Change Your Life with Accountability Coaching: Diedra's Story | Healing Heroines

Chandler speaks with Hero and Accountability Coach Bonnie Heim about how compassionate accountability changed our Heroine Diedra's life. Diedra is a high-achieving finance professional with an overwhelming schedule, and had lived with an undiagnosed physical illness as well as weight struggles prior to working with Bonnie.  Through Bonnie's unique approach to accountability, Diedra not only lost weight and was able to overcome her symptoms, but most importantly, she learned that showing up for yourself despite experiencing big life changes, has a way of positively impacting all areas of your life.

As Bonnie eloquently puts it, " accountability is not a hammer — it’s a hug” and small daily reminders alongside simple tools can create sustained change. 

What You Will Learn

• [00:08:37] Diedra’s lifelong drive to be involved and give back, alongside long-standing struggles with body image and confidence.
• [00:11:30] How a major cross-country move and subsequent, undiagnosed illness compounded stress and made self-care harder.
• [00:17:30] How the book, The Body Keeps the Score, helped spark Chandler's curiosity about unprocessed stress and the body’s role in healing.
• [00:22:22] The specific turning point that made Diedra decide something had to change.
• [00:24:47] Why starting a program during a chaotic life transition was possible — and how small first steps mattered more than waiting for “the perfect Monday.”
• [00:26:30] What positive accountability looks like in practice: encouragement + structure + daily, nonjudgmental check-ins.
• [00:31:30] How simple, concrete tools and permission to rest (e.g., specific self-care moves Bonnie suggests) help manage flare-ups and keep progress steady.
• [00:45:00] The moment Diedra recognized the change as a lifestyle shift — choosing nourishing meals and feeling the difference in daily life, not just the scale.

Resources Mentioned

• The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk (Book).

Let’s Connect!
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Bonnie Heim

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Chandler Stroud

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Mixing and editing provided by Next Day Podcast.