After 14 Years of Binge Eating: What Finally Helped Me Heal (With Deb Elbaz)

Can you recover from binge eating disorder after years, or even decades, of struggling? In this inspiring episode, I sit down with a longtime friend and recovery coach to discuss her personal binge eating recovery journey. After living in the binge eating cycle for 14 years, she found a path to lasting freedom and has been binge-free since 2002. She shares how binge eating remained hidden from everyone around her, the turning points that led her toward healing, and why recovery was a gradual process rather than an overnight transformation. We also explore the role that spirituality played in her recovery, how awareness became a powerful tool for change, and why hope is essential for anyone struggling with an eating disorder. Whether you're dealing with binge eating disorder, emotional eating, chronic dieting, body image concerns, or food obsession, this conversation offers encouragement and practical wisdom. The Hidden Reality of Binge Eating Disorder One of the most powerful themes in this conversation is how invisible binge eating disorder can be. Despite suffering daily, my guest appeared successful, healthy, and in control from the outside. Behind the scenes, however, she was living a secret life consumed by binge eating, calorie counting, body checking, and relentless self-criticism. Her story is a reminder that eating disorders do not always fit stereotypes and that many people suffer silently for years before seeking help. Why Recovery Takes Time If you've ever felt discouraged because recovery isn't happening fast enough, this episode is for you. We discuss how recovery often unfolds through increasing awareness rather than dramatic breakthroughs. My guest shares how she slowly learned to recognize her binge eating urges earlier and earlier, eventually developing the ability to choose different responses. This gradual process helped her build a foundation for lasting recovery rather than temporary change. The Role of Spirituality in Recovery Spirituality became a central part of my guest's healing journey. We explore how spiritual practices helped her move away from perfectionism, control, and isolation while developing greater trust, self-compassion, and connection. Although spirituality may look different for everyone, this conversation highlights how finding meaning, purpose, and connection can support recovery from binge eating disorder. Journaling, Awareness, and Healing We also talk about the surprising power of journaling. My guest has been journaling for more than four decades and shares how writing has helped her uncover patterns, process emotions, and gain insights that she couldn't access through thinking or talking alone. Her experience offers a compelling perspective on why self-reflection can be such a valuable recovery tool. About My Guest My guest, Deb Elbaz, is a binge eating recovery coach who has spent more than 20 years helping women heal their relationships with food, their bodies, and themselves. Drawing from her own experience of recovering from binge eating disorder, she now helps women find freedom from the binge-restrict cycle while developing deeper self-awareness and self-trust. Related Episodes Healing Binge Eating Disorder: One Woman’s Journey Toward Body Trust & Food Freedom With Dr. Michelle Tubman, M.D. @wayzahealth on Apple & Spotify. Lived Experience of Having Both Bulimia & Binge Eating Disorder With Milda Zolubaite @nutrition.path on Apple & Spotify. ADHD & Binge Eating Disorder With Toni Rudd @the.binge.dietitian on Apple & Spotify. Connect with Deb Website: DebElbaz.com Instagram: @debelbazcoach YouTube: Deb Elbaz Connect with Dr. Marianne Miller Website: DrMarianneMiller.com Instagram: @drmariannemiller Subscribe, Rate, and Review If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Your support helps more people struggling with binge eating disorder, emotional eating, body image issues, and eating disorders discover that recovery is possible.