Emotional Eating, Trauma, and a 311-Pound Weight Loss Transformation | LifeLONG

Emotional Eating, Trauma, and a 311-Pound Weight Loss Transformation | LifeLONG

What happens when food becomes more than food? This week on LifeLONG, Ethan Suplee sits down with Michael Collins, who lost an incredible 311 pounds after years of struggling with obesity, type 2 diabetes, emotional eating, and what many people now describe as "food noise." At his heaviest, Michael weighed over 500 pounds. He was taking multiple medications, struggling to walk, and facing a frightening health prognosis. But his transformation wasn't just about weight loss. Michael shows how trauma, grief, emotional eating, self-worth, and food addiction shaped his relationship with food for decades. And how addressing the emotional side of obesity became just as important as changing what was on his plate. Michael's story isn't about quick fixes, extreme dieting, or perfect discipline. It's about healing, honesty, and learning how to separate emotional needs from eating behaviors. (00:00) Introduction (02:52) Welcoming Michael Collins (06:15) Discovering the Diabetes Reversal Program (10:42) Coming Off Diabetic Medications in Six Weeks (12:14) Dietary Changes & Eliminating Trigger Foods (14:00) The Tragic Car Crash & The Onset of PTSD (18:32) Emotional Eating & The Mental Health Connection to Food (24:26) Spontaneously Signing Up For & Running a 5K (29:31) Navigating Southern Family Meals & Establishing Boundaries (31:22) Body Dysmorphia & The Mental Battle After Massive Weight Loss (34:09) Mailbag (48:50) Final Thoughts Want to be on a future episode? Register here to join the conversation: 2way.tv/ethansuplee [2way.tv/ethansuplee] Don't forget to subscribe to the YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Ethan_Suplee?sub_confirmation=1] for clips, full episodes, and more! If you have any inspirational quotes to share, post them to Ethan's subreddit, r/EthanSupleeLifeLONG [https://www.reddit.com/r/EthanSupleeLifeLONG/]. It’s also a great place to discuss episodes, post about your successes, and embrace the community. Lastly, you can send video questions to ethansupleeshow@2way.tv [ethansupleeshow@2way.tv] and we will play them on the show.  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Leah Hope Changed One Small Thing and Lost 200 Pounds | LifeLONG

Both Ethan and Leah were placed on diets as children, which led to a lifetime of confusion and rebellion against food rules. Leah gained 100 pounds in her final two years of high school, using the freedom of driving to frequent fast-food restaurants. In 2022, Leah shifted her goal from losing weight to gaining healthy habits. This positive framing allowed her to start with "easy wins" (she ate eggs every day for nearly two years to ensure she had at least one nutrient-dense meal), avoid over-restriction, and approach weight loss with a mindfulness first attitude. After losing over 200 pounds, Leah emphasizes that loose skin is an inevitable part of major weight loss. While Leah eventually opted for skin removal surgery for physical comfort, she maintains that she would choose the skin over the weight 100% of the time. Ethan and Leah stress that losing hundreds of pounds requires a psychological shift. Leah explains that you must start acting like the person you want to be before you actually feel like that person. This involves adopting the daily habits of your dream future self today, which eventually solidifies your new identity. (00:00) Introduction: Effecting Change (01:59) Introducing Leah Hope and the Disneyland Turning Point (03:07) Childhood Weight and the Freedom of Driving (03:53) Why Fad Diets Fail and Lifestyle Changes Stick (06:18) Physical Exhaustion at the "Happiest Place on Earth" (08:41) The Mental Shift: Gaining Health Over Losing Weight (09:50) Starting Small: Nutritious Eggs and 10-Minute Walks (11:18) Mindful Tracking and Avoiding Food Restrictions (13:22) Protecting Metabolism: Eating Above Your BMR (15:11) Managing Food Noise and Social Events (17:49) Transitioning to Calorie and Activity Tracking (20:13) Going Viral: Sharing the Journey Online (22:36) The Psychology of Hiding Struggles (24:25) Identity Shift: Acting Like Your Future Self (27:54) Handling Social Media Criticism and Developing Thick Skin (30:17) The Reality of Loose Skin and Removal Surgery (35:47) Advice for Living with Loose Skin and Cellulite (39:06) Staying Consistent with a "Bare Minimum" (41:02) Finding Joy in Movement: From Chair Yoga to Pickleball (45:50) Lightning Round: Sweet Cottage Cheese and Motivations (49:05) Outro Want to be on a future episode? Register here to join the conversation: 2way.tv/ethansuplee [2way.tv/ethansuplee] Don't forget to subscribe to the YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Ethan_Suplee?sub_confirmation=1] for clips, full episodes, and more! If you have any inspirational quotes to share, post them to Ethan's subreddit, r/EthanSupleeLifeLONG [https://www.reddit.com/r/EthanSupleeLifeLONG/]. It’s also a great place to discuss episodes, post about your successes, and embrace the community. Lastly, you can send video questions to ethansupleeshow@2way.tv [ethansupleeshow@2way.tv] and we will play them on the show.  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How One Question Helped Jennifer Brown Lose 190 lbs | LifeLONG

On tonight's episode, we explore the physical and psychological complexities of significant weight loss with Jennifer Brown (@thisiowamom)! Jennifer shares her transformation from a sedentary lifestyle at 342 pounds to becoming a marathon runner, losing 190 pounds along the way. The conversation delves into the GLP-1 paradox, the reality of food noise, and the long-term commitment required for habit-based change. Jennifer’s journey began on July 7, 2019, at 342 pounds. Rather than a single lightbulb moment, it was sparked by a doctor's diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes with a blood sugar level of 221 and a desire to be healthy for her young children. Her approach was built on a simple, non-negotiable mantra that she was never quitting again. Jennifer is transparent about being a GLP-1 user. She notes that the medication silenced the food noise—the constant, intrusive thoughts about food that previously occupied her headspace. It also helps manage her health markers, maintaining blood sugar levels between 70 and 80 and allowing her to stop taking high blood pressure medication. The transition from a sedentary life to running marathons was a slow, multi-year progression. Jennifer walked for nearly three years before running her first mile in 2022. Her first major milestone of losing 100 pounds took three years of trial and error. She emphasizes the importance of resistance training to support her joints and prevent injury. To overcome the fear of failure, Jennifer treats the journey like reading a massive novel; you can’t finish it in a day, but you can read two chapters at a time. She follows a rule of less thinking, more doing to get moving before her brain talks her out of it. In racing, she believes the finish is the win, recalling how she finished her first marathon near the cutoff time and realized the victory was in the completion, not the pace. Want to be on a future episode? Register here to join the conversation: 2way.tv/ethansuplee [2way.tv/ethansuplee] Don't forget to subscribe to the YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Ethan_Suplee?sub_confirmation=1] for clips, full episodes, and more! If you have any inspirational quotes to share, post them to Ethan's subreddit, r/EthanSupleeLifeLONG [https://www.reddit.com/r/EthanSupleeLifeLONG/]. It’s also a great place to discuss episodes, post about your successes, and embrace the community. Lastly, you can send video questions to ethansupleeshow@2way.tv [ethansupleeshow@2way.tv] and we will play them on the show.  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Rodney Lambert — From Survival To Structure | LifeLONG

On this episode of LifeLONG, Ethan Suplee talks with the transformation coach behind @brodfit_21 about what it really takes to create lasting change. This is not about motivation or quick fixes. It is about structure. What it looks like when you keep showing up, even when nothing seems to be working. They talk about: Building simple, repeatable systems for training and nutrition Why most people do not lack discipline. They lack structure How being overweight shaped the way Rodney coaches others The mindset shifts that turn short term effort into long term change Rodney’s journey shows what happens when you stop starting over and start sticking to something that works. If you have ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, this conversation is for you. (00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:37) The Apple Pie Hack (02:14) Introducing Rodney Lambert (03:08) Rodney's Protein Slushie Hack (04:07) Overcoming Near-Death Experiences and Failed Attempts (05:13) Controlling Variables and Building Habits (06:49) A Typical Day: Training and Work-Life Balance (09:50) The Advantage of the Overweight Coach (12:00) Breaking Through the "Diet Noise" (14:02) The Importance of Sustainable Habits (14:51) Creating Personal Structure (17:21) Rodney's Struggle with Eating Disorders (22:21) Moving Beyond Failure to Bodybuilding (26:49) Audience Question: Jamie’s 370lb Weight Loss (30:14) Lifestyle Change vs. Weight Loss Journey (33:46) Audience Question: Resources for Those Without a Coach (37:37) Motivation and Accountability (39:50) The Reality of Skin Removal Surgery (46:15) Speed Round: Favorite Workouts and Motivation (49:31) Ethan's Daily Meal Plan and Variety (51:44) Final Thoughts Want to be on a future episode? Register here to join the conversation: 2way.tv/ethansuplee [2way.tv/ethansuplee] Don't forget to subscribe to the YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Ethan_Suplee?sub_confirmation=1] for clips, full episodes, and more! If you have any inspirational quotes to share, post them to Ethan's subreddit, r/EthanSupleeLifeLONG [https://www.reddit.com/r/EthanSupleeLifeLONG/]. It’s also a great place to discuss episodes, post about your successes, and embrace the community. Lastly, you can send video questions to ethansupleeshow@2way.tv [ethansupleeshow@2way.tv] and we will play them on the show.  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Alicia Briggs — From Overwhelmed to Unstoppable | LifeLONG

Alicia Briggs lost over 225 pounds and rebuilt her life in the process. On this episode of LifeLONG, Ethan Suplee talks with the fitness coach and mom of four behind @thebrownmamimelts about what it really takes to create lasting change. This isn’t about motivation or quick fixes. It’s about consistency—what it looks like when you’re tired, busy, and responsible for other people. They talk about: Building sustainable habits through walking, strength training, and nutrition Navigating motherhood while prioritizing your own health The mental and identity shifts that come with long-term transformation Why discipline matters more than inspiration Alicia’s journey shows what happens when you stop negotiating with yourself and start showing up, over and over again. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start—this conversation is for you. (00:00) Introduction (03:09) The First Habit: Embracing Imperfection (05:08) Juggling Motherhood, Classroom Management, and Routine (07:18) The Essential Nature of Structure in Fitness (08:36) Childhood Origins: Food as Comfort (10:30) Discarding Toxic Diet Culture and Cardio Myths (11:38) The Power of Strength Training for Women (14:05) Addressing Trolls and Misconceptions About Skin and Fat (15:53) Identity Shifts and Changing Friendships (17:26) Breaking Up with Fast Food (19:05) Non-Negotiables: Protein Needs and Performance Training (22:05) Health Consequences: Bucky's and Liver Enzymes (23:15) From Bedbound to Recovery: A Mother’s Motivation (25:54) Sharing the Journey: Transparency and Education (27:45) Dispelling Nutrition Myths: Juicing vs. Whole Fruit (30:19) Audience Question: Managing Your Inner Toddler (33:29) Audience Question: Parenting and Active Participation (39:01) Quickfire Circuit: Favorites, Music, and Motivators (42:41) Building a Sustainable Life (44:23) Mailbag Update: Josh Murphy’s Trail Setback (46:45) Ethan’s Recommendations: Books That Shape the Mind (48:15) Life Outside the Podcast: Film Sets and Stunts (49:30) Quick Tip: Satisfying a Vegan Diet (50:22) Closing Thoughts Want to be on a future episode? Register here to join the conversation: 2way.tv/ethansuplee [2way.tv/ethansuplee] Don't forget to subscribe to the YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Ethan_Suplee?sub_confirmation=1] for clips, full episodes, and more! If you have any inspirational quotes to share, post them to Ethan's subreddit, r/EthanSupleeLifeLONG [https://www.reddit.com/r/EthanSupleeLifeLONG/]. It’s also a great place to discuss episodes, post about your successes, and embrace the community. Lastly, you can send video questions to ethansupleeshow@2way.tv [ethansupleeshow@2way.tv] and we will play them on the show.  ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.