Episode 62: It’s Not Willpower: The Real Reasons We Struggle With Food with Gina Worful, RD

In this conversation, we unpack the hidden layers of our relationship with food—how it’s shaped by culture, childhood, trauma, biology, and the nervous system. Gina Worful, Founder of the Mastering Mindfulness Institute, is a registered dietitian who watched countless people struggle inside the conventional health model—white-knuckling their way through diets, blaming themselves when their body disagreed, and feeling more confused than empowered. She took a different approach: one that helps people reclaim their power with food, rebuild trust in their body, and understand the deeper patterns that I have seen often surface during perimenopause.What you will learn Why diets and willpower often fail and how shame keeps people stuck in cycles of control and “falling off the wagon.”The difference between blood sugar crashes and nervous system dysregulation, and how each uniquely drives cravings.How childhood experiences (like food scarcity, “clean your plate” rules, or cultural beauty ideals) can deeply shape eating patterns.The powerful role of self-trust, pleasure, and embodiment in healing our relationship with food.Practical tools for tuning into the body—like breath, awareness, and mindful eating practices—that bring regulation and freedom back to the table.Why dropping into the body isn’t always comfortable (especially with trauma) and how to gauge your capacity so you don’t overwhelm your system.Real-life stories, from mindful indulgence to scar tissue release, that show how body awareness can be both healing and empowering.Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to TMI Talk with Dr. Mary00:03 Understanding Perimenopause and Food Relationships00:40 Introducing Gina Worful and Her Approach00:56 Exploring the Layers of Food Relationships04:32 The Impact of Diet Culture and Shame05:25 The Role of Control and Willpower11:14 The Brazilian Perspective on Body Image21:54 The Science Behind Cravings and Stress33:34 Practical Tips for Managing Eating Habits37:41 External Reminders and Executive Function37:58 Emotional Eating and Childhood Wounds39:09 Scarcity Mindset and Food Habits43:04 Reconnecting with Your Body52:49 Understanding Capacity and Discomfort01:00:56 Mindful Eating and Pleasure01:07:23 Conclusion and Contact InformationYou can learn more about Gina below:https://www.masteringmindfulness.instituteinstagram.com/gina.worfulWant support for perimenopause that goes beyond hormones?Whether you (or your clients) are taking HRT but still having symptoms, not ready for it, or can’t tolerate it...there’s more we can do.I’ll be sharing practical tools from a movement and rehab perspective, focusing on the nervous system, fascia, lymph, viscera, and musculoskeletal system.If you want updates on workshops, resources, and strategies to support this phase of life more fully, would love you to join my email list.Subscribe to my email list hereI’ll see you in 2 weeks!PS:If you are interested in being a guest on the show, please fill out the form here.