is their first time beingintroduced to you and what you
do, I know that there is so muchmore.
(25:38):
It's not just what we'retalking about today.
You have a breadth of knowledgeand wisdom and you're servicing
people in many different ways.
What's the next phase of Rachellooking like?
What are you excited aboutthese days?
Where are you heading right nowas far as impact is concerned?
Because I know everything thatyou do there's an intention to
help people.
I'd love to just give theaudience an idea of what you
have coming.
Thank you.
Rachel Lavin (25:54):
Well, I have just decided that I don't want to put
any limitations on who I helpand how I help.
So I am just broadening myspectrum a little bit.
I don't want to just be fitnessfocused anymore, I want to be
lifestyle focused, I want to bewellness focused.
So I changed my name to RachelLavin, lifestyle and Wellness,
(26:18):
and I think that, moving forward, I'm going to be out in the
community.
I'm going to be doing my brainball classes.
I'm going to be out in thecommunity.
I'm going to be doing my brainball classes.
I'm going to be helping peoplewith their living space and kind
of decluttering their space,which helps them declutter
inside too.
I'm still going to be doing mybook promotion and my body love
stuff.
But I just don't think that wehave to be one thing and I think
(26:40):
that there's so much for all ofus that the fear that was kind
of holding me back it's likewell, my message, my message.
Well, I can deliver my messagein lots of ways, and when I feel
like I'm hitting that wall withsomeone, I don't want to say
that I'm giving up on thembecause I'm not.
I'm just shifting theconversation because I
(27:01):
understand you're not ready, youstill believe chicken and
steamed spinach is the way to go.
I can only lead by example andshow that by me having a
well-rounded diet and I don'tmean bad diet, I mean the food
and drink that I have on a dailybasis.
So that's where I'm at rightnow.
Dai Manuel (27:22):
So I love it, but I also I'm a big believer in that
too.
I know because I used to bejust like you.
I was so heavily into fitnessright Because I just talked
about it all the time.
I shared about it, I wassupporting people with it, and
so you know it's about nine, 10years ago.
(27:42):
I ship or to open people's eyesto all the other amazing things
that we do.
I just think it's wonderful howyou're showing up every day.
And the fact that you aremodeling and mentoring through
your actions and the sharing youknow, and that's how we all
learn.
We all learn through mentorshipand modeling.
Neuroscience has now proven it.
But I mean, if we were to thinkabout it, it was like, yeah,
that makes sense.
I'd love to ask you just onemore.
(28:04):
Well, actually I got two morequestions before we end today.
Rachel Lavin (28:06):
And.
Dai Manuel (28:06):
I always like to guess last words, so just a
little plant in the seed there,get ready.
But on the application, youtalked about a book that I
wasn't a hundred percentfamiliar with, but I've had it
recommended to me and you made anote that this book really
impacted your life, and so it'son my to read list now,
(28:27):
especially when I saw it comethrough and I know that it's a
book that's really made apositive impact in your life,
and it's called the UntetheredSoul by Michael A Singer.
And can you tell us a littlebit about why?
Why that book and how did itimpact you?
Rachel Lavin (28:35):
Well, I think that so many of us kind of believe
our thoughts, right.
So we have this constantchatter that goes on.
Believe our thoughts, right?
So we have this constantchatter that goes on all the
time.
And he calls it like yourroomie, which.
I have read the book, but I alsolistened to the audio book.
But this book is actuallyanother very quick read, but it
for me it was very powerful andI heard this from other people.
(28:57):
It's just so interesting to beable to learn how to quiet your
mind, because I think thatconstant chatter keeps people up
at night, it keeps people fromliving or maybe going for their
dreams.
It makes you think that youhave to be this certain thing.
And if you can learn tounderstand my thought, it's just
a thought.
(29:17):
It's not who I am, it's not theI'll age myself, the soundtrack
I have to listen to.
It's just a thought I'm having.
It can come and it can go, andI used to get so wrapped up into
my head and all those thingsthat it would literally kind of
handicap me from doing anythingelse.
(29:38):
So to be free of that or to atleast know when it's happening,
I can say, all right, calm down,it's just a thought.
It's really kind of freeing itmade me feel like I can do
anything Wow.
Dai Manuel (29:55):
And it's evident with what you've been doing.
So I think the person, thepudding as they say, and I can't
wait to read the book becauseit's definitely on my reading
list now and it's beeninteresting because every
speaker I have on every guesthas a different book.
I haven't seen the same bookrecommended twice yet, which is
just awesome.
It's a great reminder of howmuch wisdom is out there for our
(30:16):
fingertips to just grasp holdof, and I just think it's
wonderful that you're able toshare, especially Kate, that the
power of quieting the mind.
I know that that's something Istruggle with Doesn't mean I
don't try, but it's definitelychallenging and I think we can
all use a little bit moresupport with that.
Thanks for the recommendation.
I'd like to give last words tomy guests and, don't worry,
(30:36):
everybody In the show notes, asalways, I have all of Rachel's
amazing links, but I also have alink to her book.
Definitely highly recommendthat you check it out, get a
copy.
It's a super simple read butvery impactful.
Before we go today, rachel, isthere anything you'd like to
share with the audience Forthose people that might be just
on the edge, they've lovedeverything that you've been
(30:56):
sharing, but they're like thatlittle voice is just like maybe
not me, you know, maybe forother people, but maybe not me.
And so please, the floor isyours.
Rachel Lavin (31:04):
Thank you.
Well, I would love to leaveyour listeners with the promise
of, if you take a risk and takea chance on yourself, that you
can get through anything.
You just have to want it, and Iknow that sounds so simple, but
we are making things so hard.
It's very simple to listen toour bodies.
(31:27):
It's very simple to enjoy whatwe do.
It's very simple to have goodrelationships.
You just have to want it andyou have to do the work to have
the skills to do it.
And if you're willing to do it,you can oh, I love it.
Dai Manuel (31:44):
I better give you a little bit of shivers and make
you want to go out and dosomething right now.
Maybe read the Donut Diaries.
I don't know what will, butthank you for those insights and
reminders.
Specifically, you know, and Ialso appreciate that in your use
of language you use the termsimple, not easy, because there
is a difference.
You know we still have to takeaction.
(32:04):
You know doing something tomove that needle forward, and so
thank you for all the greatideas today.
I'm looking forward to coveringmy walls with sticky notes,
positive affirmations, and watch.
We'll see a spike in post-itnote sales because of this
interview.
So, who knows, maybe 3M willreach out to your sponsorship,
right?
But, rachel, I'd love to haveyou back next season just to
(32:25):
follow up on where the journeysare gone and how things have
been.
But in the meantime, for theaudience because I know you're
very active online what's yourfavorite social media channel?
What's the best one for them toconnect with you on, to just to
start to get to know you andengage with you?
Which is your favorite that youuse?
Rachel Lavin (32:40):
I honestly love Instagram, but I'm on Facebook
and Instagram.
So, rachel Lavin, lifestyle andwellness Find me, let's talk,
let's communicate, let's havefun together.
Dai Manuel (32:53):
I love sharing all kinds of things.
Rachel, thank you again forbeing here today on the 2%
Solution Podcast, so you have meback next season and, in the
meantime, again thank you.
Congratulations for you andeverything that you're doing in
the world.
Rachel Lavin (33:05):
Thank you so much, I appreciate you.
Dai Manuel (33:11):
All right.
Rachel Lavin (33:12):
Let me stop recording.
How does music make you so?
Dai Manuel (33:14):
popular.
I lived in Bali for two and ahalf years and I hung out with a
lot of Australians and a lot ofpeople actually from Hawaii,
which is really interesting.
There was a number of peoplebecause I was trying to learn
how to surf while I lived thereand inevitably you meet all
these people and it's just, it'snow stuck with me.
You know that and this, this isvery much a gesture that they
use in Indonesia.
When you meet somebody, it'slike this acknowledgement that I
see it's also Muslim and basedbut anyway.
(33:37):
So there's these things thathave just been hardwired in.
I forget that.
Rachel Lavin (33:40):
I do it, you know, but yeah, I've lived in Maui
for a year and a half, and so Imean All the time.
Dai Manuel (33:48):
And it's great, like I.
You know it's like my virtualhigh five.
So well, thank you.
You know you're awesome and Ijust love your energy and just
how you're leading by example.
I'm excited to introducePikachu to your work and, you
know, probably looking at aboutfour to six weeks before this
publishes but I will keep youabreast of when the date is I'm
(34:08):
going to give you lots ofsocials that you can share, even
audiograms, lots of cool stuffto make it easy for you and my
way of saying thank you forbeing on the show.
And, of course, if there'sanything I can support you with
in any of these future endeavors, please know that I'm here.
Rachel Lavin (34:21):
I'd love to Instagram right now.
Are you under your name orunder the 2%?
Dai Manuel (34:29):
Just my name.
My name, I keep everything justthat way.
It's a lot easier and it's allpart of what I do.
So the 2% Solution Podcast ispromoted to my personal account
as well.
Okay, perfect, I just followedyou.
I'll do that back and we'llstay in touch.
Like I said, I'll be taggingall your accounts on the
different platforms that I'mactive on, and you know other
than that.
Please just keep me abreast.
You got a new book coming out.
(34:49):
You got new projects on the go.
Let me know if I can be of anysupport.
I appreciate that.
Thank you.
Well, I know, if I get down toGreenville, I know who I'm going
to be looking up.
Yes, sir, and if you get up toVancouver, I'm expecting a call.
Rachel Lavin (35:04):
Okay, I don't have the plan at the moment.
I know If you ever get up againjust let me know.
Okay, thanks, rachel.
Dai Manuel (35:12):
Have a great rest of your week.
Rachel Lavin (35:13):
Thank you, bye.
Dai Manuel (35:19):
Rachel's amazing Told you it was going to be an
incredible conversation.
And if there's one thing I'mtaking away from today's convo,
it's the power of lovingourselves, truly loving
ourselves beyond the scales,beyond the sizes, well beyond
the expectations.
Rachel's journey fromstruggling with her body image
to becoming a powerful advocatefor self-love is inspiring and a
(35:43):
call for action for all of us.
Remember, as Rachel beautifullyput it change starts with
simple steps.
It's not always easy, but it ispossible, whether starting your
day with positive affirmations,breaking free from diet culture
or simply permitting yourselfto love who you are right now,
there's no better time to startthan today.
(36:06):
If Rachel's story resonated withyou and I'm sure it did be sure
to check out her book, theDonut Diaries, and connect with
her on Instagram at RachelLevine Wellness.
I have linked to both of thosein the show notes, along with a
couple other resources mentionedin the episode.
She's got so much more wisdomto share and, trust me, you'll
want to keep up with her journey.
Thank you for tuning intoanother 2% Solution podcast
(36:27):
episode.
Let's take what we've learnedtoday and apply it, because
small shifts can lead to bigchanges.
And, as always, stay tuned formore inspiring conversations in
the coming weeks and until nexttime, keep striving to just be
2% better daily.
I'll see you next time.
Welcome to the 2% Solution Podcast, where small
changes lead to monumentalimpacts.
I'm your host, diamond Well,and today we're diving deep into
a topic that's close to myheart and I bet you likely yours
too.
Our guest today is RachelLevine, a published author,
professional speaker, body loveeducator and certified health
(00:30):
coach.
Rachel's journey is nothingshort of inspiring, from her
early struggles with body imageto her transformation into an
advocate for self-love andpositive body image.
Rachel's 2% moment came whenshe turned 40 and realized that
true happiness wasn't aboutfitting into a size zero, but
finding peace and love withinherself.
(00:51):
Her book, the Donut Diarieswhatever your title, by the way
is a testament to that journeyand a beacon of hope for anyone
who's ever felt less than intheir skin.
Today, rachel's here to shareinsights on how we can all walk
back to ourselves, to break freefrom the change of diet culture
and embrace a more nourishing,loving relationship with our
(01:13):
bodies and minds.
But here's the kicker Rachelisn't just about feel-good
mantras.
She has bold opinions on thefitness industry and how it
often perpetuates unhealthystandards.
If you've ever struggled withbody image, felt overwhelmed by
societal expectations, or wantto hear a fresh, empowering
perspective on health andwellness.
This episode's for you.
(01:34):
Trust me, you're not going towant to miss this conversation.
Rachel, welcome to the 3%.
Rachel Lavin (01:41):
Solution Podcast.
Thank you so much for having meso here we are.
Dai Manuel (01:50):
I know you were one of the first people that
actually applied to be on theshow, which I am very, very
grateful for.
Since then, lots has happened.
I always just think thingshappen on the perfect timing.
So you know the fact that we'remeeting today.
I'm just excited about this.
Also, you were so kind to senda copy of your books for me to
take a look at, which I had agreat but also, more importantly
, a very powerful message.
Rachel Lavin (02:09):
And.
Dai Manuel (02:09):
I thought you know what a great place to start
today, but what was sort of theinspiration that took you to the
place to write the DonutDiaries?
I love the title, by the way.
Yes, thank you, I love it too.
Rachel Lavin (02:29):
What really motivated me to do it was I knew
that I was not the only personwho felt this way about their
body, the way they sawthemselves.
Now that I was on this journeyto kind of getting on the other
side of that, I really wanted toprovide a message that would
help people go.
Oh yeah, I know what that feelslike.
Or, yeah, I get that 100%,without feeling like it was a
self-help book.
The last thing I wanted peopleto feel like was I had to go
journal for 30 minutes with alit candle and do all that.
(02:51):
I just there's so many outthere and, trust me, I read them
all and they're very helpful,but I just didn't want to create
a book like that.
I just wanted it to be like Iwas telling you my story.
So I feel like I did accomplishthat.
Dai Manuel (03:07):
What's the main takeaways that you always hope?
That I mean as an author myself, I know we always have the
greatest of intentions, butoften we write the story for
ourselves.
Right, it's that catharticnature that we write for
ourselves, but then we hope thatit makes impact in other
people's lives and I know yourbook is.
And I'm curious what are themain takeaways that you would
want the readers to really?
You know, once they finish thebook or as they read the book,
(03:27):
what are those sort of ahamoments that you're hoping to
instill in them?
Rachel Lavin (03:30):
My first one, that I even mentioned throughout the
book many times, that you arenot alone.
I really want my reader to getthat and that's why I say it
more than once.
And then the second thing thatI really want people, when they
click on that book, is to feellike they can at least attempt
to break free of diet cultureand they could try to have a
(03:52):
healthy, loving relationship notonly with themselves but with
food, because I really believein our society.
Dai Manuel (03:58):
how much food and our horrible relationship with
it is the culprit for thisentire movement in the first
place oh man, I I love how youdo address the diet culture, but
also just sort of thoseinfluences, because I, you know,
being a father of two daughtersmyself, you know they're 18 and
20 and just just seeing whatthey've had to navigate, you
(04:19):
know and even I have one clientand I remember her dealing with
this with their own mom and then, all of a sudden, you know her
daughter at nine years oldcoming home and saying mom, I
think I need to go on a dietlike a nine year old girl you
know, like, and it was justheartbreaking to hear this, you
know, and socan you just speak to that a
little bit like what, what isthe diet culture for those that
(04:40):
maybe aren't familiar with thatterminology?
Because I I think this is anice pushing off, because then I
also want to talk about yourstory and your relationship with
the understanding of dietculture.
And you've made some hugetransitions also, you know, ever
since, especially 40, I know itwas a big milestone for you, so
we'll dive into that first.
But why don't we talk aboutdiet culture first?
Rachel Lavin (04:59):
Absolutely.
I mean, even if you are notfamiliar with that term or that
expression, trust me, you areimmersed in it, whether you want
it to be or not.
Good point, I mean just lookaround you.
I mean there's magazines,there's commercials, there's the
new fun injectables that aregoing around.
So you are in it, even if youdon't know it, and that's the
(05:21):
sneaky, sad part of it thatmakes me so crazy.
I guess I try not to use thatword, but you're infuriated
because it sucked me in for,like you mentioned, for over 40
years.
And so diet culture iseverything that you're inundated
(05:41):
with, the thoughts that youhave on a daily basis of I can't
eat, that I shouldn't eat, thatI have to go to the gym in
order to earn that food.
I mean, it's all just thisrepetitive, horrible, horrible
thing, and it's been coined inthe past decade diet culture.
Dai Manuel (05:58):
I think very well said, and I mean you're
absolutely right.
You may not be familiar withthe term, but trust me, we're
all in it.
I remember being influenced,even as a kid, and back then we
didn't have the internet orGoogle like we do today, and so
I definitely feel for the newergenerations that have grown up
within just content.
Do you mind talking about yourstory, because I know your 40th
(06:19):
birthday was a huge milestoneand as well as a turning point
for you.
You know and I I remember youdescribing this as a realization
that basically it was theignition or the spark that got
you started to seek truehappiness, but also a better
relationship with your son, andI think we're all seeking that
in some level.
So I'd love to hear what was it, what?
What happened?
Rachel Lavin (06:39):
take us through that story of course, I really
love sharing this story becauseI think it's so fascinating to
know that I am turning 40.
It's a beautiful, huge birthday.
I'm excited.
I am a size zero.
I am a size zero for the firsttime in my life at 40.
(07:00):
And I am miserable.
I don't feel connected tomyself.
Even though I was having areally good career in New York
City as a personal trainer, Ididn't feel connected, period.
I just didn't feel connected.
But the most important thingwas I had strived for this body
my whole life.
11 years old is the first timeI remember knowing and being
(07:22):
conscious that my body was notokay or different, or I was
different.
And so here I am, turning 40.
I gotta say it again, and I wasreally sad and miserable and
that, to me, was a wake up girl.
I don't want to spend the nextfour years being unhappy and sad
(07:44):
and going through all thesethings I go through looking on
the outside to be happy.
I realized at that moment Ihave to start digging pretty
deep and heal from some traumasthat have been swirling around
inside me for a long, long time.
And so that's when I started todo.
Dai Manuel (08:05):
Thank you for one, for sharing that, but also two.
I was just curious because Ithink we can relate a lot I know
I can to a lot of what you justsaid and I'm curious how was it
showing up for you Sort of thisdisconnectedness with yourself,
just to sort of give it somemore color?
I know that there's people outhere listening to watching this.
They're like, oh, that soundslike me.
(08:26):
You know, sometimes we forgethow does it actually affect us
in our day to day life?
Like that's the thing.
Where is it making the impact,or negative impact in many cases
, and do you mind just expandingon that?
Rachel Lavin (08:36):
Of course.
So internally it looks like Ihave to think about myself, my
body, food, the size of my body,clothes, the size of my clothes
every day.
Externally, it's picking thewrong man, having tumultuous
relationships with people,cutting people off, being angry,
just not being a good person.
(08:57):
I'm not going to lie personbecause I was always so
self-involved with thinkingabout my body that was supposed
to fit into society so I couldbe loved and be, happy and all
of it.
It's literally the most viciousroller coaster and I know that
there are many people on it.
Dai Manuel (09:19):
There is, and it seems like there's lots of
people getting on and off thetrain constantly, and I think
that's also where a lot offrustration lies.
You know, it's just this ebband flow and I think it always
just leaves us feeling moreempty.
Yeah, and I hate to giggle atthat, but I do, because you know
, I found myself in thatwhirlwind many, many times.
We call it a cyclone ride, likeat the fairgrounds right, just
(09:43):
whips you around, you get out ofit and you're like what the
hell is that did?
Rachel Lavin (09:45):
I go on that.
Dai Manuel (09:46):
That's ridiculous you know and, and I know that
there's been a couple activitiesand I shouldn't say activities,
but more so habits that havebeen really influential, and you
sort of come me through thistransformation or realization
and and you talk about the powerof daily affirmations can, can
you walk everyone through sortof what is that specifically,
(10:06):
why is it important and also howcan they do it?
A little bit.
Rachel Lavin (10:10):
Absolutely.
I think the first thing.
We your listeners, myself, you,we all have to realize how
nasty we are to ourselves.
Right, we are our own worstcritic.
We are so nasty to ourselves,and I realized for me that
that's where I had to start.
I had to start shifting mymindset, shifting my actions and
(10:32):
shifting my voice, to startspeaking kindly to myself With
the knowledge and the acceptance.
There was no way in heck I wasgoing to believe it right away,
like it was going to be astruggle to say these things out
loud.
And so I was living at the timein a 400 square foot New York
(10:53):
City apartment and I got apackage of hot pink post-its and
I wrote three things I ambeautiful, I am smart and I am
capable and I put them in placesthat I knew I've had to look at
every day my refrigerator, mycoffee maker, my bathroom mirror
(11:14):
, whatever.
And I forced myself to say themout loud every day, every day,
and I was doing other things.
But this is a simple thing thatanyone can do, starting right
this moment, everyone has apackage of Post-its or no paper
at home and some tape right, soyou can do this right now.
And then I remember about amonth later, one morning, I was
(11:38):
like I am capable and then Ijust remember feeling like yeah,
I am.
So it took some time I'm notgonna lie like saying these
things, you start to believethem about yourself and then you
start to behave in a way thatyes, I am capable, I can do this
.
I can it.
Just just like our bad behaviorkind of spirals, so does good
(12:02):
behavior, and that's what workedfor me in the beginning.
Dai Manuel (12:06):
That's so cool.
I love this.
My wife she'll do mirrormessages so she'll take an iRace
marker and write it on thebathroom mirror very often and
she used to do that in ourgirls' bathroom, especially a
weekly message, and I justalways loved that.
But when I first talked to youand you talked about the post-it
note idea, I thought that wasjust genius, because what a
wonderful way to also just Imean, you can have it all over
(12:27):
the place.
The continuation of constantlyreinforcing that message is your
own subconscious and I thinkthat's the thing right.
when we can align the consciousthought with the subconscious
thought, big, big changes canhappen and it does feel easier,
you know, when those two thingsare aligned.
And so what else did you findmost helpful as you sort of
adopted this new mindset andperspective, especially on
(12:49):
yourself?
You know, I'm just reallyfascinated by what you did.
So I know you talk about anumber of things and obviously
I'll tell everybody read thebook.
The link to the book isobviously in the show notes as
well.
So those that are interestedcheck out the Donut Diaries.
But for now, what else would bean exercise that could really
help people get started withsomething similar?
Rachel Lavin (13:08):
I think that we have to realize that a lot of
people I talk to they have thisrelationship with the parent or
the primary caregiver which isvery negative and they feel very
traumatized by that.
And I know I did and I went totherapy, I journaled, I read
(13:29):
beautiful books.
I did all the things becausethe bottom line was I was really
exhausted emotionally,physically and mentally from
being that person and I knewthat it was going to take a lot
of effort to get out of that.
And so the other interestingthing was, through the help of
an amazing therapist I had wasyou're not your mother, you are
(13:52):
your own person, you don't haveto live in her trauma, it's not
your trauma, you are your ownperson.
And to have that kind ofawakening was like I mean, I
don't understand like to havethat thought, to be able to like
almost like separate from thatis just so freeing.
(14:14):
And I also feel like that helpsme just kind of move forward
with this new purpose and thisjourney and not give up.
Dai Manuel (14:25):
Well, thank you because your book is very
inspirational.
I think we forget at times thatwe aren't alone in our
suffering and our challenges,and it does as soon as you start
opening up about it.
Isn't it amazing how otherpeople put up their hands saying
, oh my gosh, me too.
I had no idea, I didn't thinkanybody would understand me, and
so thank you for yourvulnerability and for being the
(14:47):
one to go first.
You know, because it does.
It takes a lot to go first butit also gives others the courage
to go next.
And you know, I know you're notsomeone that's afraid of change,
especially with the adoption ofthis new mindset, and who you
are.
But so what's the deal with me?
From Northern California tobecoming literally a lifestyle
and wellness advocate inGreenville, south Carolina, like
(15:12):
that just seems like such ashift, especially to go from New
York as well, right, so I wantto hear about this, like why,
what spawned that move?
You know?
Rachel Lavin (15:19):
Well, ty, I'm a Sagittarius and we are like full
of wanderlust.
I'm not going to lie there's apart of me that just loves to
move.
I do, and I never really feltconnected growing up in Northern
(15:40):
California the San Jose, theBay Area, whatever you want to
call it I just never feltconnected to it.
The Bay Area, whatever you wantto call it I just never felt
connected to it.
And then I had the opportunity,with my first husband, to move
to the Northwest.
And after that, after thatexcitement, I got divorced and
decided in my mid-30s to go backto school and found a program
at Portland Community Collegethat was all about fitness and I
(16:00):
just remember feeling called todo that, just like writing this
book was my destiny.
Becoming a fitness professionalwas also my destiny.
So I completed this two-yeardegree program and I always knew
that I had a choice if I wantedto be a successful trainer, I
could go move to SouthernCalifornia, la, or I can move to
(16:22):
Manhattan, and I choseManhattan.
What?
Dai Manuel (16:26):
was that like?
Rachel Lavin (16:28):
I mean to go from.
Dai Manuel (16:29):
California to Manhattan.
It seems like a big contrast.
Rachel Lavin (16:34):
Yeah, but I went from Portland which was still,
at the time, super sleepy toManhattan.
Dai Manuel (16:40):
I will super sleepy to Manhattan.
Rachel Lavin (16:42):
I will not lie to you.
For the first six months Icried every single day.
I called my mom, I want to gohome.
It was rough, it was rough, itwas rough.
Then I found an apartment, Ifound a good job, I found my
footing, I figured out how tosubways work and then I just was
(17:03):
like, yeah, I'm in Georgia nowand I loved it for 15 years.
I loved it for 15 years andthen COVID hit and I just didn't
want to sit in a city in myapartment, paying rent and not
doing anything.
We just had no idea when or ifthe city was going to open back
up again.
So we sought some refuge withmy boyfriend family in florida
(17:27):
and then we just hung out thereuntil we figured out what we
were going to do.
And here we are now, ingreenville, south carolina well,
I love it.
Dai Manuel (17:37):
I've actually been through greenville before when
we were road tripping as afamily and I thought it was just
a beautiful little place, youknow, and I shouldn't say little
, but it's still a good size,but I mean, compared to Canadian
standards but it's justbeautiful.
I mean, the Carolinas is justgorgeous countries.
I can see why they didn't knowthat that's sort of this
(18:01):
direction that you're going andhow that could be a nice fit for
you.
Okay, so let's chat a littlebit about this idea of self-love
because you know, I think it'sa term that we hear a lot of
these days.
You know, self-love, self-care,self-self-self right, we're
hearing a lot of thisterminology, but I still think
people don't really understandwhat we mean by self-love.
Do you know what I mean?
Like I I find that people arespecifically men.
I just say it as it is.
I'm a man who identifies as aman and I've had the pleasure of
(18:22):
connecting with a lot of men ondifferent conversations, very
vulnerable, and you know, thisidea of self-love is not
something that they're open toeven discussing at times.
And I don't know if it's becauseof a lack of understanding, or
is it just something that makesthem really uncomfortable?
You know, and I'd love to getyour take on this.
Rachel Lavin (18:42):
I mean, listen, I think it could be all the above,
and in our culture, in oursociety, there's always been
buzzwords, and I think that thisbody positivity, body
neutrality, self-love, self-careis a simple way of explaining
and having a word for people toconnect to, what it really means
(19:06):
Heal yourself, come from aplace of love, and how you treat
yourself and how you treatothers.
Honestly, if you run yourselfragged and treat yourself poorly
and do all these things to yourbody, your future is going to
be spent in a hospital bedinstead of road tripping with
(19:26):
your family.
I use the term self-love toobecause, again, if I didn't love
myself and respect myself andhonor myself, we would not be
here today yes, absolutely.
Dai Manuel (19:42):
I think this would be interesting to get your take
on this, because I know we'vetalked about a number of
different subjects today, butit's all on the same theme and
that's the best way to ask us.
I guess you know the fitnessindustry.
I've been around it for almostthree decades now in my 30th
year actually and obviously I'veseen lots of changes right,
lots of trends come and go andopinions and misinformation as
(20:06):
well.
Lots of interesting gadgets andtools, but also perspectives,
and I know people are findingthemselves in certain situations
very desperate.
You know they're feeling verylow, feeling very sad.
I mean, every time I look inthe mirror they're wondering who
am I, how did I get here?
And if people don't relate tothat, well, I'm just repeating
back how I felt a couple timesin my life, I guess from your
(20:30):
experience as a personal trainer.
How does that influence you?
Because I think it'sinteresting having a foundation
in fitness but also see whereyou transition to and how you're
advocating for healthy living,healthy lifestyles, self-love,
positive self-talk, and I justthink it's a wonderful
transition.
But what are your thoughts onthe fitness industry?
(20:52):
I imagine you must have anopinion on it and where you
think it needs to mature or toevolve, and I'd love to just
hear your thoughts on that,because I definitely feel that
way.
I'm interested in yourperspective because you spend
time on both sides of that fence.
Let's hear what your thoughtsare, because I think this also
helped you with setting up towrite the Donut Diaries.
Rachel Lavin (21:11):
Right?
Well, I appreciate that,because you know I do try to
come from a place of.
When I hear current people inthe fitness industry spouting
that same old thing, I do rollmy eyes, but at the same time
it's like, hello, girl, you saidthose things for many years too
(21:38):
.
So you know, relax, but it doeswork temporarily.
But think about this, right.
Do you have a client who isconstantly in pain or constantly
focusing on the size of theirbody?
Or I've done it.
We got to step it up because Igot to get ready for my beach
vacation.
This is your opportunity toshare with them the consistency
(22:01):
part of exercise or theconsistency part of their diet,
and stop touting that fad dietswork because they only work for
a short period of time, andthat's why you guys gain the
weight back.
That's why you guys, yourjoints and your back and all
these things, hurt, becauseyou're not feeding your body
(22:24):
with the nutrients it needs.
And so I know I have a long wayto go in order to change this.
But, fitness professionals, ifyou're listening, this is your
opportunity to really helppeople, because I know that's
why you started.
That's why I started, because Iwant to help people, but you've
(22:45):
been fed a lie and now you'reregurgitating that lie and your
clients are suffering.
So, if you're worried about themoney, if you're worried about
the income, if you're worriedabout being different, I have
had clients that are still withme virtually 15 years later,
because I have just been honestwith them.
They've watched the way I'veevolved and they trust me.
(23:08):
If your clients trust you, theywill never leave your side.
Dai Manuel (23:14):
That's very well said and I appreciate that
you've taken a role as anadvocate and you're advocating
for a positive body image,especially, and I think I'd be
remiss if I didn't at least askfor your thought on this,
because I know that that's avery real concern for a lot of
the people in my audience,because the bulk of them are
between 35 and 55, you know ourdemographic.
(23:35):
You know, and, gosh, I know whatit's been like going from 35 to
even 47 and all the adjustmentsand changes and mental things
I've had to navigate.
You know, and, gosh, I know,what it's been like going from
35 to even 47 and all theadjustments and changes and
mental things I've had tonavigate, you know.
And so let's just say there'ssomebody listening right now
that is struggling with body,and what would be your, your
advice or invitation to them toget started.
Just get started, cause youknow that's the hardest part,
(23:58):
right, and that's the wholepoint of this show is is like
what can we do if we're gettingset aside 30 minutes or 2% of
every 24 hours to really setsome intentional boundaries
around our lives, but alsointentional actions to see that
needle move forward, see lifeget better, to experience more
happiness, you know joy,fulfillment.
What would be that activitythat you think would be best for
(24:19):
them to get started?
Rachel Lavin (24:28):
I think that in any struggle, especially with
body weight, we are conditionedto believe that I have to go on
a diet to decrease the size ofmy body.
I would ask your audience tosit with themselves, sit with
those thoughts for a minute andask myself is this working?
And if your answer is no, thenthat means you're open enough to
(24:48):
thinking that there's adifferent way.
And for me, that's where itstarted, because if you truly
believe that me living onchicken and steamed spinach is
the way to go and I'm going todo this for the rest of my life,
living on chicken and steamedspinach is the way to go, and
I'm going to do this for therest of my life You're not ready
, and that's okay.
I wasn't ready for many yearseither.
But if I ask myself this ortell myself or have a thought
(25:12):
this isn't working for meanymore, that means there's been
a seed planted and I'm ready tochange.
Dai Manuel (25:14):
I'm ready to think a different way, and that's when
you start to do the research andask questions and believe and
trust in yourself that you cando it.
Beautiful, I think that'sbeautifully said.
I'm curious, and I'm surepeople are too, because if this
is their first time beingintroduced to you and what you
do, I know that there is so muchmore.
(25:38):
It's not just what we'retalking about today.
You have a breadth of knowledgeand wisdom and you're servicing
people in many different ways.
What's the next phase of Rachellooking like?
What are you excited aboutthese days?
Where are you heading right nowas far as impact is concerned?
Because I know everything thatyou do there's an intention to
help people.
I'd love to just give theaudience an idea of what you
have coming.
Thank you.
Rachel Lavin (25:54):
Well, I have just decided that I don't want to put
any limitations on who I helpand how I help.
So I am just broadening myspectrum a little bit.
I don't want to just be fitnessfocused anymore, I want to be
lifestyle focused, I want to bewellness focused.
So I changed my name to RachelLavin, lifestyle and Wellness,
(26:18):
and I think that, moving forward, I'm going to be out in the
community.
I'm going to be doing my brainball classes.
I'm going to be out in thecommunity.
I'm going to be doing my brainball classes.
I'm going to be helping peoplewith their living space and kind
of decluttering their space,which helps them declutter
inside too.
I'm still going to be doing mybook promotion and my body love
stuff.
But I just don't think that wehave to be one thing and I think
(26:40):
that there's so much for all ofus that the fear that was kind
of holding me back it's likewell, my message, my message.
Well, I can deliver my messagein lots of ways, and when I feel
like I'm hitting that wall withsomeone, I don't want to say
that I'm giving up on thembecause I'm not.
I'm just shifting theconversation because I
(27:01):
understand you're not ready, youstill believe chicken and
steamed spinach is the way to go.
I can only lead by example andshow that by me having a
well-rounded diet and I don'tmean bad diet, I mean the food
and drink that I have on a dailybasis.
So that's where I'm at rightnow.
Dai Manuel (27:22):
So I love it, but I also I'm a big believer in that
too.
I know because I used to bejust like you.
I was so heavily into fitnessright Because I just talked
about it all the time.
I shared about it, I wassupporting people with it, and
so you know it's about nine, 10years ago.
(27:42):
I ship or to open people's eyesto all the other amazing things
that we do.
I just think it's wonderful howyou're showing up every day.
And the fact that you aremodeling and mentoring through
your actions and the sharing youknow, and that's how we all
learn.
We all learn through mentorshipand modeling.
Neuroscience has now proven it.
But I mean, if we were to thinkabout it, it was like, yeah,
that makes sense.
I'd love to ask you just onemore.
(28:04):
Well, actually I got two morequestions before we end today.
Rachel Lavin (28:06):
And.
Dai Manuel (28:06):
I always like to guess last words, so just a
little plant in the seed there,get ready.
But on the application, youtalked about a book that I
wasn't a hundred percentfamiliar with, but I've had it
recommended to me and you made anote that this book really
impacted your life, and so it'son my to read list now,
(28:27):
especially when I saw it comethrough and I know that it's a
book that's really made apositive impact in your life,
and it's called the UntetheredSoul by Michael A Singer.
And can you tell us a littlebit about why?
Why that book and how did itimpact you?
Rachel Lavin (28:35):
Well, I think that so many of us kind of believe
our thoughts, right.
So we have this constantchatter that goes on.
Believe our thoughts, right?
So we have this constantchatter that goes on all the
time.
And he calls it like yourroomie, which.
I have read the book, but I alsolistened to the audio book.
But this book is actuallyanother very quick read, but it
for me it was very powerful andI heard this from other people.
(28:57):
It's just so interesting to beable to learn how to quiet your
mind, because I think thatconstant chatter keeps people up
at night, it keeps people fromliving or maybe going for their
dreams.
It makes you think that youhave to be this certain thing.
And if you can learn tounderstand my thought, it's just
a thought.
(29:17):
It's not who I am, it's not theI'll age myself, the soundtrack
I have to listen to.
It's just a thought I'm having.
It can come and it can go, andI used to get so wrapped up into
my head and all those thingsthat it would literally kind of
handicap me from doing anythingelse.
(29:38):
So to be free of that or to atleast know when it's happening,
I can say, all right, calm down,it's just a thought.
It's really kind of freeing itmade me feel like I can do
anything Wow.
Dai Manuel (29:55):
And it's evident with what you've been doing.
So I think the person, thepudding as they say, and I can't
wait to read the book becauseit's definitely on my reading
list now and it's beeninteresting because every
speaker I have on every guesthas a different book.
I haven't seen the same bookrecommended twice yet, which is
just awesome.
It's a great reminder of howmuch wisdom is out there for our
(30:16):
fingertips to just grasp holdof, and I just think it's
wonderful that you're able toshare, especially Kate, that the
power of quieting the mind.
I know that that's something Istruggle with Doesn't mean I
don't try, but it's definitelychallenging and I think we can
all use a little bit moresupport with that.
Thanks for the recommendation.
I'd like to give last words tomy guests and, don't worry,
(30:36):
everybody In the show notes, asalways, I have all of Rachel's
amazing links, but I also have alink to her book.
Definitely highly recommendthat you check it out, get a
copy.
It's a super simple read butvery impactful.
Before we go today, rachel, isthere anything you'd like to
share with the audience Forthose people that might be just
on the edge, they've lovedeverything that you've been
(30:56):
sharing, but they're like thatlittle voice is just like maybe
not me, you know, maybe forother people, but maybe not me.
And so please, the floor isyours.
Rachel Lavin (31:04):
Thank you.
Well, I would love to leaveyour listeners with the promise
of, if you take a risk and takea chance on yourself, that you
can get through anything.
You just have to want it, and Iknow that sounds so simple, but
we are making things so hard.
It's very simple to listen toour bodies.
(31:27):
It's very simple to enjoy whatwe do.
It's very simple to have goodrelationships.
You just have to want it andyou have to do the work to have
the skills to do it.
And if you're willing to do it,you can oh, I love it.
Dai Manuel (31:44):
I better give you a little bit of shivers and make
you want to go out and dosomething right now.
Maybe read the Donut Diaries.
I don't know what will, butthank you for those insights and
reminders.
Specifically, you know, and Ialso appreciate that in your use
of language you use the termsimple, not easy, because there
is a difference.
You know we still have to takeaction.
(32:04):
You know doing something tomove that needle forward, and so
thank you for all the greatideas today.
I'm looking forward to coveringmy walls with sticky notes,
positive affirmations, and watch.
We'll see a spike in post-itnote sales because of this
interview.
So, who knows, maybe 3M willreach out to your sponsorship,
right?
But, rachel, I'd love to haveyou back next season just to
(32:25):
follow up on where the journeysare gone and how things have
been.
But in the meantime, for theaudience because I know you're
very active online what's yourfavorite social media channel?
What's the best one for them toconnect with you on, to just to
start to get to know you andengage with you?
Which is your favorite that youuse?
Rachel Lavin (32:40):
I honestly love Instagram, but I'm on Facebook
and Instagram.
So, rachel Lavin, lifestyle andwellness Find me, let's talk,
let's communicate, let's havefun together.
Dai Manuel (32:53):
I love sharing all kinds of things.
Rachel, thank you again forbeing here today on the 2%
Solution Podcast, so you have meback next season and, in the
meantime, again thank you.
Congratulations for you andeverything that you're doing in
the world.
Rachel Lavin (33:05):
Thank you so much, I appreciate you.
Dai Manuel (33:11):
All right.
Rachel Lavin (33:12):
Let me stop recording.
How does music make you so?
Dai Manuel (33:14):
popular.
I lived in Bali for two and ahalf years and I hung out with a
lot of Australians and a lot ofpeople actually from Hawaii,
which is really interesting.
There was a number of peoplebecause I was trying to learn
how to surf while I lived thereand inevitably you meet all
these people and it's just, it'snow stuck with me.
You know that and this, this isvery much a gesture that they
use in Indonesia.
When you meet somebody, it'slike this acknowledgement that I
see it's also Muslim and basedbut anyway.
(33:37):
So there's these things thathave just been hardwired in.
I forget that.
Rachel Lavin (33:40):
I do it, you know, but yeah, I've lived in Maui
for a year and a half, and so Imean All the time.
Dai Manuel (33:48):
And it's great, like I.
You know it's like my virtualhigh five.
So well, thank you.
You know you're awesome and Ijust love your energy and just
how you're leading by example.
I'm excited to introducePikachu to your work and, you
know, probably looking at aboutfour to six weeks before this
publishes but I will keep youabreast of when the date is I'm
(34:08):
going to give you lots ofsocials that you can share, even
audiograms, lots of cool stuffto make it easy for you and my
way of saying thank you forbeing on the show.
And, of course, if there'sanything I can support you with
in any of these future endeavors, please know that I'm here.
Rachel Lavin (34:21):
I'd love to Instagram right now.
Are you under your name orunder the 2%?
Dai Manuel (34:29):
Just my name.
My name, I keep everything justthat way.
It's a lot easier and it's allpart of what I do.
So the 2% Solution Podcast ispromoted to my personal account
as well.
Okay, perfect, I just followedyou.
I'll do that back and we'llstay in touch.
Like I said, I'll be taggingall your accounts on the
different platforms that I'mactive on, and you know other
than that.
Please just keep me abreast.
You got a new book coming out.
(34:49):
You got new projects on the go.
Let me know if I can be of anysupport.
I appreciate that.
Thank you.
Well, I know, if I get down toGreenville, I know who I'm going
to be looking up.
Yes, sir, and if you get up toVancouver, I'm expecting a call.
Rachel Lavin (35:04):
Okay, I don't have the plan at the moment.
I know If you ever get up againjust let me know.
Okay, thanks, rachel.
Dai Manuel (35:12):
Have a great rest of your week.
Rachel Lavin (35:13):
Thank you, bye.
Dai Manuel (35:19):
Rachel's amazing Told you it was going to be an
incredible conversation.
And if there's one thing I'mtaking away from today's convo,
it's the power of lovingourselves, truly loving
ourselves beyond the scales,beyond the sizes, well beyond
the expectations.
Rachel's journey fromstruggling with her body image
to becoming a powerful advocatefor self-love is inspiring and a
(35:43):
call for action for all of us.
Remember, as Rachel beautifullyput it change starts with
simple steps.
It's not always easy, but it ispossible, whether starting your
day with positive affirmations,breaking free from diet culture
or simply permitting yourselfto love who you are right now,
there's no better time to startthan today.
(36:06):
If Rachel's story resonated withyou and I'm sure it did be sure
to check out her book, theDonut Diaries, and connect with
her on Instagram at RachelLevine Wellness.
I have linked to both of thosein the show notes, along with a
couple other resources mentionedin the episode.
She's got so much more wisdomto share and, trust me, you'll
want to keep up with her journey.
Thank you for tuning intoanother 2% Solution podcast
(36:27):
episode.
Let's take what we've learnedtoday and apply it, because
small shifts can lead to bigchanges.
And, as always, stay tuned formore inspiring conversations in
the coming weeks and until nexttime, keep striving to just be
2% better daily.
I'll see you next time.
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