Épisodes

  • Emotional Eating Explained: Why Willpower Isn't The Problem with Tricia Nelson

    Emotional Eating Explained: Why Willpower Isn't The Problem with Tricia Nelson
    Feb 19 2026
    "You have a living problem, not an eating problem." —Tricia Nelson Food rules, lab results, and shame spiral thinking keep showing up, yet the body keeps sending the same distress signals. Chronic symptoms, weight swings, and late-night eating start to look less like a lack of discipline and more like the body asking for a different kind of help. This conversation goes straight into that gap between "knowing what to do" and not being able to do it. Tricia Nelson shares how decades of emotional eating, strict dieting, and self-loathing turned into a path of mentoring, research, and a practical framework that helps emotional eaters understand what food has been doing for them. Her story shows how addressing buried emotions, people pleasing, and stress patterns can transform both our relationship with food and our sense of safety in our own body. Press play to explore a kinder, more honest way of working with emotional eating and chronic symptoms, including: Why emotional eating is a living problem, not an eating problem How stress, people pleasing, and overdoing keep bingeing and stress eating in place The PEP framework and what food is actually doing for our pain, escape, and self-punishment Why traditional diets and willpower backfire for emotional eaters The role of community and speaking up in releasing shame around food Simple self-care practices that calm the nervous system and support food freedom Connect with Donna: Website: https://www.donnapiper.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnapiper Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedonnapiper Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedonnapiper YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedonnapiper Resources: 🤔Got a question for me? Every month, I do a listener coaching episode—and I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, stories, or flare-up confessions to donna@donnapiper.com, and you just might hear your answer on the show. 💲Discount Get $20 off the Visible Wrist Band 2.0 Click the link: https://join.makevisible.com/73784699c7db3e **Wearable heart-rate and activity sensor, with charging cable and strap included. 5 days battery life Manufactured by Polar, the world leader in heart-rate monitoring Designed for illness, not fitness HSA/FSA Eligible 💗Springrose Give $20, GET $20 When you share Springrose with friends, they get $20 off their first purchase and you get $20 towards your next purchase!* Share the love. https://oken.do/0l3hpr6v 💗Equip Fuel With Real Food Meet Prime Protein, the original beef protein powder, with over 20g of delicious grass-fed beef protein. No junk or fillers https://www.equipfoods.com/DONNA15 📖 Get Tricia's Book: Heal Your Hunger: 7 Simple Steps to End Emotional Eating Now Episode Highlights: 04:35 Meet Tricia: Struggles with Emotional Eating 07:54 The Role of Emotions, Stress, and Habits in Emotional Eating 24:57 Practical Tips for Overcoming Emotional Eating 28:56 How Coaches Can Help 35:50 Feelings of Failure 40:06 The Importance of Community and Support X: Emotional eating is not a food problem. It is a life problem. Hit play for a smart gut check on stress, people pleasing, chronic illness, and the PEP method for food cravings. Our snacks have receipts. #DearBodyImListening #EmotionalEating #lymphbreath #movementherapy #eightloss #foodaddiction #stresseating #selfcarehabits #communitysuupport #selfesteem Quotes: 12:21 "Our emotions impact our health, our gut health, our immune health, and cancer. We've got to figure this out, or we're going to die from burying our emotional selves and not using our voice." —Tricia Nelson 14:01 "We don't get taught how to deal with anger and shame… we're not an emotionally intelligent society." —Donna Piper 14:14 "You're not just your weight, you're not just your spirit, you're not just your mind, we all work together." —Donna Piper 15:06 "You have a living problem, not an eating problem." —Tricia Nelson 17:34 "Over-eaters are overdoers. Every time, we'll trash ourselves getting it done. We want that approval, so we are working for it, and that comes at a high cost to our health. So that's a problem, because stress causes stress eating." —Tricia Nelson 21:54 "We need to get together and laugh about the crazy things we've done, because otherwise, we'll live in isolation, which just perpetuates the problem… It's not food we're really craving. We need connection." —Tricia Nelson 34:33 "We're not only overeaters, but we're also over feelers, and we feel guilty about everything." —Tricia Nelson 39:07 "We have to practice this. We need to be schooled in changing our belief system about ourselves. It's just it's hard to come by strong self-esteem without working at it." —Tricia Nelson Connect with Tricia: Tricia Nelson is an internationally acclaimed author, transformational TEDx speaker, and Emotional Eating Expert. Tricia has successfully helped thousands of people heal ...
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    44 min
  • Chronic Illness Grief: Missing Your Old Life Without Making Your New Life Wrong

    Chronic Illness Grief: Missing Your Old Life Without Making Your New Life Wrong
    Feb 12 2026
    "Grief is not the opposite of healing. Grief is a part of making room for your real life. You don't get over this, you learn how to carry it without it swallowing you whole" —Donna Piper Some days, the hardest part of chronic illness is not the symptoms, but the quiet grief for the body and life that used to feel possible. Plans shrink, energy disappears without warning, and ordinary tasks start to feel like marathons no one else can see. Grief and gratitude sit side by side, and our culture often gives us language for neither. Donna shares how chronic illness restructured her body, work, and identity, from marathon days in Chicago and full client loads to lipedema surgery and unpredictable flares. Her training as a psychotherapist, body worker, and spiritual practitioner meets her lived experience, and together they shape a grounded way of moving with chronic illness grief instead of around it. Press play to hear a real-time grief toolkit for chronic illness and to explore gentler ways of living with a body that changed without consent, including: What chronic illness grief looks like when there is no funeral, flowers, or casserole train How gratitude and grief can coexist without canceling each other out The roller coaster nature of symptoms and stamina in conditions like lipedema, MCAS, hypermobility, and chronic fatigue syndrome Why the nervous system stays on high alert with chronic illness and medical dismissal The identity whiplash of going from strong and reliable to "limit days" and cancellations Naming specific losses so grief does not harden into shame and self blame The "two lives list" and how it helps separate old expectations from current capacity A "wave plan" for grief ambushes, including anchoring, breath, and timers Reframing flares from personal failure to information from the body Building a soft identity that honors essence, not productivity or stamina Mythbusting chronic illness grief, including "others have it worse" and "I should be over this by now" A short feel good flow for safety, permission, and resting without guilt Connect with Donna: Website: https://www.donnapiper.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnapiper Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lipedema_donna Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedonnapiper YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedonnapiper Episode Highlights: 02:46 Chronic Illness Grief Without Funerals or Flowers 04:26 Looking Great ❌ Functional 08:55 How Chronic Illness Hijacks Your Nervous System & Sense of Safety 15:47 Two Lives List 19:16 Feeling Grief Safely: Wave Plans, Timers & Letting Emotions Move 24:05 Myth Busters: Acceptance, Grief Moves, Pain Competition, Timing 28:33 Gentle Grief Practice: Breathing, Self-Permission & Soft Identity Resources: 🤔Got a question for me? Every month, I do a listener coaching episode—and I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, stories, or flare-up confessions to donna@donnapiper.com, and you just might hear your answer on the show. 💲Discount Get $20 off the Visible Wrist Band 2.0 Click the link: https://join.makevisible.com/73784699c7db3e **Wearable heart-rate and activity sensor, with charging cable and strap included. 5 days battery life Manufactured by Polar, the world leader in heart-rate monitoring Designed for illness, not fitness HSA/FSA Eligible X: Looking "fine" while our body rewrites every rule is its own heartbreak. Queue this episode for real talk on stamina loss, medical gaslighting, and building a softer identity with chronic illness. #DearBodyImListeningPodcast #chronicpain #lipedema #MCAS #hypermobility #CFS #grief #identityloss #spoonielife #mentalhealth #bodychanges #newvoussystem #selfcare #acceptance #healing Quotes: 02:57 "Grief doesn't mean you're negative. Grief means you're honest. When your body changes, your life changes, not always in dramatic ways, sometimes in 1000 tiny, weirdly humiliating ways." —Donna Piper 04:26 "Looking great is not the same thing as feeling functional." —Donna Piper 06:50 "Grief is not a weakness. It's our human response to loss… and it needs its space. It needs its time. It needs its recognition to really help you navigate this." —Donna Piper 09:07 "When life is predictable, your system can relax. When life is unpredictable, your system starts scanning for danger. And for most of us with chronic illness, our bodies are trying to catch up." —Donna Piper 10:40 "Grief isn't just emotional, it's biological because uncertainty is stressful on the nervous system… So you're not just grieving your physical ability. You're grieving who you thought you'd be, what you thought your life would look like, what you assumed was guaranteed, the version of you who didn't have to negotiate with her body all day." —Donna Piper 11:52 "Grief is not the opposite of healing. Grief is a part of making room for your real life. You don't get over this, you learn how to carry it without it ...
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    32 min
  • MCAS vs Histamine Intolerance Why Your Body Reacts to Everything (And You're Not Crazy)

    MCAS vs Histamine Intolerance Why Your Body Reacts to Everything (And You're Not Crazy)
    Feb 5 2026
    "A reaction is not a moral failure— it's information. Your body is just responding to something, and right now it's giving you signals that it doesn't want that or it needs some extra help." —Donna Piper When every meal feels like a risk and symptoms seem to come out of nowhere, it can start to feel like the body has turned against us. Many in the chronic illness community are stuck between labels like "histamine intolerance" and "MCAS" while still getting no clear plan or validation. This conversation names what is happening in the body and why it is not "all in the head." Donna Piper shares decades of lived experience with connective tissue disorders, chronic fatigue, and relentless food and environmental reactions, and how finally understanding mast cell activation and histamine load changed the way she navigates daily life and medical care. Her story becomes a practical map that blends science, self tracking, and nervous system care. Hit play for grounded support and real language around symptoms that are often dismissed, including: The difference between histamine intolerance and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) How connective tissue disorders, hypermobility, lipedema, POTS, and ME/CFS intersect with mast cell issues Why food reactions can seem random and show up hours or days later The "histamine bucket" idea and how overall load from stress, hormones, sleep, and environment matters Three trigger buckets: food, environmental, and internal factors How to track symptoms without spreadsheets using simple logs or voice notes Why leftovers, storage time, and food freshness can change histamine reactions A practical reaction scale and when symptoms call for urgent care Exact phrases that can help doctors take MCAS and histamine intolerance more seriously Common myths about sensitivity, inconsistency, and "it is just anxiety" A short pre meal nervous system practice to make eating feel safer Connect with Donna: Website: https://www.donnapiper.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnapiper Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lipedema_donna Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedonnapiper YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedonnapiper Episode Highlights: 01:10 Why Your Body Reacts to Everything 05:30 Connective Tissue Disorders, Hypermobility, and Chronic Symptoms 09:45 Histamine Intolerance Explained 15:00 HIstamine Intolerance vs MCAS 18:00 Three Trigger Buckets: Food, Environment, and Internal Stressors 23:00 The LeftOver Rule 27:52 Myth Busting: It's My Fault, It's All in My Head, & Inconsistent=Not Real Resources: 🔬Research and Studies Cleveland Clinic Cleveland Clinic+2PMC+2 JACI In Practice+1 JACI In Practice+2PMC+2 🤔Got a question for me? Every month, I do a listener coaching episode—and I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, stories, or flare-up confessions to donna@donnapiper.com, and you just might hear your answer on the show. 💲Discount Get $20 off the Visible Wrist Band 2.0 Click the link: https://join.makevisible.com/73784699c7db3e **Wearable heart-rate and activity sensor, with charging cable and strap included. 5 days battery life Manufactured by Polar, the world leader in heart-rate monitoring Designed for illness, not fitness HSA/FSA Eligible X: Our body is not overreacting. It is overprotecting. Hit play to hear how MCAS, histamine intolerance, and our "histamine bucket" can turn meals into landmines, and why it is not in our head. Listen now for real talk, science, and tools. #DearBodyImListeningPodcast #MCAS #MastCellActivationSyndrome #HistamineIntolerance #LowHistamineDiet #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #GutHealth #Hypermobility #Lipedema #POTS #MECFS #NervousSystemRegulation #HealthPodcast #WomensHealth #PatientAdvocacy Quotes: 02:22 "You deserve to eat without feeling like you're playing a horror movie called, What will my body do next?" —Donna Piper 16:20 "Instead of what's wrong with me, the more helpful question is, 'what is filling my bucket? What drains my bucket?'" —Donna Piper 17:16 "The three trigger buckets: food bucket…environmental bucket…then the internal bucket. So if you only track food, you'll think that it might be more random, but if you track all three, you could start to see patterns that show themselves." —Donna Piper 26:20 "Sometimes, you just have to know the magic words to say to your doctors in a way that makes sense to them as they do your deferential diagnosis." —Donna Piper 28:03 "A reaction is not a moral failure— it's information. Your body is just responding to something, and right now it's giving you signals that it doesn't want that or it needs some extra help." —Donna Piper 28:35 "Histamine and mast cell mediators are real chemistry. They have real implications in the body. They have real jobs in your body, and when those jobs are overworking, and you're having symptoms, and you're not feeling good, then ...
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    35 min
  • Rest Without Guilt (When Your Worth Got Tied to Output)

    Rest Without Guilt (When Your Worth Got Tied to Output)
    Jan 29 2026
    "Rest isn't a character flaw. It's what your body needs in order to heal from these invisible illnesses. And for some of us, it's also a grief process, because we're not just resting from task; we're resting from the version of ourselves who thought we had to earn love through output." —Donna Piper Ep 36 Shownotes: Podcast Platforms We talk about rest like it is simple, but for many bodies it brings guilt, fear, and shame. When worth gets tied to productivity, stopping can feel dangerous even when the body is breaking down. This conversation meets the tension between exhaustion and identity without sugarcoating it. This week, Donna shares her lived experience with chronic illness, nervous system dysregulation, and post-exertional malaise, alongside research that reshaped how she approaches rest, pacing, and recovery. Press play and sit with this one, then return to it when the guilt shows up. Topics covered: Rest without guilt, and why it feels so hard Chronic illness, fatigue, and invisible symptoms Nervous system regulation and safety Post-exertional malaise and pacing strategies Why pushing through backfires Identity loss when productivity disappears Practical rest tools that actually work Boundaries, scripts, and energy budgeting Connect with Donna: Website: https://www.donnapiper.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnapiper Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lipedema_donna Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedonnapiper YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedonnapiper Episode Highlights: 03:05 The Impact of Chronic Illness on Identity 07:52 The Role of the ANS 10:50 How to Rest Without Guilt 19:01 The Importance of Pacing and Boundaries 21:41 Reframing Rest as Productive 25:34 Intentional Breathing and Mindfulness Resources: 🤔Got a question for me? Every month, I do a listener coaching episode—and I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, stories, or flare-up confessions to donna@donnapiper.com, and you just might hear your answer on the show. 💲Discount Get $20 off the Visible Wrist Band 2.0 Click the link: https://join.makevisible.com/73784699c7db3e **Wearable heart-rate and activity sensor, with charging cable and strap included. 5 days battery life Manufactured by Polar, the world leader in heart-rate monitoring Designed for illness, not fitness HSA/FSA Eligible X: Your worth is not measured by stamina. Period. This episode dives into fatigue, shame, pacing, and nervous system safety—plus tools to rest without guilt. Press play if your body's tired but your mind won't quit. #DearBodyImListeningPodcast #RestWithoutGuilt #ChronicIllness #NervousSystem #FatigueSupport #InvisibleIllness #RestIsMedicine #PEM #HealingJourney #WomensHealth #RestAndHeal #NervousSystemCare #FatigueAwareness Quotes: 02:06 "A lot of us don't just have fatigue. We have fatigue plus shame, and shame is heavy. It's like wearing a weighted vest you did not consent to." —Donna Piper 04:06 "Rest— there's no volition to it. You need it, and the more you don't do it, the worse it gets." —Donna Piper 09:42 "We all want to be relied on. It's a lot of women do too much… So it's not a negative that we do that a lot. It's just that if it becomes too much of our identity, it takes away from our health. So that's really where we want to learn some safety in our body and what that looks like." —Donna Piper 14:23 "It's not forced rest. Rest is being safe. Rest is self-respect in the body that has limits. And so, we want to just first look at what our relationship is with rest; know that rest is essential in your healing." —Donna Piper 17:55 "Rest works better when it's a choice you can name, not avoiding your brain fears." —Donna Piper 18:34 "The safer you feel in your body, the more the environment is primed to help you see things differently, manage things differently, and also get you on your road to recovery." —Donna Piper 20:18 "Treat rest like an appointment; you don't cancel on yourself. You're not lazy, you're energy budgeting." —Donna Piper 24:44 "Rest is not giving up. Rest is what helps you prevent the worst of the crash cycle, especially with PEM patterns." —Donna Piper 25:11 "Sometimes, stopping is the only reason anything stays intact." —Donna Piper 26:54 "Your body is the doer and the be-er. So the more you support your body, the more you're actually taking care of yourself in order to do the things you want to do in the future." —Donna Piper 27:45 "Rest isn't a character flaw. It's what your body needs in order to heal from these invisible illnesses. And for some of us, it's also a grief process, because we're not just resting from task; we're resting from the version of ourselves who thought we had to earn love through output." —Donna Piper Your Host: Donna Piper is a Relationship Coach, Trauma Expert, and Akashic Records Healer dedicated to empowering successful single women to transform their ...
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    31 min
  • Is It POTS? When Standing Up Feels Like a Trap

    Is It POTS? When Standing Up Feels Like a Trap
    Jan 22 2026
    "You're not making it up. You're not weak, you're not failing. Your body is working hard to keep you upright, and you deserve support that matches the reality of that." —Donna Piper Standing up should not require strategy, recovery time, or mental math. When heart rate spikes, dizziness hits, and showers wipe us out, the hardest part is not the symptom. It is being told nothing is wrong while our body says otherwise. Donna shares lived experience with POTS, dysautonomia, and multiple comorbidities, blending physiology with trauma-informed insight. Her work is shaped by years of being dismissed and the clarity that comes from finally naming what is happening in the body. Press play to ground into language that makes sense of your symptoms and offers support without pushing. Signs of POTS and dysautonomia in daily life Why standing, heat, and showers trigger symptoms Heart racing vs anxiety and why both can exist The mental exhaustion of medical gaslighting Gentle nervous system supports for upright intolerance What patterns to track for clearer self-advocacy Connect with Donna: Website: https://www.donnapiper.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnapiper Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lipedema_donna Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedonnapiper YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedonnapiper Episode Highlights: 01:58 Common Triggesr and Symptoms of POTS 03:26 POTS and Daily Life 07:40 Myths About POTS 09:10 Practical Support and Tracking Symptoms 11:20 Choose Support Instead of Punishment Resources: 🤔Got a question for me? Every month, I do a listener coaching episode—and I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, stories, or flare-up confessions to donna@donnapiper.com, and you just might hear your answer on the show. X: Standing up shouldn't feel like a full-body ambush. If your heart races, showers wipe you out, or upright time feels risky, this episode breaks down POTS signs, daily triggers, and gentle supports. Pull up a chair and listen for clarity and support.. #DearBodyImListeningPodcast #POTSlife #POTSawareness #InvisibleIllness #ChronicSymptoms #Dysautonomia #WomensHealth #ChronicFatigue #BodySignals Quotes: 04:18 "This isn't you just being dramatic. This is your body sending data, not drama." —Donna Piper 04:47 "There's absolutely nothing wrong with you. You may have been dealing with regulation issues, and they deserve support, not shame." —Donna Piper 06:59 "POTS can shrink your world, not because you're incapable, but because your body is doing extra math to keep you upright." —Donna Piper 08:17 "Here's the spicy truth: being dismissed can make you anxious. So you can have both anxiety and POTS." —Donna Piper 08:33 "POTS can fluctuate. Your good hours don't erase the hard ones. You're not faking. You're cycling through capacity." —Donna Piper 08:47 "For a lot of us, pushing through is what makes symptoms worse. Sometimes, the bravest thing is choosing smart support instead of self punishment." —Donna Piper 11:20 "You're not making it up. You're not weak, you're not failing. Your body is working hard to keep you upright, and you deserve support that matches the reality of that." —Donna Piper Your Host: Donna Piper is a Relationship Coach, Trauma Expert, and Akashic Records Healer dedicated to empowering successful single women to transform their love lives and attract fulfilling partnerships without sacrificing their professional ambitions. With a holistic approach blending therapeutic coaching, trauma-informed techniques, and Akashic Records wisdom, she guides clients to release limiting beliefs, heal emotional blocks, and cultivate unshakable self-trust. Her work focuses on aligning mind, body, and spirit to create lasting change—helping clients refine communication, deepen self-worth, and build the foundation for healthy, loving relationships. Donna's sessions are a safe haven for those ready to break cycles, embrace vulnerability, and design a love life that harmonizes with their thriving careers. For women committed to both personal and professional fulfillment, she offers tailored strategies to unlock their full potential and step into the relationship of their dreams.
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    13 min
  • Traveling with Chronic Illness: Germany Edition

    Traveling with Chronic Illness: Germany Edition
    Jan 15 2026
    "If you're traveling with chronic illness, I want you to hear me. There is nothing wrong with you. You just have to prepare a little bit. You deserve to travel in a way that doesn't punish you, that helps you, that makes you feel good." —Donna Piper Travel takes more out of the body than most people admit. For those living with chronic illness, the cost shows up before the suitcase is even packed. Energy drains through lines, noise, time pressure, swelling, and the fear of crashing far from home. Donna shares her real-time approach to spending a month in Germany while managing lipedema, chronic fatigue, MCAS, hypermobility, and nervous system overload. This conversation blends lived experience with practical science to show how support, pacing, and preparation make travel survivable and humane. Press play for a grounded, no-hype conversation and explore: Traveling with chronic illness without pushing or proving Energy budgeting before, during, and after trips Nervous system overload and why travel hits harder Swelling, compression, and movement on long flights Flying with lipedema and chronic pain Planning layovers, buffers, and recovery days Using accommodations without guilt or explanation Safe food strategies for MCAS and histamine issues Why rest protects the trip instead of ruining it Micro-regulation tools for airports, flights, and hotels Connect with Donna: Website: https://www.donnapiper.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnapiper Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lipedema_donna Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedonnapiper YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedonnapiper Episode Highlights: 01:59 Travelling with Chronic Illness 05:14 How Travel Can Stress Your ANS and What to Do About It 07:02 Myths and Misconceptions About Travelling with Chronic Illness 08:23 Practical Travel Tips and Mindfulness Practices Resources: 🤔Got a question for me? Every month, I do a listener coaching episode—and I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, stories, or flare-up confessions to donna@donnapiper.com, and you just might hear your answer on the show. X: Traveling with chronic illness isn't Eat, Pray, Love. It's planning, pacing, compression, and rest. In this episode, we talk fatigue, swelling, flights, and nervous-system-safe travel—without the gloss. #DearBodyImListeningPodcast #ChronicIllnessTravel #InvisibleIllness #Lipedema #ChronicFatigue #TravelTips #NervousSystemSafety #SelfAdvocacy #BodyAwareness Quotes: 02:34 "Travel costs energy before the trip even starts. There's the physical stuff: standing in lines, hauling bags, temperature swings, weird food timing, and bathrooms require a map, and emotional courage. And then there's the invisible stuff, decision fatigue, sensory overload, nervous system activation, the pressure to 'make it worth it', and that sneaky fear of what if I crash and I'm not at home." —Donna Piper 03:33 "Build a buffer like it's your job… Two, use help like it's normal… Three, Plan the flight like it's a body event…Four, bring safe food… Five, treat landing like recovery day." —Donna Piper 06:44 "You're not aiming for no symptoms. You're aiming for support, strategy, and self-trust." —Donna Piper 07:15 "Rest is what makes a trip survivable. Rest is what keeps you from needing a week-long recovery afterward." —Donna Piper 09:52 "If you're traveling with chronic illness, I want you to hear me. There is nothing wrong with you. You just have to prepare a little bit. You deserve to travel in a way that doesn't punish you, that helps you, that makes you feel good." —Donna Piper Your Host: Donna Piper is a Relationship Coach, Trauma Expert, and Akashic Records Healer dedicated to empowering successful single women to transform their love lives and attract fulfilling partnerships without sacrificing their professional ambitions. With a holistic approach blending therapeutic coaching, trauma-informed techniques, and Akashic Records wisdom, she guides clients to release limiting beliefs, heal emotional blocks, and cultivate unshakable self-trust. Her work focuses on aligning mind, body, and spirit to create lasting change—helping clients refine communication, deepen self-worth, and build the foundation for healthy, loving relationships. Donna's sessions are a safe haven for those ready to break cycles, embrace vulnerability, and design a love life that harmonizes with their thriving careers. For women committed to both personal and professional fulfillment, she offers tailored strategies to unlock their full potential and step into the relationship of their dreams.
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    13 min
  • Pack, Move, Fly, Heal: Why I'm Choosing Germany for Lipedema Surgery

    Pack, Move, Fly, Heal: Why I'm Choosing Germany for Lipedema Surgery
    Jan 8 2026
    "Movement and less pain is why I'm doing this and why I've chosen to go to Germany." —Donna Piper Big life changes rarely wait their turn. When health decisions collide with exhaustion, logistics, and uncertainty, clarity matters more than certainty. Donna shares the personal and medical reasoning behind traveling to Germany for lipedema surgery while managing multiple chronic conditions. This episode traces how lived experience, failed conservative treatments, and the need for long-term care shaped a choice rooted in mobility, pain reduction, and nervous system safety. Press play for a grounded, unfiltered conversation, then explore the key moments: Why Germany was chosen for lipedema surgery Living with lipedema, ME/CFS, hEDS, POTS, and MCAS Limits of conservative treatments for lipedema Surgery as debulking, not a cure Managing chronic illness during major life transitions The role of aftercare and hospital-based recovery Reframing healing away from aesthetics Nervous system support during overwhelm Making slow, aligned medical decisions Connect with Donna: Website: https://www.donnapiper.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnapiper Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lipedema_donna Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedonnapiper YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedonnapiper Episode Highlights: 01:40 Personal Update and Upcoming Move 04:56 Choosing Lipedema Surgery in Lipedema 11:23 The Importance of Practicality and Compassion 13:38 Surgery is Not a Miracle Cure 17:32 The Importance of Community Support Resources: 🤔Got a question for me? Every month, I do a listener coaching episode—and I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, stories, or flare-up confessions to donna@donnapiper.com, and you just might hear your answer on the show. X: Big life moves don't pause for healing—but your body still matters. Donna is packing, moving, and flying to Germany for lipedema surgery, choosing care over speed. Listen for surgery decisions, nervous system safety, and real-life prep. #DearBodyImListeningPodcast #lipedema #chronicillness #medicaldecisions #healingjourney #bodywisdom #lipedemasurgery #chronicfatigue #spoonielife #healthchoices #patientadvocate Quotes: 02:48 "It has been important for me to go slowly through this process, as much as I wanted to speed up sometimes, but to really make sure that my nervous system and everything was in alignment so I can make these huge moves on top of healing." —Donna Piper 08:37 "Healing does take a lot of energy." —Donna Piper 11:12 "Movement and less pain is why I'm doing this and why I've chosen to go to Germany." —Donna Piper 11:46 "Surgery isn't your only option, and surgery isn't a miracle; you still need to continue to do conservative things." —Donna Piper 13:34 "It takes about a year after surgery to really start to see the results." —Donna Piper 17:10 "If you're in a moment where life is asking a lot of you and your body is already carrying a lot, remember: there's nothing wrong with you. You've just been living in a body that hasn't been understood." —Donna Piper Your Host: Donna Piper is a Relationship Coach, Trauma Expert, and Akashic Records Healer dedicated to empowering successful single women to transform their love lives and attract fulfilling partnerships without sacrificing their professional ambitions. With a holistic approach blending therapeutic coaching, trauma-informed techniques, and Akashic Records wisdom, she guides clients to release limiting beliefs, heal emotional blocks, and cultivate unshakable self-trust. Her work focuses on aligning mind, body, and spirit to create lasting change—helping clients refine communication, deepen self-worth, and build the foundation for healthy, loving relationships. Donna's sessions are a safe haven for those ready to break cycles, embrace vulnerability, and design a love life that harmonizes with their thriving careers. For women committed to both personal and professional fulfillment, she offers tailored strategies to unlock their full potential and step into the relationship of their dreams.
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    20 min
  • Lipedema Surgery Vs. Non-Surgical Care… Do I Have To Choose?

    Lipedema Surgery Vs. Non-Surgical Care… Do I Have To Choose?
    Jan 1 2026
    "Anything you choose is not weakness. It's the best for you… Instead of thinking surgery or no surgery, try this question: 'What would make my next step safer?'... Safety is a step, not a switch." —Donna Piper Pressure around medical choices can turn care into panic. When the body is complex and money, time, and fear are involved, certainty starts to feel like a deadline. This conversation slows that moment down and gives it room to breathe. In this episode, Donna shares her lived experience navigating lipedema and the long road of conservative care, research, and choosing surgery without shame or urgency. Her perspective is shaped by years of dismissal, chronic symptoms, and learning to trust the body again. Press play and walk your healing journey at your own pace. We cover: Lipedema surgery vs non-surgical care and why it is not an either-or decision Decision paralysis, medical trauma, and fear-based choosing Conservative treatments like compression, lymphatic care, and supportive movement Pain, mobility, swelling, and quality of life considerations Money pressure, timelines, and realistic recovery expectations Why not ready is a valid and protective choice Nervous system safety and building trust after being dismissed Connect with Donna: Website: https://www.donnapiper.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnapiper Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lipedema_donna Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedonnapiper YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedonnapiper Episode Highlights: 02:16 Lipedema Surgery: The Financial and Emotional Pressures 04:41 Lipedema Surgery vs Non-Surgical Care 08:33 Lipedema Management and Support 15:14 Navigating Medical Trauma and Decision-Making 17:11 Myths and Misconceptions About Lipedema Treatment 27:05 Creating a Decision Container 38:30 Supporting Women in Their Health Journey Resources: 🤔Got a question for me? Every month, I do a listener coaching episode—and I'd love to hear from you! Send your questions, stories, or flare-up confessions to donna@donnapiper.com, and you just might hear your answer on the show. X: There is no "right" choice—only the one that fits your body. This episode unpacks the surgery vs non-surgery dilemma, fear loops, and how to decide without pressure. Listen for grounded truth, not ultimatums. #DearBodyImListeningPodcast #lipedema #healthdecisions #bodywisdom #chronicillnesssupport #selftrust #bodyautonomy #lipedemaawareness #chronicpain #medicaltrauma #selfadvocacy #healingjourney Quotes: 07:02 "With Lipedema, it's always trial and error. Not everyone's body responds the same way as someone else's body does. Listen to yourself, trust your intuition, and do your research, because education is what's going to help you." —Donna Piper 09:40 "Medical trauma and uncertainty equals decision paralysis.. When you're being asked to make a big medical decision inside a system that didn't protect you, of course, you're spinning." —Donna Piper 11:10 "The panic you feel is not proof that you're behind it's not proof that you need to make one decision over the other. It's proof that you care and the decision is real, and you're taking some time to really weigh out your options." —Donna Piper 19:45 "If you make any decision of panic or feeling pressured, then you're never going to feel peaceful, even if it's the right one." —Donna Piper 20:29 "Surgery is not just this thing that is going to make everything better. In some cases, it may not be the right thing for you, so just know that opting for whatever care and how you piece it together is the best thing for you. It's not one or the other." —Donna Piper 25:00 "Anything you choose is not weakness. It's the best for you… Instead of thinking surgery or no surgery, try this question: 'What would make my next step safer?'... Safety is a step, not a switch." —Donna Piper 29:59 "None of this is the perfect choice, because the lipedema is not perfect at all." —Donna Piper 30:56 "If you're not ready to make any decisions, that's also a decision. Take some pressure off yourself to explore some things again." —Donna Piper 32:45 "Don't let shame be your surgeon… Shame is not a pre-medical professional. Shame doesn't get a vote. Just let the goal of your quality of life guide you." —Donna Piper 35:44 "You don't have to make a choice. You're not required to choose at all, let alone from a place of fear. This isn't a test of your toughness or your the best decision-making. It's really about your body's decision, and it deserves time, tenderness, and clarity." —Donna Piper 37:20 "Sometimes, the most healing thing is realizing that you're not alone in the mess of it. Whatever you choose, let it be rooted in agency, not shame." —Donna Piper Your Host: Donna Piper is a Relationship Coach, Trauma Expert, and Akashic Records Healer dedicated to empowering successful single women to transform their ...
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    39 min