In this heartfelt and deeply relatable episode, Dr. Cristina Castagnini welcomes Heidi Dueweke, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Personal Trainer, who shares her powerful journey from years of self-criticism and rigid food rules to true healing and self-acceptance. For much of her life, Heidi believed discipline, control, and self-denial would finally bring her peace. Instead, those beliefs led her down a path of perfectionism, food obsession, and shame. Through therapy, education, and self-discovery, she came to understand that you can’t hate your body into healing—and that real change begins when we shift from control to compassion. Together, Dr. Castagnini and Heidi explore the cultural pressures that normalize disordered eating, the hidden links between anxiety, ADHD, and food behaviors, and the freedom that comes from redefining “healthy” on your own terms. This episode offers hope for anyone stuck in the cycle of self-doubt, restriction, or comparison. Heidi Dueweke is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Personal Trainer who uses a hollistic approach with her clients. She values helping others, engaging in self-growth, challenging societal norms, and being her authentic self.    

Key Topics Discussed:

  • Why you can’t “discipline” or shame yourself into self-love.
  • How control, restriction, and perfectionism often mask deeper emotional struggles.
  • How early family messages around food can shape our long-term relationship with eating.
  • The dangers of labeling food as “good” or “bad.”
  • Why “healthy” habits can sometimes become unhealthy coping mechanisms.
  • The power of shifting from “How do I look?” to “What can my body do?”
  • How healing requires self-compassion, flexibility, and authenticity.

IMPORTANT TIMECODES FROM THIS EPISODE:

  • 00:00 Introduction to Behind the Bite
  • 01:00 Meet Heidi Dueweke: A Journey from Control to Care
  • 03:00 Heidi's Early Struggles with Body Image
  • 03:57 Discovering Psychology and Personal Insights
  • 05:12 The Turning Point: Embracing Exercise and Healthy Eating
  • 13:53 College Years: Independence and Challenges
  • 22:33 The Vicious Cycle of Restriction and Binging
  • 23:34 Struggles with Food and Body Image
  • 24:16 Behavioral Patterns and Social Situations
  • 24:54 Holiday Challenges and Self-Control
  • 26:10 Realizations and Recovery
  • 27:47 Societal Pressures and Body Image
  • 29:39 Family Dynamics and Comparisons
  • 32:31 Empowerment and Authenticity
  • 44:04 Professional Journey and Helping Others

CONNECT WITH Heidi Dueweke:

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Until next time, remember, we're here to break down barriers, challenge stigma, and support each other on the path to a better life.

Part of the Los Angeles Tribune Podcast Network, produced by the Tweaky Tales.

**Disclaimer:**

The content of this podcast episode is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views and experiences shared by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or affiliated organizations. If you have any medical or mental health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare provider. Listener discretion is advised, especially for those sensitive to topics related to body image, weight stigma, and eating disorders.