I Bake For A Living And Battle OCD Every Day

Ally Duncan built a career most people dream about. As a full-time content creator in the food space, she’s known for her intricate cakes, playful tiny baking videos, and a vibrant online presence. What her audience didn’t see, for years, was how much work it took to succeed while quietly managing OCD.OCD shows up in her kitchen in ways most people wouldn’t notice — counting food coloring drops, checking for perfect symmetry on cupcakes, or feeling the urge to fix every imperfection. It’s exhausting, and it never fully turns off. But Ally’s learned to live with it, work through it, and keep showing up for what she loves.After years of staying quiet about her mental health, Ally started sharing her story. What she found wasn’t judgment — it was community. That response is what pushed her to keep speaking up. Because if talking about OCD helps even one person feel less alone, it’s worth it, she tells us.Chapters:0:00 Intro2:12 Ally’s background4:16 How OCD has affected Ally’s life8:07 Symmetry OCD is present when Ally bakes10:28 Ally’s therapy experience12:42 Ally has a phrase to combat OCD13:47 Being open about OCD struggles16:11 How Ally’s OCD has changed throughout her life19:07 How hormones affect Ally’s OCD21:29 OCD-themed cake?23:05 Ally’s partner is very supportive25:29 The difficulties of getting specialized OCD treatment28:58 Virtual mental healthcare is just as effective as in-person31:50 Biggest breakthroughs Ally experienced33:42 Why Ally became an OCD advocate35:15 How Ally got into baking and content39:38 OCD flareups happen42:00 The shock of learning a behavior is a compulsion44:45 Advice from AllyWant to try ERP therapy like Ally? NOCD offers proven, specialized treatment for OCD. Start your journey by visiting https://learn.nocd.com/podcastFollow us on social media:https://www.instagram.com/treatmyocd/https://twitter.com/treatmyocdhttps://www.tiktok.com/@treatmyocd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.