"I didn't lose 120 lbs to hate myself again" with Melissa Ostash

In today’s episode, Melissa Ostash joins us to dig deep into something so many women quietly wrestle with: comparison, self-trust, emotional eating, body image, and that “mean girl voice” in our heads that never seems to fully go away. We talk about the power of autonomy - truly listening to your body, honoring when something “clicks,” and allowing yourself to be content instead of endlessly chasing smaller, tighter, leaner.We also explore what happens when social media becomes a distorted mirror and how detoxing your feed can literally change how you feel about your life, your body, and your worth.You’ll hear us talk through the mental load after massive weight loss, grieving old versions of yourself, embracing scars, skin, cellulite, and stories… and choosing joy, health, longevity, and real life over constantly shrinking. We get honest about emotional eating, survival mode, learning to feel feelings instead of numbing them, and the ongoing work of quieting that old internal critic. This conversation is raw, relatable, and full of compassion, hope, and grounded truth.“I didn’t lose 120 pounds to hate myself again.”- Melissa Ostash“That mean girl voice may still show up sometimes, but the more you prove to yourself you can do hard things, the quieter she gets.”- Melissa OstashThis week on Here’s the Deal: Fitness, Nutrition and Mindset for People Who Don’t Want Life to Suck:The power of trusting yourself instead of endlessly chasing smallerAutonomy, contentment, and deciding you’re allowed to feel “okay” in your bodyHow social media comparison steals peace - and the gift of a feed detoxChoosing health, longevity, strength, and life experiences over perfectionEmotional eating, survival mode, and finally letting yourself feelThe “mean girl voice,” why it still shows up, and how to quiet itWhy boring, consistent habits matter more than shiny trendsThe ongoing mindset work after weight loss - and why the work doesn’t stop Connect with Melissa Ostash:Fit and Fueled Life on InstagramThanks for tuning in to this week’s episode of Here’s the Deal: Fitness, Nutrition, and Mindset for People Who Don’t Want Life to Suck, where we challenge the common understanding of what it means and what it takes to be fit and healthy! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.Apple Podcasts | SpotifyBe sure to share your favorite episodes on social media and tag us!Join Iris Deadlifts on Instagram and Amy Rudolph on Instagram.