EP 218: Recovery Is Like a Roller Coaster ~ Why the Scary Parts Actually Mean You’re on the Right Track 🎢

In this powerful episode, Lindsey shares a weekend experience with her son that completely reframes what recovery success looks like. Using the analogy of a terrifying roller coaster ride, she challenges the myth that recovery should feel comfortable and reveals why the hardest moments might actually be where the most important healing happens. If you've been beating yourself up because parts of recovery still feel impossible, or if you're waiting for healing to feel "good" before you fully commit, this episode will shift your entire perspective on courage, progress, and what it truly means to succeed in recovery.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why recovery doesn't have to feel good to be working effectively
• How to redefine recovery success beyond comfort and ease
• The difference between courage and confidence (and why courage is enough)
• Why the struggle IS the work, not a sign that you're failing
• Practical ways to honor your bravery even when recovery feels terrifying
• How to stay committed to healing when every instinct tells you to quit

Key Takeaways & Quotes

On Recovery Not Feeling Good (4:30) "You don't have to enjoy recovery for it to be changing your life... What if the victory isn't in loving the process, but in staying on the ride anyway?"

On Redefining Success (8:45) "Every time you eat when your eating disorder says restrict - that's courage, even if it feels awful. Every time you choose rest over compulsive exercise - that's strength, even if your anxiety is through the roof."

On Courage vs. Comfort (10:15) "Recovery success isn't never having eating disorder thoughts again. It's learning to recognize those thoughts and choosing not to act on them, even when they're loud and persistent."

On The Hardest Moments (11:30) "When you're struggling the most, when recovery feels impossible, when every instinct is telling you to go back to your eating disorder - that's when you're doing the deepest healing work."

This Week's Recovery Challenge

Find one moment this week where you chose recovery despite it feeling hard. Instead of minimizing that moment or focusing on how uncomfortable it felt, say out loud: "I am proud of myself for doing that hard thing."

Remember: You don't have to love recovery to be succeeding at it. You just have to keep showing up.

Real Talk Recovery Reminders

• The struggle isn't a sign that recovery isn't working - the struggle IS the work
• You can be proud of your courage even when recovery doesn't feel good
• Discomfort doesn't equal danger - it often equals growth
• Your difficult recovery experience doesn't mean you're doing it wrong
• Building emotional strength happens in the uncomfortable moments

Ready for support on your recovery roller coaster? If you're tired of navigating recovery alone and want someone to remind you of your strength when you can't see it yourself, Lindsey's one-on-one coaching program is designed for