Podcast Episode #334: Thin from Within with Robyn Youkilis

Topics

1. News and updates from Diane [1:45]
2. Introducing our guest, Robyn Youkilis [5:56]
3. Something that Robyn's into [9:07]
4. Regarding the title: Thin from Within [17:24]
5. Background regarding the book [25:42]
6. On the last 10 pounds [33:08]
7. Addressing the emotional [36:18]
8. Chew slow, eat slow [44:54]
9. The reality of snacking [48:48]
10. Making the change [55:53]
11. Pregnancy for Robyn [1:03:33]

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You’re listening to the Balanced Bites podcast episode 334.

Diane Sanfilippo: Welcome to the Balanced Bites podcast. I'm Diane; a certified nutrition consultant, and the New York Times bestselling author of Practical Paleo and the recently released The 21-Day Sugar Detox Daily Guide. I live in San Francisco with my husband and fur kids.

I'm the co-creator of the Balanced Bites Master Class with my partner in crime, Liz, and together we've been bringing you this award-winning podcast for more than 6 years. We're here to share our take on modern paleo living, answer your questions, and chat with leading health and wellness experts. Enjoy this week's episode, and submit your questions at http://blog.balancedbites.com or watch the Balanced Bites podcast Instagram account. You can ask us anything in the comments.

Remember our disclaimer: The materials and content within this podcast are intended as general information only, and are not to be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Before we get started, let's hear from one of our sponsors.

Diane Sanfilippo: Today's podcast is sponsored in part by Vital Choice seafood and organics. The leading source of superior, sustainably sourced seafood, and a certified B corporation. February is heart month, when it's smart to remember that diets rich in seafood and superior omega-3 fatty acids can reduce your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure. Wild fish and shellfish are the richest sources of the healthiest kinds of omega-3 fatty acids. And Vital Choice offers a wide range. You'll find the best, paleo friendly, wild salmon, fish and shellfish, plus salmon burgers, dogs, and bacon; mouth-watering grass-fed meats, and organic bone all at www.vitalchoice.com.

1. News and updates from Diane [1:45]

Diane Sanfilippo: Alright, everybody. A couple of quick updates before I get into my chat with my guest on today's show. I want to remind you all that the 21-Day Sugar Detox certified coaches program is opening up very, very soon. So we're going to open that up in March, and the class will run in April and May. It's a 6-8 week class. It just kind of depends if we put in a couple of breaks. It's something that is not an education program. This program isn't something that's going to teach you more about nutrition and health and sugar. It's a coaching business program.

So what we do with our 21DSD coaches is give you essentially a business in a box. All the graphics that you need, all the resources, all the tools, all the information of how to set up your website, how to make a page about your services, advice on what to charge for that, and where to connect and contact people within your community to kind of build that up for yourself. So that's really exciting.

I absolutely love our 21DSD coaches. They're such an amazing group of women, and a couple of guys, who are just out there doing it. Out in their communities, on the internet, all over the place, running groups, working with people one-on-one, and really changing lives. And I'm so thrilled to be able to support all of you who are already our coaches, and I'm really looking forward to bringing more of you into that community. Because it's very, very collaborate. Everyone helps each other. Shares ideas. Shares successes. And supports each other in your challenges. So it's really amazing. I hope to see you inside the program.

A quick note on prerequisites; you do need to be a coach of some sort. There aren't strict requirements in terms of which certifications apply or not; however, if you're not already running a business where you coach people somehow, I do think that you would be better served if you had that type of certification first. Whether it's a personal trainer, whether you're a health coach through IIN or an NTP/NTC. Nutrition consultant through Bauman, nutrition educator. Any of those certifications, and more. Feel free to come ask if you have questions about whether or not your certification will qualify.

But in general, just somebody who is already working with people in some capacity is a good fit. And of course, that extends as well to our medical professionals, nurses, acupuncturists, MDs, NDs, functional medicine practitioners, and beyond. We would love to have you in the program.

Update on Balanced Bites spices. The new blends and a restock of all of them are coming very, very soon. As it seems to turn out, I actually can't accomplish everything I want to do at once. So sometimes I've got a lot of big projects launching and our initial launch of those spices was truly a beta launch. So the new versions and everything that's coming out, hopefully within the next few weeks. So stay tuned for that.

Last but not least, as I'll talk about in a moment here with Robyn, we will see you guys in the Pacific Northwest. So if you're in the Portland, Seattle, Tacoma areas, definitely come, meet myself and Robyn Youkilis, who I know you guys are going to fall in love with her. She's my homegirl. I think you're going to love her so much. So, I'm really excited about that. I'm really excited to wrap up the tour essentially with that.

But I will also be in Minneapolis on Sunday, May 6th, after the Beautycounter leadership summit that's happening there that weekend. I decided to come meet some of you in Minneapolis. Whether or not you are involved with Beautycounter. It does not matter. But it's going to be 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 6th. So you can check out the RSVP for that. www.21DaySugarDetox.com/tour. And I would absolutely love to meet you there. I've never been to Minneapolis, I'm super excited about that.

Liz Wolfe: The Balanced Bites podcast is sponsored in part by the Nutritional Therapy Association. The NTA trains and certifies nutritional therapy practitioners and consultants (including me; I'm an NTP), emphasizing bio-individuality and the range of dietary strategies that support wellness. The NTA emphasizes local, whole, properly prepared nutrient dense foods as the key to restoring balance and enhancing the body's ability to heal. Nutritional therapy practitioners and consultants learn a wide range of tools and techniques to assess and correct nutritional imbalances. To learn lots more about the nutritional therapy program, go to http://www.NutritionalTherapy.com. There are workshop venues in the US, Canada, and Australia, so chances are you'll be able to find a venue that works for you.

2. Introducing our guest, Robyn Youkilis [5:56]

Diane Sanfilippo: Alright, well I'm super excited to have my friend Robyn Youkilis here on the show today. You're just going to love her. I think you're just going to love her, and I can't wait for you guys to get to know her more.

But before I begin that interview. If you did not get to meet Robyn on a previous episode, let me give you a little quick background just in case you're not too familiar. Robyn Youkilis is an AADP certified health coach, author, and internationally renowned speaker and leading expert in holistic digestive health. Robyn's coaching practice, Your Healthiest You, helps clients shed both physical and emotional weight with her straightforward yet supportive coaching style.

She's the author of the ground breaking book, Go With Your Gut. And is launching her next book, Thin from Within: The Go With Your Gut Way to Lose Weight, on February 13th. Robyn's holistic approach to health and wellness focuses on not only food, but all areas of life. Including stress, sleep, and emotions. And, the effect that those have on weight and eating habits.

As a former serial dieter herself, Robyn struggled with binge eating, being overweight, and poor body image her entire life. She finally got off this roller coaster when she enrolled in the world's largest nutrition school, the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and graduated as a certified health coach. There, Robyn was able to channel her passion for food and cooking into healthy food and lifestyle tools that have helped her and thousands of others through her coaching practice lose weight, gain energy, remain mentally focused, and end serial dieting for good.

Robyn currently lives in New York City and LA with her husband and their daughter. She has been a member of the American Association of drugless practitioners for nearly a decade, and enjoys traveling, outdoor activities such as skiing and rock climbing, and music festivals.

Alright. Welcome back to the show, Robyn Youkilis! I'm so excited to chat with you today. We're just about to kick off our Pacific Northwest leg of my 21DSD tour, your Thin from Within tour. So the beginning of your tour. So I'm super excited about that. So hi! How are you?

Robyn Youkilis: You make a sound like a deranged band in the best way possible. {laughing}

Diane Sanfilippo: {laughing}

Robyn Youkilis: We're beginning our tour together. I'm picturing load in, and load out, and instruments, and us with our books doing little air guitars on them. On stage be like, dununuh! And here we are! From Long Island and New Jersey!

Diane Sanfilippo: {laughing}

Robyn Youkilis: And that's basically how it's going to go.

Diane Sanfilippo: Pretty much. I'm really excited. I have this thing where I basically only know people on the internet. And then I'm like; yeah, let's tour together. Let's actually go and spend; not just have coffee or a dinner. But come with me on probably the most important thing that I do with all of my work.

I did this with Cassy Joy. She and I actually weren't; we had never met in person before, either. No, we had met. That's not true. But we hadn't really been friends-friends. But I think we just know, as girlfriends. We're good. We're going to have the best time. So I'm like; come with me! Come on this tour with me! {laughing} Come hang out.

3. Something that Robyn's into [9:07]

Diane Sanfilippo: Alright, so before we get into real content for our listeners, and if you guys did not already hear. Robyn has been on the show; at least once before. Episode 227. We talked about her first book, Go With Your Gut. So, she's no stranger to the Balanced Bites podcast. But we want to know, what is something that you're into lately. A new thing that you're into. It can be food or health related. It doesn't have to be. Icebreaker. We don't tell people that we're asking them this. So, poor Robyn is now like, “I don't know!”

Or it could be something that you're into for your daughter, maybe. Or, I don't know. Do you got something for us?

Robyn Youkilis: I do.

Diane Sanfilippo: Ok.

Robyn Youkilis: One is kind of lame; so I hope you guys will just all hold the space for me to be a little lame. And the next one I think is kind of more pizzazzy. So I'm giving two. It's kind of like two halves. First; not new in any way. Not even new to me. But my passion for it is brand shiny new, and that is a daily meditation practice. And I mean that in all caps. It happens every day, in some capacity. I do it. I get my head on straight. I get my feet underneath me, and that is where I'm at and really, really fueling me.

Because, before my journey, it was working out, or drink enough water. That's generally happening. So what was that next stage for me that I needed to really get quiet so that I could do all these big things in the world that I really want to do?

And then the second one is rather than sauerkraut, fermented sauerkraut. Whole brined vegetables. So brined veggies. Same thing, they've gone through a process of fermentation. They taste like they should be $25 a jar when you make them, except they cost $2 a jar to make. And they are seriously gourmet, amazing, and good for your gut. Just a new fun way to get in those ferments. And plus, I'm really psyched up, psyched up, psyched up; passionate up, all the things, to teach it. Because it's even easier than sauerkraut to make.

Diane Sanfilippo: Maybe I should learn that while we're away.

Robyn Youkilis: I can bring the supplies. We'd literally need a bunch of radishes or something similar. Carrots. Even your little bagged carrots will work. A jar. Some salt. And you can add peppercorn or dill, but you don't even need to. You literally make a salt solution and throw it all in the jar. And there's bubbles, and it starts fermenting.

Diane Sanfilippo: That's awesome. I love it. And I'm sure; where are people going to find your recipes for that. Are they going to find it in the book?

Robyn Youkilis: In the new book. Yeah.

Diane Sanfilippo: Awesome.

Robyn Youkilis: They're called pretty in pink fermented radishes. And in my first book; so that's kind of a little new spin with the cut up version. And then the whole brine version; sorry, is in my new book; Thin from Within. And then my first book Go With Your Gut, has the whole brine veggie version.

Diane Sanfilippo: I love that. Especially for people who can't do tons of cabbage. We have some folks who; too much fermented cabbage is just not good for them for a variety of reasons. So that's awesome. Probably also very easy for people who are like; this whole making my sauerkraut thing is not happening.

Well, I have been into matcha just recently. Which you're like; hello?

Robyn Youkilis: I'm so proud.

Diane Sanfilippo: You're like; year 2000-and late over here. 2000-and late-teen, I should say.

Robyn Youkilis: Did you make that up yourself? Did you just make that up? 2000-and late-teen?

Diane Sanfilippo: Just right now. Just in this moment.

Robyn Youkilis: Oh, good. It's good.

Diane Sanfilippo: {laughing}

Robyn Youkilis: Keep that.

Diane Sanfilippo: So, on my tour, I basically quit coffee because for months before that even, I'd been waking up pretty anxious anyway. But I just knew I was sitting with the coffee in front of me, like; I can't physically sip this when I already feel super awake and kind of already; almost to the point of a vibrating energy. I know you know what that means, and I think probably both of us, as we were younger, had that high vibration all the time. And as we've gotten older, I think that's something that we probably have in common. I can get my energy up, and psyche up to do something. But most of the time I hope that the energy I bring to people is not what I consider this vibrating…

You know the person that comes up to you, and you just want to; I don't know. You just want to put your hands on their shoulders, or hug them, and be like. Ok, it's ok. Anyway.

Robyn Youkilis: Shhh.

Diane Sanfilippo: Yeah. But they're not really saying anything, it's just an energy that's coming off of them. {laughs}

Robyn Youkilis: An energetic shush. {laughs}

Diane Sanfilippo: Totally. Like, simmer down. So I was waking up in the morning with just that vibrational energy and anxiety and high cortisol. And I was like; I can't physically drink the coffee, knowing that it's going to push all of that more. Not to say that green tea or matcha doesn't have any caffeine. But about half as much, from what I'm looking at. And I also take in probably a half of an actual serving.

So I'm just enjoying it. I love the earthiness. It's grassy and earthy, and I actually do like the way it tastes. And yeah, I'm into that lately. We'll see where it goes. TBD.

Robyn Youkilis: Well, I'm in full support.

Diane Sanfilippo: {laughs}

Robyn Youkilis: {laughs} I've personally never liked the taste of matcha. I sometimes like it now. It's more I just like the process. I like the adaptogens, and the super foods, and that it's a vehicle for a lot of those items that I would have put in a smoothie. And if I'm not drinking a smoothie, where can I get them in? I can put them in my power parfait that's in my book, or I can put it in my matcha, and I feel like I'm covered.

And, girl, I love that you're listening to your intuition. That's everything I teach. It's that voice inside of you that says, this isn't good. But I'm throwing a kudos at you because you didn't just hear it; you listened to it, and you adjusted. And that's where I think a lot of us are like; ok, I'm hearing these things. I know that I want to make this selectin, but it's really that, how can I listen to this.

And it's so connects to me, in all the years fishing for snacks all night long in the cabinets of the next thing to eat, and the next thing to eat. And borderline on binge behavior. And I hear that voice saying; put it down. Put it down. But I couldn't listen. And that space between knowing what we need to do and being able to do it, is pretty powerful. And the fact that you are tapping into that; even around just this one decision is rad.

Diane Sanfilippo: I appreciate that. Thank you. Oh my gosh, we have so much more we can talk about around this topic. And we will get into this when we dig in and start talking about the new book, and all of the thoughts around that.

I will say this; I think a lot of people have similar thoughts to mine, and I do think that it's had to actually, as you said, listen. Coffee is a tough one. We love our coffee. Wine and any kind of alcohol is another one where; I mean, time after time, speaking at book signing events when I tell people for three weeks they're not going to have their booze; it's a come to Jesus moment for a lot of people. They're like; I hear you. I've heard it from myself. I just don't want to. It's like; people just don't. And I did not want to stop drinking coffee. And then the voice was just too loud.

I think being able to listen to it without shame is really important. Because so many people, I think it happens more so with booze than it does with coffee. Coffee is almost a super-accepted drug of choice. Caffeine. Which it is, you know. It's fine. I'm still having some caffeine. But I think there is so much shame around it that when people hold onto alcohol, or caffeine, or whatever it is, it's just easier than admitting that maybe you were doing something that wasn't feeling good but you didn't want to own that. I mean, there is so much we could unpack here. {laughs}

Robyn Youkilis: There's so much! Oh my god! {laughs}

Diane Sanfilippo: But anyway. There are a lot of thoughts. Thank you, I appreciate that.

Robyn Youkilis: I appreciate you! {laughs}

4. Regarding the title: Thin from Within [17:24]

Diane Sanfilippo: It's such a mushy love fest when I have people on the show who I'm actually kind of close with.

Alright. Well, Robyn, you're here. And we're going to talk about your new book today. Which, right off the bat there's a little bit of controversy regarding the title for the new book. Tell us the title of the new book?

Robyn Youkilis: The official title, in the US, is Thin from Within: The Go With Your Gut Way to Lose Weight.

Diane Sanfilippo: OK, so tell us how you got to that title. Because we're going to get into a lot of the content, and what the core of the information is. But just so we can get past this whole; here's what the book is called, and let's just put that on the table.

Robyn Youkilis: Love it. Let's start with the cover, quite literally, of the book. So first off, Thin From Within came from the name of a coaching program that I ran, and am still running, and will probably likely run in the future with some small tweaks. And it just came to me.

I think I was reading; I don't now how you pronounced his name. That book Within, that Gwyneth Paltrow recommended. Dr. Sadeghi; I don't know the name. It was a book that I was reading, and I was like; so much of this is yes! Resonating with me. Everything is inside of you. I was just hearing “Thin from within. Thin from within.”

Because in all of my conversations in my breakthrough sessions with potential clients, when I was doing them at the time, there was so much jumping around thin. {laughs} It's like; it was everybody's goal, but no one wanted to use that word. So for me, it was like; ok, what if we can connect this to this idea of within. Everything is inside of us, and what we want to hopefully appear on our outsides, right? This idea of thin rather than a physical form. What if that could also come from within? What if it could be just a vision inside of yourself that connects to how you feel?

And I know I'm getting esoteric out there, but that's sort of how the process of that name came to me. And translating to the book, my publisher wanted a book that talked about weight loss. And that the recipes would help with that. And what's funny about the recipes in the book, they're in no way, shape, or form diet or weight loss recipes. They're just whole-foods based recipes that nourish your gut and help your body run well. {laughs}

So I knew I wasn't really giving a weight loss book. It was more like, what was my definition of weight. And what did I mean by thin from within? So we talked about that title. It was kind of; I always knew that was going to be title. I tried a bunch of other ones. I reached out to Diane several times. And what was always ultimately hard for me; for example, the book in the UK is called Reset Your Gut. Which I think is a great name. But the book covers so much more than that. And I just couldn't; something in my heart that I couldn't let go to publication without it somehow connecting or tying in, in some way, even if it was just mind, to that deeper, deeper connected part of it.

And also, I'm kind of ok with connecting to someone's desire for something. And giving and talking about my definition of that. And also giving them what they need, and giving them even more than they thought that they needed. I'm ok with that. I don't think it's a bait and switch. I really do tackle it head on, which is why we're starting with this question. But I'm ok with it, if it helps get it in the right hands.

And then, a little behind the scenes. Because I know you have a lot of coaches listening to your podcast. It's hard to find a book title, guys! That's not take. URLs. Hashtags. It is a big, big, big challenge. So that was also looped into the conversation, as well. And plus, my publisher is based in the UK, so I needed a different name. It was a little hairy, and really quite down to the wire. I think we literally finalized it three days before print.

Diane Sanfilippo: Well, on that note. When you and I talked about it, I remember saying; I fully support you and whatever you're going to name the book. We'll talk about it on the podcast. Then it came up about doing some events together, because I felt like with the context that we can provide here on a show, where we talk about what's the title and really dig in deeper on the concepts. And that people can hear you and get to know you.

Same thing, obviously in person. I have zero doubt in my mind that when people get in a room with you, and hear what you have to say, that everyone will fall in love with you and your message and understand so much more about what it is. And get that vibe that this is the title, but it really doesn't end with just that. And it's not gimmicky.

The same way my program is called 21-Day Sugar Detox. And people don't like the word detox. Or they have a lot of things to say about. I'm like, that's fine. And if what you get on the other end of all of your doubts is me, I'm ok with that. And the same thing. If what they get on the other end of this title; Thin from Within, is you, and not some other people who are sharing information that I don't feel good about, then I'm ok with that.

Diane Sanfilippo: So, we had this little thing where I was going to give you a quote for the book. And I remember saying; I was like, with the title, Thin from Within, I couldn't write a quote that would appear on the book without context. I felt like; we could have this conversation. We could be in a room together. And my listeners and my readers and fans, what have you, could understand where I'm coming from.

And maybe this is a little bit of my own fear or insecurity or just uncertainty about what people will think. But I was like; I don't know that I can put a quote and an endorsement next to that title or somewhere near it without having more of a conversation. So I was just a little hesitant on that.

I'm like; I fully support you. I just didn't want to have it on there. So I had my own hang-ups, and still have my own hang ups with those words, the same way a lot of people do with the word detox, you know. We all just kind of need to get around that. And I think you and I are; I'm proud of both of us and the work that we do in terms of the way that we help women to think about this stuff.

So, if the title, like you said, is going to be one thing that somebody thinks they're interested in knowing, but the information you give them is so solid and super legit, then that's fine. It's all good, and we're here to support people in positive ways.

Robyn Youkilis: And I fully supported your saying that to me. And what's so cool, I think too, about our relationship. Again, a little behind the scenes. We can say these things to each other. Diane can say to me; “I'm uncomfortable with that.” I'm like, “I totally hear you.” And I think it's fired up my passions around this and my mission even more in the best way possible. Because I could have either shied away from this; or I could have said, “No, let's talk about it.”

And I've gotten a couple of messages. Like, “You're putting this word out into the world.” I'm like; “yes. I agree with you. I hear you.” You know, I wrote a blog post. And we can link that in the show notes if you like. Here's my blog post explaining this. Read it, and tell me what you think. I'm open to your criticism. I hear you.

But this is still where we're living today. And there's still a lot of people that want to lose weight. And I think that we can find a way to do that from a new place. A very now place. Within this conversation of self-care, of loving our bodies as is. But then also getting really real that some people still losing physical weight is a goal of theirs. So how can they do that without shame?

I was starting to kind of feel like the diet dealer to health coaches. No one's mentioning the word diet. But then I would get text messages like; I really. My pants don't fit and uncomfortable. And it's because I can't get back on track after the summer. Whatever it is; what do I do? I'm like, yeah. Here's my very sane advice and place where you can start to feel better. And likely, you may lose some physical weight from that, and you may not. But emotionally, you're likely going to be a way better place.

5. Background regarding the book [25:42]

Diane Sanfilippo: I'm totally with you on that. And I'm so glad we're going to talk about this, because this actually has been a heated conversation. Going back a couple of weeks to our episode on diet mindset, and just what's going on out there in terms of the pictures that we all see on Instagram, and the way they make us feel. Deciding to unfollow certain people because how we feel about certain things.

And then, also, the reality. You touched on this a little bit, the concept of looking outside of ourselves so much and not really focusing on whatever is going on within ourselves. Whether it's physically. Whether it's regarding our nutrition choices. Or whether it really is mindset, how we feel about things and how that manifests in our choices. I think that is such a big part of it.

So why don't you just give people a little bit of a background about what is the book? Your first book was Go With Your Gut, and that was really focused on the concept of chewing, and slowing down, and fermented foods. All kinds of things around really getting our gut health in check, but in a very sort of loving way. What is this book really all about, and why did you need to put it out into the world? Because I know you and I both are those kinds of people where; we don't write a book unless we're like; ok, I'm burning to tell you this.

Robyn Youkilis: What's funny about that is I actually did not want to write this book at all. I really didn't. My publisher was like; we want something around a weight loss plan. I was like; no! Don't make me do it. Even though that's what I was doing for all my clients, and in all my coaching programs. And doing it in a really healthy way. I was scared to put this out there.

But I realized I had to. I had a shift inside me where I was like; no. My story can be helpful for people. I don't need to have lost 100 pounds to share that I've been a size 14, and a size 2. It doesn't matter whether you have 100 pounds or 10 pounds that are driving you nuts. It's all a level of suffering inside.

So my definition of weight is a feeling in your body. It's a feeling of lightness. It's a feeling of joy. And that's most of the time, right? Obviously not every single minute. But it's how's our life feeling? And a desire to lose weight; lose physical weight, is a sign that we want something to be different in our bodies. Right? You want something to be different there. But typically, more so in our lives.

So I see that as connected. I see that as, what are we not looking at. If it's career, relationships. Are you able to just sit and be quiet with yourself for a few minutes? When was the last time you literally just sat in silence out the window? Not mediating. Not listening to music. Not doing anything.

And it's really only when you're willing to look at all the parts of you; body, mind, heart, everything, that you will finally feel the lightness you've been looking for on the scale. So it may be reflective on a scale; but more likely it's going to show up in your body.

And I do want to kind of add in a little addendum. Of course, get things tested. Thyroid, SIBO, digestive disorders. Make sure your body; I'm speaking more; make sure your body is running functions mostly in the way that it needs to. I'm speaking more to the audience that has that stubborn weight they want to lose. Maybe they're feeling bloated. Maybe they're having some acid reflux. Maybe they're just not feeling great in their bodies. And they need more of this.

They know they need to be slowing down. They know that they need to; kind of how we talked about in the matcha beginning, going from “I should be doing this” to “I am.” My sweet spot is really supporting people through that part of their journey. And that is exactly what this book covers.

So it's all about emotional weight, physical weight, the gut health-weight loss connection, and how that's all connected to reaching whatever that weight is you have in your mind. And sometimes it is also adjusting that weight in your mind, right?

I talk a lot in the book too about letting go of a “used to be” mindset. It's really, where are you at today? Not even two months from now. Where would you feel really good today, and what could that possibly look like?

And then also the cooking and weight loss connection. Cooking at home. I talk so much about meal prep in this book. I have a 3-day reset that is super sane. My clients that have done are like; I couldn't even finish all the food you told me to eat. {laughs} It's not about that. It's more like a reset in mind and body and just getting you in the kitchen.

So I have meal prep for everything in this book. I'm a busy mom running a business, have a toddler running around. In a real, real way. But teaching it from that place of humor and you can do this, and making this as simple and straightforward as possible. And all of that wrapped up in the bow of intuition. Of finding your way through this. How you can connect to that voice inside of you that knows your dreams. Knows your passions. And just needs a little support to get to that next place.

Diane Sanfilippo: I love that. I think those of us who go through different times in our lives, a lot of our listeners are young women in their 20s. You and I are close in age; I think you're a little bit younger than I am. I'm going to be 40 this year. And, what. Why are you laughing?

Robyn Youkilis: No. Happy birthday! {laughs}

Diane Sanfilippo: Almost. Soon. This year. My husband is always like; why do you make us 40 before we're 40? I'm like, well.

Robyn Youkilis: My husband does that too. It bothers me. I mean, I'm not 40. But he does that too. He's like; you're turning… I'm like, I've got like 8 months to go buddy. {laughs}

Diane Sanfilippo: I can't. Like, as soon as we turn. Our birthdays are 3 weeks apart. As soon as we turned 39, I was like, we're basically 40 now. He's like; hold on! {laughing} But I know that what happens in our lives over our; when we're in our 20s, it's like we can't be thin enough. It's so societal.

I mean, I spoke with some girls at a Lululemon recently. And this one girl was asking me about losing some weight. And I laughed inside, in an “I hear you and I was you” way. Not in a ridiculing way. But I was like; girl. I was you. Literally 12 to 15 years ago. I was standing there, lean and pretty shredded, saying to someone that I wanted to lose however many more pounds.

I mean, I don't know how to even tell her that it doesn't exist. {laughs} It's like; those 5 pounds. Not to discount if someone feels that they really want to lose this weight. But, you know what I'm saying? That weight isn't real. It's all totally perceived and imagined. And also, that happiness is not on the other side of that weight loss. Because I've been shredded, 10 years ago, when I was 30. I was lean and shredded and totally not happy.

Robyn Youkilis: Totally.

6. On the last 10 pounds [33:08]

Diane Sanfilippo: So it's a really interesting thing, right? So I'm curious what you want to say about; we do have some questions from our listeners. But what about the flip side? So you mentioned having been anywhere from size 2 to size 14. And I would say, I'm not sure I've ever been a 2, but probably; maybe I was at some point. But like 4 to 14 was probably the same range for me. And healthy for me is a 6. That's a normal, healthy place for me.

But what about the people who are too thin? What's going on there with that mindset? What have you seen with your clients, or in practice. Have you seen anything? Because we definitely get a lot of questions about that. So I just wanted to touch on that quickly if you have something to share about that before we get into the flip side.

Robyn Youkilis: Do you mean in a sense of coaching them to step away from that and to be happy?

Diane Sanfilippo: To see the reality, you know.

Robyn Youkilis: Yeah.

Diane Sanfilippo: They don't see it. Or this constant; like they're kind of already in a place. {laughs} My language is so poor. Already. They're already in a place where their body fat level is kind of teetering on losing their period. Or they've already lost their period. I'm just curious if you've seen that. This is like; we don't run on a script here, you guys, so I'm literally just throwing Robyn random questions. But I'm just curious, because we definitely get that question a lot.

Robyn Youkilis: No, and I love it. And I was that girl too. I've shared photos in my newsletter of pictures of me where I was training for a half marathon, at a yoga retreat doing two yoga classes a day. There was not enough food. Literally, there were no avocados. We're in Nicaragua. We got one avocado every other day. There was literally not enough calories. And I was teeny. And I remember looking at the photos thinking; “I'm still not thin enough. I'm still not thin enough.”

And, so first off let's all take a deep breath around that. {laughs} Because maybe some of you have been listening. That's you right now; that was you. And first know it's all ok. We're all at different points in our journey. That was something I needed to experience to come through to the other side. And that if you think that's you, or you're like; they're not talking about me, but we actually are. You'll get there when you're supposed if you just keep tuning in and focusing on feeding my body. Whatever that looks like for you.

And I do want to kind of throw it to the book a bit on this, that I actually did create an entire journal as a free download. And the link is in the book. To take; something I'm working on as a woman. Not sort of, not I think. But say it! Little tangent tip there. Working on that myself.

So I created a journal that goes with the book to take my readers through that journey for themselves. So they have a space to make some of those revelations on their own and see; is this real, physical weight that needs to go? Or is this just me chasing 5-10 pounds that doesn't matter.

7. Addressing the emotional [36:18]

Diane Sanfilippo: So, in the book you're talking about shedding both physical and emotional weight. And this is a question from one of our listeners. “What are the ways you like to address the emotional side of things with people?” Because that really is a huge part of it. Our thoughts, and the way that we want to approach this. And I think you and I both know that our mindset around what we're eating is critical to long-term success in any way.

I say this all the time; you can white-knuckle it through a 21-Day Sugar Detox. But you're still going to come out the other side, just go back to what you were doing if you don't tune into not only physical signs what your body is telling you, but how you're thinking and feeling. And the way that you're making decisions. What's going on in your head.

So what are the ways that you like to address that with people? What's going on in this book that people can expect to learn?

Robyn Youkilis: Great question. The way I like to teach is to focus on a quality action item that you can do. Instead of, I wish I was doing less of this. It's; ok, what am I bringing in? So I have a lot of practices in the book. You can pick and choose what works for you at different times. But one of them; I have the Go With Your Gut weight loss formula with those steps. And it's Go; you want to be going. Pooping first thing in the morning. Two is With the rule of five. And I get into how to build your plate to make sure you are fed enough on all the levels. And step three is Your; and I'm going to come back to this. This is the one I want to highlight. And step four is Gut. Make sure you're taking care of your gut. You're getting in those prebiotics, those probiotics, what that even means.

But I want to come back to step number three in the Go With Your Gut weight loss formula. And that is to take your time. Step three was go with Your. So take your time for you before everyone else in the space between your day and your evening.

I found a lot of my community, a lot of my clients, a lot of my readers. That was where; and it's kind of an unexpected nook, I would say, in our day. Where things have a way, a possibility to go into the light or into the darkness. And to me, that looks like you get home. Whatever happened on the way home happened. Or maybe you're a stay at home worker or mom. Whatever, whatever that looks like for you.

But that space before dinner is hectic. It's chaotic. It's behind already. You're hungry. Either you're making a choice to get to the gym, or you didn't. Or you snacked or you didn't. There's just so much happening in that space.

So what I teach in the book is first to acknowledge that space. That's likely happening for a lot of us. And maybe if it's not that moment for you, it's probably somewhere else in your day. Where you need a moment to connect to yourself. You; your. Your body. Before everything else that's happening around you.

And yes, the morning is kind of a given with that. But I feel like it's this area; especially with people who have kids. Or, again, early 20s, getting home from the gym and long days at work or they're commuting or whatever's happening that we need that moment.

So what I teach is to sit in your car {laughs} before you walk into the house. And you might need to tell yourself; it's ok if I take five minutes for me right now. I could have been stuck in 5 minutes of traffic, and nobody would have known the difference. So just taking that pause. Sit in your car. Listen to some music. Go to the bathroom at your office before you head out to the gym.

So you may come home and just take a minute to sit in a chair. Ideally, don't go straight to the kitchen, or to the couch. And just put your phone down. You can check it later. And know that this is your moment to check in with your body, and your brain, and have that opportunity to recalibrate.

So this can look like just taking a few really deep, yummy breaths. After you sit in the chair, you can get a glass of water. You can say, how was my water today? You can come up with your evening plan. Whether you need some snacks, or what you're going to be making for dinner. A cup of tea. It's just your moment to come back into yourself, and acknowledge what happen during your day, and then set an intention for your evening.

And it's this moment of recalibration and connection with self that sets you up for so many more supportive choices in the evening. So this is where you're likely going to make the decision to take a bath instead of watching Netflix. Or you're going to go for an extra long walk with your dog, and breathe, and actually call a friend on the phone and ask how they are. It's just where we can get so much more of that sparkle and light in our lives. And that has a ripple effect on everything.

Diane Sanfilippo: So, it's a moment of presence and pausing in the hectic sort of otherwise harried time. I totally know what you mean, that transition between work and evening. Whatever is happening. I feel it too. I work from home, and I feel this 3-5 o'clock kind of range where I'm sort of going to maybe end my workday. Although, who are we really kidding there. I don't know that I'm good at ever ending my workday. But it's that pressure feeling of; well, the day is sort of ending, and the evening is upon us. And now time is getting scarce to do a lot of things. I really see that that could be helpful. I see that it could be extremely helpful for me if I were to just sit and kind of tune in. Like; what else did I want to do for myself today. That could be super helpful.

Robyn Youkilis: Yeah. It's just the training, right? It's literally like training, like you're training for a race. You're training your body, your brain, your mind, your heart to come out of autopilot, and into yourself. Because when you're in yourself; we use food a lot of the times to take ourselves out of ourselves. And my work is all about reconnecting you with your most brilliant, beautiful you that's already inside of you.

Diane Sanfilippo: I love that. Your personality is so; like, to me it's the color that you wear so much. This blush pink, but it's also glittery. That's your personality.

Robyn Youkilis: {laughs}

Diane Sanfilippo: It's not fluorescent, but it's so funny. It's just so real. That's how you actually are in real life. I just love that. That is such a great point that we use food to take ourselves out of ourselves. I think we use social media for that. We use surfing Instagram for that. I mean, I am guilty of that 100%. I could probably consume the content that I consume on Instagram in a fraction of the time, but I'm just avoiding something else. I'm avoiding paying attention to something else. I'm avoiding putting time into something else. And that is so; oh. That was good. Nail on the head.

Robyn Youkilis: I'm glad. And knowing everyone who's listening; it's a process. You know; I've had different revelations at different times. Different tools that worked for me at different times. Different things that I'm ready for. And it's really just for me recently, in the 2018 year, where I got fed up enough with my bedtime and my scrolling that I finally did something about it. And I still have to recommit to that every single day. And some days are more successful than others.

But know this is a journey. Life is; you've got some time. It's letting go of that beating ourselves up for, why aren't I there yet? There is no there. It's going to constantly be changing, constantly in flow. Because we're constantly changing. The earth is changing. The moon cycles and all these things are happening around us. And we're designed to have all these different chapters in our lives. It's just, let yourself be welcomed into the next one whenever your ready. And then the next one and the next one, and know that it goes from there. You know?

8. Chew slow, eat slow [44:54]

Diane Sanfilippo: Ah. So, a lot of this has to do with kind of slowing down, being present, taking moments. We have some questions. We have one question from a listener. She's saying, Reechi1010, Saying, “I tell my husband all the time he needs to slow down and chew his food more. He eats so ridiculously fast, and then he wants to eat more. All of my leftovers. Can you talk about the benefits of chewing food and eating slower?”

Robyn Youkilis: That's like my household. {laughs} The struggle for the leftovers is real. I'm like, honey, that was four lunches you just ate in four minutes, and I'm pretty sure you didn't really need it. So I totally hear you. Do you guys have that happen in your house at all?

Diane Sanfilippo: No. Not that way. I'm usually like; I think you need more. {laughs}

Robyn Youkilis: Yeah, it's funny. My husband comes from; he is one of three children. And they're all very active in sports, so it was just eat as fast as you possibly can. And I still; even though I've run so many chewing challenges. Which is my free chewing challenging program, where you basically get me in your inbox every day telling you the benefits and reminding you to chew. You guys can sign up for that at any time. My husband is still my personal biggest chewing challenge. Because he eats so fast, and it's a constant reminder to just breathe, slow down, and be in my body.

And benefits of chewing are immense. It's where our digestive system begins. Well, it actually begins with our eyes. Looking at something we're about to eat. It starts this whole beautiful flow of processes in the body. And the saliva in your mouth breaks down your food. It starts that, where you're getting enzymes and minerals. It's where that all begins. And if we don't involve this huge part of our digestive process, we put it all on our bellies. On our guts. On our intestines and stomach. All the beautiful organs that we have down there. And it is way too much for them.

So that's why we're tooting our brains out. {laughs} and we're burping our brains out. And we're not necessarily pooping, because we're just kind of jamming it all in there. This is not ideal for optimum health in your body.

And in terms of my audience around emotional eating side of things, that's connected to eating too fast and not being present. So there are these physical processes that are happening, and then also that emotional train that's kind of running away, as well. And that's how I teach, too. Always addressing the emotional component, but also the practical. Because I need both.

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Diane Sanfilippo: I think that's a common thing that I'm sure women as well, but a lot of guys who grew up with brothers, for example, are kind of rushing through food. Just trying to get whatever's next on the table, and have some more helpings, you know.

Robyn Youkilis: I want my food to last forever.

Diane Sanfilippo: Me too! I'm so sad when it's over! I'm like.

Robyn Youkilis: So sad. The sad is real. It's real.

9. The reality of snacking [48:48]

Diane Sanfilippo: {laughs} Ok, so this is a little bit continued. Well, I'm going to reframe this question a little bit, because I would rather it be kind of focused on what we all might do. But can you talk a little bit about the emotional connection in late night snacking, or anything around the idea of filling a void, or whatever it is, with snacking. What's the reality of snacking? What's the physical side of that; are we still hungry? Did we not eat enough for dinner? Because I think that maybe is part of it for some people. But is it that; what's the emotional side of that. How do you help people through that moment?

Robyn Youkilis: Great adjusting of question. {laughs} Diane. So, snacking. Mmm. First off; most likely. And I'm just going to say the most likelies here. This is different for everyone. But most likely, you're not eating enough in your breakfast, and your lunch. And you're not fully present in your meals. And maybe that's a choice, or a habit. Or maybe that is your real reality. You're at a job where you're on your feet, and you have to eat in 5 minutes. But that is going to have an effect on you. It's going to have an effect on your body. It's likely going to show up as snacking later.

So one thing in the book where I mentioned earlier about the rule of five plate, of having these five components on your plate. Briefly; greens, healthy fats, protein, a fermented food, and cooked vegetables. I found for me for my community, I found when those five components are present in most meals; breakfast I do something different. But lunch and dinner. I'm really not hungry after. I'm fed on a macro, micronutrient level. I'm getting warm cooked foods in there. The lighter, it's a very balanced plate. Plus the fermented foods. Which help you digest your food more easily, and actually aid in absorption of nutrients in addition to all the other wonderful things that fermented foods can do.

And when I adjusted the way that I eat and the way that I was teaching my clients to eat that way, the snacking dialed way down at night. So kind of connected to what I was saying before; rather than don't be snaking later. It's like; what can I add in? Can you make sure that you're really eating enough during the day? You're drinking enough water. You're sleeping enough. You took a few moments for. Some time to breathe. All those things we're teaching here.

And then also that emotional component of it at night. Kind of like what Diane said; what are you not wanting to look at? What are you numbing out? What are you focusing on? I think for me, that was my big Achilles heel. I was the queen of going through those cabinets. Going through the refrigerator. And there was no stopping me. Just that cycle that I was in at the time. I wasn't happy in my job. I wasn't happy in my body. And I was still doing it even when I was a health coach. It was something that I either wasn't ready to heal in my journey yet or I just wasn't quite there. It was just another chapter in my story.

I really only healed that; or a big part, I should say, was through being pregnant and the process of having my daughter. And since then, I worked through a lot. I didn't heal my snacking because I was pregnant. That doesn't need to happen for you in your life. But that brought to the forefront for me so many issues that I'd been dealing with prior that I really finally needed to take a look at. And that was how I did look at my body. What I thought about it. How uncomfortable I was in my skin. What the heck was up with me always wanting it to be different? So really, what are you not looking at in your life?

And then, a few practical tips. So one, I call them hot button foods. Is there something you just need to get out of your cabinets right now? A lot of people that's nut butters, or it's bread and butter. You're on the bread and butter train. Pretzels. Just keep them out of the house until you're at a more stable place around snacking. You've kind of got a handle on it.

We want to say, “No, I should be able to have that at home.” Sometimes you just can't, and that's ok. And if you need to have it for your family, put it in a special basket. Put it on a higher shelf. Tell them; this is where your snacks are. Got it? Got it.

And then really committing to a practice of; what do I need at night? Getting ahead of the problem. That Your practice in the Go With Your Gut weight loss formula. Check in with you before you get home. And then committing to; ok, I'm going to take a bath on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Or I have plans this week on Thursday. Really looking at your calendar and saying; what do I need to put in until it's less sharp. Until I can dull it; the habit. Just a little bit. And then it has that opportunity to change more on its own when I'm in a different place. Does that make sense?

Diane Sanfilippo: Yeah. I think one of the things that I've found. Because I personally can easily go back and forth on this where I get into waves where, even if it's not late-night snacking, I'll notice a week where I probably snacked more than I needed to for actual hunger purposes. And when you do take that time to kind of step outside yourself, or get real with yourself on, “Was I hungry or not? Was I just eating that because things felt a little out of control in my life? Have I not been sleeping enough?”

That is such a huge, for me, that's such a huge foundational element to my appetite being better regulated to what I consider a normal level. Because I have the appetite of a 250-pound male most of the time. I have a huge appetite. But I'm a 5-foot 4, not 250-pound female. And I know I don't need as much food even as my husband eats. He's a much bigger person. We just don't need to eat the same amount of food. But I easily could eat that much.

And I really found, for me, the slowing down and the paying attention, and the what is going on. For me that listening, and tuning in with You. My sense of give myself the moment. I did realize that when I'm not getting sleep, that is when things kind of go haywire. And I have to really tune into that and pay attention to that, and not be dismissive of it. And remembering that every single day actually helps to dictate so many other things in the day.

10. Making the change [55:53]

Diane Sanfilippo: I think the hard part; maybe you can talk about this too. The hard part, I think, is that one day of changing what we're doing. So for me; one day of saying; “OK, it's 8:45. My Fitbit just told me to start getting ready for bed. Maybe I had other things I wanted to do. But I'm trying to obey this thing that I know will help me in the future. Just doing it one day; two days; three days.

It's really hard because sometimes you don't feel the positive effects of that right away. And you have to have a little bit of faith and trust in yourself that those are good things to do for yourself. And give it a little time to see what the benefit is.

Weight loss, just like anything else, nothing comes immediately. But the flip side of that is; well, if I'm surfing social media or I eat a snack, that's an instant gratification. I don't know. What can we do? What can we tell people about the reality of that? How much time it sometimes takes to reap the benefits of slowing down. And reap the benefits of tuning in.

Robyn Youkilis: Yeah. It's not instant. {laughs} It's not as fast as a whole chocolate bar. Just so everybody knows; if there's chocolate around, I usually eat half to three-quarters of the bar. This whole square, two squares thing. But I'm conscious. I'm like; ok, I'm going to have chocolate tonight. And I know I'm going to eat a lot. I'm going to sit down, I'm going to enjoy it, and that's ok.

I think for this one, how much fun are you having in your life? A lot of, again kind of an answer where we're like; oh please. I can't believe she said that. But really. Do you have things that are; what does fun even mean to you? For me it might be, oh it's wellness events. But is that really fun for me? What do I need for myself this week?

And that's where the intuitive piece is everything. I can't tell you guys what that is for you. You can only just be supported, or support yourself, to take a few minutes to get quiet and say; what do I need here. What do I need to cancel? What do I need to commit to? What do I need to put on the calendar? And then trust that you're exercising that. And that it will get stronger.

And of course, support. Adding in some magic. Get some cool crystals that you keep in your pocket. There's a little shop that promotes; it's a green opal, and one thing it helps promote is people to make healthy food choices. I was like this is so great for my clients! Secretly I just bought one for myself, you know. {laughs} Get a little crystal. Or get some support from friends, from coaching communities.

Get a coach. If this is something; what Diane and I are bringing up for you, and it's like; wow. Yeah, I need to address this and I'm ready. Get some support if you can. There's a ton of free resources online, or programs you can commit to. Of course, 21-Day Sugar Detox is a beautiful example of that. And I know you have your gorgeous Daily Guide, as well.

And then trusting, too, that it's going to look different at different stages of your life. That it's constantly going to be evolving. I don't have this figured out. I have to stay on top of this. And just like Diane said about her sleep; I have to stay on top of this too. I have to check in those things, and constantly recommit. But what I have gotten so much stronger at is not beating myself up over it when it's gone a little bit astray. And knowing that it's going to take time. I'm much more gentle with myself. It's taken me a decade.

Diane Sanfilippo: Yes. Amen. I mean, I just feel like…

Robyn Youkilis: Preach!

Diane Sanfilippo: Yeah. I feel like; what's the gif, whatever image from Orange is the New Black.

Robyn Youkilis: Is it a gif or a gif?

Diane Sanfilippo: Whatever. With the Orange is the New Black girl, putting her hands up and I'm like. Yes. I feel like my entire 30s taught me to just do things at the pace I need to do them at. There's a season for everything, and not to get so spun out on the fact that; I don't know how many months it's been now that I really have not trained; worked out regularly. And that feels really strange for me, and uncomfortable, and like I don't like that fact. I want to be physically active more than I am. More than just walking.

But I'm sort of in a just trust the moment place. Because I would step into the gym, and my body would basically shut down on me. So I had to listen to that. Even though it felt like not the healthy choice, you know. Even though it feels like eating a certain way or doing certain exercises; those are maybe healthy choices in certain context. And sometimes we have to just listen and; I don't know.

I don't know; I think a lot of the women who listen to our show get very caught up in weight loss because of the societal pressure to look a certain way. I'm definitely not immune to that. I had to; this is the place where I share probably the most that I share of anywhere, to our podcast listeners. But knowing going into a tour that I had not worked out in months, and I refused to be on a diet and force myself to train hard to stand in front of people looking the way that people may have expected me to look at the sacrifice of my health and sanity and happiness.

My energy has been better, and I felt really happy on this tour. I was so emotional, I'm crying at all these tour stops, and feeling really happy about the work that I'm doing. And recognizing that; I could not have put myself through that, and then stood in front of people and felt like anything other than disingenuous with the way that I share information. I have to practice what I preach.

And a huge part of that is what you're saying here. It's like; we tune in. It doesn't mean that; I don't know. It doesn't mean that I go so far off track, because I'm trying to tune in and just let things be chill. But it just means being super forgiving of all these different time periods. I think; you were saying this happened to you with pregnancy. I feel like maybe it is turning 40; or maybe it is the fact that I was going to be in front of people again. And I was like; I don't know if this is what they expect to see when I show up. But this is me. {laughs} Take me or leave me, you know?

Anyway. I mean, I'm sure most people who are meeting me for the first time are like; what are you even talking about. Because I probably don't look like anything other than that what they would expect. But that's definitely plagued me a bit.

Robyn Youkilis: OF course. You're human.

Diane Sanfilippo: I refuse to be like; well, I'll just eat lettuce for the next two months. I'm not going to fall into that. Because I want to be an example, as well, on every side of it. On the forgiveness side, and on the doing the work side. And this is doing the work for me. Not doing that stuff is doing the work.

11. Pregnancy for Robyn [1:03:33]

Diane Sanfilippo: Can you talk more about what actually happened for you? We had a couple of questions about pregnancy related gut health, and being in touch with your body, and how… people always want to know about postpartum and “getting your body back” or whatever that even means. Your own evolution with all of that regarding both gut health and just managing things while you were pregnant?

Robyn Youkilis: Pregnancy was a big one for me. {laughs} That could be a whole other podcast, but I'll do my best to answer it here. I just wanted sort of as a segue of what you were just sharing into my pregnant body, is that the good stuff that changes you, like really changes you, is going to be real challenging. Not all the time. In some way, it will be challenging for real. It's going to shake you. It's going to vibrate you.

We tend to think; oh, for you maybe it was. I don't know, I'm trying to think of something that wouldn't really shift things. It's the real stuff. It's not the fake things. And your workouts, and your movement, is such a good example of that. And for me, it was my pregnancy.

So, pregnancy brought up all my disordered body image issues. I knew I was pregnant. I could see the expansion. Baby is healthy. You know this stuff. But in your brain, you just go so into comparison mode. And oh my god. She's skinnier than I am. What am I going to do, because you're starving? {laughs} There's only so much you can do there. I was so, so sick in the beginning. It was just rough.

I had a lot of people who would just touch my stomach when it was very early on, and I would flinch and suck it in. I'm like; that's my body. You think you're seeing a belly, but you don't; and they weren't. That was literally just my belly. You know; I had a belly. It's cool, most of us do. It's there, it's alright. It's not designed to be flat in all the places.

So I just really mentally struggled with that. And what shifted that for me over time was a lot of the work that ended up in this book; ended up in my coaching programs. And I can't just say that it was one thing. I think the pinnacle of it ultimately was that I had, when it was time to give birth, I had an unmedicated birth. And what I went through in delivering my baby that way. And the other side of pain; I don't mean to cry. I've never cried about this. The other side of pain that I was able to get through to bring her here, in the way that I wanted, in the way that happened. I was lucky that that aligned.

But it changed me. It just changed. And I know we say; oh, I could see what our bodies could do. But, and this is my story, right. You may have a totally opposite experience. But for me, it's like; yes, I see our bodies are beautiful and I carried a baby for 9 months, and I was able to deliver her in that way. And wow. But, no. Really, wow. And something shifted. And you guys; you know. You've had moments when things have shifted for you and you don't go back.

Like the sleep thing shifted for me, and I won't go back. I may change and grow, and move, but it won't be what it was. And in bringing her to this work, and having that baby put on me, and seeing what my body could do was; it changed me. It changed me.

I think to hold onto that and let that continue to change me, and to grow with me, has been connected to me getting serious in the best way possible about these practices. About the things that I teach. About breathing. And slowing down. Drinking water. Whereas before I might have shied away from that and be like; well, I'm just sharing about drinking water. Everyone's sharing about that. It's like; no, I'm going to say it again because we all need to hear it again. And I'm saying it for myself, too.

I just got extra passionate about what I'm teaching so that I could stay in that vibration. Not just stay, but joyfully dance in that vibration for myself and my body. And continue to grow from that changed place.

Diane Sanfilippo: I think that is so important for our listeners to hear. We have a lot of interviews and episodes where we talk about very clinical things. Testing, and protocols, or finding different nutritional approaches, or fasting. All different very hands-on practical; eat this, don't eat that. Ways of addressing our health. And those are helpful. And they do a lot of things. And we've had listeners write in about how impactful that is.

But I know that we also have so many listeners who know exactly what to eat. They might look at your five elements that you want folks to put on a plate, and they might say; I'm eating that most of the time. And there's just something still missing. So I think there's just so much room, and just such a great opening for the way that you are communicating with women about the concept of a diet. Or the concept of losing weight.

And all the things that come from within us to be able to connect with the way that we treat ourselves and the decisions that we make and allowing our bodies to get to a healthy place so that they will lose weight naturally if they need to. And not to have it be this super shameful, painful, beating yourself up process. But more from a very; as I said before, from a loving place.

So, I personally, I just very much appreciate your voice in the community. I appreciate that you have written another book that our listeners can grab and connect with and find. I just think the way that you present things has a softness to it in a way that we need as women. I need, you know. My personality is harsh and abrasive in a lot of ways, and I definitely appreciate the softness that you bring to the conversation. But it's not lightness. It's softness, if that makes sense. So I definitely appreciate that. And I so appreciate you chatting with our listeners today.

I just want to know what else you want people to know, or where they can find you. Besides, obviously, this coming weekend in the Pacific Northwest, with me, on tour. Which is going to be super fun. But where can we get more of Robyn.

Robyn Youkilis: Thank you. Thank you for saying all of that, Diane. I really appreciate it. I'm so happy to hear that you're connecting to how I'm sharing in the world. Because really connecting to it in my own right. Is this; what am I here to talk about? And boldly standing behind that, and hoping that it serves people and people just let go of some of that shame and can find their own way to feel better in their body in the way that they need it in this moment. So thank you.

My name, Robyn Youkilis. {laughs} That's my website. It will be in the show notes, I'm sure you guys will link it. It's R-O-B-Y-N Y-O-U-K-I-L-I-S.com. and that is my Instagram handle. I share a lot on Instagram, including more about my beautiful daughter, Navy. And the book title, as Diane said many times, is Thin From Within, and if you don't have a pen handy, you can find me through that, as well. I have coaching programs that I run. A meal prep cooking course that you guys can also sign up for, as well, if you order the book in the next couple of weeks. I'm going to include a video on all about meal prep and some extra bonus recipes too. So I'd love for you guys to have that.

And yeah, please let me know how this resonated with you, and follow up questions. I love connecting you with guys. Because obviously this is very personal for me. {laughs}

Diane Sanfilippo: Awesome. Well thank you so much. And we'll see you guys, together, this weekend if you're in the Pacific Northwest. If you're up in Portland, Seattle, or Tacoma, don't forget to join us at our tour stops.

And Robyn, you're going to be in a bunch of other places, too. Do you want to just rattle off any other places that you have events coming up? Maybe our listeners, their ears will perk up if they hear an area near them?

Robyn Youkilis: Yes, thank you. I would love that. So yes, kicking off in the Pacific Northwest with Diane. Then I'm doing my big NYC official launch, if you're in the New York City area, is on February 27th at Rizzoli. And I'm also going to be having an event in Montclair, New Jersey, Greenwich, Connecticut. I'm going to be doing something in Tampa, Florida. A couple of events in Los Angeles.

Everything is on my website, RobynYoukilis.com/events. And I'll be sharing more about that as well, if you follow me on Instagram or Facebook. I'll be posting. Because I love, love, love events. So I'm really excited to be going. Because Diane and I are funny; I'm a party girl. I can't help it. I like all the parties.

Diane Sanfilippo: I'm not a party girl, but I love my live events, because I love actually getting to meet people in person. Because I feel like that's just; I don't know. That's just everything to me. But then I just want to go home after.

Anyway. Thank you so much. I can't wait to see you this weekend! Yay!

Robyn Youkilis: So excited. What should our hashtag be? {laughs}

Diane Sanfilippo: I don't know. We're going to have to come up with a good one.

Robyn Youkilis: We'll get there. We'll get one. I believe in us.

Diane Sanfilippo: {laughs} Alright, you guys. As I wrap up todays show, there was one thing I wanted to mention. Robyn told me to remind you guys, because we forgot to get to it in our interview, that she has a Guide for Magical Digestion on her website. So her website is RobynYoukilis.com. You can download for free her Guide for Magical Digestion. So definitely check that out, you guys. I think anything we can all do to learn more about what will help our own digestion, any tips or insights we can all get, is always appreciated. Always helpful.

So that's it for this week. You can find me at http://dianesanfilippo.com. Don't forget Robyn is at RobynYoukilis.com. Join our email lists for free goodies and updates you don't find anywhere else on our websites or even on the podcast. While you're on the internet, please leave us an iTunes review. It really helps new listeners find us, and we so appreciate it. We'll see you next week.