Brain Powered with Eliza Kingsford

Welcome to the show! Find out more about Eliza and her work below: Eliza Kingsford is a licensed psychotherapist and nervous system specialist who helps clients understand and regulate their nervous system so they can get out of their own way, remove obstacles and overcome self-sabotage. Eliza’s work has been featured on Dr. Phil, Dr. Oz, NBC Health, CNN Health, Health Magazine, MindBodyGreen and many more; she’s the author of Brain-Powered Weight Loss and holds advanced certifications in neuroscience, neurobiology, trauma and stress resilience. Eliza combines cutting edge science with effective interventions to create transformation with her clients. She believes true healing only comes when we utilize the mind-body connection. Freebies: Master Your Nervous System Guide Stress eating guide http://www.elizakingsford.com/ https://www.instagram.com/elizakingsford/ Conversation Summary: The conversation covers the importance of the nervous system in understanding and regulating behaviors, particularly in the context of weight loss and body image struggles. [08:13] The guest, Eliza Kingsford, explains how the nervous system plays a key role in interpreting experiences as safe or unsafe, and how this shapes our responses and coping mechanisms, such as turning to food. [35:20] The discussion also touches on the concept of trauma and how even seemingly minor events can have a significant impact on the nervous system. [20:26] Interviewee Background: Eliza Kingsford is a licensed psychotherapist and nervous system specialist who helps clients understand and regulate their nervous system to overcome obstacles and self-sabotage. [03:30] She has been featured in various media outlets and holds advanced certifications in neuroscience, neurobiology, trauma, and stress resilience. [04:02] Key Points The nervous system is constantly interpreting experiences as safe or unsafe, and this shapes our behaviors and coping mechanisms. Trauma is not limited to major events, but can also stem from seemingly minor experiences that the nervous system perceives as unsafe. [20:36] Food can become a "drug of adaptation" - a coping mechanism that the nervous system learns to turn to when experiencing negative emotions or feeling unsafe. Overcoming these patterns requires addressing the underlying nervous system regulation, rather than just focusing on surface-level behaviors like calorie restriction. [36:58] Notable Quotes "Anything can become traumatic to the system if it is repeated or if the emotion is large enough, anything can become to the system." (20:53) "Everything we do is for a function. And sometimes this is hard for people to wrap their minds around because it feels like manipulation, or it feels like you're doing it on purpose, or it feels like my kid is trying to manipulate me. [31:31] They're not. They're trying to get a need met." (37:19) "When that safety signals on the nervous system is much too powerful for anything in our cognitive capabilities." (38:30) [17:43] Kicker Quotes "Food got wired in as a coping strategy or an adaptive strategy when the nervous system was on high alert." (34:03) [34:16] "We fixed all of that through where you first started this, which is safety first, we have to safety to the nervous system, and then it will allow us to change all of our patterns." (38:30) [17:45] Detailed Insights Main Arguments The nervous system is the driving force behind our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, particularly in response to perceived safety or danger. [16:31] (09:10, 10:47) Trauma is not limited to major events, but can stem from seemingly minor experiences that the nervous system interprets as unsafe. [20:26] (20:53) Overcoming patterns like emotional eating or weight struggles requires addressing the underlying nervous system regulation, rather than just focusing on surface-level behaviors. (37:19, 38:30) Supporting Evidence The guest provides examples of how the nervous system learns patterns from early childhood experiences, such as a mother's tone of voice or body language. (20:53) The guest explains how food can become a "drug of adaptation" - a coping mechanism that the nervous system learns to turn to when experiencing negative emotions or feeling unsafe. [35:20] (34:03) Themes and Trends Recurring Themes The importance of the nervous system in shaping our behaviors and experiences (throughout) [09:29] The concept of trauma and how it is not limited to major events (20:53) [15:13] The role of safety and regulation in the nervous system (38:30) [16:31] Emerging Trends The growing recognition of the nervous system's impact on weight loss, body image, and other psychological and behavioral patterns (throughout) The need for holistic, nervous system-based approaches to addressing these challenges, rather than just focusing on surface-level behaviors (37:19, 38:30) [13:48] Interview Dynamics Interview Flow The ...