EP 235.5: The 3 Core Beliefs That Are Secretly Fueling Your Eating Disorder + What to Do Next to Change the Way You Think

Core beliefs are the fundamental, deeply held beliefs we develop in early childhood that shape how we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. In this eye-opening episode, Lindsey breaks down how eating disorders stem from and reinforce negative core beliefs that can take years to heal from. Learn about the three types of core beliefs that are secretly feeding your disordered eating patterns and discover how to identify and transform these beliefs to break free from the cycle keeping you stuck.

Key Takeaways

• Core beliefs are fundamental truths you've made into idols that need to be challenged


• Eating disorders stem from and reinforce negative core beliefs developed in childhood


• There are 3 types of core beliefs: how you see yourself, others, and the world


• You are becoming someone you've never been before - be patient with that process


• "You either quit or keep going - they both hurt. Choose your hurt wisely."

The 3 Types of Core Beliefs
Type 1: How You See Yourself

What It Includes:

• Self-worth and personal value


• Self-competence, skills, and abilities


• Self-identity - who you are at your core


• Beliefs shaped by caretakers, feedback, and criticisms over your lifetime

How It Feeds EDs:

• "I'm not good enough" leads to perfectionism, restriction, and rigidity


• False identity created by the eating disorder becomes your truth


• Tying worth and value to performance instead of inherent value

How to Change It:

• Build self-compassion through recovery inspiration


• Embrace your identity as "daughter of the most high, warrior, queen"


• Recognize the voice in your head is a false narrative


• Understand you don't have to earn, restrict, or compensate for nourishment

Type 2: How You View Other People

What It Includes:

• Trustworthiness and reliability of others


• Beliefs about goodwill and kindness in people


• Prejudices and stereotypes


• Safety mechanisms developed from rejection or inconsistent caregiving

How It Feeds EDs:

• "If I can just be perfect, I'll have less rejection"


• Using food and exercise to control how others perceive you


• "If I gain weight, will my husband/boyfriend still want me?"

How to Change It:

• Stop comparing yourself to other people


• Understand most people don't actually care about your recovery journey


• Set boundaries with people who aren't in your corner


• Accept support from those who truly want what's best for you

Type 3: Your Perception of the World

What It Includes:

• Beliefs about safety vs. danger in your environment


• Abundance vs. scarcity mindset


• Beliefs about available resources and opportunities


• Level of control you have over your life and world events

How It Feeds EDs:

• "The world is unsafe, so I must perform to prove my value"


• Searching for control and stability through food/body management


• Fear-based restriction during uncertain times

How to Change It:

• Challenge wellness culture and societal body image messages


• Create personal meaning and purpose beyond the disorder


• "Stay away from processed bodies rather than processed foods"

How Core Beliefs Create ED Cycles

The Connection:

• Core beliefs affect your motivations, goals, life choices, and desires for freedom


• Negative self-perception breeds perfectionism and restriction


• Fear of others' judgment results in using food and exercise for control


• Worldview of unsafety heightens need to prove value through performance

Powerful Quotes from This Episode

• "You are becoming someone you've never met before - and that's what I want you to take with you today."


• "What other people think of you is not your business."


• "No one truly cares what you are doing in your recovery outside of those closest to you."


• "You either quit or you get to keep going, and they both hurt. Choose your hurt wisely."


• "We have to stop living and breeding a culture where our daughters feel wrong for being in their own body."

The Core Belief Transformation Process
Step 1: Identification

• Recognize which of the 3 types of core beliefs are impacting your ED


• Identify the "fundamental truths" you've made into idols


• Understand these beliefs reinforce unhealthy coping mechanisms

Step 2: Challenge

• Question beliefs about yourself, others, and the world


• Recognize many beliefs aren't even yours - they were inherited


• Challenge wellness culture and societal messages

Step 3: Rebuild

• Build self-compassion and embrace your true identity


• Set boundaries and stop caring about bystanders' opinions


• Create meaning and purpose beyond the disorder

Warning Signs Your Core Beliefs Are Feeding Your ED

• Tying your worth to your performance or appearance


• Believing you must be perfect to avoid rejection


• Using food/exercise to control how others see you


• Feeling unsafe in the world and needing control through restriction


• Believing you're "not good enough" or "unlovable"

The Recovery Mindset Shifts

From: "I'm not good enough" To: "I am a warrior becoming someone I've never been before"

From: "I must be perfect to be loved" To: "I am worthy of love exactly as I am"

From: "The world is unsafe" To: "I can create meaning and purpose beyond my fears"

Journal Prompts for Core Belief Work

1. "What beliefs about myself are keeping me stuck in ED patterns?"


2. "How much influence am I allowing others to have in my recovery?"


3. "What worldview am I holding that makes me feel unsafe?"


4. "Which core beliefs are reinforcing my unhealthy coping mechanisms?"

The Call to Action

Be the Change:

• Challenge societal messages about body image and success


• Stand up for your truth


• "Stay away from processed bodies rather than processed foods"


• Stop creating negative cycles for future generations

Signs You're Ready to Transform Core Beliefs

• You recognize these beliefs are "idols" you've created


• You're tired of caring what everyone else thinks


• You want to break generational cycles


• You're ready to become someone you've never been before


• You understand recovery requires belief transformation, not just behavior change

Ready to Break the Chains of Limiting Core Beliefs?

If you're ready for personalized support in transforming the core beliefs keeping you stuck, Lindsey has one slot available for personal coaching, plus amazing support coaches on her team.

Fill out a client application at herbestself.co and get the help you need to see yourself, others, and the world differently.

Connect with Lindsey

• Website: www.herbestself.co 


• Private Facebook Community: Her Best Self Society www.herbestselfsociety.com 


• Client Applications: HBS Co. Recovery Coaching - Client Application - Google Forms

About the Host

Lindsey Nichol is a former competitive figure skater turned God-led entrepreneur, boy mom, and digital CEO. She understands how core beliefs formed in childhood can create and maintain eating disorder patterns, and she's passionate about helping women identify and transform these beliefs to find lasting freedom.

If this episode helped you identify the core beliefs feeding your eating disorder, please share it with someone who needs to hear this message. Your support helps more women break the chains of limiting beliefs.

*While I am a certified health coach, anorexia survivor & eating disorder recovery coach, I do not intend the use of this message to serve as medical advice. Please refer to the disclaimer here in the show & be sure to contact a licensed clinical provider if you are struggling with an eating disorder.