Have you ever wondered if your lifelong struggle with food and weight has quietly become your life’s purpose? What if your energy, focus, and identity have been unconsciously tied to “fixing” your body, rather than actually living fully? And what if this pursuit has kept you from discovering your true purpose?
The problem is, diets, quick fixes, and even knowledge about “what to do” don’t solve the deeper issue. Many people spend years cycling through restriction, obsession, and shame, only to end up right where they started—or worse. This constant focus on what’s wrong steals joy, erodes self-worth, and traps you in patterns of self-sabotage.
The good news is, you don’t have a weight problem—you have a purpose problem. Real healing begins when you shift from criticism to self-compassion, from control to connection, and from fixing to being. By embracing who you truly are, setting boundaries, and seeking support, you can step into lasting freedom, peace, and a life beyond food obsession.
“I’ve had so many people recently say to me, ‘Yeah, I have lost weight before and I still felt empty inside. I still felt anxious about gaining it back. I still felt insecure and not confident when I walked into a room.’ So clearly this is not about a weight problem. This is a being problem. You cannot solve an internal problem with an external solution. ” - Leslie Thornton
What you will learn from this episode:
03:49 - Debunking life purpose myths, common misconceptions about life purpose, emphasizing it’s about being yourself, not external achievements
09:20 Connecting the concept of unconscious commitments to body image and weight struggles
10:31 - How a problem-finding mindset is unhelpful for self-worth and healing
14:14 - Letting go of what’s wrong and focusing on what’s right with oneself to create lasting change and self-love
16:34 Reflecting on a documentary and client stories to show that external weight loss doesn’t solve deeper issues
20:27 - Breaking the cycle of generational weight obsession
22:38 - Outlining the need for hypnosis, coaching, and boundary setting for sustainable transformation
27:11 - The power of asking for help and how healing is a decision
29:28 - Describes group coaching experiences, client breakthroughs, and the richness of community support
31:22 - How every food event Is a learning opportunity and discussing on unconditional self-love
34:03 - Unpacking food behaviors , letting go of the timeline, and the Importance of self-value
40:10 - Leslie reflecting on her own evolving sense of purpose and the impact of her work
41:23 - How movement and body changes with age, retreats and transformational Experiences
45:19 - Reiterating that purpose is about who you are in every situation, not just what you do; and why you don’t have a weight problem, only a purpose problem
47:30 - Healing relationships and communication
49:01 - Why you hurt yourself with old patterns
Valuable Resources:
Connect With Leslie Thornton:
If you enjoy the podcast, Would you please consider leaving a quick review on Apple Podcasts/iTunes in under 60 seconds? It brightens our day and helps us bring you incredible guests for top-notch content. Plus, I cherish reading every review! Click here to make a difference!